Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

School Now Linked To 8 Girls Over IS In Syria

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 28 Maret 2015 | 12.25

Four schoolgirls banned last week from leaving the UK over fears they would travel to Syria are from the same London school as four other girls who have already fled to join Islamic State, it has been revealed.

A judge has decided that it can now be made public that all eight teenagers were pupils at Bethnal Green Academy in east London.

In February, Kadiza Sultana, 16, Shamima Begum, 15, and Amira Abase, 15, left their east London homes for Syria, two months after a fellow pupil is thought to have left to join IS there.

But police had also raised concerns about four other girls at the school.

Last week, Mr Justice Hayden made the girls - aged 15 and 16 - wards of the court, preventing them from leaving the country without a judge's permission.

He made the move after social services at Tower Hamlets Council made an application to the Family Division of the High Court in London.

Social workers told the judge the girls might flee to areas controlled by the Islamic State and counter terrorism specialists at the Metropolitan Police also gave evidence during the week-long hearing.

The judge changed his order banning identification of the girls after the press appealed that identifying the school would be in the public interest.

The Press Association news agency argued that parents in the area considering schools for their children had a right to know.

:: Earlier this month Mr Justice Hayden, who said that sometimes the law had to intervene to protect young people from themselves, barred a 16-year-old boy from travelling abroad by making him a ward of the court.

The boy's two elder brothers had already been killed fighting for militants in Syria.

He also banned identification of this youngster but revealed that the local authority which had applied to have him made a ward of the court was Brighton and Hove City Council.


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cameron Vows 'Truly Seven-Day-A-Week' NHS

David Cameron is to launch his party's election campaign with a pledge to deliver a "truly seven day NHS" for England if he is returned to power on 7 May.

The Prime Minister will use the Conservative spring conference in Manchester to set out plans for patients to be able to access hospital services at weekends as well as during the week.

It comes the day after Labour leader Ed Miliband promised a "double lock" to safeguard the future of the NHS - £2.5bn of new investment and limits on further privatisation.

Mr Cameron will say that under Tory plans, hospitals across England will offer consultant-level services seven days a week by the end of the next parliament in 2020.

The changes will start with emergency and urgent care together with supporting services, such as diagnostics.

It follows the commitment to ensure patients can access GP surgeries seven days a week, between 8am and 8pm.

"For years it's been too hard to access the NHS out of hours. But illness doesn't respect working hours. Heart attacks, major accidents, babies - these things don't just come from nine to five," Mr Cameron will say.

"And the truth is that you are actually more likely to die if you turn up at the hospital at the weekend. Some of the resources are not up and running. The key decision-makers aren't always there.

"With a future Conservative government, we would have a truly seven day NHS."

However, the proposals have been met with scepticism by the British Medical Association (BMA).

"The £2bn extra funding that has been pledged falls far short of what is needed to deliver existing services, let alone fund additional care," said BMA council chair Dr Mark Porter.

"The NHS is recovering from one of the worst winter crises on record, during which some hospitals were forced to close their doors because they couldn't cope.

"With existing services stretched to breaking point… the NHS needs far more than just words to deliver extra care.

"Without a detailed, fully-costed plan, this is at best an empty pledge and at worst shameless political game playing with the NHS ahead of the election."


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

One Quarter Of UK Students Consider Sex Work

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 27 Maret 2015 | 12.25

By Becky Johnson, North Of England Correspondent

Nearly a quarter of students in the UK have considered sex work as a way to fund their time at University.

A study carried out by academics at Swansea University has found that 5% of students have actually worked in the sex industry.

More than half of those said they did so in order to pay for basic living expenses.

In a lap dancing club in Liverpool one of the dancers who calls herself "Isobel" when at work told Sky News she began working as a stripper when she realised how much money she could earn.

She is on one of the most competitive courses at a top university and says the bar job she had previously meant working many more hours a week, which interfered with her studies.

"What I earn in a week is what I'd earn in a month in the bar job, so it just kind of made sense to me to work here rather than do that." she said.

"I think it's a no brainer for anyone really. Rather than doing all those hours I do less than half the amount of time for a lot more money - three times as much money. It's crazy."

Other students are prepared to go further, advertising themselves as escorts on adult-only websites.

