Helen Bailey's alleged murderer is presented with two acquaintances said to resemble the men he claimed kidnapped her.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Downing Street has refused to be drawn into the row over the House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, who has been accused of ignoring the Speaker's reputation for impartiality after revealing he voted Remain in the Brexit referendum last year.

Image source, PA

Mr Bercow's position is a matter for MPs to consider, Prime Minister Theresa May's deputy spokesman told a regular Westminster briefing. 

"The position of the Speaker is a matter for Parliament and the MPs in Parliament." 

Asked if the government would allocate time for a debate and vote on the Speaker, the spokesman said: "It's a hypothetical situation in any event, but it would be a matter for the House of Commons authorities."

Calls for Mr Bercow to consider his position have been led by James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East.

Two sheep lost the lambs they were carrying after being mauled by a dog. 

Hertfordshire Police, external believes the brown dog, similar to a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was being walked by a woman in her 20s when it got into the field and attacked the sheep. 

The incident happened in a field off Croft Lane in Norton, Letchworth.

Sgt Alan Clarke, from the Letchworth and Baldock safer neighbourhood team, said: "If a dog worries sheep on agricultural land, the person in charge of the dog is guilty of an offence. 

"It is crucial that you keep your dog on a lead around livestock, even if you can usually trust it to come when called." 

The incident happened on 29 January but police have only just made it public.

Officers are appealing for witnesses.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

In an unexpected move, the prosecution in the trial of the fiance of Helen Bailey produced two men who they said resembled those who allegedly kidnapped her.

Ian Stewart has denied murdering the Royston children's author and making up a story she was abducted by men called Nick and Joe.

This morning, prosecutor Stuart Trimmer introduced Nick Cook and Joe Cippullo, who are known to the defendant, to St Albans Crown Court.

Mr Trimmer claimed descriptions Mr Stewart gave police matched those he knew from Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire.

He asked Mr Stewart if "when you look back and consider descriptions you gave... do you think of them?"

Mr Stewart replied "no" and "they don't compare at all" to the alleged kidnappers.

Ms Bailey's body was found last July, along with that of her dachshund, Boris, in a cesspit at the home she shared with Mr Stewart in Royston. She had last been seen in April.

He denies drugging her before suffocating her and throwing her in the pit.

Mr Stewart told the court she had been snatched on 11 April by two men who blackmailed him and subjected him to a series of demands. He reported her missing on 15 April.

The case continues.

The fiance of Helen Bailey created a "complicated charade", the prosecution at his trial has said.

Image source, Hertfordshire Police

Ian Stewart, 56, denies killing the author, whose body was found in a cesspit under the garage of their Royston home.

At St Albans Crown Court Mr Stewart denied changing a standing order amount from Ms Bailey's account to their joint account from £600 to £4,000, creating a £12,000 total over three months.

Prosecutor Stuart Trimmer QC also quizzed Mr Stewart over the note he said was left by Ms Bailey.

"You were acting the part," he said.

"No I wasn't," replied Mr Stewart.

"And you're creating a background story which would eventually settle down and you could take control of the money," said Mr Trimmer.

Ian Stewart, of Baldock Road, replied: "Not my plan, there was no plan."

The trial continues.

The fiance of writer Helen Bailey has told a jury his mind was "totally messed" and "screwed" in the aftermath of her disappearance.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Ian Stewart, 56, of Royston, denies drugging and murdering the children's author.

He argues she was taken by kidnappers.

Under cross-examination by prosecutor Stuart Trimmer QC, Mr Stewart was asked why he had sent a series of text messages to the writer's phone, ignoring the instruction from the kidnappers not to contact her. 

"You sent three xxx's," said Mr Trimmer. "But there were no frantic pleas to the kidnappers, asking them what they might want. 

"If this had any truth, and I suggest it is total nonsense, this is the only contact you had with Nick and Joe."

Mr Stewart said: "You might not believe this but my mind was totally messed." He added: "It doesn't look logical looking back." 

More follows...

A cat died after it was shot with a pellet gun.

Image source, Google

Hertfordshire Police, external said the cat, named Albus, was found injured last Monday evening in a back garden on Homestead Road, Hatfield.

It was taken to the vet by its owner and an X-ray showed a pellet had caused significant internal injuries and bleeding. It later died.

