UK KICKS-OFF EXIT PASSPORT CHECKS TODAY!

The U.K. government will reinstate exit checks to track suspected criminals and terrorists trying to leave the United Kingdom, the Home Office announced on its website in a statement Sunday.



The exit checks, which were scrapped by the previous Labour government, will come into effect on April 8, 2015.

"The exit checks will improve national security by helping the police and security services track the movements of known or suspected criminals and terrorists, supporting the wider work across government and law enforcement agencies," the statement said.



The checks will take place on commercial international air, sea and rail routes for passengers leaving the country. Information will be collected on passengers' passports and other travel documents.

The information collected will be transmitted to the Home Office and will provide the U.K. with the "ability to identify and further tighten the immigration routes and visas that are most vulnerable."

"The checks will also improve security by helping the police and security services track the movements of known or suspected criminals and terrorists, supporting the wider work across government and our law enforcement agencies," according to the statement.

Exemption from checks

School coach parties of European Economic Area children under 16 years old will be exempt from checks.

According to the statement, alternative arrangements separate from exit checks, are being put in place to cover: journeys made within the Common Travel Area -- journeys between the UK and the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man -- small, non-scheduled flights and non-commercial recreational boats.

Minister for Security and Immigration James Brokenshire said the U.K.'s "commitment to reintroduce exit checks will make us more secure and better informed than ever."

More than 100 million people enter and leave the U.K. every year. Net long-term migration to the UK was estimated to be 298,000 in the year ending September 2014, a statistically significant increase from 210,000 in the previous 12 months, but below the peak of 320,000 in the year ending June 2005, according to the Office for National Statistics.

THORNY ISSUE OF UNDOCUMENTED CHILDREN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

Linda was brought to UK from Nigeria to join her mother in the UK when she was four. The visa on which she travelled was, like her mother's, a visitor visa, and so she became an overstayer as a child. Linda's mother died when she was 12 and she was initially looked after by extended family members, being passed from one aunt to another. No one seemed to realise that Linda had no status in the UK.

Linda was 18 when she had to leave home because her aunt's partner had become abusive. She was no longer entitled to support from social services as a child. Neither could she access benefits or work. Linda was homeless. The only route open to her was to apply to the Home Office based on the length of time she had been in the UK, but she didn't understand the law, the application was complicated and she had no money to pay for an immigration solicitor in order to make it.

Eventually Linda was referred to the Migrant Children's Project at Coram Children's Legal Centre and she was able to get help, free of charge, and ensure that she could regularise her status and plan for her future.

Linda's case is not an unusual one. University of Oxford research has estimated that there are 120,000 undocumented migrant children in the UK, 65,000 of whom were born in this country.

These children, who live in the UK without regular immigration status, are often unable to progress in education and access basic social rights including healthcare and support as a result of their immigration status, leaving them extremely vulnerable and in many cases facing extreme poverty.

At the same time, they are often unable to take the necessary steps to regularise their status, even when they have very strong claims for remaining in the UK.

This may be due to lack of awareness of their legal options in an ever more complex immigration system, inadequate or unavailable legal advice, or prohibitive Home Office application fees. In some cases, they may be at risk if they were to return to their country of nationality. As a result, "unreturnable" children and young people who are long-term, settled residents of their communities are left in limbo.

Public concern about immigration has fuelled a policy approach based on the notion that creating a "hostile environment" for migrants like Linda is an effective means of encouraging them to leave, in the belief that it is Britain's "generosity" to migrants that attracts them to the UK.

The past few years have already seen the refusal to increase asylum support levels in line with inflation, the removal of legal aid for almost all immigration cases, the tightening of immigration rules on long residence, restrictions on access to private housing and proposals to severely restrict access to healthcare.

