NSA 'spied on companies' - Snowden

26 January 2014 Last updated at 18:16 ET

US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has alleged the National Security Agency engaged in industrial espionage.

In an interview with Germany's ARD TV channel, the former NSA contractor said the agency would spy on big German companies that competed with US firms.

Mr Snowden, who was granted temporary asylum by Russia, also said he believed that US officials wanted to kill him.

His leaks caused outrage in Germany when it came to light Chancellor Angela Merkel's phone had been bugged.

After the row broke out last year, Mrs Merkel accused the US of an unacceptable breach of trust.

Last week President Barack Obama indicated to Germany's ZDF TV that US bugging of Mrs Merkel's mobile phone had been a mistake and would not happen again.

Continue reading the main story

• Accessing internet company data
• Tapping fibre optic cables
• Eavesdropping on phones
• Targeted spying

Mr Snowden's new allegation about industrial spying may make it harder to rebuild trans-Atlantic trust, the BBC's Stephen Evans reports from Berlin.

Referring to the German engineering company Siemens, Mr Snowden told ARD: "If there is information at Siemens that they [the NSA] think would be beneficial to the national interests, not the national security, of the United States, they will go after that information and they'll take it."

He also said he believed US agents want to kill him, referring to an article published by the Buzzfeed website in which intelligence operatives are quoted as saying they want to see him dead.

In August Russia granted Mr Snowden asylum for one year, after he leaked details of US electronic surveillance programmes.

The US has charged Mr Snowden with theft of government property, unauthorised communication of national defence information and wilful communication of classified communications intelligence.

Each of the charges carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. Earlier this week he said he has "no chance" of a fair trial in the US and has no plans to return there.

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Cameron pledges action on red tape

26 January 2014 Last updated at 19:49 ET

Thousands of rules affecting business are to be scrapped or amended, David Cameron is to tell a Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) conference.

More than 3,000 rules will be dropped or changed, saving more than £850m a year, he will tell the FSB.

The FSB has said that supporting the small business sector should not be a "nice-to-have" afterthought.

Mr Cameron told the BBC the UK would have "less regulation in place than when we started" under his watch.

The FSB said that big business could help more by paying suppliers on time.

80,000 pages cut back

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The prime minister will tell small business leaders that 800 rules and regulations affecting them have been abolished or amended, and that ultimately this will be extended to more than 3,000 regulations.

Mr Cameron is expected to say: "By March 2015 Defra will have slashed 80,000 pages of environmental guidance saving businesses around £100m per year."

Continue reading the main story

The UK's large businesses need to play their part too in supporting ambitious small businesses, for example through paying their smaller suppliers promptly"

End Quote Mike Cherrry FSB policy chairman

He is also set to announce a series of measures designed to help small companies, including vouchers and extra tax reliefs.

Mike Cherry, the FSB's policy chairman, said he wanted the conference to help set the agenda for a sector that is frequently portrayed as an engine for growth, skills, and economic recovery.

"The government must focus on how they can support these businesses in job creation and growth while the UK's large businesses need to play their part, too, in supporting ambitious small businesses, for example, through paying their smaller suppliers promptly," he said.

Despite multiple support schemes for small firms, research suggested only limited take-up or support. The FSB has called the current system "congested and confusing", pointing to the US as a better model.

The US Small Business Administration (SBA), part of government, has a large budget, long-term strategy, and influence at the centre of power, Mr Cherry said.

"The UK government should look at whether an institution built along the principles of the US SBA is needed - bringing together business support, export guidance, public procurement, and other small business functions into one place, providing a powerful small business voice within government."

Growth focus

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna will say that Labour would create an SBA to support small firms in their dealings with government departments.

Karen Mills, former head of the SBA and a former member of President Barack Obama's cabinet, will address the conference.

She said: "As governments look to the future, their plans have to be centred on growth, and the primary currency should be well-paying jobs.

"With that, any conversation focused on jobs must include small business and entrepreneurship."

She added: "When small business has a seat at the table, we can more effectively focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, which are critical components to a strong economic game plan in today's world."

