Birmingham Post

Anger at Iran Film of Seized Uk Crew

Britain last night condemned as "completely unacceptable" the screening of Iranian television footage of 15 captured British Service personnel including a Midland sailor who is the only woman. Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said she was "very concerned" about any indication they had suffered pressure or coercion.

Grieving Father Vows to Find Killer

With grief etched on his face, the tearful father of a Midland woman found buried in a bath of sand in Japan yesterday vowed he "would not rest" until he had found her killer. Unable to master his emotions, Bill Hawker said 22-year-old Lindsay Ann had gone to Japan to help people - not to "be murdered".

Solihull Casino Plans Hit by the Lords Vote

Solihull's casino bid was thrown into turmoil last night after Government plans to build new gambling dens across Britain were defeated in the House of Lords. Peers said they were willing to support plans for 16 smaller casinos, including in Solihull and Wolverhampton, but only if the Government agreed to review plans for a "super-casino" in Manchester.

Advertising Tycoon Gets Pounds 120,000 in Out-of-Court Libel Settlement

Advertising tycoon Sir Martin Sorrell settled his libel and privacy actions for pounds 120,000 yesterday. The 62-year-old chief executive of WPP was at London's High Court for the end of his fiercely-contested battle with former colleagues Marco Benatti and Marco Tinelli.

News Digest: Mobile Hunt

News Digest: Soham Closed

News Digest: Priest Inquest

News Digest: Murder Probe

News Digest: 'I Wasn't There'

Golden Mile Heroes Get Amongst the Medals

Traders and staff who have helped transform Birmingham's Broad Street have been honoured at a ceremony. Officials behind the revi-talisation of the city's premier entertainment district said the Best of Broad Street Awards were a time to reflect on past achievements in making the 'Golden Mile' a safe and enjoyable place to visit.

Murdered Teacher's Family Speak of Despair

The sisters of Lindsay Ann Hawker yesterday spoke of their grief and how her death in Japan devastated their family. The 22 year-old, from Brandon, near Coventry, was found buried in a bath of sand in Tokyo on Monday night.

Staffs Pub Closed After Grisly Discovery

Bodies of a man, woman and a dog were last night being examined by police forensic experts and a Home Office pathologist, after they were discovered on a boat on a Staffordshire canal. They were found yesterday on a 20ft cruiser moored outside The Junction Inn, close to the Norbury Canal junction in Gnosall, near Stafford.

Ten Years for Child Rapist

The former head of a Midland children's home has been jailed for ten years for raping and indecently assaulting three young girls in his care. Brian Gillam, who was principal of the Uplands Children's Home in Bromsgrove, was found guilty of two charges of rape and one of indecent assault by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday.

Woolmer Case Focus On Laptop and Mobile

The policeman leading the investigation into the murder of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer is searching his computer and mobile phone for clues, it was revealed last night. As the case moved into its tenth day, Jamaica's deputy police commissioner Mark Shields said no line of inquiry had been ruled out and no-one had been eliminated as a suspect.

Potter's Cover Revealed

This is the children's edition cover of the final eagerly awaited Harry Potter book. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows will be published on July 21.

Thanks Son, Says Heart Attack Dad

A Midland father yesterday paid tribute to his quick-thinking teenage son who saved his life when he suffered a heart attack on his doorstep. Steven Eades collapsed in front of his son, Gavin, and wife Michelle as they arrived at their Walsall Wood home on January 8.

Moves to Tighten Uk Immigrant Access ; Politics

British people who marry foreigners could be barred from bringing their wife or husband into the country unless they speak English, Home Office Minister Liam Byrne has announced. Mr Byrne, MP for Hodge Hill in Birmingham, unveiled a series of meas-ures to toughen up immigration.

Beckett Should Have Been Given the Boot ; Politics

Margaret Beckett should have been sacked over the subsidies fiasco which cost farmers up to pounds 22.5 million and left some on the verge of bankruptcy, an influential Commons committee said today. MPs attacked Tony Blair's decision to promote Mrs Beckett from Environment Food and Rural Affairs Secretary to Foreign Secretary, one of the most senior jobs in British government.

Chancellor Will Put Boot in for Ashleigh ; Politics

Gordon Brown has pledged to challenge the FA over its rule that girls cannot play mixed football once they are 12. The Chancellor said he was sorry a talented ten-year-old will be stopped from playing with boys once she turns 12.

Mps Award Themselves an Extra Pounds 10,000 ; Politics

MPs have awarded themselves a new pounds 10,000 a year communications allowance despite a warning it would be used for "shameless self-promotion". Commons leader Jack Straw said the likely pounds 6 million cost was a "reasonable and relatively modest sum" for MPs to communicate with constituents.