In 2008, MP Ian Duncan Smith, in opposition, noted that the then government was "using forced destitutionas a means of encouraging people to leave voluntarily" and that this "failed policy" was "driven by the thesis, clearly falsified, that we can encourage people to leave by being nasty". In 2012, the Education Select Committee asserted that "it would be outrageous if destitution were to be used as a weapon against children because of their immigration status". Yet, as we approach 2015, this is still the risk.

Coram Children's Legal Centre's research and experience, documented in a 2013 report: "Growing up in a hostile environment: the rights of undocumented children in the UK", shows that such a policy approach is having a significant and damaging impact on children in the UK, pushing many into poverty.

And as well as the consequences for children, many of the changes implemented as part of this "hostile environment" agenda have resulted in a shifting of responsibility and costs onto already stretched local authorities, who for many people are the last remaining safety net when destitute and desperate. For example, homeless families with children have to turn to their local authority if they are homeless, placing increasing pressure on local government resources.

There have long been calls on the Home Office to provide a robust and effective immigration system, and one that incentivises compliance with the rules. But such a system must also address historical failings and deal properly with those who have strong claims to stay in the UK rather than wasting precious resources trying to pursue enforcement action in clear violation of the established rights and best interests of children and young people. This includes children who have grown up in the UK, go to school in the UK, and feel themselves to be British.

Undocumented migrant children and young people are among the most vulnerable in the UK and the most at risk of exceptional poverty and destitution. A fair, effective immigration system is one that upholds the rights of these children.

Kamena Dorling is policy and programmes manager at Coram Children's Legal Centre.

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy.

BREAKING: BIRD FLU OUTBREAK IN YORKSHIRE UK!

A case of avian flu has been confirmed on a duck breeding farm in Yorkshire, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has said.

Defra said there is at least one case of the virus at the farm - but insisted the risk to public health is "very low".

It confirmed the entire flock - about 6,000 ducks - would be culled as a result.

A Defra spokesperson said: "We have confirmed a case of avian flu on a duck breeding farm in Yorkshire - the public health risk is very low and there is no risk to the food chain.

"We are taking immediate and robust action which includes introducing a 10km restriction zone and culling all poultry on the farm to prevent any potential spread of infection.

"A detailed investigation is ongoing. We have a strong track record of controlling and eliminating previous outbreaks of avian flu in the UK."

Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious viral illness that spreads among birds. In rare cases it can affect humans.

Defra said the type of the virus discovered at the duck farm is H5, but the exact strain will be confirmed after final test results.

The NHS website states: "There are many types of bird flu, most of which are harmless to humans. However, two types have caused serious concern in recent years. These are the H5N1 and H7N9 viruses.

"Although these viruses don't infect people easily and are usually not transmitted from human to human, several people have been infected around the world, leading to a number of deaths.

"Other bird flu viruses (particularly H7N7 and H9N2) have also infected people, but these have rarely caused severe illness." SKY

UK SLAMS SHAM EU-MARRIAGES UNDER NEW RULES!

The new Immigration Act 2014 makes changes to notice requirements. The requirement to give notice of an impending marriage or civil partnership will be increased from 15 days to 28 days by the Act. This applies to everyone in England and Wales, regardless of their nationality (saka kana nema British acho) . Notice must be given to a Registrar by both parties in person, and they will be required to provide specified evidence of nationality, rather than the current position whereby the Registrar /registration authority just needs to be satisfied of nationality. Without the correct documents, it may be difficult to get married or forming a civil partnership in the UK.

The registrar will now be empowered by new investigation powers to notify the Home Secretary if one party to the proposed marriage/civil partnership is a non-EEA national. Once the Secretary of State has been notified, she has 28 days to decide whether or not to mount an investigation into the proposed union. If she does not investigate further, she will notify the Registrar and the couple who may then proceed to marry / form a civil partnership.

