27/04/2016 BBC News at Ten

Tens of thousands of people on the streets of Liverpool

to honour the Hillsborough victims, as South Yorkshire's Chief

as the city's mayor praises their fight for justice.

Yesterday, the wall of lies was finally torn down.

South Yorkshire's Chief Constable is suspended -

his force accused of putting the families through hell again

Shamefully, the cover-up continued in this Warrington court room.

Millions of pounds of public money was spent retelling discredited lies

The authorities that should have been trusted have laid blame and

tried to protect themselves, instead of acting in the public interest.

We'll be looking at where the Hillsborough families' campaign for

justice goes from here. The Labour MP Naz Shah,

at the centre of an anti-semitism row, has been suspended

from the party. Britain's Olympic cycling team

in crisis as their coach resigns With tens of thousands of elephants

dying every year in Africa, a special report on the fight

to save them. And coming up in Sportsday

at 10:30pm on BBC News. and it's gone to Atletico

against Bayern Munich. Around 30,000 people gathered

at a vigil in Liverpool this evening, to honour the 96

football fans who died Yesterday, an inquest concluded

that the Liverpool supporters Tonight, the crowds applauded

the bereaved families who, for 27 years, have fought

so hard for justice. And there were cheers at the news

that the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire police,

David Crompton, has been suspended. He's been facing mounting criticism

over his force's conduct Our Home Editor Mark Easton

reports from Liverpool. # With hope in your heart. #

Liverpool wears its heart on its sleeve. This was an evening where

its people and its heroes turned out in their thousands to give thanks,

to reflect and to join together in the song that has become the anthem

for the 96 victims of Hillsborough. There are macro you'll never walk

alone. # You'll never walk alone. #

. The truth has triumphed and a jury in a court of law has said, "Yes,

your loved ones were unlawfully killed, and no, the fans were not to

blame". CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Football legend Kenny Dalglish,

Liverpool aristocracy, read a poem to the huge crowd. I will never

leave you or forsake you. In other words, you will never walk alone.

There have been a fair few vigils across 27 years. Rest in peace.

Justice for the 96. Usually, the speeches are defiant, of a fight

against the odds but with the news of the suspension of South

Yorkshire's Chief Constable filtering through to the crowd,

tonight, the mood was confident, of a fight that will be one. Somebody

has been suspended from South Yorkshire Police. CHEERING AND

APPLAUSE Let's hope, let's hope that's only

the beginning of what is going to be done, because all of you, alongside

all of us, have had 27 years of sleepless nights. Let's hope they

are getting theirs, now. Starts from now. He was not part of the

Hillsborough tragedy nor any cover-up in its immediate aftermath.

But go back to 2012 for what led to David Crompton's suspension. I would

wish to profoundly apologise... South Yorkshire's Chief Constable

maybes public apology after the government 's independent inquiry

into Hillsborough exonerated the fans of the cause was the force's

failures. Today, as I have said before, I want to apologise

unreservedly... Yesterday, David Crompton repeated the apology but in

between, throughout the two-year long inquest, the force's lawyers

repeatedly suggested drunk and noncompliant Liverpool fans were

partly responsible. Millions of pounds of public money were spent,

retelling discredited lies against Liverpool supporters. Lawyers for

retired officers through disgusting slurs around. In the Commons today,

the Shadow Home Secretary said South Yorkshire Police had gone back on

their apology. If the police had chosen to maintain its apology, this

inquest would have been much shorter. But they didn't and they

put the families through hell once again. Earlier, the Home Secretary,

her voice cracking with emotion, paid tribute to the Hillsborough

campaigners. No one should have to endure what the families and

survivors have been through. No one should have to suffer the loss of

their loved ones through such appalling circumstances. And no one

should have to fight, year after year, decade after decade, in search

of the truth. South Yorkshire Police today issued yet another apology,

defending their legal tactics. Shortly afterwards, Chief Constable

David Crompton was suspended by South Yorkshire's Police and Crime

Commissioner, who is himself standing for re-election next week.

