Ex-Police Chief Had 'No Idea' Of Scale Of Abuse

A former South Yorkshire police boss has admitted he had "no idea" about the scale of child abuse in Rotherham while he was in charge.

Meredydd John Hughes, who was chief constable between 2004 and 2011, told MPs he was "embarrassed" at the failure to act to stop it.

He said he was "distressed" he had not been made aware of the problem and he felt "sick" when he read reports into it over recent days.

He was appearing before a Commons committee as it emerged 25 more victims have come forward since a devastating report was published last month into the Rotherham abuse scandal.

The Jay Report outlined how at least 1,400 children had been subjected to trafficking, rape and other sexual exploitation between 1997 and 2013.

And it also said how their plight had been ignored by range of agencies, including police, councillors and council officials.

Mr Hughes faced some tough questioning from MPs who said child exploitation "on an industrial scale" had taken place on his watch.

David Crompton admits things should have been done differently

There were heated exchanges with Mr Hughes, who told the committee: "I can say with honesty that at the time I was both deputy and chief constable, I had no idea of the scale and scope of this type of organised crime."

He said he had not seen three of four reports being examined by their inquiry until recently.

He said: "Some of those reports ... I frankly felt sick last night when I read them. I am not immune to the ideas that this is a hideous crime and I am deeply embarrassed."

But he was rebuked by the chair of the Commons home affairs committee Keith Vaz.

He told him his denials were "impossible to believe" in the face of "evidence of the most compelling nature" to the contrary.

After a 32-year career with the police, Mr Hughes admitted he had "singularly failed the victims of these victims".

He said he re-iterated his apology and was "devastated that I could be in this position".

His successor, Chief Constable David Crompton, was also questioned by the MPs.

Mr Crompton said: "I accept things should have been done differently in the past."

But he also told the committee: "Things are better now than they used to be."

Mr Vaz had taken the unusual step of requiring the witnesses to swear an oath before the hearing got under way.

More follows...

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Reports: Shark Attack Victim Was British

The Foreign Office has said it is investigating reports that a man killed in a shark attack in Australia was British.

The attack took place at the popular tourist destination of Byron Bay on the country's east coast.

Sky's Harriet Hadfield said the victim, named locally as 50-year-old Paul Wilcox, was reportedly originally from Warwickshire but moved to Australia with his wife some years ago.

This has yet to be confirmed by the Foreign Office, which said in a statement: "We are aware of reports of the death of a British national in Australia and are looking into them."

Mr Wilcox was reportedly from England originally. Pic: Refocused Learning

Hadfield said: "The most horrifying thing that we do know about this is that his wife was actually on the beach when it happened and so we understand she may have witnessed the attack.

"There are some really dramatic accounts coming out of Australia now from people who saw it happening, including one man who was paddle-boarding at the time and said it was an incredibly violent scene."

Police confirmed in a statement that the victim was "bitten on the right leg by what is believed to be a shark".

"He was seen floating in shallow water, close to the shore line, and dragged on to the beach," the statement said.

Police have yet to formally identify the man or establish what he had been doing in the water.

Byron Bay is a renowned surfing location near Cape Byron, the most easterly point of the Australian mainland 500 miles (800km) north of Sydney.

Paramedics declared the man dead at the scene

The death is the first blamed on a shark in Australia since April 3 when a 63-year-old woman was killed near the village of Tathra, 210 miles (340km) south of Sydney.

Although sharks are common off Australia's coast, the country has averaged fewer than two fatal attacks per year in recent decades.

Two men were killed in shark attacks off the east and west coasts in the space of a week in November last year. They were the only fatalities in 2013.

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PM To Miss PMQs In Scotland Campaign 'Panic'

David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg will travel to Scotland to campaign for the Union as the fight to keep the UK together was lambasted as "falling apart".

The unprecedented move, which will see all three leaders miss Prime Minister's questions on Wednesday, follows indications in polls that Scottish voters could vote to leave the UK in the September 18 referendum.