One student who works as a prostitute agreed to speak to Sky News on the condition that we did not reveal her identity.

"I think it is still very much stigmatised and that can make life very difficult for student sex workers," she said.

"It isn't something for everybody, and that's totally fine, but it was the best choice of the choices that I had available to me."

"Obviously I think there should be a better funded education system - I think there should be grants for students.

"But at the minute while we don't have any of that support or money in place this is the best option."

The debate over the cost of going to university will continue ahead of the General Election, with Labour pledging to cut tuition fees by a third to £6,000 a year.

In the three years since fees were raised to £9,000 the students union at Manchester University has been contacted by more students who are working in the sex industry.

Women's Officer Jess Lishak told Sky News: "We've definitely seen an increase in the people we see in our advice centre that are turning to sex work.

"In terms of the reasons for that, there's a huge variety and I think it's too complex to break down to just fees, just austerity, just cuts. They all play a part".

The Student Sex Work Project has found that while 56% of students who engage in sex work said they do so to pay for basic living costs, 45% said it was to avoid debt and 39% said it was to reduce debt at the end of their course.

Dr Tracey Sagar, who jointly led the research, said: "We now have firm evidence that students are engaged in the sex industry across the UK.

"The majority of these students keep their occupations secret and this is because of social stigma and fears of being judged by family and friends.

"And, we have to keep in mind that not all students engaged in the industry are safe or feel safe.

"It is vital now that universities arm themselves with knowledge to better understand student sex work issues and that university services are able to support students where support is needed."


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Policeman Held For Allegedly Murdering Wife

A policeman has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife at their home in Northampton.

The 49-year-old, who is a serving officer with Northamptonshire Police, was held after police arrived at a house in Wootton Hall Park at around 1pm on Thursday.

He has been taken into custody and will be questioned by detectives from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out by a Home Office pathologist in Leicester.

Det Supt Kate Meynell said: "A full and proper investigation is taking place.

"Northamptonshire Police will not be making any further comment on this investigation at this stage."

The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as a matter of course.


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pothole Repairs To Cost '12bn And Take 13 Years'

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 26 Maret 2015 | 12.25

It will cost more than £12bn and will take 13 years to fix all the potholes on roads in England and Wales, a report has claimed.

Despite more being filled in, the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) claims the cash spent on repairs in the last 12 months has been "wasted".

The group's annual survey also found an increase in the amount paid in compensation to motorists in England to more than £20m.

Local authority staffing costs, to process the claims, have increased to around £18m, the report said.

Alan Mackenzie, chairman of the AIA, said: "Essentially, the money spent on filling the 2.7 million potholes reported is wasted - it is inefficient and short term in its effectiveness.

"So, while we understand that the Department for Transport is promoting permanent repairs, the point remains that money would be better spent preventing potholes forming in the first place.

"The £6bn of funding pledged between 2015 and 2021 is welcome, and hopefully will be confirmed by an incoming government.

"But the truth is that although it sounds like a big investment, it will only be enough for local authorities to tread water and it will do nothing to tackle the backlog or prevent continuing deterioration."

Peter Box, transport spokesman at the Local Government Association, said: "Councils need billions, not millions, to bring our roads up to scratch.

"Every mile of motorways and trunk roads will receive £1.4m funding over the next six years compared with £31,000 per mile for local roads.

"This makes little sense given the Government's own traffic projections predict an increase in local traffic of more than 40% by 2040."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "Well maintained local roads are vital for our transport network and it is for local councils to maintain them properly."


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ashers Bakery In Court Over 'Gay' Cake Row

By David Blevins, Ireland Correspondent

A Christian-owned bakery which refused to ice a cake with the words "Support gay marriage" is preparing to defend its decision in a Belfast courtroom.

The publicly-funded Equality Commission has brought a civil action, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, against Ashers Baking Company from Newtownabbey, County Antrim.

The Commission alleges that the bakery breached statutory duty not to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods or services.

The owners of the baking chain say they did not inquire about the customer's sexuality so could not have discriminated against him because of it.

They had declined Gareth Lee's order for a cake featuring Sesame Street puppets Bert and Ernie and the logo of the Belfast-based campaign group "Queerspace".

