FAMILY DEATH BLAZE "STARTED DELIBERATELY"
An accelerant was used to start a fire which claimed the lives of four members of the same family, murder squad detectives confirmed today.
Ajit Singh, 62, and his 60-year-old wife, Gurdish Kaur, died in the blaze in Tipton, West Midlands, along with their daughter, Darshan Kaur, 30, and their 38-year-old daughter-in-law, Palvinder Kaur.
Officers have yet to formally identify the four, whose bodies were found by fire crews called to the house in Peake Drive, Dudley Port, shortly before midnight on Monday.
Detective Inspector Carl Southwick, of West Midlands Police, said: “Because it’s a very serious incident – it’s now a murder inquiry – we need to make sure that all the resources of West Midlands Police are put into this to ensure that we catch those who have committed this horrendous crime.”
The deaths had previously been officially treated as suspicious as the cause of the fire was unclear, although the previous inquiry operated with the same level of manpower as a murder probe.
Post-mortem examinations conducted yesterday found that all four victims died of smoke inhalation.
Anyone with information should contact the incident room at Ladywood police station on 0121 428 6138 or the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.

PROFITS UP AT MIDLANDS CO-OOP
Midlands Co-op seems set to achieve a ninth consecutive year of record results following the publication of its interim report for the half-year ended August 7th.
As a result, the society is about to make its first dividend payment on the newly launched Members' card - the return of a true Co-op Dividend after many years.
A strong trading performance in the first half year has seen overall gross sales increase by 4.7 per cent to £422 million. All core businesses have contributed to this overall growth but particularly retail, which has seen the opening of three new stores and the acquisition of 30 former Alldays stores in the last year.
A trading profit of £10.9 million - up by £600,000 on the equivalent period last year - represents growth of 5.7 per cent, which is seen as a highly commendable result in the light of fierce competition in the convenience sector.
Despite unfavourable global conditions, the travel division has performed well, adjusting and adapting to the external environment by closing unprofitable shops, taking advantage of the improved margins provided by the Co-operative Travel Trading Group, expansion of foreign exchange business, investment in the profitable business travel sector and developing tailor-made holidays for customers who prefer an 'unpackaged' approach.
The funeral division has increased market share in a period when the national death rate has declined more rapidly than forecast.
Dairy has pursued a strategy of gaining market share in the retail and food services sector to increase volumes processed at Central Dairies, and despite industry overcapacity, this has proved a successful strategy.
The Midlands Co-op launched a Members' Card Scheme in November 2003 enabling members to collect dividend points on purchases. An interim dividend is shortly to be paid, following the recent payment of an Employee Dividend to qualifying employees.
Chief Executive Willie Tucker commented: "I am delighted Midlands Co-op continues to maintain its position as the region's largest community retailer. I should like to record my sincere appreciation to staff for their efforts in contributing to the society's success and to all members and customers for their loyal support."


SULLIVAN VOWS TO KEEP BLUES STAKE
Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan insisted he has no plans to sell his stake in the club - but has revealed his desire to invest in a London club in the future.
Sullivan, Blues chairman David Gold and his brother Ralph held a controlling stake in the club through Sport Newspapers but sold the shares last Friday before immediately buying them back via separate companies.
Sullivan has long been linked with some form of involvement at Cardiff City, but said "in all probability" he would still be with the midlands club in five years' time.
"There's no agenda to this, it's purely an administrative thing," Sullivan told the Birmingham Evening Mail.
"There are tax issues and death duties to consider and, as it's the end of my financial year today, it just seemed right. When David and Ralph came in after I bought the club, they wanted to do it through the newspaper.
"It's taken us 11 and a half years to get round to moving away from 'joint' money and rectifying things, it could have happened at any time.
"In the short to medium term, it doesn't change anything. In the long term, I've always said that one day I'm not going to be here - but in the long term we could all be dead.
"I'm not going to fib to anyone. I've said before that I'd like to be involved with Cardiff, I've sweated blood for this club and the travelling is horrendous.
"Then again, getting to Cardiff (from his Essex home) would be no better, so ideally I'd like to be in London somewhere, and I wouldn't mind a year off from it all actually."
Sullivan and the Gold brothers together own 62million shares. Sullivan's portion are now owned through two of his companies, Roldvale and Conegate Ltd.


