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By . Simon Walters, Mail on Sunday Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 17:01 EST, 28 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:34 EST, 29 December 2013 . David Beckham has suffered the humiliation of being rejected for a knighthood after a row among the officials in charge of honours. Some said he should be made Sir David for his footballing achievements and for helping London to host the 2012 Olympics. But other officials, described by a source as ‘one or two stuffed-shirt snobs’, said it was too soon to make cockney-accented Beckham, 38, a knight of the realm. Sick as a parrot? A knighthood for Beckham has been ruled out for now, leaving Posh a lady in waiting. Beckham was awarded an OBE for services to football in 2003 (right) It was argued that after a knighthood for Tour de France-winning cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins last year, sporting gongs were ‘in danger of being handed out like confetti’. But glamorous Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins, 33, is set to receive an OBE – four years after she admitted taking cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis as a student. She is also known for her charity work and has performed concerts in Iraq and Afghanistan for British troops. A vigorous debate took place over whether Beckham should get the nod in this week’s New Year Honours – or be made to wait. In the end, his critics won. ‘There was a view it wouldn’t do him any harm to wait a bit longer,’ said one source. If Beckham is to receive the honour in the future, the entire vetting process will have to start from scratch. Honoured: Glamorous Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins, 33, is set to receive an OBE . Forces sweetheart: Miss Jenkins, pictured during a visit to Camp Bastion, is also known for her charity work and has performed concerts in Iraq and Afghanistan for British troops . The rejection is a bitter blow to . Beckham’s wife, former Spice Girl Victoria, who would have received the . honorary title of ‘Lady Beckham’ – although she would no doubt have . become known as ‘Lady Posh’. The snub is all the more embarrassing after reports that Beckham’s knighthood was assured. A national newspaper last month suggested the decision had been made. And it claimed football-loving Prince William would knight ‘Sir David’ at Buckingham Palace. Beckham’s name was put forward for a knighthood in May when he announced he was ending his glittering 20-year career as a footballer. He earned 115 England caps and won the Premiership with Manchester United six times. Tony Blair has praised his role in the team of politicians and sports stars that helped London win the right to stage last year’s Olympics. He is also a ‘goodwill ambassador’ for global children’s charity Unicef and a patron of Sir Elton John’s Aids Foundation. Sir Bradley: It was argued that after a knighthood for Tour de France-winning cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins last year, sporting gongs were 'in danger of being handed out like confetti' In 2003, when the Queen awarded him
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Some officials said he should be honoured for 2012 Olympic role . Others said it was too soon to make Beckham a knight of the realm . Andy Murray also set to miss out, despite winning Wimbledon . But singer Katherine Jenkins will get an OBE in New Year Awards . | cnn_dm | null |
Gordon Brown's closest aides prepared him for the Prime Minister's job by hurling abuse like 'Sod off you Scottish Git' at him, it was revealed today. His former special adviser Damian McBride said he and other colleagues would scream insults to 'get under the skin' of the former Labour leader, who would shout back the mantra 'I will do my utmost'. Mr Brown took the abuse in his office as he readied himself to replace Tony Blair on June 27, 2007. Partnership: Damian McBride, front left, screamed at Gordon Brown, right, to help him prepare for the top job . In a blog posted today, exactly five years after Mr Brown entered Number 10 Downing Street, Mr McBride wrote that these heckles were designed to reproduce what he would face in the top job. Protesters were hanging outside Downing Street calling Mr Blair a war criminal as he left office, he said, so Mr Brown also needed to be prepared for receiving the most upsetting remarks. 'It’s not often you’re paid to hurl abuse at someone who’s about to become the most powerful man in the country, but that’s how the day started,' he said. 'Given Iraq war protestors were already gathering at the Downing Street gates to see off Tony Blair, we suggested he do a few run-throughs with us heckling him so he could get used to the distraction he’d experience later. Historic: This is the moment Tony Blair handed over power to Gordon Brown in the hall of Downing Street in 2007 . 'I did always wonder what any Treasury officials passing outside the room would have thought hearing Gordon booming out: "I will do my utmost" while I shouted back at him: "Sod off, you Scottish Git!" 'Sue’s (Nye, fellow adviser) heckles were from the Father Ted school ("Booo!", "Hiss!", "You’re a very bad man!", etc.), but I tried to get in the spirit a bit more: 'Blood on your hands, Brown!', You’re a murderer, Brown!' 'Every so often, I’d shout something that would get under his skin, and he’d stop his speech and just give me a long, deathly stare. I’d protest: “Well you can’t do that if someone says it in the street”, which got me another stare,' he wrote. The blog gives a fascinating insight into what happened on that historic day. But Downing Street Press adviser Mr McBride was later forced to resign . after a series of emails he sent from No10 to fellow Labour spin doctor . Derek Draper. Battle: Mr McBride's blog also reveals that Mr Brown wanted to scrap tuition fees but feared reprisals from Blair's supporters . In the emails, Mr McBride, one of the Prime Minister’s most loyal and . trusted advisers, reportedly made ‘vile’ and false allegations against . Mr Osborne and Mr Cameron concerning their private lives. Mr McBride's piece also details how hard Mr Brown tried to get Tony Blair's staff to work for him, which Mr McBride described as 'humiliating'. It also revealed that he would have scrapped tuition fees but feared a backlash
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Special adviser Damian McBride has admitted he screamed insults at Mr Brown to 'get under his skin' Brown would reply 'I will do my utmost' at the top of his voice . 'Blood on your hands, Brown!', 'You’re a murderer!' 'You're a very bad man!' were other insults thrown . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Leon Watson . PUBLISHED: . 13:25 EST, 19 March 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:58 EST, 20 March 2013 . John Prescott has admitted the Iraq war may have been illegal and warned that Tony Blair’s call for regime change in Iran and Syria is ‘absolutely bloody crazy’. As a series of Al Qaeda-linked car bombs and suicide blasts in Baghdad marked the tenth anniversary of the US-led invasion, the Labour peer, who served as deputy prime minister at the time of the war, said he now fears the invasion was legally wrong. He told CNN International’s Amanpour programme that while ‘shock and awe may have got rid of Saddam ... it certainly never brought peace’. Former Deputy Prime Minister John, now Lord, Prescott has raised questions about the legality of the Iraq War in an interview tonight . Then Prime Minister Tony Blair is watched by his then deputy John Prescott (left) as he addresses the House of Commons a year after the invasion in 2004. Mr Blair stated that Britain has no plans to increase the number of its troops in Iraq . Lord Prescott said: ‘You have to ask yourself, ten years on, was it justified and was it really about regime change? And if it was about regime change, I’m afraid that doesn’t make it legal.’ His criticism is significant as he was one of Mr Blair’s most loyal Cabinet ministers. He said Mr Blair’s strategy for Iraq in 2003 had been shaped by his successful interventions in Sierra Leone and Kosovo. But Lord Prescott said he was now alarmed at Mr Blair’s calls for regime change in Syria, and Iran, as it is taking steps to acquire nuclear weapons. ‘He wants to do it now in Iran, possibly, and Syria. Absolutely bloody crazy.’ Lord Prescott's comments came as former Prime Minister Tony Blair defended the decision to invade on March 19, 2003, with the U.S. by saying Iraq would have suffered a bloody revolution anyway. During the invasion and its aftermath, . 179 British service men and women were killed. Estimates of the number . of Iraqis to have died range from 110,000 to 600,000. The decision was made following legal advice by former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith gave Tony Blair the 'green light' for war just days after visiting Washington. Three days after this advice was given to the Cabinet - and . without any debate on it by ministers, British and U.S. troops moved in. It led to Britain's biggest ever political protest as more than one million protesters took to the streets of London to try to stop British participation in the war. Asked whether he regretted the invasion, Lord Prescott told CNN's Amanpour programme: 'I think you have to start from the beginning to the end. It's 10 years - time to look at those decisions. 'Right at the beginning we were hoping to get the United Nations resolution. 'There were other matters we agreed to, not least of all the road map with Bush and the Israel-Palestine, all those
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Former deputy PM admits toppling regime 'never brought peace' It comes as then PM Tony Blair insists decision to invade was justified . 179 British service men and women were killed in the Iraq War . Estimates of Iraqis to have died range from 110,000 to 600,000 . | cnn_dm | null |
By . James Chapman . PUBLISHED: . 19:05 EST, 2 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 03:51 EST, 3 February 2014 . Michael Gove was unrepentant yesterday about his decision to axe the Labour-supporting head of the schools watchdog. The move not to renew Baroness Morgan’s contract as head of Ofsted has prompted a fierce Coalition row over appointments to top jobs. The Education Secretary insisted the decision to sack the former close aide to Tony Blair was not based on politics but because he wanted a ‘new perspective’. Unrepentant: Education Secretary Michael Gove (left) insisted the decision to sack Baroness Morgan (right), a former close aide to Tony Blair, was not based on politics but because he wanted a ‘new perspective’ However, he refused to rule out the appointment of a former Conservative donor and private equity boss as her replacement. Privately, Tories said that criticism over making political appointments to public bodies was misplaced. Some pointed to the record of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown on handing out posts to sympathetic figures. Many New Labour appointees still hold influential positions in quangos, the NHS and other public bodies. Meanwhile, David Cameron has given jobs to a string of Labour figures, including making former minister Alan Milburn, a social mobility tsar. One senior Tory said: ‘The truth is, our record on this is pretty hopeless. We’ve been criticised by own side for giving positions to people affiliated with other parties. So this attack on us over Sally Morgan is pretty absurd.’ The baroness, whose contract expires . this year, has protested: ‘I really do think that it’s just I am the . latest of a fairly long list of people now who are non-Conservative . supporters who are not being re-appointed.’ Link: The baroness, whose contract expires this year, was a former close aide to Tony Blair (pictured) The . decision not to retain her as chairman for another three years has been . heavily criticised by Mr Gove’s Liberal Democrat deputy David Laws. Labour outrage over the sacking of Lady Morgan contrasts with their string of appointments to public bodies. They include: . Party sources said he was ‘absolutely furious’ at what he saw as ‘blatant attempts to politicise Ofsted’. There . has been speculation Mr Gove wants to install Theodore Agnew at Ofsted. He is chairman of the Department for Education’s academies board and . has given £144,000 to the Tories. But one Lib Dem insider said they would ‘absolutely not’ countenance his appointment. A Conservative source in Downing Street accused Mr Laws of stoking up the row in an attempt to distance his party from Mr Gove’s agenda. In John Major’s last year in office, . 57 per cent of those appointed to a public post who had a known . political allegiance were Conservatives, with 32 per cent associated . with Labour. A year after . Mr Blair came to power in 1997, the percentage of Labour appointees was . up to 75 per cent and the Tory share down to 13 per cent . .Under
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Move not to renew her contract has prompted a fierce Coalition row . Gove says choice to sack former close Blair aide is not a political one . Speculation that Mr Gove wants to install Theodore Agnew at Ofsted . | cnn_dm | null |
Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted spending £10,000 a time on portraits of politicians was 'chicken feed' The huge bill for taxpayer-funded portraits of politicians has been dismissed as 'chicken feed' by a wealthy Tory MP. Jacob Rees-Mogg, a member of the committee which commissions paintings, photographs and sculptures of MPs and peers, said the average £10,000 for each artwork was just a fraction of the overall cost of running Parliament. He claimed many politicians are too 'shy and retiring' to sit for a portrait, but after a backlash against the £250,000 cost of portraits of the likes of Tony Blair, John Bercow and Diane Abbott, he admitted 'some are better than others'. The . spending spree since 1995 included £11,750 for an apparently topless painting of Labour’s . Diane Abbott – the same amount as was spent on a full-sized statue of . Baroness Thatcher. Other . works include an £11,750 portrait of former foreign secretary Margaret . Beckett, a £10,000 portrait of Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan . Smith, an £8,000 painting of Kenneth Clarke and a £4,000 oil painting of . Foreign Secretary William Hague. Labour left-wingers Tony Benn and Dennis Skinner had portraits commissioned which cost £2,000 and £2,180 respectively. The . bill for the artworks of two dozen politicians has been racked up since . 1995 and approved by the Speakers’ Advisory Committee on Works of Art. Today Mr Rees-Mogg, a former investment banker, sparked outrage as he defended the spending. 'I’m all for saving money, saving money right, left and centre, but this is chicken feed,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'It’s about £10,000 a year on administrative costs of the House of Commons of £200m. It hardly even ranks as chicken feed.' But Labour MP Stephen Pound hit back: 'He must have some very well fed chickens! 'For a man who has his own personal portrait gallery, I suppose he has a different perspective. But to described that as chickenfeed shows someone who is more than a little out-of-touch,' he told the Evening Standard. The huge sums were signed-off by the little-known committee of MPs which each year asks some of the . country’s best portrait paintings to produce work of their colleagues. This striking portrait of Diane Abbott was produced by artist tuart Pearson Wright in 2004 . Former Tory PM Sir John Major and Labour's Tony Blair have both been captured on canvas by Parliament - paid for by the taxpayer . Jacob Rees-Mogg is widely regarded as the poshest man in politics. He cracks jokes in Latin, mixes quotes from Shakespeare's Henry V and children's TV show Bagpuss and once casually dropped the word ‘floccinaucinihilipilification’ into a debate on the pay of EU staff. The 44-year-old son of late Times editor Lord William Rees-Mogg was elected MP for North East Somerset in 2010. He read the Financial Times at the age of eight, and at 11 turned a £50 inheritance into £3,5000 on the stock market. He once boasted that he would be ‘a millionaire at 20, a multi-millionaire at
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Jacob Rees-Mogg defends portraits costing £10,000 each . Insists many politicians are 'shy and retiring' about posing for artists . Admits that some of the much-mocked portraits are better than others . Since 1995, two dozen politicians have been captured on canvas . Tony Blair, John Major and Paddy Ashdown among those chosen . Ex-Commons Speaker Betty Boothroyd has been featured 3 times . John Bercow spent £22,000 on a painting and another £15,000 on a frame . | cnn_dm | null |
One in seven pregnant women in Ebola-hit West African countries could die in childbirth because hospitals are overwhelmed and unable to treat them, leading aid charities warned this morning. The rate of women dying while giving birth in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia is soaring due to inadequate medical facilities and a fear of contact with bodily fluids preventing people helping them. The United Nations Population Fund estimates that 800,000 women in those three countries alone over the coming 12 months - with aid charities warning that some 120,000 of them could face life-threatening complications if there are not dramatic improvements in emergency care. Scroll down for video . Outbreak: The world's worst Ebola epidemic, which emerged in March, has infected more than 13,000 people and killed almost 5,000 in the three worst-hit countries - Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia . Threat: One in seven pregnant women in Ebola-hit West African countries could die in childbirth because hospitals are overwhelmed and unable to treat them, leading aid charities have warned . Tens of thousands of women could die in childbirth in West Africa over the coming year due to medical facilities being overwhelmed by the Ebola crisis, according to the DEC group of 13 leading UK charities, including Save The Children and ActionAid. Korto Williams, head of ActionAid in Liberia, said many women were being left to give birth alone because stigma and a lack of information meant midwives feared catching Ebola and stayed away. Too many women have died because of lack of care, she said, adding video clips on the internet show women giving birth in the streets of Monrovia with no one helping. She said the 'horrendous prediction' of one in seven women dying in childbirth was a 'worst case scenario' but added: 'We have to do more to ... stop this coming true.' 'We have to ensure that pregnant women get the care they urgently need or we will see the rate of maternal deaths skyrocket,' Ms Williams added. Poverty: Tens of thousands of women could die in childbirth in West Africa over the coming year due to medical facilities being overwhelmed by the Ebola crisis. Pictured is the Clara Town slum in Monrovia, Libreville . Spread: Global health specialists have warned that with clinics overwhelmed with thousands of Ebola cases, West Africans with other diseases like malaria or tuberculosis are also likely to suffer . The world's worst Ebola epidemic, which emerged in Guinea in March, has infected more than 13,000 people and killed almost 5,000 in the three worst-hit countries. Global health specialists have warned that with clinics overwhelmed with thousands of Ebola cases, people with other diseases like malaria or tuberculosis, and those with conditions needing medical care, are likely to suffer. 'Ebola is having a huge impact on wider health issues like maternal healthcare,' said Save the Children's chief executive Justin Forsyth. 'No children have gone to school since March and pregnant mums are avoiding health clinics and hospitals,' he added. Not protected: A young child is pictured in the Ebola-ravaged Clara Town slum
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Growing number of women dying in childbirth in Ebola-ravaged West Africa . 800,000 will give birth in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia over coming year . Of these, some 120,000 could face potentially life-threatening complications . Hospitals overwhelmed by Ebola patients and struggle to provide extra care . Fear of bodily fluids is also preventing midwives helping women giving birth . | cnn_dm | null |
Tony Blair today insisted it was not his job to save the Labour party as he gave lukewarm support to Ed Miliband's beleaguered leadership. The former prime minister was repeatedly pressed on live TV about the crisis in the Labour party, insisting it was 'not a topic for me' and only eventually conceding Mr Miliband has his 'full support'. And after Mr Miliband's week of dire headlines and warnings many want him to quit, Mr Blair told him bluntly: 'That’s what leadership is about.' Scroll down for full transcript . Former Prime Minister Tony Blair today insisted it was not his job to rescue the Labour party, and told Ed Miliband that bad headlines was what leadership is all about . Mr Blair met Mr Miliband at the weekend when they attended the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph. Sunday's newspapers were dominated by headlines about concern at the highest levels of the Labour party that Mr Miliband's poor personal ratings could cost the party victory next year. Grilled on Sky News today, Mr Blair insisted he did not discuss Labour's woes with Mr Miliband at all. And he seemed reluctant to even discuss the prospects of the party he led to three historic election victories. Mr Blair was being interview by Sky presenter Kay Burley about the work of his foundation in Sierra Leone to tackle Ebola. But Ms Burley said she was sure the former PM would accept some questions about Labour . Mr Blair replied curtly: 'I don’t know what makes you sure I’ll accept it, because I don’t really want to talk about that today.' Insisting he did not want to discuss Labour at all, adding: 'What’s going on in politics back home I will comment on when I’m back home.' Sky News presenter Kay Burley repeatedly pressed Mr Blair for his views on the party he led to three election victories, but he insisted he did not want to talk about it . When it was suggested that his former colleagues might appreciate some advice from the election winner, Mr Blair replied: 'I doubt it.' On Mr Miliband's torrid time amid mounting criticism of his stewardship of the Labour party, Mr Blair insisted: 'Exactly, that’s what leadership is about and I'm sure he is robust enough to take it.' Asked if Mr Miliband was the 'right man for the job', Mr Blair replied: 'I have had these things a thousand times and I’ve always said he has my full support and that’s the end of it, so… you know…' When it was suggested he might 'ride back into town and save the Labour party', Mr Blair retorted: 'Well that’s not my job nowadays.' The interview was then quickly brought to a close. Support for Mr Miliband has plummeted even among his party's supporters. Pollsters YouGov found that only 34 per cent of people who voted Labour at the last General Election believe Mr Miliband is up to the job of Prime Minister, compared to 51 per cent just a month ago. The sheer scale of the unhappiness
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Former Prime Minister insists he does not want to discuss Labour . Says he did not discuss leadership crisis when pair met on Sunday . Insists bad headlines and public criticism is 'what leadership is all about' Pressed on live TV, Blair eventually says Miliband as his 'full support' | cnn_dm | null |
Media mogul Rupert Murdoch has fired his second broadside at Prime Minister Tony Abbott in just two days, urging him to sack his chief of staff Peta Credlin. In a series of social media posts, Murdoch wrote that Mr Abbott's controversial top adviser 'must do her patriotic duty and resign' if he doesn't sack her. The demand came after the billionaire branded Mr Abbott's decision to knight Prince Philip a 'joke and embarrassment' and a News Corp columnist said Credlin should be sacrificed. Murdoch tweeted: 'Forget fairness. This change only way to recover team work and achieve so much possible for Australia. Leading involves cruel choices'. He later justified his message by praising Credlin's character. '(She's) a good person. Just appealing to her proven patriotism.' Following public ridicule and dissension in his own ranks, the prime minister today said he stood by his decision to knight the Duke of Edinburgh. But he told reporters in Melbourne he accepted people were upset by it. 'I respect their right to be critical... and I take it on the chin, I take it on the chin.' Scroll down for video . Powerful figure: Rupert Murdoch has taken aim at the Prime Minister's chief adviser . The Prime Minister's chief of staff Peta Credlin (left) has come under attack by Rupert Murdoch, with the media mogul suggesting she resign if Mr Abbott (right) does not sack her . Peta Credlin (pictured) has become the subject of dissent in the Liberal Party over her tight rule of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Mr Abbott has insisted his decision was a 'captain's pick' and that he did not consult with Ms Credlin. 'There does need to be wider consultation around these awards in the future'. Ms Credlin has been the subject of internal dissent within the Liberal Party over the past year. Several unnamed MPs have told the press they are chafing under her tight direction of the Prime Minister's Office, or PMO. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has stridently defended his top political operator, telling the ABC in December: 'Do you really think my chief of staff would be under this kind of criticism if her name was Peter as opposed to Peta?' The remarks came after a frontbencher reportedly told The Australian that Ms Credlin and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop 'were like two Siamese fighting fish in the same tank' and that their relationship had broken down. Murdoch met with Ms Bishop in New York at the weekend, according to the Australian Financial Review. Power player: Prime Minister Tony Abbott's chief adviser has been singled out by Rupert Murdoch . 'Like two Siamese fighting fish in the same tank': A loose-lipped Liberal MP reportedly said Ms Credlin (left) and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (right) are at odds last month . Power figure: A Prime Minister's chief of staff is typically one of the most powerful figures in the government . Education Minister Christopher Pyne today hailed Rupert Murdoch as one of the greatest Australians . Prince Philip, pictured right, has not issued a statement about his award
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Rupert Murdoch says Peta Credlin 'must do her patriotic duty and resign' News Corp columnist Miranda Devine blamed her for Prince Philip gaffe . Mr Abbott today said Ms Credlin had nothing to do with the decision . MPs have complained about her tight control on the PM's office . The News Corp Australia chairman recently met Julie Bishop . | cnn_dm | null |
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, giving a speech today, admitted his military intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan has made the West less inclined to tackle radical Islam . Tony Blair today warned Britain will pay a 'heavy price' for failing to intervene in Syria. The former Prime Minister again defended his decision to invade Iraq and warned of the 'consequences of non-intervention'. But he admitted that his military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan had made the West less inclined to tackle radical Islam. He urged a deal with Bashar Assad in Syria and suggested the West must work with Russian President Vladmir Putin to tackle ‘radicalised and politicised view of Islam’ despite increased tensions over Ukraine. Mr Blair told BBC Radio 4: 'I totally understand the reasons why people didn't want to intervene in Syria. 'Personally I would have had us intervene - not full-scale troops on the ground or anything of that nature - but a couple of years ago, I think we could have created a situation in which an optimistic solution for the country was possible. 'I think now we're faced with a situation where it's a choice of two very bad options - no one wants to see Assad stay, people are rightly, I think, now very anxious about elements within the opposition with extremists and so on - and this is, in my view, going to cause us problems for many, many years to come. 'Having been through Iraq, Afghanistan and so on, I know what the difficult consequences are of intervention. But if you look at Syria, you see the consequences of non-intervention, and I think non-intervention there is, I think, something for which we will pay a very heavy price.' In a major speech in central London, Mr Blair listed nations where he says there is an ‘essential battle’ to be fought against radical Islam, including Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. ‘There is no engagement that doesn’t involve putting yourself out there. There is no commitment that doesn’t mean taking a risk,’ he added. Sources said it was ‘far too blunt’ to suggest he was advocating ‘only military engagement’, saying he would back the revolution in Egypt which overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood government as the ‘necessary rescue’ of the country. Mr Blair attacked the ‘absurdity’ of Britain and its allies spending billions on security and defence to protect themselves against the consequences of the extremism ‘advocated in the school systems and institutions of the very countries with whom we have intimate security and defence relationships’. Mr Blair, who is still dogged by his controversial decision to take Britain to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, insists the West should have bombed Syria last year despite opposition led by his successor Ed Miliband. He used today’s major speech in the City to acknowledge that ‘recent conflicts’ had taken away many governments’ appetite to engage in the Middle East, but he will assert that the case is stronger now than at any time. Britain and the rest of the world must 'take sides'
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | He names Egypt, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Pakistan in speech today . Claims radical Islam exists in the school systems of close military allies . Former Labour PM has insisted the West should have bombed Syria . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Sam Greenhill . PUBLISHED: . 16:35 EST, 12 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:35 EST, 13 May 2013 . If they were slow starters on the property ladder, Tony and Cherie Blair are certainly making up for lost time. After adding a seventh home to their portfolio only last September, they have already registered the purchase of property number eight. Like the previous £1.35million house, cash was again paid when they snapped up a £600,000 cottage for the former prime minister’s younger sister, Sarah Blair. Woodland retreat: The £600,000 cottage situated near the village of Wotton Underwood in Buckinghamshire was purchased by the Blairs in February for the former PM's younger sister Sarah . Close family: Tony Blair , pictured centre after his election as the Labour MP for Sedgefield in 1983 with his sister Sarah, left, father Leo, mother Olwen and older brother Bill, right . The pretty woodland retreat – about a . mile from the Blairs’ Buckinghamshire mansion for which they paid . £5.75million in 2008 – was bought three months ago on Valentine’s Day. Land . Registry documents show it is owned jointly and ‘equally’ by Sarah and . Cherie Blair. The homes the Blairs bought for their children are also . co-owned by Mrs Blair. Nestling on the edge of a wood, the picture-postcard cottage has three bedrooms and an expansive lawn with views across the grounds to stately home Wotton House. The cottage was sold by the Gladstone family, descendants of Victorian prime minister William Gladstone, who own Wotton House. In 2011, the cottage was available to rent unfurnished for £1,350 a month. An estate agent’s photographs showed spacious rooms decorated in buttermilk yellow, with wrought iron fireplaces and chandeliers. Yesterday the cottage was swarming with builders carrying out a refurbishment. Miss Blair, 56, was said to be abroad while the work was being done, and preparing for a freelance career in publishing. She recently left her job as chief executive of a small London publishing house specialising in the field of equal opportunities. Mr Blair, 60, is said to be protective of his sister, who is unmarried, has no children and shuns publicity. He has said that they and their brother Bill were all very close and that he would often turn to his siblings for emotional support. Until recently Miss Blair lived in a £450,000 flat in Islington, North London. The Blairs also lived in Islington until the 1997 election when they moved to No 10 and sold their home only to see it rocket in value. Now the combined estimated value of the eight properties in their portfolio is nearly £21million. Mr Blair reputedly earns £20million a year from government advisory work, speeches and consultancy work and has amassed a fortune of up to £60million. Yesterday, neither the Blairs nor Sarah Blair wished to comment. Tony and Cherie Blair have come under fire after it emerged that their charities were given nearly £1million from the US government’s foreign aid budget. The grants came while Mrs Blair’s friend Hillary Clinton
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Three-bedroom property in Buckinghamshire was bought on February 14 . Cottage is jointly owned by Cherie Blair and her husband's sister Sarah . Combined estimated wealth of the Blairs' property portfolio is nearly £21m . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Mail On Sunday Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 15:58 EST, 8 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 15:58 EST, 8 June 2013 . Tony Blair's multi-million-pound fortune has received an £80,000 boost from the will of his father Leo. Probate records reveal that Leo, a former barrister and law lecturer who died aged 89 last November, left a net estate worth £295,000. His will, drawn up in 2005, left a legacy of £50,000 to his daughter Sarah, 56, who is unmarried. The rest of the estate was then divided between all three of his children, meaning Sarah, Mr Blair and their elder brother Sir William, 63, a High Court judge, each receive £80,000. Mr Blair, 60, was very close to his father and named his youngest son after him. Inheritance: Tony Blair, pictured with his wife Cherie after winning the Sedgefield seat in 2001, has been left £80,000 in the will of his father Leo, pictured right, who died last year . The former Prime Minister is notoriously secretive about his wealth, with most of his earnings since he left office in 2007 being hidden in a network of private companies. Mr Blair makes millions of pounds a year from advising business chiefs and governments. He is also one of the world’s highest-paid after-dinner speakers. It was revealed just last month how Tony Blair and his wife Cherie have added house number eight to their expanding property portfolio. Like the purchase of their seventh house, costing £1.35million in September, cash was again paid when they snapped up a £600,000 cottage for the former prime minister’s younger sister, Sarah Blair. The pretty woodland retreat – about a mile from the Blairs’ Buckinghamshire mansion for which they paid £5.75million in 2008 – was bought on Valentine’s Day earlier this year. Land Registry documents show it is owned jointly and ‘equally’ by Sarah and Cherie Blair. Close family: Tony Blair , pictured centre after his election as the Labour MP for Sedgefield in 1983 with his sister Sarah, left, father Leo, mother Olwen and older brother Bill, right . The homes the Blairs bought for their children are also co-owned by Mrs Blair. Mr Blair, 60, is said to be protective of his sister, who is unmarried, has no children and shuns publicity. He has said that they and their brother Bill were all very close and that he would often turn to his siblings for emotional support. Until recently Miss Blair lived in a £450,000 flat in Islington, North London. The Blairs also lived in Islington until the 1997 election when they moved to No 10 and sold their home only to see it rocket in value. Now the combined estimated value of the eight properties in their portfolio is nearly £21million. Mr Blair reputedly earns £20million a year from government advisory work, speeches and consultancy work and has amassed a fortune of up to £60million.
