Rolf Harris Visited Broadmoor With Jimmy Savile

The Fall Of One Of Britain's Best-Loved Stars

Updated: 6:09pm UK, Monday 30 June 2014

By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter

Despite being born in Australia, Rolf Harris' lengthy career in show business, spanning almost six decades, has ensured he is one of Britain's best-known and, until now, best-loved stars.

From his humble beginnings as a swimming champion in his native Western Australia, he moved to London in 1952 after deciding to abandon a teaching career and study art instead.

Within weeks he was singing in ex-pat clubs and two years after stepping off a liner, he signed a contract with the BBC which marked the start of a lengthy association with the broadcaster.

Artist, singer-songwriter and TV star, his legendary career earned him an MBE, OBE and CBE and Australian honours as well.

He was given a BAFTA fellowship, painted a portrait of the Queen and has met other members of the royal family countless times.

Harris also made numerous TV commercials and appeared at Glastonbury six times - opening the event in 2010 - and singing in front of a crowd of almost 100,000.

Countless generations of children and adults know him through iconic programmes from the 70s, 80s and 90s, such as The Rolf Harris Show, Rolf Harris Cartoon Time, Animal Hospital and Rolf On Art.

His wife of 56 years, Alwen, and daughter Bindi, 49, supported him in court throughout the seven-week trial, although only Bindi was called to give evidence in the case.

She described how she wanted to ''stab herself with forks'' after discovering Harris had been having a relationship with her best friend, who was the subject of seven of the charges.

In his 2001 autobiography, titled after his catchphrase "Can You Tell What It Is Yet", there is a telling passage in which he explained his feelings about his family.

He wrote: ''Alwen and Bindi have to come first. It has only been in the last five years that I have realised this. Late, but better than never.''

Telling, because it was in 1997 Harris wrote to the father of Bindi's best friend to tell him of the affair he had been having with his daughter when his own daughter found out.

He also wrote of how, as his career took off in the 60s, he found himself ogling women in backstage dressing rooms set aside for dancers he worked with.

Harris wrote: ''I tried not to watch - or be seen watching - but it wasn't easy, I spent most of my time reading the same page of a book 14 times realising I was holding it upside down.''

It's also clear he had a difficult relationship with his daughter and wife - blaming himself for not being with them as he devoted his time to his career - leaving them a painful second.

In the early 1960s as his career hit the big time, Alwen visited Australia with him and it later emerged she had contemplated suicide, Harris only finding out about it 30 years later when he found her diary.

Harris described how ''the words struck me like hammer blows'' adding that he ''felt terrible and I kicked myself for my selfishness''.

His awards and honours count for nothing and he will now swap his luxury Thames-side home in Berkshire for the cold harsh surroundings of a prison cell, as a convicted sex offender.

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Hamas Will Pay': Bodies Of Three Teens Found

The bodies of three Israeli teenagers who went missing in the occupied West Bank earlier this month have been found.

The discovery was made near the village of Halhul, close to where 16-year-olds Naftali Frenkel and Gilad Shaar and 19-year-old Eyal Yifrach disappeared on June 12.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking before a three-hour meeting of his security cabinet, said: "Hamas is responsible. Hamas will pay."

He added the teenagers "were kidnapped and murdered in cold blood by wild beasts".

Since the discovery there have been a number of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, including on the southern city of Khan Younis. There have been no reports of injuries.

Any Israeli action to punish Hamas for the alleged murders would open "the gates of hell," a spokesman said.

A military build-up was reported in Hebron after the discovery

"If the occupiers carry out an escalation or a war, they will open the gates of hell on themselves." 

Israel has accused the Palestinian group of abducting the youths as they were hitch-hiking home near Hebron late at night.

But Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, has denied it was involved in their disappearance.

There has reportedly been a large build-up of troops in Halhul, where security forces and Palestinians are said to have clashed.

A spokesman for the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said they were "incidents of stone throwing, nothing more".

