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Deaths in December December 18 Keith Duckworth December 16 Anthony Barber, Baron Barber Other recent deaths Ongoing events • Investigation into July 2005 London bombings • Iraqi insurgency • Big Brother UK series 6 • Justice For Robert McCartney • European Constitution Ratification • Rebuilding of Wembley Stadium • 2012 London Olympics Future events Upcoming holidays Sports Featured Seasons 2005 English cricket season Current sports events Upcoming sports events December Related pages 2005 in the UK 2005 in Ireland About this page

31 December 2005 (Saturday)

• The New Year Honours List is announced. Among those receiving honours are 23 people for their courage in the July 7 bombings. Others include Tom Jones, Bruce Forsyth and the England cricket squad for their victory in The 2005 Ashes. Lord Coe and 13 others behind the successful London 2012 Olympic bid were also honoured. Full list (BBC)

22 December 2005 (Thursday)

• Tony Blair makes a surprise visit to British forces in Iraq. (BBC)

19 December 2005 (Monday)

• Paul Deighton is announced as the new Chief Executive of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games. (BBC)
• Millionaire property developer Nicholas van Hoogstraten is found responsible for the killing of Mohammed Raja by the High Court. (BBC)
• Under the Civil Partnerships Act the first "gay weddings" are held in Northern Ireland, granting same-sex couples similar legal rights to heterosexual couples. (BBC)

15 December 2005 (Thursday)

• A Henry Moore statue valued at £3 million is stolen from the courtyard of the Henry Moore Foundation in Hertfordshire. (BBC)

14 December 2005 (Wednesday)

• The Home Office announces there will not be a full public inquiry into the 7 July London bombings. (BBC)
• Charles Kennedy announces his intention to remain as leader of the Liberal Democrats, after coming under criticism from some MPs. (BBC)
• Flint tools unearthed in Pakefield, Suffolk, shows that humans lived in the United Kingdom 700,000 years ago - 200,000 years earlier than previously thought.(BBC)

13 December 2005 (Tuesday)

• The 2005 Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal fire is extinguished after two days, and local residents begin to return to their homes. (BBC)

9 December 2005 (Friday)

• The Independent Police Complaints Commission says that officers could be charged over the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes. (BBC)

8 December 2005 (Thursday)

• The Law Lords rule that evidence that may have been obtained by torture can not be used in court against terrorism suspects. (BBC)
• David Cameron, the new leader of the Conservative Party, reveals the makeup of his Shadow Cabinet. (BBC)

5 December 2005 (Monday)

• Senator Frank Walker is elected Chief Minister of Jersey. (BBC)

1 December 2005 (Thursday)

• Two candidates, Senator Stuart Syvret and Senator Frank Walker, are nominated for the post of Chief Minister of Jersey. (BBC)

British and Irish events by month

• 2007 in the United Kingdom: January February March April May June July
• 2006 in the United Kingdom: January February March April May June July August September October November December
• 2005 in the United Kingdom: January February March April May June July August September October November December
• 2004 in the United Kingdom: December

(For earlier events in Britain and Ireland, see November 2004 and preceding months)