fireball bursts out of shop in packed north London high street

Pic: the blaze in Camden

Staff reporter(wp/es):

This is the shocking moment a fireball burst out of a souvenir shop in front of terrified tourists in Camden.

One man managed to flee the three-storey building in Camden High Street before firefighters arrived at just after 10pm last night.

The inferno badly damaged the Light Up T-Shirts store, which specialises in LED clothing and operates on the ground-floor.

Drinkers were evacuated from nearby pubs as a section of the street was cordoned off while fire teams doused the blaze.

Henry Crockett, a project manager from North Finchley, had just left a nearby pub when he smelt smoke and rang on resident’s doorbells to alert them to the flames.

The 28-year-old said: “I smelt something awful and saw a glow coming over the shutters and it just rapidly grew.

“I could tell there were flats at the top and rang all the bells I could find to get people out. The smoke was so thick and was bellowing out into the street I had to keep other people away from the fumes.”

Helena Holder, 19, studying German at University College London lives three doors down from the inferno.

She said: “We noticed this strange mist and thought it was heavy rain but then saw the flashing lights and knew something wasn’t right.

“We were very anxious to see if anyone was inside. Firemen were wearing respiratory gear so obviously that suggests something bad. We were worried the fire would spread to us because we’re very close.”

A worker at The Elephants Head pub said: “We had to empty the whole place. The Oxford Arms and Poppies as well, all the venues near the junction. The whole area was closed down but thankfully no one got hurt. Everyone is safe.”

London Fire Brigade said the cause of the fire was still being investigated.

Killer guilty of £1m raid on Simon Cowell's west London mansion

Pic:Darren February was convicted of carrying out a £1million raid on Simon Cowell's home 
Crime reporter(wp/es):

A killer who carried out a £1 million raid on Simon Cowell’s luxury mansion as the music mogul and his family slept upstairs has been found guilty of burglary. 

Darren February, 33, forced his way into the five-bed property in Holland Park through patio doors to steal a stash of jewellery and two passports. 

Just ten days later, he knocked down and killed 52-year-old Kenneth Baldwin with his car while racing at speeds of up to 60mph through Holland Park. 

CCTV showed callous February chatting casually on his mobile phone and attempting to strip the scene of evidence while Mr Baldwin lay dying on the ground nearby. 

February was jailed for eight and a half years in May last year for causing death by dangerous driving, and was then linked to the raid on Mr Cowell's home.

He broke in to the £10 million mansion on December 4, 2015, while Mr Cowell was upstairs sleeping with partner Lauren Silverman and their young son Eric. 

February evaded private guard Simon Williams, who is believed to have been on the toilet, and emptied a safe which had been left open. 

A passport stolen in the raid belonging to the music mogul was later recovered from a recycling facility in Wandsworth.

February denied being behind the raid but a Jury at Isleworth crown court took less than an hour to find him guilty of one charge of burglary. 

He shook his head as the verdict was delivered, but it then emerged February is a prolific burglar who has carried out 37 separate raids on wealthy home owners around west London. 

He has a criminal record dating back to when he was just 12, and has convictions for 58 offences including crimes of burglary, assault and theft.

February was jailed for four years in 2013 for assault, affray, criminal damage and a number of thefts. 

He was linked to the raid on Simon Cowell’s house through CCTV and DNA left at the scene.  

Among the stolen jewellery were watches worth £200,000, diamond rings worth £500,000, diamond earrings valued at £220,000 and diamond bracelets worth £50,000. Most of the items have not been recovered.

February, of no fixed address but formerly of Octavia House, North Kensington, denied but was convicted of burglary.

He was remanded in custody until sentencing on Wednesday morning.

Underground station closed after man knifed in morning attack

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A south London Tube station was placed on lockdown by police on Sunday morning after a man was stabbed.

Police rushed to Vauxhall station at 5.20am after reports someone had been knifed inside.

British Transport Police said a man had received injuries to his leg in the attack.

A spokesman said the stab injuries were only minor and he had already been released from hospital.

The incident meant part of the station remained closed on Sunday morning as police combed the scene.