The teenagers' bodies were found buried under rocks in a field a few miles north of Hebron.

There have been airstrikes on the Gaza Strip since the bodies were found

The trio had apparently been shot soon after they were taken, according to security officials.

Binyamin Proper, who was among a group of volunteers that found the bodies, told Channel 2 TV a member of the search party "saw something suspicious on the ground, plants that looked out of place, moved them and moved some rocks and then found the bodies".

"We realised it was them and we called the army," he said.

US President Barack Obama condemned the deaths as a "senseless act of terror against innocent youth" and British Prime Minister David Cameron said it was an "appalling and inexcusable act of terror".

The bodies were found near Halhul, north of Hebron

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called it a "heinous act by enemies of peace".

Dozens of Palestinians have been detained in the search for Mr Frenkel from Nof Ayalon, who had dual Israeli-American citizenship, Mr Shaar from Telman and Mr Yifrach from Elad.

Among those held were a number of Hamas members of the Palestinian parliament and several prisoners recently released by Israel.

Sky's Tom Rayner, reporting from Jerusalem, said Israeli authorities "do not believe they (the youths) have been held for any period of time as hostages. They believe they were killed very quickly".

The teenagers were all students at a Yeshiva, or religious school, in Gush Etzion, a Jewish settlement bloc just south of the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.

Mr Netanyahu had said the alleged abductions were the result of this month's power-sharing deal between the Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah.

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More

Policy Chief Hits Out At Miliband's Leadership

Ed Miliband's leadership could be in trouble ahead of the next general election, according to a senior figure in the Labour party.

The head of Labour's policy review has admitted the party's recent statements on welfare are "cynical" and designed for "focus groups".

The critical comments by Jon Cruddas were made at a meeting of a left-wing think tank. A recording of the comments has been obtained by Sky News.

In the recordings, Mr Cruddas says: "My job is to look at Labour's policy agenda ... and I can assure you that these interesting ideas and remedies are not going to emerge through Labour's policy review right - irrespective of whether we want them to or not.

"And we have to learn how, why they aren't. And this example, this week is a really interesting one where we set up independent reviews to rethink social policy, economic policy, democracy, local government - they come up with ideas and they're just parked, parked.

"And instead ... cynical nuggets of policy to chime with our focus groups and our press strategies and our desire for a topline in terms of the 24-hour media cycle dominate."

Mr Cruddas warned that the "clock is ticking" for Labour and raised fears about interesting ideas being "parked".

Mr Miliband's leadership has been called into question

The comments come as Labour prepares to set out its vision for rebuilding Britain through major reforms of the state and big business in a series of events over the next week.

Responding to the comments, a Labour spokesperson said: "Ed Miliband and Jon Cruddas helped the IPPR [Institute for Public Policy Research] unveil its independent Condition of Britain report because they back the key principles behind it: strengthening institutions, rewarding hard work and handing power back to the people.

"We support some of its key recommendations to ensure young people sign up for training not sign on for benefits or raising JSA [Jobseeker's Allowance] for people who have paid in all their life.

"These go alongside the most radical plans for generations; from getting 200,000 homes built a year, raising the minimum wage, reforming the energy market, to devolving economic power to our great cities once again, these plans will help build a Britain that once again works for working people."

Sky's Political Correspondent Sophy Ridge said: "This story is significant because of who is giving the comments.

"Jon Cruddas is the head of Labour's policy review. That's a senior position - it means he's effectively in charge of the way Labour formulates its proposals ahead of the next election.

"What he is specifically saying is that he is concerned the way Labour is making policies is not really working for the party."

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Radical Islamic Preacher Seeks Asylum In UK

The family of Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammad are applying for his asylum in the UK after claiming he had been tortured in Lebanon.

They say the radical preacher has suffered systematic torture while in custody at a maximum security prison.

The family say he should be allowed back into Britain on "humanitarian grounds" as his health has deteriorated and he is no longer able to walk.