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Former PM's father Leo left a net estate worth £295,000 in his will . The former barrister left £50,000 to daughter Sarah, 56, who is unmarried . Rest of the estate was divided . between all three of his children - meaning Sarah, Tony Blair and elder brother Sir William each received £80,000 . Mr Blair believed to have amassed £60m fortune with properties worth £21m . | cnn_dm | null |
The European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize yesterday, despite a year marked by rioting and the prospect of an acrimonious break-up of the euro. Awarding the prize, the Norwegian committee praised the EU for its six decades of contributions 'to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe'. However, the announcement caused widespread bemusement and derision, with critics pointing out that it comes as the eurozone battles the worst recession for nearly a century. Scroll down for video . The European Union will receive the $1.2million dollar prize in December . The past 12 months have also seen Brussels help to push aside the democratically elected governments in Greece and Italy, and widespread civil unrest and rioting. This week saw Greek citizens dressed as Nazis burn swastika flags to protest at a visit to Athens by German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Last night former Chancellor Lord Lamont ridiculed the decision, saying: 'Today's decision seems preposterous and absurd. 'It would require a heart of stone not to die of laughter. It is the most ridiculous decision since the committee gave the peace prize to Barack Obama when he had been US President for two minutes.' Norwegian Nobel committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland today said the award was for the 'advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe' The world's media gathered for the shock announcement at a press conference in Oslo, Norway . Nobel committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland acknowledged that the EU was facing 'grave economic difficulties and considerable social unrest'. But he insisted: 'The stabilising part played by the EU has helped to transform most of Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace.' The announcement was greeted with glee in Brussels, where European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso added: 'The EU is something very precious. We should cherish it for the good of Europeans and for the good of the entire world.' And former prime minister Tony Blair said: 'The EU is one of the defining concepts of the last half century. We would do well to remember that when the Second World War ended Europe was in ruins. What followed has been over 50 years of peace and progress.' Yasser Arafat was awarded the prize in 1994 for his role in advancing the Middle East peace process . In winning the Nobel Peace Prize, the EU has joined an inglorious list of people and organisations, including: . Barack Obama was given the prize in 2009 – nine moths after his election – for ‘strengthening international diplomacy’ shortly before his escalation of the drone wars in Afghanistan. Critics claim he was actually handed it for being the first black President in US history Guatemalan Rigoberta Menchu won the prize in 1992 for her campaigns to help the poor. She was later exposed as having made up many of her achievements. Here is a list of recipients in the last decade:2012: The European Union2011: Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen.2010: Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo.2009:
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Nobel committee said the award was for 'the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights' But critics condemn the move at a time when the bloc is gripped by the Eurozone crisis and facing serious questions about its future . Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg says it is 'slightly interesting' to give to the award to an 'acronym' Tory MEPs joke the Nobel committee 'is a little late for an April fools joke' and declare: 'Parody is redundant' Tony Blair hails the EU as 'one of the defining concepts' of the last 50 years . The prize is awarded by a panel of five people from Norway - which is not even a member of the EU . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Meghan Keneally and Beth Stebner . UPDATED: . 12:04 EST, 26 January 2012 . A day after Microsoft founder Bill Gates said he should pay more taxes, the multi-billionaire donated $750million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. The news comes on the tenth anniversary of the Global Fund, to which the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has already contributed $650million. It gives aid to some of the most underprivileged countries in the world. ‘These are tough economic times, but that is no excuse for cutting aid to the world’s poorest,’ Mr Gates said. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS . Philanthropist: Bill Gates holds medicine while posing next to a cut out of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. He donated $750million to The Global Fund today . Continuing the fight: The Global Fund fights AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria through research and treatment. Bill Gates' charity has already donated $650million to the cause . ‘The Global Fund is one of the most effective ways we invest our money every year.’ While the donation will give an immediate boost to the Global Fund, more is needed from governments, which have provided the bulk of the $22.6billion that has been raised by the Geneva, Switzerland-based organization to date for its work in 150 countries. The commitment of governments was shaken last year when the fund reported 'grave misuse of funds' in four recipient nations, prompting some donors such as Germany and Sweden to freeze their donations. Mr Gates, however, played down the problem and praised the fund's transparency, which he said had exposed corruption problems that might well have remained hidden at other organisations. 'If you are going to do health programs in Africa you are going to have some percentage that is misused,' he said. Awareness: The Global Fund was created to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases and seeks to educate people on prevention and treatment . Famous supporters: The organisation has high-profile support from people like U2 singer Bono . The AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria fighter is a magnet to high-profile figures. In the tenth anniversary video, former prime minister Tony Blair, former president Bill Clinton, and U2 frontman Bono are just some of the familiar faces that praise the efforts of the Global Fund. They also add there is much more difficult work to be done in the fight against these diseases. Mr Gates, who is worth an estimated $59billion, said that he agreed that drastic fiscal measures are taken to help the country recover from its crippling deficit. ‘The United States has a huge budget . deficit so taxes are going to have to go up,’ he said in an interview . about his devotion to charitable giving. ‘I certainly agree that they should go up more on the rich than everyone else that's just justice.’ In Switzerland: Bill Gates spoke at the World Economic Forum today at the ski resort of Devos . Mr Gates’ comments to BBC come a day after President Obama addressed the country in his annual State Of
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Bill and Melina Gates Foundation to give $750m to The Global Fund . Already contributed $650million to cause . Comes day after he said he should pay more; President Obama said the extremely wealthy should be taxed at same rate as middle class . | cnn_dm | null |
Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood has David Cameron ‘by the balls’, with the Prime Minister having to ask his permission before doing anything, according to a former Tory adviser. Dominic Cummings, Michael Gove’s key aide when he was Education Secretary, claimed that Mr Cameron is surrounded by a chaotic team and ‘cannot manage his way out of a paper bag’. In a scathing attack, Mr Cummings said: ‘Everyone knows that Jeremy Heywood is in charge of everything. Sir Jeremy Heywood (pictured left) has David Cameron 'by the balls', claims a former aide of Michael Gove . ‘Jeremy Heywood is more important than anyone in the Cabinet apart from Cameron or Osborne – and is arguably more important than Osborne. ‘He sits right next to the Prime Minister, has him completely by the balls and Cameron doesn’t do anything without Heywood’s permission.’ Sir Jeremy, Britain’s most senior civil servant, was Tony Blair’s principal private secretary from 1999 to 2003. He was nicknamed Sir Cover-up after preventing the Iraq War inquiry from seeing letters and records of phone calls between Mr Blair and George W Bush in the run-up to the war. Dominic Cummings pictured behind Michael Gove was a key aide when he was Education Secretary . His influence is such that Mr Cameron is said to have once joked: ‘Remind me, Jeremy, do you work for me or do I work for you?’ Mr Cummings was also highly critical of Mr Cameron’s closest aides, calling them ‘totally and utterly useless’. Speaking at an event organised by the Institute for Public Policy Research think-tank, he said: ‘I don’t think in lots of ways it matters what happens in the election. Whether it is Cameron or Miliband who gets in, neither of them know how to prioritise, neither can build a serious team, they’re both surrounded by these dysfunctional teams. ‘They don’t know how to get anything done, neither has had experience in any organisation watching someone who knows how to get things done in a real alpha organisation that’s well managed.’ Mr Cummings, who describes himself as now ‘very happily unemployed’, was Mr Gove’s special adviser but left in January after resigning. He said Mr Cameron’s advisers at Number 10 ‘operate in a bubble in which it is at most ten days planning or more usually 48 hours or 72 hours’. He added: ‘There is no long-term priority. There is no long-term plan. The central people operate in that kind of culture, they don’t think anything can change. They just think that is politics. ‘His most important advisers are [chief of staff] Ed Llewellyn and [director of communications] Craig Oliver – both of them are totally and utterly useless. It is not their fault. They are just in the wrong job. The fault lies in Cameron putting them there. ‘If you have a prime minister who has no sense of priorities and cannot manage his way out of a paper bag, and his two chief advisers who don’t know what they are doing… of course it’s going to be a farce.’
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Dominic Cummings says Sir Jeremy Heywood has great influence over PM . Claims David Cameron has to ask his permission before doing anything . Sir Jeremy is Britain's most senior civil servant and was Tony Blair's principal private secretary from 1999 to 2003 . Mr Cummings also says PM 'cannot manage his way out of a paper bag' | cnn_dm | null |
Tony Blair's religious charity has links to an Islamic extremist group being investigated by MI5 and MI6, it has been alleged. It has been claimed that two Muslim leaders, who have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, are advising The Tony Blair Faith Foundation. The organisation has been declared a terrorist group in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and could be banned in Britain, despite insisting they do not have links to extremist factions. Extremist links: Tony Blair, who set up the religious charity in 2008, has been accused of taking on controversial Muslim advisers . The Global Muslim Brotherhood Daily Watch, which has been looking into the group for 13 years, revealed that Dr Ismail Khudr Al-Shatti, an adviser to the Kuwaiti government and a member of Mr Blair’s advisory council, is a leading member of the Kuwaiti branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. the Islamic Constitutional Movement (ICM). He is said to have told a crowd of Kuwaitis protesting over Palestine: 'Israel is an evil, and we can never live with evil,' according to a news agency report in 2000. In 1995, it was reported in America that a Palestinian terrorist group wrote to him requesting funds. Another Islamic adviser to Mr Blair is Mustafa Ceric, a Bosnian Muslim cleric who has made controversial statements about Islam in the Balkan states. The former Grand Mufti of Bosnia-Herzegovina has been linked to the the global Muslim Brotherhood through his membership of the European Council for Fatwa and Research. Controversial: Another Islamic adviser to Mr Blair is Mustafa Ceric, a Bosnian Muslim cleric who has made controversial statements about Islam in the Balkan states . The Global Muslim Brotherhood Daily Watch says Mr Blair’s links to the Brotherhood through the men threatened to overshadow the charity's work. Steven Merley, a US investigator of extremist movements, who runs Global Muslim Brotherhood Daily Watch, told The Sunday Telegraph: 'Many groups don’t call themselves Muslim Brotherhood but they are linked to what I call the 'Global Muslim Brotherhood’. 'These individuals have fooled a lot of politicians, like Blair, who should know better. The very presence of people like Shatti and Ceric in the same room as him is a judgment on Blair.' The Muslim Brotherhood denies being an extremist organisation, and has asked Lord Macdonald, the former director of public prosecutions, to help defend them. It has even threatened legal action against people who try to restrict their activities. David Cameron has asked the British intelligence . agencies to investigate the Islamic group, after they opened an . international office about a disused kebab shop in Cricklewood, London. After news of the inquiry into the activities emerged, it was revealed the group is moving its headquarters from London to Austria. A spokesman for the Tony Blair Faith Foundation told the paper they were 'grateful' for the work done by the pair and described them as 'great supporters of the foundation'. The oragnisation said they were not aware of the men's alleged links. Investigation: David Cameron has asked MI5 and MI6 to look into the Muslim Brotherhood's activities at
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Two men tied to controversial Islamic group said to be party of charity . The Tony Blair Faith Foundation was set up by Mr Blair in 2008 . Advisor Dr Ismail Khudr Al-Shatti has alleged link to extremist group . Is said to be leading member of Kuwaiti branch of the Brotherhood . Bosnian Muslim Cleric Mustafa Ceric also accused of having ties . David Cameron has asked intelligent agencies to look into Brotherhood's activities at home and abroad . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Jason Groves . PUBLISHED: . 19:12 EST, 21 February 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:48 EST, 22 February 2013 . Backlash: David Cameron has been criticised by aid charities for his decision to divert millions of pounds towards military operations . Aid money should be spent on ‘schools, not soldiers’, charities said last night – as David Cameron faced a backlash over moves to divert hundreds of millions of pounds to the Armed Forces. Charities reacted with alarm after the Prime Minister revealed he wants to use part of the vast aid budget to help pay for military peacekeeping operations. But former defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth hailed a ‘welcome first step’ and said security was an ‘essential precursor to the provision of aid’. The move will help protect the Armed Forces from further spending cuts and also help the Department for International Development (DfId) spend a 30 per cent budget increase due in April. Mr Cameron’s plan was warmly welcomed by Tory MPs who have raised increasing concern about the policy of cutting back defence spending while pouring billions more into foreign aid. But aid charities warned diverting money was potentially a major backward step. Oxfam’s head of policy, Max Lawson, said the aid budget should be spent on ‘hospitals and not helicopter gunships’. He went on: ‘The millions of people up and down the country who support the fantastic stance the Government is taking, protecting the aid budget when every other G8 nation is not doing that – they expect this to be spent on schools and not soldiers. ‘So we cannot see any penny diverted into the military.’ However Sir Gerald Howarth said: . ‘Britain’s armed forces contribute enormously to the provision of . security and capacity building, which are essential precursors to the . provision of aid and it is entirely appropriate to make those changes. ‘I have not come across a single . Conservative who is in favour of increasing aid at a time when we are . cutting the Armed Forces so this is a very welcome first step.’ Spending: The Prime Minister revealed yesterday how he wants to use part of the aid budget to offset cuts to the defence budget . Clash: The head of policy at Oxfam Max Lawson, left, criticised David Cameron's plan but the move was welcomed by former defence minister Gerald Howarth, right . And Tory MP Patrick Mercer, a former Army officer, said security and overseas aid were ‘inextricably linked’. Downing Street insisted the switch would not affect Mr Cameron’s controversial target of spending 0.7 per cent of Britain’s total income on aid. Money will be spent on peacekeeping and conflict prevention work rather than weapons, so should still count towards the target. The new approach means aid cash could be used to pay for troop training in Mali, demobilisation in Afghanistan and providing assistance to rebel fighters in Syria. Much of the money could be channelled through the ‘conflict pool’ - a joint initiative between DfId, the MoD and the Foreign Office. Overall aid spending
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Money should be spent on 'schools not soldiers' says head of Oxfam . Funding for military peacekeeping operations will offset defence cuts . Prime Minister's plan welcomed by Tory MPs . | cnn_dm | null |
Ed Miliband today faced questions over how much he is worth as the Labour leader tried to play down claims he was targeting David Cameron’s background for political advantage. The morning after his widely-praised conference speech, Mr Miliband was forced to defend claims the Prime Minister would personally benefit from a ‘tax cut for millionaires’ but refused to discuss his own levels of personal wealth. In his speech, Mr Miliband said: ‘David Cameron isn’t just writing the cheques. He is receiving one. He’s going to be getting the millionaire’s tax cut. Labour leader Ed Miliband toured the TV studios today to face questions about his conference speech in Manchester . ‘So next week maybe Mr Cameron can tell us how much is he awarding himself in a tax cut? How much is that tax cut he is awarding himself?’ But he appeared to row back from the claim today, after business experts accused him of confusing people with net assets worth more than £1million with the much smaller group who earn seven-figure sums every year. Asked on BBC Breakfast how much he was worth, Mr Miliband replied: ‘I am not going to be getting the top rate tax cut.’ But pressed on whether he was ‘worth £1million’, Mr Miliband looked panicked and tried to claim he was not using the Prime Minister’s upbringing to gain votes. ‘I am not making an issue of David Cameron’s background.’ Mr Miliband, whose Primrose Hill home is reportedly worth £1.6million, criticised the Prime Minister for cutting the top-rate of tax and said he didn't think "it was the kind of country we should be in". But in the same interview he attacked Mr Cameron for cutting the top rate of tax from 50p to 45p for those earning more than £150,000, and claimed the PM will benefit personally. ‘Mr Cameron's aides have said he will be receiving a tax cut in the top rate of tax when it is cut from 50 to 45 per cent,’ Mr Miliband said. ‘Why does that matter? That matters because if you're the Prime Minister and you're cutting taxes for a very small section of the population and raising them for everyone else. ‘You're cutting taxes for the richest in society. I think that's wrong, I don't think that's the kind of country we should be in.' Ed Miliband was joined on the conference stage by his wife Justine after his speech . Yesterday Mr Miliband’s speech was packed with references to his own upbringing, attending a comprehensive school in North London, which was seen as an attempt to contrast with Mr Cameron’s schooling at Eton. He said that as a pupil at Haverstock school he ‘learned how to get on with people from all backgrounds, whoever they were’. Tory MPs have accused the Labour leader of indulging in ‘class war’ by making a big play of his educational background to contrast with David Cameron’s Eton schooling. Graham Evans said it was ‘a bit rich’ for him to pretend he is from a down-to-earth background when his family were very
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | The Labour leader looks uncomfortable as he challenged on TV over how much he is worth . After 65-minute speech attacking out-of-touch Tories, Miliband now denies 'making an issue' of David Cameron's background . Miliband family home is worth £1.6million, but he says he will not benefit in the tax cut for top earners . Party chief says he is 'flattered' by comparisons with former Prime Minister Tony Blair . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Sam Greenhill . The only way is up: David Miliband's new job as head of a charity in the U.S. is likely to likely to be five times higher than his salary as a Labour MP . When he swaps South Shields for Manhattan, David Miliband will be earning more than President Obama. As head of the International Rescue Committee, his pay package is likely to be about £300,000 – nearly five times higher than his wage as a Labour MP. On top of his salary comes complimentary private health care, a gold-plated, tax-free pension and a host of other perks. The IRC said Mr Miliband’s pay was ‘private’ yesterday, but the organisation’s outgoing president got £295,000 a year for a 37-and-a-half hour week. And, as a former Foreign Secretary who counts the Clintons and Blairs as close friends, Mr Miliband was in a position to command an even more generous deal. The IRC’s money comes mainly from grants from taxpayers – including £110million of British aid over the last ten years. But from the moment he steps into his well-appointed office, near New York’s Grand Central Station, Mr Miliband will be in charge of a vast humanitarian organisation. It has 12,000 staff, and spent £240million on its programmes last year. Yet despite the scale of his new job, Mr Miliband is understood to be keeping his lucrative sideline as a director of Sunderland FC – for which he is paid £125,000 for 15 days work. The IRC, founded at the request of Albert Einstein in 1933, helps refugees from 40 countries including Syria, Afghanistan and Haiti. It is a highly-regarded charity and its directors and ‘overseers’ include Henry Kissinger and former UN chief Kofi Annan. Mr Miliband is likely to have been offered a number of perks to take up the role. These could include a housing allowance, limo allowance and health club membership. ‘It is not unusual for the charities to offer help with housing for someone who is moving to New York for the first time,’ said Pete Smith, who has studied the pay of charity leaders for US watchdog Charity Navigator. Mr Miliband’s salary will be complemented by an estimated £8,000 towards private health insurance and a further £22,000 a year payment towards his pension. A former IRC insider said: ‘He will have a big office in a nice part of New York. ‘It has a desk with big windows looking out over the city, and a large settee with space for several people to have informal meetings. Pastures new: David Miliband announced he is quitting politics to become head of a charity in New York . Connections: As a former foreign secretary who counts the Clintons as friends, Miliband was likely to have commanded an even higher salary than his predecessor . ‘Miliband will be treated as a senior global executive, and in America such people are revered. They have big responsibilities and although they need to have that self-belief they are here to help people, basically they are not doing it “for charity”. ‘It’s
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Top job at International Rescue Committee charity includes number of perks . Complimentary private health care and gold-plated, tax-free pension . Likely to be paid five times salary of Labour MP for 37-and-a-half hour week . | cnn_dm | null |
Tony Blair is backing Chuka Umunna to become the next Labour leader, it was claimed today. The former prime minister is said to think the shadow business secretary is the 'natural heir' to his New Labour project. It comes after he took an apparent swipe at Ed Miliband, complaining that too few of today's party leaders have experience of life outside politics. Scroll down for video . Tony Blair is said to be backing Chuka Umunna as a Labour leader, believing he is the 'natural heir' to his own legacy . Many Labour MPs expect Mr Miliband to be ousted as leader if he fails to become Prime Minister in May next year. Several potential successors are already said to be jockeying for position. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and health spokesman Andy Burnham are seen as frontrunners. But bookies have Mr Umunna at 6/1 to become the next Labour leader. He has repeatedly insisted he is loyal to Mr Miliband, but is seen as certain to enter a leadership race in the future. He speaks to Mr Blair often, and is in regular contact with other New Labour veterans, including Lord Mandelson, Tessa Jowell and Lord Adonis, the Independent on Sunday reported. A friend told the newspaper that Mr Blair sees Mr Umunna as a 'natural heir' to his New Labour legacy. In particular, Mr Umunna has been outspoken in defence of immigration and has repeatedly criticised Ukip. The stance has 'drawn further admiration from Mr Blair who is in total agreement', according to the source. Mr Umunna returned to his attack on Ukip today, accusing Nigel Farage's party of a 'fundamental con'. Mr Umunna stepped up his attacks on Ukip again today with an appearance on the Andrew Marr Show . He told BBC One's Andrew Marr show: 'I think we've got to be very clear: I want a firm and a fair immigration policy and I think it's very important that we have control but I don't think 'othering' people and blaming people over there, at the moment eastern Europeans, is the way to go. 'I actually think that is a fundamental con and it lets politicians of all political persuasion who haven't done the things they should have done over the decades, off the hook. I don't think it's in keeping with our British values and I won't have any truck with them.' Last week Mr Blair appeared to criticise politicians, like Mr Miliband, who have spent their entire careers in Westminster. The three-times election winner said the 'gene pool' of political leaders had suffered because too few candidates have 'real-life experience'. He suggested that too many graduates went straight from university to a job as a political researcher, before then becoming an MP – a path that may sound familiar to Mr Miliband. The current Labour leader was elected to the Commons nine years ago, having done little after his philosophy, politics and economics degree at Oxford – apart from working in the Treasury as a special adviser. Ed Miliband, pictured visiting a Nissan plant in Sunderland
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Ex-PM wants shadow business secretary to be next Labour leader . Friends say the two men speak regularly to discuss the political scene . Umunna is also in close contact with other New Labour grandees . Today he renewed attack on 'fundamental con' of Ukip immigration policy . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Tom Mctague, Mail Online Deputy Political Editor . The Trojan Horse plot to take over Birmingham schools is driven by the same 'warped' Islamic extremism as Nigerian terror group Boko Harem, Tony Blair claimed this morning. Mr Blair said the alleged plot by Muslim hardliners in Birmingham was part of a wider global problem of 'extremism based on a warped and abusive view of a religion'. Six Birmingham schools were placed in special measures after the education watchdog Ofsted unearthed damning evidence that school children were being left at risk of being radicalised. Tony Blair this morning likened the alleged Trojan Horse Islamic plot to take over Birmingham schools to the Nigerian terror network Boko Harem . Mr Blair said the scandal showed Britain had a problem with extremism - like Nigeria had with Boko Harem, the terror network which sparked global outrage after kidnapping hundreds of school girls. He said the issue was part of a wider narrative of religious extremism that had to be met head on . The former PM said: 'I have a very clear view of this. There is a fundamental problem that we face that may have originated in this region but has now spread across the world. 'And that problem is extremism based on a warped and abusive view of a religion. 'It is a problem here in the region, it's a problem in countries like Pakistan, it's a problem in the far East. 'We can see from Nigeria and Boko Haram it's a problem in African countries and it's a problem in our own society as we can see from the issue of the Birmingham schools. 'What we need to do is not a question of simply reasserting British values. We have to assert the strong values of religious respect and tolerance for difference. 'In other words, to say that the only way the only way a modern economy and a modern society can work is if people of different faiths learn to live with each other, respect each other and treat each other equally and fairly. 'And any politics that is based on a view that "this is my religion, or this is my view of my religion and if you don't agree then you're my enemy", that is the ideology that we have to attack and root out.' David Cameron reacted to the revelations that Muslim hardliners had tried to take over a number of Birmingham schools by announcing a drive to 'teach British values' to all children . Dave Hughes, Vice Chairman of Park View School - one of the academies put in special measures - attacked the Ofsted findings . The controversial intervention came after David Cameron called for UK Muslims to be more British in the wake of the Trojan Horse scandal. Mr Cameron said extremism and division was flourishing because of a 'worrying' failure to push British values. He said he wanted all school pupils to be taught about the Magna Carta. The Prime Minister's intervention came after teachers were told by the Education Secretary Michael
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Former PM says plot to take over Birmingham schools part of global problem . Claims Islamic extremism in Middle East also a 'problem in our own society' But dismisses David Cameron's proposal to teach British values to all pupils . Prime Minister wants all children to learn about the Magna Carta . Blair says extremism 'not a question of simply reasserting British values' Claims only solution is 'different faiths learning to live with each other' | cnn_dm | null |
Tony Blair’s charities have received millions of pounds from some of his closest friends, it emerged today. The former prime minister set up several foundations and initiatives after leaving Number 10 in 2007. Now details have emerged of the wealthy businessmen and women who helped launch them and keep them afloat, including Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska and billionaire entertainment mogul Haim Saban. Scroll down for video . Tony Blair's charities have received substantial funding from his close friends, including Haim Saban (left) who has given £415,000 to the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. The two men are pictured with former US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice . Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk, pictured with his wife Elena, gave the Foundation £320,000 . Since quitting Downing Street seven years ago, Mr Blair has secured donations from the world’s super-rich to bankroll several good causes, including the Tony Blair Africa Governance Initiative and the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. Italian businessman Paolo Pellegrini and his wife Henrietta gave £1million to the Africa Governance Initiative, according to the Sunday Telegraph. The money was used to establish smart offices overlooking Hyde Park. Bill Gates, the Microsoft mogul who is worth more than £50billion, and his wife Melinda gave £500,000 to Africa Governance Initiative last year. The couple are known to be good friends with Mr Blair and his wife Cherie. Bill and Melinda Gates, close friends of the Blairs, £500,000 to Africa Governance Initiative last year, according to reports . The Swedish Postcode Foundation, based in Stockholm, gave £750,000 to the to Africa Governance Initiative. Meanwhile Hollywood media mogul Haim Saban gave £415,000 to the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, it was reported. His wife Cheryl donated £650,000 to a women's charity run by Mrs Blair. The Foundation also received £320,000 from Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk. Russian billionaire oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a close friend of Lord Mandelson, gave £300,000 to help set up Breaking the Climate Deadlock, set up by Mr Blair in 2008. Russian billionaire oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a close friend of Lord Mandelson, gave £300,000 to help set up Breaking the Climate Deadlock, set up by Mr Blair in 2008 . The funding was revealed in documents filed by the charities on both sides of the Atlantic. Mr Blair’s business dealings since leaving office have often come under scrutiny. Last week he appeared to not rule out working for President Putin as he defended making millions from advising some of the world’s worst despots. Mr Blair used an interview with Vanity Fair to defend the considerable wealth he has accrued since leaving office while insisting his main aim was to improve the world. The 61-year-old has been widely attacked for selling his services to some of the world’s most authoritarian leaders, including the ex-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and Kazakhstan president Nursulstan Nazarbayev. After detailing Mr Blair’s work for several questionable world leaders, the author of the profile and interview, Vanity Fair contributing editor Sarah Ellison, wrote: ‘And is there anyone he wouldn’t work for? ‘For instance, would he work for Vladimir Putin if Putin
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Blair set up network of charities after leaving Downing Street in 2007 . Insists they do not conflict with his work as an international adviser . Donors include Microsoft founder Bill Gates and oligarch Oleg Deripaska . Italian Paolo Pellegrini gave £1million to the Africa Governance Initiative . | cnn_dm | null |
By . James Chapman . Tony Blair was accused of an ‘embarrassingly simple-minded analysis’ yesterday after urging Britain to set aside its differences with Russia to fight radical Islam. The former prime minister insisted tensions with President Vladimir Putin over his annexation of Crimea should not prevent cooperation to address religious extremism in the Middle East. Mr Blair said the West’s failure to send troops to Syria – a move violently opposed by his successor Ed Miliband – was a historic mistake for which Britain and its allies would pay a ‘heavy price’ Let's be friends: Then-Prime Minister Tony Blair pictured with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2007. Mr Blair has called for Britain to set aside its differences with Russia over Crimea and Ukraine to fight radical Islam . He also insisted further Nato action is needed in Libya as part of a ‘titanic’ struggle against radical Islam, that seeks to thwart democracy. Mr Blair, now the West’s ‘envoy’ to the Middle East, used a speech in London to argue that the rise of political Islam is a common thread running throughout the region, from Libya to Iran. He insisted that while the ‘ideology coming out of Shia Iran and that of the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood may seem to be different, in reality they amount to the same thing’. Failure to shake off the legacy of Iraq and ‘take sides’ in support with moderates in the Middle East could mean the 21st century is dominated by conflict rather than peaceful co-operation, he warned. Mr Blair described a global crisis with its roots in ‘a radicalised and politicised view of Islam, an ideology that distorts and warps Islam’s true message’. He conceded that partly as a result of controversy over his warsin Iraq and Afghanistan, governments in Europe and America had become ‘curiously reluctant to acknowledge’ the threat from Islamic extremism. ‘On this issue, whatever our other differences, we should be prepared to reach out and cooperate with the East, and in particular, Russia and China,’ he added. ‘On this issue also, there is a complete identity of interest between East and West. China and Russia have exactly the same desire to defeat this ideology as do the USA and Europe.’ Mr Blair said the UK should take a ‘very strong position’ over Russia’s annexation of part of Ukraine but insisted it was a ‘separate issue’. Blair speaks at Bloomberg's offices in London yesterday: He said the failure to send troops to Syria - a move opposed by his successor Ed Miliband - was a mistake for which Britain and its allies would pay a 'heavy price' Conservative MP Julian Lewis, a former shadow defence minister, said Mr Blair’s analysis was ‘two-dimensional’ and ignored the potential threats from Russia. ‘One can agree greatly with his analysis of the threat of totalitarian Islamism, but he is very light touch indeed, in fact there’s hardly a mention of the more conventional threat from Russian ambitions to try and reconstitute at least part of the former Soviet empire. ‘I agree that it’s a generational struggle,
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Tony Blair used speech to issue warning about the rise of 'political Islam' He calls for China and Russia to join U.S. and Europe in opposition to it . But critics accuse the former PM of cosying up to authoritarian regimes . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Tim Shipman . PUBLISHED: . 16:55 EST, 30 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 09:35 EST, 1 July 2013 . Kazakhstan's brutal regime has gloated that David Cameron and Tony Blair have put their bloodsoaked country on the map yesterday. The foreign minister of the former Soviet dictatorship, best known as the home of comic creation Borat, said the country was ‘very honoured and privileged’ that two prime ministers have sought to bring the country in from the cold. Mr Cameron yesterday became the first serving prime minister to visit Kazakhstan and its ageing autocrat Nursultan Nazarbayev, who is accused of sanctioning the torture of his political opponents. Scroll down for video . 'Honourable' visit: David Cameron delivers a speech during a presentation at the Bolashak oil plant, near Atyrau in Kazakhstan on Sunday . But he dismissed concerns about human rights, saying that it was more important to drum up business deals. Mr Cameron is set to win business worth around £700m on the trip with another £85 billion in the pipeline in the years to come. He said he would raise the issue of human rights with President Nazarbayev, who has ruled the country with an iron fist since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. But he made clear he thinks it is more important for Britain to cash in on oil deals with one of the world’s fastest growing economies. ‘I always raise all these issues with all the partners that we have around the world. Business trip: David Cameron pictured at an oil plant in Kazakhstan on Sunday, hopes to sign trade deals worth more than £700 million . UK's friend: Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev, accused of violating human rights and million pound corruption, is Cameron's prospective business partner . But let’s be clear, why am I in Khazakstan on a Sunday? We are in a global race. This is one of the next emerging countries of the world. ‘I’ve over 30 British companies with me. We hope to conclude £700million worth of deals, that will mean jobs back at home. That’s what this is about.’ He and President Nazarbayev also discussed plans for Britain to evacuate military kit from Afghanistan using Kazakh air bases and trains. In a sign of Mr Cameron’s closeness to the Kazakh regime, the Prime Minister last night flew from the oil port city of Atyrau to the capital Astana in Mr Nazarbayev’s personal private jet, while his aides followed in a charter plane. Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov made clear that Tony Blair helped pave the way for the visit. Mr Blair’s consultancy has secured a £16 million two year deal to advise the government of Kazakhstan on political reform - a move which critics say has led to a ‘whitewash’ of the country’s human rights record. Mr Idrissov said: ‘We are very honoured and privileged to have such attention on the part of two prime ministers [towards] kazakhstan - Tony Blair and David Cameron. We cherish and enjoy the support of developed countries on our part for