A man, 35, was arrested nearby and is currently being quizzed by police.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to Vauxhall Underground station at 5.19am this morning after reports that a man had been stabbed.

“He received minor injuries to his leg and has since been released from hospital.

“A 35-year-old man was arrested away from the station a short time later and is currently in police custody.

“Part of the station remains closed this morning as we carry out our investigation.”

Young man stabbed to death after fight in south east London street

Crime reporter(wp/es):

Police have launched a murder probe after a young man was stabbed to death following a fight in south east London.

Emergency services rushed to Lambscroft Avenue in Mottingham, Lewisham, on Friday at 3.45pm after reports of a fight in the street.

Residents said police and sniffer dogs descended on the scene, finding a 21-year-old suffering from stab injuries in nearby Charlesfield.

Paramedics arrived while London’s Air Ambulance landed close by.

But, despite, battling to save the victim’s life, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three teenage boys, aged 19, 18 and 16, alongside a 20-year-old have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They are currently being quizzed by detectives at south London police sations.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said she first became aware of what had happened when police helicopters began buzzing overhead at around 4pm.

She said: “From what I can gather he was stabbed in the car park and then managed to walk across to the road which is where he died.”

The resident said the scene of the attack was just yards from where an 18-year-old was critically injured following a stabbing in October.

She said: “I’ve lived here my whole life and I’d never heard of anything like this before these two stabbings.”

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Police were called shortly before 15:45hrs on Friday, 24 February to reports of a disturbance on Lambscroft Avenue.

“On arrival, officers were directed to a man suffering stab injuries on nearby Charlesfield.

“Police officers, London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance gave emergency first aid to the victim. However, the 21-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Police are in the process of informing next of kin. 

“Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course."

Motorcyclist injured in collision with car at busy north London junction

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A motorcyclist has been injured after being involved in a crash with a car at a busy junction in north London.

Emergency services raced to the scene of the crash in Islington on Friday morning.

Police, paramedics and fire crews were called to the collision in Southgate Road at the junction with Downham Road at 8.45am. 

Firefighters erected blue tarpaulin in the road as paramedics treated the biker - a man aged in his 20s.

Scotland Yard said the motorcyclist was taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be life-threatening. 

Hackney borough police officers posted a picture of the scene on Twitter and wrote: “Southgate Road at the junction of Downham Road N1 closed for a collision.

"Various road closures and busses on diversion. Avoid.”

The junction was cordoned off by officers.

Police said no arrests have been made and enquiries continue. 

Queensbury Tube station shut after woman hit by Jubilee line train

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A Tube station was shut and part of the Jubilee Line was suspended after a woman was hit by a train during the morning rush hour.

More than half a dozen police cars, a fire engine and ambulances rushed to Queensbury station on Friday morning.

British Transport Police said a woman had been hit by a train at 7.15am and rushed to St Mary's Hospital where she remains.

Witnesses at Queensbury station reported seeing"police everywhere"

​All trains between Stanmore to Wembley Park were cancelled and commuters on the rest of the line experienced severe delays.

Witness Alina Scaueru told the Standard there were "at least five police cars, a victim’s trauma intervention one, an urgent response unit and three fire engines” at Queensbury station.

A spokeswoman for BTP said medics treated the woman, whose condition is described as "non life threatening".

She said: "BTP officers were called to Queensbury London Underground train station on Friday after reports that a woman had been struck by a train.

"Officers from the British Transport Police and Met Polcie attended the incident.

It's currently being treated as non-suspicious".

Passengers were hit with delays with Tube user Dilip Halai describing how he had been stuck on an unmoving train for around eight minutes as Tube services ground to a halt.

Another passenger, Lauren Kavanagh, said on Twitter her eastbound train was held at every station for a couple of minutes.

At 8.20am TfL said all services were back up and running although there were still severe delays on the line. Queensbury station reopened after around an hour and a quarter.

Young woman killed by debris named as Wolverhampton University worker Tahnie Martin

Pic:Victim Tahnie Martin
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Tributes have been paid to a young woman who was killed by a piece of flying debris which came loose during Storm Doris.

