Commons rapped over bar bills delay

The House of Commons has been criticised by the information watchdog after delaying the release of embarrassing details about MPs' unpaid bar and restaurant bills until after the general election.

Information Commissioner Christopher Graham said it had been "completely unacceptable" for the Commons to take more than seven months to disclose the food and drink tabs of 74 MPs.

Most of the bills ran to hundreds of pounds - some were worth thousands - and all were more than three months overdue.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, the debts should have been disclosed within 20 working days of being requested by the Press Association last September.

Families hail Afghanistan victims

The families of two soldiers shot dead in Afghanistan as they tried to rescue a comrade paid tribute to their bravery.

Corporal Matthew James Stenton, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, and Lance Corporal Stephen Daniel Monkhouse, from Greenock, Inverclyde, were killed on Wednesday in the Lashkar Gah district of Helmand province.

Cpl Stenton's relatives said: "We are so proud of Matthew and it comes as no surprise to us to hear that he died whilst trying to help one of his fellow comrades."

L/Cpl Monkhouse's family hailed the father of one, who was killed trying to save another life, saying: "That sums Stephen up."

MacAskill defends Lockerbie no-show

The Scottish Justice Secretary has defended his decision not to attend the US Senate's hearing on the release of the Lockerbie bomber, saying he was "accountable to Scotland" and had "no information to provide" on any BP oil deal.

Kenny MacAskill was invited to appear before the Senate hearing, along with former UK justice secretary Jack Straw and BP chief executive Tony Hayward.

Members of the US Senate foreign relations committee want to investigate the suspicions of some that oil giant BP may have had a hand in the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi last August.

Severe weather warnings after flash floods hit north east Wales

SEVERE weather warnings have been issued after downpours caused flash flooding in North East Wales.

The forecasted heavy rain caused difficulties for hundreds as roads were submerged in torrents of water and driving conditions became treacherous yesterday morning.

At one point North Wales Fire Service had to field three calls to assist with flooding problems within five minutes in Wrexham alone.

A spokesperson said: “We had three calls about flooding at around 12.45pm.

“The first was at Oaklands Court, Gwersyllt at 12.41pm.

“Then we had a call about Deva Way, Caia Park, in Wrexham at 12.44pm which we passed onto Wrexham Borough Council.”