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11/04/2003
Met report on Burrell case offers 'no radical' changes
An internal Metropolitan Police report into how it handled the cases surrounding the sale of Princess Diana's property has been published today - but it contains no radical changes.
The report's 10 recommendations are described as "straightforward and bureaucratic in nature" but nothing critical has emerged.
The high-profile prosecutions of royal butlers Paul Burrell and Harold Brown and jeweller Jan Haylik last year attracted huge media attention.
But all the trials collapsed – at a cost of £5 million to the public purse – after the details of a conversation between the Queen and Paul Burrell were revealed. Question marks were immediately raised over the way in which the case was handled by police.
In the aftermath of the cases, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir John Stevens, asked for the cases to be reviewed to see if there were "learn lessons for the future" and it did not to reinvestigate the cases.
Whilst the majority of the recommendations relate to Met procedures, one calls on the management of allegations of crime involving royal households or family to be reviewed.
Commenting on the report, Sir John gave the detectives involved in the case his full support and rebuffed suggestions that there had been a rift between the palace and the Met.
"Inevitably the manner in which the prosecutions concluded led to speculation about relations between the Met and the palace, much of it ill-informed," he said.
"You should remember that our officers work with the Royal family and their households around the clock. We have good and sound relations and communications – they were during the investigations and they remain so to this day. We could not do our job otherwise."
(GMcG)
The report's 10 recommendations are described as "straightforward and bureaucratic in nature" but nothing critical has emerged.
The high-profile prosecutions of royal butlers Paul Burrell and Harold Brown and jeweller Jan Haylik last year attracted huge media attention.
But all the trials collapsed – at a cost of £5 million to the public purse – after the details of a conversation between the Queen and Paul Burrell were revealed. Question marks were immediately raised over the way in which the case was handled by police.
In the aftermath of the cases, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir John Stevens, asked for the cases to be reviewed to see if there were "learn lessons for the future" and it did not to reinvestigate the cases.
Whilst the majority of the recommendations relate to Met procedures, one calls on the management of allegations of crime involving royal households or family to be reviewed.
Commenting on the report, Sir John gave the detectives involved in the case his full support and rebuffed suggestions that there had been a rift between the palace and the Met.
"Inevitably the manner in which the prosecutions concluded led to speculation about relations between the Met and the palace, much of it ill-informed," he said.
"You should remember that our officers work with the Royal family and their households around the clock. We have good and sound relations and communications – they were during the investigations and they remain so to this day. We could not do our job otherwise."
(GMcG)
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29 June 2015
Dog Attacks On Postal Workers Decreases - Royal Mail
Dog attacks on postal workers has fallen 10% in the past year, according to the Royal Mail. Between 2014-2015, the number of attacks on postmen and women fell from over 3,300 to more than 2,900. The Royal Mail has suggested the decreased figure is due to a reform to the Dangerous Dog Act in England and Wales in May 2014.
Dog Attacks On Postal Workers Decreases - Royal Mail
Dog attacks on postal workers has fallen 10% in the past year, according to the Royal Mail. Between 2014-2015, the number of attacks on postmen and women fell from over 3,300 to more than 2,900. The Royal Mail has suggested the decreased figure is due to a reform to the Dangerous Dog Act in England and Wales in May 2014.
16 June 2011
Met Office Team To Maximise Wind Energy
Met Office experts will be presenting new ways to maximise wind farm investment at wind energy conferences in Scotland this week in light of the volatility of wind resource over the last year. Weather patterns, and crucially wind speeds, underpin the success for this type renewable energy.
Met Office Team To Maximise Wind Energy
Met Office experts will be presenting new ways to maximise wind farm investment at wind energy conferences in Scotland this week in light of the volatility of wind resource over the last year. Weather patterns, and crucially wind speeds, underpin the success for this type renewable energy.
12 May 2011
Met Office Help Maximise Wind Farm Investment
Met Office experts will be presenting new ways to maximise wind farm investment at the Wind Energy Business Forum in London this week.
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08 January 2015
Oldham Athletic Drops Deal To Sign Ched Evans
Oldham Athletic has dropped the deal to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans. The football club has not commented on the issue. However Evans has apologised n a statement through the PFA. He said: I an grateful for the support of the PFA in helping me try to return to football and continue my career.
Oldham Athletic Drops Deal To Sign Ched Evans
Oldham Athletic has dropped the deal to sign convicted rapist Ched Evans. The football club has not commented on the issue. However Evans has apologised n a statement through the PFA. He said: I an grateful for the support of the PFA in helping me try to return to football and continue my career.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
