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Hammond 'concerned at wider implications' of ruling
The Defence Secretary has said that he is "concerned about the wider implications" of the Supreme Court ruling which has allowed families of servicemen killed in Iraq to sue the Government for damages.
Our thoughts remain with those who were injured and the families of those who sadly lost their lives.
The most important priority is the protection of our troops and since this litigation started a wide range of protected vehicles including Mastiff, Ridgeback, Husky, Wolfhound, Jackal and Foxhound, have been available to commanders to match the most appropriate available vehicle to specific tasks based on the assessment of the operational risk.
I welcome the fact that the Court has upheld the principle of the doctrine of combat immunity, albeit suggesting that it should be interpreted narrowly.
However, I am very concerned at the wider implications of this judgment, which could ultimately make it more difficult for our troops to carry out operations and potentially throws open a wide range of military decisions to the uncertainty of litigation.
– Philip Hammond, Defence SecretaryWe will continue to make this point in future legal proceedings as it can't be right that troops on operations have to put the ECHR ahead of what is operationally vital to protect our national security.
Royal Mail workers vote to boycott competitors
Royal Mail workers have voted to boycott competitors' mail and strongly oppose privatisation of the company, the Communication Workers Union said today.
A CWU statement said the ballot had seen a 47% turnout and the boycott received 92% support.
In response to the question "Do you oppose the privatisation of Royal Mail?" some 96% of those polled voted yes.
“Today’s ballot result shows we have resounding support for all the union’s policies," said Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary.
"This is a strong message to take forward action in each area to improve the working lives of postal workers and protect the services and jobs which customers and communities value.”
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Protests erupt at London Mayor's Question Time
The London Mayor's Question Time was temporarily suspended today after protesters disrupted the conference. Firefighters chanted "No ifs, no buts, no fire service cuts", causing the Assembly members to leave the Chamber as order was restored.
Freddie Starr re-bailed
Freddie Starr's lawyer said the comedian is hopeful he will be able to clear his name after he was re-bailed following his arrest by officers investigating the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal.
Starr, 70, was re-bailed until 28 August after he was due to answer bail today.
His lawyer, Dean Dunham, said: "Mr Starr was due to answer bail today, Wednesday June 19. However, the police have decided to re-bail him to August 28 and in the circumstances he was not required to attend the police station today.
"Mr Starr has maintained his innocence throughout and has assisted the police with their inquiries at all times.
"We are hopeful that the police inquiries are drawing close to a conclusion at which time Mr Starr will be able to confirm that he has publicly cleared his good name and reputation."
Peppa Pig World: Facebook page 'out of our control'
A spokeswoman for Peppa Pig World has confirmed that its Facebook page has been hacked, but said it was "frustratingly out of our control".
The official page for the Peppa Pig World attraction in Southampton has been littered with random photographs and comments in the last 24 hours.
She said: "We remain in contact with Facebook and are doing everything we can to resolve the issue. The page has continued to experience spam posts but we are relieved that they appear to be inoffensive at present."
Parents have been venting their frustration on the Facebook page, with one writing: "If you're posting pics like this why don't you make your own page and update as many piccys as you want ... Grow up and get a life!"
Read: Peppa Pig apologises after 'children told to go to hell'
No 10: CQC cover-up claims 'disturbing and appalling'
The Prime Minister's spokesman has said the allegations of a cover-up by the Care Quality Commission are "deeply disturbing and appalling."
He added that the Government has taken "strong action" to reform the system.
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Pardew staying at Newcastle despite turmoil
Alan Pardew has insisted he will remain as Newcastle United manager despite the turmoil currently engulfing the club.
Managing director Derek Llambias announced his resignation on Wednesday just one day after the controversial Joe Kinnear was appointed director of football.
But Pardew told the Chronicle newspaper: “I am staying – to take the club up the league.”
Cow rescued after falling through roof
Devon and Somerset Fire service have rescued a cow after it fell through the roof of a farm building and into a pit.
A specialist rescue team placed lines around the animal to pull it to safety. It was then checked over by a vet.
Murray faces extra-tough path to Wimbledon final
Andy Murray was confirmed as the second seed for the Wimbledon men's singles today and French Open champion Rafael Nadal is a potential quarter-final opponent.
Nadal is still climbing back up the world rankings after a long spell out with a knee injury and fellow Spaniard David Ferrer gets the fourth seed spot.
It means that the French Open champion could play Murray, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer as early as the quarter-finals.
And Andy Murray could face an unusually tough route of a Nadal quarter-final, Federer (world number 3) in the semi-final and Djokovic (world number 1) in the final.
Tennis fans will not know for sure until the official Wimbledon draw is made on Friday.
Detailed replica of King Richard III's skull goes on display
A new 3D printed replica of King Richard III's skull has been loaned by Loughborough University to an exhibition in Leicester charting the discovery of his remains in the city.
Experts from the university made the model using scan data, this was then entered into a computer and 'printed' using a 3D printer, a technique that uses a high power laser to fuse small particles of materials into a mass that has a three-dimensional shape. Click here to see a 3D printer in action.
This is the second replica to be made and put on display at the Leicester City Council's exhibition Richard III: Leicester’s Search for a King’ at The Guildhall. This model though is said to be significantly more detailed, allowing visitors to clearly see the fatal injuries the king sustained.
Professor Russell Harris, is leading Loughborough’s involvement in the project. He said: “We are absolutely delighted with the new skull. It is incredibly more detailed than the previous version, and will be invaluable for future studies.”
