Security News

Obasanjo and SADC say Zimbabwe’s Poll was Free and Peaceful

août 8, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Zimbabwe’s elections were free and peaceful, the two leading African observer groups have said.

African Union mission head Olusegun Obasanjo dismissed complaints of fraud, while another observer urged all parties to « accept the hard facts ».

A local monitoring group said earlier the poll was « seriously compromised ».

President Robert Mugabe’s party is claiming victory in the election, which has been dismissed by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai as a « huge farce ».

On Wednesday, voters were choosing a president, 210 lawmakers and local councillors. The results must be declared by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) no later than five days after voting day.

Unite Union Seek Legal Advice over Race Hatred Claims Against Home Office

août 8, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The Unite union has said it is seeking legal advice about whether the Home Office « incited racial hatred » by sending vans around London encouraging illegal immigrants to « go home ».

Its leader, Len McCluskey, called the poster-covered vehicles « vans of hate ».

Nick Clegg has criticised the pilot scheme, but the Home Office has said the message was not racist.

Meanwhile, new peer Doreen Lawrence has said police stop-and-check operations focus « mainly on people of colour ».

The Labour-supporting mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, told ITV’s Daybreak she thought « racial profiling » was involved – a suggestion rejected by ministers.

The controversy comes after it was revealed that nearly 140 people had been arrested in a wave of raids aimed at tackling people working illegally in the UK and firms employing them.

Ex Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi Angry At Sentence

août 8, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Italy’s former PM Silvio Berlusconi has broadcast an angry video message after his prison sentence for tax fraud was upheld by the country’s highest court.

Berlusconi said he was the innocent victim of « an incredible series of accusations and trials that had nothing to do with reality ».

The court also ordered a further judicial review on whether he should be banned from holding public office.

Berlusconi, 76, is unlikely to go to jail because of his age.

While he is expected to serve out his sentence as house arrest, he has the option of asking to do community service instead, with the deadline for the application not expected to fall until mid-October.

Met Police in talks to agree Ian Tomlinson Compensation

août 8, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The Metropolitan Police are close to agreeing compensation with the family of Ian Tomlinson, who died after being pushed to the ground by a riot officer during the G20 protests of April 2009.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in London, Stephen Greenhalgh, has authorised the Met to settle the claim.

It is thought an announcement could be made within the next few days.

Mr Tomlinson’s widow, Julia, and seven of his children and step-children have pursued the compensation claim

Mr Tomlinson had been walking home when he was struck with a baton and pushed to the ground by PC Simon Harwood during protests in the City of London.

The 47-year-old newspaper seller collapsed minutes later and died of internal bleeding, in what was later found by an inquest jury to be an unlawful killing.

Hoax device causes security alert in Antrim

août 8, 2013 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A suspicious object that sparked a bomb alert in Antrim was a « crude hoax », according to Army bomb disposal officers.

They were called to examine the object after it was found at a pedestrian subway between Parkhall and the Stiles estate at about 18:15 BST.

Six homes were evacuated during the operation.

It is understood the Army carried out two controlled explosions at the scene before declaring it a hoax