My decision is based on the erosion of public trust and confidence,

referenced in statements and comments in the House of Commons

this lunchtime, along with public calls for the Chief Constable's

resignation from a number of quarters, including local MPs. At

the vigil in Liverpool, news that David Crompton had cleared his desk

was greeted with delight. One victim's daughter reflected on South

Yorkshire's tactics at the inquest. Frustration does not really cover

it. I can't explain how angry it makes you feel a cause you know it

is not the truth, you know it is a pack of absolute lies. -- because

you know. Yesterday's inquest verdicts seem to have reenergised

the Hillsborough campaign in the city. It is as though the power has

shifted, and it has shifted to the people of Liverpool. There is a way

to go before prosecutions and despite the unlawful killing

decision yesterday, it may not be straightforward. But this is a fight

that has never been easy and after 27 years, you can make -- be sure

the Hillsborough campaigners are not giving up now. Mark Easton, BBC

News, Liverpool. The families of the Hillsborough

victims said the suspension of the Chief Constable

of South Yorkshire Police was "only the beginning

of what needed to be done". The force is facing two

criminal investigations - into police actions on the day

of the disaster and into the alleged Our correspondent Judith Moritz

reports on the families It's so important because that was

what Chris was wearing and that's sadly what he was wearing

when he lost his life. Barry Devonside has little left

to remind him of his son. They went to Hillsborough together

but Barry returned without 18-year-old Christopher,

shown here in that red shirt. His last moments alive

were caught on video. We filmed Barry as he watched it

with his lawyer for the first time. Footage like this has been

painstakingly gathered as evidence but Barry says he has little faith

in the criminal investigators When we've asked specific questions

like how many people do you consider Then you try other questions, but

you gain no information whatsoever. Two criminal investigations

into Hillsborough have One is into manslaughter and other

possible offences on the day. The other is examining allegations

of a police cover-up afterwards. Those in charge know some families

have felt frustrated. It's probably even more difficult

for them to have trust in any part of the state,

because of the experiences The last thing I would do or expect

is to be trusted and for people I'm hoping ultimately they will be

able to judge us by The IPCC is investigating amendments

made to 260 statements written by police officers who

were at Hillsborough, to find out how and why

they were changed. The secrets of Hillsborough are

contained in this room which holds thousands of artefacts,

from long-defunct floppy disks like this one,

to more than 5000 police notebooks. They have been unearthed

for the first time from sheds, They were looked at for the inquests

but they could also now provide evidence for any

future prosecutions. Our back gate is a bit further

down and the car turned under police surveillance

after the disaster. Officers sitting

outside their house. Her complaint is one of those

which is now under We used to joke within

the family about it. But it never entered our heads

to report it because who There didn't seem a lot

of point in that. It wasn't until the IPCC

started their extended investigations and there had been

mumblings of surveillance with other people, and they said

"Well, make a complaint". Today Liverpool feels

like a different place. The families may still have a long

time to wait for prosecutions, but perhaps at last the city

is starting to heal Let's go back to our Home Editor,

Mark Easton, who's in Liverpool. Many of the families saying

they have the truth, I think justice, to the campaigners,

means prosecutions, it means people in the dock. The police and the IPCC

know that expectations are high. They know that yesterday's jury

decision at the inquest on an unlawful killing and perhaps a

surprise suspension of the Chief Constable of South Yorkshire will

push anticipation that may be criminal proceedings will not be

that far-away. But they are both warning tonight that people should

be patient. They have had to wait, actually, until the end of the

inquest to interview many people, re-interview some and that has

delayed them and it is going to be many months before they can present

the evidence. Actually, the jury verdict does not change anything. It

will be on the evidence that the prosecution will or will not go

ahead. They are warning that it will be some time, probably the end of

the. But you know, they are not going to rush this. -- end of the

year. As far as they are concerned, this process has taken 27 years but

there is no sprint finish. The authorities are determined, they

say, this time, to get it right. Thank you for joining us.

