While the message by health experts in the BMJ Paediatrics Open journal said children joining the army is ‘irresponsible’ on part of the Government, retired Major General Tim Cross said there is nothing wrong with the practise.

He told Premier News Hour: “We were seriously talking about giving the vote to 16-year-olds, so are we seriously suggesting they can’t choose their own career?”

“[Are we saying] that they’re mature enough to understand the politics of Brexit but they’re not mature enough to know what they want to do with their lives? I just think it’s crazy.”

Major General Cross joined the Army when he was 16 and said he does not have any regrets.

“I loved every day of it,” he told Premier.

“I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I was about twelve. I wanted to join the Army.

“I was quite capable of choosing my career. I think these sweeping assertions aren’t helpful. They show our young people in a lack of confidence in who they are.”

While the report said allowing children in the Army puts youngsters “at harm”, the Army said under 18s can only join with parental consent and they won’t face combat operations.

“I love what the Army is doing to these youngsters,” Major General Cross said.

“It’s giving them a sense of identity and purpose. In today’s society, with all the mixed messages they’re getting, I think it’s a very powerful and positive thing.”

Stay up to…

The story of the man, known only as Olu, went viral over the weekend after a video was posted on social media showing him being arrested outside Southgate station and having his Bible taken away.

It’s unclear what he said while preaching which caused the police to intervene.

In a statement following his arrest, the Metropolitan Police told Premier: “Police were called to Southgate Underground Station at 1.52pm on Saturday, 23rd February in response to concerns raised about a man’s behaviour.

“An arrest was made to prevent a breach of the peace. The man was then de-arrested and no further action was necessary.”

The preacher has been receiving assistance from the campaign group Christian Concern.

A Christian preacher this afternoon was arrested at Southgate station London N14 for preaching about Jesus . @CConcern the police told him it’s because public had said he was being islamophobic . We have the full video and wondered when preaching was now illegal ? @Campaign4T pic.twitter.com/ZxC1DhlZCf

— EyeOnAntisemitism (@AntisemitismEye) February 23, 2019

In a statement on Twitter, Christian Concern said: “Our legal team have now spoken to street preacher Olu who was arrested at Southgate tube station on Saturday.

“After being unnecessarily arrested, he was dropped off in an unfamiliar suburb without enough money to get home.

“Thankfully a kind member of the public…

Rt Rev Paul Bayes described the decision to prevent same-sex partners of clergy from attending the 2020 Lambeth Conference as an “act of exclusion”.

In a message posted on Twitter, he said: “I deeply regret that, in the fractious complexities of our life as a worldwide people, this act of exclusion has taken its place.

“It is a grief to me and to my wife, and to many others. Despite this, I aim to attend the Conference, alone, in the hope of a common future.”

The Anglican Communion – which includes national churches from 165 countries – was forced to clarify its stance on the matter last week, following “misunderstanding”.

I deeply regret that in the fractious complexities of our life as a worldwide people this act of exclusion has taken its place. It is a grief to me and to my wife, and to many others.
Despite this I aim to attend the Conference, alone, in the hope of a common future. pic.twitter.com/uf6Cxmbera

— Paul Bayes (@paulbayes) February 26, 2019

General Secretary Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon said: “The invitation process has…needed to take account of the Anglican Communion’s position on marriage which is that it is the lifelong union of a man and a woman.

“Given this, it would be inappropriate for same-sex spouses to be invited to the conference.”

The prospect of the same-sex partners of gay bishops being “received in good standing” at the 2020 Lambeth…

The head of ‘The Crusader’ was removed from a crypt in St Michan’s Church over the weekend.

The crime was discovered when a guide went to open the church for visitors on Monday afternoon.

The crypt has been badly damaged and several of the mummies, including the 400-year-old remains of a nun, had been desecrated.

The Crusader’s body was turned over and his head removed.

The Archbishop of Dublin Michael Jackson expressed sadness and outrage at the incident.

“I am shocked that someone would target this ancient burial place and desecrate the remains of those lying within it,” he said.

“Not only have these individuals desecrated the sacred crypt but they have destroyed these historic mummies which have been preserved in St Michan’s for hundreds of years.

“I would appeal to those responsible to examine their consciences and return the head of The Crusader to its rightful place.”

Mummies in the St Michan’s Church crypt in 2012

Archdeacon David Pierpoint said he has been left “upset and disappointed” that the church has been targeted again after the crypt was vandalised in 1996.

“The actions of these people are devastating and sacrilegious,” he said.

“We are upset at the amount of damage that has been caused. But also the crypt will have to close so tourists will not be able to visit. It is very frustrating.

“I…

The MP for Peterborough, who was expelled by the Labour Party, was driven out of HMP Bronzefield in Ashford in Surrey on Tuesday morning.

She was jailed for three months at the Old Bailey on January 29 after being convicted of perverting the course of justice by lying to avoid a speeding charge.

Onasanya, 35, sat in the back of a white Sodexo-branded Vauxhall with the closest window to her covered by a hi-vis jacket as it drove past photographers at speed.

The MP with a once-promising career is continuing in her role, sitting as an Independent politician despite calls for her resignation.

She is also appealing against her conviction.

A jail sentence of at least twelve months is required for the automatic removal of an MP under parliamentary rules.

But a lesser sentence can result in a recall petition, which would result in a by-election if it is signed by more than ten per cent of the electorate in the constituency.

Onasanya, a solicitor by profession, is expected to have to obey strict conditions as part of her early release.

It came after the Attorney General’s Office ruled that her sentence was not unduly lenient following a complaint being lodged.

Jurors at the Old Bailey were told that Onasanya colluded with her brother Festus after her car was clocked speeding at 41mph in a 30mph zone in the village of Thorney,…