Gary Speed 'Service Private'

The funeral of Wales' football manager Gary Speed is to take place in private later this week, it has been announced. Speed, 42, was found dead at his home in Cheshire nine days ago. The League Managers' Association (LMA) said on Tuesday morning the funeral will be held privately with only family and close friends, although a public memorial service will also be held along with an online Book of Remembrance, which is open to the public here. The LMA said that Louise Speed and her family had expressed their "deep appreciation for the very generous and clearly heartfelt tributes paid to Gary and his memory by the public and all forms of the media". "Mrs Speed is especially grateful for the sympathetic way that the media has respected the family’s privacy in these extremely distressing circumstances. She is also acutely aware how Gary touched the lives of so many people and that each of them would wish to thank him for the joy he brought to them." The memorial service to celebrate Gary’s life will take place soon and will allow as many people to attend as wish to be there to pay their final respects and tributes to Gary. There are also Books of Remembrance at the FAW office in Cardiff and at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham.

Woman Denies Tram Rant Incident

A woman alleged to have engaged in the racial abuse of passengers that was recorded and broadcast on YouTube has denied the charges. Emma West, 34, appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, charged with a racially aggravated public order offence. Along with the magistrates, she watched the film of her alleged rant when she appeared in the dock and broke down in tears at the footage, which has been seen more than 11 million times online. Ms West pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody. The hearing was adjourned until later to give time for the defendant to prepare reasons for her not guilty plea.

UK Faces 'Years Of Public Disturbance'

A report into policing in light of the August riots has been prefaced with a prediction the UK will face a "perfect storm" of public unrest and police cuts. Lord John Stevens, who is heading up an independent commission into the future of policing said the UK faced a "very difficult 18 months to three years" and warned of "disquiet on the streets" adding there were already "signs of increasing crime'' and that "the police will have to be match-fit on this issue". The commission has been set up by the Labour Party in reaction to the Government's refusal to commission their own report. Speaking on Monday, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said that policing in Britain faced "a perfect storm" considering the "scale of cuts" and the "chaos of confused reforms". “We have a proud tradition of British policing and great successes including in recent years. However I am now worried about the future for policing and the risk of a growing gap between public concerns and the capacity of the police to deliver. “The police service needs support, its future role in society needs to be resolved, and the expectations the public have of the police need to be understood. That’s how we can produce a truly 21st Century Police Service."

(DW)