18/09/2011 BBC Weekend News

Liberal Democrats make a push against tax cuts for the buffet,

insisting that their policies are making a difference in the

coalition. At their annual conference, Nick Clegg describes

the Lib Dems as a party of the head and the heart.

The African migrants accused of supporting Gaddafi - a BBC

investigation into racist attacks and abuse in Libya.

Travellers resisting eviction from a site in Essex go into lockdown as

they wait for bailiffs to arrive. We will be looking that gate.

will be looking yourselves in? Locking ourselves to the property.

And in sport, and goals, gaffes, the game that had it all as

Manchester United entertain Chelsea Good evening. Tax cuts are still

dominating the Liberal Democrats' conference in Birmingham, with

senior figures insisting that the 50 pence rate must not be scrapped

without an alternative tax on the wealthy. The deputy prime minister

Nick Clegg also made a renewed appeal to Middle England, saying

his was the party of those who worked hard, paid their taxes and

followed the rules. This report contains flash photography.

His party is scoring low in the opinion polls, but Nick Clegg's

target is clear. He wants the Liberal Democrats at the centre

ground of British politics, a party, he says, of the head as well as the

heart, that offers voters not just a fair society, but also a strong

economy. It is a pitch he hopes will resonate not just with party

members, but with voters outside as well. My focus is on what happens

to those millions on low and middle incomes. They are often overlooked

in this debate. He said the wealthiest should continue to pay

the 50 pence top rate of tax unless it were replaced by another tax on

the rich that raised the same amount of cash, a figure of the

Treasury estimated of more than �2 billion. We should look at other

ways in which the wealthiest pay the amount we expected through the

50 pence rate. But Mr Clegg's price of fairness, alongside a new

crackdown on tax evasion and a �500 million Growth Fund, cut little ice

with public sector workers demonstrating in Birmingham against

the spending cuts. At do not trust him. He made so many promises

before he was voted in, and he has gone back on them. I am judging

them on what they are doing, not what Nick Clegg is saying. But the

Lib Dem President insisted that the party was making a difference.

Liberal Democrat ministers are the guarantors of fairness in a

government that would be a nightmare without them. So support

from his party President and tonight, support from his wife, who

joined him as he prepared for the week ahead.

Let's go live now to our political editor Nick Robinson, who is also

in Birmingham. How important is it to the Lib Dems to emphasise these

distinctive areas that make them different from the Conservatives?

They are desperate to do it. They are at half the rating in the polls

that they once were. It is a curious sight in many ways. You

just had departed President claiming this Government would be a

nightmare if it were not for the presence of Liberal Democrats in it.

Here are some other things he said. He compared the coalition to a

marriage. Imagine you said this about your marriage or anyone

else's. He said they only got involved in this unpleasant

marriage because the alternative was utterly appalling. He said the

Tories were whipless as well as it been a nightmare if they had not

been there. He said divorce was inevitable in three or four years.

You would not be chuffed if your partner said that about you, but it

is all part of the Liberal Democrats saying "we are not Tories,

we are different". That is why there is this slightly synthetic

row about cutting the 50 pence rate, because it does not seem to be on

the government agenda at the moment. Tomorrow, Business Secretary Vince

Cable will insist that he is determined to curb pay at the top,

not just in the public sector, but the private sector as well. So the

emphasis remains on the economy? The curiosity is that there is no

division on that, the most contentious issue between the

government and opposition. They are all still committed to the deficit

reduction strategy, despite the anxiety about the state of the

global economy. There is an effort to find other things to get the

economy growing which will not involve spending more money. The

chief secretary of the Treasury today spoke of speeding up into a

structure projects and spending more on housing and the like.