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UK warns Olympics attacks 'likely'

26 January 2014 Last updated at 21:00 ET By Frank Gardner BBC security correspondent

Whitehall officials are warning that more terrorist attacks in Russia are "very likely to occur" before or during the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Eighty-eight countries will compete in the Games which begin next week.

A threat assessment seen by the BBC names a Caucasus group, Imarat Kavkaz (IK), as posing the main danger - saying it has repeatedly expressed a desire to target them.

A twin bomb attack on the city of Volgograd in December killed 34 people.

It was claimed by a militant Islamist group, based in Dagestan.

The assessment points out that in July 2013 the IK's fugitive leader, Emir Doku Umarov, called on his followers to do what they can to disrupt the Games.

'Ring of steel'

But the document questions whether the group has the capability to target such a specific event within a narrow timeframe. The Winter Olympics are scheduled to run from 7-23 February.

The British assessment is that Sochi would be far harder for terrorists to attack than Volgograd due to Russian military operations, with Russia pouring in over 37,000 extra troops and police and imposing a "ring of steel" around the Olympic venue, largely closing it off from public access.

Dressed all in black, the security guards are already a familiar sight around the Olympic park.

The authorities have also been hunting a suspected would-be suicide bomber named as Ruzanna Ibragimova, the 22-year old widow of a militant, whom it is feared could already be in Sochi.

There are concerns too there could be up to three other female suicide bombers at large, known as "black widows" since they were reportedly married to slain insurgents.

The British document points out that IK has no track record of attacking non-Russian interests, its fight is with Russia rather than with the West. It said there was a possible threat, though less likely, from Russian jihadists returning from Syria.

Earlier this month five countries' National Olympic Committees received letters threatening terrorist attacks but officials have dismissed these as a hoax.

However the US is taking security seriously, posting two of its warships offshore in the Black Sea, offering "unspecified air assets", deploying FBI agents and sharing Counter Terrorism intelligence with Russia.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office says large-scale public events present an attractive target for terrorists and travellers at the Sochi games should expect increased police presence and enhanced security measures in and around both the Olympic venues and the wider Sochi area.

Visitors should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times and in all places, it says.

The FCO advises against all travel to Chechnya, Ingushetia and Dagestan and the districts of Budyonnovsky, Levokumsky, Neftekumsky, Stepnovsky and Kursky in Stavropol Krai.

It also advises against all but essential travel to North Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria.

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Power transfer on Syria talks agenda

27 January 2014 Last updated at 00:06 ET

The Syrian peace talks in Geneva are due to move on to wider political questions such as the divisive issue of transfer of power in the country.

But discussions are also expected to continue on aid convoys reaching the besieged area of Homs.

On Sunday, the Syrian government delegation said women and children may leave the city - but demanded a list of names of men who want to leave.

Some opposition delegates expressed reservations over the conditions.

"The regime keeps asking for lists," Obeida Nahas of the Syrian National Council told the BBC.

"We feel that these are lists that they will use in detaining people and maybe torturing them."

Trapped

Officially the negotiations are due to tackle the potentially explosive question of transferring power in Syria on Monday, reports the BBC's Bridget Kendall in Geneva.

Those talks may still happen - but there is likely to be new pressure on President Bashar al-Assad's government over whether it will comply with a UN plan to send humanitarian aid to Homs, our correspondent adds.

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad said women and children were free to leave the city. He alleged armed groups were preventing them from doing so.

UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said the opposition had agreed to give the government lists of detainees held by armed groups.

He said he hoped a humanitarian convoy from the UN and the Red Cross would be able to go to Homs on Monday.

Hundreds of people are reportedly trapped in besieged parts of the city, including some who are very ill and vulnerable.

Mr Brahimi admitted the talks were proceeding slowly but said that on Monday he "expected the two parties to make some general statement about the way forward".

He said it was "too early" to assess the prospects of a comprehensive deal.

'Respect and exchange'

The opposition and government are fundamentally divided over the aims of the conference.

Continue reading the main story

A UN-backed meeting in 2012 issued the document and urged Syria to:

• Form transitional governing body
• Start national dialogue
• Review constitution and legal system
• Hold free and fair elections

The government delegation has said the main issue of the talks is finding a solution to foreign-backed "terrorism".

The opposition, however, had insisted that the regime commit in writing to the Geneva I communique, which called for a transition process.

It urged Syria to form a transitional governing authority that "could include members of the present government and the opposition and other groups".

The opposition has also been asking for the release of thousands of prisoners in government detention.

Mr Brahimi said he expected the talks on Monday to follow Sunday's format; he would hold a joint session with the government and opposition in the morning before meeting the sides separately in the afternoon.

The UN envoy said he had been encouraged by the atmosphere at the talks on Sunday, saying they had been characterised by "respect and exchange".

No direct words had been exchanged between the delegations but the two sides were talking to each other through him.

Syria's civil conflict has claimed well over 100,000 lives since it began in 2011.

The violence has also driven 9.5 million people from their homes, creating a major humanitarian crisis within Syria and for its neighbours.

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Daft Punk get lucky at Grammy Awards

27 January 2014 Last updated at 00:56 ET

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Alastair Leithead looks at who won what at this year's awards

French dance duo Daft Punk have taken top honours at the Grammy Awards, winning five prizes including album and record of the year.

Hip-hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis took four awards - best new artist plus best rap album, song and performance.

Justin Timberlake won three, while New Zealand teenager Lorde picked up two including song of the year for Royals.

Sir Paul McCartney was among the other double winners and also reunited with his Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr.

The pair teamed up for Sir Paul's song Queenie Eye during the ceremony, which is known for its heavyweight on-stage collaborations.

The show was opened by Jay-Z and his wife Beyonce, while Madonna joined Macklemore and Lewis during their anti-homophobia anthem Same Love, as 33 same-sex and heterosexual couples got married on stage.

Other collaborations included Metallica performing with pianist Lang Lang and Daft Punk, Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams being joined by Stevie Wonder to perform Get Lucky.

Get Lucky, which featured producer and singer Pharrell and disco guitarist and producer Rodgers, was one of the biggest hits of 2013.

As well as scooping album and record of the year, Daft Punk won best pop duo/group performance for Get Lucky and best dance/electronica album for Random Access Memories.

The album was also named best engineered album, non-classical, which was credited to its engineers.

Continue reading the main story

• Album of the year - Random Access Memories, Daft Punk
• Record of the year - Get Lucky, Daft Punk feat Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers
• Song of the year - Royals, Lorde (above)
• Best country album - Same Trailer Different Park, Kacey Musgraves
• Best pop vocal album - Unorthodox Jukebox, Bruno Mars
• Best rap/sung collaboration - Holy Grail, Jay Z featuring Justin Timberlake
• Best rock song - Cut Me Some Slack, Sir Paul McCartney with Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear
• Best pop duo/group performance - Get Lucky, Daft Punk feat Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers
• Best new artist - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
• Best rock album - Celebration Day, Led Zeppelin
• Best alternative album - Modern Vampires Of The City, Vampire Weekend
• Best music film - Live Kisses, Sir Paul McCartney
• Best music video - Suit and Tie, Justin Timberlake
• Best R&B album - Girl On Fire, Alicia Keys
• Best R&B song - Pusher Love Girl, Justin Timberlake
• Best rap album - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis,The Heist
• Best rap song - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Thrift Shop
• Best rap performance - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Thrift Shop
• Best dance/electronica album - Daft Punk, Random Access Memories

More selected Grammy winners and nominees

The dance pioneers, real names Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, never appear in public without their trademark robot helmets.

So they left the acceptance speeches to their collaborators. "Well, I suppose the robots would like to thank..." joked Pharrell, who also won non-classical producer of the year.

"You know honestly, I bet France is really proud of these guys right now."

As well as performing, Sir Paul McCartney picked up the trophies for best music film and best rock song for Cut Me Some Slack, a collaboration with the surviving members of Nirvana.

It beat The Rolling Stones' Doom And Gloom, from their 50th anniversary album GRRR!, as well as tracks by veteran metal band Black Sabbath, stadium rockers Muse and US singer-guitarist Gary Clark Jr.

Black Sabbath did scoop best metal performance, while Led Zeppelin won best rock album for their live recording Celebration Day.

Other British nominees included Ed Sheeran and James Blake, who were both up for best new artist, but lost out to Macklemore and Lewis.

Rapper Macklemore and producer Ryan Lewis, who found fame after self-releasing their album The Heist, won four awards from seven nominations.

"We made this album without a record label, we made it independently and we appreciate all the support," Macklemore told the audience.

Seventeen-year-old Lorde's debut single Royals earned song of the year and best pop solo performance after catapulting her to the top of the charts around the world last year.

Jay-Z started the night with the most nominations, up for nine awards. He won best rap/sung collaboration for Holy Grail, featuring Justin Timberlake.

Timberlake, Pharrell and rapper Kendrick Lamar were among the acts who went into the ceremony with seven nominations.

Other winners included Adele for her James Bond theme Skyfall, which won the prize for best song written for visual media, and Scottish percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, who won best classical instrumental solo.

British hitmaker Calvin Harris was up for best dance/electronica album for 18 Months and best dance recording for Sweet Nothing with Florence and the Machine's Florence Welch, but lost out on both.

UK acts Duke Dumont and Disclosure were also unsuccessful nominees in the dance categories.

David Bowie had been nominated for best rock album and best rock performance for his 2013 comeback, but missed out in both categories.

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UK braced for ice and more flooding

27 January 2014 Last updated at 03:51 ET

Temperatures are expected to plummet later with the Met Office warning the UK to prepare for icy, frozen surfaces.

Meanwhile, some communities in England and Scotland are being warned to expect further flooding.

The Environment Agency still has 14 flood warnings in place, meaning immediate action is required, with the majority in south-west England.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is expected to visit Somerset where a "major incident" has been declared.

He is expected to meet farmers and council leaders in the county - where large areas remain under water.

A severe weather warning issued by the Met Office covers much of the country and is due to last until 10:00 GMT on Monday morning.

Forecasters said people should be aware of the potential for travel disruption as untreated surfaces freeze.

Only some western and southern coastal areas are excluded from the warning.

BBC weather forecaster Nina Ridge said: "Our main concern as temperatures dip down fairly close to freezing will be the risk of ice. As the morning goes on there will mainly be sleet across any higher ground, rain at lower levels."

Dredging call

Flood warnings are in place for the Midlands, North East, South East and South West. There were also 149 flood alerts - indicating flooding is possible - across every region of England.

On Sunday, farmers in Somerset held a demonstration against the Environment Agency accusing them of failing to dredge the rivers, which they say has exacerbated the flooding.

Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the River Parrett: "Once it's dredged we can then maintain it but the Environment Agency has to stop this mucking around and get on with it."

He dismissed as "pathetic" the Environment Agency's claims that the rain would have overwhelmed the river system even if it had dredged the waterways.

"It is an absolutely ridiculous excuse," he said. "This never flooded to this level ever in living memory, and we've got people who have been here for a long time. If you look back into the mists of time you don't have this."

Prime Minister David Cameron said he thought the Environment Agency had done "excellent work" helping communities deal with flooding.

He added: "The Environment Agency has to listen to these concerns, and you do get some quite widespread concerns that the base of rivers have risen over the years, I think they have to address those and give some clear answer."

In Scotland, river levels on the Nith in Dumfries continued to rise. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency warned Whitesands residents to remain vigilant.

Motorists on the higher routes across parts of central Scotland were warned to prepare for snow and gale-force winds.

"The public should be aware of the potential for disruption to travel as well as difficult driving conditions with a risk of blizzards at times," Traffic Scotland said.

The weekend weather caused power outages in south-east England where more than 1,000 homes were left without electricity.

A spokeswoman for UK Power Networks said by Sunday evening only "one or two single premises" were still waiting to be reconnected.

In Surrey - one of the counties hit by power cuts - eyewitnesses in Chobham reported a "mini-tornado" so strong it lifted feral cats into the air like "paper bags".

There were reports of a second tornado further north in Warwickshire where some families had to seek overnight shelter at a community hall.

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Text: 61124

Twitter: @BBC_HaveYourSay

The weather caused some travel disruption in parts of the UK over the weekend.

The heaviest rainfall was in Wales, where about 22mm (0.9in) came down in 12 hours.

Arriva Trains Wales say the line between Machynlleth and Pwllhelli, remains closed until 10 February following recent flooding.

And Southern says a recent major landslip means a very limited service is running between Horsham and Dorking - and is unlikely to open until early February.

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Ukraine state of emergency warning

27 January 2014 Last updated at 04:47 ET

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BBC's Steve Rosenberg: "One of the biggest countries in Europe is now in a state of siege"

Ukraine's justice minister has warned anti-government protesters occupying her ministry she will call for a state of emergency if they do not leave.

Olena Lukash told local media she would ask the National Security and Defence Council to introduce the measures.

Protesters seized the building in Kiev late on Sunday and set up barricades outside with bags of snow.

Unrest is spreading across Ukraine, with activists taking over municipal buildings in up to 10 cities.

Buildings have come under attack even in eastern areas which have traditionally had closer ties with Russia and where President Viktor Yanukovych has enjoyed strong support.

Continue reading the main story

At the scene

Protesters say there weren't any guards at the justice ministry, they simply smashed their way through the window - now barricaded by furniture - and went in.

They are busy making another barricade out of compressed snow shovelled into bags, and hosing the nearby pavement on the inclined street with water. There is no sight of police of any kind.

The one policeman I found was about to lock the entrance to a nearby Metro station. He sighed, rolled his eyes, and said: "Nothing surprises us anymore."

When I asked what the activists intended to do with the ministry and how they were going to run it, a masked man said: "We don't need this justice for sale anymore."

The crisis was sparked by the president's decision not to sign an EU deal, and has escalated with the deaths of four activists in recent days.

Correspondents say protesters entered the justice ministry building in the capital without resistance.

"The seizure of the Ministry of Justice is a symbolic act of the people of the uprising. Now, these authorities are stripped of justice," one protester told reporters.

One of the organisers of the occupation, who gave his name as Oleg, said the building was being used to shelter those enduring freezing conditions in street protests nearby.

He told the Associated Press news agency: "We are not going to do any hooliganism, or have anyone hurt. We are peaceful people, we are for justice."

But Ms Lukash told Inter TV channel: "If the protesters do not leave the justice ministry building... I will ask the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine to impose the state of emergency."

She said water had been sprayed inside the building, "turning it into a veritable ice rink".

The minister is involved in the ongoing negotiations between the government and protest leaders, but said she would be "forced to turn to the Ukrainian president with a request to stop the negotiations unless the justice ministry building is vacated without delay and the negotiators are given a chance to find a peaceful solution to the conflict".

Last week, the parliament of the Crimean Autonomous Republic - seen as a staunch supporter of Mr Yanukovych - also urged the president to declare a state of emergency.

The parliament is due to meet for an extraordinary session on Tuesday, but the speaker has previously said a state of emergency will not be under discussion.

Continue reading the main story

Key dates

21 Nov 2013: Ukraine announces it will not sign a deal aimed at strengthening ties with the EU

30 Nov: Riot police detain dozens of anti-government protesters in a violent crackdown in Kiev

17 Dec: Russia agrees to buy $15bn (£9.2bn, 11bn euros) of Ukrainian government bonds and slash the price of gas it sells to the country

22 Jan 2014: Two protesters die from bullet wounds during clashes with police in Kiev; protests spread across many cities

25 Jan: President Yanukovych offers senior jobs to the opposition, including that of prime minister, but these are rejected

Election call

Street protests began in Kiev in November, after President Yanukovych announced he would not sign the long-awaited EU free trade agreement.

The protesters were further angered by the introduction of new laws last week aimed at cracking down on unrest by banning tents being put up in public places and the wearing of helmets and masks.

The opposition is demanding that the EU deal be signed, political prisoners - including former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko - freed and the new laws repealed.

The fresh unrest comes after opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk rejected President Yanukovych's offer to appoint him prime minister, saying the key demands must be met.

Although the protest movement - the EuroMaidan - is largely peaceful, a hardcore of radicals have been fighting battles with police away from the main protest camp in Maidan, or Independence Square.

Reports now suggest unrest is spreading further into the country's east, which is seen as Mr Yanukovych's support base.

In north-eastern Sumy, protesters occupied the city's council building, Ukraine's Unian news agency reports, while police used tear gas as several thousand people tried to storm the state regional administration building.

Unrest was also reported across the country, with protests and attempts - some successful - to seize government buildings.

Towns and cities affected include: Zaporizhzhya and Dnipropetrovsk in the south-east, Cherkasy, south of Kiev: the main western city of Lviv: Chernihiv in the north and Odessa on the Black Sea coast.

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Nadal focused on Wawrinka challenge

By Piers Newbery BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

• Venue: Rod Laver Arena
• Date: 26 January
• Time: 08:30 GMT

Coverage: Live coverage on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Sport website, mobiles and BBC Sport app

Rafael Nadal is eager to win a second Australian Open title against Stanislas Wawrinka on Sunday, after fitness problems blighted recent attempts.

The Spaniard won the tournament in 2009 but was affected by injuries the following two years, and missed the event altogether in 2013.

"I had very emotional moments this year," said Nadal, the reigning French Open and US Open champion.

"It's the Grand Slam that I really had more problems with in my career."

"I did some good matches last year against him, close ones. I found a few things that I will try"

Stanislas Wawrinka

He added: "A lot of years I didn't have a chance to play in this tournament that I really love so much with the perfect conditions, so it's very special have the chance to be in the final here again."

Nadal will be trying to win his 14th Grand Slam title on Sunday, which would bring him level with Pete Sampras and second to Roger Federer's 17 on the all-time list.

It would also make the Spaniard only the third man, after Rod Laver and Roy Emerson, to win all four of the majors at least twice each.

And despite a blister on his racquet hand, Nadal appears in good physical shape after missing last year's tournament with a serious knee injury.

"I am moving quick. I am able to come back from a difficult situations," he said.

"With great shots of the opponent I am able to keep producing power on the shots, and produce great shots from very difficult positions.

"That's because the movements are ready and because I feel the power in the legs when I arrive in tough positions, and the confidence on the shots."

Nadal will be making his 19th Grand Slam final appearance, in marked contrast with Wawrinka, who is making his debut.

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Sampras has 'never seen anything like' Nadal

Perhaps most telling of all, Nadal has not dropped a set in 12 previous matches against the Swiss.

"It's a Grand Slam final - that's a different kind of match than I played against him in the past," said Nadal.

"He's playing better than ever. If I don't play my best tennis, I am sure that he will win three sets against me. I'm not going to have the chance to beat him."

Wawrinka has climbed to a career-high fifth in the rankings by reaching the final, making him the Swiss number one ahead of Federer, and he will climb to number three if he wins the title.

And the 28-year-old insists he is not concerned by his 0-12 record against Nadal, having beaten three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

"The record is not what I'm looking at," said Wawrinka.

"I don't care. It's more about playing Rafa. He's the number one, the best player. His game is quite tough for me, especially with a one-handed backhand.

"But I did some good matches last year against him, close ones. I found a few things that I will try.

"Before, for me to beat Djokovic was the same. I was losing 13, 14 times before that. I'm always trying and I always think that I can change all the statistics."

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E-cigarette ban for under-18s

25 January 2014 Last updated at 21:14 ET

Under-18s in England are to be banned from buying electronic cigarettes, the government has announced.

Experts say it is not yet known what harm the tobacco-free devices could inflict and that their contents could be damaging young people's health.

An estimated 1.3m people in the UK use e-cigarettes which were designed to help smokers quit.

Ministers also plan to make it illegal for adults to buy traditional cigarettes for anyone under 18.

'Irresponsible adults'

They want to crack down on the number of young people smoking by bringing the law in line with restrictions on the sale of alcohol.

The new rules could be in force by the autumn and may mean anyone caught buying cigarettes for a child could be given a £50 fixed penalty notice or a fine of up to £2,500.

Continue reading the main story

They could be extremely damaging to young people's health"

End Quote Prof Dame Sally Davies Chief medical officer, England

"We must do all we can to help children lead a healthy life," Public Health Minister Jane Ellison said.

"That's why this measure is designed to help protect children from the dangers of being bought cigarettes by irresponsible adults - something that I hope concerned parents and responsible retailers will welcome."