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | David Cameron became first UK Prime Minister to visit Kazakhstan . PM set to win £700million in business for Britain following trip . Kazakh ministers say they are is 'honoured’ to have UK business . | cnn_dm | null |
The Countess of Wessex has issued a plea for more people to learn first aid, after a close friend’s daughter saved the life of a stranger on the Tube. Honouring Britain’s lifesavers at the St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes Awards last week, run in association with The Mail on Sunday, she revealed that first-aid training meant the 19-year-old was able to treat a man who collapsed in front of her at a station. ‘She immediately rushed to see if she could help him, checked his breathing and put him in the recovery position. The Countess of Wessex is campaigning for more Britons to become livesavers and learn first aid. She is pictured here with Tess Daly who hosted the St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes awards. Sam Herbert saved the life of a man who collapsed in the street . 'Then she had to run to find someone to call for an ambulance. After this she went back to the man and stayed with him until help arrived,’ said Sophie, Countess of Wessex. ‘During all this time not one person stopped to offer assistance. Thankfully this girl had received first-aid training so she did all the right things. ‘So many people seem to walk on by when something happens; I think the biggest barrier is that without proper first-aid training we think that we might do more harm than good.’ Her call echoes The Mail on Sunday’s campaign for every schoolchild to be taught first aid. The awards were presented by Tess Daly at a star-studded ceremony at the Lancaster London Hotel. Ceinwen Morgans (left) picks up the High Street . Hero award. Staff at Parkland Primary School in South Wigston, . Leicestershire (right) collected the Top of the Class award . Restaurant team leader Ceinwen Morgans (pictured below) saved the life of 82-year-old John Ollerenshaw when he had a sudden cardiac arrest shortly after arriving for a meal. ‘I . watched him collapse and quickly ran over,’ says Ceinwen, who had been . sent on a first-aid course a few months before through her work at The . Princess Pavilion in Falmouth, Cornwall. ‘It . took me a few moments to work out what was going on and then I started . compressions straight away. The adrenaline kicked in and I was . completely focused on keeping going and saving his life. I carried on . for 35 minutes, which was pretty exhausting. Even when the ambulance . arrived I carried on as they set up the defibrillator.’ Ceinwen, . 26, adds: ‘It was a strange experience but I didn’t have time to stop . and think about it at the time. 'I’d only done my first aid training . really recently and never imagined I’d have to use it in real life in . such a serious situation.’ John went on to make a full recovery and the pair have kept in touch . Parkland Primary School in South Wigston, Leicestershire, won the Top of The Class award for its forward-thinking attitude to teaching first aid. All 500 children are given
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Countess made plea at St John Ambulance Everyday Heroes Awards . Revealed friend's daughter saved live thanks to first aid . Says biggest barrier is that people think they will do 'more harm than good' Awards presented to everyday heroes by Tess Daly in London . Winners include Sam Herbert, 15, who saved man who collapsed in street . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Gethin Chamberlain . PUBLISHED: . 16:02 EST, 8 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 08:41 EST, 9 September 2012 . Britain is frittering away tens of millions of pounds hiring an army of consultants to tell India how to run its own affairs. A Mail on Sunday investigation into contracts awarded to consultants has found that instead of money going directly to India’s poor and needy, much of it goes into the pockets of firms, some American, that are paid to hold meetings and produce reports. It hired a group of consultants - including one leading US university - to work on a £5 million deal to tell the Department for International Development whether it was wasting money. The UK Government insists it will continue to give the economic superpower £280 million a year until 2015 – despite India’s insistence that it does not want or need the money. The UK Government is spending millions of pounds hiring consultants across the world to tell India how to spend its money instead of giving it to those who need it most . The rapidly industrialising country, whose economy is ranked 11th in the world with a GDP of £1.85 trillion, is rich enough to run its own space programme and last month announced it would spend £52 million sending a probe to Mars next year. David Cameron has courted controversy over the UK’s vast payments to India, designed, many believe, to detoxify the Tories’ image as the ‘nasty party’. Just last month a powerful committee of peers urged the Prime Minister to abandon his policy on aid to the country, saying Ministers should ‘urgently prepare an exit strategy from Britain’s £1.1 billion aid to India’. The peers pointed out that sending millions of pounds to a country that can afford its own space programme provided a ‘perverse incentive’ for the Indian government to shirk its own responsibility for tackling poverty. India is rich enough to afford its own space programme and is spending £52m next year sending a probe to Mars . But The Mail on Sunday has discovered that since the Government announced an overhaul of Indian aid spending in 2010 in response to criticism, it has: . The Government awarded £5million to Duke University, North Carolina, to assess how affective its aid spending has been . The Department for International Development (DfID) has a staff of 90 and uses outside contractors for much of its work. The department also outsources its recruitment to private firms in India. The practice has raised questions about what its own staff are doing. In the past year, the UK donated £292.5 million to India, with £268.4 million from DfID’s budget, despite comments from Indian finance minister Pranab Mukherjee that India did not need British aid, which he described as ‘a peanut in our total development exercises’. India's Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, right, has said India does not need British aid . Last night, Tory backbencher Philip Davies said: ‘To spend any money at all on aid to India is unjustifiable, but for
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | UK Government awards £280m to India every year . Indian finance minister says the country does not need aid from UK . Allocated £5 million to consultants - including Duke University in North Carolina - to produce a report on how effective its aid spending has been . Given £20 million to two consultancies – one in the US – to advise Indian state governments on how to run their own health services. Hired Christian Aid to lead a group of management consultants working on a £24.5 million contract to advise Indian organisations on narrowing the gap between rich and poor. Some of the money will go on grants to Indian consultants . Given the University of Sussex £7.5 million for consultancy on agriculture in South Asia. Given £3.1 million to a consultancy firm to tell India’s housing ministry how to cut poverty. Given £1 million to consultants to advise charities on how to support Indian and British government policies. Spent £225,000 on office furniture for an overhaul of its Delhi facilities three years before the UK aid programme is due to end. Given £353,827 to the Asian Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex to encourage South Asian climate change researchers to publish more papers. | cnn_dm | null |
By . Tom Mctague, Mail Online Deputy Political Editor . David Cameron resurrected Tony Blair's widely-mocked 'Cool Britannia' party - with a glitzy showbiz bash of his own in Whitehall on Monday night. The Prime Minister invited a host of celebrities to the Foreign Office to celebrate Britain's booming entertainment industry. The star-studded gathering has invited comparisons with Mr Blair’s 1997 Downing Street reception attended by Noel Gallagher and Vivienne Westwood. Scroll down for video . Here come the girls: Singer Katherine Jenkins, pictured left, arrives at the Best of Britain Creative Industries event while Tess Daly, right, prepares to join a host of other celebrities in Whitehall . Around 200 guests from across the entertainment industry gathered at the party in the courtyard of the Foreign Office opposite Downing Street. A selected group of around a dozen guests – thought to include Downton Abbey creator Lord Fellowes and Mr Cameron's close friend Helena Bonham Carter – will then go to Number 10 for dinner. Strictly Come Dancing hosts Sir Bruce Forsyth, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman arrived at the party tonight - along with media mogul Harvey Weinstein, TV's Kirstie Allsopp and singer Katherine Jenkins. Veteran presenters Cilla Black and Ronnie Corbett also turned up at the event. Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer, left, was on the list of top British talent invited to the celebratory event as was singer-songwriter Eliza Doolittle, pictured right in a multi-coloured outfit . Danielle Lineker, left, and Natasha Kaplinsky, right, were also on the guestlist for the star-studded gathering which has invited comparisons with Tony Blair's 1997 Downing Street reception . The . star-studded gathering has comparisons with Mr Blair's 1997 . Downing Street reception attended by Noel Gallagher, right, and Vivienne . Westwood . Hollywood . star Harrison Ford, 71, was invited but is recovering from an accident . at Pinewood Studios during filming of the new Star Wars movie which left . him with a broken leg. Mr . Cameron has claimed the event is to champion Britain's success in TV, . film and music and Downing Street have been at pains to downplay talk of . a second 'Cool Britannia' party. Mr Blair's . 1997 party attracted high-flying British celebrities like Oasis . guitarist Noel Gallagher, but was later seen to backfire on the then PM . as invited stars later criticised his government. The founder and lead singer of The Who, Roger Daltrey, left, was among those to walk into the reception. Hollywood star Helena Bonham Carter, right, is another of those believed . to be attending a dinner with David Cameron after the event . Right, actor David Bradley who starred in ITV's crime drama Broadchurch, arrives in a blue suit. Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, left, is rumoured to be one of a . select group expected to go to Number 10 for dinner after the event . The . Government is due to launch its strategy on the creative industries on . Wednesday, with the aim of boosting a sector which Downing Street says . is worth
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Glittering party at Foreign Office courtyard thrown by ministers to promote Britain's entertainment industry . The celebrity guest list for the Whitehall gala included top stars from world of television, film and music . Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and The Who lead singer Roger Daltrey among host of celebs invited . Singer Katherine Jenkins, television presenter Tess Daly and actress Natalie Dormer also at star-studded event . Gathering has comparisons with Tony Blair's 1997 Downing Street reception attended by Noel Gallagher . | cnn_dm | null |
By . James Chapman . and Vanessa Allen . David Cameron faces acute embarrassment over his friendship with former newspaper boss Rebekah Brooks after she claimed he signed off his text messages to her with ‘LOL’, wrongly believing it stood for ‘lots of love’. Mrs Brooks told the Leveson inquiry into media standards that the Prime Minister stopped using the acronym after she told him it actually meant ‘laugh out loud’ in the text-speak more commonly used by teenagers. But she dismissed as ‘preposterous’ claims he had texted her as much as 12 times a day, saying they both had ‘better things to do’ and it was typically once a week. LOL! Scroll down to see the comment . Revelations: Rebekah Brooks gives evidence to the Leveson Inquiry as she discusses emails and texts between politicians . In an extraordinary five-hour evidence session, the former News International chief executive lifted the veil on her close relationships with the PM and his predecessors Gordon Brown and Tony Blair. She said Mr Cameron, Mr Blair and Chancellor George Osborne all sent her ‘indirect’ messages of support last year as her career was engulfed by the phone hacking scandal at the News of the World. Mrs Brooks detailed 19 private meetings with Mr Cameron over five years, and said Tony Blair and his allies were a ‘constant presence’ in her life during the New Labour years. She described how Mr Blair and Mr Brown competed jealously for her attention as their feud threatened to destroy the Labour government. Friendly: Rebekah Brooks is recorded kissing David Cameron as she welcomes him to a glamorous party attended by a string of influential figures . Friends: Mr Cameron appears startles after being photographed alongside Mrs Brooks at a book launch in 2009. The pair are said to have texted each other regularly . But to Downing Street’s relief, she went out of her way to dismiss the more damaging conspiracy theories swirling around Mr Cameron, insisting he had never given any private assurances the Government would approve a controversial Murdoch takeover bid for BSkyB. The 43-year-old former editor of the Sun and the News of the World confirmed that Mr Cameron sent her a message ‘along the lines’ of ‘keep your head up’ as the hacking scandal escalated, telling her he regretted not being able to be more loyal to her in public. She received similar messages from 11 Downing Street, the Home Office, the Foreign Office and some senior Labour politicians, including Mr Blair. Mr Brown and wife Sarah had at one stage organised a birthday party for her, she said, but their relationship soured after the Sun abandoned support for Labour during his premiership and he did not contact her after she resigned. ‘He was probably getting the bunting out,’ Mrs Brooks suggested. For those unacquainted with text language, terms such as LOL (Laugh Out Loud) and OMG (Oh My God) were first used by teenagers to speed up the sending of messages. David Cameron - modern man? Examples of text-speak include plz for please, 2moro
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Prime Minister finished texts with the phrase 'lol', thinking it meant lots of love, but had to be told it meant 'laugh out loud' Downing Street 'prepared to hand over messages to Inquiry' Cameron apologised to Mrs Brooks for not repaying the 'loyalty' she had shown him after he cut her loose in wake of phone hacking scandal . Sheds light on the numerous meetings she had with PM, which have been shrouded in secrecy and confusion . She discussed phone-hacking with the PM and BSkyB takeover with George Osborne . Met Cameron at least three times over Christmas 2010 . Denies telling PM to get rid of Dominic Grieve as shadow home secretary . 'Threatened to put Theresa May on front page every day until she opened review into Madeleine McCann' She admits she 'may have' discussed phone hacking with detective who was formerly in charge of the investigation . Criticism is 'because I'm a woman and not a grumpy old man', says Brooks . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Daniel Mills . Federal Government politicians will still be allowed to keep staff related to them employed, after legal advice ruled a decision by Tony Abbott for them to be sacked was unlawful. In November, Mr Abbott brought in tougher legislation to prevent MPs taking advantage of tax-funded entitlements, such as nepotism in the workplace, instructing them to sack their wives, in-laws and children. But the announcement and its immediate introduction sparked a revolt from both sides of the political chamber, with Liberal and Labor MPs defending the employment of their relatives based on their competency and experience. Scroll down for video . Prime Minister Tony Abbott has relaxed the laws on MP entitlements, including a decision to allow relatives of politicians to continue working for them . Faced with legal advice that the relatives would have a strong case to sue for unlawful dismissal, the government has now relaxed the law and agreed to let those who where employed before January stay. Any wife, child or in-law employed since, however, will not be entitled to remain in full time employment. Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald, whose wife has worked in his Canberra office for 24 years, told the Courier Mail he had given the Prime Minister a serving over the decision. More... 'Take my brother first': Heartbreaking final words of 13-year-old flood victim who sacrificed himself to save his younger sibling - and his father's campaign to posthumously award him a Cross of Valour . PM off to France for D-Day 70th . 'I made my views known very forcefully to Mr Abbott. As I said to him, my wife has worked with me in Canberra for the last 24 years,’' he said. 'She’s going to continue to do that because I need her.' He is just one of 14 MPs in similar situations who have had a hand in decrying Prime Minister Abbott's edict. The new rules would have also forced West Australian Liberal MP Don Randall, who was caught up in the entitlements saga, to sack his daughter Tess and WA Labor Senator Glenn Sterle said he had no intention of sacking his wife, Fiona. Tony Abbott's daughter Frances received a scholarship to a prestigious school, leading many to think it was the result of a gesture from one friend to another . 'I won't be sacking any of my staff,'' he said. Even the politician responsible for policing the new rule, Special Minister of State Michael Ronaldson, previously employed his son Jack. Meanwhile, the decision to relax the law comes just a week after the PM came under fire for his daughter Frances Abbott's $60,000 scholarship at a prestigious arts school, awarded by a long-time friend of Mr Abbott. Ms Abbott, 22, accepted a 'chairman's scholarship' for her Bachelor of Design course from the Whitehouse Institute of Design, where Liberal supporter Les Taylor sits as chairman on the board of governors. Mr Abbott has known the Institute's chairman Mr Taylor for many years, the Prime Minister's office said, but a spokesperson for Mr Abbott said he did
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Tony Abbott declared MPs sack wives, in-laws and children . It was an attempt to clean-up tax-payer funded privileges for politicians . It sparked a backlash from MPs who had family employed for years . Decision has been ruled unlawful on legal advice . | cnn_dm | null |
By . James Chapman . PUBLISHED: . 17:41 EST, 18 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 17:49 EST, 18 April 2013 . Tony Blair could get a funeral on the scale of that of Margaret Thatcher, the minister in charge of planning her ceremonial send-off has suggested. Despite claims that Britain is unlikely to see another political funeral on the scale of Baroness Thatcher’s, Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said he would have no objection to a similar service when Mr Blair passes away. Whitehall sources dismissed claims that it had already been decided that future prime ministers would not be afforded ceremonial services of the type watched by tens of thousands in London on Wednesday. Honour: Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude said that he would have no objection to former Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, getting a funeral on the same scale as that of Margaret Thatcher, right . Fitting: Mrs Thatcher's ceremonial service, pictured, was watched by tens of thousands in London on Wednesday . Mr Maude, asked about plans for Mr Blair’s demise, and whether he envisaged a similar funeral to that of Lady Thatcher, told BBC Radio 5’s Pienaar’s Politics: ‘I don’t think it’s for me to say actually. I certainly wouldn’t object to that at all. ‘I think that’s very much to be decided between the government of the day and the family. I think the wishes of the family should be paramount and the wishes of the person themselves.’ A Whitehall source said there had been no detailed discussion about funeral services for any of the surviving former prime ministers - Mr Blair, Sir John Major and Gordon Brown. At only 70, John Major is now the oldest living former prime minister - the lowest age for the holder of that position at any time since World War Two. But the source added: ‘Francis Maude has made it clear he would not object to a similar scale of funeral for Tony Blair, who like Margaret Thatcher did win three general elections. No decision: A Whitehall source said there had been no detailed discussion about funeral services for any of the surviving former prime ministers - Mr Blair, Sir John Major and Gordon Brown. ‘Whether you like him or not, that is quite a big deal. Given the relative youth of our former prime ministers there has not been any detailed planning for this. 'Margaret Thatcher left very detailed instructions and most former prime ministers will have a clear idea of what they want.’ Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg defended the use of taxpayers’ money for Lady Thatcher’s funeral, dismissing the objections of some Labour MPs by pointing out plans had been agreed under the governments of Mr Blair and Mr Brown. Questioned: Mr Maude was asked about plans for Mr Blair's funeral on BBC Radio 5's Pienaar's Politics . ‘There’s nothing new about the government of the day supporting funeral costs for significant public figures and, of course, former prime ministers - that is actually quite an established convention and has happened before,’ he told
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Francis Maude said he would not object to a similar service for Tony Blair . Whitehall sources say there's been no detailed discussion on former PMs . John Major is now that oldest surviving PM at the age of 70 . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 05:37 EST, 2 May 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 08:08 EST, 2 May 2013 . Ex-MPs are demanding public money for them to tour the country at taxpayers’ expense despite being given the boot by voters years ago, MailOnline can reveal. Commons Speaker John Bercow has been approached about creating a fund worth thousands of pounds for failed and retired politicians. And the Association of Former Members of Parliament (AFMP) also wants a return to the famous green benches to hold a debate in the Commons chamber once a year. The former MPs want to hold a debate in the Commons chamber once a year to relive old glories . The call comes from the same group which last year announced it wanted to award ex-MPs with a gold-plated gong, which has now gone on sale for £199. Representatives of the group of around 500 former MPs have approached the House of Commons Commission, which Mr Bercow chairs, about securing public funds to pay for their work. They have been told to submit an application in the next bidding round this autumn. They want to base the group on the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, which receives a large chunk of its funding from a body founded with $7million of public money. But the extraordinary demand for former politicians to have state backing after leaving office has been condemned at a time when the government is imposing deep spending cuts on public services. Eric Moonman, Labour MP for nine years in the 1960s and 70s, said the money was needed to allow ex-politicians to travel the country and give talks at colleges and universities. But he admitted it could be ‘seen to be trivial given all the pressures that people have’ at a time of austerity. Ex-MPs can now buy a gold-plated medal for £199 from the AFMP, which comes 'in a beautifully crafted box bound in soft Italian green leather with a cushion/silk inlay' The AFMP has 500 members, including Tony Blair, Sir John Major and Boris Johnson. It was set up to help MPs ejected from the Commons at elections to cope with 'becoming suddenly unemployed' and the 'real blow' of losing touch with friends in Westminster. It runs an 'outreach programme' where former ministers and backbenchers give talks to students and voluntary groups. But Mr Moonman says public money is needed to pay for it. ‘I don’t think we are talking about . big money. One step would be to have specific levels to cover the . outreach programme to go into areas and pick up expenses,’ Mr Moonman . told MailOnline. ‘The second step having fully . justified out worth and value would be to have a conference or seminar, . something along the lines the Americans do. That could be low key and . low budget. ‘My target and ambition is what they have done in the US Congress and Canada.’ Former Labour MP Eric Moonman said time should be found for ex-politicians to
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Association of Former Members of Parliament wants taxpayer support . Calls for public money to pay for speaking tours to students and charities . Also demands a chance to debate in the Commons again . Ex-MPs offered a £199 gold-plated medal for contribution to British politics . | cnn_dm | null |
Tony Blair, pictured, said it was 'dangerous and wrong' to blame unemployment on immigration accusing Nigel Farage and Ukip of 'pandering to unpleasant prejudice' Tony Blair was accused of ‘mind-boggling arrogance’ last night after claiming mass immigration made no difference to the job prospects of unemployed Britons. The former prime minister launched a scathing attack on Nigel Farage and Ukip, saying politicians hostile to immigration were guilty of pandering to unpleasant prejudice. They were also guilty of deceiving the public by giving the impression that the arrival of migrants from Poland and other countries harmed their job prospects. The truth, he said, was that the ‘white, working-class, unemployed youth in alienated communities in Britain’ were held back by their own lack of education and skills. In what many critics see as further proof that Mr Blair is positioning himself for a bid to become president of the European Council, he told an audience of business chiefs in London that it was ‘dangerous and wrong’ to blame immigrants for unemployment among British workers. He said it was ‘a deception to tell people they’re better off shutting down in the face of [global change] or stigmatising those different in race, colour, religion or faith’. ‘The answer to the white, working-class, unemployed youth in alienated communities in Britain is not to tell them their problems would be solved if there were fewer Polish people working in the UK. It is to provide them with the education and the skills and the connectivity that gives them the ability to face the world’s challenges and overcome them. ‘Anything else is worse than a delusion – it actually holds them back by giving them a grievance rather than a chance. It is dangerous and wrong for leaders in British politics to think you are going to address the concerns of people worried about jobs, their future, how they get some hope and opportunity – to play into an idea that what’s holding them back is someone else coming in and taking their opportunity from them, because it isn’t true and it’s not helpful.’ He added: ‘If you look at what’s going to make this country great in the future it is to use the connections that Britain has – its language, its position in the world, its history. If we do that, we’re going to be highly successful as a country. We’re never going to do it by an attitude that says we don’t like foreigners. ‘You have got to distinguish between the justifiable concerns and the desire for order and what is, in the end, a prejudice that is neither very pleasant nor very fruitful.’ Mr Blair is widely seen as having thrown open the gates to mass immigration as prime minister. In the mid-1990s, net migration was consistently around 50,000 a year. But during the 2000s it regularly topped 200,000. Conservative MP Douglas Carswell accused Mr Blair of 'mind-boggling arrogance' claiming life looks very different from a 'gilded square' in central London compared with a small cottage in Essex . Douglas Carswell, the Tory MP for
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Tony Blair attacked Ukip claiming they were pandering to prejudice . The former PM said unemployed people needed new skills . He said young people were being held back by their own lack of education . Scroll down for video . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . PUBLISHED: . 23:43 EST, 11 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:00 EST, 12 June 2013 . Bill Clinton grinned with pride on Tuesday as he accepted an award for Father of the Year, presented by his beaming daughter Chelsea. The former president looked delighted as his 33-year-old daughter awarded him the statue and hugged him tightly at a New York luncheon to benefit charity Save The Children. And to top off the achievement, Clinton announced that he even had a text from wife Hillary, which read: 'Congratulations. I think you deserve this.' Scroll down for video . Thanks, dad: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is congratulated by his daughter Chelsea as he receives an award for Father of the Year on Tuesday . Here's to you: Former U.S. President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea grin she presents him with the Father of the Year award at the New York luncheon . Clinton told Parade magazine: 'In our family, that's a very big deal.' Chelsea, 33, lavished praise on her 66-year-old father, saying that he had 'set the bar high' for her husband Marc Mezvinsky whom she married in August 2010. The former President also gushed about his daughter, now a special correspondent for NBC, saying that she 'still makes me happier than anything else in the world'. Hillary Clinton did not attend the event at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York. Famous guests at the luncheon included Tony Bennett, Sherri Shepard, New Orleans Saints player Drew Brees and singers John Legend and Estelle. Close bond: Clinton said that his daughter 'made him happier than anything else in the world' Moved: Clinton listened as his daughter Chelsea said that he had set the bar high for her husband Marc . The National Father's Day Council cited Clinton's philanthropy work through the William J. Clinton Foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative, both started after he left the White House in 2001. Clinton, as well as Macy's Inc Chief Executive Terry Lundgren, was honored for 'their success in balancing accomplished careers and the demands of fatherhood,' the council said in a statement. Since the Father of the Year award . was first bestowed in 1941, the citation has gone to Presidents Dwight . Eisenhower, John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, Generals Douglas MacArthur, . Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf, and sports stars Shaquille O'Neal . and George Foreman. Years . after leaving the White House, as he prepared for his daughter's 2010 . wedding to investment banker Marc Mezvinsky, Bill Clinton said he was . preparing for what he called the most important job he would ever do: . 'Walking Chelsea down the aisle.' Glowing: The former president and first daughter joined famous faces including Tony Bennett, John Legend and Sherri Shepard at the charity benefit in the Grand Hyatt, New York . Success! Save The Children supporters including (left to right) Drew Brees, Jimmie Johnson, Marisol Thomas, Rob Thomas, Tony Bennett, Robin Thicke, Sherri Shepard, Global CEO of Samsung Electronics BK Yoon, Estelle, John Legend, Chelsea
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Former president received the long-running accolade at luncheon for Save The Children in New York . Bill Clinton said that his daughter Chelsea 'still makes me happier than anything else in the world' | cnn_dm | null |
He earns millions a year from his consultancy roles and charges fees of £250,000 for public speaking – but Tony Blair insists he is not motivated by money. And he dismissed reports he has amassed £100million since leaving office as ‘greatly exaggerated’. In a rare comment on his personal finances, Mr Blair suggested he was worth less than £20million, despite the family owning property worth at least £30million. Tony Blair today denied being worth £100million, insisting the true value was around a fifth of that figure . The former Prime Minister used a speech to the to the Progress centre-left think-tank in London to mark 20 years since he was elected Labour leader . Responding to a question about his . lucrative earnings, Mr Blair, who was marking the 20th anniversary of . becoming Labour leader, joked that his wife kept demanding to know where . his reported money is. And he insisted that he is still motivated by the same ‘values’ as he was when he became Labour leader in 1997. ‘Today . my work is global,’ he told an audience of admirers from the Blairite . group Progress. ‘But what gets me up in the morning is the same.’ He . added: ‘I haven’t changed, despite people wanting to say that I have . changed. The same thing that motivated me when I stood here as Labour 20 . years ago motivates me today – it’s not about making money, it’s about . making a difference.’ Mr Blair joked that his wife Cherie had been asking where his reported £100million wealth was hidden . Speaking . about reports of his fortune, Mr Blair added: ‘In respect to my new . life, first of all, I have to say that reports of my wealth are greatly . exaggerated. Just for the record, I read I’m supposed to be worth . £100million – Cherie’s kind of asking where it is. I’m not worth that, . half of that, a third of that, a quarter of that, a fifth of that … I . could go on.’ He said he . spends two-thirds of his time on his unpaid role as a Middle East ‘peace . envoy’ and his charitable foundations, which focus on Africa and faith . issues. ‘I also employ today over 200 people,’ he added. He . was cheered by an audience that included many old friends and former . Cabinet colleagues including Peter Mandelson, Tessa Jowell and Lord . Adonis. Lord Peter Mandelson and Dame Tessa Jowell arrive at the Philip Gould Memorial Lecture given by Tony Blair . Tony Blair's former comms chief Anji Hunter (left) and Emily Benn, 24, who is the granddaughter of Tony Benn has been selected to stand in next year's general election for Labour in Croydon South . Lord Andrew Adonis, who was Minister for Schools and Transport Secretary under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and Caroline Flint MP (right) Philip Gould 's daughters Grace and Georgia Gould (left) and Dame Tessa Jowell with Phillip Gould's widow Dame Gail Rebuck (right) Mr Blair
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Former Prime Minister brushes off criticism about making money . Insists claims about his wealth have been 'greatly exaggerated' Rejects reports of having £100million, true figure is less than a fifth of that . Calls for a stronger Europe to be less dependent on the United States . Warns Ed Miliband about allowing Labour to be ruled by social media . Speech in London to mark 20 years since Blair was elected Labour leader . | cnn_dm | null |
By . James Chapman, Political Editor . Three former UK ambassadors to the Middle East will tomorrow join calls for Tony Blair to be removed from his role as Middle East peace envoy. Signatories to an open letter, led by Mr Blair's former ambassador to Iran Sir Richard Dalton, describe his achievements in the region as ‘negligible’, criticise his money-making activities and accuse him of trying to ‘absolve himself’ of responsibility for the crisis in Iraq. Other former diplomats to sign the letter are Oliver Miles, Britain’s ambassador to Libya when diplomatic relations were severed after the killing of WPC Yvonne Fletcher, and Christopher Long, ambassador to Egypt between 1992 and 1995. Step down: Three former UK ambassadors to the Middle East will tomorrow join calls for Tony Blair to be removed as Middle East peace envoy . Tony Blair is under pressure to stand down as Middle East peace envoy over his continued support for military action in the region . Other signatories include former London mayor Ken Livingstone, former Conservative prisons minister Crispin Blunt, the human rights barrister Michael Mansfield QC and the former Liberal Democrat peer Lady Tonge, who resigned her party's whip in 2012 over anti-Israel remarks. The letter has been organised by the makers of Respect MP George Galloway's film The Killing of Tony Blair. It has been timed for this week’s seventh anniversary of Mr Blair’s appointment as envoy on the Middle East to the ‘quartet’ of the UN, the EU, Russia and the US. The letter is addressed to John Kerry, the US secretary of state; Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister; Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary general; and Cathy Ashton, the EU's self-styled ‘foreign minister’. It argues that Mr Blair’s 2003 invasion of Iraq is to blame for the rise of ‘fundamentalist terrorism in a land where none existed previously’ and he should be removed from his position. The letter says: ‘We, like many, are appalled by Iraq's descent into a sectarian conflict that threatens its very existence as a nation, as well as the security of its neighbours. We are also dismayed, however, at Tony Blair's recent attempts to absolve himself of any responsibility for the current crisis by isolating it from the legacy of the Iraq war.’ It alleges that Mr Blair ‘misled the British people’ by suggesting Saddam Hussein had links to al-Qaeda. ‘In the wake of recent events it is a cruel irony for the people of Iraq that perhaps the invasion's most enduring legacy has been the rise of fundamentalist terrorism in a land where none existed previously. We believe that Mr Blair, as a vociferous advocate of the invasion, must accept a degree of responsibility for its consequences,’ it adds. Criticising the former prime minister’s business interests, the letter alleges that his ‘conduct in his private pursuits also calls into question his suitability for the role’. Mr Blair has faced criticism for a lack of transparency in the way he organises his personal finances. The letter accuses him of ‘blurring the lines between his public position as envoy
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Three former UK ambassadors to Middle East sign open letter against Blair . Other signatories include Ken Livingstone and former minister Crispin Blunt . Letter organised by makers of George Galloway's 'The Killing of Tony Blair' | cnn_dm | null |
Tony Blair is to face calls in Parliament to open up his finances to public scrutiny after earning millions from foreign states. MPs are to demand an end to the earnings and business interests of former prime ministers remaining secret. It follows growing questions about Mr Blair's work for controversial foreign governments and businesses including Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan. MPs are to demand an end to the earnings and business interests of former prime ministers like Tony Blair remaining secret . Mr Blair has denied being motivated by money and has dismissed reports he has amassed £100million since leaving office as 'greatly exaggerated'. But because he is not an MP or a Lord his finances are not published or open to scrutiny. A parliamentary motion will be tabled tomorrow by Tory MP Andrew Bridgen who accused Mr Blair of bringing the country into 'disrepute'. In particular he argues it is wrong for a former British Prime Minister to be paid to advise another sovereign state. Mr Bridgen says ex-PMs should be bound for life by the seven principles of public life, known as the Nolan principles, which include accountability and openness. He told MailOnline: 'I am proposing a change of the rules governing the conduct and accountability of former Prime Ministers and brinigng them under the Nolan prociples of public life. 'If Tony Blair had 10 per cent of the integrity that he claimed to have when in offie he would be spearheading this campaign and I wouldn't have to do any of this. 'I believe he has bought the office of Prime Minister into disrepute and is bringing the constitution and our country into disrepute. 'He is the only former Prime Minister to work for another sovereign government. I don't think that anyone who has held the highest office in our country and knows our secrets should work for another country.' A parliamentary motion will be tabled tomorrow by Tory MP Andrew Bridgen who accused Mr Blair of bringing the country into 'disrepute' Mr Blair has faced criticism for agreeing a deal to advise the developers of a gas pipeline backed by the government of Azerbaijan, which has been accused of human rights abuses. His clients have also included the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. As a former Prime Minister, Mr Blair can claim up to £115,000 a year for his public duties. A spokesman for Mr Blair said: 'It's up to parliamentarians to decide what they want to discuss.' Mr Blair returned to Parliament last week to be grilled over his role in the controversial 'comfort letter's given to IRA suspects telling them they were not wanted in connections with the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Mr Blair, who is the UN’s Middle East peace envoy, gave evidence to MPs about the ‘on the runs’ programme after evading an appearance for more than nine months. During a heated two-hour session, Mr Blair was told the ‘unsavoury’ scheme, drawn up following pressure from Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, had left victims feeling ‘hurt and betrayed’. But the former PM said
