Evants Diary

'1950s' ammunition found in city

A quantity of ammunition believed to have been discarded as long ago as the 1950s has been found in the grounds of a youth centre in Belfast.

It was found by workmen in the garden of Clonard Youth Centre in the west of the city.

A number of police officers moved in to examine the area following the discovery on Thursday evening.

Police later said they believed the ammunition had been there for several decades.

Teacher Peter Harvey cleared of attempting to kill boy

A teacher who struck a pupil with a dumbbell has been acquitted of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Peter Harvey, 50, hit the 14-year-old with a 3kg (6.6lb) weight at All Saints' Roman Catholic School, Mansfield, in July 2009, a jury heard.

The boy, who said he could not recall the attack, suffered a fractured skull.

The science teacher had previously admitted a charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

Harvey had returned to work after being signed off with depression and stress for several months.

But the court heard he had been mocked by pupils moments before the attack.

In a statement Peter Harvey thanked supporters

The jury at Nottingham Crown Court took less than two hours to clear the father-of-two.

Police probe votes Twitter gaffe by Bristol candidate

Kerry McCarthy is Labour's new media campaigns spokeswoman

A Labour candidate has apologised for revealing a sample of postal votes on the social networking website Twitter.

Bristol East candidate and party 'Twitter tsar' Kerry McCarthy said she was "kicking herself" after the gaffe.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary said it was looking into a possible alleged breach of electoral law.

It is illegal to reveal the votes cast before the end of polling day because it may influence the outcome of the election.

A Bristol City Council spokesman said the authority had reported the matter to the police after Ms McCarthy brought it to their attention.

'Random sample'

In a statement, Ms McCarthy said she had called the council's returning officer and had removed the post from the website within minutes.

She explained: "On hearing the results of a random and unscientific sample of postal votes, I posted them on Twitter.

"It was a thoughtless thing to do, and I very quickly realised that it was not appropriate to put such information in the public domain.

"Because this was not official information, and no votes had been counted, I thought of it as being akin to canvass returns, ie telling people how well we were doing with Labour promises on the doorstep, but I appreciate now it was wrong to do so."

She said the returning officer had advised her that it would not be lawful for anyone else to publish the information, for example by re-posting her tweet.

'Criminal matter'

A Bristol City Council spokesman said: "The city council this afternoon learned of an alleged breach in the Representation of the People Act 1983 section 66(4) (d).

"This is a criminal matter and will be for the police to decide what action to take."

A spokesman from Avon and Somerset Constabulary said: "Bristol City Council contacted the force this evening about a possible alleged breach of electoral law. The matter is being looked into."

Last year, Ms McCarthy was appointed Labour's new media campaigns spokeswoman.

The role involves improving the party's use of social media websites ahead of the election.

The candidates for Bristol East are: Conservative: Adeela Shafi; Labour: Kerry McCarthy; Liberal Democrat: Michael Popham; British National Party: Brian Jenkins; UK Independence Party: Philip Collins; English Democrats: Stephen Wright; Green Party: Glenn Vowles;Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition: Rae Lynch.

Oxford West candidate rejects 'Dr Death' accusation

The Liberal Democrat candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon says an opponent's leaflet campaign describing him as "Dr Death" is a disgrace.

The Animal Protection Party claim Dr Evan Harris has an "enthusiasm for euthanasia".

Dr Harris said: "To use a term which is associated with Harold Shipman is offensive and disgraceful".

He said he did not support extending the time limit on abortions, one of many accusations he said were untrue.

"I support the right of competent adults who are terminally ill and suffering and who want to die to have the right to ask for help to do so. This is far from being 'enthusiastic about euthanasia'," he added.

The Lib Dems said donations from members of the public to Dr Harris's campaign had gone up since the controversial leaflets were delivered to households earlier this week.

"During the last 48 hours we have received more than £2,000, about five times the usual rate. We have had scores of requests for posters and several offers of delivery help," Dr Harris added.

• Candidates in the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency are: Conservative: Nicola Blackwood; Green: Chris Goodall; Liberal Democrat: Evan Harris; The Animal Protection Party: Keith Mann; Labour: Richard Stevens; UK Independence Party: Paul Williams.