Hacking: Law Firms On List Handed To MPs

Law firms, insurance companies and financial services providers dominate a list of more than 100 companies from outside the media linked to illegal activities by rogue private investigators.

The list of more than 102 names - which also includes two celebrities - has been passed to the Home Affairs Select Committee by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca).

Twenty-one law firms, nine insurers and eight financial service companies are on the list, the committee revealed.

Soca's list was handed to the committee on the grounds the names mentioned would not be released.

Committee chairman Keith Vaz told Sky News: "These organisations and individuals may well in the future be the subject of investigation by the Information Commissioner or the Metropolitan Police.

"What, very helpfully, they have agreed we can do is release the categories."

The Metropolitan Police allegedly holds a list of 200 more companies and individuals who may have used rogue private investigators to steal personal information.

Operation Tuleta, set up by the Metropolitan Police alongside a probe into alleged phone hacking by journalists, investigates claims of computer hacking and privacy breaches.

As well as hacking, private investigators are known to have accessed information through blagging - faking a person's identity to draw information from official sources.

James Clappison, a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: "Some of these private investigators have been involved in very serious violations - hacking into computers, intercepting telephone conversations and getting people's personal details."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said it was "aware of companies and individuals outside of the media industry who are suspected of having committed criminal offences".

He added: "We are not prepared to provide any information that may lead to the identification of any individual or company who may be of interest to that investigation.

"Tuleta is a complicated inquiry and we are not prepared to give a running commentary. The investigation will proceed without bias and will go where the evidence takes us.

"As this investigation is ongoing, and there have been a number of other investigations directly linked to the work of private investigators over a number of years, we do not hold any single definitive list of clients."

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Murdered Red Cap's Family To Sue Government

By David Bowden, Defence Correspondent

The family of one of the six Red Caps murdered by a mob in Iraq is suing the Ministry of Defence for negligence - a claim which could cost the MoD more than £250,000.

The case, the first of its kind, is being brought by the relatives of Corporal Russell Aston.

It follows a landmark judgement by the Supreme Court last month which ruled that soldiers at war in foreign lands are covered by human rights laws and owed a duty of care.

John Miller whose son Simon was killed in the ambush

The new claim on behalf of Corporal Aston's family alleges that commanders failed to take reasonable measures to keep the military policeman safe when he and five others went into a hostile town near Basra in June 2003 and were attacked by hundreds of violent locals who brutally murdered them all.

The details of the claim allege military chiefs were negligent because they failed to supply sufficient ammunition to enable the Red Caps to defend themselves when they arrived at the police station in Majar al Kabir and were confronted by the mob.

It also claims commanders failed to supply roadworthy vehicles and failed to supply effective communications to the Royal Military Police.

The five men who died alongside Corporal Russell Aston were Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, Sergeant Simon Hamilton-Jewell, Corporal Simon Miller, Lance Corporal Ben Hyde and Corporal Paul Long.

The site of the ambush at Majar al Kab near Basra

An inquest into their deaths in 2006 recorded a verdict of unlawful killing and heard evidence the soldiers had too little ammunition, old radios and no satellite phone when they were ambushed.

John Miller, whose son Simon was killed in the attack, said he too will sue the Ministry of Defence.

"Simon's patrol should have had a satellite phone and 150 rounds of ammunition; they were denied both, they couldn't call for help, they couldn't initiate a firefight because they didn't have enough ammunition against a mob of 500 firing RPGs and AK-47s. 

"Can anyone imagine that situation and be totally useless under it? All we want is an admission of guilt from the MoD. I'm so angry and very, very hurt.

The Ministry of Defence is yet to respond to the claims

"It could be classed as a blunt sword, but all I've wanted is to get these people into court and for the MoD to accept the failings that were identified by the board of enquiry.

"Nothing else would give me greater satisfaction, and I know nothing will bring my amazing son back, but if we could get that justice and admission of guilt, my wife and I could turn the chapter and pick up the threads of the life we once had."

Despite arresting eight Iraqis in connection with the killings in 2010, no one has been convicted of the murders and repeated requests for a public inquiry have been turned down.

The new claim is seeking damages on behalf of Corporal Aston's family - he had a young daughter when he was killed.

It is understood to have been lodged on Tuesday night.

If the Aston family claim is successful it could pave the way for many more similar actions from other soldiers, or their families, who have been killed or injured in battle and feel more should have been done to keep them safe.

An MoD spokesman said: "Our thoughts remain with the families of those who lost their lives in this incident. However, it would be inappropriate to comment on any forthcoming legal proceedings."