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Parliamentary motion demanding ex-Prime Ministers come clean on cash . Tory MP Andrew Bridgen accuses Blair of bringing UK into disrepute . Argues it is wrong for ex-PMs to be paid to advise foreign countries . Follows questions about Blair's work in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan . Blair has previously rejected claims he is now worth £100million . | cnn_dm | null |
Criticised: Tony Blair, the former prime minister, at the Northern Ireland Select Committee, where he was accused of 'betraying' terrorism victims . Tony Blair was heavily criticised yesterday for ‘betraying’ terrorism victims after defending his secret deal to send letters granting amnesty to IRA fugitives. The former Prime Minister insisted the Northern Ireland peace process would probably have collapsed without the controversial scheme giving immunity from prosecution to republican terror suspects – the so-called ‘on the runs’. The scheme, set up by the Labour government in 1999, assured more than 200 paramilitary fighters that they were no longer being hunted by the police. Some 95 recipients of the so-called ‘comfort letters’ were linked to almost 300 murders. Under hostile questioning from the Commons Northern Ireland affairs committee, Mr Blair refused to apologise for setting up a process which victims said effectively handed the recipients ‘get out of jail free’ cards. But he did say sorry to the victims of the 1982 Hyde Park bombing, which killed four soldiers, because chief suspect John Downey was mistakenly given a ‘comfort letter’ in 2007 which led to the collapse of his Old Bailey murder trial in February last year. Last night, those who lost loved ones in IRA atrocities said they were ‘disgusted’ with Mr Blair. Shelley Gilfillan, from Castlederg, County Tyrone, whose uncle Lexie Cummings, 39, was gunned down in cold blood outside his shop by masked republican terrorists, said: ‘Blair won’t talk to the victims but he’ll happily sit down with Sinn Fein and the IRA and do deals. It’s more backstabbing. ‘We are the ones still grieving and they get a pat on the back.’ Mr Blair, who is the UN’s Middle East peace envoy, gave evidence to MPs about the ‘on the runs’ programme after evading an appearance for more than nine months. During a heated two-hour session, Mr Blair was told the ‘unsavoury’ scheme, drawn up following pressure from Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness, had left victims feeling ‘hurt and betrayed’. But the former PM said the letters were ‘absolutely critical’ to the peace process and an ‘essential component’ in getting Sinn Fein to accept an overhauled police service in Northern Ireland. He said talks were on a ‘knife-edge’ before the establishment of a power-sharing government in Stormont between the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein. ‘If I had been saying we are not dealing with this in any way at all… I think it is likely that the peace process would have collapsed,’ he said. ‘I wanted to put the death, destruction, terrorism and misery to an end. I couldn’t bring back those people who had died during the Troubles but I was trying to make sure there would not be further victims.’ 'I wanted to put the death, destruction, terrorism and misery to an end': Mr Blair refused to apologise for setting up a process which victims said effectively handed the recipients ‘get out of jail free’ cards . Peace process: Mr Blair, left, with Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, right, and chief negotiator Martin McGuinness
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Blair insists peace process would have collapsed without the scheme . It assured more than 200 paramilitary fighters they were free men . Relatives of IRA victims say they are 'disgusted' with the former PM . | cnn_dm | null |
Billions poured into foreign aid by Britain is doing harm, casting doubt on the PM's pledge to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid . The billions Britain pours into foreign aid are actually doing harm by making corruption worse in many parts of the world, a damning report reveals. It says projects funded by UK cash are increasing opportunities for bribery. In some areas, they are even pushing poor people ‘towards corrupt practices’. After we spent millions on a scheme to tackle police bribery in Nigeria, locals said they were even more likely to have to pay backhanders, the report found. It concluded that huge amounts of UK aid money is being wasted because we are either funding corrupt programmes directly or not doing enough to tackle the culture of bribery in many countries. The findings come just days after it emerged human rights abuses in Ethiopia – where security forces are accused of burning, torturing and raping citizens – had got worse during a four-year period when the UK gave the country more than £1billion. They will be hugely embarrassing for David Cameron, who has repeatedly been forced to defend his controversial commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on overseas aid despite fierce opposition from his backbenchers. The report was carried out by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact, the watchdog set up to scrutinise the Department for International Development. Giving DfiD a poor ‘amber-red’ rating, it criticised the fact that only £22million of its £10.3billion aid budget was targeted specifically at fighting corruption. The study found the department was not ‘up to the challenge’ of tackling corruption and, in many cases, help was not effectively targeted at the poor. In Nepal, it said the poor were being ‘pushed towards corrupt practices’ by having to pay bribes or forge documents to receive funding through a local governance project backed by British aid. Labour accused Justine Greening, the Secretary of State for International Development, of being ‘asleep at the wheel’. Graham Ward, chief commissioner at the ICAI, said: ‘We saw very little evidence that the work DfID is doing to combat corruption is successfully addressing the impact of corruption as experienced by the poor.’ The Coalition has massively increased Britain’s aid budget in recent years in a bid to plough 0.7 per cent of national income into overseas development. This happened despite savage cuts to public services at home and opposition from Tory backbenchers. The ICAI report found corruption blights the everyday lives of the very poorest and thwarts global efforts to lift countries out of poverty. It said while DfID claims to recognise the need to tackle corruption, it ‘has not delivered an approach equal to the challenge’. The study also found the department was often lax in tackling corruption as it was worried about offending local politicians. ‘DfID’s willingness to engage in programming that explicitly tackles corruption is often constrained by political sensitivity,’ it said. Labour accused Justine Greening, the Secretary of State for International Development, of being ‘asleep at the wheel’ ‘In Nigeria, petty
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Projects funded by billions of UK cash increase opportunities for bribery . Damning report concluded huge amounts of UK aid money is being wasted . In Nepal, the poor are being pushed 'towards corrupt practices', experts say . Work to stop police bribery in Nigeria left locals more prone to paying bribes . The PM has defended commitment to spend 0.7% of income on overseas aid . Report gave Department for International Development 'amber-red' rating . Labour said International Development minister was 'asleep at the wheel' Comes after it emerged human rights abuses in Ethiopia worsened during period of UK funding . | cnn_dm | null |
Prince Harry and the Duke of Cambridge have paid tribute to the charity set up in their mother's name and revealed that she would have been 'proud' of its achievements. The Diana Award, which aims to tackle bullying and social exclusion, was set up two years after the late princess' death in 1999. Now her sons have spoken out about their mother's charitable legacy, wishing the Diana Award a Happy 15th Birthday and praising its 'energy and passion'. Scroll down for video . Proud: The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry said their mother would have been 'proud' of the Diana Award . Writing in a joint foreword for a book celebrating the organisation's decade and a half, the two continued: . 'We believe, when encouraged and supported, that young people have the ability to change society for the better. 'We know that our mother - in whose memory this award was established - felt the same and would be proud of its achievements to date.' Along with working to tackle problems such as bullying and social exclusion, the Diana Award also runs training, mentoring and anti-bullying ambassador programmes. Its awards are presented to young people, including volunteers, carers and fund-raisers, who have a monumental impact on the lives of others. Much loved: William and Harry with their mother Diana, Princess of Wales on the Buckingham Palace balcony in 1986 . Close: Diana, seen here with an infant William in 1983, dedicated much of her time to children's charities . 'Having met young people working with the charity in Newcastle and in London, we were struck in both cases by their deep and lasting sense of social responsibility,' added the princes. 'These young people were working hard to tackle the social issues that affected them - such as bullying or social exclusion - and the Diana Award empowered them to do more.' Among those being handed Diana Awards at a reception at 11 Downing Street today were Ellie Louise Harris-Beard, 13, and Kyle Lewis, 18. Miss Harris-Beard, from Kidderminster, was handed the Diana Champion Fundraiser Award for helping to set up the charity Cords4Life to encourage umbilical cord donation. Her brother Charlie was treated using stem cells from an umbilical cord in 2011, although he tragically lost his fight against leukaemia last year. 'I was quite shocked,' said the schoolgirl of the moment she heard that she was to be given the award. 'I didn’t know what to say. It’s exciting.' Miss Harris-Beard, who has raised £25,000 for charity so far and was handed her award by JLS star, Oritse Williams, said she now plans to organise a fundraising ball. Close: The two princes remain close to each other and their father and support each other's work . All together: Most recently, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Charles turned out for Harry's Invictus Games . Encouraging others to take up fundraising, she advised people to 'just go and do it and do the best you can.' Her mother Fiona Harris-Beard said: 'Considering what we’ve been through, losing Charlie, I’m so proud
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | William and Harry have paid tribute to the charity set up in Diana's name . The Diana Award aims to tackle bullying and social issues among children . Princes said their mother would have been 'proud' of its achievements . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Phil Vinter . PUBLISHED: . 09:50 EST, 22 July 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 10:46 EST, 22 July 2012 . Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has admitted that at least some of the country's current economic woes are down to him. The ex-Labour leader said today his Government had not fully understood the impact economic integration could have on the British economy. But, in an apparent warning to current party leader Ed Miliband, who wants Britain’s banks dramatically reined in, he insisted that a 'vibrant' financial sector was important for the UK. Acceptance: Former Prime Minister Tony Blair admitted on Sky News, pictured, that some of the country's current economic woes are down to him . Speaking on Sky News he said: 'In respect of the economy, yes, of course, everybody who was in power in the period bears a certain responsibility.' He qualified the remark, however, arguing that the inter-depency of the world economy, which had developed over the last three decades, was also a major factor in causing the financial crisis. He added: 'You have got this deep integration of the global economy and where you have a lot of financial instruments that were created whose impact people didn’t properly understand.' Asked if that meant Labour did not fully understand it while he was in power, he replied: 'No, we didn’t.' He added: 'A vibrant financial sector is also a very important part of our future. 'Take the necessary steps, but realise that a thriving and healthy banking sector is a major part of the modern British economy and will also be so.' Praise: Tony Blair said he thought those who are leading the Labour Party are 'desperate to do their best for the country' - pictured here with current leader Ed Miliband . Mr Blair who has served as a Middle . East envoy for the 'Quartet' - made up of the United Nations, United . States, European Union and Russia - since leaving office, is keen to . return to domestic politics. He said: 'I feel I have got something to contribute to the debates that are going on in the country and I want to do that. 'We have got an extraordinary and uncertain and unpredictable situation today. I think we are living through an era of almost uniquely low predictability, economically and politically. 'We have got the eurozone crisis, which is one big issue. We have got what’s happening in the Middle East, which is another. You know, I have got things to say and if people want to listen, that’s great, and if they don’t, fine.' Mr Blair said when Labour lost power, it traditionally lost power for a long time. 'I think it is possible in these circumstances to re-write that traditional script,' he added. Tony Blair suggested Cherie had played a crucial role in helping to secure the London Olympics . 'I know those people who are leading the Labour Party at the moment are desperate to do their best for the country.' Responding to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | PM said his Government did not fully understand the impact of economic integration . Warned that 'vibrant' economic sector was important for UK . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Jason Groves . PUBLISHED: . 20:30 EST, 12 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 04:15 EST, 13 November 2013 . Expensive: The former prime minister was paid $250,000 (£157,000) for an hour in Dubai . Tony Blair took his earning power to astonishing new heights yesterday when he pocketed £150,000 for just an hour’s work. The former Prime Minister, who is said to have amassed a £50 million fortune since leaving office, was paid the staggering sum for conducting two 30-minute events in Dubai. His fee for talking about global affairs in the fabulously wealthy Gulf state worked out at £2,602 per minute. His work as a Middle East ‘peace envoy’ is unpaid but his latest trip to the region was as guest of honour of Arabian Business magazine, which is presided over by its chairman, journalist and BBC broadcaster Andrew Neil. Mr Blair, who was accompanied by his wife Cherie, gave a 30-minute speech on Monday on global and economic affairs to 600 of the Gulf region’s key business leaders at the newly-opened JW Marriott Marquis hotel in Dubai, the world’s tallest hotel. His appearance was arranged to mark the magazine’s business achievement awards. That was followed yesterday by another 30-minute engagement on stage with Mr Neil at the annual Arabian Business forum, also in the JW Marriott. A source said he was being paid a $250,000 fee - equal to £156,124. In addition, a source said his team of eight was being put up in the finest Dubai hotels and entertained with no expense spared by their Middle Eastern hosts. Mr Blair was offered accommodation in the £7,140-a-night penthouse suite of the JW Marriott but demanded to be moved, according to sources. The hotel has already won accolades as a feat of engineering while its restaurants and bars have garnered regional awards. The penthouse suite features two bedrooms and a dedicated butler to cater to any whim but the offer was not taken up. No expenses spared: The Blairs are said to have been offered accommodation at a £7,000-a-night hotel . Luxury: A source said the entourage of eight have been put up in luxury Dubai hotels including JW Marriott . A source said: ‘He felt it was too . accessible to the public, who could get to it using the common area . lifts. He wanted something away from any public access for security . reasons.’ He is now staying at another luxury hotel nearby. A spokesman for Mr Blair last night refused to comment on his fee and denied he had asked to be moved for security reasons. Host: The event is run by political broadcaster Andrew Neil who presents BBC's Daily Politics . The spokesman said: ‘He does not have an “eight-strong entourage” - he is travelling with his wife and one member of staff and his usual security team. ‘Where he is staying has nothing to do with security - he’s not at the Marriott because he’s staying with Mrs Blair, who is doing an event for her foundation in a different hotel.
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Peace envoy work is unpaid but this was for an Arabian Business magazine . Source claims team of eight put up in finest Dubai hotels and entertained . Mr Blair 'offered room in £7,000-a-night JW Marriott but asked to be moved' | cnn_dm | null |
By . Becky Barrow and James Salmon . PUBLISHED: . 10:22 EST, 9 April 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 18:19 EST, 9 April 2013 . Forfeit: Sir James Crosby today offered to give up 30 per cent of his £700,000-a-year pension . The disgraced boss who was the 'architect' of the collapse of Halifax owner HBOS yesterday became the first man to forfeit his knighthood for more than 60 years. In a sensational admission of guilt, Sir James Crosby said he was 'deeply sorry' for the disaster that unfolded at the banking giant after he left in 2006. It comes after a damning report by the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards last week singled him out as 'the architect of the strategy that set the course for disaster' and savaged his 'reckless incompetence' as chief executive. The 57-year-old has also offered to forfeit 30 per cent of his gold-plated pension of £580,000 a year every year until he dies. This is equal to around £175,000, which he hopes will be given to a charity or the shareholders of Lloyds – which controversially rescued HBOS in 2009 – whose nest eggs have been decimated. In a final humiliation he was last night forced to quit his £125,000-a-year job as a senior independent director of the catering giant Compass, having already lost two other major roles in the wake of the scandal. Sir James, whose knighthood was awarded under Tony Blair in 2006 for 'services to the finance industry', said he believed 'it is right that I should now ask the appropriate authorities to take the necessary steps for its removal'. Last night, there were calls for other bankers to follow his lead by either forfeiting their knighthoods or sacrificing a part of their pensions built up during their reckless leaderships. John Mann, the Labour MP who sits on the Treasury Select Committee, said the move is 'highly appropriate', adding: 'This sets the benchmark for others. 'At last, we have a banker who is prepared to say he got it wrong and wishes to make amends. 'I hope now that this is not an isolated stance and others will follow his example and give up some of the grandeurs of power and pension benefits that they have gained on the back of poor leadership of the banks.' Sir James was among three HBOS chiefs who were savaged over their 'catastrophic failures of management' by the Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards. 'Chastening': Sir James, pictured giving evidence to the Treasury Select . Committee admitted that the Parliamentary Commission report made . for 'very chastening reading' Country pile: Sir James Crosby's large home near Harrogate. He has . offered to surrender 30 per cent of his £580,000-a-year pension pot . He was singled out as one of the . leaders who steered the bank to the brink of collapse – saddling . taxpayers with a £28billion bill to bail it out. The report said the former bosses' 'high-risk' strategy, 'reckless lending' and 'deluded' leadership all . contributed to the disaster – yet all three have
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Sir James Crosby has a pension pot worth an estimated £25million or £580,000-a-year . He said he was 'deeply sorry' for what happened at HBOS . Bank needed a £20.5billion taxpayer-funded bailout in 2008 . | cnn_dm | null |
Cherie Blair was accused of ‘irresponsible scaremongering’ today after claiming legal aid cuts would make it easier for the state to take children into care. The barrister wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair attacked the coalition’s plans to remove £220 million from the legal aid budget by 2018-19. She claimed parents would be in ‘trouble’ defending themselves against state moves to remove children, but the claims were angrily dismissed by the Ministry of Justice. Barristers and solicitors listen to speeches during a demonstration outside Parliament . An effigy of Justice Secretary Chris Grayling was carried through the streets around Parliament in protest at his cuts to legal aid . The government is pressing ahead with plans to cut £220 million from the legal aid budget by 2018-19 . Hundreds of lawyers today marched on Westminster in protest the cuts as thousands of barristers stage a second walkout at courts in England and Wales. Barristers have chosen not to attend proceedings at major crown courts in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool, among others. Justice Secretary Chris Grayling is pressing ahead with fee cutting fees for well-paid barristers and solicitors to save millions. Scaremongering: Cherie Blair claimed parents would find it harder to stop their children being taken into care as a result of the cuts . But Mrs Blair, a QC, warned it was triggering a ‘real crisis’. She told Sky News: ‘Our criminal system doesn’t work unless each side is properly represented. ‘And the legal aid cuts, which could be as much as 30 per cent at the moment, mean it’s going to be more and more difficult for people where the state is taking you to court, whether it’s about a criminal offence or perhaps the state its taking your child into care, if you don’t get proper representation then you’re going to be in trouble defending yourself.’ However, the government hit back, insisting legal aid would still be available to cases involving children. A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: ‘Our reforms present no change to the current system where anyone charged with a crime, or subject to criminal investigation, is provided with a qualified lawyer through legal aid. ‘We are only proposing average 6 per cent or 2 per cent changes to most barristers’ fees. After our reforms we will still be spending around £1.5 billion a year, meaning it will still be one of the most generous legal aid systems in the world. ‘As for claiming children will be taken into care without a lawyer being involved, that is just irresponsible scaremongering. ‘We have specifically ensured legal aid is, and will remain, available for these types of cases.’ Outside Parliament, banners were raised reading ‘Access to Justice RIP’ and ‘Save Legal Aid’. Janis Sharp, whose son Gary McKinnon narrowly avoided extradition to the United States, Blur drummer-turned-solicitor Dave Rowntree and Paddy Hill, one of the Birmingham Six, were among those speaking at a rally opposite the Houses of Parliament. At the Old Bailey, only five out of 18 of the criminal courts were sitting today .
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Barrister wife of Tony Blair backs walkout by barristers over cuts . Claims parents will be 'in trouble' if defending themselves in cases . BBC actress Maxine Peake from Silk in front line of march against savings . But Ministry of Justice hits back against 'irresponsible scaremongering' | cnn_dm | null |
Anger: Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, pictured in an expensive Savile Row suit yesterday, has sparked outrage by claiming foreign aid will help prevent flooding in the UK . A cabinet minister sparked fury last night after claiming that giving billions of pounds to the Third World would help prevent flooding in Britain. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles rejected demands from Tory MPs that the overseas aid budget be raided to help stricken areas of the West Country, claiming that the money would help curb global warming. His claims prompted anger among residents whose homes are under water and from Conservatives, who branded the claims ‘nonsense’. Sharon Saunders, 45, a barmaid from Bridgwater, Somerset, which is at risk of being overwhelmed by flood water, said: ‘Eric Pickles has lost the plot. Charity begins at home and we need to sort this place out before we doing anything else. ‘He needs to come down here for himself and see what it’s like before diverting money anywhere else.’ Helen Marsell, 47, a retail worker from Bridgwater, said: ‘The Government is very quick to jump on the bandwagon for aid donations when something bad happens in another country, but when a disaster strikes here their attitude is, “Oh, it’s only our country, we don’t need to worry about it”.’ Tory MP Philip Davies said: ‘I’m not convinced these floods are caused by global warming. But even if they were, the biggest contributors to global warming are China and America and we don’t give them aid money. It’s just utter nonsense.’ No escape from the tide: The Kirby family, pictured inside their flooded home in Moorland, have been forced to evacuate. Pictured are Mark Kirby, his wife Kate and their children, Dom, 16, Georgine, 14, and Theo, 10 . Awash: Kate Kirby wades through waist deep flood water outside her home in Moorland, Somerset, as she saves a few possessions from the rising water . The Mail revealed on Saturday that Tory MPs are demanding cash from Britain’s £11billion-a-year aid budget is diverted to help people stricken by the floods. But Mr Pickles rejected that plan as a ‘populist hit’ and added: ‘If it is truly global warming, then aid we’re offering in other parts of the world could well have an effect in terms of the things that happen in this country.’ Britain has already pledged nearly £2.9billion of taxpayers’ money – or around £100 per household – to a climate aid fund for developing countries over four years. Mr Pickles yesterday offered an ‘unreserved apology’ for the failure to dredge the Somerset Levels and signalled that Environment Agency chairman Lord Smith should resign over the ‘mistake’. View: Communities Secretary Eric Pickles (arriving at the BBC studios for The Andrew Marr Show with his wife Irene) said foreign aid spending could ease global warming-linked extreme weather in Britain . Comments: Asked what he made of remarks to deploy foreign aid to help with the floods, Mr Pickles told Murnaghan on Sky News: 'Well, I think it's an easy hit, it's a kind of a populist hit' He
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Tory MPs have called for foreign aid budget to be raided to help stricken areas of the West Country . But Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has rejected the demands . He claimed foreign aid money will help to curb global warming . Residents whose homes are underwater branded his claims 'nonsense' | cnn_dm | null |
Earning a fortune: Ex-PM Tony Blair is costing taxpayers more than £400,000 a year in pensions, public duties allowances and security costs . Tony Blair is costing taxpayers more than £400,000 a year despite building up a £30million fortune since leaving Downing Street. Figures have revealed that multi-millionaire Mr Blair is drawing the maximum Prime Ministerial pension – worth about £70,000 a year. The gold-plated pension comes on top of the £115,000 allowance that Mr Blair received last year to support his ‘public duties’. Then there is his security team, which is estimated to cost at least £250,000 a year. The revelation will anger taxpayers at a time of unprecedented public spending cuts and double-dip recession. The 59-year-old has built up a fortune estimated at more than £30million since leaving Downing Street in 2007. It was recently reported he earned a total of £20million last year from government advisory work, speeches and consultancy. On top of this, his company, Tony Blair Associates, is also generating several million pounds’ revenue. But now it has emerged that Mr Blair is also claiming the maximum pension which can be claimed by former Prime Ministers. In response to a Freedom of Information request, the Treasury confirmed that under the Parliamentary and Other Pensions Act 1972 former premiers are entitled to a pension ‘based on one half of salary at the time of leaving office’. This payment is regardless of length of service and former Prime Ministers do not have to make any contributions. A spokesman said: ‘We can confirm Tony Blair is being paid the pension he is entitled to under this legislation and that the pension was calculated on the salary that was due to a Prime Minister at the time Mr Blair left office.’ Pricey protection: Mr Blair is surrounded by his security team, which costs at least £250,000 a year . The Prime Ministerial element of Mr . Blair’s pay was £128,000 when he resigned – meaning he will have been . due to receive £64,000 a year. But increases to account for inflation over the past five years are likely to have taken that figure to about £75,000. Buying an equivalent pension in the private sector would cost well over £2million. Both of Mr Blair’s successors, Gordon Brown and David Cameron, have forgone the traditional ex-PM’s perk because it was too generous. Mr Brown announced he was giving up the pension when he entered Number 10, and reduced his overall salary from £197,000 to £150,000. Mr Cameron followed suit and now earns £142,500 after all Coalition ministers agreed to a 5 per cent pay cut in recognition of the UK’s financial straits. Differing perspectives: Both of Mr Blair's successors, Gordon Brown (right) and David Cameron (left) have forgone the traditional ex-PM pension because it was too generous . Every living ex-Prime Minister is also entitled to an allowance of more than £100,000 for ‘public duties’, such as attending public events. Last year, Mr Blair is believed to have claimed the maximum £115,000. In addition, the taxpayer also funds the former Prime Minister’s
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Mr Blair draws maximum PM pension of £70k a year . Plus £115k for 'public duties' and £250k for security . Comes at time of unprecedented public spending cuts . 59-year-old has built an estimated fortune of £30m . Gordon Brown and David Cameron have ditched perks . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Tamara Cohen . PUBLISHED: . 18:20 EST, 8 August 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:53 EST, 9 August 2013 . Debate: UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom has reignited the issue of Britain's foreign aid contributions with his infamous 'Bongo Bongo land' comments . David Cameron yesterday weighed into the row over an MEP’s ‘Bongo Bongo land’ comments by describing them as ‘offensive’ and ‘wrong’. Despite Godfrey Bloom being rebuked for his outburst by UKIP party bosses, he again refused to apologise for the remarks. The Prime Minister criticised Mr Bloom by describing Britain as a ‘very open, international country’. ‘I think it’s an offensive remark anyway, but I think that where he’s wrong is this sort of “stop the world I want to get off” approach – it just doesn’t work,’ he told the BBC’s Breakfast programme. ‘The problems elsewhere come and visit us so it makes sense to have an overseas aid programme that helps solve those problems at source.’ As the Prime Minister defended Britain’s international aid programme, one minister claimed that other members of the Government had been banned from commenting publicly on the issue. ‘We were told unequivocally not to criticise or get drawn into it’, the minister said. ‘We were told to just say it’s UKIP’s problem because we know when you strip away the “bongo bongo” comment, the public agree with him. ‘Our policy on international aid is unsaleable.’ Mr Bloom told supporters in the Midlands in July that foreign leaders who received aid spent the money on ‘Ray-Ban sunglasses, apartments in Paris, Ferraris and all the rest of it’. The 63-year-old MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber is recorded saying: ‘How we can possibly be giving a billion pounds a month when we’re in this sort of debt to Bongo Bongo land is completely beyond me.’ Condemnation: The Prime Minster said Mr Bloom's comments were offensive and wrong . Yesterday, Mr Cameron said there was a ‘totally legitimate debate to be had about whether it’s right to keep our promises on overseas aid’. He said Britain had promised ‘the poorest people in the world’ donations worth 0.7 per cent of GDP by 2015 ‘to eradicate appalling diseases’. As well as the moral case, he said ‘there’s actually a national self-interest that if we invest in these countries, for instance Somalia, we can stop the mass migration of more and more people turning up at our shores’. Mr Bloom, appearing on ITV yesterday, said his comments were ‘not racist at all’ and bizarrely claimed that the word bongo meant a ‘white antelope that lives in the forest’. He said: ‘Bongo land is the land of the antelope.’ Bongo is a type of antelope found in central Africa, but it is in fact a red-brown colour. Mr Bloom found support last night from Tory backbencher Philip Davies. ‘I wouldn’t have used those words but in terms of the substance of what he said, I don’t doubt the majority of the public would agree with him and I certainly do,’ he said. ‘Godfrey Bloom says he
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Cameron describes Britain as a 'very open, international country' Says Bloom's 'stop the world I want to get off approach just doesn't work' Claims aid helps stop overseas problems arriving in Britain . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Tom Mctague, Mail Online Deputy Political Editor . Passport staff were left incredulous today after it emerged the civil service boss who has overseen this year's unprecedented holiday chaos has been nominated as a 'leader of the year' at a respected awards ceremony. Paul Pugh, who admitted to MPs that he considered resigning over the 500,000 backlog of passport applications which he has allowed to build up ahead of the summer getaway, is up for the award in tonight's influential 'Investors in People' awards. The revelation comes just days after the £104,000 a year boss was slammed by MPs for losing control of the passport application backlog - threatening to ruin up to 55,000 family holidays. Passport Office chief Paul Pugh, who earns £104,000 a year, told MPs that up to 55,000 people will not get their travel documents in time . Mr Pugh, who is not expected to attend the lavish ceremony at the five star Landmark Hotel in central London tonight, last week admitted to MPs that he had considered resigning over the chaos at the Passport Office. It came after he admitted to MPs on the Home Affairs Select Committee that the backlog of passport applications had almost doubled in just three months this year. Mr Pugh admitted 480,000 people were waiting for their travel documents - some 200,000 higher than at the same time last year. The Passport Office boss blamed a 'substantially higher intake' of applications for the backlog amid hostile questioning from MPs. But unions told MPs the figure was even higher. By June 8 the number of people waiting for their passport had hit 493,289, union chief Mike Jones told the Home Affairs Select Committee. Just 12 weeks earlier, the figure stood at 289,892. Mr Pugh apologised to families who suffered delays in their passport applications. He said: 'I absolutely recognise the anger and distress that some people have suffered and I would like to put on record that yes, in every case where we haven't met our service standards, where we haven't been able to meet the customer's needs, yes, certainly, we are sorry for that.' PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka, whose union represents Passport Office staff, slammed the decision to nominate Mr Pugh for a 'leadership' gong. He said: 'This isn't just unfortunate timing, it's an insult to his staff who have been working all hours to clear backlogs caused by cuts and to the public who have been left stranded without a passport.' Amid mounting fury over the passport delays the Government was forced to take urgent action to deal with the crisis. Scroll down for video . Pictures leaked to MailOnline, showing hundreds of boxes of applications piled on the floor of a Passport Office in Liverpool, piled pressure on the Government to introduce emergency measures to tackle the backlog . The images showed boxes of applications piled in a spare room set aside for interviews. Officials at the Liverpool clearing house where the image was taken said the situation was 'a million times worse' in Durham . Those
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Paul Pugh is up for award at tonight's 'Investors in People' ceremony . Passport Office chief was slammed by MPs last week over holiday chaos . He has overseen doubling of application backlog this year . More than 50,000 will not get their passports in time, he told MPs last week . Pugh, who earns £104,000 a year, considered resigning over the crisis . | cnn_dm | null |
(CNN) -- South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu said Sunday that Tony Blair and George W. Bush should be "made to answer" at the International Criminal Court for their actions around the Iraq war. Writing in an op-ed published by The Observer newspaper, the Nobel laureate accused the former leaders of the United Kingdom and the United States of fabricating a motive to invade Iraq, namely that it possessed weapons of mass destruction, and said that they had acted like "playground bullies." "The immorality of the United States and Great Britain's decision to invade Iraq in 2003, premised on the lie that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, has destabilised and polarised the world to a greater extent than any other conflict in history," wrote Tutu. "In a consistent world, those responsible for this suffering and loss of life should be treading the same path as some of their African and Asian peers who have been made to answer for their actions in the Hague." Read Desmond Tutu's full op-ed piece . Tutu detailed some of the costs of the war. More than 110,000 Iraqis have died in the conflict, while millions have been displaced, he said. Close to 4,500 U.S. soldiers have been killed and more than 32,000 wounded, Tutu added. "But even greater costs have been exacted beyond the killing fields, in the hardened hearts and minds of members of the human family across the world," he wrote. "If it is acceptable for leaders to take drastic action on the basis of a lie, without an acknowledgement or an apology when they are found out, what should we teach our children?" Last week, Tutu pulled out of a conference in Johannesburg to protest Blair's attendance. Read more about Tutu's withdrawal from conference . The former prime minister responded to the editorial in a statement on his website. "I have a great respect for Archbishop Tutu's fight against apartheid -- where we were on the same side of the argument -- but to repeat the old canard that we lied about the intelligence is completely wrong as every single independent analysis of the evidence has shown," said Blair. He said Iraq has a stronger economy now and a lower child mortality rate, but added: "Surely in a healthy democracy people can agree to disagree." Groups have called for a citizen's arrest of Blair since he left office, with one website going as far as offering a reward to people who attempt to detain him. In 2010, protesters called for Blair to face war crimes charges as he gave evidence to the Iraq inquiry in London. Blair has said concern over Iraq's ambitions to develop weapons of mass destruction had been the main factor behind Britain's decision to back the war. No significant caches of chemical or biological weapons have been found in Iraq since the invasion. Tutu, a champion for human rights, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984, and later chaired South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine apartheid-era crimes. Iraq announces 21 people executed in one day .
