MAP Forum

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) made a truly memorable gaffe on Tuesday that is quite an example of saying the wrong thing the wrong way at the wrong time.

During a committee hearing, the Texas Republican was remarking on New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker’s comments about the need for bipartisan agreement.

“I think that’s a great idea — we should have bipartisan agreement,” Cruz said before offering a rhetorical statement that didn’t come across as he probably intended.

“How about we all come together and say, ‘Let’s stop murders.’ How about we all come together and say, ‘Let’s stop rape.’ How about we all come together and say, ‘Let’s stop attacking pedophiles.’”

A CELEBRATED musician living in Southend whose death has sparked tributes in the Caribbean had been convicted weeks earlier of historic child sex offences, a hearing has revealed.

Paedophile Michael Nanton, 59, of Southchurch Road, died at Southend Hospital in August.

“Calpyso lovers in St Vincent and the Grenadines are mourning the loss,” wrote Caribbean news outlet Searchlight.

Another paper, The Vincentian, ran an obituary describing him as “a passionate soul”.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the death in prison of the former Lostprophets singer and convicted child sex offender Ian Watkins.

The 48-year-old was serving a 29-year sentence at HMP Wakefield, with a further six years on licence, after admitting a string of sex offences including the attempted rape of a baby.

He was arrested after the execution of a drugs warrant at his Pontypridd home on 21 September 2012, when a large number of computers, mobile phones and storage devices were seized.

A statement from West Yorkshire police said: “Detectives have launched a murder investigation after the death of a man in HMP Wakefield.

“Officers were called by staff at the prison at 9.39am this morning (Saturday 11 October) to reports of a serious assault on a prisoner. A man aged 48 was found with serious injuries. Despite medical attention he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Two men aged 25 and 43 have been arrested on suspicion of murder and are currently in police custody.”

He was attacked with a knife by another inmate on Saturday morning, sources confirmed to the PA news agency.