Mr Wilshire admitted his comments were 'clumsy' after Tory leader David Cameron said they were 'frankly ludicrous'.
]]> The Spelthorne MP had written in an email to a constituent: "The witch-hunt against MPs in general will undermine democracy. It will weaken Parliament - handing yet more power to governments. Branding a whole group of people as undesirables led to Hitler's gas chambers."But he later apologised saying: "In a reply to very unpleasant e-mails from about half a dozen people... I did refer to the Holocaust. I was not seeking to equate what is happening to MPs with the Holocaust.
"I was simply warning that history teaches that the sentiments expressed in such e-mails can lead to horrendous consequences.
"So, if anyone finds my response to these emails inappropriate I apologise unreservedly. The last thing I want to do is upset anyone.
"However, all these e-mails assumed a newspaper's untested allegations were proof of guilt.
"Among the unpleasant things said were that I should immediately be taken out and strung up from a lamp post, that the sender was coming to shoot me and that most MPs were corrupt and ought to be disposed of."
]]>Paul Johnson, his partner Tracey, their young son Jake and Tracey's teenage daughter Amy were featured on the BBC Crimewatch programme last week, which reconstructed the horrific incident at their home in Upper Halliford Road on September 13.
]]> Former Thamesmead pupil Amy, 16, and Tracey were tied up with extension lead by three robbers who raided a safe and stole jewellery as Jake, four, looked on. Skip firm boss Paul was out at the time and police say he had a lucky escape because they believe the robbers were planning to attack him with industrial strength drain cleaner, which was found at the scene.Since the robbery, the family Range Rover has been attacked with acid and Paul told the Herald: "You're just sitting and waiting for something else to happen. It's horrible. I strongly believe someone who knows us has given information to these people because they knew where the safe was.
"They're obviously close to us and it's the betrayal that makes you sick."
He insists he has no enemies and doesn't believe there is a vendetta against the family, rather someone who is trying to make a fast buck.
He believes the acid attack on the car was a tactic by the robbers to make it look like he has foes so as to put police off their scent.
The affects of the ordeal continue to harrow the family, with Paul saying: "Amy is getting better slowly but she won't stay in on her own and I won't go out at night."
DC Phil Carter told the Herald there are new leads in the investigation, saying: "I would like to speak to anyone who saw a red Nissan Micra, with a mid 1990s registration, which was seen driving around the area immediately before the robbery.
"There were three men in the vehicle and at one point it is believed to have been parked in Annett Close, Shepperton. I would urge anyone who recalls the vehicle to contact us."
Only one of the robbers covered his face and Tracey is convinced he is known to the family.
The first of the other two is described as being in his 30s, skinny, about 6ft 1ins, with very short blond hair, a flat stomach and wearing a grey hooded top, dark tracksuit bottoms, white Calvin Klein boxer shorts and white socks over his hands.
The other is described as in his mid-late 40s, of stocky build, about 6ft, clean shaven, and with short 'salt and pepper' hair.
Witnesses said they sped off on the Halliford Road in a dirty, silver, N-reg BMW.
Anyone with information should call 0845 125 2222.
Held between 11am-3pm, there will be all sorts of entertainment laid on, including a bouncy castle, tombola, slides, live music and refreshments.
]]> The school is also offering free membership for the rest of the year at its gym.The 'rowathon' is being held to raise money for poverty-stricken African children and it is being held in conjunction with Shepperton-based charity Baraka Community Partnerships, which aims to assist small communities. Previous 'rowathons' have helped fund sports equipment, malaria nets and an improvement in sanitisation.
This years event is a six hour marathon between six teams and takes place in the sports centre on machines.
To take part, contact 01932 260050.
But was it successful? Let us know your stories here...
]]>Along with the fire brigade, and trading standards, detectives have launched Operation Quake, which will involve high visibility patrols and a 'Pumpkin Patrol' team, which will give advice to kids about responsible behaviour. Advice cards and 'No Trick or Treat' stickers have already been sent to 9,000 homes.
]]> Chief Inspector Clive Davies said: "We don't want to spoil anyone's fun, but Halloween does not legitimise bad behaviour or vandalism. We want people to have a good time but to also consider how their actions can affect others."If you are going trick or treating, follow the safety advice and remember that some people, especially the elderly, might be frightened by groups of people knocking at their door, so please respect any homes displaying a 'No Trick or Treaters' sign.
"Officers will be carrying out high visibility patrols over the next two weeks and taking appropriate action against any bad behaviour. Causing damage to someone's property could result in an on-the-spot fine or an arrest so act responsibly and everyone will enjoy Halloween."