General Manager Daniel McArthur said they did not accept the order because "…  it was at odds with our beliefs and with what the Bible teaches".

In a statement, the Equality Commission said: "This case raises issues of public importance regarding the extent to which suppliers of goods and services can refuse service on grounds of sexual orientation, religious belief and/or political opinion."

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK in which same-sex marriage is not legal, a position affirmed by an Assembly vote last year.

First Minister Peter Robinson has accused the Equality Commission of spending up to £33,000 to seek court damages of £500 from the bakery's Christian owners.

Thousands of people have attended public meetings and donated to a major fundraising campaign initiated by the Christian Institute, a lobby group supporting the bakery.

A poll published by the Belfast Telegraph this week revealed that 77% of people disagreed with the Commission using public funds to pursue the case.

Ashers Baking Company, named after "bread from Asher" from a verse in the Bible, was founded in 1992, has six branches and employs 60 people.

This week's legal test case in the District Court in Belfast comes two months before the Republic of Ireland holds a referendum on same-sex marriage.


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Armed Officers Cleared Over Mark Duggan Death

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 25 Maret 2015 | 12.25

Armed Officers Cleared Over Mark Duggan Death

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Police involved in the fatal shooting of a suspected gang member whose death sparked the worst riots in modern English history have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

The armed officers were cleared by the police watchdog - the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) - following a three-and-a-half year investigation.

But the IPCC has called for urgent improvements in the accountability of police operations.

It found a lack of audio or video material made it impossible to know with certainty exactly what happened when Mark Duggan died in Tottenham, north London, in August 2011.

All radio communications taking place during undercover firearms operations should be recorded, the IPCC recommended.

1/9

  1. Gallery: In Pictures: Duggan Vigil

    Around 200 people gathered outside Tottenham Police Station, including Mark Duggan's mother Pam (centre)

Carole Duggan, Mark's aunt, spoke at the vigil

]]>

She said "we have to remember Mark is not the first person to die at the hands of the police"

]]>

The crowds gathered to protest against deaths in police custody

]]>

The occasion was an emotional one for Mark's mother

]]>
Armed Officers Cleared Over Mark Duggan Death

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Police involved in the fatal shooting of a suspected gang member whose death sparked the worst riots in modern English history have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

The armed officers were cleared by the police watchdog - the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) - following a three-and-a-half year investigation.

But the IPCC has called for urgent improvements in the accountability of police operations.

It found a lack of audio or video material made it impossible to know with certainty exactly what happened when Mark Duggan died in Tottenham, north London, in August 2011.

All radio communications taking place during undercover firearms operations should be recorded, the IPCC recommended.

1/9

  1. Gallery: In Pictures: Duggan Vigil

    Around 200 people gathered outside Tottenham Police Station, including Mark Duggan's mother Pam (centre)

Carole Duggan, Mark's aunt, spoke at the vigil

]]>

She said "we have to remember Mark is not the first person to die at the hands of the police"

]]>

The crowds gathered to protest against deaths in police custody

]]>

The occasion was an emotional one for Mark's mother

]]>

12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Claudia: Arrested Man Released On Bail

A man arrested on suspicion of murdering Claudia Lawrence has been released on police bail.

The suspect, in his 50s and from the York area, was held on Monday in connection with Miss Lawrence's disappearance in 2009.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the man was released on bail to "allow detectives time to follow up lines of inquiry".

Searches at a linked property were completed last night, police said.

On Monday, officers could be seen searching a semi-detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac in York.

Miss Lawrence's family have been informed about today's developments.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn repeated his plea for people not to identify the suspect.

He said: "I am very grateful to the media and the public for supporting my request that this individual should under no circumstances be identified, either in traditional media or on social media platforms.

"That is because identification is an issue and publishing this man's identity could cause serious harm to my investigation.

"This continues to be the case, even though the man has been released on bail, and I must ask that the media and public continue to support me and make no attempt to identify him, his place of work or his home address."

On the sixth anniversary of Miss Lawrence's disappearance last week, police released new CCTV footage.

The footage showed two people seen walking near her house on the evening she vanished.

A six-hour public screening of the CCTV was held near her home, which is in the Heworth area of York.

Sky North of England Correspondent Gerard Tubb said the man's arrest was linked to the CCTV screening.