University of Wolverhampton worker, Tahnie Martin, 29, was walking with her colleagues on Thursday when a chunk of wooden roofing flew from a building and hit her.

She suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene in Wolverhampton city centre, police said.

A senior lecturer in the department at the university where she worked today described her as "irrepressibly optimistic and kind", as colleagues expressed shock and sadness at her sudden death.

On Wednesday evening, the night before the tragedy, Ms Martin, from Stafford, had organised the university English department’s 50th anniversary dinner.

A comment from her colleague Dr Aidan Byrne, a senior lecturer in the department, was posted on Facebook.

Dr Byrne said: “Everyone in the English department is shocked and saddened by the death yesterday of Tahnie Martin. 

“She organised our 50th anniversary dinner on Wednesday night, coping with us with humour and forbearance.

“She was irrepressibly optimistic and kind, full of ideas and always enthusiastic.

"We were so grateful to her, and we’re glad that the last thing we did on Wednesday night was give her a hug and tell her how much we appreciated everything she did.

“She will be missed by everyone who knew her.”

Detective Inspector Paul Joyce from West Midlands Police said in a statement on Friday: “We are still trying to ascertain who the building belongs to and whether there is any criminal liability.

This is a deeply tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Miss Martin’s family.

“We would ask that their privacy is respected in their time of grief.”

University of Wolverhampton Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “We are all deeply saddened by this tragic loss.

“During Tahnie’s short time at the University, she made a real impact both in a professional and personal capacity. She became a very popular member of the team and was highly valued.” 

Record £2bn housing plan for Household Cavalry's Hyde Park barracks

Staff reporter(wp/es):

Plans to turn the Household Cavalry’s historic barracks inHyde Park into a record-breaking £2 billion super-elite neighbourhood have taken a major step forward.

Defence chiefs are “progressing” legislation paving the way for the sale of the home of the mounted regiment charged with guarding The Queen, the Standard has learned.

Senior property figures told the Standard that the development of Britain’s most valuable military brownfield site would “blow out of the water” the Candy brothers’ groundbreaking One Hyde Park apartment scheme just a few hundred yards away.

One leading developer who is interested in acquiring the 3.5 acre barracks site told the Standard: ”It ticks all the boxes, the location is just amazing and there is the potential to do three or four high rise One Hyde Parks because there is a tower already there that sets a precedent.”

In another sign of the accelerating pace of progress officials are holding high level talks with the property industry next week and hope to formally launch the sale - codenamed Project Rose - by the end of the year. 

The site bordering Kensington and Knightsbridge includes a 450ft frontage onto Kensington Road and is estimated to be worth around £500 million. It includes a 94 metre high tower designed by Basil Spence that was turned down for listing in 2015.

Discussions between the Government’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation - which is handling the sale - and developers originally started in 2012. 

But they have foundered until now on the MoD’s insistence that the buyers of the site have to provide a replacement barracks for the the 300 troops from the Life Guards and Blues & Royals housed by the austere 1970s blocks.

One requirement is that the new barracks have to be within 30 minutes ride of Horse Guards Parade.

The MoD appointed consultancy Bilfinger GVA last September to help identify potential sites and unblock the log-jam.

Developers are also concerned that the Government may have “missed the boat” following the rapid slow down in the ultra-prime market following a series of stamp duty increases.

Some are now looking at an alternative option of a huge luxury hotel and serviced apartments.

However, agents said the potential for the scheme was so great that it could single handedly revitalise the central London luxury residential market.

James Hyman, head of residential agency at Cluttons, said: “If the developers maximise the opportunity to the full they will be able to ask whatever price they wanted, within reason. Not dissimilar to when Candy & Candy launched One Hyde Park. 

“Due to the marketability and rarity, this is likely to generate a lot of interest around the world regardless of how the London market is performing and could kick start an international spending spree across the capital at every level of the market. Bringing much needed renewed confidence back into the London residential market.”

Tim Shaw, head of London development at property agent Carter Jonas, said: “When One Hyde Park came to market, it broke records and achieved £6,000 per sq ft. 