BLIND WALKER TACKLES EPIC TREK
A charity walker was today tackling the sixth day of an epic trek from Dorset to Leicester which he hopes to complete in just 22 days - despite being blind.
61-year-old Alec Crombie, who has been blind since the age of 10, was today nearing Bath on his mammoth 250-mile hike which is raising funds for Vista, a Leicestershire charity for blind people.
The keen skier and rambler from Uppingham is aiming to arrive back in Leicester on October 16 when he will make a grand entrance at Vista's AGM at the All Nations Centre on Frog Island, Leicester.
During the walk Alec will be accompanied by two support walkers who will either use their arms as guidance or on particularly narrow or steep terrain will use a pole for all three walkers to hold on to.
Lucy Marsh, fundraising and marketing manager at Vista said: "We are extremely grateful to Alec for taking on this long walk on our behalf.
"Also we very much appreciate the team behind him that have made the walk possible. The whole team have been marvellous and from the funds raised we will be able to provide more vital services to local blind people."
Alec's ties to Vista go back a long way. He became chairman of what was then known as the Royal Leicestershire, Rutland and Wycliffe Society for the Blind in 1997 after becoming the first blind trustee in 1976.
He retired as chairman in November 2003 after 26 years of outstanding and selfless service to visually impaired people in Leicestershire and Rutland, although Alec does remain as a Trustee.
Away from his charity efforts Alec works as a solicitor in his home town and is an accomplished chess player, once taking on world champion Gary Kasparov, a long-time member of the Blind Skiers Association and the British Ski Club for the Disabled and is at the forefront of local ramblers' clubs.
Vista has been serving the interests of local blind and partially sighted people since 1858. As Vista is local and independent with no connection to any other local or national organisation, the charity relies heavily on donations and support from local people and businesses.
If anybody would like to sponsor Alec's efforts or support the charity in some other way call 0116 249 0909 or log on to the charity's website at www.vistablind.org.uk
You can also track Alec on his walk and see how he's doing by logging onto his online diary on Vista's website.

SECOND AMBUSHED BRITISH SOLDIER NAMED
The second British soldier killed in an ambush near Basra on Tuesday was named today as Gunner David Lawrence.
Gunner Lawrence, 25, from Walsall, West Midlands, was serving with the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and had been in Iraq since June.
He died with Corporal Marc Taylor, 27, when they were ambushed on the outskirts of the southern Iraqi city two days ago.

FOCUS ON BLINDNESS LEADS THE WAY ON DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT
On Friday 1st October 2004, every business, large or small – from the local shop to restaurants, health clubs, dentists and supermarkets – will need to become more user-friendly for around 10 million disabled people in Britain.
The charity, Birmingham Focus on Blindness is to offer training on the DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) to Birmingham organisations and encourage them to provide service excellence for customers with a Disability.
The training programme, aptly named Respectability, will officially be launched with a presentation to Birmingham Organisations on the 13th October and as well as giving practical experiences, the programme will also show you how not to do things.
The launch is designed to give valuable information regarding the next stage of the DDA, which comes into force on the 1st October 2004, as well as how Organisations can best respond to them. It will also give details of the structure of the forthcoming training programmes and the practical experiences attendees can expect.
Elizabeth Percy, Community Services Manager at Birmingham Focus comments, “Our training programmes will be based around giving people practical experiences and suggestions, as well showing them what not to do. We already have a great deal of experience in this type of training via our popular Sight Loss Awareness courses we run and through or work in our Multiple Disability Day Care Centre and our Residential Homes, we are brought into daily contact with people who have other disabilities. We therefore feel we are more than competent to advise on all disabilities.”
The launch will take place at 6pm on the 13th October at the Zinc Bar & Grill, Regency Wharf, Gas Basin Street, Birmingham.
Interested parties should contact Wendy Dunn at Birmingham Focus on 0121 478 5216, or Elizabeth Percy on 0121 478 5212, or email elizabeth@birminghamfocus.org.uk

WEST MIDLANDS IS CALL CENTRE HELL
Poor wages and high staff turnover make the West Midlands one of the worst places for a call centre in the UK, while the opposite has made Wales an increasingly popular choice, according to new research.
The survey was conducted by Mitial Research International (MR) and commissioned by the Welsh Development Agency and Welsh Call Centre Forum
The research, says staff in the West Midlands are badly paid leading to high turnover.

