WHAT HAPPENED ON 21st January 2001?

20th January 2001

SWITZERLAND World football governing body Fifa has agreed to withdraw plans to reform the system of transfering players between European clubs at a meeting with European counterpart Uefa. GERMANY The authorities have ordered meat inspectors to tighten controls following the seizure in Northern Ireland of 41 tonnes of German beef contaminated with spinal cord.

21st January 2001

KILLERS TO GET LIFE SENTENCES REVIEWED

All prisoners serving life for murder in Scotland are to have their sentences reviewed in the wake of the Human Rights Act the executive has said. About 500 killers will have their cases heard by a judge who will decide on the "punishment period" to be served. An executive spokeswoman stressed the review would not automatically lead to shorter sentences. The European Convention on Human Rights outlaws government ministers deciding when convicted killers can be released.

21st January 2001

MINISTERS TO LOSE SCOTS SENTENCING ROLE

Laws are being drawn up in Scotland to end politicians' right to decide if prisoners serving life should be freed. The Executive says it is meeting the needs of European human rights law. Under current procedures the final decision on whether to free inmates in Scotland is made by justice ministers. In future a judge will set a "punishment period" on sentencing after which time the parole board will decide on suitability for release.

20th January 2001

DOWN'S PARENTS FAILED BY AGENCY: REPORT

Children with Down's Syndrome are being denied the benefits to which they are entitled according to a new survey. Down's Syndrome Association research found 33% of children faced a long wait before living allowance claims were met by the Government's Benefits Agency. It also criticised "insensitive" & "ignorant" Benefits Agency staff. The Government agreed that there were sometimes delays but said efforts were being made to improve the situation.

21st January 2001

KILLERS TO GET LIFE SENTENCES REVIEWED

All prisoners serving life for murder in Scotland are to have their sentences reviewed in the wake of the Human Rights Act the executive has said. About 500 killers will have their cases heard by a judge who will decide on the "punishment period" to be served. An executive spokeswoman stressed the review would not automatically lead to shorter sentences. The European Convention on Human Rights outlaws government ministers deciding when convicted killers can be released.

21st January 2001

POPE APPOINTS 37 CARDINALS TO COLLEGE

Pope John Paul II has named 37 new cardinals the largest number chosen on a single occasion in modern times. The appointments including nine members of the Roman Catholic Church's central government bring the total in the college of cardinals to 178. The new cardinals include Archbishop of Westminster Cormac Murphy-O'Connor. The present Pope has chosen all but 10 of the college whose members vote in the election of the pontiff.

20th January 2001

HOLYROOD COMMITTEE REBUKES EXECUTIVE

Civil servants were rebuked by Holyrood for not knowing enough about the impact of legislation prompted by the European Convention on Human Rights. The rebuke followed the disclosure officials did not know which tribunals it would be possible to get legal aid for under the Convention. Alasdair Morgan of the Justice Committee queried the executive taking legal advice after passing legislation. He also questioned the cost involved and ministerial power to change bills.

21st January 2001

KILLERS TO GET LIFE SENTENCES REVIEWED

All prisoners serving life for murder in Scotland are to have their sentences reviewed in the wake of the Human Rights Act the executive has said. About 500 killers will have their cases heard by a judge who will decide on the "punishment period" to be served. An executive spokeswoman stressed the review would not automatically lead to shorter sentences. The European Convention on Human Rights outlaws government ministers deciding when convicted killers can be released.

21st January 2001

CUBA ALLOWS CZECH PAIR PRISON VISIT

An embassy official in Cuba said that two Czechs arrested for spying 10 days ago were in good health in spite of "unpleasant" prison conditions. He was the first Czech official allowed to see ex-minister Ivan Pilip & former student leader Jan Bubenik since their arrest CTK news agency reported. Havana accuses the two of spying for the United States after they were discovered meeting Cuban dissidents. The Czech Republic last year accused Cuba of violating human rights.

20th January 2001

INTERNET TWINS' MOTHER MAY FACE ACTION

The mother of twins acquired by a British couple over the internet could face legal action a judge has warned. Judge Ellen Brantly is among six judges responsible for adoption in Arkansas where the twins' adoption was approved. She told the BBC that Tranda Wecker may be punished if she lied about the length of her residence in the state. The judge said she was sending material to the UK authorities to help with their inquiries in the case.

21st January 2001

KILLERS TO GET LIFE SENTENCES REVIEWED

All prisoners serving life for murder in Scotland are to have their sentences reviewed in the wake of the Human Rights Act the executive has said. About 500 killers will have their cases heard by a judge who will decide on the "punishment period" to be served. An executive spokeswoman stressed the review would not automatically lead to shorter sentences. The European Convention on Human Rights outlaws government ministers deciding when convicted killers can be released.