The Pumpkin Patrol car is a bright orange Ford ST patrol vehicle which has been given a Halloween-themed makeover.
Residents can approach the car and speak to officers, who will hand out glow-in-the-dark wristbands with the message 'Don't Scare. Take Care' to youngsters.
Trading standards have told shops not to sell large quantities of flour and eggs to those they suspect will use them to damage property.
And shops selling fireworks have also been reminded they face criminal action and a fine of up to £5,000 if they sell to under 18s. A series of firework test purchases will be conducted in the coming days.
For more advice visit www.surrey.police.uk and anyone with information about rogue shops can call Trading Standards via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.
]]>Owners SITA Trust's Enhancing Communities Programme will provide money from the landfill communities fund for any projects that make physical improvements to community facilities, sports projects and historic buildings / structures.
]]> There are two types of funding, the first being a small grants scheme with a fast-track process for applications for funding of up to £10,000. This applies where the overall project cost is no more than £20,000. The second is for applications between £10,001-£50,000, with the overall project cost no more than £250,000.Jools Mackin, of SITA Trust, said: "This is a real opportunity for communities in the Shepperton area to access some significant funding to help improve community facilities. SITA Trust welcomes applications from not-for-profit organisations with projects that will benefit the whole community."
Visit www.sitatrust.org.uk to apply.
Richard Jones, secretary of the union's Surrey branch, was reacting to comments from Chief Fire Officer Russell Pearson, who said it was possible Staines and Sunbury fire stations could merge, meaning the borough could lose a fire engine.
]]> He insists this wouldn't impact the service, but Mr Jones said: "The FBU is astonished"The closures, in conjunction with the high level of traffic congestion in the area, would lead to dangerously increased response times. Quite simply, delayed response times can make the difference between us rescuing casualties or recovering bodies."
Mr Pearson further suggested there was no need for stations to be manned 24 hours per day with dedicated staff, pointing out most call outs occur during rush hours.
But Mr Jones, who claims Surrey was rated 36th out 48 authorities for response times, said: "Two thirds of all fire deaths occur at night when people are sleeping. Spelthorne has suffered 3 Fire deaths over the last 13 months and fire fighters have rescued far more people from fires, road crashes and other incidents in that same period."
Mr Pearson is keen for the brigade to use greater numbers of 'retained' - part-time - staff for the night-time periods, another policy with which Mr Jones strongly disagrees.
"There has been a reduction in front-line firefighters of 14% between 2004 and 2009 and he wants further cuts, in the full knowledge 25% of Surrey's fire engines are not available during office hours on weekdays due to an ongoing inability to recruit sufficient retained staff."
Mr Jones added: "The FBU does support Mr Pearson's view that the south of the county needs better fire cover, but disagrees this should be at the cost of the existing cover in the north."
Plans are due to be reviewed in April.
What do you think of the plans? Tell us below
Alex Tribick, who helped win compensation for Mr Stagg, who was wrongly convicted of murdering Rachel Nickell on Wimbledon Common, has confirmed rumours of his interest.
]]> Mr Tribick, of WH Matthews solicitors, Staines, also represented Mr Wilshire in 2000, when the MP threatened legal action against the Heathrow Villager newspaper.He said: "I have political ambitions and I am interested. Whether now is the right time I'm not sure but I've had some interesting discussions and am currently taking advice as to my position."
Mr Tribick, 34, was chairman of Conservative Future, formerly the Young Conservatives, until he stepped down four years ago.
He has worked in Staines for ten years and is involved with both the Spelthorne Business Forum and the Business International Network.
Mr Tribick, who can also list Barry George, acquitted of TV presenter Jill Dando's murder, among his clients, lives in the Mole Valley and said he would "consider" moving to the borough were he elected.
He said he could bring a "vigour and enthusiasm" to the role, as well as "working to emulate the work ethic" displayed by Mr Wilshire, who a fortnight ago confirmed he would not be seeking re-election following revelations he channelled over 100,000 of taxpayers' money into his own firm.
Of the MP's demise, he said: "It's sad events have unfolded as they have. I think he was right to refer himself to the parliamentary commissioner.
"I think it's interesting that all sides of the political spectrum universally agreed that, over the years, whether they agreed with the policies he expounded, he has been extremely hard working.
"I think the portrayal of him is unfair."
]]>He failed to return calls from the Herald & News and then sent the newspaper an email saying he had "no confidence in receiving accurate or fair treatment". He also cancelled his regular column, which was due to be published this week.
