Cameron praised for ‘Tory rebrand’

David Cameron, the Tory leader, has “decontaminated” the Conservative brand, a senior member of his Shadow Cabinet will say today (Philip Webster writes).

Alan Duncan, the Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary, will tell the Centre for Policy Studies that, through his personality and priorities, Mr Cameron has removed the “negative associations” from which the Tory Party has suffered for so long.

But, he adds: “There is a thirst for certainty and clarity in the direction we have set.”

In tackling “decivilisation” in Britain, the Conservatives must have the courage to confront the challenge of educational decline and tackle the collapse of authority over the young, he will say.

“If there is no fear of authority, there is no respect for it. It cannot make sense in a civilised society for children of school age to face the discipline they need in court, rather than in class or in the home.”

Blair: I will not be tainted by inquiry

Tony Blair suggested yesterday that he would be judged by bigger issues than the “cash-for-honours” investigation.

The Prime Minister said in a newspaper interview he believed that the controversy over the investigation was “ephemeral.” He made the comments despite being the only serving Prime Minister to be interviewed by police as part of a criminal investigation. The police are believed to be close to an end to their inquiries and will submit their file soon to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Asked about the inquiry, Mr Blair told The Herald in Glasgow: “There is no point in me saying anything on this until it is done and dusted.”

Child fight filmed

Four women forced a young brother and sister to fight while one video-filmed it, Plymouth magistrates heard. In the film, seen in court, the toddlers were sobbing and the women, including the mother and grandmother, could be heard egging them on. All admitted cruelty. The case was adjourned for reports.

Polonium exposure

Another person has tested positive for the radioactive substance that killed Alexander Litvinenko, the former Russian spy who died in London last November, the Health Protection Agency said. A total of 16 people now have a slightly increased chance of cancer after being exposed to polonium210.

Gay bishop row

The US Episcopal Church has narrowly escaped expulsion from the Anglican Communion for ordaining an openly gay man as a bishop, according to a report debated by the Anglican Archbishops yesterday (Ruth Gledhill writes).

The Church, which plunged the Communion into crisis by its action, is to escape discipline but will continue to be monitored. The report, presented yesterday to Anglican Primates meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, said that the US Church had undergone a “significant shift” since the consecration of Gene Robinson in 2003 and its expressions of regret were “sufficient”.

Toddler charges

The uncle of Casey Leigh Mullen, two, was charged with her rape and murder and remanded in custody.

Michael Mullen, 21, was arrested after the toddler was found in a pool of blood at her home in Gipton, Leeds, on Sunday. He will appear at Leeds Crown Court on February 21.

During a hearing at Leeds Magistrates’ Court before District Judge Christopher Darnton, Mr Mullen, of Lawrence Road, Gipton, confirmed his name, age, address and said that he understood the charges. His lawyer made no application for bail and no pleas were entered.

Turkey vans traced

Vets in Hungary are tracing drivers and lorries that took meat to the Bernard Matthews plant in Suffolk to establish if there are any links with the Csongrad region, where geese on two farms were infected with avian flu.

Lajos Bognor, the deputy chief vet in Budapest, said that he had found nothing so far to suggest a connection.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is due to release a preliminary report into the outbreak today. The Food Standards Agency said that it had not tested meat held in storage at Bernard Matthews plants in Holton and Chesterfield.

Train strike planned

Hundreds of conductors at Central Trains are to strike on February 24 in a worsening row over rotas. The RMT union said that more than 550 staff would walk out. The union had initially planned limited industrial action, but claimed that the company had threatened to halve the pay of those involved.

Baby death inquiry

Scotland Yard are treating as suspicious the death of a baby boy who stopped breathing minutes after he was circumcised. Amitai Moshe became ill at a North London synagogue where the ceremony had been performed and died a week later. Initial tests suggested that he had suffered a fatal heart attack.

July 7 memorial

A memorial to honour the 52 innocent people who died in the July 7 terror attacks will be established in Hyde Park, Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary, said. The permanent feature will be situated in Lovers’ Walk in the Central London park. The Government had allocated £1 million towards the project.

Off line of duty

Dorset police officers who used work computers to sign the 1.3 million-signature online petition against the Government’s road-charging plan may be disciplined. The force says using its technology for political ends is forbidden.

Live Earth show

Star-studded concerts will be held in London and six other cities around the world on July 7 to highlight the threat of climate change, Al Gore, the former US Vice-President said. The 24-hour event will be seen by two billion people.

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