 

However if the Secretary of State has “reasonable grounds for suspecting that the proposed marriage or civil partnership is a sham” then she can mount an investigation, which extends the notice period to 70 days. There may be home visits and / or interviews. The kinds of things that may trigger suspicion are if one of the parties:

1. Is of a nationality at high risk of involvement in a sham;
2. Has a visa of a category which is linked to sham cases;
3. Has no immigration status or leave which is due to expire shortly;
4. Has previously sponsored another partner to enter or remain in the UK.

Another important change is the end of the exemption from civil preliminaries for non-EEA nationals who are marrying in the Church of England.

Registrars will also now have a duty to report suspicions of a possible sham marriage.

Thanks to Zimeye.com

UK IMMIGRATION ON EBOLA THREAT ALERT!

An asylum seeker was suspected of having the deadly Ebola virus after developing symptoms within days of arriving in Britain from Liberia, it has emerged.



The man, who was awaiting processing at an immigration centre run by security company G4S in Gatwick, was feared to be carrying the disease, which has killed more than 700 people in West Africa.

Immigration staff isolated the man and tested him for Ebola earlier this week, but he did not have the infection.

However the incident shows how easy it would be for the deadly disease to enter Britain through illegal channels.

Border staff at UK airports also claim they have not been trained to deal with suspected cases coming into the country.

Major British hubs like Heathrow have failed to tighten procedures even through airports in Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa have introduced beefed up screening.

Keith Vaz MP, the Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, has written to Theresa May, the home secretary, demanding to know which entry point in the UK is most at risk and how border staff are being protected against infection.

“I am concerned that officers enforcing our borders suggest they may not be fully prepared to protect the public from the spread of this deadly virus.

“Prevention is not just better than cure, in this case it is essential. I have written to the Home Secretary to ensure that we are doing all we can to protect the UK on the frontline.”

Immigration Service Union general secretary Lucy Moreton said customs, border and immigration staff were worried about being infected and had not been given proper advice about how to deal with people suspected of being sick.

Mrs Moreton said: "They serve on the front line; they are the first point of contact usually for people coming off an aircraft and the concern is what do they do if they're confronted with someone that doesn't appear well who appears at the border.

"There is no health facility at the border, there is no containment facility and until extremely recently there has been no guidance issued to staff at all as to what they should do."

Ms Moreton said members had been contacting the union for guidance on what to do and how to protect themselves, but that it had no answers for them.

A spokesman for G4S said they were monitoring new entrants who had been in the country less than 21 days, the maximum incubation time for the disease.

Professor John Ashton, President of the Faculty of Public Health, said the disease was likely to spread further.

“Epidemic diseases do not respect country boundaries, which is why we need collective action to tackle the causes of outbreaks to prevent further tragedies,” he said.

Latest figures from the World Health Organisation show that the outbreak of the deadly virus in western Africa has infected more than 1,300 people and killed at least 729. Ebola has no vaccine and there is no cure.

The outbreak has centred on Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. There has also been particular concern after densely populated Nigeria reported what is thought to be its first death from the disease on Friday.

The scientist who helped to discover the Ebola virus has said there was a ‘good probability’ that someone with the disease would enter Europe and warned that health workers were particularly at risk.

However Professor Peter Piot, who was part of the team that discovered the virus in 1976, said that the likelihood the epidemic could spread in the UK was "very, very, very low".

Prof Piot, who is now director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said even if someone came to the UK during the incubation period, infection control measures in Britain would prevent the spread of the virus.

He said: "In Europe, the way I see it is that there is a good probability that someone will enter a country while incubating - when you have Ebola, frankly you can't travel you are so sick - it's the incubation time when people can enter the country.

"Here, because of our infection control and standards in hospitals, I think that the likelihood that would give rise to an epidemic is very, very, very low."

He said that he wouldn't mind sitting next to an infected person on a plane or train, adding: "By that I mean someone who is already infected but is not yet ill. Even in the early days when they have fever, that's also not risky for others.

"It's when they start bleeding, have diarrhoea and are vomiting, that's risky, but someone with full-blown Ebola infection can't travel. Even then you still need close contact. It's not like tuberculosis or Sars or the flu - that you can catch on a bus, but not Ebola.

