Tory MP accused of racism in e-mails
The Conservatives faced fresh accusations of racism over an MP’s e-mails suggesting that most criminals were black. Bob Spink, MP for Castle Point, Essex, was asked: “Are you saying a lot more criminals are black than white or that there are more black people in jail than white because they are stopped more often?” He replied: “The former, and that’s what people don’t seem to like.” Yesterday Mr Spink said that he had repeated statistics given by the Home Secretary, denied that he was racist and accused critics of being mischievous. The party said he had been expressing a personal view.
Britons to be tried
Two British holidaymakers must face trial in Greece on charges arising out of an alleged attack on Crete seven years ago, the High Court ruled. Michael Tonge, 28, and Lee Yarrow, 30, both of North Tyneside, resisted extradition claiming that they would not get a fair trial or might face inhumane treatment.
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Teenage killer
A boy aged 16 was sentenced to four years in a young offender institution for killing a man after a prank. Chriss Lightning stabbed John Cumby, a former scaffolder, who threw an egg wrapped in a Cadbury’s Creme Egg wrapper against Lightning’s house in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, in February.
Officers cut back
John Reid, the Home Secretary, has reduced Labour’s commitment to police community support officers because of financial pressure and the concerns of chief constables. Labour had promised 24,000 auxilliary officers by 2008 but yesterday the Home Office limited the number to 16,000.
Thatcher honoured
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Right-wing Conservatives put on a show of strength as 325 people attended a dinner in honour of Baroness Thatcher. Liam Fox, the Shadow Defence Secretary, was a guest speaker at the Conservative Way Forward dinner. Lady Thatcher and her supporters looked back to the Tories’ more robust ideology.