Birmingham Post

Spy-Claim Pressure On Blair

Tony Blair was under mounting pressure last night to reveal if Clare Short's United Nations bugging claims were true after fresh revelations of spying. The phones of ex-UN weapons inspectors Hans Blix and Richard Butler were tapped while they were on missions abroad, it was claimed.

We Don't Care What We Eat in Midlands

When it comes to food, people in the West Midlands do not care for healthy eating. They have also little concern about food poisoning, or even how much salt and sugar they consume, according to the Government's food safety watchdog.

Council Is Committed to Station, Says Bore

Birmingham City Council last night pledged its commitment to a new pounds 8 million coach station after travel giant National Express expressed fears it would never be built. Council leader Sir Albert Bore said the site of the new complex in the Jewellery Quarter was still in the planning stage and regular meetings were being held with the developers.

Airport Forced to Rip It Up and Start Again

Coventry Airport staged a dramatic climbdown yesterday by deciding to dismantle unauthorised works carried out as part of its proposed expansion. The announcement, made yesterday, that it will pull up part of a runway and change a make-shift terminal building came just days before councillors were due to discuss enforcement action.

Judge Jails Weeping Motorist

A speeding drink-driver has been jailed for 17 months for causing a pile-up which left a teenage athlete facing the prospect of a lifetime in a wheelchair. Sara Bromwell (38), was more than three times the legal limit when she caused the four-vehicle crash in Coventry while driving along a dual carriageway at an estimated 66mph in a 40mph zone.

Seeing Wheelchair Was Reality Check for Crash Girl

Claire Bewick had been studying four A-levels and coached at a local athletics club as well as competing at high jump, when she suffered the devastating injuries because of Sara Bromwell. Yesterday, outside Coventry Crown Court after Bromwell had been jailed, the teenager spoke of her relief at the sentence.

Prison for Race Abuse Victim

A taxi driver who left a former boxing champion badly injured when he deliberately drove his cab at a group of young people after being racially abused has been jailed for four years. Mohammed Fazal, who had dreams of becoming a solicitor, lost his temper after facing a string of insults about Osama Bin Laden and the Taliban, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

New Leads As Callers Report Man Bragging About Ferocious Pub Attack

Detectives investigating an unprovoked attack which left a father- of-two paralysed for life are chasing up new leads. Police received more than 40 calls with information about the brutal attack on David Davoren in a Birmingham nightclub, following an appeal on BBC's Crimewatch programme on Thursday. Detective Chief Inspector Kenny Bell yesterday said officers were particularly interested in speaking to two callers who phoned in and provided the same details about a man heard bragging about a...

Tears of Joy As Machete Heroine Gives Birth

Machete attack heroine Lisa Potts has described how she broke down in tears after giving birth to her first child, a boy named Alfie. The former nursery nurse had an emergency Caesarean at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on Thursday following a 15-hour labour.

Driver Jailed for Motorway Mayhem

In an attempt to evade police, banned driver Ashley Kyberd drove a car the wrong way along the M40 before crashing into the central barrier as he did a handbrake turn. Despite the tyre being ripped off one of the wheels, he continued back up the motorway, struggling to control the car until it crashed into a police car and rolled over.

Wintry Weather Puts Road Users On Alert

The Midlands was warned to brace itself for treacherous conditions on the roads today after a cold snap set in with a vengeance yesterday . Forecasters predicted snow showers and sub-zero temperatures would sweep through the region, particularly affecting the east, over the weekend.

Soap Star Shane Makes Special Hospital Visit to Sadie

Eastenders star Shane Richie used his day off from filming to cheer up his biggest fan -Birmingham schoolgirl Sadie Stevens who lost a leg after being hit by a police car. But the kind-hearted soap star, who plays Alfie Moon, got lost on the way and had to ask two city policemen to jump in his car and direct him to the hospital.

City Meeting to Highlight Rights Abuse

Human rights campaigners will voice concerns at a meeting in Birmingham tomorrow over the detention of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay. Amnesty International has invited international experts to speak at the event in Carrs Lane Church Centre, Birmingham city centre.

Word's Biggest Pillow Fight

Ronnie's Roller Rink Opens

A Birmingham landmark which has been refurbished to offer new facilities for families was opened to the public yesterday. Ronnie's Roller Rink, originally built in Aston in the early 20th Century as a cinema, has been transformed into The Centre as part of a pounds 1.8 million redevelopment scheme.

Policeman's Murderer to Appeal Conviction

The killer of a police motorcyclist is set to appeal against his murder conviction. Nicholas Walters has been granted permission to appeal against his conviction for the murder of Pc Malcolm Walker in October 2001.

Election Clash Causes Voting Count Dilemma ; I Can Confirm That Consideration Is Being Given to the Possibility That Votes Cast in the City Council Election Will Not Be Counted Until the Friday. Discussions Are Taking Place but No Decision has Been Made yet Council Spokeswoman

The struggle to win control of Birmingham City Council may be even more of a tense affair than usual this year. Local authority leaders are considering not counting the votes cast at the June 10 elections until the next day -Friday June 11.

Euro Trophy Designed by Brum Team

Jo Bromley (left) and Emma Mullis with the glittering prize which will be handed over tonight to the act which will represent Great Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest Designed and made by silversmiths in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, the award will be given to one of the six acts competing in Eurovision: Making Your Mind Up. The trophy, which is made from silver and plastic and stands 14 inches tall, was created by a team at the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC) in Vittoria St...

No Jail for Sex Offender

A man who escaped a jail sentence for downloading child porn from the internet was told by a judge that his behaviour was part of an industry that created misery and suffering for youngsters. Mr Justice Poole told Paul Downs: 'You have to understand that behind this kind of activity there is a whole industry that creates serious suffering of young people. It is not a harmless, private activity but exposes children to misery. 'I think it is very important in your case and both for your interes...

Car Death Not Suspicious

Police yesterday said they were not treating as suspicious the death of a 27-year-old Birmingham man found in a lay-by off a dual carriageway. Imran Ali , from Finnemore Road, Bordesley Green, was discovered in a car along the southbound carriageway of the A38 at Weeford, near Lichfield, in Staffordshire, on Tuesday.