Free Republic

The British Airways flight at the centre of recent security concerns has been delayed once more by extra checks. BA flight 223 had been due to leave Heathrow for Washington DC at 1505 GMT on Sunday but departed more than three hours later. The delay was the result of extra information about the flight demanded by US authorities for what a BA spokeswoman termed "security purposes". The same numbered flight was cancelled amid security concerns on Thursday and Friday and delayed on Saturday by extra checks before departure.

Police were tonight attempting to persuade a protester to climb down from the front gates of Buckingham Palace. The lone female demonstrator is thought to have climbed to the top of the metal gate at around 4pm unfurling a banner and what appeared to be the US flag. Wearing a fluorescent yellow jacket, which is also thought to have a message on the back, she ignored police attempts to persuade her to come down.