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | The Nobel laureate publishes a scathing editorial in The Observer newspaper . He accuses Tony Blair and George W. Bush of fabricating a motive to invade Iraq . Blair responds, saying they never lied about the intelligence . Tutu pulled out of a conference in Johannesburg to protest Blair's attendance last week . | cnn_dm | null |
This is the moment the Czech version of the Oscars was duped into inviting a fake Jim Carrey on stage during its televised awards ceremony. A man pretending to be the Dumb and Dumber actor was allowed on stage where he was greeted with applause from the audience - with some clearly realising it was not actually the Hollywood funnyman. Organisers had put on VIP red carpet treatment for the conman who was showered in golden confetti during his appearance at the glamorous event in the capital, Prague. A man pretending to be the Dumb and Dumber actor was allowed on stage (pictured) where he was greeted with applause from the audience . Officials at the Czech Lion Awards (Cesky lev) had been contacted by people claiming to represent Jim Carrey, claiming the actor was in the area and wanted to attend. The Czech Lions are the equivalent to the Academy Awards in the Czech Republic, and the callers are said to have told organisers that it would be an honour for the Truman Show star to attend. They were asked not to make the invitation public until his appearance because of security concerns. Organisers were bombarded with messages from fans pointing out that the Jim Carrey on the stage was a fake - and they finally accepted a mistake had been made. Organisers had put on VIP red carpet treatment for the conman (left on stage). Some members of the audiecen clearly realised it was not actually the Hollywood funnyman . Officials at the Czech Lion Awards had been contacted by people claiming to represent Jim Carrey (pictured), claiming the actor was in the area and wanted to attend . But the embarrassing appearance had already been broadcast live across the country on Czech television. Film director Jan Sverak, who supervised the ceremony, said: 'We have become very likely the target of a very elaborate hoax. I'm so sorry.' Both he and the organisers had earlier insisted that it was the real Jim Carrey who appeared. Even the award host Lucie Vyborna had insisted he was real, telling Czech newspaper Blesk shortly after the ceremony. She said: 'Of course the real Jim Carrey was on the stage. I knew that he would come but I did not know what he would do there. The impersonator was showered in golden confetti during his appearance at the glamorous event in the capital, Prague . Jim Carrey (left as Lloyd Christmas) starred alongside Jeff Daniels (right as Harry Dunne) in Dumb and Dumber . 'He appeared for a very short time and people did not have chance to recognise him. I have heard people suggesting it was a lookalike but I can say no, it was really him.' But after then admitting they were wrong Jan Sverak added: 'I am very sorry, I apologise. It was not my intention, but I must salute someone's perfect game in managing to con us.' The fake Carrey, who is still unidentified, came with a translator and his own security, and went through the ceremony preparations just like
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Fake Jim Carrey was allowed on stage at the ceremony in capital, Prague . Man pretending to be Dumb and Dumber actor was showered in confetti . People claiming to represent him reportedly called organisers beforehand . Some members of the audience clearly realise the man is not Jim Carrey . But organisers continued to insist that the Hollywood actor had appeared . They eventually conceded that they had been duped by an impersonator . | cnn_dm | null |
Louisville, Kentucky (CNN) -- Appearing very frail, boxing legend Muhammad Ali made a rare public appearance Thursday at an event in his hometown to pay homage to others for their humanitarian work. Former President Jimmy Carter, music artists and young leaders of groups helping the underprivileged were among those honored at the inaugural Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards in Louisville. Even though he was barely able to whisper a word, Ali posed for pictures and participated in presenting the awards. "This is really about his legacy and extending that legacy to others and inspiring them and encouraging them to do the kinds of work that now he cannot always do himself," Ali's wife, Lonnie Ali, said at the gala. While Parkinson's disease has robbed the three-time world heavyweight champion of many of the traits he once treasured in the ring -- the speed, wit and charisma that made him one of the most famous sports figures in recent history -- he has never retreated from public life. 'His head is still there' "People always feed bad when they see my dad, and I feel bad because he has Parkinson's disease and it's hard for him to get around, but he is happy," said his daughter Laila Ali, who retired undefeated as a super middle weight champion. "His head is still there, and all we can do is keep loving him and supporting him even though it's never easy to watch." Recipients of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards included 22-year-old Tanvi Girotra of India, who leads a global youth organization that seeks to combat sex trafficking and empower women. Walking along the red carpet to greet Ali, 71, was 15-year-old Nick Lowinger of Rhode Island, who began outreach work with homeless people at the age of 5. Lowinger was recognized for his foundation, which provided shoes to more than 10,000 homeless and disadvantaged children in 21 states. "Nobody had to asked them to do it, they recognized the need and they jumped to action just to recognize that somebody needed something," said Lonnie Ali. Carter, who turned 89 on Tuesday, was singled out for a lifetime achievement award. The 39th U.S. president was unable to attend, so his son James "Chip" Carter accepted the award. Pop stars recognized . Pop singer Christina Aguilera received the humanitarian of the year award for her work on global hunger relief, while her fellow recording artist Michael Bolton was honored for his work promoting gender equality. The awards were established in conjunction with Ali's core principles of conviction, dedication and giving, which are illustrated at the Muhammad Ali Center, a museum that also chronicles his epic boxing matches, the struggle for racial equality and his conscientious objection to the Vietnam War that eventually cost him his titles and millions of dollars in endorsements. Over the past four decades, Ali has visited more than 100 countries, providing humanitarian assistance and at times mediating in international disputes, notably in situations where U.S. citizens were held captive in Iran and Iraq. "He has a body of work he has done traveling
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Jimmy Carter and Christina Aguilera are among those recognized . Ali appears at the event in his hometown along with his wife and daughter . It was the inaugural Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards . "This is really about his legacy and extending that legacy to others," Ali's wife says . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Jack Doyle . Tony Blair is a narcissist with a messiah complex who is passionate about making money and lives a ‘strange life’ among the super-rich, according to a former close friend. Best-selling author Robert Harris, once a confidant of the former prime minister, said Mr Blair now cuts a ‘tragic figure’. In a savage attack, Mr Harris said Mr Blair was ‘quite disconnected from reality’ and hinted that his time in office had made him ‘mad’. He also claimed that Mr Blair, 61, had delivered a ‘slap in the face’ to the British people by walking away from Parliament. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair intervened in the growing debate over Europe this week, with a speech to the CBI business conference attacking UKIP for blaming foreigners for Britain's problems . Robert Harris (left) with the then Labour Party leader Tony Blair pictured together in 1997. Alastair Campbell, Mr Blair's then spin chief, can be seen in the background . Robert Harris fell out with Tony Blair after the former Prime Minister sacked Peter Mandelson for the second time in 2001. The novelist had been a close confident of the Labour leader and was even with him on the night of Mr Blair's 1997 landslide election victory. But he was furious with the way Mr Blair had treated his close friend Lord Mandelson - the godfather to one of Mr Harris's children. Mr Blair sacked Lord Mandelson - then Northern Ireland Secretary - in 2001 over the Hinduja affair in which he was accused of using his position to influence a passport application. Mandelson insisted he had done nothing wrong and was later exonerated. The former premier would never be forgiven for leaving British politics to go and ‘hang out with a lot of rich people in America’, the writer added. The two men met in the early 1990s and Mr Harris became a close friend of the Blair family, remaining a supporter of the rising Labour star as he became party leader in 1994 and then Prime Minister. He was by Mr Blair’s side when the 1997 election results came in. But the pair fell out over Mr Blair’s sacking of Peter Mandelson, who is godfather to one of Mr Harris’s children. A former political journalist, he wrote a novel, The Ghost, clearly based on Mr Blair – in which a fictional ex-premier faces being hauled to court for alleged war crimes. Mr Harris described the book as being somewhere ‘between reality and fiction’. But his latest comments, in an interview with Total Politics, are the most devastating character assassination of the New Labour leader by a former member of his inner circle. He said: ‘I find with Tony Blair it’s impossible to see the man he is now in the man that I knew. I met him first in 1992 I think. ‘Who knew that he would become a great friend of George Bush and would want to keep bombing people and would be so passionately interested in making money and live this strange life with the billionaire
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Novelist accuses former PM of abandoned Labour and Parliament for money . Says Blair believed he had 'outgrown' Britain after stepping down as PM . Claims the former Labour leader of leading a 'tragic' life obsessed by rich . Harris is author of The Ghost - a novel about a PM accused of war crimes . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Matt Chorley and Jason Groves . PUBLISHED: . 17:52 EST, 21 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 05:29 EST, 23 October 2012 . Split: Andrew Mitchell resigned last week after a month of controversy . The Prime Minister was forced to defend his handling of the Andrew Mitchell affair yesterday, insisting the former Chief Whip’s rant at Downing Street police was not serious enough to cost him his job. The Prime Minister said Mr Mitchell finally resigned because of the ‘bigger question’ of whether he would be able to do his job properly, having had his authority over MPs undermined. Mr Cameron – widely criticised for allowing the issue to drag on for a month – appeared irritated as he was questioned over his refusal to sack the minister in a series of TV interviews yesterday. Mr Mitchell has denied police claims he called officers ‘plebs’ and ‘morons’ after they asked him to use a side entrance to Number Ten, rather than opening the main gate for him and his bicycle. But he admitted swearing during the altercation and finally quit on Friday night after senior colleagues told him and the Prime Minister he could not continue. Mr Cameron, speaking on ITV’s The Agenda programme last night, said: ‘The decision I had to make right at the beginning was: Was it right for him to apologise and did the police accept that apology and therefore could he get on and do his job? I took that decision. Some people would criticise that and say, “Why not just sack him straight away?” I don’t think that would have been the right thing to do. But obviously we found after a period of time he couldn’t do his job so he had to resign.’ He added: ‘I think as PM you’ve got to ... if someone has apologised you need to give them a chance to do their job. I tried, whether it was Liam Fox’s resignation, I tried ... rather than just do the easy thing quick at the lobby meeting at 11 o’clock meeting and have the person out the door which Tony Blair sometimes did.’ ‘It's the easiest thing in the world as Prime Minister to just sack someone at the drop of a hat when something goes wrong. I thought the right thing to do was to make sure there was a proper apology,’ he said. ‘The police didn't want to take it further but it did become apparent he wasn't going to be able to do his job so the right conclusion was reached. ‘It takes longer to discover whether someone can or can't do their job. It's much easier just to fire people, I actually think that is not the right approach.’ Yesterday Education Secretary Michael Gove revealed Mr Cameron did not believe Mr Mitchell should have lost his job because of ‘seven seconds of madness’ in Downing Street. The revelation raised fresh questions about Mr Cameron’s judgment among Tory MPs – who are still reeling from Mr Mitchell’s dramatic resignation after four weeks of
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | The Prime Minister says it would have been 'easy' to sack his minister but the 'proper thing to do' was get him to say sorry . Education Secretary Michael Gove suggested he and the PM had tried to persuade Mr Mitchell to 'tough it out' Mr Mitchell’s dramatic resignation was due to foul-mouthed rant at police officers as he tried to exit the Downing Street gates on his bike . Mr Gove suggested the officers’ recollection of rant may have been wrong . | cnn_dm | null |
Philip Hammond has questioned David Cameron’s desire to enshrine in law a pledge to spend billions of pounds in foreign aid. Speaking on a trip to ebola-stricken Sierra Leone, the Foreign Secretary said yesterday he saw no reason to pass a law that says 0.7 per cent of Britain’s national income has to go on aid ‘because we have met it already’. His remarks appear to be the final nail in the coffin for Mr Cameron’s vow to put the commitment on the statute in this Parliament. Scroll down for video . Philip Hammond has questioned David Cameron’s desire to enshrine in law a pledge to spend billions of pounds in foreign aid . Such legislation was part of the Coalition agreement, but has repeatedly been put off. Mr Hammond said: ‘It’s a bizarre idea. Somebody says “shall we have a law that says you’ve got to build a building?” ‘Think about it – in the meantime we build a building. Someone comes along and says “now we’ve built it shall we pass the law which says we’ve got to do it”? We’ve done it. We’re doing it. You don’t need a law to say we’re doing it.’ Mr Hammond said the work the UK was doing to prevent the spread of ebola in West Africa proved why international aid was so important and how it is in the UK’s best interests to spend so much money on it. But he conceded that much of the public was ‘sceptical’ about the value of aid – especially when it was spent on long-term economic and education programmes in countries such as India which could afford a space programme. Mr Hammond's remarks appear to be the final nail in the coffin for Mr Cameron’s vow to put the commitment on the statute in this Parliament . And he admitted millions of pounds handed out by the Department for International Development are wasted every year because of corruption in recipient countries. Mr Hammond was speaking on a visit to Sierra Leone, one of the three West African countries where ebola has taken hold. He visited a medical centre being built with UK aid money at Port Loko in the west of the country. And, on a visit to the national stadium in the capital, Freetown, he saw people from Sierra Leone being taught how to treat ebola sufferers. Britain has pledged £230million to Sierra Leone to help it tackle ebola, and more than 800 troops are stationed there. So far, 5,224 cases of ebola have been reported in the country, with 1,498 deaths. Mr Hammond said he hoped trials of an anti-ebola vaccine could start by early next month. The Foreign Secretary said of the ebola effort: ‘This is a classic example of how our aid spending is deployed in our own interest. ‘First – getting this epidemic under control in West Africa is in our interests. ‘We’ve got significant economic interests in West Africa, we’ve got significant numbers of people travelling between West Africa and the UK, we’ve got significant numbers of British citizens
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Foreign Secretary said he saw no reason for law that says 0.7 per cent of Britain’s national income has to go on aid ‘because we have met it already’ Could be end of Cameron’s vow to put the commitment on the statute . Legislation was in Coalition agreement, but has repeatedly been put off . | cnn_dm | null |
Labour MP for Wansbeck in Northumberland Ian Lavery, who claims Ed Miliband's inner circle think people with northern accents are stupid . Ed Miliband’s inner circle think people with Northern accents are stupid, a Labour MP has claimed. Prominent Left-winger Ian Lavery said the party’s elite looked down on working-class supporters in the North. The Wansbeck MP, a former miner, said: ‘We’ve got an elite in Westminster which quite frankly frightens me. ‘They haven’t been anywhere or done anything, and when you’ve got an accent like mine they think, “well that man doesn’t really know too much”.’ His broadside follows claims by Tony Blair that Mr Miliband is leading the party to defeat. Mr Lavery, a former president of the National Union of Mineworkers who took part in the 1984-85 strike, spoke out at a conference organised by left-wing think-tank CLASS. He said too few of the Labour hierarchy in Westminster have done manual jobs, adding: ‘Sadly there’s not enough MPs who’ve actually worked on the coalface, on the factory floor.’ Last night Mr Lavery insisted his comments were about the need for more working-class MPs and ‘in no way a criticism’ of Mr Miliband or his office. He added in a statement: ‘For the record, I believe Ed Miliband is absolutely the right man to bring in policies that will be of great benefit to people in the North and across the country.’ However, his comments come as Labour MPs fight over the direction of the party following the critique by Mr Blair – who last night quickly backtracked over his remarks. In a swift U-turn, the former Labour PM gave Mr Miliband his full support – just hours after saying he expects the Labour leader to lose the election. Mr Blair sparked a backlash after warning that the party had been dragged to the Left and is on course for disaster at the polls. But he was forced to issue a denial within hours, saying his comments had been ‘misinterpreted’. He added on Twitter: ‘I fully support Ed and my party and expect a Labour victory in the election.’ Charlie Whelan, a former spin doctor for Gordon Brown, responded: ‘Don’t be surprised if no one believes you.’ Mr Blair had angered Labour high command after telling The Economist that the election was shaping up to be one ‘in which a traditional Left-wing party competes with a traditional Right-wing party, with the traditional result’. Asked if he meant a Tory win, Mr Blair replied: ‘Yes, that is what happens.’ But his intervention was a blow to the Labour leader, who is struggling to convince his own party that he can win the election. In a swift U-turn, former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair gave Mr Miliband, pictured, his full support after appearing to suggest his party was on course for disaster at the polls . Blairite MP David Lammy yesterday said it was right to raise concerns about Labour’s direction and insisted Mr Blair’s comments should be taken ‘very seriously indeed’. But Lucy Powell, Mr Miliband’s election chief, yesterday dismissed the
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Labour MP Ian Lavery says party look down on working-class supporters . Added Ed Miliband's circle think people with northern accents are stupid . Comes after Tony Blair claimed that the Labour party is headed for defeat . But the former prime minister made a swift U-turn by backing Mr Miliband . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Neil Sears . PUBLISHED: . 17:34 EST, 30 September 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 02:37 EST, 1 October 2012 . The political aide who became Tony Blair’s ‘office wife’ has spoken for the first time of her tensions with Mrs Blair. Anji Hunter was the former prime minister’s ‘gatekeeper’, controlling access to No 10 and, until now, keeping its secrets. But in an interview published yesterday the 57-year-old revealed that Cherie Blair resented intrusions into her family time. Power pair: Tony Blair with Anji Hunter in 1995 . ‘Cherie would, rightly, try to ring-fence family time and I’d be like, “Sorry, Cherie, I know it’s your wedding anniversary, but something’s cropped up...”,’ she said. ‘I don’t think Tony was entirely helpful on that score. ‘He’d probably blame me, saying, “I don’t know what Anji’s up to”.’ Miss Hunter, who is married to Sky News political editor Adam Boulton, said rumours of tensions between her and Mrs Blair were overblown. Mrs Blair ‘was the rock of that family’, she said, adding: ‘Do I blame her for being a bit shirty with us from time to time? No, I do not. As the office wife, I was often the harbinger of bad news. She got an unfairly hard time.’ Miss Hunter, who knew Mr Blair from school and Oxford, broke her silence while drumming up publicity for a new role, promoting a prize offered by the Royal Academy of Engineering. Cherie Blair resented instrustions into her family time . She left Downing Street for a short but lucrative stint as director of communications for BP. Miss Hunter denied there had been a romance between her and Mr Blair, pointing out that she was the girlfriend of his guitarist friend Mark Ellen in his student rock band, Ugly Rumours. ‘We were always like brother and sister in that regard,’ she said. ‘He just happened to be my best mate from school. 'Even as a teenager, he was always confident, funny, sure of himself, but not cocky – intelligent and interested in all sorts of things, but not political at all. ‘He wanted to be a rock star, and he’d have been a great one. He was going to be successful at whatever he went into, he had that drive, ambition. ‘He was very good with people, popular, academic, good at sport, plays – charismatic – a natural leader.’ Miss Hunter said Mr Blair saw her as a vital link to the hearts and minds of Middle England. ‘I was big-tent girl,’ the former private schoolgirl told the Sunday Times. ‘Open up those flaps and keep them open ... Tony was totally behind that, it was his invention. But I was the big tent writ large. ‘Tony’s strength was in the fantastic team he had around him ... and that’s all true about me being the voice of Middle England. I lived in Sussex, my kids went to the local school, my friends were farmers and builders and teachers and yacht chandlers. She added: ‘Working in No 10, it is just adrenaline every
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Forced to deny rumours of romance . Resented male colleagues were getting paid more . 'Working in No.10, it is just adrenaline every day' | cnn_dm | null |
Tony Blair is preparing a new push to re-enter British politics as he hires a new spin doctor to put a gloss on some of the criticism that has followed him since leaving Number 10. The former prime minister ‘has things to say’ and believes the time is right for him to make an impact on the home front after years in political exile. Mr Blair's is expected to launch his comeback as he appears on a joint platform with Labour leader Ed Miliband in July at an event to celebrate the Olympics. His wife Cherie is also due to attend, making it a rare public outing for the Blairs together. 'I have things to say': Tony Blair wants to re-engage with British politics after amassing an estimated £20million fortune since leaving office five years ago . Could the return of Tony Blair be good for British politics? Could the return of Tony Blair be good for British politics? Now share your opinion . The ex-PM is understood to believe that . enough time has passed for people to have forgotten the disastrous . effect of the Iraq war on his image and how he was humiliatingly forced . from office by Gordon Brown. The move to hire a public relations expert is proof that Mr Blair wants to be heard on a range of subjects. The spin doctor will also attempt to portray Mr Blair's cash schemes - such as charging up to £300,000 for after-dinner speeches - in a more positive light. In the latest accusation of greed, it was revealed in January that Mr Blair . made millions of pounds last year but paid just a fraction of it in tax . thanks to a complicated web of companies he has established. Prime Minister David Cameron, left, is understood to be in the sights of Mr Blair, who has been having regular chats with Labour Leader Ed Miliband, right, a great admirer of the politician turned businessman . The former prime minister’s secretive . business empire declared an income of £12million. But he was able to . reduce his tax bill to just £315,000 after writing off almost £11million . as ‘administrative expenses’ – a ‘surprisingly’ high figure, according . to one accountant. Being driven out of office by a plotting former ally may not have seemed like the most edifying climax to his premiership. But for Tony Blair his fortunes have gone from strength to strength since since leaving Downing Street in June 2007. It's perhaps no surprise then that he quit his job as an MP for Sedgefield - a post he had for two-and-a-half decades - with its £65,000 salary. Instead, he seems to have left his socialist ideals in County Durham and quickly embarked on the lucrative after-dinner circuit where he can pocket up to £250,000 a night for a 90-minute delivery. The ex-PM signed a £5million deal with Random House in the same year as leaving office to write his Number 10 memoirs. The royalties from those are said to have earned him millions
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Ex-PM and wife Cherie to appear alongside Ed Miliband at an Olympics event in July... and he's already hired a spin doctor . He thinks enough time has passed since 2007 for people to have forgotten the Iraq war AND how he was forced out of office . Still has a job as Middle East peace envoy and a complex web of businesses earning millions . Blair's political legacy is 'debt, war, ignorance, welfare dependency and social division', says Lord Tebbit . | cnn_dm | null |
Labour's big beasts were last night at war over Ed Miliband’s controversial election campaign tactics. Lord Prescott reacted with fury after two former Cabinet colleagues questioned their leader’s relentless focus on the health service, rather than the economic legacy of New Labour. The former deputy prime minister branded John Hutton and Alan Milburn ‘Tory collaborators’. And Mr Miliband came under further pressure over claims that he said privately he is aiming to ‘weaponise’ the NHS as a campaign tool. Scroll down for video . Head to head: Alan Milburn (right) was condemned by Lord Prescott for attacking Labour's election strategy . Controversy: Lord Hutton and Mr Milburn had questioned Ed Miliband's relentless focus on the health service . Lord Hutton and Mr Milburn, two senior Blairites, yesterday accused the Labour leader and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls of failing to defend the economic record of the last Labour government. ‘They have worked harder to distance themselves from New Labour than to defend its record,’ the two former ministers said in a joint article for the Financial Times. ‘This hands the Tories a needless advantage. If Labour is to win in May, the two Eds need to set the record straight and reclaim ground foolishly bequeathed to their opponents.’ On Tuesday – the day of a big NHS campaign launch by Mr Miliband and shadow health secretary Andy Burnham – Mr Milburn warned Labour was making a fatal mistake if it positioned itself as the party that would put more money into the health service, without saying how it would introduce further reforms. ‘You’ve got a pale imitation actually of the 1992 general election campaign. Maybe it will have the same outcome, I don’t know,’ he added. And Lord Hutton said: ‘We should avoid a re-run [of 1992]. We can win the next election, we ought to win the next election. But we shouldn’t imagine that there aren’t some really difficult, hard choices to be made, not just about the economy, but also about the future shape of public services. ‘Labour has got to talk about the economy and have a message about what it will do to keep the economy moving ahead.’ Ed Miliband came under further pressure over claims that he said privately he is aiming to ‘weaponise’ the NHS as a campaign tool . Yesterday Lord Prescott raged: ‘I see those Tory collaborators Milburn and Hutton are attacking Labour’s brilliant NHS plan.’ In a reference to consultancy jobs undertaken by the pair since leaving office, the former deputy prime minister added: ‘Go back to advising Pepsi and the nuclear industry.’ But even some shadow ministers fear Labour is losing the battle on the economy – with latest figures showing the UK is now pole position to be the strongest growing country in the developed world. Tony Blair . ‘The very simple choice that people have in this next 24 hours is this. It is 24 hours to save our National Health Service’ - April 1997 . Neil Kinnock . ‘I warn you not to be ordinary. I warn you not to
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Alan Milburn condemned by Lord Prescott for attacking Labour's strategy . Former deputy PM branded John Hutton and Milburn ‘Tory collaborators’ It came after Lord Hutton and Milburn questioned focus on health service . | cnn_dm | null |
(CNN) -- Hours before being honored for his peacemaking efforts, Tony Blair revealed a secret weapon: Bill Clinton. The former U.S. president was constantly on the phone with Blair during the Northern Ireland peace process in 1998, providing analysis and advice that proved crucial to reaching an agreement, the former British prime minister said Monday. "He played an absolutely critical role," Blair said of Clinton on Monday as the two sat side-by-side to answer questions before the evening ceremony where Blair was to receive the 2010 Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "Without your intervention, we would never have achieved that peace in Northern Ireland," Blair said to Clinton, adding that he never had the chance to publicly thank him. Clinton and Blair sign autographs at event . The hour-long session featured anecdotes and rare insight on historical developments of the 1990s, when Clinton was U.S. president and Blair became the British prime minister. The Liberty Medal, an annual award given by the nonprofit constitution center that has Clinton as its board chairman, went to Blair this year for "his steadfast commitment to conflict resolution," the group's website says. Along with the Northern Ireland peace agreement he helped mediate, Blair was cited for his role in Middle East peace negotiations and the work of his Tony Blair Faith Foundation in promoting global understanding. Asked about the necessary components for successful peace talks, Blair joked that "blind luck" was essential. He then listed the willingness of the participants, a framework agreement on basic principles and perseverance as the key factors. "Never give up. No matter how difficult it is, no matter how hard it is, just keep going," Blair said as Clinton nodded in agreement. In the Northern Ireland talks, Blair said, the acute focus on the negotiations created an expectation that helped force participants to reach an agreement. "It was, in a sense, luck that we got into such a hothouse atmosphere that people began to feel it was more embarrassing not to do the deal than to do it," Blair said. Clinton added that it was important for outside parties to help warring nations or factions realize the benefits and future possibilities of peace. "We've got to paint a picture of what this is like at the end of the road, and we have to be there to help maximize the benefits and minimize the risks," Clinton said. On several occasions, Blair mentioned particular advice or help he received from Clinton, such as strong U.S. support for European intervention in the Kosovo conflict to stop forced removals and killings of Muslims by Serb forces. "The truth is, without America and without President Clinton coming in, we couldn't have handled that," Blair said. Such backing reflected the longstanding "special" relationship between their countries, and Blair insisted that the shifting global dynamics of the 21st century made that partnership more vital than ever. He called the relationship "something living and breathing now, with relevance today and tomorrow, and we should keep it." To Clinton, the shifting role of the
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Former British premier will receive medal from nonprofit center . Clinton is board chairman of the National Constitution Center, giving the honor . The two former leaders share memories, insights during a public appearance . | cnn_dm | null |
Taking a moral stand: Prime Minister David Cameron said it was time to teach right from wrong . David Cameron last night called on the Archbishop of Canterbury to lead a return to the ‘moral code’ of the Bible. In a highly personal speech about faith, . the Prime Minister accused Dr Rowan Williams of failing to speak ‘to . the whole nation’ when he criticised Government austerity policies and . expressed sympathy with the summer rioters. Mr Cameron declared Britain ‘a Christian country’ and said politicians and churchmen should not be afraid to say so. He warned that a failure to ‘stand up . and defend’ the values and morals taught by the Bible helped spark the . riots and fuelled terrorism. At Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, . where Dr Williams used to teach, Mr Cameron said the time has come for . public figures to teach ‘right from wrong’, and questioned whether the . Church of England has done enough to defend those values in the face of . the ‘moral neutrality’ that pervades modern life. And taking aim at the Archbishop, Mr Cameron tackled head-on his public criticisms of the Government over the last 12 months. The speech was a bold Christmas gamble . by Mr Cameron. In making a speech about religion, he did something that . Tony Blair always longed to do but was talked out of by spin doctor . Alastair Campbell, who flatly told him: ‘We don’t do God.’ The clash between the Government and . Church is at its most acute since former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr . Robert Runcie clashed with Margaret Thatcher’s government in the 1980s. The Prime Minister appeared emboldened . by his opinion poll bounce since his decision to wield the veto during . the Eurozone crisis summit in Brussels last week. Admitting that he had ‘entered the . lion’s den’ by addressing an audience of churchmen, Mr Cameron said: ‘I . certainly don’t object to the Archbishop of Canterbury expressing his . views on politics. Challenged: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, should take the lead in promoting Christian teachings, according to the Prime Minister . ‘But just as it is legitimate for religious leaders to make political comments, he shouldn’t be surprised when I respond. ‘I believe the Church of England has a . unique opportunity to help shape the future of our communities. But to . do so it must keep on the agenda that speaks to the whole country.’ At . an event to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King . James Bible, he said: ‘We are a Christian country and we should not be . afraid to say so. 'The Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values . and morals which make Britain what it is today. Values and morals we . should actively stand up and defend. ‘Whether . you look at the riots last summer, the financial crash and the expenses . scandal or the on-going terrorist threat from Islamist extremists . around the
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | PM said it's easier to be Jewish or Muslim in Britain than in a secular country like France . Britons 'treasured' responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion, humility, . self-sacrifice, love and pride in working for the common good, says PM . Even admitted he was only a 'vaguely practising' Christian with 'full of doubts' about theological issues . | cnn_dm | null |
Tony Blair last night gave Ed Miliband his full backing – just hours after saying he expects the Labour leader to lose the election in May. The former prime minister sparked a backlash after an interview in which he warned the party had been dragged to the Left and is on course for disaster at the polls. But he was forced to issue a denial within hours, saying his comments had been ‘misinterpreted’. Tony Blair, pictured right, gave his full backing to Ed Miliband, pictured left, hours after saying he expects the Labour leader to lose the election in May . He added on Twitter: ‘I fully support Ed and my party and expect a Labour victory in the election.’ Charlie Whelan, a former spin doctor for Gordon Brown, responded: ‘Don’t be surprised if no one believes you.’ Mr Blair had angered Labour high command after telling The Economist that the election was shaping up to be one ‘in which a traditional Left-wing party competes with a traditional Right-wing party, with the traditional result’. Asked if he meant a Tory win, Mr Blair replied: ‘Yes, that is what happens.’ But his intervention was a blow to the Labour leader, who is struggling to convince his own party that he can win the election. In a further setback yesterday, a prominent Left-winger said the party’s ruling elite looked down on working class supporters in the North. Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery, a former miner, said: ‘We’ve got an elite in Westminster which quite frankly frightens me. The former prime minister sparked a backlash after an interview in which he warned the party had been dragged to the Left and is on course for disaster at the polls . ‘They haven’t been anywhere or done anything, and when you’ve got an accent like mine they think, “well that man doesn’t really know too much”.’ A Blairite former minister yesterday said it was right to raise concerns about the direction Mr Miliband is taking the party. David Lammy said Mr Blair’s comments should be taken ‘very seriously indeed’, adding: ‘Labour has to be the party of small business, we have to be the party of enterprise and we do have to be clear that we understand that it is actually industry that is the engine of our economy and not give the impression that we are solely focused on the public sector.’ Lucy Powell, Mr Miliband’s election chief, yesterday dismissed the warning that Labour’s lurch to the Left had left it vulnerable to defeat. Referring to Mr Blair, she said: ‘He has his experience from his era. That is not the era we now live in.’ In the interview, Mr Blair also argued that Britain has shifted to the Right in the wake of the economic crash and said Labour succeeds best when it is in the ‘centre ground’. Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, described his views as ‘sad and disappointing’. He added: ‘Tony Blair is now a very wealthy person sitting on top of the pile and is disconnected from the lives
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Former Prime Minister Tony Blair gave Ed Miliband his full backing . It came after he said he expected the Labour leader to lose the election . He later issued a denial claiming his comments had been 'misinterpreted' | cnn_dm | null |
The disaster unfolding in Iraq was branded ‘Tony Blair’s legacy’ last night as Britain ruled out military intervention. Though Islamist extremists are threatening to seize Baghdad, Foreign Secretary William Hague said Britain was ‘not contemplating’ any form of action, and Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said there was no role for the alliance. US President Barack Obama insisted his country had an interest in stopping jihadists taking control and said he was looking at ‘all options’, including drone strikes. Iraq is facing a return to its darkest days after al Qaeda-linked militants seized a huge swathe of the Iraq’s northern region and vowed to press on to the capital. The collapse of Iraq and the impending disaster was last night branded as 'Tony Blair's legacy' after the former Prime Minister, left, agreed to George W Bush's middle east war, left . The developments have reignited debate over the wisdom of the decision of Mr Blair and US President George W Bush to invade Iraq in 2003, at the cost of 179 British lives and at least £9 billion. Critics say the US and UK governments of the time failed to prepare properly for the aftermath of the invasion. In 2007, Mr Bush ordered a ‘surge’ of troops to quell insurgency, but in 2011, the last British forces pulled out of Iraq. Researchers have estimated that as many as half a million Iraqis have died as a result of the conflict, though the figure is hotly disputed. Home Office minister Norman Baker, a Liberal Democrat who is a longstanding opponent of the Iraq War, told the Daily Mail: ‘Saddam Hussein was a dictator who gassed his own people, but the country was stable, in a vile sort of way. ‘The reality is that the intervention by Tony Blair and George Bush has destabilised this country and left it open to extremism, and we are seeing that now. Iraq today is Tony Blair’s legacy.’ The accusation was made by Liberal Democrat MP and Home Affairs Minister Norman Baker who said Tony Blair's decision to go to war in Iraq has left the country 'open to extremism' Conservative MP John Baron, who resigned from his party’s front bench to vote against the Iraq conflict, said events in the country demonstrated the folly of intervention across the Middle East. ‘One of the dangers of invading Iraq is that we underestimated the religious tensions and the resources needed to leave robust structures in place when the West left. A weakened Iraq was always going to be more susceptible to extremism,’ he said. ‘Other examples include Libya, and possibly Afghanistan. In Libya, a weak central Government has been unable to establish its authority over militias. In Afghanistan, Western confidence that the Afghan security forces will be able to hold the line surely needs re-evaluating after these events.” ‘All in all, such developments once again bring into question the wisdom of our recent interventions.’ Jihadi militants from the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) , pictured, have seized Mosul and Tikrit after heavy fighting . Mr
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Government 'rules out' new Iraqi campaign despite major Jihadist threat . Al Qaeda militants have seized large areas of northern Iraq . Norman Baker said Iraq was stable under Saddam 'in a vile sort of way' | cnn_dm | null |
By . Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor . PUBLISHED: . 11:52 EST, 10 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 02:38 EST, 11 September 2013 . David Cameron has repeatedly claimed he has a ‘very clear vision’ for Britain. But today the Prime Minister had to bow to a combination of growing old and the pressures of his job and admit he now needs glasses. The new rimless specs, bought for £15 from Boots three months ago, were given their debut during an appearance in front of a committee of MPs, and immediately drew comparisons with Tony Blair. Reading: David Cameron was seen for the first time in public wearing the rimless spectacles while answers questions in Parliament . Debut: It is the first time the glasses have been seen, even though Mr Cameron bought them in June . Mr Cameron wore the glasses to read his government briefings during a hearing of the liaison committee in Parliament. He quickly took them on and off, leading some to speculate whether he was trying to avoid being caught on camera wearing them. The Prime Minister later wrote on Twitter: 'Thanks to everyone who asked about my new glasses. I've actually had them since June - but today was the first public appearance.' Mr Cameron's glasses are the latest sign the 46-year-old may be feeling his age, after abandoning jogging because of bad knees and growing his hair longer to cover up thinning patches. Last month he complained of suffering a 'phenomenally bad back'. It is understood he has had the glasses since June, and was helped by wife Samantha to choose them. On and off: Mr Cameron repeatedly removed his glasses while giving evidence to the Liaison Committee of senior MPs . Growing old: The PM has complained of a 'phenomenally bad back' in recent weeks . The rimless style is very similar to those chosen by former Prime Minister Mr Blair, who joked in 2001 that he was ‘coming out’ wore his pair for the first time in public. The Labour leader said at the time: ‘Some things in life you have just got to accept. It gives a whole new meaning to the phrase vision for Britain.’ Mr Cameron was facing questions about Syria and civil service reform. A source close to the PM said: ‘He had his eyes tested on June 13 and picked his glasses out, with the help of Sam, a few days later. He just felt his eyesight wasn’t quite as sharp.’ Trendsetter: Tony Blair wearing his rimless glasses in the Commons in 2005 .
