Summary

  • Sarah Wollaston resigns from Conservative Party

  • Pedestrian struck by vehicle near Truro Cathedral

  • Prince Harry visits Royal Marines in Devon

  • Green MEPs arrested in Belgium nuclear weapons protest

  • £16m student flats still empty months after completion

  • Hattie the Fatty: Slimmed-down dog finds a new home

  • 'Alcohol moderation' key to long life says man, 107

  • Updates from Wednesday 20 February

  1. BBC Devon & Cornwall Live: 21 Februarypublished at 08:02 Greenwich Mean Time 21 February 2019

    Bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather for Devon and Cornwall

    Read More
  2. Weather: Staying dry and mildpublished at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Emily Wood
    BBC Weather

    Wednesday night will be a mild but rather breezy.

    Turning cloudy at times with some spots of rain likely in a few places.

    Minimum temperature: 6 to 9C (43 to 48F).

    Weather

    Thursday will become dry and bright with periods of sunshine developing.

    It will be a very mild day too, especially to the north of the moors, with a moderate southerly breeze.

    Maximum temperature: 11 to 14C (52 to 57F).

  3. Got to scoot! Police ride stolen mobility scooter to ownerpublished at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post

    Responses to this video included:

    • "I love how he even makes sure he has his indicator on"
    • "That police man is born to be wild"
    • "Don’t retweet this, you will give the government huge ideas for budget cuts"

    PC Buley is based in east Cornwall.

  4. FA plans new home, but not at Stadium for Cornwallpublished at 17:32 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Richard Whitehouse
    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    The Cornwall Football Association has started to draw up plans for a new home with full facilities but has discounted using the proposed Stadium for Cornwall near Truro as it is "not in the right place".

    Cornwall FA chief executive Dawn Aberdeen said the organisation was commissioning a feasibility study for a new flagship headquarters with facilities.

    The FA is currently based in offices in Bodmin but Dawn said there were now ambitions to create a purpose-built HQ which would have conference facilities, a 3G pitch, seating and changing facilities.

    But when asked whether they would be looking into getting involved with the planned Stadium for Cornwall the chief exec said the priority was for the Cornwall FA to have its own home in a "stand-alone facility".

    The Stadium for Cornwall is planned to be built on a site near Threemilestone and will provide a home for the Cornish Pirates, Truro City and Truro & Penwith College.

    Football
    Quote Message

    We are not looking at the Stadium for Cornwall – it is not in the right place for our football community and football family. A lot of the feedback we have had is that the Stadium for Cornwall has no relevance to people in places like Launceston, Polperro or anywhere else. What we would like is to have a facility in the centre of Cornwall."

    Dawn Aberdeen, Chief executive, Cornwall FA

  5. 'Never too late' for sex abuse survivors to come forwardpublished at 17:03 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Andrew Segal
    BBC South West

    Survivors of sexual abuse need to know that it is "never too late to come forward and seek support", a children's charity says.

    The NSPCC's comments come after the conviction of Roman Catholic priest Father Francis McDermott, who has been found guilty of abusing six children during the 1970s.

    The 75-year-old, from Atlantic Way, Bideford, Devon, abused victims in London, Norwich and High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, Aylesbury Crown Court heard.

    He was convicted of 18 sex offences, including 15 indecent assaults, and is due to be sentenced in March.

    Francis McDermottImage source, South Beds New Agency
    Quote Message

    The courage of those he abused and manipulated means the catalogue of his vile crimes has now been exposed despite his twisted attempt to blame the victims. Sexual abuse is never the fault of the victim and it's important that survivors know it is never too late to come forward and seek support."

    NSPCC

  6. 'We thought Truro crash was terrorist attack'published at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Amy Gladwell
    BBC News Online

    An eye witness to a car crash in the centre of Truro which left several people injured says he thought it was a terrorist attack at the time.

    Aaron Hutchens, manager at Treasure Trails, said he heard "people screaming in the street" as a car powered down the road near the Cathedral, eventually hitting and knocking down a large ancient Celtic cross known as High Cross on King Street.

    It is understood at least one person has been taken to hospital and another was treated at the scene.

    Mr Hutchen said: "I thought it must be a robbery or even a terrorist attack at first to be honest... It was pretty horrific and upsetting to watch."

    He described how a man went under the front of the car but appeared to be conscious before being seen to by paramedics.

    Police said they are investigating. The incident is not believed to be linked to any terrorist activity.