RESIDENT MENTORS EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES -
PROJECTS SHOW HOW RESIDENTS CAN HELP EACH OTHER
An innovative cross-government initiative to promote active communities
was heralded a success in an independent report published today.
The Birmingham- based Balsall Heath Forum (BHF) - Residents 4
Regeneration (R4R) project is highlighted in the report which reveals that residents with experience of effective community-based regeneration can play a valuable role in providing advice and inspiration to others.
The study was commissioned by the Government to evaluate the Residents' Consultancy Pilots (RCP) Initiative and aimed to test and evaluate different approaches to engaging and transferring residents' expertise in order to promote neighbourhood renewal and community-led regeneration.
One of the pilots, BHF has had considerable success in driving forward community-led regeneration in this area of central Birmingham, one of the most deprived areas in the city with a range of deep-rooted problems.
As a result, the BHF has provided advice and support to other
communities involved in regeneration, by promoting awareness of the possibilities for regeneration and sometimes operating as a 'hand holder' or mentor - Leicester North West is one such area.
Elsewhere in the West Midlands, the Burrowes St Co-Operative in Walsall has also contributed to the work of a Devon based project, Regenerate, in acting as 'Beacon Estate' to be visited by residents of other estates from around the country.
Welcoming the report, Jeff Rooker, Minister of State for Regeneration, says:
"The Government is committed to empowering local people to identify and tackle the problems they face, so they are actively involved in the regeneration of their own communities.
"Over the years, many residents have built up extensive knowledge of what works in changing their communities for the better. The Residents Consultancy Pilot has allowed others to learn from their experiences, enabling them to get involved in the revival of their own community."
"One of the most important long-term benefits of the initiative has been to instil belief and confidence in local communities, enabling them to learn from the experience of others in similar situations and demonstrating the possibilities for change."
The initiative was jointly funded and managed by the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit (based in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister), the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Home Office.
It provided small-scale financial support to seven projects, including BHF, over the period 2001/02-2003/04.
The overall objectives of BHF are to develop the ability of residents in Balsall Heath - who are now relatively experienced in the process of renewal - to help residents, professionals and politicians in other neighbourhoods who are less experienced. Advice has covered a wide range of matters with a particular emphasis on partnership building and the development of effective structures for the engagement of residents, as well as community safety and local environmental issues in which BHF has considerable experience.
For BHF itself there have been a range of benefits, such as an
increased profile both nationally and internationally, and enhanced expertise and confidence, and not least a sense of pride in being able to help others.
The Burrowes Street Co-Operative in Walsall was one of five beacon estates used by the Plymouth based Regenerate project to provide free visits and travel to five improved estates located across England (the others being The Eldonian Estate, Liverpool, Royds Community Association, Bradford, Pembroke Street Estate Management Board, Plymouth, and Broadwater Farm, London.
These visits provided residents of less successful estates with an opportunity to learn from those with first-hand experience of successful community-led regeneration.
Following visits to Burrowes Street Co-operative in Walsall; Andrew Smith from Sheldon, Birmingham said "The visit was excellent - many innovations providing a good example of community effort", while Joan Samuel, also from Sheldon, said "It was very well thought out, very well explained, and with good management."

