Birmingham Post

Council Bill for Rail Facts Is Pounds 9,000

So many first class rail tickets were issued to officials and councillors last year by Birmingham City Council that the local authority is insisting on a pounds 9,000 administration fee before disclosing its extensive travel arrangements. The demand for payment was in response to a Freedom of Information Act request by The Birmingham Post for facts and figures about first class train journeys paid for by the council during 2005.

Byers and Hewitt to Be Quizzed Over Sale and Collapse of Rover

Former Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers is to be questioned at a House of Commons inquiry over the sale of MG Rover to the Phoenix consortium, and the carmaker's subsequent collapse. A long-awaited investigation into the fate of MG Rover is to look back further than expected and examine BMW's sale of Rover to the Phoenix Four for pounds 10 in 2000.

Controversy Still Rages Over World's Oldest Profession

The "world's oldest profession" shows no signs of giving up the game but it remains as controversial as ever. For some, prostitution is simply a way of satisfying natural sexual needs and should be accepted as a normal part of any human society.

Red Light Law 'Step in Right Direction'

A major crackdown on kerb-crawlers has been welcomed by a Birmingham MP whose constituency is plagued by prostitutes and their customers. Gisela Stuart (Lab) said the sex trade had made life a "nightmare" for residents in part of her Edgbaston constituency.

Watchdog Refuses to Back Queen Elizabeth Hospital Rebuild

The watchdog responsible for scrutinising Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital has refused to back a planned pounds 550 million rebuild. It has written to Mark Britnell-chief executive of the University Hospital Birming ham NHS Trust, which runs the Queen Elizabeth and Selly Oak hospitals - setting out a series of concerns about the proposed deal.

Financial Crisis for Restaurant Owner

The owner of one of Birmingham's oldest Greek restaurants says he is facing a financial crisis after city councillors yesterday refused an application for, a temporary drinks licence. Savaas Francis, who runs the Athens Restaurant in Paradise Circus, said he would be forced to lay off staff and remain closed during the week.

Incidents of Vandalism

Police in Leamington have released three CCTV photographs of a man they want to speak to in connection with a number of incidents of vandalism involving a vehicle parked in Clarendon Square. There have been 18 incidents between June 2005 and January 2006. The man, who is believed to be local, is described as white, aged 60 to 70 years of age, five feet ten inches tall, slim build with grey, collar length hair.

Fraudster Used Dead Sister's Id

A Government Minister yesterday criticised a Birmingham woman who used the identity of her dead sister to claim benefits. Anti-Benefit Fraud Minister James Plaskitt was speaking after Bridget Margaret Redmond was sentenced for receiving pounds 11,370 to which she had no entitlement.

'Secrecy' Behind Pounds 11m Payments

US car giant Ford received part of an pounds 11 million compensation settlement from a Midland firm through discounted payments for its products made under an "at mosphere of secrecy and concealment", a court heard yesterday. Birmingham-based Tran-sTec, founded by Coventry North West MP and ex-Paymaster General Geoffrey Robinson, had paid pounds 5 million of the debt in 1997 through 'debit notes' sent by Ford to its supplier, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Task Force Finds 300 Ways to Cut Congestion in the City Centre

A task force set up to tackle congestion on Birmingham roads has identified almost 300 ways to ease traffic flow. Suggestions include re-phasing the timing of traffic lights, the removal of or changes to bus lanes, the introduction of high occupancy vehicle lanes and the remodeling of major road junctions.

Expert Doubts Bia Passenger Growth

An aviation expert has cast doubt on the predicted passenger growth at Birmingham international Airport on which the hub is basing its billion-pound expansion plans. Proposals for a runway extension and a new second runway at BIA are based on a predicted trebling of demand - to 33 million passengers per year - by 2030.

Now Ming the Merciless Turns in His Jag so He Can Look Green

Liberal Democrat leadership contender Sir Menzies Camp bell has come under fire for announcing plans to give up his Jaguar. Sir Menzies said he was giving up his Midland-built car after critics claimed it was a "gas guzzler". He said: "I have one 20- year-old car which has been my pride and joy. But we're all going to have change our habits, including me."

Car Theft Gang Is Jailed for 11 Years

A gang involved in an elaborate car-theft ring has been jailed for 11 years. The 11 offenders admitted stealing luxury vehicles during their crime spree through out Staffordshire and across the country, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

Unwanted Haircut Is Assault, Say Judges

An ex-boyfriend's act of cut ting off a girl's ponytail could be interpreted as an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, the High Court ruled yesterday. In the first case of its kind, two eminent judges said hair could be regarded as a person's "crowning glory" - and magistrates at Dudley were wrong when they held that Michael Ross Smith (21) had no case to answer.

Baby Anguish of Brummie Killed in Hajj Stampede

The Birmingham man killed in the Hajj stampede in which nearly 400 Muslim pilgrims died was due to become a father for the second time, his family said yesterday. Amer Hussein, from Orphanage Road, Erdington, was buried in Saudi Arabia.

Plea for Gun Gang Calm

A detective yesterday called for calm among Birmingham's rival gun gangs after a man accused of taking part in a gangland execution walked free from court. Marcus Walker was acquitted by a jury on Monday of the murder of Yohanne Martin in December 2002.

Trust Completes Findings On Pc's Killer

An investigation into the care and treatment of a paranoid schizophrenic who stabbed a police officer to death has been completed by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust. The organisation said it would not be making the findings of its internal inquiry into the case of Glaister Earl Butler public at this time but would be passing the report to Birmingham and The Black Country Strategic Health Authority, which has commissioned an external review.

Police Merger Could Go to Court

A merger of Midland police forces could be challenged in the courts, after the Home Secretary appeared to suggest he had already decided to create a huge regional constabulary. Charles Clarke described a merger of West Midlands, West Mercia, Staffordshire and Warwickshire Police as "the sensible proposals".

Aston Martin Roars Back On to Big Screen to Partner New 007

James Bond is to be reunited with the Aston Martin marque in the next 007 movie. Daniel Craig, who will star as Bond in Casino Royale, will be seen in a new Aston Martin DBS when the film comes out later this year.

National: News Digest - Sex Attacks