“Some developments in Mayfair have since broken £7,000 per sq ft, but you would expect a finished scheme on the Hyde Park Barracks site to blow any previous records out of the water. 

“It could mean that this enclave of Knightsbridge becomes the most expensive and sought after neighbourhood in London, perhaps even the world.”

However, a large-scale residential development may also be opposed by local residents determined to protect the area’s character.

The Knightsbridge Neighbourhood Forum has laid down a series of criteria in its neighbourhood plan which are being opposed by the DIO.

They include the preference to keep the barracks in Hyde Park, or return the site to parkland if the troops do move move, and a test of “tranquility” to guide the type of developments.  

Simon Birkett, chairman of the Knightsbridge Neighbourhood Forum, said: “The Household Cavalry is as iconic to Knightsbridge as Harrods and the Royal Albert Hall.  

“We are keen to protect and enhance the Hyde Park Barracks site not see HM Treasury flog it off for another ‘One Hyde Park’ type development.”

Local residents also stressed an Act of Parliament would be needed to sell the barracks due to legislation dating back to at least 1879. The DIO has confirmed “that it is progressing the primary legislation that is required to enable the development of the site.”

Talks are understood to be ongoing at the Minstry of Defence and DIO over the legislation though work is not yet believed to have started on drafting a bill.

The forum’s neighbourhood plan insists that any development should not increase the height, bulk or footprint of the barracks, excluding the tower.

It has received legal advice from a leading QC to support its interpretation of neighbourhood planning rules.

Westminster City Council’s planning masterplan identifies the site for residential development, including full on-site provision of affordable housing and the full range of housing sizes.

 A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said: “Hyde Park Barracks has not been sold. We are currently undertaking a detailed review on the feasibility of the barracks, and will report on progress in our update to Parliament next year. 

Westminster City Council Cabinet member for planning and public realm Daniel Astaire said: “Hyde Park Barracks is one of several sites across Westminster to be identified in the council’s City Plan as a potential location for future housing development. 

“Should the Ministry of Defence decide to sell the site and a developer comes forward with a proposal for residential development the planning application would be assessed against the council’s policies. We have received no applications to date.”

At the “industry engagement day” on Tuesday potential bidders will be invited to “test/challenge and validate the options presented and be given the opportunity to propose innovative alternatives either through open forum or confidentially".

London's economy tops £500m after latest strike, business leaders predict

Pic: Tube&rail strike pressure in bus
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Today's crippling Tube and rail walkout has tipped the total cost to the capital's economy over £500 million, business leaders have estimated.

It is thought half a billion pounds has haemorrhaged from London’s economy in the last year because of the fallout from the ongoing Tube and Southern Rail strikes.

Delayed meetings because commuters are late for work, missed flights and less footfall through London’s pubs, restaurants and entertainment spots are among the reasons for the capital’s estimated massive economic loss, business experts said.

Wednesday saw another one-day walkout by RMT train guards on the Southern network, leaving more than 300,000 passengers facing cancelled trains and delays.

A separate Tube strike on the Central and Waterloo and City lines saw hundreds of thousands of people forced to re-plan their journeys as the sixth major London Underground walkout in less than a year took hold.

Business leaders condemned today’s industrial action and said the cumulative impact on London and the South East’s economy could be more than £500 million.

Colin Stanbridge, boss of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Tube and rail services are vital lifelines of the capital’s economy. There is no question about economic impact.

“Delayed meetings, missed flights or cancelled trips to bars, restaurants or theatres carry a collective, mounting cost.

“Continual industrial action could pose a real risk of damage to international perceptions of London as a good place to do business. 

“It is frustrating to see unions call strikes, sometimes on apparently minor issues, that paralyse the daily life of London.”

Researchers at Chichester University said each day’s Southern Rail strike costs the south coast’s economy £11 million, making the total currently standing at £319 million. 

Simon French, chief economist at City brokers Panmure Gordon, assessed the impact on London of the three-day Southern Rail network shutdown by striking Aslef drivers in January to be £60 million.