YOUNGSTERS RELIVE HORROR OF SLAVE TRADE
Yesterday,a group of youngsters  got a taste of the harrowing journey slaves faced in the 18th century thanks to a pioneering West Midlands education project.
The Young People's Parliament organised "The Dark" exhibit in Birmingham to not only explore the 18th century slave trade but also the topic of freedom and democracy in the 21st century.
After reliving the horrors of life on board a slave ship the children  then took part in a variety of workshops before then debating freedom, democracy and citizenship in the parliament chamber.
A spokeswoman for the Young People's Parliament, Felicity Martin, said:
"The event aims to talk to young people not only about the slave trade in the 18th century but also its implications in modern day society.
"Through a variety of workshops and storytelling the children will then be encouraged to use what they have learned as they tackle the subjects of freedom and democracy in a debate in the parliament chamber."
Today's event will again be open to schools at the Young People's Parliament building at Millennium Point on October 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15.
If schools, colleges or any youth organisations are interested in
booking places on the event call the Young People's Parliament on 0121 202 2346.
The YPP is a Birmingham-based initiative, set up to help young people in the city to have a voice on everything that matters.

BARGAIN HUNTING BIRMINGHAM
It's official - Birmingham is a city of bargainhunters, according to new NOP research released today on behalf of www.icHotelsGroup.co.uk - the 'best rates' website service from InterContinental Hotels Group. The service, perfect for bargain hunters up and down thecountry, allows customers to benefit from a direct booking facility with the guarantee of the best online rates for their rooms, anywhere on the web.
 In the poll, 66 per cent of people inBirmingham classify themselves as 'bargain hunters', whilst over half of all Brummies admit to being constantly on the look out for a bargain, even whennot on a shopping trip. Furthermore, over 6,000,000 Brits feel that Birmingham has the best bargain hunters in the UK.
Women bargain better than men in Birmingham -women no longer need to hide a 'new pair of shoes', or 'another little black
dress' at the back of their wardrobes - 80 per cent of Brummies admit that women are better at finding bargains compared to just eight per cent of men.
'Clothes' (34 per cent) top the list of what's most commonly sought out,followed surprisingly by 'food and meals' (19 per cent), and then CDs and DVDs, with 17 per cent. And it is no longer the older generation in search of a good bargain at local jumble sales; the best bargain hunters in Birmingham are between 31 and 45, indicating a younger 'bargaining age'.
The high street stills proves popular for bargain hunting, however 17 percent of Brummies now turn to the internet for a good deal, on a regularbasis. Furthermore, a staggering one in seven Brummies browse for over an hour at any one time, on travel websites, in search of a bargain, and 30 per cent of those who do browse, end up purchasing on-line.
This bargain obsession is not something kept behind closed doors. In fact, people in Birmingham relish telling as many people as possible if they finda good bargain. According to the research, almost 90 per cent of people whofind a good deal tell friends and colleagues, as soon as they can.
However, take note: bargain hunting may not be good for everyone. Astaggering 37 per cent of Brummies admitted to putting off buying loved ones gifts until the last minute, or even after the event, if it meant they could get it at a bargain rate!

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RED CARPET TREATMENT FOR WALK TO SCHOOL PUPILS
Hundreds of schoolchildren were receiving the red carpet treatment today as they launched International Walk To School Week.
Organisers were hoping that more than two million children and their parents cross the UK would leave the car at home and use their feet to get to school this week.
The campaign was kicking off with launch events in Birmingham and London in which children will walk on a red carpet to school.
The international campaign aims to encourage more children to walk to school to get more exercise, have fun and learn more about their surroundings.
Jo Pike, national co-ordinator of the campaign, said: “This year’s walk to school week is focusing on raising the status of walking as a way of encouraging more children and parents to leave the car at home and walk.”
The Government recently announced plans for trials of alternative methods of transport during the “school run” to cut down on growing traffic congestion problems.
So-called “walking buses”, where pupils gather and are escorted as a group to school by adults, were one of the methods set to be tested.
Ministers hope encouraging walking and cycling will cut the problem of traffic congestion as well as helping reduce rates of childhood obesity which have been on the increase in recent years.
 