"When someone is extremely ill - that is when they are very infectious, but at that stage patients can hardly move - they are not mobile.

"This is not a very contagious infection, you need close contact with someone who is really ill or who died from it.

"For border agents there is no problem that I can see.

"I think the key risk is for health workers. When someone comes (to hospital) with fever and some other symptoms health workers just have to ask where the person has been in the past month. If the answer is Sierra Leone then the red light should be flashing.”

Public Health England said border officers have been given guidance on how to identify and deal with suspected Ebola cases safely.

Yesterday, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond sought to reassure the public over fears that the disease could come to Britain, saying it was "most unlikely" it could spread within the UK.

He did, however, describe the outbreak as a "very serious threat", and health experts have met to discuss the possibility of people contracting the virus in West Africa and falling sick here.

The Government's emergencies committee Cobra met to discuss the situation yesterday, after which Mr Hammond said the "logical" approach was to tackle the disease at source in West Africa.

He said that the "frankly different" standards of infection control in the UK meant it was unlikely it could spread here, and that the disease appeared to be contained within the worst outbreak areas.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt also said that Britain had expertise in the NHS and extensive experience dealing with dangerous diseases through the work of organisations such as the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

TOP TIPS FOR UK STUDENT VISA APPLICANTS!

If you are heading to the UK to study this year, read the UKBA top tips on making a Tier 4 student visa application

 
Top tips for UK student visa applicants

Apply as early as you can. You can apply up to 3 months in advance.

You will need a certificate of acceptance for studies (CAS) from your chosen place of study before you make an application.

You should read the guidance on Tier 4 student visas at the website.

You should know what additional supporting documents you will require for your application and allow plenty of time to get these together.

If you are applying in Vietnam you will need a TB certificate from an approved TB test clinic.

You will need to provide bank statements and education certificates.

Your bank statements should show that you have had the required maintenance funds in your bank account for at least 28 days prior to paying your student visa fee online.

Some applicants might also need a Secure English Language Test certificate and/or an ATAS certificate.

You should complete your Tier 4 student visa application form, pay your visa fee and book an appointment at your visa application centre online at the website.

You should only complete your application form in ENGLISH

When making an appointment you must choose a Tier 4 student appointment

Take a printed copy of your application form, your passport, a passport photo and any supporting documents that you require to your visa application centre appointment.

You must provide a certified translation of any supporting documents that are not in English.

As you will have completed your application online, Appendix 8 is not required.

UK Visas and Immigration will aim to process your visa within 15 working days. However, we are currently experiencing a high volume of applications and you may experience some delays. You should not expect it any sooner. If you need your visa in a hurry, you can choose our 3-5 day priority visa service.

UK BLOCKS STUDENT PSW-ENTREPRENEUR LOOPHOLE!

The Home Office places new restrictions on the entrepreneur visa route in response to scams from individuals and organised criminal groups.

New Immigration Rules Changes

The entrepreneur route is intended to allow migrants to set up businesses in the UK in order to create jobs and growth. However evidence from tax records shows that people on expiring student visas are transferring to entrepreneur status under the pretence of setting up a business when they are actually working in low skilled jobs.

Entrepreneur route targeted after the closure of the post-study work visa route

Visa statistics suggest that individuals and organised criminals began to target the entrepreneur option once the post study work visa, which allowed students to stay on after their studies, was axed in 2012.
We will take firm action to protect our immigration system

Immigration and Security Minister, James Brokenshire said:

This government is building an immigration system that is fair to British citizens and legitimate migrants and tough on those who abuse the system and flout the law.

Our reforms have cut net non-EU migration to levels not seen since the 1990s and slashed overall net migration by a third since its peak under the last government.

And we will not hesitate to take firm action to protect our immigration system further – particularly when there is evidence of criminals targeting what they think are weaknesses in the rules.

