Birmingham Post

Pilot Praises 'Outstanding Team'

The Midland pilot of the Boeing 777 which crash-landed at Heathrow spoke publicly yesterday for the first time about the drama, to praise his crew and passengers. Captain Peter Burkill, from Worcester, led the passenger jet to a safe landing at Heathrow on Thursday after power to both engines was cut off while it was two miles from the airport and 600ft in the air.

Gun Crime and Fighting Terror Threat Double Police Overtime

Growing gun crime and terrorism have been blamed for doubling the amount of overtime for police in the West Midlands over the last decade. Government figures show an officer with West Midlands Police was paid pounds 1,217 on top of their normal salary in 1996/07, rising to pounds 2,903 in 2006/07. The increase comes against a backdrop of a growth in gangland shootings and the emergence of a new creed of fundamentalist-fuelled terrorism in the post 9/11 era.

Three Arrested in Animal Rights Raids ; Police

Three people were arrested yesterday in the latest stage of an operation targeting animal rights extremists. Police officers raided two addresses in Hampshire and West Sussex.

'Vanished' Canoeist Remanded Again ; Courts

Back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin and his wife were remanded in custody yesterday to await committal to the Crown Court on deception charges. Darwin (57), and wife Anne (55), appeared separately at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court via video link. They are jointly facing six charges of obtaining money by deception, totalling nearly pounds 250,000. Mr Darwin faces a separate charge of making false statements to procure a passport.

Terror Allegation ; Courts

A Birmingham man appeared in court yesterdayi accused of preparing for a terrorist bomb attack. Hassan Muhammed Sabri Al Tabbakh (38), is accused of compiling a document with instructions on how to make a bomb.

Brown Looking for Greater China Links

Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday hailed a new level of partnership with China which he said could create tens of thousands of jobs for British workers. Mr Brown said he wanted two-way trade with China's booming economy to increase by 50 per cent in the next two years to 60 billion dollars.

Invitation for Pm to Go to Olympics

Prime Minister Gordon Brown won an on-the-spot invitation yesterday to the Beijing Olympics from Chinese premier Wen Jiabao. But he ducked out of a table tennis challenge from prime minister Wen as pingpong diplomacy returned briefly to the international stage.

Britain Promises Pounds 50m in 'Green' Technology Aid to Beijing

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has promised China pounds 50 million in aid for "green" technology as he seeks to switch the focus of his visit to climate change. The Prime Minister has promised at least that sum will be handed out to support investment in energy efficiency, so-called "clean coal" and carbon capture in the booming Chinese economy.

Coventry Couple's Air Crash Fears

Two passengers from Coventry who were on board the British Airways jet which crash-landed at Heathrow Airport described the drama as they prepared yesterday to return home. Chloe Richards, aged 24, and 22 year-old Ian Newborn were among the 136 passengers on the Boeing 777 involved in Thursday's drama. Eighteen people needed treatment.

Skies Fall Quiet Above Normally Busy Runway

Illuminated by powerful arc lights, the stricken aircraft stood out yesterday against the background of grey rain lashing Heathrow. As traffic raced past the crash site just a few hundred feet away from where the plane finally came to a stop, it was easy to see what might have been.

Black Boxes Could Solve Mystery of Incident

Aircraft "black boxes" being studied by accident investigators could provide the answer to the mystery of what happened in the final moments of the British Airways flight that so nearly ended in disaster at Heathrow airport. The boxes are the flight data recorder (not black in colour but actually orange) and the cockpit voice recorder.

Network Rail Says It Won't Happen Again

Network Rail yesterday promised to tighten procedures and axe poor-performing contractors following engineering work overruns that caused New Year travel chaos in the Midlands. NR chief executive Iain Coucher said the not-for-dividend company had "let passengers down" with the overruns on the West Coast Main Line in the region and at Liverpool Street station in London.

Train Commuters in Fare Strike

Fed-up rail commuters are to hold a "fare strike" by refusing to show a valid ticket for their journey. Upset with service levels on First Great Western routes, passengers travelling from Bath, Oxford, Frome, Yatton and Yate will take part in the protest on January 28.

Midlands Now Only Part of Country Still On Flood Alert

The Midlands remained the only part of the country on high flood alert last night as warnings still remained in place on the region's major rivers, writes Neil Connor. Fears of flood chaos across the country eased over the last 24 hours as weather experts insisted the general outlook was "improving".

'Bail Bandit' Review Is Needed After Murders, Says Mp Vaz ; Politics

The chairman of an influential House of Commons committee has called for a national review of offences committed on bail, to determine whether police are being put under excessive strain. The call from Labour MP Keith Vaz followed two high-profile cases of murders committed by individuals released on bail while awaiting trial for other offences.

National Service to Tackle Yob Culture Is Tories' Plan ; Politics

David Cameron called yesterday for the introduction of a form of national service to tackle yob culture in the wake of the murder of Garry Newlove. The Conservative leader said Helen Newlove, widow of the father of three kicked to death by a gang of teenagers, "spoke for millions" when she said Britain's streets had been taken over by violent youths. He said legislation was not enough, and a change in society was needed to tackle the problem.

No Corrupt Deals with Saudis, Browne Tells Inquiry by Mps ; Politics

Claims British civil servants had "connived" in corrupt arms deals with Saudi Arabia for more than 30 years were denied by Defence Secretary Des Browne. But recently-discovered documents in the National Archives show Ministry of Defence officials made clear in 1976 the Saudis expected "appropriately discreet arrangements" to be made for payments.

Loophole Will See Firms Who Use Illegal Workers Go Unpunished ; Politics

A Government crackdown on illegal workers was dismissed as "absurd" after it emerged that firms will not be punished for using them as contractors. An alleged loophole in the law means companies can only be prosecuted if they become the formal employer of someone without the right to work.

Embattled Hain Receives a Welcome Boost ; Politics

Embattled Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain received a welcome boost yesterday after the UK's top civil servant dismissed suggestions he broke the Ministerial Code. Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell has said he was "satisfied" that none of the donations received by Mr Hain during the deputy Labour leadership campaign conflicted with his ministerial duties.

Undonated Organs Haunt Baroness ; Politics

Leading Liberal Democrat Baroness Tonge has told how she felt "ashamed" that when her daughter died she did not think to suggest her organs be donated to help others. Lady Tonge, a doctor and her party's health spokeswoman, spoke emotionally in the Lords of the death of her daughter, Mary Wherry, who was electrocuted in her home three years ago.