Growth in the economy is slowing, according to the latest figures

from the Office for National Statistics.

It says GDP expanded by 0.4% in the first

That's down from 0.6% in the last three months of 2015.

The Chancellor George Osborne blamed uncertainty caused

by the EU referendum, a claim rejected by groups

campaigning to leave the European Union.

Our Economics Editor, Kamal Ahmed reports.

Building up a picture of our nation's economic performance,

today's GDP figures show that growth has slowed,

fixing the economy has become a little harder.

the European Union referendum.

but there are warnings today that the threat of leaving the EU is

Buildings and investments are being delayed.

We've got another international organisation, the OECD,

telling us that British families will be poorer if we vote to leave.

Isn't this just diversionary tactics from the real

problems in the UK economy, which are around productivity,

our lack of manufacturing, around poor exports?

I'm the first to say there are some big issues we need to fix

But the biggest economic decision facing the country and everyone

watching this programme is the decision about

whether we remain in or leave the European Union.

Brandauer is so good at what it does, its components are found

in 85% of all the kettles in the world.

Its Chief Executive told me the referendum risk

He is looking outside the EU for new opportunities.

For the first time in the last month, I've had a customer ask me

what I think is going to happen on Brexit and, "What do you think

They are making a big decision over more business with Brandauer.

It is real, the uncertainty is real and it is being driven by Brexit.

George Osborne wants one message to come through, loud and clear,

That is that fears about the European Union referendum

are having a negative effect on the performance

He wants to repeat that message, time and again, repeat the warnings

of the International Monetary Fund, repeat the warnings of the Bank

of England, really turning the screw on those who believe that leaving

the European Union will be good for the economy.

For Mr Osborne's critics, such dire warnings were

Are they then saying that the fact that world growth forecasts have

been downgraded are also due to fears of Brexit?

You could say everything, the weather is down

What is true is that Mr Osborne knows he is in the political battle

of his career and tomorrow, a new report will say

that far from damaging the economy, Brexit could boost

A Labour MP at the centre of an anti-Semitism row has been

Naz Shah has apologised for remarks she made about Israel on social

David Cameron said the comments by the Bradford West MP

Our deputy political editor John Pienaar's report

Has anti-Jewish bigotry taken root in

For Naz Shah, beating George Galloway was tough.

Doing it as a Muslim woman in a Muslim area,

fighting old attitudes to a woman's proper place, maybe

And some old prejudices, like hostility towards

Naz Shah crossed a line into anti-Semitism a year

before on social media, saying Israel should be relocated to

America and even comparing Israel's treatment of the

Palestinians with Hitler's treatment of the Jews.

I accept and understand that the words I used caused upset

Too late - her offending remarks had already been

Frankly, how we have a Labour member of Parliament

with the Labour whip who

made remarks about the transportation of people from Israel

to America, and talked about a solution,

and is still in receipt of

the Labour whip is quite extraordinary.

The Labour leader was the true target.

He is now dogged by the charge he's done too little to

There has to be a suspension and an investigation

It is so serious and it does have such a knock-on effect on

people outside of Parliament, in the real world.

Labour may pride itself on being a party of tolerance but

accusations of anti-Semitism have clung to sections, including on the

hard left, who help provide Jeremy Corbyn's core support.

I know of lifelong Jewish members, including

some prominent names, who have told me they won't vote Labour again

For Jeremy Corbyn, turning that around won't be easy.

With just 100 days to go before the Rio Olympics,

British Cycling, one of our most successful sports, is in turmoil.

Shane Sutton, the team's technical director,

has resigned after allegations of discrimination,

including using offensive language to members of the para-cycling team.

That followed allegations of sexism by sprint cyclist,

That followed allegations of sexism by sprint cyclist

Jess Varnish, after she was dropped from the Olympic squad.

It is known as Britain's medal factory.

For almost a decade, cycling has been Team GB's most

successful Olympic sport, winning gold after gold

and producing a host of household names.