With the new clampdown students will only be able to switch using funds from a government-approved source, and post-study workers will need additional evidence of their business activities. In addition, those who have not yet started businesses and who do not have evidence of a genuine business will not be able to switch from the old post-study route onto an entrepreneur visa.

OMG! BISHOP OYEDEPO DISGRACED BY OLD STUDENT!

A former student of Covenant University Emmanuel Jack, now residing in the United Kingdom (UK) has rubbished the training been given to students of the Christian higher institution.

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Despite the holier than thou impression which the citadel of higher preaches, it has been proven that it is all a facade after all.

Jack whose foundation was built in Covenant University was recently jailed for three years after been found guilty of seducing six women on dating websites and cheating them out of £186,000.

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Police believe student Emmanuel Jack, 26, claimed to be an architect, engineer and gem broker, while talking the women into handing over their money, using aliases including John Creed, John Windsor and Johnnie Carlo Rissi, while telling the women the cash was needed for business purposes.

Jack, who was studying for a business degree at the University of Salford, admitted 11 counts of money laundering totaling £186,000 and possession of articles for use in fraud at Manchester Crown Court. 

Octopusnews.

UK STUDENT VISA FRAUD EXPOSED!

Student visa system fraud exposed in BBC investigation

  

Undercover footage filmed by Panorama uncovered systematic fraud in the student visa system

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The Home Office has suspended English language tests run by a major firm after BBC Panorama uncovered systematic fraud in the student visa system.

Secret filming of government-approved exams needed for a visa shows candidates having tests faked for them.

ETS, which sets the exams but does not appoint the invigilators, told Panorama it "does everything it can to detect and prevent" cheating.

Home Secretary Theresa May said the BBC's evidence was "very shocking".

Panorama saw candidates for tests set by ETS, one of the largest language testing firms in the world, being replaced by "fake sitters" and having answers read out to them.

'Poor English'

For the last year, the programme has been filming undercover, following a network of agents helping people obtain student visa extensions through fraud.

Each year, around 100,000 non-EU students get their visas to stay in the UK extended.

The programme sent non-EU students - who were already in the UK legally - undercover.

They posed as bogus students with poor English, who wanted to remain in the UK to work illegally.

One went undercover at an immigration consultancy called Studentway Education in Southall, west London.

The BBC was told Studentway could get around compulsory English tests, even if applicants spoke no English.

Director Varinder Bajarh said: "Someone else will sit the exam for you. But you will have to have your photo taken there to prove you were present."

What Panorama has uncovered is extremely important, it's very shocking and I want to do something about it”Home Secretary Theresa May

The researcher was told a "guaranteed pass" would cost £500 - about three times the proper fee for the exam.

After paying, she was sent to sit the exam at Eden College International in east London, a government-approved exam centre.

She was set up on a computer to sit the visa application test, called TOEIC, but never actually took the exam.

Instead, each of the 14 candidates had a "fake sitter" who took the spoken and written tests for them.

All the real candidates had to do was wait to have their photograph taken - as proof they were there.

Answers read out

A week later, the undercover applicant returned to the college to sit another, multiple-choice, exam.

This time she had to take it herself, but the invigilator simply read out all the correct answers.

It took the two dozen or so candidates just seven minutes to complete the two-hour exam.

A few days later, the researcher returned to Studentway and was given a TOEIC certificate, showing she had passed.

She had scored highly in all three tests - getting 100% in her spoken English.

The answers to multiple-choice exams were read out to candidates

Eden College International strongly denies any prior knowledge of, or complicity in, the frauds.

But it said that early last year it investigated allegations against three freelance TOEIC exam invigilators and did not renew their contracts. It said it took swift action to improve invigilation and monitoring.

The TOEIC exam is set and marked by ETS, one of the biggest English language testing companies in the world.

While it does not appoint the invigilators, before its suspension ETS told Panorama it "does everything it can to detect and prevent rare instances of dishonest test administrators or test takers".