Mohammad left the UK in 2005 and was barred from returning

The cleric caused outrage in the wake of the 2005 London bombings after saying he would not inform police if he knew Muslims were planning attacks.

He left the UK in 2005 and was told he would not be allowed to return.

But the cleric's son, Mohammad Bakri, told Sky News: "I'm here on the humanitarian basis. At the end of the day, many people find what he says distasteful, and he quotes things from the Islamic perspective.

"But I think unless you know the character, himself, like my father - I grew up with him - so therefore I understand the tactics that he uses to attract the media in order to pass the message of Islam.

"You may find that distasteful, but at the end of the day he has not committed any crimes in the UK."

Sky's Home Affairs Correspondent Mark White said the family's claims have not been independently verified.

"The families of Omar Bakri Mohammad say that he has been transferred to a maximum security prison ... in Lebanon," he said.

"They also say that he has been systematically tortured during his time in that maximum security prison.

"We have no independent verification of this, but the family insists that he is in very poor health.

"They claim that he is actually close to death and they're seeking an urgent appeal now to the UK authorities to have him returned to the UK under asylum."

The preacher speaks in London alongside Abu Hamza in 1999

Mohammad holds Syrian and Lebanese citizenship and lived in Britain for 20 years, where he headed the now-disbanded radical Islamist group al Muhajiroun.

He was among 54 people sentenced in Lebanon in November 2010 in trials of militants who fought deadly clashes with the Lebanese army in 2007.

He was convicted of belonging to an armed group that aimed to carry out terrorist acts and plots to kill Lebanese soldiers.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "An individual must be physically present in the UK in order to make a claim for asylum.

"Omar Bakri Mohammad was permanently excluded from the UK in 2005 on the grounds that his presence is not conducive to the public good.

"As Omar Bakri Mohammad is excluded from the UK, he will be unable to make a claim for asylum."

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM Warns Juncker Vote Is 'Bad For All Of Europe'

David Cameron has warned it will be "bad for all of Europe" if arch-federalist Jean-Claude Juncker is nominated for the EU's top job in an unprecedented vote.

The Prime Minister insisted he was "completely unapologetic" about his outspoken opposition to the appointment of the former Luxembourg premier. 

He has forced today's vote on the nomination, breaking with tradition that the Commission chief is chosen by consensus of the EU's national heads of government.

Mr Cameron's stance has left him increasingly isolated at a two-day summit of the European Council.

Germany has thrown its weight behind Mr Juncker, while other potential allies for Mr Cameron - Sweden and the Netherlands - have dropped their opposition.

Angela Merkel is supporting Mr Juncker's nomination

Only Hungary remained as a possible partner for Britain in voting against his installation.

However, Britain insists its dissatisfaction with Mr Juncker is "not a unique view" and that privately other capitals have misgivings about his candidacy.

There are also widespread reports that Mr Juncker's liking for "a cognac at breakfast" was causing concerns in Brussels.

One European diplomat said: "His alcohol consumption has been raised by a number of leaders since the (European) parliamentary elections."

Mr Cameron said he continued to believe his fellow leaders were making a "mistake" to nominate Mr Juncker, who Britain regards as an obstacle to reform.

Diplomats have expressed concern about Mr Juncker's alcohol consumption

In an apparent swipe at leaders who have voiced disquiet behind closed doors, Mr Cameron said: "It's very important in Europe that you say what you say in private and it's the same as what you say in public."

Asked whether there could be consequences if the other 27 leaders refuse to accept the need for consensus, the Prime Minister said: "Everything has consequences in life.

"Obviously, I think proceeding in the way that countries are planning to proceed in choosing this individual, I believe that this is the wrong approach. And I think that would be bad for... all of Europe."

Mr Cameron made clear that defeat in Brussels would not affect his determination to press ahead with the renegotiation of Britain's EU membership.

