The Nifty 250: News of the day in so many words

SPEKE IS THE MOST DEPRIVED area in the country according to figures released by the Conservatives. The party has claimed the government is failing the poorest communities who suffer some of the highest crime rates in the country. They analysed the 32,000 wards in England and found Speke to be the most deprived ward, and the 68th highest level of crime and disorder. Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said Labour had "let down" Britain’s poor.

WARRINGTON-BORN KERRY KATONA has said she is sorry following allegations she took Class-A drugs. In an interview the former Atomic Kitten singer said, “I'm so sorry and so ashamed of my actions. I know I let everyone down”. Cheshire Police said they could not rule out taking further action against Katona if presented with new evidence.

A MAN BEING CHASED BY POLICE is in a critical condition after the car he was travelling in crashed. The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the incident, which happened on Heskin Walk in Kirkby on Saturday. The man, 19, was in the Ford Galaxy on the M57 when it was pursued by police cars after failing to stop. Merseyside Police said there was “no collision between the Ford Galaxy and police car”.

LIVERPOOL FC’S STEVEN GERRARD will “strenuously fight” any claim for compensation from the businessman he punched in a Southport nightclub. Gerrard’s solicitor said he would have thought Marcus McGee’s claim “would be against the six who pleaded guilty as opposed to the one who was acquitted.”