Jones to quit as Plaid leader

13 May 2011 Last updated at 18:56 GMT

Ieuan Wyn Jones to stand down as Plaid Cymru leader

By Daniel Davies BBC Wales news website political reporter

Plaid leader Ieuan Wyn Jones announces that he will stand down

Ieuan Wyn Jones has revealed he will stand down as Plaid Cymru leader in the first half of the Welsh assembly's five-year term.

He said it had always been his intention to leave the role at some point before the next election in 2016.

The announcement follows a poor showing for Plaid at last week's election when it lost four seats.

Former Plaid president Lord Elis-Thomas has said he would allow his name to go forward as a leadership candidate.

Speaking at Beaumaris in his Anglesey constituency, Mr Jones said it had been a great honour to lead the party over the past 11 years.

The timetable for his departure means Mr Jones will go some time in the next two-and-a-half years.

In a statement delivered in front of party colleagues, he said the "time was right" for him to make his plans clear.

He said it had been an honour to lead the party and to serve as deputy first minister in the coalition with Labour in the last assembly.

"I have also witnessed many historic and momentous events during that period, not least leading the party into government for the first time in its 86-year history and the referendum on law-making powers," he said.

Mr Jones was MP for Ynys Mon from 1987 to 2001 and has been the island's AM since the first assembly in 1999. He first took up the party leadership in 2000.

Last week's election saw Plaid slump to 11 seats, its worst tally since the assembly was established.

There has been criticism that the party's campaign was too negative by attacking its former coalition partners in Labour.

Mr Jones said the result was a "disappointment", adding: "As leader I take my share of the responsibility for those results.

"The party obviously needs time to reflect on the results, look long and hard at our message, our party structures and campaigning abilities."

'Straight answer'

Lord Elis-Thomas said if Plaid activists in his Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency want his name to go forward as a candidate for the leadership he would give them a "straight answer".

"I am afraid that they have decided to ask me the question," he told BBC Radio Wales.

Lord Elis-Thomas, who was leader of Plaid between 1984 and 1991, will speak to party officials in Porthmadog on Friday night. He ended a 12-year stint as the assembly's presiding officer this week.

Mr Jones said he was confident Plaid would recover "stronger and better, provided we understand the need to change and modernise".

An immediate leadership election would not be in the party's interest because of the need to review the election result, he said.

He thanked his family for their support, including his wife Eirian - "a rock through it all" - and his three children and four grandchildren.

Former Plaid chairman John Dixon, who left the party earlier this year because he was unhappy with its direction, said Mr Jones has made the right decision to quit.

He told BBC Wales his departure was inevitable and that it will be a chance for the party to decide what it stands for.

Plaid Westminster leader Elfyn Llwyd said: "He has shown great commitment and dedication to the party over the years. Wales has come a long way and so has Plaid Cymru."

First Minister Carwyn Jones said: "I worked well with Ieuan Wyn Jones in the four years we were in government together and I wish him well in whatever he does next. I have always known Ieuan to be a decent man and his party will find him hard to replace."

SF opts for education portfolio

13 May 2011 Last updated at 20:02 GMT

Sinn Fein take education role in new executive

The D'Hondt procedure is being informally run at Stormont Castle

Sinn Fein have once again taken the education portfolio as the parties choose which departments they want in the new executive.

The DUP used the first choice to take finance. It then also took health, enterprise and social development.

BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said Sinn Fein's decision to take education was a "major surprise".

The party also took agriculture and culture while the UUP went for regional development.

The SDLP took environment with its sole choice.

Alliance, which is expected to retain justice on the special cross-community vote provision, was left with the Department for Employment and Learning for the final choice.

The D'Hondt formula is the mechanism used to decide which parties get which portfolios.

On Monday, they will announce which ministers they will be appointing to their respective departments.

Some analysts had expected Sinn Fein to take the enterprise department with its first pick.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness explained why it had chosen education.

"It is the cornerstone of any productive and progressive society and we, as a party have a strong commitment to protecting and continuing the radical change that Sinn Fein has brought.

"We will continue to work for a education system based on equality for all."

He said the party had been mindful of significant upcoming events when choosing the culture portfolio.

"The City of Culture in Derry and major historical anniversaries, including 1916 and the signing of the Ulster Covenant which should be treated with equality and respect," he said.

Earlier Mr McGuinness' party colleague John O'Dowd would not be drawn on whether Caitriona Ruane would be re-appointed as minister in the department.

Sinn Fein's move for the culture portfolio has been welcomed by the Irish language organisation, Pobal.

"It appeared to many Irish speakers that successive Ministers for Culture were unresponsive, not to say hostile, to the genuine needs of Irish speakers," said Pobal chief executive, Janet Muller.

