Mystery death of Cameron's top Tory ally found in portable toilet at Glastonbury Festival's VIP area

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Shock: Christopher Shale is believed to have died from a heart attack but the definite cause is unknown


Christopher Shale was chairman of the West Oxfordshire Conservative Association

Festival organiser Michael Eavis told it was 'a suicide situation'

Tory sources: Chairman died from a heart attack

David Cameron describes him as a 'big rock in my life' who has 'suddenly been rolled away'

Death came hours after it emerged Mr Shale had authored damning report saying 'there's no reason to join the party'

David Cameron's constituency chairman was found dead in a portable toilet in the VIP area at Glastonbury today.


Devastated: A private ambulance believed to be carrying the body of Mr Shale is driven out of the VIP backstage area at Glastonbury music festival


Christopher Shale, chairman of the West Oxfordshire Conservative Association, was discovered dead by police at around 9am.

The festival's host Michael Eavis said he was told by police it was 'a suicide situation'.

However, Tory party sources said they believed he had had a heart attack but the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed.

Mr Eavis, 75, spoke of his sadness over the death during a press conference held earlier today.


Make way: Security lift up barriers so the private ambulance can leave the festival area


The farmer said: 'Apparently I'm told it was a suicide situation in the early hours of this morning. It was in the Winnebago area.

'It's very very sad - I can't say too much about it."

Mr Shale, who is married with children, had been staying at a luxury £10,000 Winnebago compound just yards away from top celebrities like Kate Moss.

It is understood his family was with him. A distraught woman wrapped in a blanket - believed to be his wife Nikki - was comforted by police at the scene. Two teenage boys were also at the scene.



VIP: The Pyramid Arena, where a number of celebrities have been staying, is closed off by police


Inspector Chris Morgan, from Avon and Somerset police, refused to confirm or deny that the victim had committed suicide.

He said: 'We are not [officially] naming the gentleman at this moment because we believe there are members of the family that have not been told.

'I am aware that there has been some speculation that the gentleman has committed suicide. We are not saying that at this time.


Cordon: The body was found in a luxury Winnebago by a worker this morning


Glastonbury Festival organiser Michael Eavis speaks to the media this morning after Christopher Shale was found dead in a toilet


'We are still working on establishing a cause of death at this very early stage.

'We believe the alarm was raised by a member of staff who was working on the site.

'There are some family members here now but I believe there are other family members who have yet to be informed.'

David Cameron has already released a statement in which he described Mr Shale as 'truly generous'.

'Sam and I were devastated to hear the news about Christopher,' he said.

'He was a great friend and has been a huge support over the last decade in west Oxfordshire. A big rock in my life has suddenly been rolled away.


Thousands watch on the Park Stage where Pulp were performing yesterday. More than 137,000 people will attend the festival this weekend


'Christopher was one of the most truly generous people I've ever met - he was always giving to others, his time, his help, his enthusiasm and above all his love of life. It was in that spirit that he made a massive contribution to the Conservative Party both locally and nationally.

'Our love and prayers are with Nikki and the family. They've lost an amazing dad, west Oxfordshire has lost a big and wonderful man and like so many others Sam and I have lost a close and valued friend.'

A police cordon, guarded by at least eight officers, was put up around the backstage shower and toilet area as an investigation into the death of the 55-year-old got under way.

The camping area where festival production teams and some performers stay was also blocked off.

A host of celebrities were closed within the cordoned off area. Wayne and Coleen Rooney were understood to have been camping in a nearby luxury RV.

Mr Shale was believed to have been staying in a Winnebago next to the Times columnist Caitlin Moran.


David and Samantha Cameron were close friends of Mr Shale, the Prime Minister said today. Right, a policeman takes notes as an investigation is launched in the VIP area at the Glastonbury site


Coldplay perform on the pyramid stage last night hours before the senior Conservative was discovered dead


The writer tweeted: 'Woke up to find the man in the Winnebago next to us died. Bit of a grime start to the morning.'

Revellers reacted with shock as they were told the area was 'a crime scene'.
Tom Waite, 35, from Cheddar, was among those staying in the VIP area. He said: 'It's just awful for his family.'

The Mail on Sunday today revealed how Shale had made a scathing attack against the Conservative party and the difficulties it faces in trying to recruit new candidates.

In a strategy document, seen by the paper, he said: 'There's no reason to join [the party]. Lot's of reasons not to.'