If all of the Tube walkouts are included, the total is likely to reach over half a billion pounds.

Peter McNaught, operations director on the Central Line, said: “I apologise to customers for the disruption this unnecessary strike is causing. We call on the RMT to join us for more talks to resolve this.”

The Tube dispute is over the “forced” transfer of eight drivers from their home depot at Leytonstone to others further afield. 

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “If LU are allowed to get away with this move on the Central line they will start shunting drivers around at the drop of a hat.”

East Ham killer who tried to decapitate girlfriend in 'narcissistic rage'

Crime reporter(wp/es):
A "ferocious" killer who tried to decapitate his girlfriend in a "narcissistic rage" in their east London home has been jailed for at least 20 years.

Alin Apopei, 27, repeatedly threatened to kill 25-year-old sex worker Denisa Silmen and boasted he would get away with it by pretending to be mad, jurors heard.

Alin Apopei, 27, repeatedly threatened to kill 25-year-old sex worker Denisa Silmen and boasted he would get away with it by pretending to be mad, jurors heard.

His mobile phone was activated and recorded sound as he stabbed her in the neck and chest.

Her last words were: "You finished me off," the court heard.

Miss Silmen’s partially naked body was found bearing “horrendous injuries” at the flat they shared in Eversleigh Road, East Ham, on July 30 2015.

Prosecutor Zoe Johnson QC said: "Her head was almost entirely severed from her neck and her chest cavity was cut open, revealing her internal anatomy."

Judge Gerald Gordon said the killer had disfigured his victim by inflicting 62 wounds on her, most likely after she died.

During sentencing at the Old Bailey on Wednesday, he added: “It can properly be described as a slaughter of an innocent."

Jurors heard the couple had a "volatile" relationship and Apopei had been violent towards Miss Silmen.

On one occasion, he told her: "If you will leave me I shall kill you. If I will go to prison I will pretend I am mad, they will put me in hospital and I will get free from there because I have lots of money."

A month before the murder, the court heard, Apopei laughed and threatened her and a friend, saying: "One day I kill you both."

On the day of the killing, he was heard by a neighbour to tell his girlfriend: "Look what's happened, don't play with fire."

The mobile phone recorded the sounds of the couple apparently having sex before a man says: "I'm going to kill you now. Shall I give you the first one?" then a slapping noise.

The victim screams "oh my God", and Apopei responds: "What did I do to you? Why did you kill me?"

Miss Silmen was found in her room half inside her wardrobe, covered in blood, with her suitcase on the bed.

Following his arrest, Apopei said: "I'm guilty. I did do it, but I can't make prison."

He described his girlfriend as "a witch" and paced around his cell ranting about devil worship, the court heard.

The court heard psychiatrists had differing opinions on whether Apopei was mentally ill and it was for jurors to decide whether his responsibility for the killing was diminished.

The jury rejected Apopei's defence of mental illness and found him guilty of murder.

Sentencing him to life in jail, Judge Gerald Gordon QC told Apopei: "You killed her because you could not face the fact she was finally leaving you.

"The attack that killed her was ferocious and sustained including blunt instruments including an iron, manual strangulation and very many stab and slash wounds."

The judge said the killing was "most likely the product of narcissistic rage of Denisa leaving you".

three people killed or seriously injured by knives every day last year in London

Crime reporter(wp/es):

The shocking scale of knife crime in London was revealed today as new figures showed three people were killed or seriously injured in stabbings on the streets of the capital each day in 2016.

The Met statistics showed 60 people were stabbed to death last year, while 1,159 sustained serious injuries. 

In total officers dealt with 21,365 knife crimes, including domestic assaults involving knives and gang attacks, in London in the 12 months of 2016.

The statistics, obtained by the Standard under Freedom of Information rules, show the total number of knife crimes rose by 17 per cent last year compared to 2015 when there were 59 deaths, 1,089 serious injuries and 18,202 less serious offences.

 Last year, 4,316 people were threatened or injured with a knife or other sharp instrument compared with 3,846 in 2015, a 12 per cent increase.

