Birmingham Post

My Blue Brum

Jubilant Conservatives claimed they were defeating Gordon Brown in Labour's traditional heartlands, as they celebrated gains across the country today. Tories gained control of Nuneaton and Bedworth, a Labour stronghold since 1973. They were also celebrating a series of wins in Birmingham, which they will continue to govern with the Liberal Democrats.

Police Investigate Pounds 70 Million Attempted Fraud at Hsbc ; Hsbc

Banking giant HSBC yesterday said police were investigating an alleged pounds 70 million attempted fraud at the group. The bank said no customer funds were involved and no money was lost in the alleged fraud.

Road and Rail Chaos Awaits Bank Holiday Travelers

Holidaymakers hoping to get away for the long weekend have been warned to prepare for traffic jams and major disruption on the region's roads and railways. According to the AA, extensive engineering work planned for the bank holiday and predictions of congestion on the roads could see major routes out of the city become "significantly busier than normal".

Elections: Capital Waits On the Big Ken V Boris Showdown

Londoners will learn today who they have elected as the capital's mayor. In the third four-yearly ballot for the directly-elected post, Labour's Ken Livingstone is facing his toughest challenge yet, from Conservative MP Boris Johnson.

Elections: Welsh Labour Hits Out at Tax Changes

Voters went to the polls across Wales to elect more than 1,200 councillors in all 22 unitary authorities yesterday. Welsh Labour leader Rhodri Morgan tried to distance his wing of the party from the 10p tax row.

Elections: Voters in a Birmingham Ward

Voters in a Birmingham ward were redirected after turning up at the polling station - only to find it had been demolished. Polling cards sent out by Birmingham City Council featured directions to the now non-existent building, at Wheelers Lane Technology Complex in Billesley, Hall Green.

Elections: Brown Fightback Starts After Conservative Gains

Gordon Brown is set to launch a fightback today as he attempts to shrug off local election poll gains for the Conservatives. Tories were celebrating victory in Nuneaton and Bedworth, Warwickshire, a Labour stronghold where they gained an overall majority, ending 35 years of Labour rule.

Elections: Early Results Indicate Swing to Conservatives

Conservatives were on course to strengthen their grip on Birmingham City Council as the party swept to victory in a number of key wards. In a night of misery for Labour, Tory candidates were successful in Erdington, Weoley, Longbridge and Quinton - ousting sitting Labour councillors.

Eagle Eye Kept On Aston Results Following Scandals

Aston was one of the most closely scrutinised ward results in Birmingham in the wake of a series of election scandals. Most recently it was the subject of an election court case centred on a Lib Dem candidate and councillor.

Elections: A Tough Night for Labour, Admit Party Supremos

Conservatives were picking up seats and councils around England as the first results from local elections started to come in early this morning. But with results available from around a dozen councils, it was too early to say whether David Cameron's party had made the kind of breakthrough he was hoping for, achieving a share of vote that would translate to 40 per cent or more of the electorate nationwide.

Northern Ireland's Chief Constable Accused of 'Prejudicing Fair Trial' ; Politics

The Chief Constable of Northern Ireland has been interviewed under caution after leading loyalist paramilitaries accused him of prejudicing their right to a fair trial, it was revealed yesterday. Sir Hugh Orde said the Police Ombudsman's office questioned him after receiving a complaint from convicted criminals Ihab and Andre Shoukri, who are brothers, and William 'Mo' Courtney.

Tories Claim Labour Is Wasting Aid to Africa ; Politics

The Tories yesterday criticised the Government for "throwing money" at international development without ensuring it is well spent. Tory frontbencher Baroness Rawlings made the claim in a debate on the United Nation's millennium development goals, which include halving extreme poverty and halting the spread of HIV/Aids.

Four Great Crested Newts Worth Council's Pounds 60,000 ; Politics

A junior environment minister has defended the use of pounds 60,000 of taxpayers' money on moving four great crested newts. Joan Ruddock told the Commons species loss was occurring throughout the globe and there had been "great loss" of the newts in this country.

Benn Generates Green Policy Defence to Thwart Rebellion ; Politics

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn was yesterday forced to defend the Government's record on renewable energy following a major rebellion over feed-in tariffs (FITs) for green electricity generators. Last night 35 Labour MPs, backed by Tories and Liberal Democrats, attempted to force the Government to bring in FITs, which would see householders paid for producing renewable energy using wind turbines or solar panels.

Reclassified Cannabis Is 'Just Smoke and Mirrors' ; Politics

The Government's drug policy was dismissed as a "shambles" and a "mockery" yesterday after it emerged cannabis users will continue to escape with a slap on the wrist when the drug is returned to Class B. The Association of Chief Police Officers confirmed it would bid to retain "cannabis warnings" for people found in possession of dope when it is reclassified.

Mum Tells of Horror As Bus Ploughs Into House

A Birmingham housewife yesterday told how she feared for her life when she clung to a rail on a packed bus which crashed into a house, injuring 15 people. Linda Griffith, from Hockley, was standing at the front of the number 8a bus when it collided with two cars and a van before ploughing into a maisonette in the Lozells area of city.

Suspensions Review Halts Prison Walkout

Staff at six prisons were returning to work last night after walking out in protest over the suspension of two colleagues, the Prison Officers' Association said. Officers walked out at Lindholme and Moorlands prisons near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and at Everthorpe prison in East Yorkshire and staff later followed suit at Wakefield, Hull and New Hall prisons, according to the POA.

Floods Hero Phil Is Honoured by Queen

Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire hit the headlines last year as thousands were left stranded by rising water levels caused by the devastating summer floods. Station manager Phil Ryan of Tewkesbury fire station led an effort to rescue many of the residents - working 24-hour shifts with only a four-hour break - while somehow managing to make time to evacuate his family from their house, which had been surrounded by the flood waters. Yesterday the 41-year-old's dedication to helping others was hono...

A Very Nice Verdict for Drug Company

Plans to restrict certain Alzheimer's drugs on the NHS may be reviewed after a landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal. Three judges found the process by which the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) decided to restrict the anti-dementia medicines for newly diagnosed patients with mild Alzheimer's was procedurally unfair.

Ex Radio 1 Dj Died of a Drugs Overdose

No one will be prosecuted over the death of former Radio 1 DJ Kevin Greening, police said yesterday. Post-mortem toxicology tests revealed the DJ died from "drug toxicity"