GALAXY SNAPS UP SHAANTI'S MANGA FOR WEEKLY SLOT
The proliferation and onward march of British Asian sounds received another boost this week when club collective Shaanti were signed up for a weekly slot on the UK's Galaxy FM. Founder and DJ front man Manga Singh will present the best of Desi Dance beats in the 'Shaanti Show' every Sunday.
The move is a big news for Manga since Galaxy is the UK's largest commercial dance music network in the UK, covering 8 major British cities and a population of 12 million people. He had previously been fronting an experimental fortnightly 'Urban Fusion' show since November 2003 along with bhangra producers RDB.
Manga said: "We're thrilled to be the first Asian club night to be given our very own show in radio history. Shaanti have always been at the forefront of championing new ideas and sounds. We're relentless in our pursuit to present the finest talent, an eclectic mix of sounds as well as presenting the baddest names from the universal underground dance scene every week to clubbers on their way home. For those who have yet to buy our beats or attended our club nights, this new show will let them see just what they've been missing out on!"
Chrysalis Radio Group Head of Programming, Pete Simmons, said: "Galaxy has always been a leader in bringing new musical genres to radio. Since its launch 'Urban Fusion' has been a soaraway success. We hope that Manga's presenting the 'Shaanti Show' on a weekly basis will take it to another level."
Launched in 1999 in Birmingham, still its spiritual home, the Shaanti club collective have grown from a small underground club night into a well known music brand with credibility to attract big name Asian stars to events and be invited to play across the world.
A record label, Shaanti Play Records, has more recently been established and plans are afoot to launch a debut release next month.
The Shaanti Show will launch on 16th October, 4 - 6am, following on every Sunday from then on. Manga Singh will be fronting the show.

POLICE LAUNCH PROBE INTO PENSIONERS' "SUSPICIOUS" DEATH
A widow was found dead by her son after a break-in at her home, police said today.
The death of 73-year-old Edith Johnston, whose body was discovered on Saturday night, is being treated as suspicious.
The pensioner, who lived alone, was found dead shortly after returning to her bungalow in Brierley Hill, near Dudley, West Midlands, from a night out at a nearby bingo hall.
A police spokesman said: “Mrs Johnston had been brought home safely by the local ring-and-ride service after a short, five-minute journey.
“She was found by her son shortly before 10 o’clock when he was alerted by her alarm company after she had activated her alarm in the house.
“There was no sign of a struggle and the woman had no visible injuries, although the front door of the property had been forced.”
A post-mortem has been carried out, but further tests are due to be carried out to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Police are anxious to trace anyone who saw any suspicious activity near the house in Coalbourn Way.
“We are also keen to trace two men who were approached in the street by the woman’s son after he had found her body,” the spokesman added.
Anyone with information should contact Stourbridge CID on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

FORMER TV CHEF TO STAND FOR PARLIAMENT
The UK Independence Party today revealed their latest celebrity in a bid to win Westminster seats at the next General Election – former TV chef Rusty Lee.
Jamaican-born Ms Lee told UKIP members gathered at the party’s annual conference in Bristol that she would stand as MP in her home constituency of Kidderminster in the West Midlands.
She promised to “cook up a storm” stating that the Government was about to “pour garlic” on a “beautiful celebration cake”.
She said: “I am going to do some cooking. Here is a recipe. The British people have got this beautiful cake, they have put all these wonderful ingredients in of all of the quirkiness we have in Britain.
“We have a celebration cake and what do we do? Pour a lot of garlic on it. It doesn’t taste nice.”
Ms Lee, who rose to fame in the 1980s on TV-AM with Anne Diamond, said she wanted to “open people’s eyes” and make them realise what they would lose if power was handed to Europe.
“I am fighting for my country,” she said. “I am going to cook up a storm. We need to make sure all the British people – all of us, every colour, every creed – realises what we are going to lose.”
She told members gathered at the second day of the UKIP conference at Colston Hall that Britain must be governed by a British parliament from Westminster.
She said: “I don’t want my rights taken away, my father fought in the war for Britain. I am proud of being British. I am proud of being British and a Brummie.”
She pledged to fight to secure the future of the NHS hospital in Kidderminster, which has been downsized to handle just minor injuries.
Ms Lee said she had recently undergone a “life threatening” operation which made her realise the importance of a good health service.
“It would be a pleasure to fight to get the hospital back up and running in Kidderminster.”
Miss Lee, who admitted she was no a “political animal”, said it would be “fantastic” to be an MP.
Waving a Deutchmark at the captivated audience she said her German husband’s family did not like the Euro and wanted their own money back.
The charismatic former TV chef, who received a standing ovation, said: “We need to stay in a situation where we can say no to the Euro. We need to make our own laws and be governed here. We don’t need Brussels.”
Dr Richard Taylor, the hospital consultant turned Independent MP, currently holds the Wyre Forest seat in Westminster.
UKIP Leader Roger Knapman said the party was “thrilled” to have Ms Lee on board.
He said: “Rusty is one of our best candidates. I have a feeling we are going to win seats at the General Election. We are getting more credible by the day.”