Speaking after the joint trip was announced, the Prime Minister denied that it was a desperate move.

He said: "I'll do everything that I can. Let's be frank, there's a lot that the political leaders disagree about but there's one thing that we all agree about passionately and that is that our United Kingdom is better off if we stay together.

"So tomorrow the right place to be isn't Westminster at Prime Minister's Questions, it is being in Scotland, listening to people, talking to people.

"We will all have our own ways, separately, of talking about why we are better together.

The announcement was made on Twitter and Facebook

"But one thing I'm sure we will all say is that it's a matter for people in Scotland to decide, but we want you to stay."

While the leaders will all be in the country, they will not campaign together and will have separate schedules.

But Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said that it had been the day that the Better Together No campaign "fell apart".

The surprise trip follows a pledge made by the former prime minister, Gordon Brown, on Monday that if Scotland were to agree to stay in the Union Holyrood would be given significantly greater powers.

Polls indicate the Better Together No campaign could be in trouble

His promise for a "home-rule bill" was backed by the leaders of Scotland's Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties on Tuesday morning.

They agreed that work towards the transfer of the new powers from Westminster would begin the day after the referendum. Although they were unable to detail what these powers would be they agreed that the Scottish parliament would get greater tax-raising powers.

The Better Together Campaign, headed by former Chancellor Alistair Darling, has been accused of panic measures.

Sky's Deputy Political Editor Joey Jones said the extraordinary move from the three leaders made it "absolutely clear" there was panic in Westminster and the Better Together No campaign and he added that it appeared responses were being "made up on-the-hoof".

Gordon Brown has been out campaigning

A spokesman for Downing Street said the joint trip had been planned on Monday during a meeting between Mr Miliband and the Prime Minister. Mr Clegg was consulted about joining he campaign later in the day.

He added that the Saltire would be flying above No 10 and other Whitehall buildings until after the referendum.

Mr Miliband said he would be taking a simple message to the Scottish people to "stay with us" but dismissed suggestions that if Scotland voted for independence he and Mr Cameron should resign.

Appearing before MPs on the Political and Constitutional Reform select committee  on Tuesday, Mr Clegg dismissed the suggestion that the devolution of powers disclosed by Mr Brown on Monday was a "last minute" decision.

A TNS poll on Tuesday morning put the Yes and No campaigns equal on 41% - backing for the Yes campaign was up from 38% last month, while support for maintaining the union had dropped from 46%.

A YouGov poll commissioned by The Sunday Times suggested the Yes camp was leading the race by 51% to 49%.

As the vote draws closer, Better Together supporters have called on the Queen to intervene, following reports the monarch is growing increasingly concerned over the prospect of a split.

Later on Tuesday, the Bank of England governor, Mark Carney, ruled out the possibility of an independent Scotland keeping the pound saying currency union was "incompatible with sovereignty".

The struggle over the pound has been a significant part of the campaigns, with Mr Salmond insisting the country would keep the currency.

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Michael Schumacher Leaves Hospital For Home

Formula One legend Michael Schumacher has left hospital to recuperate at home, nearly nine months after the skiing accident that put him in a coma.

His manager, Sabine Kehm, said the seven-time champion has made "progress" since the accident last December.

But despite his improvement in recent weeks and months he still has "a long and difficult road ahead."

Schumacher has been in hospital in Lausanne since June, after six months at a hospital in France.

The 45-year-old German was injured whilst on a skiing holiday with his family in the resort of Meribel in the French Alps.

He hit his head on a rock and doctors operated to remove blood clots from his brain.

Some were left because they were so deeply embedded and he was placed in a medically-induced coma.

Schumacher skiing and his wife Corinna

Ms Kehm said in a statement: "Henceforth, Michael's rehabilitation will take place at his home.

"Considering the severe injuries he suffered, progress has been made in the past weeks and months.