But the coach credited with much of that glory has

now thrown preparations for Rio 2016 into disarray.

Technical director Shane Sutton resigning over

allegations he made discriminatory comments

about a female rider and Paralympic team members.

In a statement, the Australian said...

This afternoon, the man who runs the sport told me there would be

Is this a governing body in crisis tonight?

Not at all but we need to learn from the experiences, what people are

That is why it is really, really important

The controversy began when sprint cyclist Jess Varnish claimed

Sutton had told her to "go and have a baby",

Then Darren Kenny, one of Britain's most decorated

Paralympians, alleged that Sutton referred

I have heard Shane use it, yeah, on numerous occasions.

I think for some people, they were quite offended by it.

For other people, it went over their head.

Today, a former BMX world champion told us he considered

suicide over the way he says he was treated by Sutton

when he was left out of Team GB's squad for the

There was one point when I felt like stepping out

into the road when I was at my mum's one time, and ending it all.

That man has got a lot to answer for.

I'm sure I'm not the only person he has affected.

But despite the mounting allegations,

Sutton had received the support of current team members like double

Olympic champion Laura Trott, who spoke of a positive working

In the high-pressure world of elite sport, with athletes

being pushed to their limits, emotions can run high.

But what has to be decided now is whether there

needs to be a change in culture here at British Cycling, an organisation

that receives more public funding than any other Olympic sport.

This morning, Team GB marked 100 days

until the Rio Games but the unveiling

of their official kit was somewhat overshadowed

Sutton's departure raises serious concerns about how

cycling's success has been managed and whether it will continue.

Donald Trump has said he would pursue an "America first

foreign policy" if elected President of the United States.

affairs, Mr Trump accused President Obama of a pursuing a "reckless

Our North America editor, Jon Sopel, joins me from Washington.

How different would his foreign policy be? Well, this was a very

different Donald Trump that we were presented with earlier on today.

Gone wild the bombast, he was reading from a carefully written

script, with autocue. That phrase, put America first, with of the NIC

isolation in America in the 1930s, he said he wanted Nato members to be

paying much more for defence, he said he wanted better trade deals,

he said he wanted to make friends with Russia and China to reduce

tensions, and he said he would go after so-called Islamic State. We

got to the end of the speech and we knew what he wanted, but Howell,

which was your original question, we are still unclear on. It was very

short on detail and specifics. And one other thing - his signature

foreign policy, that of building a wall between the US and Mexico,

there was not a single mention of it. Perhaps Donald Trump is starting

to row back from some of his more controversial positions.

The threat to elephants in Africa from the illegal trade in ivory

has never been greater, fuelled by corruption

Every year, between 30,000 and 40,000 elephants are being killed,

and there are thought to be only 400,000 left.

Most of the ivory is being trafficked out

In the first of a series of special reports, our Africa correspondent

Alastair Leithead in Kenya has been following the smuggling trail.

For how much longer will elephants roam beneath the slopes

These giants of the natural world are being poached so fast

that in a generation, most could be gone,

as the greed for ivory drives their slaughter across Africa.

The contents of this room are from thousands

An illegal ivory trade worth billions of dollars

We are close to the Tsavo national parks here in Kenya,

here, one of whom says he has a stash of ivory which he is trying

They took us to a secluded spot and asked for complete anonymity.

TRANSLATION: We choose an elephant by looking at the size and killing

TRANSLATION: We don't sell directly to the Chinese,

Kenya has reduced poaching recently, but Master says it's

And once we sell the tusks, we give them the money.

Do you feel any regret for the fact that you're killing these animals

that are endangered? I don't regret it.

not just from Kenya but from across Africa.

We spoke to a shipping agent who helped traffic tusks

So how much is it to smuggle a consignment of ivory?

TRANSLATION: $10,000 is the minimum, because it's not just one

There are security guys, officials, even in my company

But the authorities are fighting back.

Ivory dogs, trained to sniff out even the smallest bangle.

They recently found more than 64 kilos of tusks in air freight.

