Birmingham Post

Vw Deal 'Will Put Mg Hopes On Backburner'

The prospect of car production resuming at Longbridge has "effectively receded to another planet" with the emergence of a third major player alongside SAIC/Nanjing, it was claimed last night. Germany's Volkswagen has become the pair's main global partner alongside General Motors of the US, making the former MG Rover operation ever more a sideshow.

Lord Jones Hits Out at 'Smear Campaign' From Politicians

Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham angrily hit out at his critics yesterday as he claimed he was the victim of a smear campaign orchestrated by politicians with a vendetta against him. Lord Jones has been at the centre of controversy after reports he plans to quit Government because he does not want to back Gordon Brown in a General Election.

Solihull, My Blue Heaven

If people in Solihull want to thank anyone for their quality of life, it may as well be the Tories. That seemed the theme of Tory leader David Cameron's message yesterday as he visited the borough to meet his party's local election candidates.

Two-Day Tube Strike Chaos Feared ; Transport

Thousands of London Underground workers are to stage a two-day strike in a row linked to the collapse of maintenance giant Metronet, it was announced yesterday. The Rail Maritime & Transport union said the walkout on April 28 and 29 will cripple Tube services, causing travel chaos for millions of commuters and other passengers.

Woman's 13-Hour Rape Ordeal ; Courts

A convicted sex offender subjected a woman to a sexual attack at knifepoint in a 13-hour siege, a court heard yesterday. Sean McKay, 40, repeatedly raped his 27-year-old victim at his flat in the Edinburgh suburb of Abbeyhill in January.

Footballer Targeted ; Courts

A footballer appeared in court yesterday accused of blackmailing a top Premier League player. Goalkeeper Ashley Timms, 22, is alleged to have demanded pounds 15,000 from the unnamed star.

Banks' Relief As Citigroup Halves Losses to Just Pounds 2.6

Relief over narrowed losses at the world's largest bank helped Britain's banks shrug off concerns over a possible funding move from Royal Bank of Scotland yesterday. Bank shares bounced back from declines after US giant Citigroup revealed losses had almost halved to EUR5.1 billion (pounds 2.6 billion) in the first three months-compared to EUR9.8 billion (pounds 4.9 billion) in the final quarter of 2007.

Counterfeit Tobacco Not a Victimless Crime

Customs officers yesterday warned the public about the dangers of counterfeit tobacco after seizing more than 50 million illegal cigarettes in a regional crackdown. More than 4,250kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco was also seized in the West Midlands area last year.

Oap Crushed to Death by Car at Her Home

A pensioner died after a man believed to be her husband reversed into her at their home, the fire service said yesterday. The 77-year-old woman was taken to hospital after being hit by a silver Mercedes at a house in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, yesterday morning.

'There Was a Father, a Son and a Holy Spirit . . .'

It is not necessarily the sort of place to be associated with a barrel of laughs. But a new church in Birmingham yesterday celebrated the completion of its building - with a comedy night.

Naked Ram Raider with Boots and a Sheet

A naked ram raider wearing only a pair of designer boots ransacked a supermarket before leading police on a high speed car chase. The burglar was caught on CCTV diving into a supermarket and loading pounds 1,500 worth of cigarettes into a bag - wearing just a pair of Ugg boots.

Claims Gps Are Pressured to Sign Off Sick Claimants

Doctors are being pressured into signing off more than 70,000 incapacity benefit applicants every year who are well enough to work, it has been claimed. Government targets are said to have created a bias in the medical assessment system, saddling the taxpayer with an unnecessary pounds 300 million annual bill.

Oligarchs Do Battle in Court

Boris Berezovsky yesterday launched a claim worth about pounds 2 billion against fellow Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich at the High Court in London. Lawyers for the pair, not in court, began skirmishes over the exact form of the allegations made by Mr Berezovsky, 62.

Marginal Seats Could Be Decided by Postal Votes

The battle for political supremacy in Birmingham's marginal inner city wards could be decided by postal votes, it emerged last night . City council officials received 56,090 applications to vote by post before the deadline for registration expired on Wednesday.

Brown Calls On Presidential Contenders to Overhaul Un and Imf

Gordon Brown yesterday called on America to put itself at the head of the movement to reshape the major international institutions to meet the challenges of the 21st century. On the final day of his official visit to the United States, the Prime Minister said there was the opportunity for a "new dawn in collaborative action" between Europe and America.

Cherie Blair Heads Panel On Gun and Knife Crime in Birmingham

Cherie Booth, the wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, is to lead an inquiry into violent youth crime in Birmingham. Ms Booth, who uses her maiden name for professional engagements, is chairing a commission to hear evidence from people ranging from police officers to former offenders.

Labour Stalwart and Tireless Parliamentarian Dies Aged 77

Transport chiefs yesterday joined top politicians in paying tribute to veteran Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody who has died aged 77. Reflecting Mrs Dunwoody's fierce commitment, passionate beliefs and infectious good humour, the tributes were warm and heartfelt, even from those who felt the lash of her tongue.

Region Being 'Blackmailed' Over Transport, Says Cameron

West Midlands councils should have access to a pounds 2 billion pot of funding to improve public transport even if they refuse to introduce congestion charging, Tory leader David Cameron said during a visit to Solihull yesterday. He accused ministers of "blackmailing" councils, as he made another visit to the region in the run-up to local elections on May 1.

Solihull has Us to Thank for Its Quality of Life, Says Tory Leader

People in Solihull have the Conservatives to thank for their good quality of life, Tory leader David Cameron said yesterday. Mr Cameron was speaking after he met residents from the borough at an event where his party published a policy paper on Greener Local Travel.

Office Workers' Objections Halt City's Bbc Big Screen

The BBC Big Screen in Victoria Square has still not been switched on more than seven months after the pounds 365,000 project was approved. Described by the city council as a key element in Birmingham's progression to a forward-thinking global city, the 27ft-wide structure remains at the heart of a legal row.