Tomorrow, we will see the deputy prime minister and the Business

Secretary hoping to hail new jobs being created here in the West

Midlands by Jaguar and Land Rover. But the odd thing about this

conference is that despite all that economic anxiety, it is not the

central question in debate here. A suspected burglar has been killed

following an incident in Greater Manchester. Police were called to

their house in Bramhall near Stockport last night and discovered

a man with a knife injuries. A 39- year-old man was arrested on

suspicion of murder. A second suspected intruder has been

arrested. Church services across South Wales

have remembered the four miners who died in last week's accident in the

Swansea Valley. All four died in the flooded Gleision Colliery near

Pontardawe. Their bodies were discovered after a massive search

and rescue effort. In Libya, a BBC investigation has

uncovered allegations that African migrant workers have been abused by

fighters allied to the new government. Hundreds of African men

have been imprisoned, accused of being mercenaries for Colonel

Gaddafi. There are also allegations that women and girls have been

beaten and raped. This is a story of abuse, detention

and intimidation. Of what happened when the rebels swept into Tripoli

and the hunt for their enemies began. We met an African migrant

worker who has lived in Libya for nearly 20 years. Like everyone we

spoke to, he was too afraid to show his face, but so angry at what has

happened that he feels compelled to Two weeks ago, a gang of rebel

fighters burst into another house, looking for mercenaries. They

ransacked and looted the place, Holden the couple who live here at

gunpoint. Imagine the terror as the men then turned on their 16-year-

old daughter. Six of them, they raped me. They hit my father with a

gun and carried him away. Since that day, I have not heard from my

father. He is nowhere to be found. Hundreds of black Africans have

been rounded up. We watched one group being made to count anti-

Gaddafi slogans before being put to work. The transitional council has

told its fighters to avoid revenge attacks, and there has been less

violence than many feared. But the city's jails are still full of men

detained with little or no evidence, no access to lawyers or their

families. There is no communication. We spoke to a woman whose husband

was dragged off last month. She has not seen him since. I am scared of

everything that is happening in this country. My husband is

innocent. He did not join the Army. Libya's new leaders must

distinguish themselves in many ways, not least how they treat the

poorest and most vulnerable. The last six months has been a battle

for freedom, dignity and justice. If it is to mean anything, it must

apply to all. Fighting has resumed in one of the

last remaining parts of Libya still loyal to Colonel Gaddafi.

Opposition forces have reached the East Gate of Sirte and are

continuing to advance on the former leader's birthplace. Our

correspondent joined them in the newly captured town of Herawa, the

last main settlement on the road to Sirte.

Sorry, Gaddafi, they mock. The advance on Sirte is gathering pace

and energy. This is the forces of the National Transitional Council

moving forward again. You can hear the celebratory gunfire as they go

through another village they have taken on the way to Sirte, which is

getting increasingly closer, just up the road. When in Herawa did not

come easily or cheaply, but they have now taken every village on

this long road to Sirte. The town's elders now have new military

masters to manoeuvre in order to keep their people safe. Some took

the chance to flee back east and away from the fighting. Do you

agree with what the rebels are doing? Yeah, because it is the

future for all the people in Libya. Then suddenly, a reminder of how

costly this drawn-out war has been. Every day, dead and injured have

been brought back from the front. Gaddafi loyalists are retreating,

but still fighting. The troops in front of us are shattered and very

weakened. But we are taking steps one by one to try to safeguard our

people. Still, the guns move forward. For now, they have

momentum, but no there will be more battles to come.

Here, travellers facing eviction from a site in Essex are making

last-minute preparations tonight, with bailiffs due to arrive in the

morning. Around 80 families living on their farm are due to be evicted

following a decade long row with Basildon council over a number of

unauthorised plots. They say they will lock themselves on to their

property and stay there for as long as it takes.

Final preparations for a last stand. After months, years of legal

wrangling, this is the eleventh hour for the travellers' community

in Dale Farm. There is anger and defiance. Tomorrow morning, we are

going to resist. We will be locking that gate. You are lucky yourselves

in? Yes, locking ourselves to the property. It is the only way out.

We have nowhere else to go. Do you think we would humiliate ourselves

if we had somewhere to go? We have some dignity. Also gathering here,

protesters and activists, who say they will oppose the evictions by

peaceful means. We have exhausted almost all legal channels and we

are still looking at an unjust and resist eviction which will make 500

people homeless. So we will engage in non-violence to stop the

eviction. Some people have left today, but for the bailiffs and

police, this is looking like a complicated, difficult and possibly

dangerous task. Still, the council insists that this is an illegal

site which will be closed down. operation will commence on schedule.

