Birmingham Post

Top City Firm Launches Internal Financial Probe

An investigation has been launched into alleged "financial irregularities" at a subsidiary of longestablished Birmingham accountants Wenham Major, the firm has announced. The practice revealed it is conducting an inquiry into its private client tax planning operation run by executive chairman John Joyce, a well-known figure in the city's accountancy sector.

Firemen Sacked Over 'Spoof' Interview Get Their Jobs Back

Two West Midlands firemen sacked after conducting a "spoof" interview with a colleague were given their jobs back yesterday. West Midlands Fire Service said Mark Smith and Lee Evans had been re-employed after talks with the Fire Brigades Union prior to an employment tribunal in Birmingham.

House Prices See First Annual Fall

House prices suffered their first annual fall for 12 years as the market continued to be hit by the fallout from the credit crunch, figures showed yesterday. According to the Nationwide Building Society, the average UK home is worth pounds 178,555- pounds 1,759 less than 12 months ago - representing a one per cent drop and the first year-on-year fall since 1996.

Inquest Opens Into Dead Disabled Man ; Courts

An inquest into the death of a severely disabled man whose decomposed remains were found in a suitcase at his family home was opened yesterday. The body of James Arran Hughes, 22, was found hidden among other items in the garden of his mother and stepfather's house in Redditch, Worcestershire, last Wednesday.

Chemistry Lesson Ends in Explosion ; Schools

Seven A-level students were rushed to a Birmingham hospital after an explosion during a chemistry lesson yesterday. Pupils at Queen Elizabeth's Mercian School, in Tamworth, Staffordshire, were about to begin an experiment when a bottle of silicone tetrachloride exploded as two teachers opened it.

Crash Closes M42 ; Accident

Motorists faced delays on one of region's busiest motorways after a lorry overturned and crashed into a barrier yesterday. The middle and fast lanes on the eastbound M42, between junctions 1 and 2 near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, were closed at 10pm to allow Highways Agency staff to carry out urgent repairs, which should be completed by 5am today.

Father Pays Tribute to a 'Special' Daughter

The father of a 21-year-old Midland woman who died while taking part in an extreme sport in New Zealand paid tribute yesterday to his "special" daughter. Emily Jordan, from Worcestershire, became trapped between rocks and drowned while "riverboarding" - riding a body board on fast- flowing rapids - in the Kawarau River Gorge near Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island, police said.

Contractor Jailed for Imaginary Staff Scam

A crooked company boss nicknamed "Mr Generosity" was jailed for three-and-a-half years yesterday for milking nearly pounds 500,000 from the Ministry of Defence. James McLaughlan, 58, regularly handed over "silence money" and doled out free cars, accommodation and weekend breaks to "corrupt and manipulate" others into helping him pocket taxpayers' cash meant for Britain's defence, a court was told.

Birmingham Pride Parade Called Off After Time Dispute

The largest gay and lesbian event in the country, organised by Birmingham Pride, will be without its crowd-pulling party piece this year - the famous parade that winds round the city centre and ends in the gay village. A series of disagreements over the start time of the annual street parade has led organisers to scrap the parade.

Business in a Coma? Well, Morrissey has the Answer . . .

Steven Patrick Morrissey has always been an idol for socially maladjusted teenage boys pining in darkened bedrooms. But now posters of the miserable crooner, frontman of one of the most critically acclaimed bands in the 1980s, The Smiths, could also be appearing on posters in the boardrooms of Brindleyplace.

30 Pupils Test Positive for Tuberculosis at Girls School

Public health officials are investigating an outbreak of tuberculosis at a Birmingham school, after 30 pupils tested positive for the infectious disease. All pupils at Birchfield Independent School for Girls, in Beacon Hill, Aston, were screened after a girl and one of her relatives contracted TB last summer.

Campbell Brother Steps Into Ali's Ub40 Shoes

Duncan Campbell is to replace his brother Ali as UB40's vocalist, it was announced yesterday. The singer confirmed he was leaving after 30 years in January, citing management problems.

Biker Revenge Threat Could Halt Blues Music Festival

Police are opposing a licence application for a festival because they fear people could use the event to exact revenge for the death of Hells Angel Gerard Tobin. Derbyshire Police believe the Rock and Blues Custom Show would present the most "significant opportunity for high-profile retaliation" for Mr Tobin's murder on the M40 in August.

Growing Costs of Growing Up . . .

The typical family spends nearly pounds 5,000 a year keeping their children entertained, a survey showed yesterday. Children are taken on an average of 72 outings a year, with excursions including trips to local attractions, the cinema, swimming pool and fast food outlets, as well as holidays.

Protectionism Is Not the Answer to Crunch - Brown ; Politics

Gordon Brown issued a warning yesterday that the world must not relapse into trade protectionism in the face of the global economic slowdown. Addressing the Institute of Directors in London, the Prime Minister said it was "understandable" that people across America and Europe were worried for their jobs in the face of the challenge from the new economic powers of China and India.

Cameron Seeks Deal with Business Community ; Politics

David Cameron last night pledged to cut taxes and regulation for business, but warned that in return it must help tackle social problems. The Tory leader delivered an appeal for firms to join him in "changing" Britain for the better, by addressing issues such as crime, drugs and obesity.

Theatres Need Support, Says Spacey ; Politics

Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey yesterday complained that theatres and other artistic groups had to jump through an increasing number of hoops to obtain funding from the Government. He told an audience of business leaders that arts organisations were having to spend more and more time "ticking boxes", which was hampering their efforts to engage with communities.

'Chancellor Must Stop Firms Quitting the Country' ; Politics

The Chancellor must act to prevent businesses quitting the UK because of an uncompetitive tax system, Conservatives have claimed. Andrew Mitchell (Con Sutton Coldfield) issued the warning after Shire, the UK's thirdlargest pharmaceutical company, and United Business media, the publisher, announced they were relocating to Ireland for tax reasons.

Livingstone's Broadside at 'Joke' Boris ; Politics

London Mayor Ken Livingstone yesterday launched his most direct attack so far on Boris Johnson. On the eve of polling, the Mayor branded his Tory challenger "a joke" and warned voters they were not voting for the winner of Celebrity Mayor.

Energy Bill Sees Huge Backbench Labour Revolt ; Politics

Gordon Brown last night suffered the joint worst backbench revolt since he became Prime Minister - just 24 hours ahead of the local elections. Thirty five Labour MPs voted against the Government in a bid to force it to introduce a feed-in tariff scheme within a year to boost Britain's take-up of renewable energy.