21st January 2001

PAEDOPHILE CHARGED AFTER ARSON PROBE

A Welsh paedophile whose sentence was cut after a judge learned vigilantes had torched his home has been charged with starting the fire. Roger Gardener 56 was found guilty of sex attacks on girls in a St John's Ambulance group run by his nurse wife. On hearing of the fire Cardiff Crown Court cut his sentence out of sympathy. Police have now charged him with arson after a probe into the blaze at his home in Fleur-de-Lys near Blackwood.

20th January 2001

MAN CHARGED OVER PARK ATTACK ON COUPLE

A man has been charged in connection with an alleged attack on a young couple in their car at a beauty spot. Ian Haywood 36 of Hurstpierpoint West Sussex was charged with attempting to murder a girl aged 17 in Ditchling near Brighton East Sussex. He was also charged with attempted robbery & false imprisonment at the Common Country Park on Thursday. He is due to appear before Crawley magistrates tomorrow.

21st January 2001

KILLERS TO GET LIFE SENTENCES REVIEWED

All prisoners serving life for murder in Scotland are to have their sentences reviewed in the wake of the Human Rights Act the executive has said. About 500 killers will have their cases heard by a judge who will decide on the "punishment period" to be served. An executive spokeswoman stressed the review would not automatically lead to shorter sentences. The European Convention on Human Rights outlaws government ministers deciding when convicted killers can be released.

21st January 2001

KILLER'S BROTHER JAILED FOR SEVEN YEARS

The brother of a former casino croupier who murdered & dismembered his wife has been jailed for seven years for helping to dispose of her body. Elliot Quy of Southport Merseyside helped his brother Mitchell dispose of his wife Lynsey's head & hand. A Liverpool Crown Court judge said Quy 22 embarked on a campaign of deceit by concealing the murder for 18 months. Mitchell Quy 25 was jailed for life for the murder last week.

20th January 2001

MAN CHARGED OVER PARK ATTACK ON COUPLE

A man has been charged in connection with an alleged attack on a young couple in their car at a beauty spot. Ian Haywood 36 of Hurstpierpoint West Sussex was charged with attempting to murder a girl aged 17 in Ditchling near Brighton East Sussex. He was also charged with attempted robbery & false imprisonment at the Common Country Park on Thursday. He is due to appear before Crawley magistrates tomorrow.

21st January 2001

KILLERS TO GET LIFE SENTENCES REVIEWED

All prisoners serving life for murder in Scotland are to have their sentences reviewed in the wake of the Human Rights Act the executive has said. About 500 killers will have their cases heard by a judge who will decide on the "punishment period" to be served. An executive spokeswoman stressed the review would not automatically lead to shorter sentences. The European Convention on Human Rights outlaws government ministers deciding when convicted killers can be released.

21st January 2001

RAMSBOTHAM BLASTS INMATES' ASSETS PLAN

Government plans to make inmates pay for their stay in jail by seizing their cars & homes are unworkable the chief inspector of prisons has warned. Sir David Ramsbotham dismissed the proposals currently being considered by the Home Office as "nonsense". They would undermine efforts to prevent former inmates reoffending he said. A prison service spokesman said ministers were considering confiscating assets but no decisions had been taken

20th January 2001

WEDDING INQUIRIES RISE AT SCOTS CASTLE

Inquiries for weddings at one of Scotland's most romantic castles have rocketed since Madonna married at Skibo Castle near Dornoch last month. In just one week 450 people asked for wedding form applications at Eilean Dolan Castle Dornie near Kyle of Lochalsh on the west coast of Scotland. Already 10 couples have booked to tie the knot at the castle which was the venue for 57 weddings last year. The castle's website had 17 000 hits in the week after Madonna's wedding.

21st January 2001

KILLERS TO GET LIFE SENTENCES REVIEWED

All prisoners serving life for murder in Scotland are to have their sentences reviewed in the wake of the Human Rights Act the executive has said. About 500 killers will have their cases heard by a judge who will decide on the "punishment period" to be served. An executive spokeswoman stressed the review would not automatically lead to shorter sentences. The European Convention on Human Rights outlaws government ministers deciding when convicted killers can be released.

21st January 2001

DRIVE FOR CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE LAUNCHED

A drive to make better discipline in Scotland's classrooms a top priority has been launched by Education Minister Jack McConnell. Warning disruptive behaviour should be a concern for everyone he urged parents to work with schools to find ways of improving discipline. He made the call in Edinburgh where the first meeting was held today of a "task group" set up for that purpose. The group will look at existing priorities & consider improvements.