    Truro crash scene
  7. Prince Harry seeing Royal Marine recruits in final testpublished at 15:43 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    BBC Radio Devon

    Duke of Sussex in Devon

    The Duke of Sussex has been paying a visit to the base of 42 Commando Royal Marines in Devon.

    Prince Harry's visit is also including a visit to the Commando Training Centre on Dartmoor to see recruits taking part in their final test of their Royal Marine training, a 30-mile march carrying about 40lbs of kit that has to be completed within eight hours.

    The duke is the Royal Marines' Captain General.

    Duke of Sussex in Devon
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
  8. Tories 'did not attempt to contact party leavers'published at 15:34 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Andrew Segal
    BBC South West

    Three former Conservative MPs who have quit the party say there has been no attempt by Prime Minister Theresa May or government whips to persuade them to stay - despite the widespread rumours they were planning to quit.

    Sarah Wollaston announced earlier she had left the Tories, along with Anna Soubry and Heidi Allen, criticising the government's "disastrous handling" of Brexit and a lack of progress in modernising the party.

    The former GP said she had had "no contact" from the prime minister's or the whips' office.

    She said: "I don't think any effort has ever been made to reach out to those of us who are in the moderate centre ground of the party."

    Dr Wollaston, who chairs the Commons Health Committee, also said the prime minister "simply hasn't delivered on the pledge she made on the steps of Downing Street to tackle the burning injustices in our society".

    Sarah Wollaston
    Quote Message

    "I think that what we now see is the party, that was once the most trusted on the economy and business, is now marching us to the cliff-edge of a no-deal Brexit."

    Sarah Wollaston, Totnes MP (Independent Group)

  9. Car crashes near Truro Cathedralpublished at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    At least two people were injured in the crash outside Truro Cathedral.

    Read More
  10. Cornwall cycling and walking network to receive £19mpublished at 15:13 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    BBC Radio Cornwall

    A total of £19m is to be spent in Cornwall to improve the cycling and walking network.

    Cornwall Council is contributing £2m to the scheme, with the rest coming from Highways England.

    The council said the cash would be used for cycling and footpath improvements, including from St Agnes to Truro and Perranporth to Newquay.

    Family cycling
  11. Smaller fire engine deployed in South Hamspublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    BBC Radio Devon

    The latest firefighting technology to be used by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service is being deployed in the South Hams district of Devon.

    A new, smaller, more agile rapid intervention vehicle (RIV) is being launched in Dartmouth.

    The service said the vehicle was smaller than a standard engine, but still carried the latest technology.

    It's part of the fire service's plans to reshape its fleet of vehicles to meet the changing need of its communities.

    Fire engineImage source, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
  12. Several injured in Truro city centre car crashpublished at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Eleanor Parkinson
    BBC Spotlight

    Several people have been injured when a car ploughed into a busy pedestrianised area in front of Truro Cathedral.

    It is understood at least one person has been taken to hospital and another was treated at the scene.

    The car also hit and knocked down the large ancient Celtic cross in the area known as High Cross (remains pictured left).

    A bench where at least one person was sitting was also hit (pictured right).

    The area was sealed off to allow investigations to take place.

    Truro crash scene
  13. Green MEPs arrested in Belgium nuclear weapons protestpublished at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    BBC News England

    Military protestImage source, Molly Scott Cato

    A Member of the European Parliament for South West England and Gibraltar has been arrested after breaking into a Belgian military airbase.

    Molly Scott Cato and fellow Green Party MEPs Michèle Rivasi, of France, and Tilly Metz, from Luxembourg, said they were protesting against its stockpiling of American nuclear bombs.

    The trio scaled the perimeter fence and unfurled a banner reading "Europe free of nuclear weapons".

    The protest came after US President Donald Trump's announcement that he was withdrawing from the intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) treaty earlier this month.

    The MEPs were held in a local police station and questioned.

    Ms Scott Cato tweeted that they were released, external.

    Ms Cato's constituency covers Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Gibraltar.

  14. 'This is about more than Brexit'published at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Sarah WImage source, ITN

    Former Conservative MP Dr Sarah Wollaston says that this breakaway group is prepared to put their "careers on the line" in order to try and prevent no-deal.

    She says she wouldn't have joined the party when she did "if it had looked then as it does now".

    "This is about more than Brexit," she adds.