In countries where tourism funds conservation, there's more

But it's corruption, and those still buying ivory,

Now the latest in our series looking at elections across the UK.

In Northern Ireland, parties are campaigning to win seats

The Democratic Unionists have warned that if Sinn Fein were to overtake

them to become the biggest party, it would lead to former IRA man

Martin McGuinness becoming First Minister.

Here's our Ireland correspondent Chris Buckler.

The battle lines of elections in Northern Ireland were drawn a long

Yet power-sharing relies on traditional enemies working

World-renowned artist Colin Davidson painted this portrait

of the late Ian Paisley and he's working on another of Martin

McGuiness, to commemorate their time as First and Deputy First Ministers.

But the potential of a former IRA leader taking the top job is

worrying the party that Dr Paisley founded.

The choice is between myself or Martin McGuiness.

What I'm saying to people is, you should make the right choice and

make sure that I'm the First Minister.

But by throwing out that question, you put out the possibility of

Martin McGuiness being First Minister.

Would you serve in that executive?

That is a possibility that I haven't put across in my mind yet.

But it is a sign that the political landscape hasn't totally changed.

Despite working together in government, Republicans and

Unionists could not be called faithful friends.

There are some very positive, reasonable and

constructive politicians within the DUP but there are also

others within the DUP who are sectarian, and anti-Irish.

But only months after it looked like Stormont

was melting down, there is a certain youthful

optimism from the other nationalist party, the SDLP.

I don't believe there is any uncertainty in Stormont.

People have now accepted we are going to have an

What I want is one that actually works.

This isn't an election where the focus has been

Perhaps it is a sign that Northern Ireland's

The debate has instead been about education, the economy and the

The divides between the parties have been most obvious

on what are sometimes called the moral issues.

The Ulster Unionists are aiming to take votes from the

DUP by appearing more liberal on issues like abortion and same-sex

If you are against same-sex marriage, you are on the wrong

That doesn't mean you are wrong to hold that belief

but I do believe that time will show that

same-sex marriage will come to Northern Ireland.

The challenge for the Alliance, the only cross-community

party in the Stormont executive, is to get households to

break the pattern of voting for unionists or nationalists.

There's a consistent 10-11% of the population

that votes for parties other than unionists or nationalists.

When you look at the division this society has had

and compare with other societies around the world, that is actually

But the colours of orange and green that

represent unionism and nationalism still dominate politics here.

That means power-sharing requires some

Tens of thousands of people have gathered on the streets of Liverpool

to remember the 96 fans killed in the Hillsborough disaster.

Our correspondent Jeremy Cooke was there with the family

It was in the streets of Merseyside that the foundations were laid

In homes like Donna's, where she has campaigned for decades

for truth and justice in the name of her brother, Paul Carlile.

I could not stop fighting for Hillsborough and for

I just wanted everyone to know what they did.

The Hillsborough tragedy took lives and changed lives

All his life, Richard has known his mum as a campaigner.

Crying, she was happy, you could tell that there

was a whole range of emotions in her voice.

I was just like, as soon as she came in and seen me,

she just squeezed me, gave me the biggest hug

It was a line of questioning he was aware of...

The news keeps coming with the suspension of South

Yorkshire Chief Constable David Crompton.

That is what we have wanted, accountability.

The family is on the move, bound for the memorial service

Three generations, supporting each other.

I really feel like worried for them because I'm doing my communion

and I've been lighting candles for them, so they would actually,

Hopefully, please God, he can sleep in peace.

You are feeling happy and then you think, "Well,

This family is just one of so many touched by the Hillsborough tragedy.

And they stood, as they always have stood, shoulder to shoulder.

Feeling the support of their city, and finally, the comfort

Instead of deep sadness, like it normally is, it was pride.

I miss him terribly, you know, and that pain of losing him is never

But I am proud that we fought for him the way we did.

Well, that's it from us on the day that Liverpool honoured the 96

Hillsborough victims and paid tribute to their families,

who have fought for truth and justice for so long.