"There is still, however, a long and difficult road ahead.

"We would like to extend our gratitude to the entire team at CHUV Lausanne for their thorough and competent work.

"We ask the privacy of Michael's family continue to be respected, and that speculation about his state of health is avoided."

A spokesman for the university hospital in Lausanne confirmed Schumacher was no longer in its care.

He was taken there after emerging from the coma to undergo treatment to stimulate his senses in a specialised outdoor unit.

He lives with his family in Gland, near Geneva.

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Stand Up Debate: Should The UK Get E-Voting?

Much of our lives are spent online nowadays - social networks to catch up with friends, online shops to bag a bargain and e-banking to keep on top of our finances.

Many government services are already available on the internet - from applying for a driving licence to submitting tax returns.

Even the Census has been given a 21st century makeover, with an online form available for the first time in 2011.

Why then is Britain yet to introduce a virtual ballot box alongside the conventional pen and paper?

Are there security concerns - or perhaps giving people the opportunity to vote online would fail to address the problem of falling turnout, particularly among young people?

Sky's Senior Political Correspondent Jason Farrell and guests debated the issue in an online webchat.

He was joined by Stand Up Be Counted contributor Areeq Chowdhury, who founded WebRoots Democracy to campaign for online voting, as well as Emma Mulqueeny, who sits on the Speaker's Commission on Digital Democracy, and Marju Tamp, a member of the National Youth Council in Estonia, where e-voting was introduced in 2005.

Watch the event again through the Sky News website or through Stand Up Be Counted, a new platform for 16-25-year-olds to speak out and discuss the issues that matter most to them.

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Bribes Of Cash And Guns To Tackle IS Jihadis

Washington is on the move.

From dither to decision to deliberation and even direction, it's been a frustrating process to behold.

But it may, in the end, provide a map through the minefield of the Middle East that is at least navigable.

Past failures are no excuse for inaction.

The disaster of the invasion of Iraq, and the debacle of Afghanistan, have meant that Western public opinion is not disposed for more adventures in the Muslim world.

John Kerry will underline the IS threat on a trip to the Middle East

Politicians have taken refuge from addressing whether Islamic State is the threat they claim it is using the backward argument that there's no public support for action.

Now Barack Obama has been briefing his nation via the media, Congress, and in a landmark speech, of the need to take action to stop the IS spread.

His Secretary of State John Kerry is simultaneously en route to the Middle East with a very simple message: "The IS is a much bigger threat to you all than it is to us - so you'll be expected to do the heavy lifting here."

That doesn't just mean 'boots on the ground'.

Of course the US will be looking at a Yemen or Libyan-type operation in which local or regional forces provide troops, while allies do the bombing from a safe height.

The US has been carrying out airstrikes in support of Iraqi forces

But the campaign against al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has been slow and is far from over - mainly because while AQAP has lost many leaders it has not lost the political struggle.

Similarly, Mr Kerry's trip to Saudi Arabia, where he will meet with his hosts, Jordan, Egypt, the Lebanon and six Gulf states, will focus on the military option and a much more complex political strategy to undermine IS in the Sunni world.

Jordan is ahead of the game on this, having organised a regional gathering of Sunni tribal leaders a few weeks back.

Key will be the role of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, which have been rivals for Sunni dominance.

Qatar has favoured the radical non-violence of the Muslim Brotherhood, while all other regional powers and the Gulf States see the Brotherhood as a threat to their autocracies.

There are signs IS is vulnerable amid rivalries, clashes, and power grabs

This need not get in the way, though, of reaching out to Sunni tribal leaders in Syria and Iraq to persuade them their future lies not with trying to win power on the back of IS and then turning against it.

Rather that it lies in turning against IS now and quickly ending an even more drawn out conflict.

They will need bribing with money and guns - which Arab states will be expected to come up with.

There are signs that IS is already vulnerable.

Former members of Saddam Hussein's armed forces who are inside IS are already showing signs they want more power, according to intelligence sources.

