SHETLAND: Construction workers at the Total gas plant in Shetland downed tools in a dispute over pay yesterday. 

The BBC reported that 900 welders, pipe fitters and riggers are staging a sit-in at the site next to the Sullom Voe oil terminal. 

The strike action was not carried out through official channels and meetings between workers, management and shop stewards are under way. 

BACKTRACK: Lib Dem MP David Ward issued what the party described as a “categorical apology” yesterday after posting a tweet suggesting that he might be ready to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel.

Mr Ward came under fire after writing: “The big question is — if I lived in Gaza would I fire a rocket? Probably yes.”

The Bradford East MP said that his comments were not intended to back Hamas rocket attacks.

JUSTICE: Former Lostprophets singer and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins yesterday had his appeal bid against his sentence turned down.

Court of Appeal judges sitting at Cardiff Crown Court said they would not grant leave for appeal.

Lord Pitchford said: “These offences against children were of shocking depravity. A very lengthy prison sentence was demanded.”

One of Watkins’s female accomplices also had her appeal bid turned down.