Miss Lawrence was reported missing by her father after concerns were raised when she failed to turn up for her 6am shift at work.

North Yorkshire Police began reviewing the case in 2013 and have since carried out a number of searches.

A 60-year-old man was arrested last year in connection with her disappearance and suspected murder but was later released without charge.

A 47-year-old man remains on bail on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Top Gear's Clarkson To Learn Fate Imminently

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 24 Maret 2015 | 12.25

Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson could find out within hours whether he is to be sacked from the hit show, a senior BBC executive has said.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Radio 1 controller Ben Cooper said he thought a decision was "about 24 hours away".

Clarkson has been in limbo for two weeks since the BBC suspended him over his now infamous "fracas" with producer Oisin Tymon.

Both men have given evidence to an internal investigation at the corporation, where Ken McQuarrie has been tasked with getting to the bottom of what really happened at a hotel in the Yorkshire Dales.

The investigation into Clarkson's conduct is being handed over to the director-general Tony Hall, and a decision could follow today.

Mr Cooper said the incident had to be dealt with in "a very serious way".

He said: "I think if my son or daughter went to a place of work where they were shouted at, abused and someone threw a punch at them I would want there to be an inquiry and for that to be dealt with in a very serious way and that's what the BBC is currently doing."

Clarkson, along with his co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond, had been due to take part in four live Top Gear shows in Norway this week, but they were postponed on Sunday.

On the same day, Clarkson wrote about his "turbulent" week in a newspaper column and played down an expletive-packed rant at a charity event, in which he appeared to criticise his BBC bosses.

The 54-year-old seemed to suggest he may be sacked from Top Gear and hit out at the corporation's executives in the speech, which was captured on video.

But he wrote in the Sunday Times: "It was all meant in jest and anyway it worked.

"By being brief, controversial and a bit sweary I woke the room up and the auction prize I was offering - one last lap of the Top Gear test track - raised £100,000."

The presenter of the BBC's most lucrative show also thanked supporters of a petition to reinstate him, which was signed by more than a million people and delivered to New Broadcasting House in a tank last Friday.

Meanwhile, with Top Gear off air during the internal investigation, May has been tweeting about getting to grips with life without work.

He wrote at the weekend: "Woodwork tasks today. Being jobless allows you to revisit old interests, learn new things, and listen to the radio more. Sold the telly."


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

UK 10 Years Behind Europe On Cancer Survival

Survival rates for cancer in the UK are trailing behind other European countries by 10 years, a charity has warned.

Macmillan Cancer Support analysed the most recent results from global research into cancer survival and found many countries were doing better in the 1990s than the UK has managed to date.

The charity's chief executive has urged political leaders to commit to tackling the "shameful" survival rates ahead of the general election.

"This analysis exposes the harsh reality that because UK cancer survival rates are lagging so far behind the rest of Europe, people are dying needlessly," Lynda Thomas said.

"What we can see here is that better cancer survival rates are not unachievable.

"If countries like Sweden, France, Finland and Austria can achieve these rates, then the UK can and should bridge the gap."

While 14% of patients in Austria diagnosed with lung cancer between 1995 and 1999 survived, just 10% of patients diagnosed between 2005 and 2009 in the UK have done so.

Between 2005 and 2009 19% of people with stomach cancer survived in the UK - the figure was 31% for those diagnosed in Italy between 1995 and 1999 and 30% in Austria.

Just over half (54%) of people diagnosed with colon cancer in the UK between 2005 and 2009 survived, but 59% for those diagnosed in Finland between 1995 and 1999 survived.

While 81% of people diagnosed with the most common type of the disease - breast cancer - between 2005 and 2009 in the UK survived, 84% did in Sweden and France during the earlier period, and 83% did in Italy.

National clinical director for cancer at NHS England Sean Duffy said: "We are diagnosing and treating more people than ever before in this country and as a result the NHS is helping more people than ever survive cancer.

"We have come on leaps and bounds since this 2009 data highlighted by Macmillan, but we have an ambition to save even more lives and it's time to take a fresh look at how we can do better."


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

May's Call For Muslims To Fight Extremism

Written By Unknown on Senin, 23 Maret 2015 | 12.25

Britain must no longer tolerate those who fail to respect its values, the Home Secretary will say, as she outlines a series of new measures addressing what she argues is a rising level of extremism.

