Kite Runner Flies into Nottingham
A Birmingham composer has created the music for a stage version of The Kite Runner which has made its European premiere in the Midlands.
West Coast Mainline fiasco cost taxpayer £50m
A critical report by MPS has condemned the £50 million cost to the taxpayer caused by the West Coast Mainline fiasco.
Green Party Spring Conference in Nottingham
The Green Party's MP, Natalie Bennett, has arrived in Nottingham to kick start the Spring Conference weekend.
Live updates
Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson to be sued by expenses watchdog
Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson is being sued by the parliamentary watchdog for not paying back £54,000, which they say he owes. Now the IPSA has issued High Court proceedings.
It calculated that Mr Jackson owes the capital gains on his 2nd home between 2010 and 2012. In a statement, the MP says the legal proceedings are heavy handed and disproportionate and that the property is now worth less than when he bought it.
Andrew Mitchell defends Tory MP facing rape claim
Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell said he "did not believe" allegations against Deputy Commons Speaker Nigel Evans.
Mr Evans was arrested on suspicion of raping one man and sexually assaulting another between July 2009 and March 2013. He said the allegations are "completely false".
Mr Mitchell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme:
If he were to resign now we would be in a terrible position where every public office holder would be open to blackmail and false stories in the media, triggering their resignation.
Nigel Evans has been a friend and colleague of mine for more than 20 years, I have known him in good times and in bad times and I certainly do not believe these allegations.
I think he should definitely continue in that role. We have three deputy speakers in the House of Commons so if necessary there can be a degree of burden- sharing.
He has not been charged, he has not been found guilty, and we do still live in a country where you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.
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Tory MP says Nigel Evans 'innocent until proven guilty'
Conservative MP Andrew Brigden, who was accused of sexual assault two years ago only for police to drop their inquiries six days later, has supported Deputy Commons' Speaker Nigel Evans today.
Mr Bridgden, MP for North West Leicestershire, said: "the law of England says it is innocent until proven guilty".
Click here for more on the rape allegations towards Deputy House of Commons Speaker Nigel Evans.
'Plebgate' bike fetches £10,000 for charity
The bike at the centre of the 'Plebgate' row involving the Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell has sold for more than £10,000, according to the auction site Ebay.
The former Chief Whip was accused of calling police officers "plebs" when they refused to let him ride through the Downing Street gates in September.
He's always denied using the term. All money for the sale will go to an Aids charity.
Polls have closed in local elections
The polls closed at 10pm in the local elections. They had been open since 7am.
Elections were held for positions on county councils in nine Midlands areas and one unitary council.
People went to the polls in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Shropshire unitary council, Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire.
Councils will be declaring the results of their local elections on Friday.
Some councils will start counting overnight and the first results are expected on Friday morning. We'll have all the results as they happen on our website.
Kite Runner Flies into Nottingham
by Lucy Kapasi
A Birmingham composer has created the music for a stage version of The Kite Runner which has made its European premiere in the Midlands.
Read the full storyAdvertisement
Local Elections: Spotlight on Lib Dems
In two days time, voters in 10 Midlands counties will decide who they want to run local services like schools and roads. Last week on ITV News Central, we focused on the Labour and Conservative campaigns. Tonight, we looked at the Liberal Democrats.
The Lib Dems have underperformed in the Midlands in recent years and many are predicting they will suffer a further setback in Thursday's elections. But the party remains upbeat.
Our Correspondent Gareth Owen has joined one of only two Lib Dem MPs in the region as they joined the campaign to Warwickshire.
Candidates for 2013 local elections
Spotlight on facilities of Library of Birmingham
Members of Library of Birmingham staff, council representatives and Carillion employees gathered in the dramatic rotunda which will house the five-storey book wall.
The rotunda, at the very heart of the library, features a series of cantilevered circular balconies each providing access to a different part of the shelves that comprise the book wall.
Escalators zigzag across the space, providing stunning views throughout the library and access for all to over 400,000 books, more than double the amount currently on show at Central Library.
The Hobbit: First book on Library of Birmingham shelves
The Hobbit has become the first book to be placed on the shelves of the Library of Birmingham.
The book, J.R.R. Tolkien’s much-loved 1937 children’s fantasy tale, was placed on the shelf by Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, to mark the imminent handover of the building by Carillion, the Library of Birmingham’s construction partner, to Birmingham City Council.