]]> Instead his response to revelations he channelled £105,000 of his office and staffing allowances into his own company, Moorlands Research Services, came in the form of bullet points in an email attachment.In it he denied he ever profited from the firm, in which his girlfriend, Ann Palmer, was the sole partner, and insisted he filed annual accounts.
He also said it wasn't a legal requirement for a partnership to register its business and said the firm, which folded last year, was fully registered and confirmed in writing with Parliament and completely within the rules.
His explanations, though, cut little ice with Conservative leader David Cameron, who said Mr Wilshire's decision to stand down was the "right one".
Mr Wilshire, 66, had spent last Thursday, the day the story was splashed across a national newspaper, locked in talks with Tory whips over the scandal after reporting himself to the parliamentary commissioner.
But in the evening he issued a statement which read: "I am confident that he [the commissioner] will confirm that I have done nothing wrong.
"That said, I am very conscious that the allegations and investigation will cause great distress to my family and friends. These allegations also run the risk of harming my local party and our national party's chances of winning at the next general election... I have reluctantly concluded that it is sensible for me not to seek re-election next year."
Spelthorne Tories have blamed the media for hounding out David Wilshire.
Showing continued loyalty to the MP, Spelthrone Conservatives chairman Graeme Reid said: "It's a sad day. But the media has its own agenda and sometimes you have to pay the price for things that on the face of it might not be clear cut.
"He has voluntarily put his case before the commissioner and should be given the chance to exonerate himself. He has not been found guilty of anything. He has served the Conservatives well."
Asked if Mr Wilshire had made the right decision morally, Mr Reid said: "It's difficult to say whether morals come into it.
"There are standards in public life and you have to be beyond reproach. It's not a standard many people outside politics would be able to live up to."
Fury over Mr Wilshire's expenses has been rising ever since the scandal broke in the Summer, but Mr Reid disagreed the resignation was unsurprising.
"I don't agree the writing has been on the wall. It's something that cropped up last week. These things happen."
Mr Reid said the party would now be sifting through applications from potential successors but could not give a time scale regarding the new appointment, adding: "This has to be done properly."
Fellow Tory John Packman, leader of Spelthorne Council, said: "We all need to remember David Wilshire has been an excellent MP for 22 years, serving all residents in a very dedicated, hard working and conscientious way which has been truly recognised by people from all political associations from Spelthorne. That should not be forgotten.
"I'm sorry to see him go but in view of the allegations it was the honourable and proper thing to do. I commend him for that."
POLITICAL rivals are demanding David Wilshire steps down as Spelthorne MP now, rather than at the next election.
Mark Chapman, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Spelthorne, said: "I think it's very sad residents will be left a lame duck MP for the next ten months. A lot of people would expect him to go now."
Mr Chapman, who called Mr Wilshire's decision "inevitable", said a Liberal Democrat representative would be more "transparent" over their affairs than Mr Wilshire.
He added: "David Wilshire has been conspicuous by his absence during this scandal and Mps need to be more available. And I would certainly not claim for a second home living so close to London."
Grahame # Leon-Smith is the founder member of the Senior Citizens Party, who will also stand next year. He said: "He (Mr Wilshire) seems to be the worst of the lot. There should be people in politics who are honest and give straight answers."
Labour councillor for Stanwell Victor Agarwal said: "The money should be repaid either to a Spelthorne fund or back into the public purse.
Even a fellow Tory criticised Mr Wilshire, with Spelthorne Councillor Malcolm Royer quoted in the Daily Telegraph as saying: "He should do the honourable thing and pay the money back. He's never lived in the borough for 20 years. It's not been good enough for him but it's been good enough to be his cash cow.
PRESSURE on Mr Wilshire has been intense ever since the the expenses scandal first came to light in May this year.
His constituents were furious at claims he clawed back £438,377 between 2005-2008, making him the sixth-highest claiming MP in the land, and his admittance he claimed further expenses for travel from his home in Somerset further irked voters.
The revelations kept coming and, weeks later, it was revealed he'd struck an unusual arrangement with the fees office whereby he was paid a monthly fund of £150 for three years for decorations and repairs to his London flat "sometime in the future".
The clamour for him to hold a public meeting in Spelthorne grew stronger when his full expenses were made available online and revealed he had claimed, among other things, the maximum amount in petty cash last year, hundreds of pounds on food and printing ink and over £1,000 for a new cupboard, which he said constituted a repair.
Having told the Herald he had never claimed for furniture in his London flat, constituents believed he had misled them. But Mr Wilshire continued to insist he had done nothing wrong, saying Herald & News reporters had confused furnishing with repairs.