Theresa May will say extremism manifests itself in racism, anti-semitism, homophobia and sexism - but the "most serious and widespread" problem is Islamic extremism.

"Everybody living in this country is equal and everybody is free to lead their lives as they see fit," she will say in central London later.

"But in a pluralistic society like ours, there are responsibilities as well as rights. You don't just get the freedom to live how you choose to live.

"You have to respect other people's rights to do so too. And you have to respect not just this fundamental principle but the institutions and laws that make it possible. Democracy. Equality. Free speech. The rule of law. And respect for minorities."

Mrs May will say extremism cannot "just be ignored" but "must be tackled head on".

"We have been clear all along that the Government's counter-extremism strategy must seek to defeat extremism in all its forms, but it's obvious from the evidence that the most serious and widespread form of extremism we need to confront is Islamist extremism."

The Tory minister is expected to make a clear distinction between followers of the Islamic faith, which is "entirely compatible" with British values, and extremists who claim there is a "fundamental incompatibility".

"They demand a caliphate, or a new Islamic state, governed by a harsh interpretation of Shari'a law," she will say.

"They utterly reject British and Western values, including democracy, the rule of law, and equality between citizens, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion or sexuality. They believe that it's impossible to be a good Muslim and a good British citizen."

Mrs May will insist the Government cannot act alone by saying: "Individual people, families and whole communities need help and those of you fighting the extremists deserve our support.

"So my invitation is clear - come and join that partnership. If you join us, we will do everything we can to help you."

But for those who reject British "values and the basic principles of our society", she will say: "The game is up. We will no longer tolerate your behaviour. We will expose your hateful beliefs for what they are.

"Where you seek to spread hate, we will disrupt you. Where you break the law, we will prosecute you. Where you seek to divide us, we will stand united. And together, we will defeat you."


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ashya 'Saved By Therapy Denied By NHS'

Five-year-old Ashya King's life was saved by specialist proton beam therapy - not available for him on the NHS - his parents have said.

Naghmeh and Brett King, who sparked an international manhunt last summer by removing their son from a UK hospital without medical consent for brain tumour treatment abroad, said Ashya was now cancer-free.

Mrs King described the news as "a miracle".

"If we had left Ashya with the NHS in Britain, he would not be with us today. He was too weak and would not have survived," she told the Sun newspaper.

Ashya was finally allowed to undergo treatment at the Proton Therapy Centre (PTC) in Prague for brain cancer after a long legal battle fought by his parents.

Mr King said his son's condition now justifies their actions in taking him from Southampton General Hospital last August, to Spain where they have a holiday home.

He said: "We have saved his life", adding that they would do the same thing again if they felt they had to.

The Kings were arrested in Spain and spent several nights in prison away from their son, before being released .

A High Court judge approved the move to take Ashya to Prague for proton therapy, which the PTC said is more effective than the radiotherapy Ashya was being offered on the NHS.

It limits the collateral damage of radiation to other vital organs, such as the heart and liver in Ashya's case. This would lead to less severe long-term side-effects including heart and breathing problems.

The therapy was not available for him on the NHS, although the health service later agreed to fund Ashya's treatment.

The family, who have previously spoken of their apprehension over returning to the UK for fear social services would get involved, are staying in Marbella where Ashya will continue his recovery.

The Sun quoted a report from the PTC which stated that the oncology department "could speculate that Proton Therapy received could be sufficient to sterilise sites of possible future relapses of the tumour and chemotherapy could deteriorate the quality of life of Ashya".


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

MPs 'Putting Lives At Risk Over Legal Highs'

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 22 Maret 2015 | 12.25

By Poppy Trowbridge, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Political parties are being urged to commit to a ban on the sale of so-called legal highs in their manifestos, or risk putting thousands of young people at risk ahead of the summer music festival season.

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) says MPs have been "too slow" in recognising the dangers and legislating to protect consumers from such products, despite the public's desire for a ban.

According to new research seen by Sky News, three-quarters of the public want the sale of legal highs on the high street to be banned.

Shirley Cramer, chief executive of the RSPH, said politicians have not made the issue a big enough priority and as a result have "put a lot of people at risk".

