The News Matrix: Monday 13 October 2014

Inquiry call as charity boss given £1m bonus

MPs have called for an inquiry after learning a charitable scheme providing cars for the disabled paid its chief executive more than £1m in bonuses and benefits last year. Mike Betts, head of not-for-profit company Motability Operations, took home bonuses totalling £911,915.

Miliband’s stance angers Jewish group

Ed Miliband has come in for criticism from the Board of Deputies, an organisation that speaks for Britain’s Jews, for insisting Labour MPs must back a motion in Parliament to recognise the state of Palestine.

Teenager killed in hayride crash

A Halloween-themed hayride crashed down a hill in the Maine woods and slammed into a tree, killing a teenage girl and leaving more than 20 other people hurt on Saturday night. Cassidy Charette, 17, died from injuries.

Unions hit out at bid to sell Eurostar stake

Rail unions have launched a fresh attack over plans to sell Britain’s stake in Eurostar as the Government prepares to announce the next move in the bid process. The RMT union said selling the UK taxpayers’ 40 per cent stake was an “act of betrayal”.

Suspected bike thief dies in river plunge

A suspected bicycle thief has died after diving into a harbour to evade police. The man jumped into Sutton Harbour in Plymouth after being chased by officers called to reports of a theft nearby yesterday, Devon and Cornwall Police said. The man died after getting trapped between a fishing boat and the harbour wall.

Newmark: I will seek help over ‘selfies’

Brooks Newmark says he plans to seek psychiatric help after being caught for a second time sending naked photos to women. The former Minister for Civil Society sent naked “selfies” to a single mum, as well as to an undercover male journalist posing as female Tory activist.

Environmentalist backs Neves’s bid

Business-friendly opposition candidate Aecio Neves received a crucial boost in Brazil’s presidential election race yesterday with the endorsement of popular environmentalist Marina Silva two weeks before his runoff against incumbent Dilma Rousseff.

NHS callers face quiz over travel history

Callers to the NHS 111 phoneline will be quizzed on their recent travel history if they complain of Ebola-like symptoms. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said anyone found to have recently travelled to West Africa will be immediately referred to “local emergency services for assessment by ambulance personnel with appropriate protective equipment”.

£2m raised in aid of fire-hit dogs’ home

Donations to Manchester Dogs’ Home have reached the £2m mark – enought to rebuild the shelter after it was destroyed by fire. more than £1.4m came from a Just Giving page set up on the night of the fire on 11 September, during which 60 dogs were killed.

‘Toxic’ Obama shunned by party

Barack Obama will on Wednesday make his first foray into the midterm elections in support of Governor Dan Malloy of Connecticut. With voting just three weeks away, the outlook is bleak for the Democrats as some candidates distance themselves from Mr Obama.

Metal detective strikes Viking gold

A hoard of Viking treasure has been unearthed by a metal-detecting enthusiast in one of the most significant finds in Scotland. Derek McLennan, 47, found more than 100 objects, some of them gold, on church land in Dumfries.

Conker contest is a real hit for fans

The 49th World Conker Championships took place yesterday, attracting entrants from 15 countries. Hundreds gathered in Southwick, Northamptonshire, for the annual contest, won by John Doyle and Stephanie Withall.

War heroine Cavell to be honoured

First World War hero Edith Cavell is to be honoured with a lottery-funded project aimed at “securing her legacy”. Her grave in Norwich will also be restored.

Kohl: Thatcher used to sleep in meetings

Former Germany leader Helmut Kohl has revealed Margaret Thatcher used to doze off at meetings in a controversial new book.