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Ireland: Missing Boys 'Found Dead In Car Boot'

The bodies of two boys who went missing in Ireland are understood to have been found in the boot of their father's car after a crash.

Eoghan Chada, 10, and his five-year-old brother Ruairi disappeared from the family home in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, on Sunday evening.

They were found by police attending a car accident during which their father Sanjeev was injured, although they are believed to have died beforehand.

Mr Chada, who is being treated in hospital, will be questioned by detectives.

Eoghan Chada (L) and his younger brother Ruairi

The 43-year-old's two sons were the subject of a nationwide search amid fears he had abducted them after telling his wife Kathleen he was taking them bowling.

Police issued the first ever amber alert for missing children in Ireland, triggering nationwide broadcasts, social media alerts and traffic and travel messages, after he failed to return home.

At the time of the alert, officers said they had no knowledge of any breakdown in relations in the family and insisted that the couple were not estranged.

Eoghan and Ruairi were described as extremely popular and "two little sports fanatics" who were members of their local junior hurling club.

Father Declan Foley, parish priest near their home in the tight-knit village, was with the Chada family when news of the car accident was broken to the boys' mother and other relatives.

"It was like an earthquake hit the place. It was devastating for all of us," he said.

"You can't put into words the shock and numbness and pain and grief of that news coming through."

Mr Chada's car crashed in Clooneen, Rosbeg, on the coast road to Louisburgh, in Co Mayo, around 185 miles from the family home.

Forensic examinations were carried out at the scene, while post-mortem examinations will be carried out on the boys' bodies in Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar.

Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash or saw Mr Chada's dark green Ford Focus, registration number 06 CW 238, in the hours after the boys' disappearance to get in contact.

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Florida Gas Plant Explosions: Workers Found

All workers at a gas plant rocked by explosions have been accounted for after officials initially feared as many as 15 people had been killed.

At least 24 people were working the night shift at the plant in Tavares, Lake County, when a series of blasts happened just before 11pm local time.

The missing employees were found alive hours later as firefighters battled to contain the flames. Details of any of their injuries are not yet known.

The roof was blown off the plant. Pic: Tyler Mackenzie Photography

Seven workers had initially been taken to hospital, some with serious injuries, after emergency crews were called to the Blue Rhino propane processing plant.

The explosions were strong enough to blow the roof off and were felt by residents living up to 10 miles away from the scene, although no neighbours were injured.

Firefighters' efforts were hampered when more fuel containers exploded as the flames spread. They are starting to contain the flames and the cause of the explosions is being investigated.

"I heard a loud bomb sound," resident Lisa Garner told the Orlando Sentinel.

Residents, many of them elderly, were evacuated

Local businessman Jim Mamula told Sky News: "We could see the flames and the initial explosion knocked us off our feet. We could see the heat from the flames and it was light like daytime."

"There were two short explosions larger than anything we've seen since. The secondary explosions immediately followed.

"There are at least three large holding tanks about 30,000 gallons each of propane. They're intact and only about 40ft forty feet from the flames. The heat is pretty intense."

Resident Norman Hope said: "We're a retirement area mainly and a lot of people have difficulty breathing."

Fox News reporter Tracy Jasem, in Tavares, told Sky News: "Everybody thought there would be fatalities - it was such a massive fire.

"Although there were other containers that could have exploded, it seems we've escaped that possibility."

Lake County Sheriff Department spokesman Lt John Herrell later said the evacuation zone around the scene had been reduced from a mile to half a mile.

Several of the evacuated residents were taken in by a local church.

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Egypt: 'Dozens Killed' As Rallies Turn Violent

At least 70 people have been killed when security forces attacked a protest by supporters of deposed President Mohamed Morsi in Cairo, according to the Muslim Brotherhood.

"They are not shooting to wound, they are shooting to kill," said Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad said, adding that demonstrators had been hit by gunshot in the head and chest.

The violence broke as rival rallies were held across Egypt for and against the overthrow of Mr Morsi, who is under investigation for murder.

Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians heeded a call by army chief General Abdel Fattah al Sisi to take to the streets, while the Muslim Brotherhood mounted counter-demonstrations in Cairo.

Protesters set off flares in a mass protest in support of the army in Cairo

There were heavy exchanges of gunfire in the early hours of Saturday between security forces and supporters of Mr Morsi.

The MENA state news agency, quoting an unnamed security official, reported that nine people had been killed in the violence and at least 200 wounded.

A spokeswoman for the pro-Morsi camp said eight Brotherhood supporters had died in a clash near the Cairo vigil alone, and another said rooftop snipers had opened fire.