  15. Who are the MPs resigning to join the Independent Group?published at 14:16 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Sarah WollastonImage source, PA

    After months of rumours swirling around Westminster that Labour MPs might break away, seven resigned from the party in one go, and an eighth followed suit a day later.

    They were then joined by three MPs from the Conservative backbenches.

    They include Sarah Wollaston.

    Former party: Conservative

    Constituency: MP for Totnes since 2010

    Majority in the last election: 13,477

    Positions: Chair of the Health Select Committee and the Liaison Committee

    Dr Wollaston is a former GP who taught junior doctors and medical students. She was also forensic examiner for Devon and Cornwall Police.

    She initially backed Leave in the referendum, but changed her mind during the campaign, claiming Brexit would have "huge unintended consequences". Since then, she has campaigned against a hard Brexit and backed the People's Vote campaign.

    Read the profiles of the other MPs joining the Independent Group.

  16. Car damaged after hitting bollard and person in Truropublished at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Eleanor Parkinson
    BBC Spotlight

    Pictures show the extent of damage to a car that has been badly damaged after hitting a monument, bench and striking "at least one pedestrian" in Truro.

    Emergency services remain at the scene.

    Damaged car
    Damaged car
    Damaged car
  17. Totnes Conservatives 'saddened' by Wollaston decisionpublished at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Hayley Westcott
    BBC News Online

    The Association Chairman of Totnes Conservatives says he is "saddened" MP Sarah Wollaston has chosen to quit the party.

    John Smith says it's a "matter of regret" that she has not been able to "reconcile her views on Brexit with Conservative Party policy to deliver on the result of the referendum".

    Dr Wollaston announced earlier she has left the Tories and criticised the government's "disastrous handling" of Brexit - saying it had undone "all the efforts to modernise" the Conservatives.

    She left with fellow party members, Anna Soubry and Heidi Allen who sent a joint letter to Theresa May informing her of their departure.

    Heidi Allen, Sarah Wollaston and Anna Sourby
    Image caption,

    From left to right: Heidi Allen, Sarah Wollaston and Anna Sourby

    Quote Message

    We pay tribute to her work as a constituency MP since her election in 2010. She has worked hard for our local communities and made her mark in Parliament as a backbench MP and Chair of the Health Select Committee.

    John Smith, Association Chairman of Totnes Conservatives

  18. 'We're hoping to fix our broken politics' - Wollastonpublished at 13:46 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Hayley Westcott
    BBC News Online

    In the last few moments, Sarah Wollaston said she is "proud" to be "taking a stand" by quitting the Tories and joining a new independent group of MPs.

    In a press conference following Prime Minister's Questions, she said if the Conservative party had looked in 2009 - when she joined - as it did now, she would not have signed up.

    She said the Independent Group - made up of eight Labour MPs who resigned from their party over its handling of Brexit and anti-Semitism as well as fellow Conservatives, Anna Sourby and Heidi Allen - hopes to "fix our broken politics".

    Sarah Wollaston
  19. Sarah Wollaston: An independent mind and Tory rebelpublished at 13:38 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Sarah Wollaston is one of three Conservative MPs who have resigned from the party, complaining about its "shift to the right".

    She, Anna Soubry and Heidi Allen, a pro-Remain trio, are joining the new Independent Group - made up of eight Labour MPs who resigned from their party over its handling of Brexit and anti-Semitism.

    A GP by profession, Dr Wollaston was the first Conservative candidate to be selected by open primary, with postal ballot papers sent to every voter in the Totnes constituency.

    Sarah Wollaston

    She was elected as MP for the seat, in Devon, in 2010 (pictured) and quickly established herself as an independent-minded voice on the Conservative backbenches, turning down a job as a ministerial aide in order to be able to speak out.

    In 2011, she warned David Cameron that his health reforms could "destroy" the NHS and, in 2013, she rebelled to vote against military action in Syria.

    The 57-year-old was initially a supporter of EU withdrawal, but dramatically switched sides during the referendum campaign, complaining that Vote Leave's claim of extra money for the NHS after Brexit "simply isn't true".

    After rebelling against the government over Brexit, she dropped plans to table an amendment to deliver a second referendum at the last minute in January, saying that Jeremy Corbyn's failure to back a public vote doomed it to failure.

  20. Breast removal sisters to lose ovariespublished at 13:36 Greenwich Mean Time 20 February 2019

    Both woman are at a higher risk of ovarian cancer because they carry the faulty gene BRCA.

    Read More