In a sign of how hard the party is finding it to attract new members, the document concedes that the Prime Minister’s own association gained only 22 members in the past year.

Security had already been heightened at Glastonbury in the area where Mr Shale was found dead for the arrival of American megastar Beyonce.


source : dailymail

Violence breaks out as protesters seek to shame Bono over failure to pay tax in Ireland as he headlines Glastonbury

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Clash: Security staff and members of direct action group Art Uncut tussle over a 20ft balloon during last night's performance


Violent scenes broke out in the crowd at U2's long-awaited Glastonbury debut last night as a protest against the Irish band's tax status was foiled by security guards.

As Bono and his bandmates took to the Pyramid Stage, activists from direct action group Art Uncut inflated a 20ft balloon emblazoned with the message 'U Pay Your Tax 2'.

But as the campaigners tried to release the balloon over the 50,000-strong crowd, a team of ten security guards wrestled them to the ground before deflating the balloon and taking it away.

The intervention by security after U2's opening song Until The End Of The World sparked angry clashes with 30 or more protesters.

One security guard told a photographer to 'go away', adding: 'If you are press, I'll have you.'

Several protesters were pinned against a fence near the Pyramid Stage after attempting to hold on to the balloon. There were no arrests.


Facing the music: U2 frontman Bono sang through the protest


One of the campaign group members said: 'That was totally over the top. He threatened to hit me.'

Another said: 'Political activism used to belong at Glastonbury. This was all going to be completely peaceful.'

A handful of U2 fans looked on open-mouthed and booed as the security guards swooped.
Gary Noble, 45, from Eastbourne, said: 'It was all a bit shocking. I love U2 but I think everyone should pay their taxes. The campaigners have a right to voice their opinion.'

U2 rattled on through their set of smash hits, with the only inconvenience for Bono being the rain fogging up his trademark sunglasses.



Getting the message across: The 20ft balloon created by protest group Art Uncut


Art Uncut had been hoping to spark debate around big-earning stars' duty to pay taxes in their native country.

Campaigner Charlie Dewar said: 'U2's multi million-euro tax dodge is depriving the Irish people at a time when they desperately need income to offset the Irish government's savage austerity programme.


Pop music: The giant balloon eventually burst after being seized by security officials


'Tax nestling in the band's bank account should be helping to keep open the hospitals, schools and libraries that are closing all over Ireland.

'Bono is well-known for his anti-poverty campaigning but Art Uncut is accusing him of hypocrisy.'

The opening night of major acts, which saw revellers drenched in rain for the third day running, proved to be one of political activism.

Morrissey had drawn cheers from the audience after calling Prime Minister David Cameron a 'silly twit' for opposing an outright ban on wild animals in circuses.


Rocking and rolling: The security team eventually managed to take the balloon away


Introducing the classic Smiths song Meat Is Murder, he hailed MPs' support this week for a prohibition.

The singer condemned Mr Cameron over claims he tried to bully one MP into dropping the plans, saying: 'What a silly twit.'

Radiohead were unveiled as last night's secret act on the Park stage, with frontman Thom Yorke telling fans: 'We're here to get in free.'

He added: 'We asked Emily Eavis if we could get in free and she said, 'Will you play?
'We like it here as much as you do.'


Close to The Edge: The protesters attempt to lift the balloon near the stage where U2 were performing


Uplifting: One protester lunges at a security guard while spectators look on


The relentless rain has seen Worthy Farm become Britain's biggest mudbath - but the weather will dry up tomorrow, forecasters said.

Among the 170,000-strong crowd on the 900-acre site were Wayne and Coleen Rooney.

The footballer and his wife sparked a media frenzy as they joined the party.

Despite the rain and dark clouds, Rooney wore dark glasses as the couple walked arm in arm wearing matching Hunter boots.



The show must go on: While U2 managed to complete their performance, the band's fans were shocked at the way the protest was put down


Rooney, who had his hood up after recently having a hair transplant, was seemingly in good spirits after returning from a break in Barbados to travel to Somerset.

The 25-year-olds were believed have shunned a tent in favour of VIP treatment in a top-of-the range motorhome.

Moroccan act Master Musicians of Jouhouka and rapper Chipmunk got proceedings under way.

But the showers came back with a vengeance when the likes of rappers Wu-Tang Clan came on stage in the afternoon.

Marc Argent, 32, from Street, Somerset, was one of hundreds gathered around the Pyramid to perform a welly stomp dance in the quagmire.