Meanwhile, the IS leadership for much of Iraq has been switched to Syria, and vice versa, to offset frictions between rival groups.

And inside Syria, sources say, several IS 'emirs' have clashed with local tribal chieftains who despise all outside attempts to rule over them, but would welcome support from fellow Arab Sunni governments.

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What Happens If Scotland Leaves The Union?

Supporters of both sides of the Scotland referendum debate are mounting a final push for votes before the ballot on September 18. Sky News looks at what will happen if Scotland votes Yes to exit the UK:

:: 1.  When would Scotland become independent?

The Scottish Government has set a date 18 months from now, March 24, 2016, for Scotland's independence day.

:: 2. What would happen immediately after a Yes vote?

The first step on the morning after the result comes in would involve the forming of teams from both the Yes and No camps to take part in behind-the-scenes negotiations. SNP leader Alex Salmond has already indicated his deputy Nicola Sturgeon would lead the talks for the Scottish nationalists. It is not yet known who would spearhead the Westminster team.

The Queen is said to be privately concerned about the referendum

:: 3. What amendments would there be to the constitution?

The negotiating teams would devise a new constitution for Scotland and dissolve the 1707 Act Of Union.

:: 4. What would happen to the Queen?

The Yes campaign has said Her Majesty would stay as monarch so it would not be surprising if Mr Salmond seeks an audience with the Queen in the days and weeks after the vote.

:: 5. Would Scotland take part in the May 2015 General Election?

Scottish voters would still be able to take part, but their representatives would only potentially serve a 10-month term in office.

Scottish voters would still be able to vote in next year's General Election

:: 6. What currency would Scotland use?

That is still being thrashed out and yet to be decided. The three main Westminster parties - the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats - have ruled out a currency union, although Mr Salmond insists an independent Scotland would keep the pound.

:: 7. How much of the UK national debt would be transferred to Scotland?

This is not yet known, but it is likely to be worked out on a per capita share - based on population.

:: 8. What would happen to Scotland's standing in global affairs?

Scotland would have to negotiate its own entry into the European Union and Nato, and the population would have to decide whether they want to have the euro.

Some Scottish troops service in historic English regiments

:: 9. What effect would independence have on Scotland's defence force?

The issue of defence is probably one of the most emotive - and uncertain. Scotland is likely to have its own independent defence force, in time, depending on practicalities and finances, for it has its North Sea oil and fishing industries to protect. Scottish nationalists are opposed to having the Trident nuclear deterrent and would want to see it removed from Faslane, on the west coast of Scotland, as soon as possible. However, Nato is fundamentally a nuclear alliance, and if Scotland struggles to become a member of Nato, it is likely to struggle to join the EU too, which would have a big impact on the Scottish economy. There is also the matter of service personnel - some of which will be currently serving in historic English regiments. Any division of troops north and south of the border would take years.

:: 10. What would independence mean in terms of travelling across the Scotland-England border?

An independent Scotland would control its own borders. The SNP would like to see an open border, but Home Secretary Theresa May has already warned she will not allow Scotland to be used as a back door for immigrants getting into England if Scotland adopts a looser immigration policy. So, we could see passport controls on the border between the two countries.

Scotland would introduce its own passport

:: 11. Would Scottish citizens need new passports?

A lot depends on whether Scotland joins the EU. Scottish citizens would be entitled to a Scottish passport, but a UK passport would still be valid until it expires. British citizens who were habitual residents in Scotland would be automatically considered Scottish citizens.

:: 12. What would happen to benefits and taxes?

Benefits and taxes will become the responsibility of the new Scottish government. In its white paper on Scotland's independence it says the Scottish Parliament will ensure that the personal tax allowance and tax credits increase in line with inflation.

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UK To Send Machine Guns And Ammo To Iraq

Britain is sending £1.6m of military kit, including heavy machine guns, to Iraq to help fight Islamic State militants.