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | After complaining of painful back and knees, aging PM buys glasses . Wife Samantha helped him to choose £15 pair of reading specs from Boots . Aides say he noticed in June that his eyesight 'wasn't quite as sharp' | cnn_dm | null |
Threats: PR man James Saville claimed to be working with Theresa May’s department . A Mail on Sunday journalist trying to uncover the truth about Fiona Woolf’s appointment to the child abuse inquiry received unwarranted threats from a PR man claiming to be working with the Home Office. This newspaper was warned it would be reported to the new press complaints watchdog for simply arranging an interview with another panel member who could shed light on the controversy. The threat was made by James Saville, a spokesman for Sharon Evans, a third person on the abuse inquiry. She runs a charity which includes Strictly Come Dancing star Kristina Rihanoff and Tony Blair’s daughter Kathryn among its trustees. Last night, an MP said it sounded like another attempt at a cover-up. Labour’s Simon Danczuk said: ‘I find it bizarre. The last thing we want is for the Home Office, its representatives or PR people trying to silence journalists or to cover up the relationships that may have gone on.’ After a reporter had agreed last week to meet abuse survivor Graham Wilmer, who is on the inquiry panel, Mr Saville rang the journalist five minutes before the agreed interview time to say it had been called off. He then suggested the reporter had behaved improperly – a claim the journalist vehemently denies. In a reference to the new Independent Press Standards Organisation, Mr Saville said: ‘I don’t want to have to start getting Ipso involved.’ Mr Saville claimed to be working with Theresa May’s department, and suggested the reporter phone her head of press, Andy Tighe, if he did not believe him. But Mr Saville represents abuse victim Mrs Evans, who defended Mrs Woolf’s appointment in a BBC radio interview last week. Trustees: Kathryn Blair and Kristina Rihanoff at the Dot Com Children's Foundation Strictly-inspired event at the Home Office. The charity is run by abuse victim Sharon Evans - who defended Mrs Woolf this week . Mrs Evans runs a charity called the Dot Com Children’s Foundation, which has had significant support from the Home Office, including hosting a campaign launch where Strictly dancers showed off their moves to a room of civil servants. Criticism: Mrs Evans defended the appointment of Fiona Woolf, pictured, to the child abuse inquiry . As public criticism of Mrs Woolf intensified over her links to former Home Secretary Lord Brittan, Mrs Evans told Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday: ‘I am very confident this inquiry can do its job. We are satisfied that Fiona Woolf has the skills of a solicitor… We need balance and we need those skills.’ Yet her charity, whose trustees include Ms Blair and Ms Rihanoff, is helped by many of the organisations that will come under scrutiny in the inquiry, including the Home Office, which has admitted losing dozens of files on child abuse in the 1980s. Mrs Evans admitted in her letter of possible conflicts of interest: ‘The Dot Com Children’s Foundation has received funding and support from a number of public sources including the Mayor of London’s office, the
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | PR man claiming to be working with the Home Office threatened journalist . Said MoS would be reported for arranging interview with panel member . Newspaper hoped abuse survivor would shed light on the controversy . | cnn_dm | null |
The Lockerbie bomber’s release was linked to a £400million arms deal with Libya, secret documents reveal. They show ‘reprehensible’ connections between the Labour government boosting business and freeing the man convicted of Britain’s worst terrorist atrocity. An email sent by the then UK ambassador in Tripoli to former premier Tony Blair explained how a prisoner transfer agreement will be signed once Libya ‘fulfils its promise’ to buy an air defence system. Handshake: Tony Blair, pictured with Colonel Gaddafi in Tripoli, met the dictator six times after he resigned as Prime Minister . The disclosure, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, reignites a row which is hugely embarrassing for Labour. At the time of Abdelbaset Al Megrahi’s release in August 2009, then prime minister Gordon Brown and his senior ministers insisted there was no link to ‘blood money’ trade deals with Colonel Gaddafi. Megrahi, a Libyan, was convicted of killing 270 people by blowing up an American airliner over Lockerbie in December 1988. He was sent home early from a Scottish jail on compassionate grounds because he had terminal prostate cancer. He died last year. Ministers insisted his release was a decision taken solely by the Scottish government. The email was sent by Sir Vincent Fean, then the UK’s top diplomat in Libya, to Mr Blair, ahead of his visit to Gaddafi in June 2008. It updated Mr Blair, who quit Downing Street a year earlier, on the UK’s ongoing relations with the brutal dictator. Prior to this, Mr Blair met Gaddafi and his prime minister Al-Baghdadi Ali al-Mahmoudi in Sirte in a desert tent. The pair thrashed out a memorandum of understanding on prisoner transfers just before BP announced the firm was investing about £545million to search for £13billion of oil in Libya. But according to the email, Mr Blair and Baghdadi agreed Libya would buy a missile defence system from MBDA, part-owned by BAE Systems. When he returned in June 2008 the Government appeared to see a chance for him to push for the arms deal to be sealed. Release: Lockerbie bomber al-Megrahi was released from prison in 2009 with only 'weeks to live'. He died almost three years later . Sir Vincent wrote: ‘There is one bilateral issue which I hope TB [Tony Blair] can raise, as a legacy issue. On 29 May 07 in Sirte, he and Libya’s PM agreed that Libya would buy an air defence system (Jernas) from the UK (MBDA). ‘One year on, MBDA are now back in Tripoli aiming to agree and sign the contract now — worth £400million, and up to 2,000 jobs in the UK. We think we have Col Q’s [Gaddafi’s] goodwill for this contract. This issue can also be raised with Libya’s PM. It was PM Baghdadi who told the media on 29 May 07 that Libya would buy British. ‘Linked (by Libya) is the issue of the 4 bilateral justice agreements about which TB signed an MoU with Baghdadi on 29 May. The MoU says they will be negotiated within the year: they have been. Atrocity: 270 people died when
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Tony Blair discussed air defence deal with Libyan dictator . Briefing note written by British ambassador said Libya was linking the contract with a prisoner transfer agreement . Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was released from jail in 2009 on 'compassionate grounds' because he had terminal cancer . Ultimately the defence contract was never signed by Libya . | cnn_dm | null |
London, England (CNN) -- Cherie Blair, the UK's former first lady, is a leading barrister who holds the senior advocate status of Queen's Counsel. In 2008, she founded the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, where she devotes herself to supporting female entrepreneurs in Africa, South Asia & the Middle East. She spoke with CNN's Leading Women team about her commitment to eradicating injustice for women, her rise from a working-class family and how she balances her charity work with her professional life. CNN: What achievement are you most proud of? Cherie Blair: Like every mother, it's my children, that's the first thing that makes me really proud. For my own part, it would be when I became a Queen's Counsel in 1995. I was the 76th woman ever to become a Queen's Counsel, so it was still a pretty rare thing. CNN: What cause are you most passionate about? CB: The thing I want to see before I die is women achieving full equality in the world. I'm very passionate about injustice against women and there's too much of it in the world. In so many parts of the world, women are not regarded as worthy or equal to men. In parts of the world women are bought and sold. We think that's just in the developing world, but women are bought and sold in our country, too. CNN: Who are you most inspired by? CB: My first inspiration was my own mother, who left school at 14 and started a career as an actress. Then my sister and I came along and my father abandoned her and she had to really pull herself up by the boot straps and work hard to support my sister and I. She was determined to make sure we got all the opportunities that she had been denied. CNN: How do you find the balance between your work as a barrister and your charity foundation? CB: It's always a difficult balance. There isn't a time or day when I don't think about both legal work and the Foundation. I've just come back from Nigeria where I was doing a legal presentation and at the same time I was also doing something with our projects in Nigeria. I'm very lucky that as a barrister I'm self-employed, so everything I do is on a project basis. I do this case and then another case, which allows me to mix and match. In theory that sounds very well planned and balanced, but in practice it's a little bit more chaotic and overlapping. If I'm doing a particular legal case, I have to concentrate on that, but I'm lucky that the Foundation has a fantastic CEO and 17 employees, so they are working on it day in, day out. I'm very lucky to be able to add to the fruits of their labor. CNN: How do you decide which causes to get involved with? CB: Sometimes my friends would tell me I'm very bad at saying no. These days I completely understand one has to have a focus and that's
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Cherie Blair, wife of former UK PM Tony Blair, is a leading barrister in Britain . An advocate for women's rights, she started the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women . Blair tells CNN about her route to success and juggling her legal and charity work . | cnn_dm | null |
Tony Blair has refused to rule out working for President Putin as he defended making millions from advising some of the world’s worst despots. Rejecting claims that he has no credibility as a Middle East peace envoy or international advisor after taking Britain into the Iraq War under false pretences, he also argued he now understands the world better than do western governments - who should ‘listen to me’. Mr Blair’s extraordinary remarks were made in an interview with Vanity Fair in which he defended the considerable wealth he has accrued since leaving office while insisting his main aim was to improve the world. Tony Blair with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Blair has been widely attacked for selling his services to some of the world’s most authoritarian leaders . Mr Blair, 61, has been widely attacked for selling his services to some of the world’s most authoritarian leaders, including the ex-Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and Kazakhstan president Nursulstan Nazarbayev. After detailing Mr Blair’s work for several questionable world leaders, the author of the profile and interview, Vanity Fair contributing editor Sarah Ellison, wrote: ‘And is there anyone he wouldn’t work for? ‘For instance, would he work for Vladimir Putin if Putin called asking for advice? Blair smiled, and switched the topic to Kazakhstan.’ Later she wrote: ‘He paused and then added, “I’m not holding my breath for the call from Putin.” Tony Blair greets Kazakhstan's President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Downing Street during 2000. Blair has been widely attacked for selling his services to some of the world’s most authoritarian leaders . ‘But if it came, I asked? “It won’t come, so let me not either praise or insult”.’ He insisted the Russian leader was never likely to seek his services. Mr Blair, who insisted that ‘whatever criticisms people have of me, they’ve seldom thought of me as politically stupid’, said there were no conflicts of interest between his charity role and lucrative work as an international advisor. But he stressed that he was now a ‘private sector individual’ not a government representative and should not be bound by the same rules. Quizzed on his most controversial legacy, Mr Blair said the world should listen to him precisely because of his track record in Iraq and Afghanistan. ‘People say, “Why should you listen to him?” – because of Iraq. And I keep saying, that’s why you should listen to me. Because I’ve been through this in government, and since leaving office I’ve been studying it the whole time, he said. He added: ‘One thing that is quite interesting to me is how poor Western governments are at the moment – and I don’t exempt mine from this – how poor they are at understanding what’s going on in the world.’ His own understanding of the world, he boasted, was ‘just so much more sophisticated and deep than the understanding I had in government’. Unfortunately for Mr Blair, those who have encountered him in his role as official envoy of the Quartet – the international coalition seeking peace in the Israeli-Palestine conflict - told
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Blair made comments as he defended making millions from advising some of the world’s worst despots . When Blair was asked if he would work for Putin he said the call 'won’t come, so let me not either praise or insult' | cnn_dm | null |
The Labour party is advertising for a £33,000 a year endorsement officer to forge new relationships with celebrities for Ed Miliband. The Labour leader is hiring the aide to show he is in touch with the people of Britain in the run up to the general election. A job advert on the Labour party's website says the candidate will need to 'deliver an effective General Election endorsements programme with specific focus on real people and celebrity endorsements.' Ed Miliband is advertising for a £33,000 a year endorsement officer to forge new relationships with celebrities. He is pictured here with Towie star Joey Essex at a party last December, which the reality star tweeted . The Sun reports that party chiefs hope the new employee will rekindle Tony Blair's 'Cool Britannia' and show Mr Miliband is 'in touch' with the public following a number of embarrassing photo opportunities. But Conservative vice-chairman Bob Neill told the paper: 'Poor Ed is so desperate for support he's now paying someone to find him friends.' In October Mr Miliband was pictured chatting with EastEnders' star Danny Dyer, rattling off detailed facts about the cast of the show. But he soon admitted he had not watched the show but had been reading about it online, leaving the actor bewildered. Then in November former Hear’Say singer Mylene Klass took the Labour leader to task in a heated TV debate, with viewers praising her for ‘doing a Paxman’ and ‘wiping the floor’ with him. Mr Miliband said the photo opportunity is ‘not where my talents lie' after being pictured struggling to eat a bacon sandwich . In April Essex took a second picture of himself with Mr Miliband and posted it on Twitter with the group shot, labelled ‘My selfie buddies’ - but the Labour leader appears awkward and only just made the photo . The pair clashed on ITV’s The Agenda, when Ms Klass criticised Mr Miliband’s controversial proposal for a mansion tax on homes worth more than £2million. The Labour leader has said previously that the photo opportunity is ‘not where my talents lie' after being pictured struggling to eat a bacon sandwich. He has also been mocked for posing wearing a feminist t-shirt and awkwardly giving money to a beggar in Manchester. In a boost for Mr Miliband in December last year Joey Essex took a selfie with the Labour leader at the British Military Awards and referred to the would-be prime minister as his ‘bezzie’, slang for best friend. Tory MP Bob Neill said: 'Poor Ed is so desperate for support he's now paying someone to find him friends' The 24-year-old, who tweets about vitally important matters such as having a bad hair day, has 2.98 million followers on Twitter. Mr Miliband has 365,000. In April Essex took a second picture of himself with Mr Miliband and posted it on Twitter with the group shot, labelled ‘My selfie buddies’. A Labour party source told The Sun: 'Labour, like all political parties, works with well-known figures who support our aims.'
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Labour party are advertising for a £33,000 a year 'endorsement officer' Job role would require candidates to secure celebrity endorsements . Part of a push to show Ed Miliband is 'in touch' with British public . Senior Tory says Miliband 'so desperate for support he's paying for friends' | cnn_dm | null |
Prince William has honoured efforts to save African wildlife from extinction at a star-studded awards ceremony. The Duke of Cambridge mingled with guests including newlywed opera singer Katherine Jenkins, entrepreneur Deborah Meaden and BBC journalist Kate Silverton at the elite bash last night at London's Claridge's Hotel. He handed the top prize to a Madagascan conservationist, who the ceremony heard has helped islanders get personally involved in conserving almost 900,000 acres of land. Scroll down for video . Mingling: The Duke led the show at the Tusk Conservation Awards in London's Claridge's Hotel last night . Last year the Tusk Trust raised £1.65million in donations with the help of Prince William, who is its royal patron, and high society sponsors including Investec Asset Management, Moët & Chandon and Tiffany & Co . Celebrities: Newlywed Katherine Jenkins and her husband Andrew Levitas were among high-profile guests . It was the second year of the ceremony held by the Tusk Trust, a conservation charity founded by former insurance broker Charlie Mayhew in 1990 which has a string of high-profile backers. Last year it raised £1.65million in donations with the help of Prince William, who is its royal patron, and high society sponsors including Investec Asset Management, Moët & Chandon and Tiffany & Co. The Duke appeared on his own as the Duchess of Cambridge was helping launch a £10million fundraising drive by East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), of which she is royal patron. But he had no shortage of company at the Mayfair hotel, from the impressionist Rory Bremner to the singer Camilla Kerslake. He presented the Tusk Conservation Award to Herizo Andrianandrasana of Madagascar, who the ceremony heard has helped locals on the island get involved in vast conservation projects. Royal patron: Prince William and Kate Silverton spoke at the second years of the conservation awards . Honour: The main award was presented to conservationist Herizo Andrianandrasana of Madagascar (centre), who appeared on stage alongside Prince William (left) and BBC journalist Kate Silverton (right) Philanthropist: The charity was founded 24 years ago by former insurance broker Charlie Mayhew (right) Royal seal of approval: Kenyan Richard Bonham received a lifetime achievement award in the Duke's name . Mr Andrianandrasana has spent 16 years working for the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, which was founded by English naturalist, author and TV presenter Gerald Durrell. The citation called him the 'driving force behind the integration of local people into conservation management and monitoring in Madagascar', adding he has led programmes across four forests and three wetland sites with an area of almost 900,000 acres. Also honoured was Kenyan safari leader Richard Bonham, who picked up an award named for the Duke. Prince William, who announced plans to introduce a third award for wildlife rangers, told the gathered celebrities: 'The work of this year's finalists serves to illustrate some of our greatest conservation challenges: dramatic loss of lion; poaching of elephant and rhino; deforestation; and the critical need for community involvement. 'Wildlife rangers are the men and women at the frontline of the battle – and it is
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Gongs honoured people preserving endangered species in Africa . Guests included Deborah Meaden, Rory Bremner and Kate Silverton . Duke handed top award to Herizo Andrianandrasana of Madagascar . Ceremony heard he has led conservation of 900,000 acres on island . | cnn_dm | null |
It triggered unprecedented rumblings about his future as Prime Minister - but Tony Abbott is today standing by his decision to knight Prince Philip. But following public ridicule and dissension in his own ranks, Mr Abbott told reporters in Melbourne that he accepted people were upset with his decision. 'I stand by the decision. I understand why some people don't like it,' he said. 'I respect their right to be critical... and I take it on the chin, I take it on the chin.' His defence of the controversial decision on Wednesday immediately followed a meeting with another person honoured on Australia Day - domestic violence victim Rosie Batty, the Australian of the Year. Scroll down for video . Prime Minister Tony Abbott (pictured today, left) was ridiculed after his decision to bestow a knighthood on Prince Philip (right, wearing top hat) on Australia Day . Mr Abbott said Prince Philip (right) had made a 'great contribution' to Australian society during his time . Meeting with Rosie Batty: Mr Abbott's statement today came after making a landmark announcement that the government would put domestic violence at the top of the agenda at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Outspoken media mogul Rupert Murdoch, Cabinet minister Barnaby Joyce, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, the Northern Territory chief minister and two backbenchers all publicly criticised the 'captain's pick' on Tuesday - along with numerous unnamed colleagues. The prime minister - who confirmed he did not consult his own chief of staff Peta Credlin - said there would be 'considerable more consultation around these awards' in the future. His humility today was a far cry from his defence of the decision earlier this week, where he wrote off online criticism as merely 'electronic graffiti'. Mr Abbott said Prince Philip had made a 'great contribution' to Australian public life. He pointed to the thousands of Australians and the 1956 Melbourne Olympics as evidence of this. Queensland premier Campbell Newman, who is in the fight of his political life on the campaign trail, told reporters he disagreed with the decision and described it as a 'bolt from the blue'. Nationals deputy leader Barnaby Joyce told ABC Radio: 'I'm always of the strong belief that all awards should be for Australians'. Murdoch labelled the decision a 'joke and embarassment' in a Twitter post and called for knighthoods to be scrapped in Australia and in the United Kingdom. Political commentator Peter Van Onselen tweeted this morning: 'Based on chats with Libs this AM, for the 1st time (& i can't believe i'm saying this) I now don't think PM can make it to the next election.' Mr Abbott this morning met with another person officially honoured on Australia Day - Australian of the Year Rosie Batty. He announced the government would push for a national Domestic Violence Order scheme - meaning orders would apply across state borders. Ms Batty was appointed as a founding member to an advisory council for the Council of Australian Governments. Mr Abbott said COAG will place domestic violence at the top of its agenda for
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he will consult more widely next time . He named Prince Philip as a knight of the Order of Australia on Monday . The decision provoked torrid headlines and leadership murmurs . 'Prince Philip has made a great contribution to our country' He accepted the selection was a 'contentious decision' Mr Abbott met with Australian of the Year Rosie Batty this morning . Domestic violence will be placed at top of COAG agenda . | cnn_dm | null |
Donned stylish blue dress with black waist belt . Read her favourite book The Snail and the Whale to the group . In aid of Save The Children's charity partnership with Westfield . By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 06:32 EST, 23 October 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 06:32 EST, 23 October 2012 . She is a devoted mother of three so has plenty of experience when it comes to story time. And today Samantha Cameron put that into practise when she read children's books to a young audience of schoolchildren at Westfield shopping centre in Shepherd's Bush in aid of Save The Children's new partnership with the shopping giant. Donning a stylish blue dress and black waist belt, the Prime Minister's wife read one of her favourite books, The Snail and the Whale, to the group. Samantha Cameron read her favorite book 'The Snail and the Whale' to schoolchildren today . She later joined pupils from Larmenier and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Hammersmith and got into the festive spirit by decorating Christmas baubles to be sold in aid of the charity in the run up to Christmas. Mrs Cameron, who is an ambassador for Save the Children, said: 'It was a pleasure to share one of my children’s favourite books this morning to launch Save the Children’s new Christmas partnership with Westfield. The first lady of fashion looked super stylish in a chic blue dress as she read to the children at Westfield . The children from the Larmenier and Sacred Heart Catholic School are competing in the annual choir competition to raise funds for Save the Children . 'It is heartbreaking that eight million children under five die each year and I’m proud to support Save the Children’s life-saving work and the No Child is Born to Die campaign.' Her avid young audience will compete in an annual choir competition to raise funds for the charity and Westfield Stratford City, Westfield London and Westfield Merry Hill plan to raise awareness and money for it through a series of festive events. Justin Forsyth, chief executive of Save the Children, said the charity was 'thrilled' that 'passionate supporter' Mrs Cameron launched the partnership. Justin Forsyth, chief executive of Save the Children, said the charity was 'thrilled' to be working with Samantha Cameron .
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Donned stylish blue dress with black waist belt . Read her favourite book The Snail and the Whale to the group . In aid of Save The Children's charity partnership with Westfield . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Daily Mail Reporter . Nearly three times as many BBC staff . have been sent to cover Nelson Mandela's death than all of its rival . British broadcasters put together, it has been revealed. The . corporation sent a total of 140 presenters and crew members to South Africa, while Sky News had the second highest number of the British broadcasters with 15. The BBC said it expected to have deployed about 120 journalists, . technicians and support staff to work on the story over a ten-day . period. The BBC World . Service is also reported to have sent a further 20 staff, whose expenses . will not be paid for by licence-fee payers. Barack Obama gives his eulogy at Nelson Mandela's memorial service as seen on the BBC, which has sent 120 staff to cover the late South African leader's death . The number of BBC staff sent to South Africa was far greater than its rivals, including ITV which reportedly despatched just nine crew to cover proceedings . According to The Times, ITV and Channel 4 sent nine people to cover the event in South Africa, while Channel 5 sent four. A BBC spokesman told MailOnline: 'Over ten days we’ve deployed around 120 journalists, technicians and support staff for this huge international story. 'We started scaling back significantly following Tuesday’s memorial service. 'Unlike other UK networks, we’ve been providing coverage across numerous domestic and global outlets from a number of different locations for TV, radio and online, including live broadcasts on BBC Two, rolling news on the News Channel and World News, BBC Breakfast, three daily news bulletins, coverage across a number of radio programmes and bulletins on 5live, Radio 4 and Radio 2. 'As always we sought to ensure maximum value for money.' The BBC has . defended its coverage and said Mandela's death was of 'considerable . interest' to audiences in the UK and across the rest of the world. Tony Blair is interviewed by George Alagiah on the BBC, live at the Nelson Mandela memorial service in Johannesburg, South Africa . By . yesterday the corporation had received 1,695 complaints about too much . coverage across its news services, with some saying the emphasis had . reduced the coverage of severe weather across the UK last week. James Harding, the BBC's head of news, apologised to viewers last week. He . told the BBC's Newsnight programme last Friday: 'Firstly, I'm sorry if . there are people who felt as though we didn't inform them fully of what . was happening in the weather.' He . went on to say Mandela was probably 'the most significant statesman of . the last 100 years' and the importance of 'marking his death seems . extremely clear to us'. Hundreds . of world leaders including President Barack Obama and Cuban President . Raul Castro were joined by thousands of ordinary South Africans and Mr . Mandela's family to pay tribute to the anti-apartheid hero at the FNB . football stadium on Tuesday. Mr Obama led the tributes by
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | ITV has sent just nine staff to cover iconic leader's death in South Africa . BBC has received 1,695 complaints about its 'excessive' coverage . Some viewers said emphasis reduced coverage of severe weather in UK . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Hannah Roberts In Rome . PUBLISHED: . 05:48 EST, 23 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 06:26 EST, 23 July 2013 . Actor Peter Fonda is suing designers Dolce & Gabbana and retail chain Nordstrom for $3million over a t-shirt with his face on it. The 73-year-old star filed legal proceedings against the firms claiming they have been illegally selling garments bearing his image without his permission. The t-shirt in question is printed with a picture of Fonda as biker Wyatt in the iconic 1969 movie Easy Rider. Lawsuit: The t-shirt, seen left, which is printed with the image of Peter Fonda in the 1969 film Easy Rider, has prompted the actor, seen right, to launch legal proceedings against D&G and retailer Nordstrom . The law suit filed by Fonda's lawyer in Los Angeles last week claims Italian fashion design duo Dolce & Gabbana 'knowingly manufactured, distributed and sold, or licensed for sale' t-shirts with his image on without his permission. Nordstrom is listed in the suit for allegedly selling the t-shirts, according to a report on thewrap.com. 'At no time did Defendants seek permission from Plaintiff to use his name, likeness and image for commercial purposes on the T-Shirts or any other apparel that Defendants intended to or did manufacture, license, sell, distribute or advertise in any known media,' the lawsuit reads. He is seeking financial compensation 'in an amount not less than' £3million. Dolce & Gabbana declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline today. Controversy: Legal proceedings against the design duo come after they temporarily closed their Milan stores in protest at being 'pilloried' over their tax evasion convictions . Iconic scene: Fonda is seeking at least £3million in compensation for the use of the image taken from the 1969 biker movie . Nordstrom has said it is aware of the issue and is 'reaching out to our vendor to determine next steps'. The lawsuit throws Dolce & Gabbana into the spotlight once again, after they closed their Milan stores last week in protest at being 'pilloried' over their tax evasion convictions. Signs reading 'closed for indignation' were pinned up in the windows of the designers' shops in Milan, the city where the pair showed their first collection in 1985. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were given 20-month jail terms for evading taxes on royalties of around a billion euros (£860million) by selling their brand to a Luxembourg-based holding company in 2004. Passersby looking into the closed Dolce & Gabbana shops in Milan today, where the signs read 'closed for indignation' Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are furious over 'attacks from public ministers and the media pillory' over their tax eviction convictions, they said . They are not yet wearing prison stripes, as, under the Italian justice system, anyone found guilty of a crime is automatically granted at least two appeals. However, Milan’s city administration said the pair, who count Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss among their celebrity fans, would no longer be able to use any public spaces for their shows as they were bad for
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Claims D&G and retail chain illegally peddling garment bearing his image . T-shirt printed with picture of Fonda as biker Wyatt in 1969 film Easy Rider . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Bianca London . Her designs have been worn by the likes of Cameron Diaz and Blake Lively and in 2011, she beat off stiff competition from the likes of Stella McCartney and Tom Ford to be crowned Designer of the Year at the prestigious British Fashion Awards. However, while the world can't get enough of Victoria Beckham - she was named one of the UK's most influential women in BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour 2013 Power List - two industry heavyweights aren't exactly her biggest fans. Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano . Gabbana of Italian label Dolce & Gabanna this week praised Britain's 'cool' style and . designers like Vivienne Westwood, but were less enthusiastic about . Victoria. Not her biggest fans: Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of Italian label Dolce & Gabanna spoke about Victoria Beckham's designs with a lack of enthusiasm . Speaking at the launch of The Glamour of Italian Fashion, a new exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Gabbana said the former Spice Girl had turned to . fashion after doing 'many, many, many different things.' Victoria may have served as an ambassador for the Italian fashion house but Gabbana continued: 'she's a designer but...for us, she don't make (clothes) the same way like a fashion designer.' Dolce . grouped Beckham, whose designs have appeared on catwalks at New York . Fashion week, with mainstream retailers such as Zara and H&M. Take a bow: Mrs Beckham steps out from backstage at the end of her New York Fashion Week show, which was met with rave reviews but it seems not everyone was a fan . The . museum's exhibition, which opens Saturday, traces the global rise of . Italian style, from the rebuilding of a shattered economy after World . War II through the 1950s and '60s, when stars including Elizabeth Taylor . and Audrey Hepburn made Italian design synonymous with sophistication. It . also looks at how Italy's fashion and textile industries are coping . with the globalised 'fast fashion' world of the 21st century. The . show, which runs until July 27, features designs from fashion houses . including Giorgio Armani, Prada, Gucci, Valentino and Versace - and of . course, Dolce & Gabbana. Nonetheless, Victoria Beckham recently revealed that she . wants to design footwear in a conversation with Parsons' Dean of . Fashion, Simon Collins, in New York. Unfair: Dolce grouped Beckham, whose designs have appeared on catwalks at New York Fashion week, with mainstream retailers such as Zara and H&M . The event was attended by over 800 fashion students and fans, according to Fashionista.com, and saw the designer, 39, open up about the future of her empire. 'You know, I do want to start a shoe collection,' she said. 'If anybody here is a shoe designer, please do come and see . me! I definitely think shoes is probably the next category that I’ll . look at going into; it's quite a competitive category but I would love . to go into [it]. Mrs Beckham admitted that she
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Speaking at launch of The Glamour of Italian Fashion exhibition . Dolce grouped Beckham with mainstream retailers Zara and H&M . Beckham was once an ambassador for them . | cnn_dm | null |
Fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, have been put on today for alleged tax evasion. The investigation of the duo, who count pop star Madonna and model Naomi Campbell among their clients, is one of the most prominent tax cases involving celebrities in Italy. The designers, who deny any wrongdoing . and did not attend the hearing on Monday, stand accused of not declaring . taxes in Italy on royalties of around one billion euros - approximately . £760million. The case is one of the few high-profile tax disputes to go to court in Italy, where the government of Mario Monti has launched a clampdown on tax dodgers, including highly-publicised police raids in yacht marinas and chic ski resorts. On trial: Stefano Gabbana (left) and Domenico Dolce deny defrauding the Italian government of around one billion euros in taxes . Prosecutor Laura Pedio alleges the duo sold their D&G and Dolce & Gabbana brands to a holding company they set up in Luxembourg in 2004 in order to avoid paying taxes in Italy, where corporate tax rates are among the world's highest. The two Italian business partners had been cleared from accusations of tax cheating by a previous Milan court last year. But a higher court overturned the acquittal, paving the way for the trial. Madonna, a customer of D&G, pictured wearing one of their outfits at a premiere in 2008 . The designers, who draw inspiration from Sicily's and Italy's 'sweet life' style of the 1950s, have kept a low profile on the case after Gabbana lashed out at the high court's decision last year, saying on Twitter he could leave the country. 'Everyone knows that we haven't done anything,' Gabbana said in a tweet in June when the Milan court ordered the trial. Six other people, including a tax consultant, also face trial. If found guilty, they risk a sentence of up to five years in prison. At Monday's hearing, a lawyer for Dolce and Gabbana asked the court to annul the trial on grounds of alleged irregularities in the notification of court proceedings. The court will decide on the request on December 14. The designers did not comment on the case on Monday and their lawyer was not immediately reachable for a comment. Previous tax cases involving celebrities in Italy have led to out-of-court settlements, agreements that avoid long legal proceedings and possibly harsher punishments. In 2000, the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti paid more than $12 million in back taxes when he settled a four-year dispute. Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona owes some 38 million euros in unpaid taxes to Italian authorities, according to media reports. He has said he wanted to clear up his situation. Meanwhile, former MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi agreed to pay $51 million to Italy's tax agency in 2008 after a lengthy probe. The trial continues. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Designers strongly deny any wrong-doing over tax evasion charges . Duo did not appear in court to defend claims they set up holding company abroad to avoid Italy's high tax rates . One of many high-profile cases as Italy stamps down on tax dodgers . | cnn_dm | null |
Whether you are a Christmas Grinch or already irritating your co-workers with your festive cheer, there can be no avoiding the advent of the holiday season. The tree at Claridge’s hotel in London has brought joy and wonderment to hundreds for decades, with its grand unveiling each year epitomising the start of the Christmas season for many. For the past four years the tree has been decorated by a top designer and this year Claridge’s has announced that fashion duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana will be overseeing the design. A sketch of Dolce and Gabbana's design for the landmark Claridge's Christmas tree shows the Italian spirit the pair hoped to infuse into traditional Christmas designs . The tree in the Claridge's lobby has become synonymous with Christmas for both Londoners and visitors . The tree always tells a stunning visual story, and this year, under Dolce and Gabbana it will depict elements from a traditional Christmas combined with influences from the designers’ Italian heritage. Designers Stefano Gabanna, left, and Domenico Dolce join a growing list of prestigious designers who have dressed the Claridge's tree . Hand crafted Sicilian puppets, known as ‘pupi’ will adorn the tree alongside hand-painted Italian festive glass baubles and a bespoke multi-coloured ‘luminarie’ framework created in Southern Italy. The entire structure will stand at 6.8 metres and will be painstakingly transported over from Italy and erected over night by Claridge's staff to greet guests as they descend for breakfast on the morning of 26 November. Dolce and Gabbana commented on swapping clothes for conifers and foliage. ‘When we think of London we always think of Claridge’s and of its typically English atmosphere that fascinates us and makes us fall in love with the city every time as if it were the first,' they said. ‘Our Christmas tree isn’t only a celebration of Christmas as we celebrate it in Italy, but it’s at the same time a tribute to the artisanal Italian tradition, the same that we love to export worldwide with everything we do.’ Speaking about the collaboration Claridge’s General Manager Thomas Kochs says: ‘We are delighted to welcome Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana to spread their special Christmas magic in our lobby this year. ‘Both Claridge’s and Dolce and Gabbana are synonymous with timeless glamour, innovative spirit and traditional family values that are so important at this time of year.’ Last year the tree was created by Kally Ellis, founder of renowned British floral designers McQueens . In 2011 the tree was decorated by Lanvin and featured a family of puppets in a Christmas scenee . Over the past four years the tree, designed by John Galliano for Dior and Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, has become a festive landmark, drawing visitors and Londoners alike to the ancient Mayfair hotel. Last year the tree was created by Kally Ellis, founder of renowned British floral designers McQueens, who created a breath-taking natural forest tree featuring magnolia branches and lichen moss, studded with crystal and emerald jewel eggs in white, gold and silver. The new tree will be unveiled
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Tree in the lobby of famous hotel has become a huge tourist attraction . Previously designed by Lanvin, John Galliano and McQueens . This year Dolce and Gabanno will bring Italian influence to the tree . Will feature hand crafted Sicilian puppets and Italian festive glass baubles . Tree will stand 6.8m tall and be flown from Italy in pieces . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Hannah Roberts In Rome . PUBLISHED: . 13:12 EST, 19 July 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 13:15 EST, 19 July 2013 . Italian fashion designers Dolce & Gabbana have closed their Milan stores for three days from today in protest at being 'pilloried' over their tax evasion convictions. Signs reading 'closed for indignation' were pinned up in the windows of the designers' shops in Milan, the city where the pair showed their first collection in 1985. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were given 20-month jail terms for evading taxes on royalties of around a billion euros (£860million) by selling their brand to a Luxembourg-based holding company in 2004. Passersby looking into the closed Dolce & Gabbana shops in Milan today, where the signs read 'closed for indignation' Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are furious over 'attacks from public ministers and the media pillory' over their tax eviction convictions, they said . They are not yet wearing prison stripes, as, under the Italian justice system, anyone found guilty of a crime is automatically granted at least two appeals. However, Milan’s city administration said the pair, who count Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss among their celebrity fans, would no longer be able to use any public spaces for their shows as they were bad for the city’s image. Commercial director Franco D’Alfonso said: ‘Any time designers Dolce and Gabbana submit requests for public space, the council must keep the doors closed to them. ‘Their fashion is seen as excellent the world over, but we do not need tax evaders to promote us.’ The designers are hitting back at Milan council after a city councillor said the duo not be allowed to show their collections in Milan's communal spaces after their convictions . The designers afterwards reacted with rage. In a furious tweet Stefano Gabbana wrote: ‘Milan council: You’re disgusting!!!’ And today its Milan stores, Martini bar and restaurant, Gold, were shut in protest, exhibiting signs in the windows saying ‘Closed in indignation’, in both English and Italian. 'We are no longer willing to suffer undeservedly the accusations of the financial police and the income revenue authority, attacks from public ministers and the media pillory we have already been subjected to for years,' they said in a statement. Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce in happier times after presenting their collection in Milan last year . The pair said they would continue to pay their more than 250 employees in Milan during the temporary closure of all their nine shops in the city. The conviction follows an investigation that began in 2008 as part of a tax-avoidance crackdown amid the eurozone crisis. The two founders of the iconic . fashion house, with six others, evaded taxes for several years after . setting up a front company in Luxembourg. The . creators of the world-famous Dolce & Gabbana brand who are expected . to appeal, were also ordered to pay compensation to Italy’s tax . authorities. Dolce & Gabbana will appeal their sentences and the company appears to conducting business as usual, with an
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Dolce & Gabbana have shut shops in Milan to protest public criticism . Their shop windows signs read: 'Closed for indignation' The Italian designer duo have been convicted of £860m of tax evasion . Council then said they should be banned from using public spaces for shows . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Hannah Roberts . PUBLISHED: . 11:04 EST, 19 June 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 01:41 EST, 20 June 2013 . Black and white stripes could be huge on the catwalks next season – for Dolce and Gabbana have been sentenced to prison for tax evasion. The designers were both handed 20month terms for failing to pay the Italian authorities €408million (£350million). In one of the few high-profile tax cases to reach court in Italy, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, who count Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss among their celebrity fans, were convicted of failing to declare royalties of about €1billion (£860million). Scroll down for video . Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana each sentenced to one year, eight months in jail by an Italian judge for failing to declare £850million ($1.34billion) in income tax . A judge in Milan ruled that they used a . holding company in Luxembourg to avoid Italy’s corporation taxes for . years. The designers and their accountant had already been fined . €400million (£340million) in April in a related case. Under the Italian justice system, . anyone found guilty of a crime is automatically granted at least two . appeals. In the event of a final conviction, jail sentences of two years . or less for non-violent crimes are typically suspended. The convictions come days before the . luxury brand opens a new shop in New Bond Street in London. They follow . an investigation that began in 2008 as part of a tax-avoidance crackdown . amid the eurozone crisis. Sentence: Dolce and Gabbana's lawyer Massimo Di Noia answers reporters' questions after the sentence of 20 months in jail at the Milan court today . Prosecutors Laura Pedio and Gaetano Ruta exchanged a glance prior to the sentence. The Milan court convicted fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of tax evasion . A-list endorsement: Actress Scarlett Johansson is one of the celebrity faces of Dolce & Gabbana . Longtime brand: Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana went into business 28 years ago . Dolce and Gabbana had initially been . acquitted of tax fraud in 2011, when a different judge ruled there was . insufficient evidence to indict them. However, after an appeal to the . country’s supreme court, prosecutors were able to re-open the case by . dropping the fraud charges and pressing for convictions on tax evasion . instead. Dolce and Gabbana’s Milan office was . last night still composing a statement for the media. When the charges . were first made public, Mr Gabbana condemned the Italian tax authorities . as ‘thieves’, and threatened to leave the country. Tax evasion is thought to cost Italy . €200billion (£170billion) a year. Several cases involving celebrities . have led to out-of-court settlements; in 2000 opera singer Luciano . Pavarotti paid 24billion lira (£8million) in back taxes, while MotoGP . champion Valentino Rossi agreed to hand over €39million (£33million) in . 2008.