Senior Scotland Yard detectives say they have managed to reduce gang-related knife crime but there is concern more young people are carrying knives for their own protection.

Police are now expanding tactics used by specialist squads, such as checks on retailers and weapon sweeps, to patrol officers in boroughs.

Southwark is the worst affected borough with 1,258 knife-related offences followed by Newham with 1,165 and Lambeth with 1,156.

Knife crime in London

They are followed by Tower Hamlets (1,087) and Croydon (1,026).

In terms of injuries, Lambeth had the worst record last year with one death and 246 people injured closely followed by Newham which recorded three murders and 243 people injured. Croydon recorded the highest knife related murder rate with six deaths.

So far this year five people have been stabbed to death in London including teenagers Djodjo Nsaka, 19, a university student from Streatham and 15-year-old school boy Quamari Barnes from Harlesden.

Patrick Green, manager of the Ben Kinsella Trust, set up in the wake of the murder of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella in Islington in 2008, said the statistics confirmed their “worst fears”.

He said: “This data shows that in the last year more families have lost a loved one and more victims are having to rebuild their lives after a serious injury. 

“If these crime figures tell us anything it is that we can’t sit back and watch this problem continue to grow, tackling knife crime has to be the policing priority for London.”

Barry Mizen, 65, whose 16-year-old son Jimmy was murdered in Lee in 2008, said : “The stark reality of what these figures convey should be alarming to all of us.

“The collateral damage and the impact on people’s lives following these incidents can be huge. Hand on heart I don’t think much has changed.

“I don’t doubt that there are good intentions but we need to sit down and think about what we can do to tackle this.”

Sophie Linden, the deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: “Every death on the streets of London is an utter tragedy, and the Mayor and I are deeply concerned about the rise in knife crime in the capital.”

She said she was working with knife retailers to explore what could be done to reduce the underage sale of knives. 

She added :“We’ve got to work with communities, schools and the young people themselves to spread the message that carrying a knife is more likely to ruin your life than save it.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Southworth said police were constantly reviewing tactics on tackling knife crime.

He added: “The most recent phase of Operation Sceptre in January involved nearly 900 activities across the capital and we have similar proactive activity planned throughout the year."

Gatwick Airport workers to vote on strike action in long-running 'poverty pay' dispute

Staff reporter(wp/es):

Gatwick Airport staff who assist disabled passengers are set to vote on strike action amid a dispute over pay.

Unite said most of the 200 workers are paid £7.65 an hour – a salary which the union labelled “poverty pay.”

Its members have rejected three separate offers from their employer, the OCS Group, during a long-running dispute.

Regional officer, Jamie Major, said: "OCS doesn't seem serious about settling this dispute. At the last meeting management gave four separate options, none of which represented an improved offer in real terms.

"It is entirely unacceptable that OCS thinks it can get away with paying poverty pay to dedicated workers committed to assisting disabled and reduced mobility passengers."

The ballot closes on March 9, and Unite warned of "significant strike action", if there is a yes vote.

Young man suffers life-changing injuries after being chased and knifed by gang

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A young man has been left with life-changing injuries after he was chased and repeatedly stabbed by a gang on a busy north London road, police say.

Officers were called to Green Lanes, near Newington Green, just before 4.30pm on Monday.

An Air Ambulance was also scrambled and the victim, in his early 20s, was rushed to hospital with multiple stab wounds.

Police believe he was chased by a gang before he was knifed. Members of the group fled shortly after the attack.

Shocked witnesses described “gruesome scenes” between Aden Grove and Lidfield Road.

Social worker Chris Murray, told the Weastar Times: “There was blood spattered all over the ground and up a metal gate.

“It was horrible, the young lad was lying on the pavement and looked in a pretty bad way.”

Remy Waslyuk added: "There was a man lying on the floor being treated by the ambulance crew and a splattering of blood on the pavement.

"The police were then shutting off the road just as our bus passed."

A Met Police spokesman said there had not been any arrests and enquiries continue.

Oxford University set to open first overseas campus in Paris because of Brexit

Pic:Oxford University may open its first foreign campus because of Brexit
Educational reporter(wp/es):

Oxford University may open its first ever campus overseas because of Brexit.