We said 68 o'clock tomorrow morning will be the first steps we take. We

are optimistic that things are moving away. We have seen a number

of additional caravans move off the side today. We hope that trend will

speed up and continue through the evening. Tonight, the residents of

Belfast are settling down, knowing that the bailiffs will be at these

gates in a few hours' time. There is a spirit of defiance in the air.

It is hard to see how some level of conflict can be avoided.

Doctors at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital confirmed today

that they have successfully separated twins who were born

joined at the head. The Sudanese baby girls Rital and Ritag Gaboura,

who are 11 months old, were separated on 15th August after four

operations. Time now for the sport.

For viewers everywhere except Scotland, Match Of The Day 2 is on

BBC Two now, with highlights of today's premiership games. At the

top of the table, Manchester United have moved two points clear after

an event for 3-1 win over Chelsea. It was a game that had a bit of

everything. Manchester United have proved to be

devastating when given the chance this season, and to date Chelsea

too often let them have their way. Chris Morley was the first to

capitalise, giving United the lead in eight minutes and showing why he

is fast becoming a fixture in the England squad. Nani added the

second, blasting an incredible shot from 25 yards out, marking his

100th League game for United to bridge. Approaching half-time,

United got their third. John Terry's attempted clearance bounced

into the path of Wayne Rooney. Chelsea made changes at 3-0 down

and it seemed to work. Fernando Torres scored his first goal of the

season, the sort of thing Chelsea had been expected from him. By now,

they had hope. United were awarded a penalty. Rooney's confidence gave

way to mild embarrassment as he slipped and missed the target

entirely. But there was a bigger howler to come. Torres missed a

great chance for Chelsea, to the delight of the home crowd.

Elsewhere, there were 12 other goals in three high-scoring matches.

Manchester City let a two goal lead For viewers in Scotland, Sportscene

is on BBC Two now with highlights of today's called Firm game, which

was an enthralling encounter. Rangers moved four points clear

after a 2-0 win over Celtic. Steven Naismith opened the scoring, only

for Celtic to level. The visitors took a 2-1 lead through Des shot. -

- throughout this shot. From then, the game belonged to Rangers with

goals from Kyle Lafferty and Steven Naismith again, giving an in-built

hoist his first Old Firm win since taking over as manager.

Floyd Mayweather has retained his welterweight title after a

controversial fight against Victor Ortiz last night. He returned to

the ring after taking more than a year off. In the 4th round, may

weather was head-butted by his opponent. When the referee stepped

10, Victor Ortiz appeared to be apologising and was not on his

guard when Mayweather landed two decisive punches. It stretches as

unbeaten record to 42 fights, with Amir Khan -- with Amir Khan

declaring he wants to fight Mayweather next year.

England put the tabloid headlines behind them with a win over Georgia

at the Rugby World Cup. But Martin Johnson warned they would be

knocked out of the tournament unless they improve. Wales are also

on course for the quarter-finals, but only after a late comeback as

they beat Samoa 17-10 per. Another big night out for England's

players, one which will leave a few headaches. After last week's bar

room shenanigans, the entertainment this week was torture, a country

with just 700 rugby players. None could lay a finger on Shontayne

Hape as he surged to a England into the lead. But then that familiar

thing... Dylan Hartley was sin- binned and Jordan got the try they

deserved. Seven points adrift at the break and still very much in it.

Belatedly, England found that cutting edge. Four second half

tries included two for Chris Ashton. Comfortable, but far from

convincing. Wales, meanwhile, were up against

some other, something they rarely enjoyed. Humbled by them twice

before, Wales were heading for a World Cup exit as summer were

thundered into a half-time lead. But after the break, the boot of

Rhys Priestland edged Wales ahead before a timely flash of

inspiration. Leigh Halfpenny found a gap, and the defence was suddenly

attack. Jonathan Davies did not quite make it bore for the 55th

time in internationals, Shane Williams did -- but for the 55th

time. Wales got out of jail and should now get into the quarter-