She told Sky News: "Particularly at this time of the year, with the election fast approaching, a ban on legal highs is not included in the manifestos and we believe that would really be something the public would welcome."

The RSPH says consumer protection regulations should be enforced to remove legal products which are marketed in a misleading way.

Furthermore, it says the marketing of products with brand names such as White Stuff, Go-Caine and Mary Jane normalises drug taking.

Ms Cramer added: "Disclaimers that these products are not for human consumption are merely a fig leaf and it is highly irresponsible for them to be marketed in a 'nudge-nudge, wink-wink' manner."

Around three million people attend summer music festivals each year, according to research by Festival Insights, and 23% of festival-goers have taken drugs at an event.

The RSPH believe the number of those who could be tempted to try legal highs is even greater.

There were 101 new substances recorded in 2014, and at least 60 deaths related to legal highs.

Paul Reed, general manager of The Association of Independent Festivals, told Sky News: "The problem is many people equate 'legal' with 'safe'.

"We'd welcome legal changes that would make these substances less available."

Part of the difficulty in legislating against specific legal high substances is that the formulas are often slightly tweaked and then they are put back on the market.

While the Government is developing proposals for a general ban on the sale of legal highs, no specific plan has been put in place. Yet MPs have written to festivals asking them to put their own bans in operation.


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More

Military Families 'Swept Under The Carpet'

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

Families of soldiers killed fighting for the British military have said the sacrifice of their loved ones should be acknowledged in the General Election.

A letter sent to the leaders of the main political parties by some 60 families said they had been "swept under the carpet" and asked for five pledges in their election manifestos.

Among their requests is a commitment to hold an Afghan inquiry and to give the next Defence Minister responsibility for bereaved families as part of their portfolio.

The letter also demands a review of the Armed Forces Covenant and military wills.

"We believe this is essential in demonstrating your commitment to those who have been prepared to lay down their lives for the greater good of our country," the letter reads.

"The families left behind and to future generations prepared to make those same selfless sacrifices as their commitment to our country and its people."

Lucy Aldridge's son William was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. Rifleman Aldridge was the youngest British soldier to die in the conflict. She is one of the signatories.

"There is nobody there. There is no recognition that there is a lack of support and has been for decades. Successive governments have forgotten about us," she said.

"Because deaths in the military are so often sudden and violent, bereaved families can suffer from a very acute form of depression after the loss of their loved ones. We feel there is very little understanding of that from the authorities we turn to for help."

The group wants politicians to recognise that their situation is unique.

Julie Philips' husband Michael was the only British soldier killed in Sierra Leone.

She said: "We do need the support. It's not just about financial support. It's about having somebody there who can oversee and say right, these forces families have all been through the same thing.

"It doesn't matter if it is Iraq, Afghan, an accident, or suicide. If there was support there, then more families could come together."

Families of dead soldiers are often subject to intense media attention at the time. They have to watch the coffin return in a public repatriation which is often broadcast on television, and must attend an inquest into their death often months if not years after the event.

Many of them have created an informal forum on Facebook to share advice and support. There is no official Government or Military equivalent.

Unable to cope with her loss, Ms Aldridge attempted suicide in 2013.

"It isn't just our loved ones who serve, we serve too," she said.

"We're the ones pacing the floor when they're deployed. We're the ones concerned about getting that knock on the door, and when it does happen you hope there will be some long-term support to help you, and there just isn't.

"It feels like once a conflict is over and the publicity dies down, our loved ones are remembered on memorials but we're forgotten about and our concerns are swept under the carpet. 

"We need to learn from past conflicts. I'm finding more families are coming up with the same issues and there just isn't anyone to represent us who can look at those issues and actually deal with them."

David Cameron has written to the families and promised the Conservatives will consider the suggestions for their forthcoming manifesto.

Ed Miliband has told Sky News that he will write to the families shortly.

"The whole country honours the memories of members of the Armed Forces who pay the ultimate sacrifice in defending us," he said. 

"We must also honour bereaved families who must live with the grief of having lost a son or daughter, father or mother, husband or wife.

"We are very grateful for the proposals put forward by Bereaved Military Families Support UK. We will examine them in detail and respond to the specific suggestions."


12.25 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger