UKIP MEPs’ expenses probed

EU anti-fraud investigators are conducting an inquiry into the United Kingdom Independence party over its MEPs’ use of expense allowances. Olaf, the body that polices MEPs, has sent officers to the UK, who were last week interviewing potential witnesses. The development comes in the same week that Tom Wise, a former UKIP MEP, was convicted of embezzling taxpayers’ money intended as his assistant’s salary while he was working for the party.

Briton beats Russian giant

David Haye won the WBA world heavyweight boxing title last night when he beat Nikolai Valuev, the 22-stone, 7ft Russian, on points. Haye, from south London, is the first British world heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.

Author to leave Church of England

GP Taylor, the vicar-turned-author, is deserting the “sinking ship” of the Church of England, which he described as the “spiritual arm of new Labour”. Taylor, whose children’s book Shadowmancer became an international bestseller, said he was turning to the Roman Catholic church, which he believes is less afraid to stand up for moral issues. He said many bishops “spend more time preaching about climate change . . . than preaching a gospel of salvation”.

Take That’ s wedding song

The full reunion of Take That members at the wedding of Mark Owen to Emma Ferguson at Cawdor Castle in Scotland today has reignited rumours that Robbie Williams may perform with the band again. The band are expected to sing at the wedding.

Lack of drivers cancels trains

There will be no services today on First Capital Connect’s Great Northern route because of a lack of train drivers. Union leaders said workers were not taking industrial action but merely exercising a contractual right not to work on Sundays.

The company said tickets would be accepted on alternative bus and rail routes in London, King’s Lynn, Cambridge, Huntingdon, Bedford, Hitchin, Stevenage, Luton airport and Peterborough.

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