She added that she looked forward to early discussions "in relation to the unfulfilled commitments in the St Andrew's Agreement."

In a novel development, the news of the allocation of the departments was announced via the Northern Ireland Executive's official Twitter account.

Martin McGuinness said he wished to protect his party's radical changes in education

Alliance leader David Ford, expected to be appointed justice minister, said his party was delighted to have secured the employment and learning portfolio.

He added: "This is a pivotal role as we develop our economy for the future and I know that an Alliance Minister will deliver for everyone."

The chairs of the various departmental scrutiny committees have also been shared out using the same system.

The DUP will chair the justice, education, agriculture, regional development and culture committees, while Sinn Fein will head finance, health and social development.

The employment and learning and OFMDFM committees will be chaired by the Ulster Unionists, while the SDLP will lead enterprise and the Alliance Party environment.

Bangor killing 'linked to drugs'

13 May 2011 Last updated at 16:13 GMT

Bangor shooting 'linked to drugs trade'

Chief Superintendent Nigel Grimshaw called the murder 'a tragedy for Bangor'.

Police investigating the fatal shooting of a man in his 50s in Bangor are understood to be linking the attack to the drugs trade.

Another man in his 40s was also shot and injured and is in a stable condition in hospital.

Police said they received reports of the shooting at Hazelbrook Avenue off the Clandeboye Road at about 1220 BST.

Chief Superintendent Nigel Grimshaw said that both victims were known to police. One man has been arrested.

He was held by police in Ormeau Avenue in Belfast.

The dead man's name has not yet been released.

"Whatever the circumstances, an individual from somebody's family has died today," Chief Superintendent Grimshaw told a press conference.

"That is a tragedy for Bangor. It's not something that the community are used to, nor is it something that I want them to become used to.

"I want people to be assured that we are out there, they will see us. They should not be overly concerned in terms of this kind of incident happening.

"A full and complicated investigation will be taken forward."

Tobacco machine ban will go ahead

13 May 2011 Last updated at 17:08 GMT

Legal challenge to Scottish cigarette machine ban fails

The ban on cigarette vending machines is now expected to go ahead in October

A legal challenge to a ban on tobacco vending machines in Scotland has been rejected by the Court of Session.

Sinclair Collis Ltd, a firm owned by Imperial Tobacco, had argued that the legislation, passed by MSPs but not yet in force, was against the European Convention on Human Rights.

Lord Doherty rejected that and said enforcing a ban was the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament.

Imperial Tobacco said it may consider appealing the decision.

Tobacco vending machines are now likely to be outlawed from October.

The Scottish government welcomed the court's decision and said the new law was a key part of a drive to improve health.

A spokeswoman added: "We robustly defended our proposals to ban cigarette vending machines and are pleased that the Court of Session has today ruled in our favour and that we were successful on the aspects of the case which were before the court.

"Each year in Scotland 15,000 children and young people start smoking and a child who starts smoking at 15 or younger is three times more likely to die of cancer as a result than someone who starts smoking in their mid-20s.

"Evidence shows that many young people obtain cigarettes from vending machines, which is why the Tobacco and Primary Medical Services (Scotland) Act 2010 introduced the ban on cigarette sales from vending machines."

Simon Evans, a spokesman for Imperial Tobacco, said: "Clearly we're disappointed with the decision.

"Ultimately, with the appeal process, there is 21 days to make an appeal, so we are going to be looking at the judgement in detail. We will consider our options."

Sheila Duffy, chief executive of anti-tobacco charity ASH Scotland, said: "I welcome the judgement and I am delighted that this important public health measure has been upheld, and the right of the Scottish Parliament to enact it affirmed.

"Tobacco is a uniquely dangerous and addictive consumer product which is lethal to half its long-term consumers when used as the manufacturers intend.

"It doesn't make sense to sell it through self-service vending machines which are often poorly-supervised and can be accessed by children."

She added: "Big tobacco is well known for using legal challenges to seek to delay effective public health legislation, both in Scotland and internationally.

"Unfortunately these cynical delaying tactics cost lives."

The new Act is also being challenged by Imperial Tobacco over a ban on cigarette displays in shops.

The government announced in January that the display ban for "large retailers" was being delayed beyond October because of the ongoing legal dispute. Small retailers have until 2013.

MSPs backed the proposals in January last year, despite an attempt to block them by the Conservatives.

Celtic bomb probe pair in court

13 May 2011 Last updated at 16:27 GMT

Two men in court over Neil Lennon bomb investigation

There was a strong media presence outside Kilmarnock Sheriff Court

Two men have appeared in court after suspected bombs were sent to Celtic manager Neil Lennon and two other high-profile supporters of the club.

Trevor Muirhead, 43, from Kilwinning, and Neil McKenzie, 41, from Saltcoats in Ayrshire, each face three charges under the explosive substances act.