That would be followed by an in/out referendum in 2017, if Conservatives win next year's General Election.

And the PM repeated his opposition to Mr Juncker as he arrived at the summit in Brussels, arguing there were times when "you stick to your principles and you stick to your convictions even if the odds are heavily stacked against you, rather than go along with something you believe is profoundly wrong".

He added: "The European elections showed there is huge disquiet about the way the European Union works, and yet the response I believe is going to be wrong on two grounds.

"Wrong on the grounds of principle. It's not right for the elected heads of government of the European countries to give up their right to nominate the head of the European Commission, the most important role in Europe. That is a bad principle.

"And it's the wrong person. Jean-Claude Juncker has been at the heart of the project to increase the power of Brussels and reduce the power of nation states for his entire working life.

"He's not the right person to take this organisation forward.

"I am very clear about the right thing to do. I know the odds are stacked against me, but that doesn't mean you change your mind, it means you stand up for what you believe and vote accordingly."

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Father Of Mass Murderer Tells Of 'Nightmare'

The father of a young man who killed six people in California before taking his own life last month has given his first interview since the tragedy.

Filmmaker Peter Rodger told ABC News' Barbara Walters that no one in his family had any indication that his son, Elliot, had violent intentions.

Mr Rodger said: "Every night I go to sleep, I wake up and I think of those young men and young women that have died and who are injured and were terrorised and my son did that.

"My son caused so much pain and suffering for so many families."

Elliot Rodger turned the gun on himself after killing six people

Asked how he felt when he woke up in the morning he replied: "It's like a reverse nightmare situation.

"When you go to sleep normally, you have a nightmare and you wake up and everything is ok.

"Now I go to sleep, I might have a nice dream and then I wake up and slowly the truth of what happened dawns on me and, you know, that is that my son was a mass murderer."

Mr Rodger, who was assistant director on the Hollywood blockbuster Hunger Games, said he had no idea his son was violent.

"There's no way I thought that this boy could hurt a flea. I mean, this is the most unbelievable thing, Barbara, what I don't get is we didn't see this coming at all."

Rodger, 22, killed six people on May 23 and injured 13 more before turning the gun on himself in Isla Vista, California, near two universities.

The killing spree began with Rodger stabbing three people at his apartment.

He then drove around the city firing on people outside a sorority house and inside a delicatessen, before taking his own life.

14.59 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fifa Opens Suarez Bite Claim Disciplinary Action

Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Luis Suarez after he was accused of biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

The striker and the Uruguayan FA have until 9pm UK time to "provide their position and any documentary evidence they deem relevant".

Suarez has already commented on the incident, declaring: "These things happen on the pitch."

The striker clashed with Chiellini in the 79th minute of his country's Group D match, a game they won 1-0 to advance to the last 16.

Television replays showed Suarez moving his head towards Chiellini, who responded by swinging his arm.

It appears that Suarez then sank his teeth into the defender's shoulder.

The Uruguay striker has previous after biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic

Defending the alleged attack he said: "We were both just inside the area, he struck me in the chest with his shoulder and he hit me in the eye as well.

"These are things that happen on the pitch and you shouldn't attach so much importance to them.

"I'm very happy to have qualified. We are taking each game as it comes, we know that we're in a difficult situation, we're at our limits now."

Fifa can hit players with retrospective bans of up to two years if its disciplinary commission decides there is a case to answer.

Speaking to Rai TV after the game, Chiellini said: "It was ridiculous not to send Suarez off.

"It is clear, clear-cut and then there was the obvious dive afterwards because he knew very well that he did something that he shouldn't have done."

Suarez handball at South Africa 2010

Suarez served a 10-match ban last year for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

Before his move to Liverpool in 2011, Suarez was suspended for seven matches by the Netherlands football federation after biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal when he played for Ajax.

In the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Suarez was sent off for a deliberate handball that helped Uruguay into the semi-final.

15.00 | 0 komentar | Read More