1. PM REBUKED BY HIS OWN WATCHDOG
David Cameron's own watchdog says he misled the public in a speech on Thursday. The prime minister claimed the Office for Budget Responsibility was “absolutely clear that the deficit reduction plan is not responsible” for poor growth. But OBR's Robert Chote says: “We believe the fiscal consolidation measures have reduced economic growth in the last couple of years.”
2. ABU QATADA ARRESTED FOR 'BAIL BREACH'
Radical cleric Abu Qatada has been arrested by UK Border Agency officials for allegedly breaching his bail conditions. Qatada, who is wanted in Jordan for alleged terrorism offences, was arrested a day after raids in London by counter-terrorism police. Next week, the government will launch a fresh court bid to have him deported.
3. NORTH KOREA WOULD 'PERISH FROM EARTH'
South Korea has warned North Korea's Kim Jong-un his regime will "perish from the Earth" if he launches a nuclear attack. Mr Kim tore up non-aggression pacts with South Korea yesterday and made a series of bellicose remarks. A spokesman for South Korea's defence ministry says “mankind would not forgive” a nuclear attack on his country.
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4. 'WE'LL LOSE ELECTION' SAY 75% OF TORIES
Only 7% of Tory voters believe David Cameron will win a majority at the next election, a poll for The Times has found. A massive 75% believe Labour will win, with 8% predicting a second coalition between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Meanwhile, planning minister Nick Boles says he is “thoroughly p****d off” by the party's “truly rotten campaign” at the Eastleigh by-election.
5. PRIESTS 'OUT OF CONTROL SEXUALLY'
Roman Catholic priests in Scotland were “out of control sexually” during the reign of shamed Cardinal Keith O’Brien, says the church's former adviser on child abuse. Alan Draper says the church was “unwilling” to expose priests who were leading “double lives”. Draper is calling for the files on the allegations to be made available to an independent inquiry.
6. TROUBLED BIEBER CLASHES WITH SNAPPERS
Justin Bieber has been caught on film lashing out at a photographer who had insulted him. A photographer outside the teen idol's hotel shouted: "F**king little c**k, f**k off back to America, f**king little moron" after Bieber bumped into him. The singer retorted: "What the f**k you say? What d'you say? I'll f**king beat the f**k out of you man!"
7. FONT ERROR TO QUASH SPEEDING BANS?
Thousands of motorway speeding convictions could be overturned because the font used on some speed limit signs flouted traffic regulations. The CPS says variable speed limit signs displayed mph numbers taller and narrower than they should have been. The signs in question were on two stretches of the M42, between junctions 3a to seven and junctions seven to nine.
8. NEW STONEHENGE EVIDENCE UNEARTHED
Thousands of people from all over Britain assembled to build Stonehenge in an exercise that was the equivalent of “the Glastonbury festival and a motorway building scheme at the same time”, says a new study. The research suggests that 4,000 people gathered for the exercise at a time when Britain's population was only tens of thousands.
9. UNITED PLOTTING RONALDO RETURN?
Manchester United are considering launching a €75million bid to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, claims The Sun. Officials from shirt sponsors Nike urged the club to re-sign the winger during talks yesterday. Ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup clash with Chelsea, Sir Alex Ferguson said of interim Blues boss Rafa Benitez: “I’m not going to kick anyone when they’re lying down."
10. 'MIND THE GAP' BACK TO COMFORT WIDOW
London Underground is restoring the traditional "Mind the gap, please" recording after the widow of the man who recorded it told staff she misses his voice. The announcement, by actor Oswald Laurence, was phased out until it could only be heard at Embankment. His widow used to visit the station to hear his voice, until it was replaced there too. Staff have restored it at the station.