He said: 'It's great to see it all under way. It's muddy but it is still magical.'

Forecasters say that today and tomorrow should be largely dry, with temperatures possibly topping 25C (77F).

Coldplay and Beyonce are the remaining headliners.


U2 - Glastonbury 2011 Part One - Even Better Than The Real Thing - The Fly - HD


U2 - Glastonbury 2011 Part Two - Mysterious Ways - Until The End Of The World - HD


U2 - Glastonbury 2011 - Part Three - One - Where The Streets Have No Name - I Will Follow - HD


U2 - Glastonbury 2011 - Part Four - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Stay


U2 - Glastonbury 2011 - Part Five - Beautiful Day - Elevation - HD


U2 - Glastonbury 2011 - Part Six - Get On Your Boots - Vertigo - HD



source: dailymail

Now that's what you call Glamping! Wayne and Coleen Rooney arrive at Glastonbury by helicopter

By Andrea Magrath


Arriving in style: Coleen Rooney poses with Wayne's cousin Claire and friend Amy next to their private chopper as they touched down at the Glastonbury festival


Over the past few days dedicated Glastonbury revellers have dragged their sodden belongings through the mud to set up camp.

But not everyone has suffered the trials of a camping festival in the English summer.

Wayne and Coleen Rooney arrived in Somerset today as the festivities were kicking off, having just touched down on the grounds in their private helicopter.

Getting her designer boots dirty: Coleen and Wayne trudged through the mud in the VIP area


Their luxury transport is hardly in keeping with the spirit of the long-running festival, but then neither is Coleen's designer outfit.

The 25-year-old shelled out a whopping £255 on a coveted pair of Jimmy Choo for Hunter wellies.

Compared to his wife's leopard-print lined pair, Wayne's traditional green were far more conservative.

VIP style: The couple clutched their drinks as they made their way to the stage with their entourage


The couple posed for a happy snap before setting off this morning, Coleen excitedly tweeting: 'Glasto here we come!!!!'

Manchester United star Wayne was suitable casual for the muddied festival grounds in a zip-up hoodie and T-shirt.

Meanwhile his stylish wife was perfectly coiffed with curled locks, a faded denim shirt and leather jacket over black cut-off shorts.

Glasto here we come! Wayne and Coleen Rooney set off for the Glastonbury festival

Slumming it in designer boots: Coleen chose a pair of £255 Hunter & Jimmy Choo wellies to stomp about in the mud


Wayne's new hairline is visible in the photograph, seemingly recovered from his £30,000 hair transplant procedure earlier this month.

Despite their VIP arrival, the couple's festival getaway is far less glamorous than their most recent holiday.

The Rooneys jetted in from their luxurious holiday home in Barbados this week, after a holiday spent sipping cocktails on the beach.

Family day out: Coleen and Wayne leave the VIP area with Wayne's lookalike brother


The Rooneys are gearing up for a heady weekend of partying, shrugging off a callous interview by Helen Wood that was published today.

Miss Wood, who slept with Rooney while his wife was pregnant with the 20-month-old son Kai, has told ES magazine that she has 'no regrets over hurting Coleen.'

The 24-year-old former prostitute, posing naked, remarked: ‘I don't regret hurting her because the way I see it is, if you want to be a d*** get back with the person who cheated on you.’

That's the spirit: While the Rooney's dropped in by chopper today just in time for the festivities to kick off, others have squelched through the mud

Enjoying the atmosphere: Fans watch The Wu-Tang Clan perform at the Glastonbury Festival


But she added: ‘He is so unbelievably normal. Dead timid. Out of all the footballers that I've met I'll never know why he cheats.

'There's a lot worse than him. He reminds me of the boy at school who tried to be the lad's lad, but he's not.’

Wayne and Coleen are just two of the stars who have travelled to Glastonbury for the annual festival.

Famous faces: Jaime Winstone and Will Young were among the famous revellers


Mud-tastic: Professor Green (centre) also made an appearance at the festival


And, despite bad weather over the past few days, the Pyramid Stage speakers appeared to blow away the rain clouds today as the first major acts delighted the crowds amid glorious sunshine.

Mud-caked revellers got a reprieve from the downpours as the Moroccan act Master Musicians Of Joujouka and rapper Chipmunk got proceedings under way on the two main stages.

Sarah Chivers, 48, from Enfield, north London, is at the festival with her daughter Clare.

She said: 'We've been here since the crack of dawn on Monday - it feels like we've been to three festivals before the acts have even started.