Police have appealed for witnesses.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

Meanwhile, detailed plans have been submitted to replace Brackley Cottage Hospital (pictured).

A three-storey building will include intermediate care beds, which used to be located at the hospital, along with X-ray and GP facilities.

Image source, Roger Templeman/Geograph

The south Northamptonshire hospital served people in the town for more than 130 years, but the decision was taken in 2015 to close it.

Detailed plans show the beds on the top floor and two GP surgeries will be relocated to the first and ground floors.

There'll also be a minor injuries unit and a cafe. These detailed plans will now have to get planning approval before building can start.

The murder trial over the death of children's author Helen Bailey has resumed.

Image source, SBNA

As we reported towards the end of last weekend, the writer's fiance Ian Stewart, who is accused of murder, alleged two men took her.

This morning, the prosecution at St Albans Crown Court has quizzed the 56-year-old about messages he sent to Ms Bailey's phone between 11 and 15 April.

He was asked why he did not use messages to plead with the "kidnappers" for her release.

Mr Stewart said money was not going through his head and he thought Ms Bailey would return by the end of the week.

Ms Bailey's body was found in a cesspit under the garage of the couple's home in Royston, Hertfordshire, on 15 July.

Mr Stewart, of Baldock Road, reported her missing on 15 April. He denies murder, preventing a lawful burial, fraud and three counts of perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.

As we've been reporting this morning, a BBC investigation found customers were overcharged by out-of-date offers at a number of its stores.

In 33 of 50 stores visited by an undercover reporter, multi-buy promotions were marked on the shelf, but the time-limited discounts were not applied at tills. 

Here are some examples of how the BBC was overcharged:

• Rustlers Chicken Sub: Offer price - Two for £3 (original price £2.31 each). Price paid at till - £4.62.
• Schwartz Barbecue Sauce Mix: Offer price - Two for £1 (original price 85p each). Price paid at till - £1.70.
• Old El Paso Guacamole: Offer price - Two for £2.50 (original price £2.09 each). Price paid at till - £4.18.

Hertfordshire-based Tesco said it would double-check the accuracy of pricing at all its stores.

A spokesman from the Welwyn Garden City-based firm said: "We take great care to deliver clear and accurate price labels for our customers so they can make informed decisions on the products they buy. 

"We are disappointed that errors occurred and will be working with the stores involved to reinforce our responsibilities to our customers."

An undercover BBC investigation has revealed Tesco customers are being overcharged on multi-buy promotions. 

A reporter, who secretly filmed inside 50 stores around the country, found discounted prices were not applied at 33 of them. 

Hertfordshire-based Tesco said it would be double-checking price labels at all its stores as a result of the investigation. 

The company, based in Welwyn Garden City, runs more than 3,500 stores across the UK.

Tesco customers are being short-changed by promotions which have expired but are still advertised on the shelves, a BBC investigation has found.

Image source, Getty Images

It revealed shoppers were overcharged at two thirds of stores visited by an undercover reporter.

In 33 of 50 stores visited, multi-buy promotions were marked on the shelf, but the time-limited discounts were not applied at tills.

Tesco, which has its head office in Welwyn Garden City, said it would double-check the accuracy of pricing at all its stores.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

There'll be some sunshine for most of us but it'll still feel rather cold.

There will be some cloud around, particularly closer to the coast, and more of a breeze which will keep things rather chilly. 

Top temperature between 3C and 7C (37F - 45F).

Get the full forecast where you live, from BBC Weather.

Good morning and welcome to our live updates this Monday morning.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport and travel from where you live until 18:00.

But first, here's the all-important weather forecast.

Get in touch with your stories, pictures, videos and comments today via email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.

Wasps move five points clear at the top after sharing 10 tries with 14-man Exeter to draw a pulsating match.

Relive text commentary from the Premiership as 14-man Exeter Chiefs share 10 tries to draw with leaders Wasps.

A drone "narrowly avoided" colliding with an airbus at 6,000 feet over Hertfordshire, a report reveals.

Two goals from leading scorer Danny Hylton see Luton come from behind to beat Crawley at Kenilworth Road.

Manchester United move one point behind Manchester City with victory over Watford at Old Trafford.

Matt Godden is on target again for Stevenage as they beat promotion-chasing Wycombe. to record a third successive win.