£57m HEART AND LUNG CENTRE OPENS
The UK's first purpose-built specialist heart centre open its doors to patients in the West Midlands on Sunday.
The £57m Heart and Lung Centre, based at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital will include three specialist theatres.
The facility plans to treat more than 1,350 heart and lung surgery cases from Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall.
These areas have some of the highest death rates from heart disease in the country. A spokesman said the centre is very much welcomed.

BUS DRIVER IN AXE THREAT
A Wolverhampton bus driver grabbed an axe and threatened to kill his next door neighbour, raining down a blow in a "fit of rage" which narrowly missed him, a court heard.
Kulvinder Mal, aged 38, shouted at youngster Paul Bennett and called him out for a fight after being woken up when a football hit his window. He then returned to his house for an axe and tried to frighten Paul's father Mark Bennett away by wielding the weapon, which hit a stone wall in his own front garden, the city's magistrates heard.
Mal was given 40 hours community service after admitting using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause a person to believe that immediate unlawful violence would be used against them.
He was also ordered to pay £250 costs yesterday.
Stephen Migdal, prosecuting, said Mal, of Bruford Road, Penn Fields, had been drinking vodka before he went to bed at 8pm on June 14 before the 4am start of his next shift.
Miss Thara Khara, for Mal, said the ball was deliberately being thrown to try to get it into Mal's window and he was angry to be woken up.
There was also a background of verbal abuse and he grabbed the axe in "a fit of rage" to frighten Mr Bennett away.
"He is a family man who worked shifts and was frightened his family would be attacked after he had received threats and he did not threaten anybody," she said.
Phil Bateman, Travel West Midlands spokesman said if Mal was an employee of the company an internal investigation into the incident would be carried out.
"We will be looking into the circumstances surrounding this court case and we will want to interview Mr Mal prior to him resuming any duty with Travel West Midlands," he said.