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Famous designers found guilty of failing to declare £850m in income tax . Italian court heard that they used a Luxembourg company to avoid tax . Judge sentenced both to 20 months in jail - suspended pending appeal . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Simon Tomlinson . Fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana threatened to pull millions of pounds in advertising from publisher Condé Nast over a story Vanity Fair was planning to run on their tax fraud conviction, it was claimed today. The Italian duo were reportedly so angry they allegedly rang Condé Nast artistic director and Vogue editor Anna Wintour to get her to kill the feature. Advertising revenue from Dolce and Gabbana is thought to be worth an estimated $10 million to $20 million to Condé Nast's titles, which also include Allure, Details, Condé Nast Traveler and GQ. 'Angry': Designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana (left) allegedly rang Conde Nast artistic director Anna Wintour (right) to get her to kill an upcoming story reportedly focusing on their tax fraud conviction in Italy . The Vanity Fair feature will focus on the duo's legal battle in Italy in which they were each given 18-month jail sentences for tax evasion, a source told Page Six. It is believed Wintour refused their demand. However, Page Six notes the editor-in-chief did fly to the Italian island of Capri last month to give exclusive coverage of D&G’s Alta Moda show. Sources claim she went with the aim of 'appeasing' the designers, adding: 'She went to save . the advertising.' A spokesman for Vanity Fair said: 'We don’t comment on whether we are or are not working on a story.' Vogue declined to comment. Claims: Dolce and Gabbana (pictured at a fashion show in 2007) reportedly threatened to pull millions of pounds in advertising from Conde Nast titles over the story . A spokesman for Dolce & Gabbana refused to comment. Dolce and Gabbana have each been given 18-month suspended jail terms for tax evasion despite the prosecution arguing for the pair to be acquitted. In May, Italy's appeals court upheld a verdict issued in June last year against the pair on charges of using Luxembourg holding company Gado to avoid paying taxes on royalties of about 1billion euros (£820million). The pair had their sentences reduced from 20 months because of statute of limitations applied to certain facts in the case. A fine of up to 10 million euros was also imposed over avoidance of the payments in Italy, where corporate taxes are among the highest in Europe. Big business: The August edition of Vanity Fair (left). Advertising revenue from Dolce and Gabbana is thought to be worth an estimated $10 million to $20 million to Condé Nast's titles, which also includes Vogue (right) The designers - who have always denied any wrongdoing - are appealing the decision. The case stems from an investigation that began in 2008 when Italian tax authorities stepped up their fight against tax evasion as a global financial crisis began to bite. Fashion companies have fallen under the scrutiny of Italy's tax authorities partly due to the fact the sector has performed well during the country's longest recession since World War Two. Giorgio Armani paid 270 million euros to tax authorities in early April to settle a dispute over payments from
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Italian duo 'angry about an upcoming feature on their tax fraud conviction' Anna Wintour 'refused request but covered fashion show to appease pair' Pair each given 18-month jail terms for avoiding taxes on €1bn of royalties . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 08:45 EST, 4 December 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:03 EST, 4 December 2013 . Peaches Geldof and her family joined Tamara Beckwith and her daughter at the opening of Dolce and Gabbana's first children's store in the UK. Dressed in an on-trend black lace dress, 24-year-old Peaches posed and played with her two sons, 1-year-old Astala Dylan Willow Geldof-Cohen and 8-month-old Phaedra Bloom Forever Cohen, at the opening. She was joined by husband Tom Cohen, lead singer of the band S.C.U.M, who looked dapper in a black suit. Family night out: Thomas Cohen, Astala Dylan Willow Geldof-Cohen, Phaedra Bloom Forever Cohen and Peaches Geldof attend at the Dolce & Gabbana children's boutique launch . Tamara Beckwith, 43, looked festive in a lace red dress as she posed for pictures with 4-year-old daughter, Violet Angiolina Rose Veroni. Luxury fashion house Dolce and Gabbana has launched the boutique in London's prestigious Sloane Square, the third store they have opened there. Located at 8 Sloane Square - the new boutique sells vintage toys, clothes, bags and shoes for children aged up to 12, as well as furniture. Black out: Dressed in an on-trend black lace dress, Peaches posed at the 'Christmas On Sloane Street' store launch . Lady in red: Tamara Beckwith, 43, looked festive in a lace red dress, as she posed for pictures with 4-year-old daughter Violet Angiolina Rose Veroni . Playtime: Peaches played with her two sons at the store's opening in Sloane Square, the label's third clothing shop in the vicinity . There's no doubt that fashion-forward . Peaches and Tamara will be dressing their children in the brand's 2014 . range, which offers detailed floral dresses for girls and denim shirts for boys. The London store is the brand's second, the first Dolce and Gabanna children's boutique opened in Milan last year. Speaking about their decision to . branch out into children's wear, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the . design duo behind the house, said: 'To us, it's like going back to when we began our adventure: full of ideas.'
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Peaches, 24, attended with husband and two sons . Tamara, 43, took 4-year-old daughter Violet Angiolina Rose Veroni . Store opened in Sloane Square . | cnn_dm | null |
(CNN) -- Fashion luminaries Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were sentenced to prison in Italy Wednesday for failing to pay 40.4 million euros in taxes to the Italian government, their lawyer and a prosecutor said. "This time it was not the case like the invoice for car repair," prosecutor Laura Pedio said of the crime for which the fashion duo was convicted. "This time it's serious, complicated, sophisticated tax fraud crime." Both men were sentenced to one year and eight months in prison and, in addition to what they owe in taxes, told to pay a fine of 500,000 euros. Their lawyer, Massimo Dinoia, vowed that the defense plans to appeal the convictions as well as the related fines and sentences. "Dolce and Gabbana will not go to jail now or ever," Dinoia said. Dolce & Gabbana, fashion's golden duo . Four others associated with the upscale Dolce & Gabbana brand -- including Domenico's brother Alfonso Dolce and company tax consultant Luciano Patelli -- also face prison time, though Dinoia and Pedio did not know the length of all their sentences. While the decision was announced Wednesday morning in a Milan court, authorities did not immediately release details to the media or public. According to Pedio, investigators found that between 2004 and 2007 Dolce and Gabbana failed to tell Italian authorities about an offshoot company they'd set up in Luxembourg, costing Italy millions of euros in taxes. "I'm very satisfied with the sentence," the prosecutor said. "It was a very elaborate (use of an offshore company) that appeared legal, but was illegal." The fashion magnates' defense team said this wasn't a sweeping verdict. In a statement, the lawyers said the court found Dolce and Gabbana innocent "of the accusation of having unfaithfully declared their earnings," even as the two men were convicted on a "taxes declaration omission." It's not clear how the court ruling will impact the storied Dolce & Gabbana company, if at all. The two stylists debuted their brand in an October 1985 show in Milan. Since then, they have exploded to become one of the world's most recognizable and desired fashion companies, with an array of products and stores from Azerbaijan to Qatar to Singapore to the United States and many places in between. Fashion's Galliano found guilty of making anti-Semitic comments . Journalist Livia Borghese reported from Rome and CNN's Greg Botelho wrote this story from Atlanta.
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | NEW: Defense lawyers: They were convicted on one accusation, not all . Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are sentenced in a Milan court . So, too, are four others associated with their upscale fashion company . The fashion luminaries' lawyer says their convictions will be appealed . | cnn_dm | null |
Kerry Washington's new InStyle cover is being attacked on social media by critics who have accused the fashion magazine of editing the image in order to purposefully 'whitewash' the star and drastically alter her appearance. The 38-year-old actress happily took to Instagram on Wednesday to reveal her latest cover, writing: 'I'm THRILLED to share with you all that I'm on the cover of this year's March @instylemagazine! Can't wait for you guys to see it and read it! So honored. And crazy excited.' But many of her fans were unable to feign pleasure over the image – and quickly responded to share their outrage at the overly-edited image. Scroll down for video . Appearances are deceiving: Online critics are slamming Kerry Washington's cover of InStyle and accusing the magazine of 'whitewashing' the star for its March 2015 issue . Natural beauty: Kerry looked much more like her usual self when she attended the Jennifer Meyer xo Jessica Alba Necklace Launch Celebration Party in West Hollywood, California on February 3 . Dolce & Gabbana Polka Dot Printed Viscose Cady Dress . Available at Luisa Via Roma . Visit site . Valentine's Day is around the corner and love is in the air. In this case, Kerry Washington doesn't wear her heart on her sleeve, but on her purse. The Scandal star hosted an event in California in a polka dot Dolce & Gabbana dress and Rover Vivier shoulder bag. Flawless! The design duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana had fun with spots in their Spring collection playing with size and proportion. In one look, the black dots were combined with a floral print, in another they decorated a sheer overlay, and yet again they were used and paired with fringe. The Italian designers weren't the only ones who were whipped into a speckled frenzy. Spots appeared on the Spring runway at Marc by Marc Jacobs and See by Chloe as well. Click on the link at right for Kerry's exact dress at Luisa Via Roma. If the price isn't right, we've got dotted pieces in our edit starting at $21. Forever 21 Dotted Fit and Flare Dress . Visit site . Band of Outsiders Polka Dot Shift Dress . Visit site . Polka Dot Cotton Spandex American Apparel Jersey Scoop Back Tank Dress . Visit site . Many voiced their thoughts by posting in the comments section under Kerry’s image, lashing out at what they described as a ‘false representation’ of the Scandal star. One woman went as far as to suggest that the magazine should issue an apology to Kerry for altering the image so drastically, referring to the cover as 'an egregious mistake'. 'You mean to tell me your editors saw fit to Photoshop @kerrywashington to the point where not only is her completion is severely lightened but the ENTIRE character of her face is altered?' she fumed. 'Your magazine needs to issue a statement of apology not only to your readers but to Kerry Washington as well.' Another woman chimed in to say that she would boycotting the magazine from
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Kerry proudly revealed the cover on Instagram on Wednesday . Online critics swore off InStyle and demanded the magazine should apologize . | cnn_dm | null |
Jail-house stripes look like last season’s trend as fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are set to be acquitted of tax fraud, after an Italian prosecutor declared them innocent. The world famous design duo were sentenced to one year and eight months in jail last year after being convicted of evading taxes on almost one billion euros. The two founders of the iconic fashion house were also ordered to pay compensation to Italy's tax authorities. Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce were found guilty of tax evasion and sentenced to jail, but may now walk free after a prosecutor said they were innocent . Milan prosecutors had told the court that the creators of the . world-famous Dolce & Gabbana brand, with six others, evaded taxes . for several years after setting up a holding company in Luxembourg . called Gado. 'Gado was an artificial construction with the specific function of obtaining tax benefits,' prosecutors said. But . in a dramatic turnaround today an appeal court heard that the . designers had 'paid their taxes' and that the holding company was 'a . legal operation'. The news will come as a relief for fans after the designers said it could go bankrupt if the fine was imposed . At the time of the convictions last year the fashion house closed their Milan store in protest . Prosecutor Gaetano Santamaria Amato today called for the acquittal of all the accused saying . that 'the case is groundless'. Mr Santamaria Amato told the court that the financial move outside Italy was 'economically justifiable'. He . explained: ‘You chose Luxembourg because the stock exchange is the . most vibrant in Europe, because its tax system attracts capital and also . because it has many bilateral treaties with other states that regulate . the principle of double taxation. ‘ . The shock reverse by prosecutors follows a 90 page appeal submitted by the fashion house’s lawyers after the first verdict. With the prospect of conviction being overturned, life at the high-end fashion house can return to normal (pictured are Scarlet Johansson and Matthew McConaughey in a recent advertising campaign)
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Italian designer duo were convicted last year of £860m of tax evasion . Given to one year and eight months jail and ordered to pay compensation . However an Italian prosecutor has now declared the pair innocent . | cnn_dm | null |
Christmas is now only five weeks away, and four Premier League footballers got into the festive spirit when they attended the Dolce & Gabbana Christmas Tree Party at Claridge's. Chelsea duo Oscar and Willian, as well as Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini and QPR's Adel Taarabt, were among a star-studded line-up of guests at the central London hotel. The night was primarily to celebrate the Claridge's tree, designed for the second year in a row by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, who were both in attendance. Willian, Mathieu Flamini, Oscar and Adel Taarabt (left-right) were suited and booted for the Dolce & Gabbana Christmas Tree Party . Willian (left) and Taarabt were all smiles as they posed for photos in front of the main event in the Claridge's reception . The tree has been decorated with 300 hand-painted glass baubles - each featuring international flags to symbolise other seasonal traditions. And there were plenty of nationalities on show in the footballing contingency present. Chelsea stars Oscar and Willian both represent the best of Brazil, while Flamini is French and Taarabt Moroccan. Pixie Lott attended the Dolce & Gabbana Christmas Tree Party at Claridge's in central London with her boyfriend Oliver Cheshire . Flamini (left) and Brazilian star Oscar also posed for individual photographs in front of the stunning Christmas tree . Stefano Gabbana (left) and Domenico Dolce (right), designers of the Christmas tree, pose with pop sensation Kylie Minogue . They will all be sampling the delights of a British Christmas this year though, as they travel around the UK for a busy footballing schedule over the coming weeks. Also on show at the bash were singers, actors and actresses and fashion designers. Pixie Lott made an appearance with her boyfriend Oliver Cheshire, while pop sensation Kylie Minogue and Harry Potter actor Tom Felton were also in attendance. The Dolce & Gabbana tree looked amazing in the Claridge's reception area, where guests posed for photos on arrival at the event . Chef and TV personality Gizzi Erskine showed the finer details of the tree when she posed with the animals for a photograph .
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | The Dolce & Gabbana Christmas Tree Party took place at Claridge's hotel in Mayfair, central London on Wednesday . Chelsea pair Willian and Oscar were in attendance, as well as Arsenal's Mathieu Flamini and QPR's Adel Taarabt . The event was primarily to celebrate the Claridge's tree, designed for the second year in a row by Dolce & Gabbana . Other guests included Pixie Lott, Harry Potter actor Tom Felton and pop sensation Kylie Minogue . | cnn_dm | null |
Ivanka Trump has spoken about her conversion to Judaism for the first time in the new issue of Vogue. The mother-of-two, 33, whose father, Donald, is Presbyterian, converted in 2009 ahead of her marriage to New York Observer owner Jared Kushner, whose family are Orthodox Jews. 'It's been such a great life decision for me,' she tells the magazine. 'I am very modern, but I'm also a very traditional person, and I think that's an interesting juxtaposition in how I was raised as well. Scroll down for video . Mom first: Ivanka was shot for Vogue in her Manhattan apartment. Her son Joseph, 17 months, makes a cameo in one of the photos . 'I really find that with Judaism, it creates an amazing blueprint for family connectivity . . . 'We observe the Sabbath,' she continues. 'From Friday to Saturday we don't do anything but hang out with one another. We don't make phone calls.' But, Ivanka adds, she has been reluctant to discuss the subject in the past. 'I always shied away from it being a public conversation because it's such a personal thing,' she says. 'We're pretty observant, more than some, less than others. I just feel like it's such an intimate thing for us.' The former model-turned-businesswoman says her marriage is a far cry from her parents' who divorced in 1992 after 15 years and three children together. Stealing the show! A behind-the-scenes snap shows Ivanka's three-year-old daughter Arabella putting on a performance for the camera . Dolce & Gabbana Polka Dot Printed Silk Gauze Dress . Available at Luisaviaroma.com . Visit site . When Ivanka Trump appeared in the pages of Vogue magazine we knew she wouldn't be wearing any old rags. The young businesswoman opened up her home to the readers of the fashion bible in a $9,000 Dolce & Gabbana dress. And we would expect nothing less from the heiress to the Trump throne. The bold mix of polka dot and floral prints makes a huge style statement. Spots and botanicals are classic motifs on their own, but when combined they make a daring duo that Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana execute flawlessly. The risk-taking Italian designers didn't play it safe when creating their Spring collection with unconventional pairings like flowers with stripes and lace with fringe. The silk frock is available at Luisa Via Roma by clicking to the right. But for most of us, this style is out of our price range. Not to worry, we've got spotted options from Sophie Hulme and Julie Brown that won't break the bank. However, our preference goes to Rebecca Minkoff's Devy dress. It looks like it was pulled from D&G's runway at a fraction of the cost of the original. Rebecca Minkoff Devy Dot-Print Silk Maxi Dress at Saks Fifth Avenue . Visit site . JB by Julie Brown Black Printed Stretch Woven Wrap-Style Maxi Dress at Bluefly . Visit site . Sophie Hulme Burgundy Polka Silk Long Dress at Avenue 32 . Visit site . Tuana Long Dress at Yoox . Visit site . Family
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Ivanka converted in 2009 ahead of her marriage to New York Observer owner Jared Kushner, whose family are Orthodox Jews . The mother-of-two, 33, calls the conversion 'such a great life decision' | cnn_dm | null |
By . Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 09:50 EST, 13 January 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 12:05 EST, 13 January 2014 . London Collections: Men came and went in a blur of outlandish style but just as we were getting over the chunky heels, mesh vest tops and sci-fi fashion, Milan Fashion Week has pulled some more outrageous fashion out of the bag. On the prestigious event's penultimate day in the Italian capital, male models looked ready for the winter weather in bomber jackets, boots and...knitted tights. Giorgio Armani may be better known for his sharp suits and tailoring but he took a new approach for AW14 and, if his catwalk is anything to go by, our male partners will be donning fluffy thermals next season. Is this what YOUR man will be wearing next season? Models wear wooly creations for Emporio Armani men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection, part of the Milan Fashion Week today . Does that coat double as a sleeping bag? At least the Armani models - who donned giant ponchos, helmets and fur gilets - are prepared for the winter weather . Ready for the slopes: Fashion went apres ski at Armani today. The models donned salopettes, jumpers emblazoned with the fashion house's logo, helmets and goggles . Giving Cara a run for her money: One of Armani's male model had eyebrows that put Miss Delevingne's famous brows to shame . That's better! Armani sent out dapper models clad in his signature sharp tailored suits; a welcome relief from the knitted tights that also graced the catwalk . Brains behind the brand: Designer Giorgio Armani (L) is one of the most reputable designers in Italy . Other heavy hitters to showcase their collections were Dolce & Gabbana, who continued their obsession with religious iconography and love of their native Sicily. For AW14, the Norman invasion of the region is what Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana were inspired by the Norman invasion of the region, which they translated onto oversized sweatshirts emblazoned with portraits of crusaders. Models wore snoods, which were created to resemble the chain mail of the medieval warriors. As for accessories, they were opulent and came embellished with gold beading, covered in threads and jewel-toned buttons. In other news, Gene Simmons and the rest of Kiss made a surprise appearance at Milan Menswear Fashion Week on Saturday. The musicians walked at the end of the John Varvatos show, pulling their signature tongues-out faces and delighting the audience with a rendition of 'Rock and Roll All Nite.' Tomorrow is the final day of Milan Fashion Week, after which the designers of Paris - such as Valentino and Raf Simons - will showcase their finest fashion for the world to see. Surprise! American fashion designer John Varvatos, right, is accompanied by Rock Band Kiss as he acknowledges the applause of the audience, at the end of his men's Autumn-Winter 2014 collection . Rock on! The musicians walked at the end of the John Varvatos show, pulling their signature tongues-out faces and delighting the audience with a rendition of
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Emporio Armani men's Fall-Winter 2014 collection showcased in Milan . Models wore knitted tights, salopettes and huge helmets . Penultimate day of fashion week in Italian capital . Paris fashion week begins on January 15 . | cnn_dm | null |
Alexa Chung showed her fashion allegiance to designers north of the border at the Scottish Fashion Awards last night opting for an ensemble designed by Christopher Kane. Sticking to her signature style the model opted for an over-sized white shirt and floral print silk dress from the designer's spring / summer 2012 collection teamed with tan suede brogues. Doctor Who star Karen . Gillan, D&G model David Gandy and face of Chanel Stella Tennant were . among others to attend the seventh annual red carpet event, held at the Clyde Auditorium . in Glasgow. Scroll down for video . Alexa Chung arrived on the red carpet to host the Scottish Fashion Awards wearing Christopher Kane designs . Taking to the stage Alexa presented Christopher Kane with the evening's top prize, Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year 2012. The 29-year-old St Martin's graduate who has had global . success with his signature graphic silk prints, beat off competition from two-time winner Jonathan Saunders. He said: 'I am extremely proud and grateful to receive my award. From left: Face of Chanel Stella Tennant, D&G model David Gandy and Doctor Who star Karen Gillan . From left: Sugababe Jade Ewan, Scottish Model of the Year Tali Lennox and Millie Mackintosh in SuperTrash . 'Scotland has such a wealth of great . fashion talent from design through to production and the heritage is . something that we should all be proud of.' Kane, wearing a mixture of Prada, . Versace and his own eponymous label, added: 'I'm here with other really talented . designers, friends of mine, and we are all winners.' Doctor . Who actress Karen Gillan - who also played the role of supermodel Jean . Shrimpton in the BBC drama We'll Take Manhattan earlier this year - was . named Scottish Fashion Icon. She wowed guests in a striking yellow and black mini dress, which she teamed with black heels and a nude bag. From left: Awards founder and chairman Tessa Hartmann, Scottish artist Tallia Storm and Dionne Bromfield . Tali Lennox, daughter of Annie Lennox, . took home the Scottish Model of the Year prize for a second consecutive . year, while supermodel Stella Tennant was inducted into the Hall of Fame . and David Gandy, the face of Dolce & Gabbana, also made an . appearance. Other stars of . the small screen walking the red carpet included Made In Chelsea's . Millie Mackintosh-wearing a SuperTrash gown - television personality Lizzie Cundy and Sugababe Jade . Ewen. Golden girl: Lizzie Cundy shone in a dress by Basler . Following the awards ceremony and black-tie gala dinner guests . were treated to exclusive catwalk shows and entertainment by the late . Amy Winehouse's god-daughter Dionne Bromfield and Scottish teenager . Tallia Storm, who performed at Sir Elton John's concert the previous . night, to a 17,000-strong crowd. Bromfield . revealed she was supporting local talent by opting for a fringe-hemmed, . print dress by Scottish designer Holly Fulton, who was one of the . nominees for Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year.
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Christopher Kane named Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year 2012 . Doctor Who actress Karen Gillan also scoops award . Dionne Bromfield and Tallia Storm provide entertainment . | cnn_dm | null |
David Furnish, Zachary Furnish-John, Elijah Furish-John and Sir Elton John at the Woodside End of Summer party . Say what you like about Sir Elton John, but he certainly knows how to throw a party. For years, his annual White Tie and Tiara ball — held at his opulent Woodside mansion in Old Windsor, to raise money for his Aids Foundation — has been one of the social events of the season. Now, having apparently been scrapped because of an influx of ‘riff-raff’, the event was reborn on Thursday night as the Woodside End Of Summer Party. Liz Hurley was there, along with an eclectic selection of Sir Elton and David Furnish’s chums, including comedian David Walliams, actor Sir Ian McKellen and designer Jasper Conran. So what went on in Old Windsor? Who is the millionaire who paid £50,000 to kiss Elizabeth Hurley? And why was David Furnish the big talking point of the night? HERE COME THE D-LISTERS . Not everyone who came to the £3,000-a-ticket event in the grounds of Sir Elton’s lavish home was in the superstar bracket. Male model David Gandy — who turns up at parties all over town — was there, as was socialite Tamara Beckwith, who pronounced herself knocked out by the ‘festival vibe’ of the party. Hollyoaks actor Kieron Richardson also scored an invite, as did Rosanna Davison, the daughter of crooner Chris de Burgh, who is known mainly for winning Miss World way back in 2003. Higher up the celebrity food chain, Sir Elton played host to David Walliams and his supermodel wife, Lara Stone, and also comedian Jimmy Carr and his girlfriend Karoline Copping. Lulu was in attendance, too. In previous years, Sir Elton has welcomed such luminaries as Catherine Zeta Jones, Rod Stewart, Naomi Campbell as well as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and the Duchess of York. The lack of big-hitters this year, it seems, was mainly down to timing. At this point in the calendar, the Hollywood crowd are in Venice for the film festival, while the fashionistas are in the Big Apple for New York Fashion Week. THE VENUE . Sir Elton bought Woodside in 1975 and his staff have been known to mutter that it’s bigger than nearby Windsor Castle, with eight bedrooms, a billiards room, 30 acres and a squash court. As Elton himself shrugs: ‘One queen living next door to another.’ The spectacular estate boasts a Roman terrace, Italian gardens, a secret garden and a white scented garden. Indeed, the gardens are so big that guests were offered a tour by rickshaw. There were some grumbles that there weren’t quite enough rickshaws to go around, though, and there were also long queues for the lavatories. At the start of the evening, Sir Elton and David came out to mingle with their two sons, born to a surrogate mother. Zachary, nearly four, and Elijah, 20 months, are regulars at their fathers parties . Karoline Copping, Jimmy Carr, David Furnish, Lara Stone, Sir Elton John and David Walliams at the party . THE SMALL TALK . At
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Annual party previously known as White Tie and Tiara Ball made a comeback . Reinvented as Woodside End of Summer Party with summer chic dresscode . Sir Elton and David came out to mingle with sons Zachary, 4, and Elijah . The children wore matching £95 canvas shoes in classic Burberry check . | cnn_dm | null |
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have been cleared by Italy's top court of tax evasion. The founders of the Dolce and Gabbana fashion house had previously been found guilty by two lower Italian courts of failing to declare millions of euros the company earned through a subsidy based in Luxembourg. In April, an appeals court gave a suspended sentence of 18 months in jail to the designers, who have always denied the charges. Acquitted: Domenico Dolce (right) and Stefano Gabbana have been cleared by Italy's top court of tax evasion . However when the Supreme Court of Cassation was asked to confirm the sentence, it acquitted the pair saying there was no case to answer. Shortly after the ruling, Gabbana tweeted: 'We knew it!!! We . are honest people!'. The suit stems from an investigation that began in 2008 when . Italian authorities stepped up their fight against tax evasion . as the global financial crisis began to bite. Fashion groups have come under tax authorities' scrutiny in . Italy partly because they performed better than most other . sectors during the financial crisis, but the cases rarely come . to court. Fellow Italian fashion house Prada said in . September its chairwoman Miuccia Prada and her husband, chief . executive officer Patrizio Bertelli, were being investigated by . Italian authorities over payment of past taxes. Fellow Italian fashion house Prada said inSeptember its chairwoman Miuccia Prada and her husband, chief executive officer Patrizio Bertelli, were being investigated byItalian authorities over payment of past taxes .
