Police say drone not cause of Leicester helicopter crash as black box found

staff reporter(wp/reuters):
The helicopter crash that killed Leicester City soccer club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was not caused by a police drone, Leicestershire Police said on Monday, as investigations continue into how the accident happened.
Thai businessman Srivaddhanaprabha died along with four others when his helicopter crashed and then exploded outside the club’s King Power Stadium on Saturday after a Premier League match against West Ham United.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it had recovered the flight data recorder and would remain in the city until the end of the week before transporting the wreckage to its facilities in Farnborough.

“Today, our inspectors in Farnborough will start working on the recorder, which was subject to intense heat as a result of the post-accident fire,” according to a statement from the AAIB, which investigates all civil aircraft accidents in Britain.

The cause of the crash remains unclear.

Leicestershire Police said on Twitter that their drone was not in flight when the helicopter left the stadium.

It came down in a car park outside the ground shortly after 1930 GMT, about an hour after the end the match.

Police named the other victims of the crash as passengers Izabela Roza Lechowiczas, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, and pilot Eric Swaffer.

The Italian maker of the helicopter, Leonardo SpA, said it was ready to assist the investigation.

Vichai’s family, including his son and wife Aiyawatt and Aimon, arrived at the stadium on Monday to lay flowers among the mass of tributes already left by the club’s supporters.

Hundreds of people had queued since the morning to lay toys, scarves and bouquets to remember the much-loved owner who took over the club in 2010 and oversaw their incredible rise from the second tier to Premier League title winners in 2016.

Players and staff from the club were also at the stadium to pay their respects.

Leicester City’s first-team squad had a short training session on Monday morning but the club’s fourth round League Cup tie with Southampton, scheduled for Tuesday at the King Power, was postponed because of the accident.

UK borrowing to fall, opening way for end of austerity - Hammond

Political reporter(wp/reuters):
British Chancellor Philip Hammond announced a fall in the country’s expected borrowing needs between now and the mid-2020s as he began his final budget speech before Britain leaves the European Union.
After a steady improvement in Britain’s once giant budget deficit, Prime Minister Theresa May said earlier this month that the government’s austerity push was coming to an end, a message echoed by Hammond on Monday.

But he has warned he would have to reverse the plan for higher spending in the event of an economically damaging no-deal Brexit in March, putting pressure on rebel members of parliament from May’s Conservative Party to stop blocking her Brexit strategy.

Speaking in parliament on Monday, Hammond said the budget deficit was set to stand at 1.2 percent of gross domestic product in the current financial year, down from a forecast in March of 1.8 percent.

“When our EU negotiations deliver a deal, as I am confident they will, I expect that the ‘Deal Dividend’ will allow us to provide further funding,” he said. “The hard work of the British people is paying off. Austerity is coming to an end.”

In total, borrowing was forecast to be 18.5 billion pounds lower between now and the 2022/23 financial year than in the March forecasts by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility which underpin the budget..

Hammond and his predecessor George Osborne have made fixing the public finances their priority.

The budget deficit has fallen from almost 10 percent of GDP in 2010, thanks in large part to big cuts to spending for a range of government departments and a squeeze on welfare payments for working-age recipients.

But Hammond is likely to struggle to meet his target of wiping out the deficit altogether by the mid-2020s if he does not raise taxes, economists have said.

By the 2023/24 financial year, the deficit was expected to be 0.8 percent of GDP, Hammond said.

He has also set himself a target of bringing down public debt, which has doubled as a share of GDP from before the financial crisis as the government borrowed heavily.

Hammond said the OBR’s forecasts showed debt as a ratio of GDP was due to fall each year.

The OBR raised its forecasts for economic growth for next year to 1.6 percent, compared with its prediction of 1.3 percent made in March. The 2020 growth forecast was raised less sharply to 1.4 percent and maintained at 1.4 percent for 2021.

Nearly 18,000 call for Leicester City owner statue at King Power Stadium

sports reporter(wp/es):

Nearly 18,000 people have signed a petition calling for there to be a statue of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha outside of Leicester’s King Power stadium.

Scores of Leicester City fans have signed the change-org petition for a tribute statue of the club’s owner outside the grounds.

Tributes have poured in from football players , celebrities and royalty for Mr Srivaddhanaprabha, following his death on Saturday. He was killed along with four others when his helicopter spiralled out of control and crashed to the ground just moments after taking off from the pitch.

The Duke of Cambridge led tributes for the Thai businessman, calling him a man who was “dedicated to his family and who supported a number of important charities.”

The petition, which was only set up a day ago, read: “Vichai chose Leicester when we were riddled with debt, he got us out of the debt and made us the club we are today.

“We owe Vichai and his family everything. Please if you’re a Leicester fan or a football fan sign this petition for a statue to be placed outside the King Power Stadium in memory of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

“Let’s get as many votes as possible and us as fans fund this.”

Both football fans and well-wishers signed the petition. By 2pm on Monday, it has nearly 18,000 signatures.

Karen Hollings wrote: “He was an amazing man did so much for Leicester city and other charities in Leicester. Deepest condolences to his family rest in peace.”

While Steve Kitchen wrote: “This man was an inspiration, not only to LCFC, but the Leicestershire community. His place is reserved for the statue.”

The petition also attracted support from supporters who are not fans of the club.

Oliver Catchpole wrote: “I’m not a Leicester City fan, but [he] deserves so much recognition.”

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha was among five people killed when an aircraft came down outside the King Power Stadium on Saturday, shortly after the team's 1-1 draw with West Ham.

The others who died were his assistant Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, another member of Mr Srivaddhanaprabha's staff.

Pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz also died in the crash. Mr Swaffer has been hailed a hero for directing the out-of-control helicopter away from crowds of fans.

The Prime Minister also paid her respects on Monday morning.

Theresa May tweeted: “My thoughts are with those family, friends and supporters connected to the tragic crash outside Leicester City’s stadium on Saturday night. The outpouring of grief is a testament to how many people’s lives were touched by those on board.”

Hate crime probe as group parades in Ku Klux Klan uniform near Muslim centre

Crime reporter(wp/es):

Eight people in Ku Klux Klan uniform have been pictured parading outside a Muslim community hall.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said it was treating the incident as a hate crime.

The group was pictured in Newtownards, County Down, near the Bangladesh Islamic Centre.

Dr Raied Al Wazzan, a Muslim leader, said it was the second Islamophobic crime at the centre in a matter of months. Meanwhile, he said some people were scared to leave their homes.

He told the BBC: “This is the second time it has been targeted.

“This is a very small Muslim community living and working around Newtownards. A few months ago, a pig’s head was placed at the door.

“This time, more people came. They dressed in KKK costume and they could have gone anywhere in Newtownards, anywhere in Northern Ireland, dressing in any uniform.

“But to go in front of an Islamic prayer room, it’s totally making people afraid, afraid to come out or even go there.”

He added: “I understand it’s Halloween, people are dressed in costumes. But to go there specifically wearing that costume in front of the Islamic centre is not acceptable.

“It’s similar to somebody wearing a Nazi uniform and going in front of a Jewish synagogue – that would be unacceptable as well.”

Urging anyone with information to get in touch with police, Insp Richard Murray said: "We received a report around 5pm Sunday about a group of people dressed as Ku Klux Klan members in the vicinity of Greenwell Street in the town on Saturday night.

"We are also aware of images that are circulating that show people dressed as Ku Klux Klan members.

"Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are treating this as a hate incident at this time.

"Hate crime, in all its forms, is totally unacceptable. It is the responsibility of each and every one of us to ensure that we live in a society where diversity is respected.”