Birmingham Post

Gilligan Resigns From Bbc to Protect Institution He Loves

Reporter Andrew Gilligan, whose To-day programme report sparked the Hut-ton Inquiry, resigned from the BBC last night. Mr Gilligan conceded that some of his story on the intelligence dossier about Iraq weapons of mass destruction before the war, was wrong, adding: 'I again apologise for it. 'My departure is at my own initiative. But the BBC collectively has been the victim of a grave injustice.'

Coroner: My Fears Over Cannabis

The Birmingham coroner has voiced fears about cannabis use becoming more widespread as he called for research to establish the dangers of driving after taking the drug. Aidan Cotter said he believed a 'significant proportion' of road crash victims may have taken cannabis but it was impossible to establish whether this had been a factor in the accidents.

Pole Trek: First All-Female Team Will Begin Their Quest in April

Council to Investigate Night of Chaos

Reasons given by transport chiefs to explain how Wednesday's snow storms were able to bring Birmingham to a standstill are to be investigated by city councillors. Last night the councillor leading the inquiry said questions needed answering following the mid-week chaos that left motorists stuck in traffic for up to eight hours.

End of Eu Threat Signals Bright Future for Quarter

A blueprint to transform Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter has been unveiled as it celebrates the shelving of an EU Directive which would have spelled disaster for the city's pounds 1 billion hallmarking industry. Dubbed the Golden Square, the new development will create a vibrant heart to what is known as the most culturally important jewellery-making area in Europe.

Cannabis Debate: Pastor's Policy Fight

A pastor is to challenge in the High Court the police policy on the handling of cannabis smokers since the drug was downgraded. Police have been told not to routinely arrest users now that cannabis has been reclassified as grade C.

Cannabis Debate: Police Chief Re-Ignites Row Over Arrest

A top Scotland Yard officer yesterday re-ignited the row over the reclassification of cannabis by saying that it was 'pointless' for officers to arrest people in possession of small amounts of the drug. Sir Ian Blair, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, said it was 'grossly inefficient' for his officers to spend hours processing those caught with small quantities of the illegal substance, which neither the Crown Prosecution Service or courts were likely to prosecute.

Cannabis Debate: Drug Test Call From Coroner

A crash in which two men died when their Land Rover ended upside down on a Birmingham rail line could have resulted in even worse consequences, an inquest heard yesterday. Anthony Gilsenan and his brother-in-law, welder Brian Smith, both 33, died from multiple injuries, while Mr Gilsenan's son Dominic, then nine, was injured.

The Big Freeze: View From Toronto: Some People Took a Snow Day, but They're Wimps ; Michael Higgins, Former Deputy Editor of the Birmingham Post, Is Now a Senior Editor at the National Post in Toronto, Canada

Sylvio Morency and his girlfriend Lise Lepage had enjoyed a quiet day out from their home in Blanc Sabon, Quebec to Red Bay, Labrador, when trouble hit on the way back. As they started on the 90-kilometre return journey, a blizzard blew up and they got stuck in a snow bank. But did 38-year-old Mr Morency panic?

The Big Freeze: Councillor Demands 'Grit-Gate' Inquiry

A Birmingham councillor has called on the city to reveal exactly what efforts were made to avert this week's snow chaos by publishing its gritting records. Coun John Hemming (Lib Dem Acocks Green) demanded city officials make public information required to be kept by the authority detailing which roads were treated and at what time. Coun Hemming said coming clean on measures employed to avoid traffic problems was the only way of getting to the bottom of what he dubbed the 'grit-gate' scandal.

The Big Freeze: Death Crash Drivers Named

Police have named two drivers killed in a head-on collision near the Herefordshire/Welsh border on Monday. Craig Stocker, aged 21, of Staunton-on-Wye, and Andrew Fairclough, aged 28, of Bredwardine, both died after a Vauxhall Calibra and Leyland DAF minibus collided on the A438 Hereford to Brecon road near Bridge Sollers.

The Big Freeze: View From Minnesota: It Snows a Bit 'Round These Parts ; Sean Burke Is an Ex-Pat From Bridgnorth in Shropshire. A Former Employee of the Post & Mail, He Now Lives in Minnesota

Hello civilisation! Before I begin to empathise about the funny white stuff that's been falling out of the Midland skies lately, I just thought you all might like to know how the winter's going 'up my end'. Just below Canada is the place I call home; a place called Minnesota. A breathtaking landscape of lakes and forests, Minnesota is, for much of the year, a veritable Garden of Eden.

The Big Freeze: View in Britain: More Snow and a Hurricane On the Way

After days of Arctic temperatures, Britain is braced for yet more snow with the possibility of winds reaching near-hurricane force. The Met Office yesterday issued severe weather warnings for much of the UK for the weekend, forecasting severe gales with gusts of up to 75mph in parts of the Midlands and south of the country. In northern areas and Scotland, they predict heavy snow and blizzards with a risk of flooding where there is melting snow.

Vice Girl Jailed for Hit-and-Run Killing

A Midland prostitute was jailed yesterday for three-and-a-half years for causing the death of a truck driver who she milked for money after he became besotted with her. Robert Sturdy, aged 40, died after falling from the bonnet of his car as he tried to stop the 20year-old woman driving off in it, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

Pair Deny Connection with Baby in Concrete

A couple arrested in connection with the suspected murder of a baby found encased in a concrete block returned to their Worcestershire home yesterday, denying any involvement in the child's death. Phil and Anne Chadwick were released on police bail after being detained by officers investigating the death of the baby, named Lara by police.

Halcyon Gallery

Mp Attacks Head for Misleading Parents

A Birmingham school pressing ahead with controversial plans for a four-and-a-half day week must consult parents thoroughly, Ministers have warned. Schools Minister David Miliband said he would look into the consultation which had taken place before deciding whether to let Kings Heath Primary School abolish Wednesday afternoon lessons.

Police Fears Grow for Missing Teenager

Fears are growing for a missing 15-year-old girl who may have arranged to meet someone through an internet chat room, police said yesterday. Tammy Leanne Lane, from Waunheulog, Brynmawr, Ebbw Vale, was last seen early on Wednesday morning and it is believed she may have travelled to the Birmingham area.

Forum Hears of New Threat to Children On Internet

Representatives from police forces, charities and education authorities across Britain met in Birmingham yesterday to discuss various systems to improve internet safety. A one-day conference, staged by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Edgbaston, was attended by 60 people including delegates from the National Crime Squad, Metropolitan Police and the NSPCC.

Charges Dropped Against Officer Accused of Child Porn

The case against a police officer accused of downloading child pornography from the internet has been dropped, the force investigating him said yesterday. Mark Winter, who serves with Gloucestershire Constabulary, was cleared of two counts of making indecent photographs of children and two further counts of attempting to produce indecent images of youngsters.