Hague: Recruit former jihadists

Radical Islam: British jihadists who return from Syria after becoming disillusioned with the extremists could be used to dissuade others from going to join the conflict, Commons Leader William Hague said yesterday.

The former foreign secretary said the authorities would be prepared to assist ex-fighters who come back, provided they were satisfied as to their “good intentions” and that they were not planning attacks.

90,000 children ‘homeless at Xmas’

Housing: Some 90,000 children will wake up homeless in Britain this Christmas, equating to three children for every school in the country, housing charity Shelter warned yesterday.

Launching its Christmas appeal, the charity said some children were forced to eat their meals off the floor because living space was so tight and said many suffer “severe emotional distress” as a result of staying in temporary accommodation.

BBC rehires 300 redundant staff

Industrial: The BBC has said it is “inevitable” some staff who have been laid off may rejoin the corporation, after it was revealed almost 300 people have been rehired in the past 12 years after being paid out more than £10 million.

The Sunday Express reported that 286 full-time staff made redundant between the beginning of September 2002 and August 31 this year were given a total of £10,230,905 — but later rehired on permanent or fixed-term contracts.

Police arrest 8 after rave turns violent

Crime: Eight people have been arrested after a rave descended into violence, Avon and Somerset Police revealed yesterday.

When the police tried to close down the rave on the Avonside industrial estate some revellers threw missiles — injuring three officers.