Royal infant 'placed on crime watch database of terrorists and money launderers'

Pic:Maud Windsor, the daughter of Lord and Lady Frederick Windsor is reportedly included on the database
Royal Correspondent(wp/es):

A three-year-old Royal Family member is reportedly included on a list the world’s biggest banks use to identify terrorists and potential money launderers.

Analysis by The Times revealed thousands of people including Maud Windsor, daughter of Lord Frederick Windsor and actress Sophie Winkleman, are on the World-Check database just because they are related to minor public figures.

The list, which is restricted under European privacy laws, contains details about people and groups suspected of being involved in terrorism, organised crime and money laundering.

The Times has released analysis of a copy after it was leaked online in the summer. 

It is said to include the listing of Maud Windsor who was just nine months old when she was listed on the database.

Ms Windsor is 42nd in line to the throne, with Lord Freddie the only son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Those on the World-Check list can face extra scrutiny from banks or even have applications for bank accounts and mortgages rejected.

This mid-2014 version of the database contains some 2.2 million records and is used by 49 of the world's 50 largest banks, along with 300 government and intelligence agencies.

The leaked copy also contains hundreds of people based partly on unverified blog posts and extremist websites, according to The Times.

Sir Neil Cossons, a historian and the former chairman of English Heritage, is another said to appear on the list.

He told The Times: "I've never been involved in any party political activities nor in money laundering.

"I am most concerned to have been identified in any capacity on World-Check."

Thomson Reuters, the media company which maintains World-Check, does not tell people they are on the list, while banks have no obligation to inform customers of why they have been refused services.

David Crundwell, global head of corporate affairs at Thomson Reuters, said World-Check was just one of several services where it aggregated financial crime data from the public domain.

He added: "World-Check also collates law enforcement, regulatory enforcement and other publicly available information from reputable sources in order to help clients comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regulations.

"Customers can then use this data to follow their own regulatory compliance policies and procedures.

"Data protection laws and regulations governing World-Check prevent us from discussing any specific individual profile.

"World-Check has a clear privacy statement available on its website which also sets out how any individual can contact us if they believe any of the information held is inaccurate, and we would urge them to do so."

Theresa May calls on British people to 'come together' in first Christmas message

Pic:Theresa May has given her first Christmas message as Prime Minister
Political reporter(wp/es):

Theresa May has used her first Christmas message as Prime Minister to call on British people to "come together" after a year of divisions over the Brexit referendum.

Mrs May said it is important to "unite our country" as Britain seeks a "bold" new role on the world stage outside the European Union.

Her words may be seen as an attempt to address the splits between supporters and opponents of EU membership exposed by the June 23 vote, won by Leave by a 52 to 48 per cent margin.

At a time when families are coming together for the festive break, Mrs May said: "Coming together is also important for us as a country. As we leave the European Union we must seize an historic opportunity to forge a bold new role for ourselves in the world and to unite our country as we move forward into the future.

"And, with our international partners, we must work together to promote trade, increase prosperity and face the challenges to peace and security around the world."

Mrs May stressed that 2016 has seen much for Britain celebrate, including the Queen's 90th birthday and successes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In a separate video message to the armed forces, she promised to do more to help servicemen and women and their families in 2017, to show them that "this Government is on your side".

Describing Britain's troops as "the finest in the world", the Prime Minister said: "Over this holiday period, there will be around 5,000 members of our armed forces deployed on operations - in the desert, at sea, even under the sea operating our continuous nuclear deterrent. While even those who are able to be here in the UK will, in many cases, be on standby to deal with domestic incidents like the flood relief that so many of you helped with during your Christmas breaks last year.

"Just as your commitment to our country is unfaltering, so in return we owe you the same deep commitment and unflinching support. So as I made clear when I met some of your families on Salisbury Plain earlier this year, we will honour the commitments we have made to you, including helping you to buy your own home and providing support for your children in school.

"And, as we go into 2017, I know there is more we can do to help and I am determined that we should do so. Because I want you - and all your families - to know that this Government is on your side."

