Decision day for brain tumour boy

A WOMAN who does not want her seven-year-old son to have radiotherapy treatment following surgery on a brain tumour should discover today whether she has won a High Court fight.

Sally Roberts, 37, a New Zealander who lives in Brighton, East Sussex, fears that radiotherapy will cause long-term harm and says she thinks that “credible” alternative treatment is available.

A specialist treating her son Neon accepts that there are side-effects to radiotherapy but says that without the treatment the youngster could die within a few months.

Cameron hints at Mitchell return

DAVID Cameron has delivered his strongest hint yet that Andrew Mitchell could return to government.

The Prime Minister said allegations that a police officer posed as a member of the public and fabricated evidence to damage the then-chief whip were “extraordinary”.

It is understood he believes that Mr Mitchell’s position has strengthened substantially as a result of the explosive developments.

Afghanistan ‘better than in 2001’

DAVID Cameron has dismissed fears that Afghanistan could revert to a terrorist haven as he paid a pre-Christmas visit to troops in the country.

The Prime Minister defended newly announced plans for the British force to be almost halved to 5,200 next year.

Combat operations are due to end completely by 2014.

Respite, then more rain will hit UK

COMMUNITIES threatened by floodwaters will enjoy some respite today before rain returns to lash the UK during a washout weekend.

Some parts of the country may even enjoy a peek of sunshine, but that will disappear when the next band of rain comes into the South West and moves across the country later today.

Forecasters say up to 45mm, almost 2in, of rain could fall in the 24 hours from 6pm tonight, and the Environment Agency is warning people to be braced for more threats of flooding.

Report threatens bank break-ups

BRITAIN’S banks could face the threat of being broken up after a report warned the ring-fence to separate risky operations from savers’ deposits needed “electrification”.

The Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards – whose membership includes the future Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, former chancellor Lord Lawson and Treasury committee chair Andrew Tyrie – said plans included in the Banking Reform Bill “fall well short of what is required”.

In its first report since being set up in the wake of the Libor-rigging scandal, the Commission said legislation should include a reserve power for full separation if banks did not implement reforms.