'We're most looking forward to U2 tonight - the line-up early on is pretty mediocre but it's better that way. The best is yet to come.'

As well as U2, Morrissey and US rap act Wu-Tang Clan were eagerly anticipated among the crowd.


source:dailymail

Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival

Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.




Elephants spray water at teenagers during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.




Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants spray water at foreign tourists during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Elephants splash water to children in celebration of the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.



Children splash water to elephants to celebrate the Songkran festival, the Thai traditional New Year from April 13 to 15, at Dusit Zoo in Bangkok Monday, April 11, 2011.



Thai people celebrate New Year's from April 12 to April 14. The celebration is called the Songkran Festival and it is known across the globe for being a holiday where people play with water.




Thai children spray water each others during the water festival or commonly known as the Songkran festival to mark the New Year, Wednesday, April 14, 2010, in Bangkok, Thailand. The annual festival is a mixture of religion and chaos involving heavy drinking and water fights.




Elephants spray water at teenagers during Songkran festival in Ayutthaya province on April 11, 2011. Songkran is the Thai New Year which starts on April 13, during which people celebrate by splashing water at each other.



Thai people pour water on a statue of Buddha as part of celebrations of the Songkran festival marking the Thai new year in Thailand' southern province of Narathiwat on April 12, 2011. Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year.



A Thai woman parades on a float as part of celebrations of the Songkran festival marking the Thai new year in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat on April 12, 2011. Songkran celebrates the Thai New Year.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo, Gettyimages

Hot to trot: Coleen Rooney looks pretty in pink as she attends Ladies Day at Aintree

By Daily Mail Reporter


Think pink: Coleen Rooney wears an Azzedine Alaia dress as she heads out to Aintree


It seems Coleen Rooney never misses Ladies Day at Aintree and this year is no different.

Refreshed from her recent Barbados holiday, the wag was all smiles as she left her home this morning looking pretty in pink in a dress by Azzedine Alaia.

Plus one: The wag attended the event with her mother Colette


She headed to the equestrian event with her mother Colette, who looked equally summery in a rainbow hue kaftan-style dress.

More than 150,000 people are expected to soak in the sunshine forecast for Merseyside meeting with all 70,000 tickets sold for Saturday's 164th John Smith's Grand National race.

Relaxed: Despite husband Wayne's suspension, Colleen appears to be in high spirits

Girl time: The wag spent the day with her girlfriends


The three-day extravaganza featured the Red Devils parachuting onto the course and a full programme of live music, headlined by popular Mersey band The Farm.

For once Coleen will not be judging the popular fashion show, but sources claim it has nothing to do with rumours that at least one of the two prostitutes who sold their stories last year about sleeping with her husband Wayne, were due to appear in the fashion parade.

Head candy: One racegoer displays a selection of doughnuts on her hat

Birds of a feather: Elaborate head pieces were dramatic and colourful


Instead it was claimed that Coleen's contract with rival firm Littlewoods ruled her out of the show that is sponsored by Matalan.

Emma Owen, Marketing and PR Manager at Aintree Racecourse, said: 'This is a great party for Liverpool; a city which is famous for its fashion, culture and sport.'

The future's orange: Block colour is a big trend for the summer

What a trip: High heels may look good, but they aren't the most practical footwear for grass


Today drunken females who face tottering home in their uncomfortable high heels, and often seen instead staggering bare-foot, will be given free goodie bags by Matalan which include a pair of flip-flops.

And as usual with Ladies Day, the event will no doubt provide an entertaining fashion parade.

Nearly half the UK adult population will have a flutter on the National, either in a shop, over the phone or on the internet, at an average of £8 per bet.

Best leg forward: Racegoers hoped to make the most of the sun in short mini dresses

In crowd: More than 150,000 people are expected to soak in the sunshine forecast for Merseyside meeting

Here come the girls: Luckily women will all be given a pair of flip flops in case their high heels start to hurt


The race will be watched by by 600 million people worldwide, and this year will be worth a record £950,000 in prize money, the richest jump race in Europe.

Over the three days racegoers will consume 240,000 pints of beer in 80 public bars around the course, 8,000 bottles of Champagne, 15,000 meals and 75 000 cups of tea and coffee.

Maxi impact: Maxi dresses appear to be the uniform for the racing event

Girls allowed: Over the three days racegoers will consume 240,000 pints of beer in 80 public bars around the course and 8,000 bottles of Champagne


source:dailymail