Some 41% of 15-year-olds who smoke say they usually buy their cigarettes from someone else, rather than from a shop, according to Department of Health figures.

But while smoking rates have fallen to their lowest ever level, experts fear the electronic substitutes could be encouraging teenagers to take up the habit.

E-cigarettes, popular with teenagers, deliver a hit of nicotine and emit water vapour to mimic the feeling and look of smoking.

"We do not yet know the harm that e-cigarettes can cause to adults let alone to children, but we do know they are not risk free," Prof Dame Sally Davies, England's chief medical officer, said.

"E-cigarettes can produce toxic chemicals and the amount of nicotine and other chemical constituents and contaminants, including vaporised flavourings, varies between products meaning they could be extremely damaging to young people's health."

Car boot ban

The UK currently has few restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes, despite moves in some countries to ban them.

Restrictions have recently been mooted in Scotland and Wales, where health policy is a devolved issue.

The law change for England will be introduced in Parliament this week as an amendment to the Children and Families Bill.

Anti-smoking charity Ash welcomed the changes but chief executive Deborah Arnott added: "We'd also like to see a retail licensing system put in place so that cigarettes could only legally be sold in shops, not in car boot sales and markets."

Smoking remains one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK with around 100,000 people dying each year from illnesses linked to the habit.

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Hundreds of children 'kept in cells'

26 January 2014 Last updated at 03:06 ET By Nicola Beckford BBC Radio 4, the World This Weekend

Hundreds of children in England and Wales were detained under the Mental Health Act and locked in police cells because officers did not have anywhere else to take them, the BBC has learned.

There were 305 detentions of under-18s in the first 11 months of 2013, Radio 4's the World This Weekend found.

Some were held for more than 24 hours, according to data released under Freedom of Information laws.

The Department of Health said £25m was available to fund mental health nurses.

The practice of detaining children suspected of being mentally ill was first uncovered by the BBC in 2012.

Then, the data for 2011 showed there were 385 child detentions.

The latest information revealed that in 2012 there were 317 detentions.

'Shocking'

Some children were detained for long periods of time - including 17-year-olds held for more than 24 hours and 15-year-olds for between eight and 15 hours.

Police have the power under the Mental Health Act to take people they suspect of being mentally disturbed and who could be a danger to themselves or others to a "place of safety" to be assessed by a doctor.

This detention may only last up to 72 hours.

Places of safety will usually mean a hospital, care home or any other suitable place but, in exceptional circumstances, it may also be a police station.

Continue reading the main story

The thought that either of my kids were ill and that they finished up in a police cell, I regard as abhorrent."

End Quote Chief Constable Simon Cole ACPO

In the case of children, this could mean an adolescent psychiatric unit or a children's home.

Sarah Brennan, chief executive of charity Young Minds, described the situation as "really shocking".

"[Children and young people] need to have appropriate care in the appropriate setting and that should never be a police cell when they have mental health problems."

The fact children were still being held in cells two years after it was first reported was a "terrible indictment", she added.

But the Department of Health said it was trialling two schemes to tackle the issue.

Under its "street triage" scheme, mental health nurses patrol with the police to identify people who need immediate mental health support.

Extra funding had been made available for mental health workers to be based in police stations and courts, the department said.

'Got to change'

The Association of Chief Police Officers welcomed the move, but the association's spokesman on mental health said more needed to be done.

"We were in a position where there was every day at least one young person statistically taken to a police cell," said Chief Constable Simon Cole.

"We're now down to less than one person a day as an average. Has it changed quickly enough and significantly enough? No it hasn't, and I want that change to be quicker.

"I'm a father myself and the thought that either of my kids were ill and that they finished up in a police cell, I regard as abhorrent."

So-called places of safety were, in many parts of the country, not equipped to take on young people, he said, adding: "That's just got to change."

Lorraine Khan from the Centre for Mental Health said the figures were "hugely disappointing".

"The government is currently reviewing the code of practice for the Mental Health Act and should look at ways this could help to stop children being placed in police custody when they should be in a safe hospital environment."

Professor Sue Bailey of the Royal College of Psychiatrists welcomed the government's commitment to mental health but said the pace of change needed to quicken.

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