In her message to the nation, Mrs May said that, as the daughter of a vicar, she was aware of the demands placed on those who have to work over Christmas. She offered her gratitude to health and care workers, emergency services and members of the armed forces who will be separated by duty from their families and friends during the festivities.

Noting the persecution faced by Christians in other parts of the world at Christmas, she voiced her determination "to stand up for the freedom of people of all religions to practise their beliefs in peace and safety".

She concluded: "Wherever you are this Christmas, I wish you joy and peace in this season of celebration, along with health and happiness in the year ahead."

Five injured and two 'critical' after multi-car crash closes M1 on Christmas Eve

Staff reporter(wp/es):

A man is fighting for his life in hospital after a multi-car pile-up which has closed the M1 motorway heading to London.

Hundreds of thousands of motorists embarking on Christmas getaways are now facing severe delays after the major accident at 2.33am in Bedfordshire.

At least five people were injured in the crash between junctions 12 and 13, with two thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

One man, in his 20s, was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington where he remains “critical” after suffering a head injury.

Drivers are being warned of severe delays, particularly heading to Luton Airport and London, as the southbound M1 remained closed at 11am.

A diversion has been put in place while the northbound stretch of motorway was reopened but with only two lanes.

A spokeswoman for Bedfordshire police said: "Several people were injured and have been taken to hospital for treatment. Two people are thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries while a number of others are being treated for less serious injuries."

A Highways England spokesman said: “A signed diversion route is in place and drivers planning to travel to Luton airport are advised to allow extra time and to plan their journeys.

“Traffic for London is advised to use the A14/A1 and drivers heading towards the Midlands are being advised to use the M40.”

The southband carriageway of the M1 is expected to be closed until around 4pm.

Man fighting for life after double stabbing in north London

Crime reporter(wp/es):

A teenager was fighting for life in hospital and another man was injured after a double stabbing in north London.

Police were trawling the Turnpike Lane area for clues on the location of the stabbings on Friday morning after the 19-year-old arrived at a hospital in north London with knife wounds. 

Scotland Yard said officers believed both men were stabbed during "a violent incident" near Waldegrave Road in the early hours of the morning.

Staff at the hospital alerted police after the teenager was admitted at about 1am.

He was transferred to a hospital in east London where his condition was described as life-threatening.

Emergency services were seperately called to Waldegrave Road to reports of a man stabbed at 12.50am. A 23-year-old man was taken to hospital with stab wounds not believed to be serious.

A Met Police spokesman said: "Detectives from Haringey CID are investigating. 

"They believe the 19-year-old man was stabbed in the area of Turnpike Lane or Waldegrave Road. 

"The 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder."

A crime scene was set up and parts of Turnpike Lane and Westbury Avenue were sealed off for hours as officers investigated.

Mark Humphris posted on Twitter: “Lots of roads closed around Wood Green, Turnpike Lane and A10 area. Police on scene.” 

Enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.

Top barrister killed as fire rips through Thames-side apartment in Bermondsey

Pic:prosecutor Ian Paton died after a blaze in his Bermondsey flat
Staff reporter(wp/es):

A top barrister and part-time judge who died after a blaze ripped through his Thames-side apartment was a “true gentleman”, friends said today.

Ian Paton, 66, a criminal prosecutor who also sat as a crown court recorder, was in his third-floor flat in Luna House, Bermondsey Wall West, when fire broke out.

Mr Paton, who worked for QEB Hollis Whiteman Chambers, was pulled from the flames by firefighters but pronounced dead shortly after.

Other residents of the block fled as smoke poured from the apartment.

Sources said the blaze, which happened at about 5.30pm on Tuesday, had been investigated to ensure it was not connected to his work and to rule out a revenge attack.

Mr Paton’s prosecutions had led to several criminals being jailed. “This is no longer suspicious. This will probably go down more as misadventure. The cause is still being investigated,  but there were candles in the flat,” a source said.

