Other UK News In Brief

Dead Prisoner Probe

A post mortem examination is due to take place later to determine a cause of death as an inquiry into the death of a County Durham man in police custody focuses on the actions of arresting officers, a watchdog has said. The 44-year-old, who has not yet been named, died at Peterlee police station an hour after being arrested a few miles away in Seaham on Saturday. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has started an investigation into the incident. It is looking at whether the actions of arresting officers were proportionate. The man had been arrested following a disturbance on Ash Crescent in Seaham at about 4.45pm on Saturday. Durham Police said the man was in "an agitated state" and was handcuffed before being put into a police van and taken to Peterlee police station - about 10 minutes' journey away. But on arrival the man was found to be unwell and was pronounced dead despite the efforts of paramedics to resuscitate him.

Biker Killed

A Northern Ireland-based motorcyclist has died following a crash at the Killalane Road Races, near Skerries, in north County Dublin. Victor Gilmore, 42, from Ballymoney was critically injured after he came off his bike at around 1.20pm on Sunday. The Irish police said he was rushed to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, but was then pronounced dead. The victim was an experienced road racer having been in the Isle of Man TT race and competed and across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Scots Debate Defence Cuts

Scottish ministers and opposition parties are meeting to discuss concerns that defence cuts could have a devastating effect on the economy. The Ministry of Defence's strategic review has led to fears two aircraft carrier contracts worth £5bn could be cancelled and RAF bases closed. Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is holding joint talks with senior Labour, Lib Dem, Tory and Green MSPs as the UK government is set to make an announcement at the end of October.

Horse Disease Alert

Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) has been detected in a horse in Devon after the owner requested a private vet to examine a sick horse, Defra has confirmed. The premises is currently under restriction and the infected horse will be humanely destroyed in line with existing regulations. The other two horses on the premises are currently being tested for evidence of infection. The horse has been in this country for two years and only became ill very recently. The investigation into the origin of this case is ongoing. Chief Veterinary Officer Nigel Gibbens said: "The risk of notifiable exotic disease is ever present. This case demonstrates the importance of owners being vigilant and identifying illness in their animals and consulting their vet who should then report any signs of exotic disease to the Animal Health Agency."

Steelworks Builds Hospice Hope

£2m is to be spent on hospice care for more than 500 patients with life-threatening conditions in one of Wales' most deprived areas. The Hospice of the Valleys will be built on the former steelworks site in Ebbw Vale to provide palliative care for patients across Blaenau Gwent. At present the 550 patients cared for by the project are treated in their own homes by 20 staff working out of a six-room office in Tredegar.

(BMcC/GK)