Geoff Meade, Defence correspondent Scores of medals recognising British troops’ bravery in Afghanistan are to be announced today.   Warrant Officer Gary O’Donnell died defusing a roadside bomb in Helmand One of the highest awards is to be made posthumously – a second George Medal goes to Warrant Officer Gary O’Donnell. The father-of-four died defusing [...]

An eight-year delay putting new helicopters into service has cost scores of millions of pounds and may have put lives at risk, a report has concluded.   A Chinook Mk3 at Boscombe Down. Picture: QinetiQ The Ministry of Defencehas been heavily criticised for failing to bring eight new SAS helicopters into service. The twin-rotor Chinook [...]

A film about one of Britain’s most notorious criminals has been condemned by prison officers for glorifying violence.   Charles Bronson – as depicted in movie Bronson tells the story of Charles Bronson, the man described as the country’s most dangerous prisoner. The film is released next week, two days after Bronson goes before the [...]

Terminally-ill Jade Goody is in agony and returns to hospital to have an operation to help relieve the pain, her publicist Max Clifford has said.   Jade Goody leaving the Royal Marsden hospital last month The 27-year-old, who has just weeks to live after her cervical cancer spread to her liver, groin and bowel, is [...]

Terminally ill Jade Goody has sobbed: “I’ll be dying in a month, leave me alone,” during a foul-mouthed bust-up with her neighbour.   Jade Goody shouts out, next to Jack Tweed and her friend The reality TV star clashed with man as she went to get professional help for “awful” hallucinations sparked by her medication. [...]

Murder squad detectives will give evidence today in the trial of those accused of killing a British student in Italy.   On trial: Raffaele Sollecito and Amanda Knox Split over the next two days, 12 witnesses will testify after being called by chief prosecutor Giuliano Mignini as the trial against Amanda Knox and her former [...]

 drugs company has recalled batches of a meningitis C vaccine due to contamination fears.   The authorities say no children in Britain are at risk Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Srl said it had been alerted to a sterility issue in the solvent for its Menjugate Kit, which is made in Italy. The Medicines and Healthcare [...]

The father of a man found dead at Michael Barrymore’s home is considering suing police after a report showed a catalogue of blunders in their investigation.   Terry Lubbock says he may sue Essex Police over their blunders Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead in the TV star’s swimming pool after a drug-fuelled party in [...]

Robbers have raided the home of Manchester United footballer Darren Fletcher hours after he flew to Italy for the team’s Champions League match against Inter Milan.   Fletcher in action during United’s recent FA Cup win over Derby County The gang broke into Fletcher’s family home in up-market Bowdon, Greater Manchester, at around 9pm on [...]

Terminally ill reality TV star Jade Goody is beginning her first day as a married woman after her “dream” wedding to Jack Tweed.   Jade Goody was “bald and proud” when she wed Jack Tweed “It was just a wonderful day. Perfect, she looked gorgeous,” her publicist Max Clifford said after the ceremony in Hertfordshire. [...]