A post-mortem examination has taken place and more tests are due to be carried out, but it is suspected Mr Paton, who lived alone, died from smoke inhalation.

Friend and former colleague Sally Mertens, 46, a barrister at Atkinson Bevan Chambers, said: “He was really well respected, a true gentleman and very fair towards people as a prosecutor. He was a lovely guy and a very good barrister. He also sat as a judge part-time, as a recorder. He worked on a lot of stuff, from murders to frauds.

“He was a pleasure to work with. It’s incredibly sad. He was incredibly well respected among his colleagues. Being at QEB Chambers, you’re talking about one of the top five to be with, so he was at the top of his game.”

Barrister John Traversi, of 9 Bedford Row Chambers, added: “We started at the Bar at about the same time. He was a very bright, capable and unyielding prosecutor. He was hugely respected.

“Anybody who came across him in court representing the other side knew they would be up against it. He was a formidable opponent and it’s a huge loss to the profession.”

A family friend, who wished not to be named, said: “Everyone is devastated. He was a great man who had a young daughter and this is terrible just before Christmas.” His daughter was too upset to speak.

It took 21 firefighters nearly two hours to control the blaze. One evacuated resident said: “It must have been going on for a good few hours. There was a lot of billowing, thick black smoke coming from the window. I don’t think anybody could have survived that.”

London Fire Brigade said: “A man was rescued from the flat by firefighters but was sadly confirmed dead at scene.”

Six men arrested in riots after 'Wild n Out' music event shut down

Pic:Frightened witnesses saw armed police outside McDonald's on Ealing Broadway 
Crime reporter(wp/es):

Six men have been arrested after a riot broke out in west London after police shut down a Somali music event.

Gangs of youths wreaked havoc as police officers were allegedly targeted with missiles while trying to disperse the crowd in Ealingon Thursday night.

Two police dogs were also injured in the melee after the £15 Somali “Wild n out” music show at Ealing Town Hall was shut down shortly after 11pm over fears of overcrowding.

A Metrolpolitan Police spokesman confirmed six men - aged between 19 and 23 – has been arrested on suspicion of public order offences. They are being held at west London police stations.

Deputy Borough Commander of Ealing, Detective Superintendent Robert Mahoney, said: "A large number of people tried to gain entry to a pre-planned event being held at Ealing Town Hall last night.

"They were stopped from entering because of safety concerns. This resulted in some of the group engaging in disorder. 

"A swift and proportionate police response soon brought the situation under control and six men are currently in custody. I want to reassure the residents of Ealing that this was an isolated incident which has been effectively dealt with."

One organiser suggested some 2,000 people had turned up to the venue which can only hold 600.

After organisers decided to close the event to ensure safety, a mob of youths is said to have descended on nearby Longfield Avenue where rioting broke out.

Frightened witnesses reported seeing scores of armed police patrolling outside McDonald’s at the junction with Spring Bridge Road.

One of the event’s promoters told the Standard: “The reason it got closed was because too many people attended the event which was only promoted for a week.”

A man was found suffering from injuries in nearby Mattock Lane and rushed to hospital by ambulance.

He remains in a west London hospital in a stable condition and enquiries are underway to establish how he sustained his injuries.

Elderly man dies after being hit by car in Sydenham crash

Staff reporter(wp/es):

An elderly man was killed after he was hit by a car in south London on Thursday night.

The pensioner, thought to be aged around 80, was seriously injured and rushed to hospital following the crash in Lewisham.

He later died in hospital.

Police and ambulances raced to Sydenham Road in Sydenham at around 8.30pm following reports of a crash between a car and a pedestrian.

The road was closed between Newlands Park and Kent House Road while police dealt with the incident, which happened near to the Hexagon Housing building.

Witness Fiona Fraser said she saw "so many police" on the busy stretch of road. Another passerby described traffic as "gridlock".

The driver of the car stopped at the scene, a spokesman for the Met said.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out and officers are continuing to investigate what happened.

The Met Police are appealing for information following the fatal crash.