An Apache helicopter flies over Tahrir Square during the protests

Earlier it was reported that five people had died in Egypt's second city of Alexandria, where hundreds of people fought pitched battles, with birdshot fired and men on rooftops throwing stones at crowds below.

Several of those killed were stabbed, hospital officials said, and at least one was shot in the head.

The investigation into Mr Morsi over his 2011 escape from jail has signalled a clear escalation in the military's confrontation with the deposed leader and his Islamist movement.

Protesters stand on power lines near Cairo's presidential palace

MENA said Mr Morsi, who has been held at an undisclosed military facility since his overthrow, had been ordered detained for 15 days pending the inquiry.

Egypt's army-installed interior minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, said month-old Cairo vigils by Mr Morsi's supporters would be "brought to an end, soon and in a legal manner".

An army official said the military had given the party a Saturday deadline to end its resistance and join a military-set roadmap to fresh elections.

Lasers are pointed at an army helicopter near the palace

But the Brotherhood says it wants nothing to do with the army's transition plan and called its own crowds out for counter-demonstrations in a "day to remove the coup".

Mr Morsi has been in military detention at an undisclosed location since he was overthrown.

UN leader Ban Ki-moon has called on the military to free Mr Morsi and other Islamic Brotherhood leaders, said deputy UN spokesman Eduardo del Buey.

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Michael Cope Held For Murder Of Linzi Ashton

Wanted man Michael Cope has been arrested in Manchester on suspicion of murdering his ex-girlfriend Linzi Ashton.

A statement released by Greater Manchester Police, said: "A man has been arrested following the death of Linzi Ashton, who was killed last month in Salford.

"At about 11.55pm on Friday 26 July 2013, police were called to an address on Larch Road in Leigh following a report a wanted man was at the address.

"Armed officers attended and a 28-year-old man handed himself in to police and was arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody for questioning".

Police released this CCTV image of Cope at a supermarket

It is believed Cope contacted police himself to hand himself in after nearly a month on the run.

Linzi, a mother-of-two, was found dead at her home on Westbourne Road, Winton by relatives shortly before 6pm on Saturday 29 June 2013.

Ms Ashton made separate complaints to Greater Manchester Police in April and May that Cope had raped and beaten her.

A Home Office post mortem concluded she died as a result of pressure to the neck and multiple injuries.

Cope had a brief "acrimonious" relationship with Miss Ashton, 25, who had two daughters, Destiny, seven, and Daisy, two.

As part of the manhunt, police searched more than 30 addresses and two men have been charged, one with perverting the course of justice and the other with assisting an offender.

Cope, who is from Salford, had been known to make visits in and around the town centre of Leigh. 

More follows...

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Spain Train Crash: Dozens Killed And Injured

The number of people dead after a train derailed in one of Spain's worst rail disasters has reportedly risen as high as 77.

Many more are said to be critically injured and Spanish media reported emergency services were attempting to rescue several people still trapped inside carriages.

A British national was among those injured, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

Casualties were pulled from the carriages

Lines of bodies covered with blankets were seen at the side of the tracks.

The crash happened as the train carrying 218 passengers plus crew approached Santiago de Compostela, a popular pilgrimage city in the northwestern region of Galicia.

Survivors said the train flipped over 'several times'

Several of the 13 carriages rolled over, with one carriage torn open and flames and smoke seen rising from the scene.

It has been described as an accident, but it will stir memories of the 2004 Madrid train bombing, which killed nearly 200 people.

One passenger, Ricardo Montesco, told Cadena Ser radio station: "It was going so quickly ... It seems that on a curve the train started to twist and the wagons piled up one on top of the other.

It is Spain's deadliest train accident since 1972

"A lot of people were squashed on the bottom.

"We tried to squeeze out of the bottom of the wagons to get out and we realised the train was burning ... I was in the second wagon and there was fire ... I saw corpses."

Officials said they believed the crash was an accident

A witness told the station they heard an explosion before seeing the derailed train. Another witness told the Radio Galega station: "There are many people dead here, my God."

The train belonging to the state-owned Renfe company was travelling from Madrid to the port city of Ferrol.

It derailed on high-speed tracks at about 8.40pm local time - 7.40pm UK time - on a bend a short distance from a scheduled stop in the city.

The train was travelling from Madrid to the port city of Ferrol

Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who is due to visit the scene later, called an emergency meeting with ministers and said: "I want to express my affection and solitarity with the victims of the terrible train accident in Santiago."

The crash happened the day before the city's main festival paying tribute to St James, one of Jesus' 12 disciples. His shrine is the destination of the El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, which has been followed by Christians since the Middle Ages.

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