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A year in politics

Ashley Mote, a former member of the UK Independence Party who sits as an independent member of the European Parliament, was sentenced to nine months for fraud at Portsmouth Crown Court.

Under British law, MEPs are obliged to step down only if jailed for more than a year and Mr Mote's staff said he was unlikely to go.

Described by the judge as "thoroughly dishonest", the MEP for South-East England could continue to draw his £60,000 salary and return to the chamber once he has served his time.

Financial Times (Dipak Ghosh)

Labour in the park

Volunteers from the gay community joined forces with police and charity workers to clean up Hampstead Heath.

"The day was a real success," said Heath constabulary manager Richard Gentry. "We left it in a pristine condition. Some of the more unexpected items we came across included underwear, socks, pantyhose, two credit cards and a Labour Party membership card."

Ham & High (Ron Rubin)

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