Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Dare

Plans to transfer the powers for policing to the West Midlands mayor have been rejected today despite public consultation showing support for the proposals.

The plans, which were first put forward as part of the West Midlands’ second devolution deal, would have seen the mayor assume the powers of the police and crime commissioner (PCC) in time for the 2020 mayoral elections.

They were today rejected by a majority vote of nine to five, with several members of the West Midlands Combined Authority board expressing their concerns that the consultation process had been politicised and therefore should not be binding.

Members did not rule out the possibility of the proposals being discussed again at a later date.

Security is high in the wake of the New Zealand terror attack and after Birmingham mosques were targeted.

Phil Mackie
BBC News

A convicted IRA bomber naming in court four men he says were responsible for the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings will lead to renewed calls for police to look at the atrocities again.

Image source, Birmingham Inquests

Getting the names of the people who are believed to have planted the bombs at two pubs into the public domain has been a long held ambition of campaigners.

There had been lengthy legal battles to reveal the names of the alleged bombers, but campaigners were told the inquests into the 21 deaths couldn't address the issue.

All four men have been previously named in connection with the bombings, but not in a formal setting.

A convicted IRA bomber who today named four men he said were responsible for the 1974 blasts said he did not recognise a fifth name that was put to him by counsel for victims' families.

Identified only as Witness O, the man was speaking at an inquest into the deaths of 21 people.

During today's proceedings, he said he didn't remember a Michael Patrick Reilly being involved in the blasts.

He told the jury: "No, I don't remember him at all. Reilly? I would remember that."

Mr Reilly has always denied any involvement.

Jason Wilsher broke Arthur Gumbley's ribs, punched him in the face and tore the skin from his hand.

Image source, Google

A cinema chair footrest came down on a man's head "with force" before his death, a pre-inquest review has heard.

Ateeq Rafiq, 24, was caught beneath a chair in a Vue theatre at Star City in Birmingham in March 2018.

He suffered a cardiac arrest and died in hospital.

The full inquest is due to take place from 16 May.

An anonymous ex-IRA volunteer has today named four men he said were involved in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings.

At inquests into the deaths of 21 people caught in the blasts, the man - identified only as Witness O and speaking over secure video link - named Seamus McLoughlan as the person who selected the targets. He was said to be the IRA's "officer commanding" (OC) in Birmingham.

Mick Murray was named as "one of the bombers", with Michael Hayes and James Gavin also declared to be part of the team.

BBC News Travel

The railway line between Birmingham Snow Hill and Whitlocks End is blocked this afternoon after a vehicle hit a bridge.

West Midlands Railway says it means services through those stations may be cancelled or delayed., external

Worcester News

From the Worcester News:

• Family home gutted in 'chilling' fire, external
• Controversial plan to build 25 homes on green space approved by council, external
• Drink driver caught after getting taxi home, external

The footage appears to show a man smashing a window at the Masjid Faizul Islam mosque in Aston.

A convicted IRA bomber has named four men he says were responsible for the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings.

At an inquest into the deaths of the slain 21, the man - known as Witness O - told the court he had been given permission to do so by the current head of the IRA in Dublin.

The travel firm is cutting more than 300 roles as it closes 21 stores across the country.

A burglar who murdered an elderly man in a "horrific attack" in his home has been jailed for life.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Arthur Gumbley had his hand "skinned", ribs broken and was punched in the face in Little Aston, Lichfield, on the border with Sutton Coldfield.

He died from his injuries three weeks after the attack on 21 November 2017.

At Stafford Crown Court today, Jason Wilsher, 20, from Leicestershire, was sentenced to serve a minimum of 33 years.

A murder investigation is launched following the fire in Rugby in November.

Allen Cook
BBC News

England's goalkeeper is planning his own tribute tonight to World Cup-winning number one, Gordon Banks.

Image source, Getty Images

Banks, whose clubs included Stoke City, died last month. Players will wear black armbands at the England v Czech Republic match which kicks off at Wembley at 19:45.

But the current England number one, Jordan Pickford, says he wants to pay tribute by also keeping a clean sheet.

Tom Edwards
Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

West Mercia Police says it's increasing security around mosques in the force's area, a week after the Christchurch attacks in New Zealand.

Image source, Google

Fifty people were killed and dozens more wounded when two places of worship were targeted in last Friday's shootings.

The force says it's following national guidelines and will be paying specific attention to Friday prayers.

Meanwhile, the community in Redditch is being invited to come together at the Central Mosque for a 'Unity Gathering'.

Weekend not arriving quickly enough? If you want a diversion, you could do worse than checking out the Twitter spat between a West Midlands MP and one from Sheffield who simply doesn't believe what he's been saying.

Any guesses what it's all about? Here's a hint... begins with B.

Owen Paterson, Tory member for North Shropshire, says he's approached by people on the tube and trains with the message to get on with delivering Brexit.

Here he is, saying as much....

But Louise Haigh, Labour member for Sheffield Heeley, replied to the Tweeted vid, saying "no one is talking to anyone on the tube" - and so adamant was she, she made sure a Twitter account dedicated to "didn't happens" knew about it, external.

And it didn't end there. Things escalated when Twitter was no longer good enough and the spat went old school, with pen and headed notepaper.

"There was a man," Mr Paterson said. And so real is he, there's a business card to prove it.

Ms Haigh was also asked - on notepaper - to remove her nomination for Didn't Happen Of The Year Awards, which was an @ done on a phone.

And then, cue Twitter being Twitter.

The memes, gifs and mock-up business cards should just about see you to Saturday.

BBC News Travel

A fault with the signalling system that's been delaying rail services through the West Midlands to London has now been fixed and all lines reopened.

Image source, Virgin Trains

Some services are still being delayed or cancelled, says Virgin Trains which recommends passengers check their journey, external before setting out.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Gordon Banks is to be remembered and celebrated at England's match against the Czech Republic at Wembley this evening.

The Euro 2020 qualifier is the first England game since his death and players will wear black armbands, while a banner will be displayed featuring an image of his yellow jersey - the garment the goalkeeper wore when England won the World Cup in 1966.

Image source, PA

Regarded as one of the game's greatest 'keepers, Banks, a former Stoke City player, died last month aged 81.

Members of his family will be in the Royal Box while representatives from Stoke City have also been invited to the match which kicks off at 19:45.

Dudley zoo has announced the death of a 38-year-old bear which it said was the oldest known animal of her species in Europe.

Image source, Dudley Zoo

Inca, an Asiatic black bear, outlived the species' typical life expectancy by more than a decade, the zoo said.

Curator Richard Brown said she was "much loved by staff and visitors" and had lived out her twilight ears in comfort.