Lostprophets 'shocked' by arrest

The band Lostprophets with lead singer Ian Watkins second left Ian Watkins' Lostprophets bandmates have released a statement saying they are in a "state of shock", following his arrest on Wednesday.

He faces a number of charges including conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child under 13 and four offences relating to possession and distribution of indecent images of children.

A statement on the band's website said: "Following charges made today against Ian Watkins, we find ourselves in a state of shock.

"We are learning about the details of the investigation along with you."

Signed by "Jamie, Lee, Luke, Mike and Stu," it concludes: "It is a difficult time for us and our families, and we want to thank our fans for their support as we seek answers."

Ian Watkins, 35, of Pontypridd, appeared before Cardiff magistrates facing six charges relating to sexual offences against two young children.

He was remanded in custody.

The court heard that he had not admitted any of the offences, which date from May to December this year.

A 24-year-old woman has been charged with the same offences as Ian Watkins, while a 20-year-old woman is charged with five of the same offences but not conspiracy to rape.

Bail applications by all three were refused and they are due to appear before Cardiff Crown Court on 31 December.

Lostprophets toured the UK earlier this year. Their latest album, Weapons, was released in April.

They also played at Radio 1's Hackney Weekend.

View the original article here

Met boss warns on 'pleb' case arrest

18 December 2012 Last updated at 11:37 GMT Mr Mitchell says reports that he called Downing Street officers "plebs" were inaccurate The Met police commissioner has warned against jumping to conclusions after a police officer was arrested on suspicion of leaking details of the Andrew Mitchell case to a newspaper.

"There is more to this than meets the eye," Bernard Hogan-Howe told the BBC.

Met Police Federation chairman John Tully has suggested the arrest may have been disproportionate.

But Mr Hogan-Howe said: "When people hear the full story they will support what we've done."

A Diplomatic Protection Squad officer was arrested on Saturday by officers investigating how national newspapers came to publish police records of an incident at Downing Street, which involved the then chief whip, Andrew Mitchell, allegedly calling police officers "plebs".

The officers had refused to let him cycle through the main gate to Downing Street.

'Proportionality'

Mr Mitchell apologised for not having shown enough respect to the police but maintained that he "did not use the words attributed to me".

However, he quit the government over the affair a few weeks later, after the official police log of the row was allegedly leaked and published by the Daily Telegraph and the Sun newspapers.

Mr Hogan-Howe said: "There's some difficulty in me talking about it, there's an on-going criminal investigation, and also it's now supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

"I also hope people will understand that there is more to this than meets the eye, and I'm afraid I'm constrained in explaining that, but when people hear the full story they will support what we've done.

"As usual in any investigation, you have to go where the evidence takes you, and we got some new information - we acted on it quickly."

Mr Tully had told the Daily Telegraph: "The thing which disappointed me is around the proportionality of whether it was necessary to arrest the individual. After all, he is a serving police officer.

"Clearly it needs to be resolved, because there are things that we shouldn't talk about as police officers, and this may be one of those cases."

The officer claims that he witnessed the row, but the IPCC has said it is now "considering the validity of the officer's claim", which he apparently made to his local MP.

He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, and has been suspended from duty.

View the original article here