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Designers had been found guilty of failing to declare millions of euros . Dolce and Gabbana had earned money through Luxembourg-based subsidy . In April, appeals court gave a suspended sentence of 18 months in jail . Today the pair, who have always denied the charges, were acquitted . | cnn_dm | null |
He's best known for looking good in his underpants, but Britain's most successful male fashion model is now hoping to attract some attention to his very stylish feet. The Billericay-born 34-year-old, who shot to fame wearing just his underpants in a Dolce & Gabbana campaign in 2006, is now the proud owner of footwear brand, David Preston. David Gandy, who is dating The Saturdays' Mollie King, loved his pair of David Preston-designed Chelsea boots so much, he decided to buy the company. Scroll down for video . David Gandy (right) has bought the David Preston (left) shoe brand and the pair are launching their first collection as business partners at his weekend at London Collections: Men . The label will have a soft launch at London Collections: Men, which Mr Gandy is also an ambassador for, later in the week. In an interview regarding his latest acquisition, the male supermodel, who has 230,000 followers on Instagram, told fashion website WWD: 'It was always my aim — which sounds really strange as a model — not to always be in front of the camera but to turn the other way and have an input. 'I don't just do one campaign and move on. I go in there, I look at the team and I want to help the brand move in a different direction. He added: 'For me, that's the exciting part - I want to be involved. 'Everyone thinks I turn up on set and go home afterward, but I'm probably the biggest pain in the a***. "Can we do this? Can we do that?" It's fun.' David Gandy in David Preston shoes: The model loved his pair so much he decided to buy the company . Mr Gandy's plans for his new brand are to 'create a lifestyle' around the label and to think how men want to be seen in them. 'It's having a cigarette and a whiskey after going out to a black-tie do or being in your classic car with your Chelsea boots on,' he suggests. The Chelsea boot is where this creative venture all began. The model owned a Paul Smith pair that he loved to death but when they finally wore out, he found it hard to replace them out of season. Gandy in the Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme television commercial, which shot him to fame . When he heard about a Bethnal Green-based designer who specialised in similar styles, he decided to track him down. 'We met, had lunch, and he was a very interesting guy,' Gandy said in a recent interview with The Financial Times. 'David is very creative — he'd worked as a nurse for 20 years, then taught himself how to make these boots when he couldn't find anything like them — and found a cult following.' Fans of David Preston's trendy footwear include members of Blur, Kasabian, Iggy and the Stooges and Gandy. The first collection since Gandy's acquisition in October launches this weekend at London Collections: Men, and then at the Tranoï trade show in Paris. David
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Billericay-born 34-year-old is Britain's best-known male fashion model . But David is now branching out into retail ownership, starting with shoes . He loved his pair of David Preston boots so much he bought the company . Other fans include members of Blur, Kasabian and Iggy and the Stooges . | cnn_dm | null |
(CNN) -- Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana lost the appeal of their jail sentence for tax convictions in Italy, their lawyer said Wednesday. The men were sentenced to 18 months in prison by a lower court after being found guilty of failing to pay 40 million euros in taxes owed to the Italian government last year. They must also pay a 500,000 euro fine. The case will now be appealed to Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation, attorney Armando Simbari told CNN. The Dolce & Gabbana label is a popular brand on luxury clothing and accessories. CNN's Livia Borghese in Rome contributed to this report.
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana face 18 months in an Italian prison . The designers were found guilty of failing to pay 40 million euros in taxes in Italy . The case will be appeal to Italy's Supreme Court, their lawyer says . | cnn_dm | null |
'He should get out a bit more': Homosexual actor Rupert Everett (pictured) has drawn criticism from gay rights campaigners after rubbishing the idea of single-sex parents . He was seen as a champion for gay actors when he decided to come out of the closet two decades ago. Now Rupert Everett finds himself in a somewhat less enviable position. The 53-year-old actor has been rounded on by gay rights groups after saying: ‘I can’t think of anything worse that being brought up by two gay dads.’ Everett’s comments are likely to offend celebrity parents such as Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish. The couple have a 21-month-old son Zachary, born to a surrogate mother. Ben Summerskill, chief executive of the gay rights group Stonewall, said: ‘Rupert should get out a little bit more to see the facts for himself. ‘There is absolutely no evidence that the kids of gay parents suffer in the way they are being brought up or in how they develop.’ In a provocative interview, Everett – who played a gay father opposite Madonna in 2000 comedy The Next Best Thing – said his mother Sara, 77, wishes he had a wife and children. ‘She has met my boyfriend, but I’d imagine she still wishes I had a wife and kids,’ he said. ‘She thinks children need a father and a mother and I agree with her. ‘Some people might not agree with that. Fine! That’s just my opinion. Controversial views: Everett, who came out of the closet 20 years ago, starred as a gay man who makes Madonna pregnant after a one-night stand in the film The Next Best Thing (above) Strong views: Everett, an army major's son, has in the past rubbished the idea of homosexuals having children through a surrogate . The wife of a businessman who became a sperm donor for a lesbian couple has spoken of the heart-breaking consequences of conceiving a ‘baby to order’.The woman said she initially supported her husband’s decision to help the gay couple have a child through a surrogate mother.But when it later emerged that the lesbian couple were not legally the baby’s parents, she and her husband launched a court battle to help them formally adopt the child.At one stage, she and the husband of the surrogate mother were left holding the baby at the High Court while a judge ruled the lesbians could become its legal guardians.‘To hold your husband’s child, that isn’t yours, in your arms, felt like a kick,’ said the 45-year-old. ‘It is not something you can ever recover from.‘I knew my husband was a sperm donor and supported him in this but when I knew a child had been conceived my heart broke. It is like your husband having an affair. No one ever thinks of the wives.’She said partners of sperm donors should receive consultation and counselling and criticised the determination of the middle-aged lesbian couple to have a baby.She added: ‘One thing I have learnt about couples who want to have children at any cost is that they are
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Angry gay rights campaigners say 53-year-old 'should get out a bit more' Remarks likely to offend couples such as Sir Elton John and David Furnish . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Jason Chester and Ruth Styles . PUBLISHED: . 06:54 EST, 22 November 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 20:40 EST, 2 December 2013 . They gave more than 20 boxes of clothes, bags and shoes in an attempt to raise money for victims of Typhoon Haiyan but pieces from David and Victoria Beckham's bumper donation have already ended up in less scrupulous hands. Just hours after the Red Cross shop selling the Beckhams' donations opened, items from the sale are already listed on eBay. Among them are a tuxedo that belonged to the former England footballer and a pair of Dolce & Gabbana shoes that were once owned by his wife. Scroll down for video . Destined for eBay: A shopper inspects a pair of Dolce & Gabbana shoes later spotted on the auction website . On sale: This pair of Dolce & Gabbana shoes that once belonged to Victoria Beckham are already listed on eBay . Uncharitable: This tuxedo jacket that was once owned by David Beckham has a minimum £300 bid attached . Many of the pieces also have reserve . prices that far outstrip that charged by the charity shop, with the . tuxedo offered for a minimum £300 - far higher than the £75 needed to . buy it. The original sale, which opened this morning, saw fans queue around the block in a bid to get their hands on items owned by the superstar couple. Despite the less-than-honourable . intentions of some shoppers, inside the scene was one of good natured . chaos as shoppers fought to get their hands on the choicest designer . goods. But . those who wanted to get their hands on pieces from Victoria's current . wardrobe were left disappointed as most of the garments dated from her . WAG days. Also included in . the . sale were pieces that were worn during her Spice Girls career including a . slashed-front LBD, a tight black T-shirt emblazoned with the . word 'POSH' and an oatmeal hoodie with 'Spice Girls' picked out in black . across the back. Choice: The shoes, in a rainbow of colourful shades, line the shelves of the Kensington Red Cross shop . Performance: These gold boots included in the sale were first worn for a 2000 Spice Girls show at the Astoria . Throng: Shoppers eager to get their hands on a piece of fashion history scramble to the till at the charity shop . Battle of the black dress: Although it caught the shopper on the left's eye, the blonde lady took the piece home . Excited: This Beckham fan appears utterly overjoyed to be allowed into the shop when it opened at 11am . One careful owner: Mrs Beckham's collection of jewelled shoes by Jimmy Choo and others look barely worn . But there were still bargains to be had as many of the pieces, which included designs by Dolce & Gabbana, Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo, started at just £25. The couple also donated their famous matching Dickensian . outfits worn at
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Some of the pieces sold have already been listed on eBay . One jacket has a reserve of £300 - three times the Red Cross price . The Beckhams donated more than 20 boxes of clothes to the Red Cross . Money raised by the sale to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan . Victoria has spoken out encouraging others to donate to the cause . Pieces included in the sale came from Manolo Blahnik and Cavalli . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Lizzie Edmonds . Fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have each been sentenced to 18-month jail terms for tax evasion charges - despite the prosecution arguing for the pair to be acquitted. Italy's appeals court upheld a verdict issued last June against the pair on charges of using Luxembourg holding company Gado to avoid paying taxes on royalties of about 1billion euros (£820million). In court yesterday, the pair were each given suspended sentences of 18 months in jail - reduced from 20 months because of statute of limitations applied to certain facts in the case. Italian fashion designers Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce were given an 18month jail sentence yesterday for tax evasion on royalties of up to 1billion euros. The pair are set to appeal the decision . The designers - who have always denied any wrongdoing - said they would appeal the decision. Lawyer Massimo Dinoia said: 'I am speechless. We are all shocked. The judgement is inexplicable and we will appeal. 'The prosecutor himself asked for them to be cleared.' The Milan prosecutor had asked the court back in March to clear the pair, who - in a protest last year at being 'pilloried' - closed their Milan stores. The previous decision, by a lower court, handed the duo suspended jail sentences of 20 months each. A fine of up to 10 million euros was also imposed over avoidance of the payments in Italy, where corporate taxes are among the highest in Europe. The case stems from an investigation that began in 2008 when Italian tax authorities stepped up their fight against tax evasion as a global financial crisis began to bite. President of the second section of the appeal court Laura Cairati, center, reads the fashion designers's sentence in court yesterday . The pair, pictured with Kylie Minogue, were first charged with tax evasion last June - but the Italian appeals court upheld the decision yesterday. Their sentence was reduced from 20 to 18 months . Fashion companies have fallen under the scrutiny of Italy's tax authorities partly due to the fact the sector has performed well during the country's longest recession since World War Two. 'Luxury is one of the few sectors to have done well in recent years,' said a partner specialising in tax at Grant Thornton in Milan who declined to be named. 'It is easier to go and ask for money where there is money as opposed to going to a troubled sector.' The cases rarely come to court, however. Giorgio Armani paid 270 million euros to tax authorities in early April to settle a dispute over payments from the group's subsidiaries abroad. Prada Holding, which controls Prada, paid a reported 400-420 million euros to settle taxes in Italy after completing a process of voluntary disclosure in December.
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Italian fashion designers first charged with tax avoidance last June . Appeal court upheld verdict - but reduced sentence from 20 to 18 months . Prosecution had asked court to clear the pair back in March . Designers, who have always denied wrongdoing, set to appeal the verdict . | cnn_dm | null |
Nowadays, we’re all glad to be grey. Or so we’re told. Apparently it’s never been so fashionable to be wrinkly. Look at the novelist Joan Didion in the new ultra-cool photo shoot for high-end French fashion brand Celine, wearing a tight black pullover, giant sunglasses and what looks like a brass cowbell around her neck. She’s 80. Or the latest campaign from Dolce & Gabbana. No skinny scantily-clad 20-somethings here, but instead three old women in widow’s black — very chic, naturally — clasping D&G’s latest must-have handbags. I’m guessing they’re all well past their 70th birthday. Novelist Joan Didion, 80, (pictured) stars in this season's Celine campaign, Joan is just one example of older models being used in high fashion advertising . Then there’s singer Joni Mitchell, 71, all over the new Yves Saint Laurent advertisements, lost in music as she plucks at her guitar. And Daphne Selfe, the 86-year-old British model and another D&G veteran, whose career seemingly goes from strength to strength. Meanwhile, finger-on-the-pulse fashion store Selfridges has this year scrapped its annual Bright Young Things showcase — in which it introduces the work of trend-setting young designers — and instead launched Bright Old Things, a platform for stylish 50 to 80-somethings and a celebration, so the shop says, of the ‘retirement renaissance’. Whatever that means. Old ladies, it seems, are having a moment. As though the style-gurus have suddenly decreed that being young is a bit, well, passé. The Dolce and Gabbana Spring/Summer 2015 campaign (pictured) also stars three stylish older women . But why, I wonder? Have the fashionistas at last woken up to the beauty of the ageing female face? Are we, the over-70s, the new Cara Delevingnes? Well, forgive me for being cynical. But I don’t think so. Deep down the fashion industry doesn’t for a moment believe that older women can be style icons, and never has. This is not about grey power, but about the power to shock. For the way in which these older women are photographed by the fashion industry — all sagging skin and lifeless hair and stark lighting with its deep, dark shadows — does them no favours. The images are striking and headline-grabbing, but they are not designed to lure my generation into the shops. I am 74 and have spent more than 50 years in and around the fashion industry — and believe me, there has never been a time when youth was not worshipped as the most desirable quality in a woman. Every woman, whatever her age, was always assumed to want it. Why on earth would you aspire to look old? Joni Mitchell, pictured in 2013, is all over the new Yves Saint Laurent campaign for 2015 . And they do look very old, these women. Only Joan Didion could carry off the austere look she’s been given, make-up free and with her grey hair combed flat. I admire her intellect enormously, but I don’t want to look like her in the Celine advert, and it doesn’t make me want to buy the sunglasses. But
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Joan Didion for Celine, Joni Mitchell for Yves Saint Laurent and Daphne Self, a D&G veteran, are all examples of older models of the moment . But is this really a nod to the older generation or is it just a shock tactic? Sandra Howard says these ads are not directed at her and her generation but just a new way of selling clothes to the young . | cnn_dm | null |
After weeks of speculation, Sir Elton John and David Furnish have finally revealed how their son Zachary was conceived. While the pair had previously remained silent on which of them was the biological father, Furnish has now confirmed that he and Elton 'both contributed' to the conception of Zachary, who was born to a surrogate mother on Christmas Day last year. As the pair undertook a surrogacy program in America, the mixing of their semen specimens was allowed - a process which is currently banned in the UK - before being used to fertilise a previously chosen egg. Proud parents: Sir Elton John and David Furnish have spoken of their love for new baby son Zachary in US Weekly magazine . When asked which of them is Zachary's biological father, Furnish explained: 'We both . contributed. For the time being we don't have a clue. We look at him . every day and at the moment he has Elton's nose and my hands. 'Neither of us care. He's our child. The important thing is that he's healthy and happy and loved.' On . Zachary's birth certificate, Elton was registered as the boy's father . while Furnish was named under the mother category in computer documents. Initially - normally on computer documentation - a ‘father’ and ‘mother’ are listed. However, . in ‘gay dad’ surrogacy cases, when the actual certificate is produced, . the couple can apply to have it re-issued as Parent 1 and Parent 2. During their interview and photoshoot in OK! magazine, both Elton and Furnish beam with happiness as they introduce little Zachary Jackson . Levon Furnish-John to the world. Happy and content: The pair looked excited about the new addition to their family as they went for lunch in Los Angeles last week . The 63-year-old singer and 48-year-old Furnish are seen beaming as . they hold Zachary, dressed in a white top and denim dungarees, on the . cover of OK! publication. And Elton has revealed he is thoroughly enjoying fatherhood, and can't wait to 'lavish his love' on his new son. He said: 'There just aren't proper words to describe that feeling. It's indescribable. It was just...We have a son.' 'I'm . ready to have a child and lavish my love on our son and not spoil him . but be there for him and advise him. 'We don't want to spoil him . materially, although he's already been spoiled rotten by people buying . him stuff! We just want to give him some wisdom.' Elton also said he and Furnish are both determined to be as 'hands on' as possible with Zachary. He added: 'I feed him. David feeds him. We change his nappies. I mean, it's hands on! We are on nappy patrol.' Elton and Furnish revealed in the accompanying interview in OK! magazine that they were present for the Zachary's birth. Recalling the happy day, Elton said: 'Suddenly, at 2.15am on . Christmas Day, we were woken up. They said, "Quickly! The baby's . coming!' We went in and stood behind the bed.
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | They contributed equally to 'mixing process' banned in Britain . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Katy Winter . PUBLISHED: . 02:18 EST, 27 September 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 03:36 EST, 27 September 2013 . Eva Mendes is undoubtedly one of the most desirable women in the world, and has even managed to bag one of Hollywood's hottest men to boot. The 39-year-old, who has just launched her own clothing line, is gracing the cover of The Edit magazine this month. In the interview, she opens up about the launch of her eponymous . fashion line, the style rules she lives by and her love for fellow actress . Penelope Cruz and director, Pedro Almodóvar. This week’s edition of Net-a-Porter’s digital publication features the American actress looking stunning in in new-season pieces by Dolce & Gabbana, Anna Sui, Gucci and Alexander McQueen. Eva Mendes looks beautiful in the shoot, photographed by David Bellemere, here in a dress and headband by Dolce and Gabbana . Eva wears dress by Valentino, headband by Dolce & Gabbana and a necklace (in hands) by Pamela Love as the soft lighting emphasises her chiseled cheekbones . With smokey eye make-up and her hair piled high on her head in a bouffant style, Eva smoulders in the Gothic-style shoot which also features clothes by Moschino, Valentino and Alessandra Rich. Eva is about to embark on her first . fashion venture, a line which is exclusive to retailer New York & . Company. She explains, “I’m particular about who I lend my name to.” Before agreeing to it, she sought the advice of her mother and sisters: 'Everybody . was like, "This is amazing!"' Directly inspired from Mendes’ own retro-chic style, the . line starts at just $24.95 (£15.50) for one of her a seamless . camisole and goes up to $159.95 (£100) for her statement piece, the Milano one-button coat in on-trend pale pink. There are . also jewellery pieces, belts and Eva’s number one must-have, a . colourful printed scarf, which are all priced at around $20 (£12). Eva hangs off the back of a wrought iron chair with the cream lace Anna Sui dress enhancing her golden skin tone. She also wears headband by Dolce & Gabbana . Left: Eva wears top by Alexander McQueen, skirt by Biyan, shoes by Gucci and headband by Simone Rocha, and right, dress by Valentino and headband by Dolce & Gabbana . Eva . explains that when it comes to her own style she focuses on the little . details, such as a pair of treasured earrings which belonged to her late . grandmother: 'I get fixated on things.' Always . elegant on the red carpet, she says that for . eveningwear, she adheres to two basic rules: 'If you go short, no . cleavage or anything super-fitted; if you’re covered from head to toe, . you can go as fitted as you like.’ Raised as a Catholic, Mendes entertained the notion of becoming a nun and an astronaut before she began her career in Hollywood as an actress. She reflects, 'At the beginning it was tricky – I had to choose
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Eva Mendes, 39, is cover star of The Edit, net-a-porter's online magazine . Actress opens up about her two key style rules in interview . Says working with boyfriend Ryan Gosling was 'incredible' | cnn_dm | null |
Fleur East may have been accused by Mel B of 'cheating' in her Eighties Week performance of Monie Love's It's A Shame on X Factor but at least her outfit won plaudits. The aspiring singer, who was told by Mel B that she couldn't hear her voice pop against the backing track, looked on-trend in a super luxe outfit of Dolce and Gabbana, Moschino, DKNY and vintage Chanel. The woman responsible for 26-year-old Fleur's cool new look is Gemma Sheppard, who has worked with the likes of Dannii Minogue, and helps curate each and every look for the live shows. Scroll down for video . Confident contestant: X Factor hopeful Fleur East looked on-trend in a super luxe outfit of Dolce and Gabbana, Moschino, DKNY and vintage Chanel, which the show's stylist said 'screamed cool' 'That girl has an incredible body and she knows how to show it off in a sexy, strong way,' Gemma told MailOnline. 'Her song choice on Saturday night called for a very cool look. I love a varsity jacket over a bra - it's a whole stage vibe and a leopard print mixed with a print screams cool.' Gemma believes that fashion is an 'emotional tool' and if you look good, you feel good. 'It's all about confidence and getting inside of the contestant's heads,' she said. 'It is their closest moment to becoming a pop star so I want that to be translated in what they're wearing.' Showcasing her assets: Gemma Sheppard, who styled the contestants, said that Fleur has an incredible body and she knows how to show it off in a sexy, strong way' Behind the scenes: Gemma Instagrammed this snap of Fleur with the caption: 'There is no SHAME in looking so swag baby girl' She continued: 'For 80s week we simply saluted the decade, I didn't want to play dress up with the contestants and make them look like they're in fancy dress on their way to a rollersdisco. 'There's actually a lot of 80s inspired fashion on the high street just now so for this week's looks we were able to mix current season with some vintage pieces.' And it seems that Gemma is working her magic on the contestants; they spoke on the Xtra Factor about how her styling is giving them confidence. 'The contestants need to feel not just comfortable with their styling, but actually empowered by it. Styling isn't about "telling" someone what to wear. It's a process that ultimately leads to what they know they need to wear so they can perform at their best for that moment,' she explained. Gemma, who has worked in commercial TV for many years, emphasises that when it comes to styling for live shows, you've got to think of the whole stage production. 'It's not just how you look in the dressing room, you have to consider how the whole package, the music, the dancers, the lights, your make up, will look for the viewer. Lots of the acts have reviewed their performances back and can now see how the styling
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Gemma Sheppard is show's head stylist . Dressed Fleur in Dolce and Gabbana, Moschino, DKNY and vintage Chanel . Said singer knows how to show off her 'incredible body' | cnn_dm | null |
By . Penny Stretton . and Bianca London . PUBLISHED: . 09:56 EST, 26 February 2014 . | . UPDATED: . 10:49 EST, 26 February 2014 . After being photographed in New York wearing stylish brogues and sending her own models down the catwalk in flats during London Fashion Week, it seems Victoria Beckham is hot-footing a new trend. Designers in Milan have taken notice of Victoria's style with Dolce & Gabbana showcasing models in a variety of flat shoes at their AW14 show. Meanwhile Marni and Giorgio Armani's have also offered flats as the answer to summer shoe style. Flat fashion: Victoria Beckham, known for her penchant for sky scraper heels, has been shunning her favourite footwear in favour of flats lately . Giorgio Armani championed flats at his Milan Fashion Week show, opting for classic black velvet with the occasional jolt of silver. Trussardi offered more androgynous flats, sending models down the catwalk in monochrome brogues toughened up with gold buckles and fringing. Victoria, 39, once . said she 'couldn't concentrate in flats' and 'beyond hated' ballet shoes but has had to learn to love them after being told to ditch the heels in 2011. She suffered a slipped disc following . the birth of daughter Harper Seven and was under doctor's . orders to wear comfortable shoes. Since then, other celebrities have been ditching the heels including Poppy . Delevingne and Olivia Palermo who opted to wear sensible flats at the Anya Hindmarch show this season. Low heights: Models took to the runway at the Giorgio Armani show, left, and Trussardi, right, in - shock horror - flats! Socialite . Poppy adorned her feet with a now sold-out pair of heart-print . calf-hair slippers from Burberry, which retail at £350. The shoes have a . mirrored gold heel and a red satin insole. Meanwhile, It-girl Olivia, 27, stuck to a black Aladdin-inspired pair of slippers which were covered in jewels. Always one to be ahead of the trend, Alexa Chung, who has long championed flats, was spotted out and about over London Fashion Week in comfortable footwear. The presenter has, however, swapped her much-loved ballet pumps for more on-trend New Balance trainers. Shoebusiness: Poppy Delevingne, left, . and Olivia Palermo, centre, both wore slipper shoes to the Anya Hindmarch fashion . show held at the Tate Modern on Tuesday . But can flat shoes ever be as stylish or flattering as heels? Speaking about the new trend, Alex Longmore, celebrity stylist and Hotter shoes Ambassador, said: 'I for one am so pleased to see that flat shoes are taking centre stage at all the runway shows in Milan. 'I love the wedge soled punk-esque wedge flats at Trussardi and T-bar flats at Dolce. 'I’m not surprised this trend is becoming so big, it’s been creeping in for a few past seasons now: Brogues have been big news for a while, so has the loafer having its own style revival this summer. 'Charlotte Olympia's kitten flats have been seen on every celebrity from Fearne Cotton to Beyoncé. Alexa Chung is
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Designer, 39, has been championing flats lately . Dolce and Gabbana and Armani sent models down runway in flats . Alexa Chung, Poppy Delevingne and Olivia Palermo also love the style . | cnn_dm | null |
By . Martha De Lacey . PUBLISHED: . 07:40 EST, 18 December 2012 . | . UPDATED: . 09:39 EST, 18 December 2012 . SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO . She's tipped to play Anastasia Steele in the upcoming film adaptation of EL James' Fifty Shades of Grey, and has even admitted she'd be excited to take on the role. And to give us a sneak peek of how she might look in the on-screen trilogy, British actress Felicity Jones, 29, has undergone a dramatic, wintry make-over. The petite star of Like Crazy and Chalet Girl - who is also the face of Dolce & Gabbana make-up - took part in a photo shoot for InStyle magazine with make-up artist Dele Olo. Christmas pout: Felicity Jones sports thick lashes - courtesy of make-up artist Dele Olo - and her natural show-stopping pout in the InStyle shoot . Admitting that she's 'always loved Sixties French films and Brigitte Bardot', the tiny Londoner channeled the Gallic beauty with ethereal make-up accentuating her enormous green eyes and bee-sting lips. Jones, who lives in east London with her artist boyfriend Ed Fornieles, began acting as a child with a starring role in the TV adaptation of Jill Murphy's The Worst Witch. She went on to play Emma Carter in The Archers on Radio Four's, while also finding time to complete a degree in English at Oxford University. Talking about her make-up routine, the actress - who says her favourite look is 'a strong eye and nude glossy lip' - explained: 'I use SPF every day, then apply foundation, mascara, eyeliner and blusher. I always take my make-up off at night and moisturise.' WATCH A BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO OF FELICITY JONES' INSTYLE PHOTO SHOOT . Speaking about her love of D&G, she said: 'I was always really passionate about their designs, so it was exciting when they asked me. 'There’s such a sense of theatre in getting glammed up; it’s like putting on a play or short film. And I love the make-up from this current collection.' Green-eyed beauty: Felicity Jones has been signed as the new face of Dolce & Gabbana make-up . Classic look: 'There's such a sense of theatre in getting glammed up; it's like putting on a play or short film' LUXE LASHES . 'Lashes are a fun way to play with texture, . whether you go for natural, coloured or dramatic ones. Before you apply them, dust a soft wash of . shimmery peach eyeshadow [Olo used Dolce & Gabbana The Make Up's . Animalier Collection] over the lid and do the same once the glue has . dried to create a seamless finish. For the lips, mix balm and gloss for . hydration and subtle shine.' Tip: if you don’t like wearing falsies, load up on at least four coats of mascara. BOLD BROWS . 'Big, . defined brows really complement these looks. They perfectly . frame the fluttery lashes and give the metallic textures and dewy skin . more of an edge. Once you’ve applied your foundation, take a clean . cotton
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | British actress, 29, is favourite for role in upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey film . Make-up artist Dele Olo gave Jones a sultry new look . Photo-shoot appears in InStyle magazine, out now . | cnn_dm | null |
He's the muscled model who set hearts aflutter all over the world when he appeared in a Dolce & Gabbana ad in nothing more than a pair of tight, white pants. Now David Gandy is set to recreate his famous pose in a pair of M&S pants, after the high street favourite signed up the 34-year-old in a bid to see off competition from H&M's David Beckham. What's more, the Essex model won't just be wearing the pants - like Beckham, Gandy will be turning his hand to designing them as well. Scroll down for video . Kecks appeal: David Gandy set female hearts aflutter when he appeared in tight pants for Dolce & Gabbana . He joins a select group of models turned pant designers, which also includes Portugal midfielder, Cristano Ronaldo, who designs and stars in the campaigns for his CR7 range. The men's pant market is worth an impressive £700m in the UK alone, and competition is becoming increasingly fierce. According to M&S, their new signing is an inspiration for men while being irresistible to women - a combination that they hope will result in soaring pant sales. 'We feel it's a more authentic collaboration,' revealed Scott Fyfe, menswear director at M&S. 'Women adore him and men love his style credentials.' The competition: Gandy (left) will have to take on David Beckham who designs a range for Swedish giant H&M . Popular: Beckham is also the face of H&M underwear, which has made inroads into the men's pant market . Gandy himself described his new role as 'a step on' from his modelling work and says he was involved in every part of the design process, including the choice of fabrics. The new pants, which launch in September, will be sold in twin packs for £20 - more expensive than the chain's current offering, although that's unlikely to put off famous fans such as David Cameron. What's more, according to analysts Verdict, the new range is likely to strike a chord, with men prepared to splash out more as the economy recovers. Speaking to the Sunday Times, retail analyst Kate Ormerod said: 'Disposable incomes are rising and people want to trade back up.' Good news, then, for M&S and Gandy. Looking good: Cristiano Ronaldo, here looking remarkably chic for a change, has his own underwear line, CR7 .
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | The Essex model, 34, is to design a range of men's pants for M&S . M&S hopes the collaboration will help them see off H&M and David Beckham . Gandy is involved in the design process but will also model the pants . The high street favourite is after a slice of the lucrative men's pant market . Along with Beckham, another famous purveyor of pants is Cristiano Ronaldo . | cnn_dm | null |
Tweeted her rant at the Italian fashion house for their summer 2013 show . Songstress Azealia Banks is no stranger to controversy. After she burst onto the music scene with her crude lyrics and her Dazed and Confused album cover was banned in seven countries because it featured a blown-up condom, it instantaneously became clear that the New Yorker isn't one to bite her tongue. And the 21-year-old Harlem rapper didn't hold back when it came to Dolce & Gabbana. The star tweeted that she is 'definitely boycotting' Dolce & Gabbana for the 'corny, racist' imagery in their spring 2013 collection. Scroll down for video . No stranger to controversy, Azealia Banks has now said she is 'boycotting' Dolce & Gabbana's summer line because it is 'racist' The label raised some eyebrows when they sent only white models down the runway wearing earrings with plastic heads of dark-skinned women . The Italian fashion house raised some eyebrows when they sent an army of all-white models down the runway donning controversial earrings featuring dark-skinned women wearing burlap dresses and plantation-era cornucopias. 'Whoever designed that racist ass Dolce and Gabanna collection needs a swift kick in the mouth and a big d--- up the ass,' she tweeted on Saturday. 'I really hate when people do corny, racist things then try to justify it as "art. It's all just really unnecessary. the clothes in the collection were fine without all the "black mammie" imagery' she added. Dolce & Gabbana representatives said that the imagery used is said to be inspired by their Sicilian roots. Azealia was left riled by the earrings donned in the show this season . The album cover for her Dazed and Confused release, which featured a blown up condom, was banned in seven countries .
Summarize the above article in 3 sentences. | Tweeted her rant at the Italian fashion house for their summer 2013 show . | cnn_dm | null |
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