Ex-colleagues then rounded on him, with one labelling him "The Seldom Seen Kid" for his seeming lack of interest and visits to a borough in which he has never lived.
A group of staunch Spelthorne Tories, The Conservative Unity Group, formed two months ago with the intention of ousting Mr Wilshire from office who, by this time, was embroiled in a war of words with readers in the Herald & News letters page. The CUG had pledged to provide opposition to Mr Wilshire at the next election following his initial refusal to resign.
Mr Wilshire will stand down after a 22 year career in which he has often courted controversy, most notably for his introduction of the Section 28 local government bill, which made it illegal for local authorities to "promote homosexuality or ... promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality". The bill was eventually repealed in 2003 after a string of protests.
He also supported a third runway at Heathrow, opposed the minimum wage and the Good Friday Agreement and was against bans on smoking an hunting.
Last week it was reported Mr Wilshire told journalism students his 60-70 hour weeks meant his £64,000 salary was dangerously close to the minimum wage.
ADAM COURTNEY was with David Wilshire on the day the expenses scandal broke and hours before the MP announced his resignation...
What a day for "The Seldom Seen Kid", as he is branded by some former colleagues, to organise a foray into his constituency.
Having dealt with the Summer storm caused by his expenses by using a mixture of silence and denial, David Wilshire must have thought a morning doing the rounds in Spelthorne with the Herald & News in tow was another step in his attempts to sweep the debris of his claims files under the carpet. How wrong he was.
Looking dishevelled after a night, no doubt, of fending off calls from the national media, I first caught up with him at the London Irish training ground in Sunbury, where he had arranged a briefing with bosses over the club's move across the village.
Having sent an invitation for me to join him days previously, Mr Wilshire seemed strangely reluctant to have me in the room. After being kept waiting outside for about 20 minutes, his assistant scurried over and told me I'd be allowed in on the strict condition there'd be no questions on the scandal. A prepared statement was thrust into my hand and I was ushered in, I thought, to hear his opinions on Irish's move, which is currently one of the biggest news stories in the borough. He must have had other things on his mind, because he didn't have any.
After ten minutes, he thanked me for my "understanding", and I was off to his next port of call, Sunbury Fire Station, but not before having to fend off a call from a BBC news crew about the whereabouts of a man who seemed to be the hottest ticket in town.
Half an hour later, arrived at the station where he met the chief, not to apply for a job (he specialises in fighting political fires) but to talk about the future of the service. After shutting the door on me to reassure the chief I wouldn't cause any "embarrassment" by asking expenses questions, I was in, but it was clear by this point Mr Wilshire was beginning to regret inviting me and, after a further failed attempt at getting him to talk about the expenses after the briefing, I left.
I'll be back on our shared patch very soon but it's anyone's guess when "The Seldom Seen Kid" will return.
And now the speed camera in Upper Halliford Road, Shepperton, has been subjected to another attack - this time by arsonists.
]]> The 40mph Gatso camera was set on fire in the early of hours of Tuesday (20) last week. Firefighters from Sunbury were called and managed to douse the flames before it burned to the ground, but the device has been damaged beyond repair.Resident Martin Hingham said: "Someone has really got it in for this camera. It's quite incredible for someone to go to these lengths to take revenge.
"I personally can't stand them but it seems quite extreme to go and set one on fire."
The arson follows on from the incident in March last year when thugs, believed to be seeking revenge after it flashed them, possibly used a vehicle to rip the camera from the pavement.
Terry Jones, who drives to route into Shepperton from his home in Sunbury most days, said: "I remember thinking it was quite funny the last time but this could have been quite dangerous if the fire had caught anything else. There are quite a few bushes and trees nearby, not to mention houses.
"Someone seems to be sending some sort of message to the authorities. It makes you wonder what they're going to do next."
The camera was installed in 1997 yet, conversely, accidents on the road have increased from 2.7 per year before installation to 3.7 since.
Surrey Police, who want witnesses to come forward, confirmed the Safety Camera Partnership was aware of the damage.
Anyone with information should call police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference SL/09/8527, or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.
Bakara Charity Partnerships hopes to raise £4,000 towards the project, which will help fund a sports academy.
]]> So far ten teams of six have agreed to take part in the event, which is being held at Thamesmead School on November 14, but there is room for five more.Andy McKee, who founded the charity ten years ago, said: "We are looking for each team to be sponsored to the tune of about £300.
"It's a great project because it will give underprivileged children sporting opportunities."
