News
Live news stream
Hewitt defends Harman over liberty group's links to PIE
Patricia Hewitt defended the roles played by Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman and her husband Jack Dromey - who is also a Labour frontbencher - who were both prominent figures in the National Council for Civil Liberties (now Liberty).
"When Jack Dromey, as NCCL chairman in 1976, vigorously opposed PIE at the NCCL AGM, he did so with the full support of the executive committee and myself as general secretary," she said.
"Harriet did not join the NCCL staff until 1978. She was one of two legal officers, neither of whom was a member of the executive committee."
Ukraine's new leaders pose for photograph
The Ukrainian parliament approved the formation of a national coalition government earlier today.
In this image, Ukraine's new prime minister Arseny Yatseniuk poses with the rest of his cabinet for the first time since their appointment by parliament.
Advertisement
Police statement over N-Dubz singer's assault charge
Former N-Dubz singer Dappy was arrested after an appearance at Chicago's nightclub in Chelmsford.
Read: Dappy charged with assault
– Essex Police spokesmanCostadinos Contostavlos, aged 26, from Sandridge, St Albans, has been charged with an assault by beating following an incident outside a nightclub in Moulsham Street in Chelmsford in the early hours of February 27.
He has been released on bail prior to his appearance at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on March 19.
Former N-Dubz singer Dappy charged with assault
Former N-Dubz singer Dappy has been charged with assault.
Essex Police said the alleged attack happened outside a nightclub in Chelmsford in the early hours of this morning.
The 26-year-old, whose real name is Costadinos Contostavlos, has been bailed pending a court appearance.
Hewitt: I do not support reducing age of consent
Patricia Hewitt said that a proposal by the National Council for Civil Liberties (now Liberty) to reduce the age of consent had not been hers, although she acknowledged that it had been the policy of the organisation and the executive committee.
– Patricia HewittI do not support reducing the age of consent or legalising incest.
As the NCCL archives demonstrate, I consistently distinguished between consenting relationships between homosexual men, on the one hand, and the abuse of children on the other.
Read: Patricia Hewitt: I take responsibility for mistakes we made
Hewitt: I take responsibility for mistakes we made
Patricia Hewitt said that as general secretary of the NCCL in the 1970s, she took responsibility for the mistakes that had been made at that time.
The former Labour cabinet minister, who said she had been away for the past 12 days while the controversy was raging in the the press, said any suggestion that she had condoned or supported the "vile crimes" of child abusers was completely untrue.
"NCCL in the 1970s, along with many others, was naive and wrong to accept PIE's claim to be a 'campaigning and counselling organisation' that 'does not promote unlawful acts'," she said.
"As general secretary then, I take responsibility for the mistakes we made. I got it wrong on PIE and I apologise for having done so.
Read: NCCL 'naive and wrong' over links with the Paedophile Information Exchange
"I should have urged the executive committee to take stronger measures to protect NCCL's integrity from the activities of PIE members and sympathisers and I deeply regret not having done so."
These were her first public comments since the latest controversy over The Mail's claims that the National Council for Civil Liberties (now Liberty) had alleged historic links to PIE, a paedophile rights campaign.
Advertisement
Pink pigeon spotted on Darlington rooftops
A bright pink pigeon has been spotted on the rooftops and in the skies, over Darlington in County Durham.
As the photograph above shows, its efforts to blend in with its grey cousins has proved futile.
And the sight has shocked and puzzled people who have seen it.
One dog-walker said: "I just couldn't believe my eyes. For a moment I had to look again, and again, just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating."
However, the RSPB believe it may not be a pigeon at all.
It is not a new species, but could in fact be a dove that has been dyed pink and then released during a special event.
But instead of returning to its owner it has broken free and made new friends in the pigeon world.
And for that, it is probably tickled pink.
Hewitt: I'm sorry I got it wrong over paedophile group
Patricia Hewitt said that as general secretary of the NCCL in the 1970s she took responsibility for the mistakes that were made and apologised for having "got it wrong" on the Paedophile Information Exchange.
Read: Patricia Hewitt: NCCL was naive & wrong over paedophile group
Patricia Hewitt: NCCL was naive & wrong over PIE
Former Labour Cabinet minister Patricia Hewitt has said the National Council for Civil Liberties (now Liberty) was "naive and wrong" to accept the claims by the Paedophile Information Exchange that it was a campaigning and counselling organisation.
Watch: Ex-PIE chair 'confident Harriet Harman was aware of situation'
Watch: Harriet Harman: I have fought for 30 years against these people
Weather: Rain across southern parts, with risk of snow
ITV weather presenter Becky Mantin has the latest forecast:
