Eddie Bisknell
Local Democracy Reporter

A Conservative Derbyshire councillor said he is "in no way racist" after calling for a ban on the burka and saying there are an "excessive amount" of mosques.

Cllr Henry Thompson, who represents Heanor East on Amber Valley Borough Council, made the comments on a recent Facebook post underneath a national newspaper story about banning the head covering.

He has since been suspended from the party, pending an investigation.

Image source, Amber Valley Borough Council

After the post came to light, he told the LDRS that “in no way am I racist" and that his comments were in relation to security concerns.

"None of this was me taking a jab at Islam, because I have nothing against people from different backgrounds wanting to be part of a chosen religion," he added.

He apologised for any offence caused but added he was writing in a personal capacity and stood by what he said.

The borough council's Labour leader has called for him to resign.

Mark Bakewell has left his role as forwards coach at Leicester, paving the way for Steve Borthwick to join the Premiership side.

Amy Orton
Local Democracy Reporter

The niece of a World War Two veteran who was moved 13 times in various hospitals during the last weeks of his life has told hospital bosses the way he was treated was "disgraceful".

Reg Thompson, 94, was admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary after a fall at home on 21 December 2018 and died at Kettering General Hospital on 2 March.

Mr Thompson spent time on different wards at five hospitals before he died.

Addressing the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS trust's management team at a recent board meeting, Jill Insley said her uncle became more ill while in hospital.

"He became frail when he was moved from bed-to-bed, hospital-to-hospital," she said.

"There was never a time that we thought he wouldn't come back out of hospital, but he didn't, and we still can't understand that now."

She said there had been a lack of compassion and communciation from staff and the family wanted to make sure mistakes in his care were not repeated.

Image source, Family handout

The trust initially responded to the family's complaint in writing before meeting with them earlier this year.

As a result of their complaint, an investigation was carried out. A report prepared for the board stated the decisions made on each admission were "clinically sound" but goes on to say "there was a failure to step back and see the whole period as one episode of care rather than separate admissions".

Responding to her concerns, medical director Andrew Furlong said: "There is still a possibility given the number of patients that come through that there will still be times that we don't get this right.

"What we need to be doing is getting this right more of the time than we are at the moment... we are not always getting it right for people like Reg."

Trust chief executive John Adler apologised to Ms Insley for the outcome of Mr Thompson's case.

He added: "I'm encouraged by some of the things I've heard that changes will be made to the system that saw Reg shunted around."

He said the possibility of patients remaining at home or in the community would be explored before a hospital admission and "good progress is being made" on changes to their approach.

Neil Heath
BBC News Online

Police are investigating the theft of an Aston Martin V8 sports car that was taken from a house near the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

The lime green-coloured vehicle (similar to the one pictured) was stolen along with a Range Rover, watches and jewellery just after 20:40 on Thursday.

The two vehicles were then later found parked in Beeston.

Image source, Getty Images

Det Sgt James Bond, who is investigating the theft, appealed for help tracking down the suspects and asked for anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area to get in touch.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

A man and a woman have been taken to hospital after a crash on a Nottinghamshire road.

Nottinghamshire Police said they were called to the two-car crash in Mapperley Plains, Arnold, just before 08:15.

Image source, Google

The drivers, a man and woman, have been taken to hospital with injuries which are not currently believed to be life-threatening.

A teacher's idea to collect unused coats for disadvantaged children sees a "fantastic but crazy" response.

Neil Heath
BBC News Online

Harry Hayfield, 45, from Ceredigion, Wales, asked via Your Questions Answered: "Who will replace Kenneth Clarke as Father of the House following the general election?"

Image source, PA Media

Father of the House is a title which goes to the MP with the longest continuous service.

Mr Clarke, 79, was sworn in as Conservative MP for Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire on 18 June 1970 - just ahead of Dennis Skinner, the Labour MP.

Mr Clarke has stood down but Mr Skinner is standing in Bolsover, Derbyshire.

Should the 87-year-old win he will indeed become Father of the House.

But should he lose his seat, the honour could go to Sir Peter Bottomley, the Conservative MP for Worthing West, who was sworn in on 26 June 1975, if he wins.

Mark Cavoto has bought and sold about 3,000 books from the wizarding series.

A coroner calls for action following the death of Evha Jannath at Drayton Manor theme park in 2017.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

Police have been investigating the reported "sudden death" of a man in his 20s in Nottingham.

Officers were called to Pippin Close in St Ann’s just after 14.30 yesterday.

The death is not being treated as suspicious and police say they are supporting the man's family.

Image source, Getty Images

Bolton's Republic of Ireland striker Daryl Murphy has admitted testing positive for using cocaine last season.

Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter

It's going to be a mild but wet and windy day today with showers through the morning and later in the afternoon.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

A main road in to and out of Leicester has been shut after a man in his 80s was hit by a vehicle this morning.

He was hit at about 06:10 in Hinckley Road, near the junction with Eastfield Road, and has been taken to hospital with possible life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle was not injured.

The road, in the Western Park area of the city, is currently closed between the A563 New Parks Way and Wyngate Drive.

Staff and parents going to Dovelands Primary School have been told to access the school on foot via Letchworth Road and Eastfield Road.

Image source, Google

David Pittam
BBC News Online

A nine-vehicle crash has closed one lane of the A46, police have said.

One lane is shut westbound after the junction with the A6 due to the collision.

Police could not confirm if there were any injuries at this point.

Image source, Google

Jonathan Lamley said he would do a Parkrun in his pants if England clinched an unlikely Ashes win.

The husband of flood victim Annie Hall paid tribute to her at a memorial service at Derby Cathedral.

The crash was "heartbreaking" say bosses, especially because it happened so close to Christmas.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Kathryn Brown, from Derbyshire, has asked via Your Questions Answered what political parties' serious plans are to relieve homelessness in the 21st century.

All three main parties have said they want to end rough sleeping within five years and also agree to end No Fault Evictions – where tenants can be forced out at the end of a contract.

Labour and Liberal Democrats have pledged to scrap the Vagrancy Act – a C19th law which allows the arrest of rough sleepers. The Conservatives have said they will review the act.

Image source, Getty Images

Both Labour and Liberal Democrats have also promised to lengthen tenancies and limit rent rises.

Labour have pledged to invest £1bn in homelessness services, including improving hostels. They have a target of 150,000 new council and social homes a year and plans for 8,000 new homes for those with a history of rough sleeping.

The Conservatives have said they are committed to the existing Rough Sleeping initiative and Housing First project. There is also a pledge to introduce proposals to improve the supply and quality of social housing.

The Liberal Democrats say they will introduce a duty on local authorities to provide emergency accommodation and increase Local Housing Allowance payments. They also pledge to provide accommodation for domestic abuse survivors.

Audrey Allen, who had dementia, died in hospital three weeks after falling at a home in Derbyshire.

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

A security guard was attacked during the theft of a Rolex at a jewellers in Nottingham this afternoon.

Nottinghamshire Police said they were called at about 13:30 following reports of the theft from Goldsmiths in Victoria Street, Nottingham.

The suspects have been described as black and very well dressed, with one wearing a light-coloured trench coat and cap.

Police said despite being attacked, the security guard was able to give chase. His injuries are not believed to be serious.

The suspects, both men, then went towards Bridlesmith Gate and are believed to have got into a white car.

Police are asking anyone with information to get in touch.