GUANTANAMO BRITON ACCUSES U.S. OF "TORTURE" AND KILLINGS

A British detainee at Guantanamo Bay today claimed he had been subjected to “vindictive torture” and death threats by the US authorities.
Moazzam Begg, from Birmingham, said in a hand-written letter newly declassified by the US, that he had witnessed the deaths of two fellow detainees “at the hands of US military personnel” in Afghanistan.
Begg, who has been detained for more than two years, insisted he was a law-abiding British citizen, that he had never met Osama Bin Laden and was not a member of al Qaida or any other paramilitary organisation.
He had been tortured amid the “terrifying screams” of other inmates, he added.
Today’s revelation was the first time any communication from a serving Guantanamo detainee had been made public, with Begg’s lawyers saying they suspected the US had released the letter by mistake.
In it, Begg said: “During several interviews ... I was subjected to pernicious threats of torture, actual vindictive torture and death threats – amongst other coercively employed interrogation techniques.
“I state here, unequivocally and for the record, that any documents presented to me by US law enforcement agents were signed and initialled under duress, thus rendered legally contested in validity.”
He added: “The said interviews were conducted in an environment of generated fear, resonant with terrifying screams of fellow detainees facing similar methods.
“In this atmosphere of severe antipathy towards detainees was the compounded use of racially and religiously prejudiced taunts.
“This culminated, in my opinion, with the deaths of two fellow detainees at the hands of US military personnel, to which I myself was partially witness.”
Begg, 36, added: “I am a law-abiding citizen of the UK and attest vehemently to my innocence before God and the law of any crime – though none has ever been alleged.
“I have neither ever met Osama Bin Laden, nor been a member of al Qaida – or any synonymous paramilitary organisation, party or group.
“Neither have I engaged in hostile acts against the USA, nor assisted such groups in the same – though the opportunity has availed itself many a time, and motive.”
Begg’s US counsel Clive Stafford Smith said he would file a legal demand on Monday to end the “inhumane treatment” immediately, and that the US publish detailed evidence of Begg’s torture and of the alleged homicides at Bagram airbase.
He would also call on the British government to demand his client’s immediate repatriation, he said.
The detainee’s father Azmat Begg, 65, a former bank manager from Birmingham, said of the “heartbreaking” letter: “He must be a very brave boy, a very strong boy, because no ordinary man could cope with this.”
Begg’s UK solicitor Gareth Peirce said the letter indicated that UK and US policies were being based on false confessions.
It was also “intolerable” that the continuing detention of foreign nationals in the UK under emergency anti-terror laws may also be based on confessions obtained from Guantanamo Bay inmates such as Begg, she added.
“We have been basing our entire foreign and domestic policy on intelligence that is fatally corrupted from the start,” said Ms Peirce.
The lawyer suggested the reason Begg was being held in solitary confinement was that he had witnessed the alleged deaths of the two detainees in Afghanistan.
“He had evidence of unlawful killing by the US military and that evidence is clearly being suppressed,” she said.
Mr Stafford Smith said he believed the letter may have been released by the US authorities in error.
The detainee claimed that he was abducted from Pakistan “under the auspices of US intelligence and law enforcement” and taken forcibly to Afghanistan in January 2002.
He claimed he had been “degradingly stripped by force, then paraded in front of several cameras toted by US personnel”.
He was held in Bagram airbase in Afghanistan for a year, during which time he was denied natural light and fresh food, he added.
Begg had been held in solitary confinement since February 8, 2003, he said.
The letter, dated July 12, this year, was addressed to US Forces Administration at Guantanamo Bay and headed “to whom it may concern”.
Begg requested at the end of the letter that copies should be sent to the Home Secretary, the US Supreme Court, the European Court of Human Rights, Amnesty International and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The Pentagon said torture was prohibited at Guantanamo Bay and that all “credible allegations” of abuse were investigated.
But a spokesman would not elaborate on whether it considered Begg’s claims to be “credible”.
“The United States operates a safe, humane and professional detention operation at Guantanamo that is providing valuable information in the war on terror,” a statement said.
“As the President has said before, US policy condemns and prohibits torture. When questioning enemy combatants, US personnel are required to follow this policy and applicable law.
“All detainees are treated humanely and to the extent appropriate and consistent with military necessity in accordance with the principles of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949.”
The statement added: “Detainees receive three culturally appropriate meals each day, and daily opportunities for prayer, showers, exercise, means to send and receive mail, reading materials, and exceptional medical attention.
“Credible allegations of illegal conduct by US personnel are taken seriously and investigated promptly.”

RIDERS NEEDED TO TACKLE MONSTER BIKE
A West Midlands hospice is today calling on teams of 24 cyclists to help them raise much-needed funds by all riding the same bike at the same time!
Staff at the Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge have managed to get hold of a totally unique bike, called the Fumair Flyer, that has a staggering 24 seats and they are now calling on teams of people to come a ride it.
The hospice needs teams of people to ride the monster machine from Dudley to Hurrans in Birmingham, where the Kemp Hospice will then take over and their teams will ride the bike to Bewdley.
The ride will take place on Saturday, October 16, and Sunday, October 17, and there are three time slots available for both days.
The event is being sponsored by West Bromwich Building Society, which has got a team entered on Saturday morning, and the breakfast presenter from Radio WM, Adrian Goldberg, will also be taking part in the fun.
Emma Dowler, events co-ordinator for Mary Stevens Hospice, said: "This is a really fun event which everyone can join in with.
"The Fumair Flyer has never been to the West Midlands so we are very excited by this new event. We are sure it will be a great success."
If you want to join in the fun aboard the Fumair Flyer call 01384
377778 for an application pack.
If you don't want to clamber aboard the bike but still want to get
involved in the event the hospice is hunting for people who can collect money on the day by shaking buckets. If you are willing to help contact the fundraising office to pledge your commitment.