The pair are also accused of dispatching a hoax bomb.

They made no plea or declaration at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court and were remanded in custody.

Police launched an investigation after suspect packages were sent to Neil Lennon, the Celtic manager's lawyer Paul McBride QC and former MSP Trish Godman in April.

A similar package was also sent to the Glasgow-based Irish Republican group, Cairde Na h'Éireann.

Mr Muirhead and Mr McKenzie were detained following police raids on Thursday in North Ayrshire.

The case was continued for further examination.

Sex case drama teacher is jailed

13 May 2011 Last updated at 20:09 GMT

Sex case drama teacher sentenced

Judge Stuart Baker said French had ruined her life as well as her career

A female drama teacher who groomed a 13-year-old girl for sex at a Lancashire school, has been jailed for three years.

Caroline French, 38, of St Annes near Blackpool, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court where the judge described her as "manipulative" and "vindictive".

She was convicted of three indecent assaults and one count of indecency with a child, all between January and April 2004, when her victim was 15.

French had denied the charges.

Changed surname

The court heard that French, of Ashtree Close, exchanged rings with the girl and even asked her to refer to her at school as "Danny", a pretend boyfriend, to mask their affair.

The relationship ended and months later French became intimate with another girl whom she taught at a different school in the resort, the jury was told.

The second girl moved into French's former home in September 2004 when she was 16 and a sixth-form student.

They then allegedly began a sexual relationship which lasted three years during which the teenager changed her surname by deed poll to French.

French told the jury that they were not lovers and that the girl was her lodger.

It was as a result of the police investigation into that relationship that led to the uncovering of the earlier abuse.

'No remorse'

Judge Stuart Baker told the defendant: "She was a vulnerable girl struggling to understand her own sexuality and having a number of problems to cope with.

"She looked to you for support and, while it is right to recognise that you did put an end to the bullying, you went on to take advantage of the closeness of the relationship and you encouraged her into an intimate relationship which was completely inappropriate.

"It involved a gross breach of trust."

He added: "In my view, you have shown yourself to be not only a good teacher and well-respected on one hand, but on the other hand a manipulative, selfish and, when it suits you, a vindictive woman.

"You chose to plead not guilty and that is your right but, by accusing almost all the Crown's witnesses of lying, you have shown you have no remorse for what you have done.

"Your career now lies in ruin and your life is ruined as well. You will have a long and difficult struggle to rehabilitate yourself in paid employment."

Funeral for killed photographer

13 May 2011 Last updated at 19:14 GMT

Photographer Tim Hetherington's funeral held in London

Tim Hetherington was killed in a mortar attack in Misrata on 20 April

The mother of award-winning photographer Tim Hetherington killed in Libya read one of his favourite poems to hundreds of mourners at his funeral.

The Oscar-nominated film-maker had learnt William Wordsworth's "Daffodils" as a boy, his mother Judith said.

Sheurged those at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in central London to "remember like Timothy to dance with life and dance with the daffodils".

Merseyside-born Mr Hetherington, 40, was killed in Misrata on 20 April.

He had been in the city capturing images of fighting between Colonel Gaddafi's forces and Libyan rebels when he was caught up in a mortar attack.

His American colleague Chris Hondros, 41, was also killed.

Cornish photographer Guy Martin was seriously injured and is recovering in hospital.

Mrs Hetherington told more than 500 mourners that her son and his girlfriend had been out walking when she asked what some flowers were called.

'Exposed horrors'

"He walked into the daffodils, and said 'I wandered lonely as a cloud, by William Wordsworth'," she said.

Her son had then recited the whole poem, she said, and read it to the congregation.

She added: "Timothy said, 'my mother taught me that poem when I was about seven years old', and I did.

"Let us now go forward in love, hope, forgiveness, compassion, courage and hope, and remember like Timothy to dance with life and dance with the daffodils."

Father James Campbell said Mr Hetherington's mission in life was to improve himself

Father James Campbell, delivering a homily at the Requiem Mass, said Mr Hetherington was "an above-average example of his generation".

"His mission in life was to improve himself, to climb the ladder of his career, and expose the horrors of what human beings do to one another, and the devastating effects on men, women and children of war," he said.

"People who engage in these dangerous missions can end up succeeding, but also, as we see today, can end up giving their lives."

Sebastian Junger, an American journalist who worked with Mr Hetherington, told mourners: "Tim devoted his life to documenting the human cost of war, and he has become a part of that cost now."

Mr Hetherington, who lived in New York, had covered conflict zones since the late-1990s.

Best known for his work in Afghanistan, he won the prestigious World Press Photo of the Year Award in 2007.

His time in Afghanistan led to his creation of the 2010 Oscar-nominated documentary Restrepo.