To get involved, contact Andy at andy@barakacommunity.com or on 07504 987 367.
Jamie Crittall, of the Beech House Vetinary Centre says owners should:
Provide a den or hiding place
Muffle the sound of fireworks
Keep animals inside
Don't over-fuss them
Stay calm yourself
Don't get angry with your pet
Prepare for unusual behaviour
Discuss the problem with your vet
"It could also be your pet would benefit from taking something. Some animals may need prescription medications but there are other options that can be considered.
"Once fireworks season is passed, it's time to think about long-term control of the problem. Fear of fireworks tends to get worse over time and can expand to include fear of other loud noises, such as thunder, if ignored."
For advice call 01932 220 768.
]]>Teacher Rosie Tothill took the youngters on a walk around Manor Farm Avenue and nearby streets including Lois Driver and Old Charlton Road.
She said: "It was a productive morning and, not only did it givr something back to the community, it was good for the kids."
]]>Surrey Fire and Rescue chief officer Russell Pearson said the county's 24 stations were spread unevenly, with too many being stationed in the north, in boroughs like Spelthorne, Runnymede and Elmbridge, and not enough in the south.
]]> And he confirmed it is a possibility the Staines and Sunbury station could amalgamate in a bid to facilitate a better spread. That could mean the number of engines in the borough being halved to one.However, he denied this would have an impact on the service, saying: "The service could actually be improved with streamlining, having one less station would certainly not reduce the efficiency.
"Neither of the two stations are fit for purpose at the moment - the buildings are too big and unwelcoming.
"Essentially the fire service is a mobile business and having so many stations is not necessarily needed.
"It may look like we are trying to remove resources from the north and we are - but this is the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, which covers the whole county.
Mr Pearson, who said there was no time scale in place for any changes, said a decision on the stations' future would be based on "demand" and "risk analysis".
He said response times in the south of the county were markedly different to those in the north. In some cases, those in the rural south, who are served by just one engine, could wait up to 20 minutes for a response, whereas in the north 12 engines are poised with an average response time of eight minutes.
Further changes earmarked would involve a reduction in the the number of staff, as well as their working patterns.
Currently, Spelthorne's two stations are manned 24 hours a day, which Mr Pearson says in unnecessary.
"We have clearly defined peaks of activity - at both rush hours and around lunchtime. At night and in the early hours, it is low. We want to provide more of a service in the day. It seems funny, but most of our work doesn't involve fire, rather rescues from car accidents."
He denied this would mean redundancies, instead saying retiring fighters wouldn't be replaced.
"It would be a natural wastage", he added.
An update to the fire safety plan is due in April
Stunned eyewitnesses in Felix Lane, Shepperton, and Manor Road, Walton, watched in amazement in the early hours of Monday morning as the Nissan Cabstar ran out of road and crashed into the water, before drifting into the middle of the river and eventually sinking to the bottom.
]]> They then saw two of the four suspects try to swim to their escape, before officers waiting on both river banks dragged them ashore.Nick Green, who lives by The Anglers pub in Manor Road, said: "I heard the police helicopter and then sirens, looked out of the window and saw a truck in the river and two people swimming away.
"One of them was dragged back and he was cuffed, with his face on the ground. Then the police went to the other side of the bridge to catch the other one, who tried to leg it through peoples' gardens. He didn't get very far. The crooks made a right cock-up.
"I have seen four or five cars go in the river, usually because the handbrakes haven't been up, but nothing like this."
Another neighbour said: "I have seen a police chase down here before, but the suspects got away that time.
"One of the men was wrapped in tin foil and was soaking wet. The police didn't seem to want him in their car and he was outside for about an hour. The next thing I know an ambulance turned up and he was put in that. He looked as though he was in shock."
The neighbour, who didn't want to be named, took pictures of the truck being hauled from the river on Tuesday morning.
It had been stolen from a residential road in Charlton Village at about midnight when a police car, which was on its way to the victim of the theft, spotted it in convoy with a yellow Ford Focus at the junction of Staines Road and The Broadway, Laleham.
Both vehicles failed to stop, and a pursuit of the truck began through Charlton, Shepperton, over Walton Bridge and then finally Manor Road, where the road becomes river. The Ford Focus was eventually stopped in Egham, where two of the suspects were arrested.
Six police units were needed to arrest a 24-year-old woman from Egham, a 20-year-old man from Camberley, a 21-year-old man from Chertsey and a 17-year-old man from Byfleet on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle. All remain in custody while investigations continue.
Police denied the pursuit was high speed.