Conference is over. Attention now shifts to Birmingham, where the Conservatives hold their conference. Although there were sessions and a handful of fringe meetings, I chose to leave for home first thing in the morning. I took the opportunity to visit my parents who live in Aldridge, just outside Walsall.
I didn't expect to post an entry today. My intention was to unpack - and do some reading in preparation for a meeting early next week. Washminster would have returned on Thursday. But just bere 8pm I had to drive to Rugby station to collect my daughter who works in an MPs constituency office in that town. However events took a different turn.
Shots were fired at trains and at the police helicopter which flew to the scene. Just after I entered the station, it was locked down. Servives along the length of the West Coast line [from London Euston - Rugby is the major junction where it branches into a line to Birmingham and the West Midlands; and another line along the Trent Valley which is the route to North Wales; Manchester and Liverpool; the Lake District and Scotland] were suspended. I was eventually able to leave the station to drive to Northampton to collect my daughter.
News Reports are available at
BBC - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/7634708.stm
Sky News - http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Armed-Incident-At-Rugby-Train-Station-Causes-Chaos/Article/200809415106672?lpos=UK_News_Second_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15106672_Armed_Incident_At_Rugby_Train_Station_Causes_Chaos
ITN - http://itn.co.uk/news/7db216d6f215a8bfcee123d01cd02592.html
Birmingham Post - http://www.birminghampost.net/news/2008/09/25/rugby-gunman-hunt-leaves-passengers-stranded-65233-21896187/