A notice on its website in the UK said that the Home Office has requested ETS to suspend various tests temporarily in the UK related to immigration purposes.

It also said candidates who had appointments to take a test for immigration purposes would be contacted to process a refund.

The government said it had suspended two colleges identified by Panorama and all further English language tests done through ETS in the UK.

Bank statements

Panorama researchers were also sold fake bank details to show they had enough funds to stay in the UK.

Immigration rules mean non-EU students face restrictions on the amount of paid work they can do and need a bank statement to show they can cover their fees and living costs.

One of the agents at Studentway, Vinod Kumar, told a Panorama researcher the agency had a solution.


Richard Watson presents Panorama - Immigration Undercover: The Student Visa Scandal
BBC One, Monday 10 February at 20:30 BST
Then available in the UK on the BBC iPlayer

He said it would use its contacts in India to find "someone else with the same name, whose account and money will be used for you. So when there is need for verification it's verified for you till you get your visa."

Mr Kumar was proposing to steal the bank details of someone with the same name as the researcher and pass it off as hers.

Two weeks later she received a bank statement from Studentway that made it appear she had tens of thousands of pounds.

Mr Bajarh denied that Studentway was involved in any fraud. He also said that Mr Kumar had never worked at the agency, but may have used the office without his knowledge.

However, Mr Bajarh is clearly present with Mr Kumar in some of the BBC's footage inside Studentway's premises.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4's Today programme Home Secretary Theresa May said: "I'm grateful to Panorama for the work they have done in showing this abuse."

She said the government was taking action to change an immigration system "which was out of control when we inherited it", and 700 colleges had already been stopped from bringing students in from outside the EU.

Mrs May said she was looking at introducing more face-to-face interviews and called on the educational sector to do more to tackle fraud.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "This investigation shows Theresa May is presiding over a failing immigration system which too often focuses on the wrong thing and where illegal immigration is a growing problem."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/

BREAKING: JUDGEMENT DELIVERED IN UK WOOLWICH MURDER!

Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale had claimed they wanted to be killed by police

"This horrific attack, which took place in broad daylight on the streets of London, shocked the country and was intended to divide communities. It had largely the opposite effect and has, in fact, brought people together."

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Two men have been found guilty of murdering soldier Lee Rigby outside Woolwich barracks in south-east London in May.

Michael Adebolajo, 29, and Michael Adebowale, 22, struck Fusilier Rigby with a car before hacking him to death.

Adebolajo had claimed he was a "soldier of Allah" and the killing was an act of war.

The men were found not guilty of attempting to murder a police officer at the scene.

These people have taken away my baby's dad but Lee's memory lives on through our son and we will never forget him”

Rebecca Rigby

The jury of eight women and four men took approximately 90 minutes to reach its verdict.

Relatives of Fusilier Rigby broke down in tears as the verdicts were given.

His wife said the family was satisfied that justice had been done, adding: "This has been the toughest time of our lives. No one should have to go through what we have been through as a family."

Rebecca Rigby said: "These people have taken away my baby's dad but Lee's memory lives on through our son and we will never forget him.

"I now want to build a future for Jack and make him proud of his dad like we all are."

Mr Justice Sweeney ordered that the decisions be heard in silence. He said he will pass sentence after a key appeal court ruling on the use of whole life terms in January.

Fusilier Rigby, 25, was a father of one

Adebolajo and Adebowale drove a car into Fusilier Rigby at 30-40mph, before dragging him into the road and attacking him with knives and attempting to decapitate him with a meat cleaver.

The jury heard the men chose their victim because he was "the soldier that was spotted first".

In a police interview Adebolajo said he and Adebowale decided to lie in wait near the barracks and targeted Fusilier Rigby because he was wearing a Help for Heroes hooded top and carrying a camouflage rucksack.

The attack occurred on a busy street, witnessed by shocked onlookers.

Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick, the head of the Met's specialist operations, welcomed the verdict.

