The Herald

Farmers Move to Cripple Milk Supply

SCOTLAND'S dairy farmers say they will clear supermarket shelves of milk within a fortnight, if retailers do not agree to pay a better price for their milk. Farmers for Action plan to cripple the milk supply of major retailers Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Asda, by blockading four major plants where the milk is put into cartons.

Banker Splashes [Gbp]26,000 On Bubbly

YOU could be excused for thinking that someone who spent more than [GBP]26,000 on champagne would at least drink some of it. An investment banker on a night out in London's Soho, however, had other ideas. He and his friends bought gallons of bubbly, sprayed it around a nightclub, and forked out thousands to pay for the damage.

There Was No Cover-Up On Tube Killing, Says Met Chief Blair and Police Watchdog Clash On Inquiry

BRITAIN'S top police officer last night rejected allegations of a cover-up over the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes by anti- terror police. Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, who yesterday faced calls for his resignation over the death of the innocent Brazilian, dismissed claims he had tried to block an independent inquiry into the incident.

Politician's Condition Worsens Mo Mowlam's Last Request: No Life Support

MO Mowlam was believed to have just hours to live last night as family members gathered at her bedside and food and water were withdrawn, in accordance with the terms of her living will. The former Northern Ireland secretary wrote a living will some time ago asking not to be kept alive artificially if there was no hope of recovery.

Doctors Attack Kerr Over Child Unit Decision Move to Veto Ward Closure 'Compromising' Standard of Care

DOCTORS today warned that Andy Kerr, health minister, may have compromised child health care by blocking the swift closure of a hospital ward. Consultant paediatricians from NHS Argyll and Clyde, the crisis- hit health board, have written to The Herald expressing surprise and disappointment that Mr Kerr vetoed a scheme to shut the day unit for children at Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock.

Singer Does a Disappearing Act As Her Latest Album Heads Into the Charts

A RECORD label is hiring a private detective because one of its artists, Madeleine Peyroux, a jazz singer, is missing. Peyroux's album Careless Love is set to enter the top 10 on Sunday.

Pensions Threat As Firm Moves Outside Regulations

THE pension security of hundreds of Scottish employees could be under threat, after a Norwegian-based company moved its UK business outwith the domain of the new pensions regulator. The deal by Kvaerner, which moves more than 32,000 UK members of the Kvaerner Pension Fund into the responsibility of the firm's Norwegian management buy-out team, triggered fears over the ability of overseas companies to outmanoeuvre the new rules, which have been drawn up as a supposed safety net for collapsed s...

Pol Ice Fears Over Missing Schoolboy

A SEARCH was underway last night for a boy who had been missing formore than 16 hours after being dropped off on the second day of the school term. Lothian and Borders Police last night said they were concerned for the welfare and safety of Rory Blackhall, 11, who was left by his mother at 8.30am outside Meldrum Primary School in Livingston, West Lothian, where he was enrolled in the primary seven class on Wednesday.

Judge Orders Hospital to Keep Treating Shopkeeper Family's Court Battle Against Nhs Trust

A JUDGE yesterday ruled that a hospital must continue treating a retired shopkeeper from Glasgow two days after doctors turned off his life-support machine. At the High Court in London, Justice Kirkwood said that the Royal Lancaster Infirmary must continue to treat Raja Barkat Ahmed, 86, at least until next Wednesday, when a final ruling will be made on whether the hospital should continue treatment.

Police Issued with Knife Detectors

Flight Delayed Over Pilot's Seatbelt

Doubts Raised Over Lockerbie Expert's Evidence

FRESH doubts were raised last night over the conviction of the Lockerbie bomber. The evidence of Alan Feraday, a key expert prosecution witness who testified during the trial of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, 53, was called into question after it was claimed three other cases were quashed because his evidence had been discredited.

Stumped: How Scottish Weather Defeated Those Wizards of Oz Ashes Fervour Dampened As Rain Ruins Sell-Out Match

SHANE was somewhere, but the rain was everywhere. Not even Batman and Robin, who mingled with the thousands of cricket fans for Scotland's eagerly-anticipated glamour friendly with Australia, could save the day.

Police Hunt for 'Hawk' Over Alleged Village Doorstep Shooting

POLICE last night warned the public not to approach a man they are seeking over an alleged shooting incident in a Fife village. They named him as Brian Martin, 47, known as "Hawk". The gunman and an accomplice armed with an axe were being hunted last night after they attacked a man at his front door in Kelty on Wednesday night.

The Queen's Sister: A Tale of Sex and Drugs

CHANNEL 4 has unveiled a drama featuring Princess Margaret in graphic sex scenes and taking drugs which it hopes will continue last week's ratings triumph over BBC1 and ITV1. The network yesterday defended The Queen's Sister, which is set for broadcast in autumn, as industry figures showed how the big two, BBC1 and ITV1, are suffering from the soaring success of their smaller rival.

Shotguns to Be Used in Hedgehog Cull

ANIMAL welfare activists reacted angrily yesterday to news that the killing of hedgehogs will resume on North Uist. The controversial cull to protect birds on the island is to restart, with the animals being shot for the first time.

Lost Village Uncovered in Forest Heritage Trail Provides Link to Forgotten Settlement

OVERLOOKING the remains of a long-lost Highland village, Councillor Bill Clark poured a glass of whisky into the ground. "What we do today, "he said, "will help to ensure the people who lived in this magnificent glen will never be forgotten."

A-Levels to Stay On Curriculum of Scots Private Schools

INDEPENDENT schools across Scotland whose pupils sit A-levels rather than Highers are to continue providing the qualification despite claims in England that standards have been dumbed down. On the day that A-level results in England and Wales were released, schools such as Gordonstoun and Loretto said they would continue to offer the exam.

[Gbp]7000: Cost of Vandals to Scots Firms Bill Is at Least Double Uk Figure

YOBBISH behaviour and vandalism are costing Scottish businesses more than twice as much as firms elsewhere in the UK. Clearing up vomit and urine, repairing smashed shop windows and erasing graffiti cost companies in Scotland an average of [GBP]7000 a year.

Subway Staff Divided Over Latest Pay Offer

SUBWAY workers in Glasgow are divided over a pay deal that could finally end a long running dispute. Some staff want to reject a new package that would give them up to [GBP]60 extra a week.