Summary

  • Updates from Wednesday 4 February 2015

  1. Good eveningpublished at 17:58 GMT 4 February 2015

    That's all from BBC Local Live today. Join Rebecca Cafe tomorrow at 08:00 for all the latest news, sport, travel and weather for London.

  2. Rain, sleet, snowpublished at 17:57 GMT 4 February 2015

    There will be outbreaks of rain, sleet and even snow on hilltops throughout the night.

    Ice is likely on untreated roads and pavements.

    The temperature will drop to 1C (34F).

  3. Drug raid uncovers starving parrotpublished at 17:55 GMT 4 February 2015

    A malnourished parrot has been rescued by police officers searching for drugs in a house in Surbiton, reports the Kingston Guardian, external.

    ParotImage source, Metropolitan Police

    Officers attended an address in Saint Andrew's Square last week to execute a drugs warrant but found no one home and no drugs on the premises. The RSPCA was called.

  4. Coming uppublished at 17:52 GMT 4 February 2015

    BBC London News
    TV

    At 18:30 on BBC One: Charities claim the true extent of homelessness in London is much worse than government figures suggest.

    And a London MP calls for increased security for the Jewish community - four weeks after the Paris attacks.

  5. MP calls for counter-terrorism fundpublished at 17:50 GMT 4 February 2015

    A north London MP has asked David Cameron to look into creating a counter-terrorism fund for faith schools and community buildings.

    Mike Freer

    Mike Freer, the Conservative member for Finchley and Golders Green, said there were 120 buildings now at risk of a terrorist attack of the type seen in Paris.

    At Prime Minister's Questions earlier, he asked: "Will you commit to looking at creating a counter-terrorism fund to help meet security measures at these community buildings?"

    Mr Cameron said he had met the Jewish Leadership Council to discuss the issue in the aftermath of the French atrocities. He also told MPs Education Secretary Nicky Morgan would be meeting the Community Security Trust to see what more could be done to help Jewish independent schools.

  6. Croydon Visitor Centre to closepublished at 17:47 GMT 4 February 2015

    The Croydon Visitor Centre, which has provided help and information to more than 700,000 people, is to close in May, the Croydon Advertiser reports, external.

    Croydon Business Improvement District (BID) is taking the decision after being served notice by developers Stanhope/Schroder's, which is using the land next to East Croydon Station for its major Ruskin Square development.

  7. Did Winston's words win the war?published at 17:42 GMT 4 February 2015

    Do you think Sir Winston Churchill was the greatest ever public speaker? That's the question Colonel Tim Collins tries to answer by looking at the way Churchill used words and the power of his speeches.

    BBC Graphic of Churchill

    The guide assesses how public speaking didn't come naturally to Churchill and how he had to overcome ridicule and a speech impediment to transform himself into a great orator.

  8. Pioneering leg brace helps man to walk againpublished at 17:38 GMT 4 February 2015

    A Wimbledon man unable to walk unaided since he contracted polio as a child will become the first person in the UK to be fitted with a life-changing computer-controlled leg brace, external - which he has described as a "revolution".

    The lower-limb bionic exoskeleton brace has been launched in the UK to help people living with partial paralysis, spinal injury, post-stroke and post-polio syndrome to walk naturally again.

    John Simpson, 63, said: "It's going to change my life."

  9. Edmonton incinerator consultation beginspublished at 17:35 GMT 4 February 2015

    The first part of a consultation into a half a billion pound project, external to replace an incinerator has been completed, reports the Enfield Independent, external.

    The North London Waste Authority, in Advent Way, Upper Edmonton, will replace its waste site with a new 'energy recovery facility' in the same area by 2025, if given consent.

  10. Watch: Doctor found not guilty in FGM casepublished at 17:30 GMT 4 February 2015

    An NHS doctor accused of performing female genital mutilation on a young mother has been found not guilty.

    Dr Dhanuson DharmasenaImage source, AFP

    Dhanuson Dharmasena, 32, was accused of carrying out the illegal procedure when stitching the woman after she gave birth at the Whittington Hospital, north London, in 2012.

  11. Monet and Matisse record Sotheby's salespublished at 17:25 GMT 4 February 2015

    Sotheby's, external - one of London's most famous auction houses - has achieved a record total of sales for any auction held in the capital.

    The 271-year-old auction house recorded evening sales amounting to £186.44m during the sale of a collection featuring impressionist, modern and surrealist art including works by Claude Monet and Matisse.

  12. TfL issues bus strike travel advicepublished at 17:20 GMT 4 February 2015

    TfL have warned of "significant disruption" to services ahead of a planned 24-hour bus strike over pay tomorrow.

    The action is set to begin at 04:00 and TfL have published travel advice, external to help people get around London.

  13. Doctor 'relieved' at court's verdictpublished at 17:08 GMT 4 February 2015

    Dr Dhanuson DharmasenaImage source, PA

    After being found not guilty of performing female genital mutilation, Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena said: "I am extremely relieved with the court's verdict and I am grateful to the jury for their careful consideration of the facts.

    "I have always maintained that FGM is an abhorrent practice that has no medical justification; however I cannot comment further on the details of this case due to patient confidentiality."

    "I would like to thank my family, friends, legal team and all those who supported me through this difficult time and I look forward to putting this matter behind me."

  14. News on the Hourpublished at 16:58 GMT 4 February 2015

    BBC London 94.9
    Radio

    The headlines this hour include:

    • An NHS doctor has been found not guilty of carrying out female genital mutilation while working at the Whittington Hospital in north London

    • The jury trying former rock star Gary Glitter on 10 charges of historical sexual offences has been sent home for the night

  15. Ocean liners docking in London?published at 16:49 GMT 4 February 2015

    The Daily Mail

    London could soon become a popular destination for giant cruise ships if plans for a new passenger terminal in Greenwich move forward, the Daily Mail reports, external.

    GreenwichImage source, Getty Images

    It is hoped the mooring at Enderby Wharf would open in 2017 and become the capital's first new terminal since the closure of the Royal Docks in 1981.

  16. FGM trial: Second man clearedpublished at 16:45 GMT 4 February 2015

    A second man, Hasan Mohammed, has been cleared of aiding and abetting Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena in performing female genital mutilation in the first prosecution of its kind in the UK.

    Dr Dharmasena was found not guilty of carrying out the illegal procedure when stitching a woman after she gave birth at the Whittington Hospital, north London, in 2012.

  17. Doctor accused of FGM 'hung out to dry'published at 16:40 GMT 4 February 2015

    An NHS doctor cleared of performing female genital mutilation (FGM) in the first British case of its kind had been "been hung out to dry", according to his defence barrister.

    Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena, 32, was accused of illegally stitching a young mother up after she gave birth - re-doing the FGM she had as a six year-old in Somalia. A jury acquitted him after less than half an hour of deliberations.

    Defence barrister Zoe Johnson QC said Dr Dharmasena had been forced to pay the "ultimate price" for hospital failings.

  18. Metropolitan Line delayspublished at 16:32 GMT 4 February 2015

    BBC London
    Travel

    There are minor delays on Metropolitan Line between Baker Street and Aldgate due to signal failure at Aldgate.

    For more travel news visit the BBC London Travel website.