Audrey Callaghan, wife of the former Labour prime minister Lord (James) Callaghan, has died at her home in Sussex, aged 89, it was announced yesterday. Her husband was with her when she died. The couple had three children, among them Lady Jay, herself once a Labour minister.
Man remanded over axe death
Joseph Sheehan appeared before Highbury Corner magistrates yesterday accused of murdering Brian Messitt, 67, who was killed with an axe on a street in Swiss Cottage, north London, on Monday. Mr Sheehan, of Camden, north London, was remanded in custody to reappear at the Old Bailey on March 23.
Arrest after children held
A man was arrested yesterday after allegedly holding five children, aged two to 12, captive for several hours in a house in Everton, Liverpool. Police, who negotiated for the children's release, said the man had been armed with a meat cleaver. His partner had escaped with a baby.
Rail strike for Grand National
Rail guards at Merseyrail in Liverpool will go on strike on April 8 and 9, to coincide with the Grand National. The guards will also walk out on Good Friday, in a row over working hours. Conductors at Central Trains will also stage three strikes in a separate dispute over pay.