She said: "We are pleased that justice has been done. At this very difficult time, our thoughts are with Lee's family and all those who knew and loved him.

"This horrific attack, which took place in broad daylight on the streets of London, shocked the country and was intended to divide communities. It had largely the opposite effect and has, in fact, brought people together."

BBC

MIKE TYSON BANNED FROM ENTERING UNITED KINGDOM (UK)!

His publishers said recent changes to UK immigration laws meant he was unable to travel to the country and has gone to Paris instead!

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Boxing legend Mike Tyson has been forced to scrap appearances in the UK after discovering he is banned from entering the country.

Convicted rapist Tyson, 47, was due in London this week as part of a promotional tour for his new autobiography Undisputed Truth.

But his publishers said recent changes to UK immigration laws meant he was unable to travel to the country and has been re-routed to Paris instead.

Under the new rules, any person who has been sentenced to more than four years in prison is barred from entering the country.

In 1992 Tyson was convicted of raping an ex-beauty queen and served three years of a six-year sentence. He also has convictions for assault, cocaine possession and driving under the influence.

A spokesman for HarperCollins said: “There was a change in the UK immigration law in December 2012 of which we were unaware.

“For this reason Mike had to change location to Paris to salvage his press obligations for the UK.”

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “We would not comment on the details of an individual case.

“We reserve the right to refuse entry to the UK to anyone who is convicted of serious criminal offences.

“In December 2012 we toughened up the rules on entering the UK, replacing the previous discretionary approach with a clearer, stronger framework including mandatory refusals based on the length of, and time since, sentence.”

Tweets posted on Tyson’s official Twitter account as recently as Friday suggest the boxer was unaware he would be hit by the changes.

He wrote: “So, UK fans, who is brave enough to get in the ring and ask me a question?”

And then in subsequent tweets added: “Tweet me a question with #UndisputedTruthBook in it. The 5 best get to step in the ring & ask me it in person” and “Ok, lots of questions there. If you’ve won, @harpercollinsUK will be in touch soon. Thanks everyone for participating.”

Tyson was only 20 when he won his first title.

He was labelled “Iron Mike” and “the baddest man on the planet” – famously biting off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear in a bout.

He is due to come to the UK again in March with his one-man Broadway show, directed by Spike Lee, which is booked for eight nights in London, Glasgow and Manchester.

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PHOTOS: GIRL DIES AS STORM SCATTERS UNITED KINGDOM!

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People in parts of the UK are waking up to travel chaos, as a ferocious storm hits parts of the south.

Many rail services and flights have been cancelled for the morning rush hour, as heavy rain and winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour batter Britain.

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People in parts of the UK are waking up to travel chaos, as Jon Ironmonger reports

A 17-year-girl has died in Kent after a tree fell in the storm which is battering parts of England and Wales.

Around 220,000 homes are without power, while rail services across much of southern Britain have been cancelled as high winds bought down trees.

Network Rail said the damage was "worse than expected," while 130 flights have been cancelled at Heathrow airport.

The Met Office said a gust of 99mph (159km/h) was recorded at Needles Old Battery, Isle of Wight, at 05:00 GMT.

The Environment Agency has issued 13 flood warnings - in south-west and south-east England, there are also 152 flood alerts across England and Wales.

UK Energy Networks, which represents power companies across the UK, confirmed 220,000 homes are without power.

Network Rail said more than 100 fallen trees trees have been found on lines, and several hundred staff have been working to monitor conditions and react to any damage.

Robin Gisby, Network Rail's managing director of network operations, said: "While conditions were as forecast during the early part of the morning, the damage caused by the storm has been more severe than expected as it has tracked eastwards to the north of London and across to East Anglia.

"As a result, the West Coast, East Coast and Midland main lines are all currently blocked at their southern ends as a result of fallen trees and damage to power lines and all services are currently suspended on the Anglia route, where the storm is currently."

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