French officials have held talks with Oxford University about opening a sister campus in Paris, a move which could guarantee the university European funding after Brexit, The Telegraph reported.  

Oxford and other British universities, including Warwick, have been told that any campus they open in France would enjoy French legal status and could therefore continue to receive European funding.

Opening these satellite campuses would mean relocating degree courses and establishing joint study programmes.  

British universities have warned MPs that Brexit could mean “disaster” for higher education if European funding is withdrawn.

A spokesman for Oxford University told The Telegraph a decision had not yet been made but said: “Oxford has been an international university throughout its history and it is determined to remain open to the world whatever the future political landscape looks like.”

Jean-Michel Blanquer, a former director-general of the French ministry of education, confirmed to the paper that discussions between British universities and the French government were taking place. 

If a decision is made to push ahead with the plans, construction of the campus could reportedly begin as early as next year.

Barnet murder victim stabbed in the neck after mass brawl near Brent Cross named by police

Crime reporter(wp/es):

The man murdered after a mass fight in north-west London has been named as 21-year-old Joseph Olopo. 

Police have confirmed Mr Olopo died after being stabbed in the neck on a residential road on Friday evening.

Homicide detectives are investigating the killing, which took place just metres away from Brent Cross Tube station.

Police and paramedics rushed to the scene on Heathfield Gardens at around 7:15pm on Friday following reports of a group of males fighting.

Mr Olopo was found with stab wounds neck and was rushed to hospital, but pronounced dead shortly after.

His family have been informed and a post mortem confirmed the cause of his death was the stab wound to the neck.

A 20-year-old man was arrested close to the scene on suspicion of affray and has been bailed to return on a date in early March.

Police also arrested an 17-year-old boy but he was released with no further action.

London’s air was the ‘silent killer’ of my daughter, claims mother

Pic:Ella, dead aged nine, with Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, who wants a new inquest
Staff reporter(wp/es):

The mother of a young girl who died after repeated asthma attacks today called London’s filthy air a “silent killer” as she vowed to fight for answers.

Lewisham schoolgirl Ella Kissi-Debrah, nine, died in February 2013 after suffering years of coughing fits and seizures her mother Rosamund believes were triggered by the capital’s smog.

An inquest into the “healthy” Holbeach primary pupil’s death found she had died from acute respiratory failure but did not establish the cause of her asthma. 

Speaking after the fourth anniversary of her death, Ms Kissi-Debrah said “the public need to know” about the dangers of air pollution. She is now calling for a second inquest to be held in the light of more recent information about the capital’s pollution levels. 

Ms Kissie-Debrah said: “We believe it is in the public interest. When she passed away four years ago, there was none of the publicity around pollution levels that there is now. So much has happened since then.

“We want a new inquest. The pollution levels were never brought up in the original inquest, and so we want a new one to prove if it had an effect.

“It’s a silent killer, and the public need to know about it.”

Ms Kissi-Debrah, who lives near the South Circular in Hither Green, is now seeking medical experts to examine samples of Ella’s remains held at Great Ormond Street Hospital that may prove the link between her death and the capital’s air.

She is being helped by human rights lawyer Joceyln Cockburn, who represented the family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence.

Last week Mayor Sadiq Khan announced a £10 levy on heavy-polluting diesel vehicles driving in the capital, in a bid to tackle London’s filthy air.

In January areas of the city were put on alert after levels of dangerous particulate matter, which can cause heart and lung disease, were found to be higher than Beijing. 

More than 9,000 Londoners are believed to suffer an early death due to air pollution.

Ms Kissi-Debrah, who has postponed plans to sue the Mayor of London’s office over Ella’s death in the hope of a second inquest, said: “No one knows who these 9,000 people are. But people can put a face to my daughter.

“When she was alive, we never thought about pollution levels then. This is a test case — if we get a new inquest, and if we prove it, that will open the floodgates.”

“It’s massive, if we prove that it was the pollution levels. On the day she died, the pollution levels were incredibly high. That’s one thing we do know.”

