Church Assembly Focuses On Gay Ministers

The Church of Scotland's General Assembly is to discuss the issue of gay ministers.

The debate comes four years after the Kirk appointed its first openly homosexual minister.

At the time, the move caused a large division in the church, with two congregations and six ministers moving away.

A report by the Theological Commission will be used as the main focus of the debate, with arguments set up on both sides. There is, however, no guarantee of a final decision on the issue.

On the gay minister debate, the General Assembly has the option of "pausing for further reflection", which could delay a decision for another year. Even if the church representatives do agree on the issue, rules state it must be approved at a presbytery level and then rubber-stamped at next year's General Assembly.

The 94-page report from the Theological Commission, does not offer any conclusion or recommendations, but rather highlights different paths the Kirk may want to take in relation to the subject.

British Girl Dies In Egypt

A five-year-old girl has died at a hotel pool in Egypt.

She has been named as Chloe Johnson from Forest Hill, south London.

The incident happened at the waterpark at the Coral Sea Waterworld Hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh, which is believed to only have opened at the beginning of the month.

Speaking to Sky News, Chloe's grandmother, April Johnson, told Sky News her granddaughter was "a lovely, lovely girl" who was "intelligent for her age".

A spokeswoman for First Choice said: "First Choice can sadly confirm that a child has died while staying at the Coral Sea Waterworld hotel in Egypt. The incident occurred in a pool in the hotel's waterpark."

"In partnership with the hotelier, our resort team are working to understand how the incident occurred, and we will be carrying out a full and thorough investigation.

"At this time our priority is to provide support to the family."

According to its website, the Coral Sea Waterworld resort is located on a beach in Nabq Bay, and has 369 rooms. Sharm el-Sheikh is one of the most popular Red Sea holiday destinations.

Abu Qatada Loses Bail Appeal

Radical cleric Abu Qatada, who is facing terrorism charges in Jordan, has been refused bail by the UK immigration tribunal.

His lawyer argued that he should be released from prison, so he could spend more time with his family before leaving the UK. Abu Qatada has been in prison since March. The lawyer added that his client would return to Jordan voluntarily if a fair trial treaty was ratified. However, government lawyers said the accused remained a 'dangerous man' whose entire family had disregarded bail conditions.

MP's Office Searched By Police

Commons Speaker John Bercow has said an MP's office in the House of Commons was searched by police last week.

It was in relation to a "serious arrest-able offence".

Mr Bercow did not name the MP concerned. He made the announcement at the start of Monday's sitting to MPs.

In a statement, he said: "I wish to report to the House that the rooms of a Member were searched yesterday pursuant to a warrant issued by the Circuit Judge in Preston Crown Court on 16 May. The warrant related to the investigation of a serious arrest-able offence."

"I should remind Members, as did my predecessor in 2008, that the precincts of Parliament are not a haven from the law.

"...The Sergeant at Arms and Speaker's Counsel were present when the search was conducted. Undertakings have been given by the police officers as to the handling of any Parliamentary material until such time as any issue of privilege is resolved."

Bercow added the investigation is continuing and it “would not be right” to comment further.

(JP/MH)