Announcing the decision in a written statement, Michael Fallon, the Secretary of State for Defence, said the equipment would be used for "alleviating the humanitarian suffering of those Iraqis" targeted by IS terrorists, also known as ISIL and ISIS.

Mr Fallon said the move followed a request from the Iraq government and would include the Kurdish regional government.

"The Kurdish forces remain significantly less well equipped than ISIL and we are responding to help them defend themselves, protect citizens and push back ISIL advances," he said.

PKK fighters in Turkey last year

However, there have been concerns that the weaponry could end up in the hands of the paramilitary group the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has fought a 30-year insurgency in neighbouring Turkey in an attempt to establish a separate Kurdish state.

The PKK is on the UK Government's proscribed list and is also considered a terrorist organisation by the US, the European Union and Nato.

Turkey's foreign minister, Mevlut Cvusolglu, said: "The weapons sent (to Iraq) should not end up in the hands of terrorist organisations. They should not end up in the hands of the PKK."

He added that Turkey had voiced its concerns during the Nato summit in Wales last week and said: "It may not be possible to control where these weapons will go."

The decades-long insurgency in the southeast of Turkey has cost 40,000 lives. 

Iraq's new Prime Minister Haider al Abadi

There had been speculation Britain could join US-led airstrikes against IS fighters in Iraq, however, David Cameron has promised a House of Commons vote before direct military intervention.

On Monday Barack Obama held talks with Iraq's new Prime Minister Haider al Abadi to discuss the fight against Islamic State militants.

Iraq's parliament has now officially named Mr al Abadi as the country's Prime Minister and approved most of his proposed candidates for cabinet roles, including members of the country's minority Sunni and Kurdish communities.

The West has been pushing Iraq for a more representative government that will ease anger among Sunnis who felt marginalised by former prime minister Nouri al Maliki and his administration.

The anger among Sunnis has helped to fuel the seizure of territory by the IS across much of north and western Iraq since June.

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Teenage Boy Charged Over School Knife Attack

A 13-year-old boy has been charged after a teacher and a pupil were hurt during a knife attack at a school.

The teenager, from Malvern in Worcestershire, was arrested by West Mercia Police following the alleged assault at The Chase Technology College.

He was due to appear before magistrates in Redditch, to face a total of 13 charges.

The suspect is accused of causing grievous bodily harm, causing actual bodily harm, threatening a person with a knife, five counts of carrying a knife or bladed instrument in a public place, and five counts of carrying a knife or bladed instrument in an educational establishment.

A male teacher at the school and a 13-year-old female student suffered minor injuries in the attack on Monday morning.

The suspect, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested on Monday evening.

The school cancelled its after-school clubs on Monday but was open as normal today.

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Astronaut Living On Ocean Floor For A Week

An astronaut is spending a week living at the bottom of the ocean to simulate and prepare for future space missions.

Jeremy Hansen is currently on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean at the Aquarius Reef Base in Florida, about 20m (65ft) below the surface.

He has been tweeting images of his underwater adventure, including an early morning snap of a passing barracuda.

A photo of a barracuda passing the underground base Pic: Jeremy Hansen

In one message posted online he said: "In bed for first night's sleep under 20 metres of ocean. I got the top bunk!

"I hear water surging back and forth and other strange sounds."

The Canadian told CBC before the mission: "For me, mentally, I'm preparing to go on a space mission for the next seven days.

"We'll be going to space walks, if you will, out of the habitat every day and exploring the ocean floor as if it were an asteroid or the surface of Mars."

Astronaut Jeremy Hansen

The 38-year-old is the exploration lead for Nasa's extreme environment mission operations.

He will guide a four-man crew for the week-long event.

He said: "There's a hole in the floor that's open to the ocean all the time, and the air pressure keeps the water out, and we just go in and out.

"One of unique things I'm really excited (about) is just to see the ocean life. It's kind of like a big aquarium for me."

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