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NEW AWARDS HONOUR LOCALS AT THE HEART OF COMMUNITY REGENERATION
Local people who are actively involved in the regeneration of
disadvantaged communities were honoured today at a new awards ceremony hosted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
The inaugural New Deal for Communities (NDC) Achievement Awards took place in Birmingham, where Jeff Rooker, Minister for Regeneration, congratulated the winners on theiroutstanding contributions to the rejuvenation of their neighbourhoods.
The Government's £2 billion New Deal for Communities programme empowers residents to improve their local areas and deliver lasting change.
The awards recognise all the groups who are making this happen in NDC areas, including young residents, local businesses and councils. The winners' inspiring achievements included:
Tackling health inequalities by improving access to fresh, healthy food; Working with young people to provide sporting and social opportunities; Collaborating with the local police force to target and reduce high crime; Transforming derelict sites into desirable properties for local people; Supporting local businesses, to help them flourish in NDC areas; Organising a multicultural festival to promote social cohesion.
Among the awards was a Special Posthumous Personal Achievement Award made to Jean Beeley who was a founder member of Walsall NDC partnership and vice-chair of the board.  She died aged 53 in August 2004 following a short illness. Jean played a central role in the regeneration of
the area, passionately endorsing the NDC's aim to tackle deprivation through local solutions to local needs.
 

ROCK AND SPORT STARS BACK AUCTION
A Real Madrid shirt signed by David Beckham and signed gold discs from rockers Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath are among a host of fantastic prizes announced today at a forthcoming charity auction.
The Mary Stevens Hospice, which provides support and respite care, will be holding the auction with a difference to raise funds for parents and their families.
As well as the Beckham shirt and gold discs, a host of other great prizes are up for grabs.
Those already available include a visit to Radio WM to watch Ed Doolan at work, a spa day for two at the Belfry and a round of golf for four at Stourbridge Golf Club.
Emma Dowler from the hospice said: "We are really excited by some of the auction items we have had donated already.
"If anyone has an item they feel would be appropriate for our auction please give me a call on 01384 377778."
The hospice, based in Stourbridge in the West Midlands, will be holding the auction at The Pedmore House, also in Stourbridge, on January 20, 2005.
Tickets are available from the hospice for £7.50 and £6 with
concessions, which includes a glass of wine and canapes.
Alternatively you can purchase tickets online at
www.marystevenshospice.co.uk  or email info@marystevenshospice.co.uk .

RETAILERS RALLY BEHIND THE BLIND
A charity for the blind is today looking ahead to a fundraising fashion extravaganza after a host of retailers rallied to their cause.
Actor and comedian Lee Brace has also agreed to support the Vista charity in Leicester and will compere the fashion show at the city's university later this month. And, to bring the final bit of Parisian glitz to the event, organisers have composed an exhilarating soundtrack, have created a series of contemporary hairstyles for the models and have drafted in top choreographer
Louise Jaggard from Leicester College.
Diane Morris, community fundraiser at Vista said: "I really appreciate all the generosity and hard work that has been put in by all the retailers involved to produce what I hope will be a fantastic show.
"With their help we hope to raise some much-needed funds for Vista which will enable us to provide vital services to local blind people."
The fashion show will be held at The Venue, Leicester University Students Union, University Road, Leicester, on October 14 and the show begins at 7.30pm.
Tickets are ?5 each which includes a free prize draw to win ?240 worth of vouchers to spend in the shops featured. All tickets bought will entitle you to a 15% discount on items bought in all the shops on your next trip there before the end of November.
Tickets are available from all the featured retailers, from the
Leicester Student Union Shop and from Diane at Vista on 0116 249 8813. Alternatively you can email Diane at diane.morris@vistablind.org.uk
Vista, formerly The Royal Leicestershire, Rutland and Wycliffe Society for the Blind, has been serving the interests of blind and
partially-sighted people in Leicestershire and Rutland since 1858.
If anyone would like to know more about Vista and the work they do for visually impaired people, please call them on 0116 249 0909 or log on to www.vistablind.org.uk