£3.5bn scheme for 7,500 homes in Wood Green

Staff reporter(wp/es):

Wood Green could have a radical makeover as part of a £3.5 billion proposal to build thousands of homes and transform the north London area into a major shopping destination.

Haringey council has launched a consultation into the plans for land in and around the high street between Wood Green and Turnpike Lane Tube stations.

The plans include 7,700 homes, a new town centre with shops, and more than one million square feet of new employment space, including offices and workshops. 

A new green pedestrian route linking Wood Green with the grounds of Alexandra Palace is also being looked at for the area which could get a Crossrail 2 station. Some council-owned buildings would be redeveloped with services relocated.

Councillor Joe Goldberg, Haringey’s cabinet member for economic development, social inclusion and sustainability, said: “We want to make Wood Green one of the best places to work, shop, eat and drink in London.

“It is important that people have their say and we are calling on anyone living and working in the area to tell us what they like about Wood Green and what they would like to see improved.”

The consultation follows an initial one in 2015 when businesses and residents were presented with four options for redeveloping Wood Green. 

The council said the majority “overwhelmingly preferred” the latest plan. 

Ken Ford, executive director at Capital & Regional, which owns the Wood Green shopping centre, told the Standard: “As long- term investors in Wood Green, we are supportive of plans to establish the town as a major leisure and shopping destination.

“Since 2015, we have successfully introduced a range of leisure uses at The Mall Wood Green, such as a new Travelodge and gym, and seen strong demand from national retailers, including recent commitments from H&M and Pret a Manger.

“This underscores the potential of the area, which could be transformed by the arrival of Crossrail 2. 

“We will continue to work with Haringey council to help shape the future of Wood Green town centre.”

Natalie King, Cineworld Wood Green general manager, said: “In Wood Green we have witnessed a thriving community and we are excited to be part of such a vibrant area. 

“We welcome all regeneration efforts, which will give us the opportunity to extend our entertainment offering to a wider audience.” 

Comments on the new vision are invited before the consultation closes on March 31.

London 'among top ten worst cities in the world for traffic congestion'

Staff reporter(wp/es):

London is among the worst cities in the world for congestion, a new study found.

The capital has been named the seventh worst city for traffic jams in an analysis of 1,000 across the globe.

Last year, Londoners spent, on average, 73 hours-a-year waiting in queues during rush hour, traffic information company Inrix revealed.

But that compares to 104 hours lost in Los Angeles, and 91 in Moscow.

Drivers across the UK spend 32 hours-a-year waiting in queues of traffic during rush hour.

Researchers calculated that the direct and indirect costs of hold-ups hit £31 billion last year, at an average of £968 per driver. In London though, it is £1,911.

After London, Manchester is the second most congested British city, followed by Aberdeen, Birmingham and Edinburgh.

Those in Manchester spent an average of 39 hours-a-year at a standstill, while those in Aberdeen wasted 35 hours stuck in traffic. 

Inrix chief economist Graham Cookson said: "The cost of this congestion is staggering, stripping the economy of billions, impacting businesses and costing consumers dearly.

"To tackle this problem, we must consider bold options such as remote working, wider use of road user charging and investment in big data to create more effective and intelligent transportation systems." 

Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: "Road congestion is a high price to pay for having a successful economy, and the risk is that gridlock starts to strangle growth.

"That is why we don't just need sustained investment, to add capacity and install better traffic management systems, we need intelligent investment planned to minimise disruption during construction, minimise maintenance requirements, and provide more flexibility for the future."

Russia is the most congested country in Europe, followed by Turkey and the UK.

Recent Department for Transport (DfT) figures show there was a record 320.5 billion vehicle miles travelled in 2016, up 1.2 per cent on the previous year.

A DfT spokesman said: "We are making the most extensive improvements to roads since the 1970s, investing a record £23 billion to keep our country moving and make journeys faster, better and more reliable for everyone.

"As announced in the 2016 Autumn Statement, we are also spending a further £1.3 billion over the course of this Parliament to relieve congestion and provide important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future."