17/11/2013 BBC Weekend News

One of Britain's greatest novelists, Doris Lessing, has died at the age

of 94. A winner of the Nobel Prize for

Literature, she wrote more than 60 books over six decades.

Aid reaches remote communities in the Philippines, more than a week

after the typhoon. So if I give you 300, could you try

and get four, is that all right? The former chairman of the Co-op bank

apologises after claims he bought illegal drugs.

And South Africa overpowers Scotland in a decisive win at Murrayfield.

Good evening. The Nobel-Prize winning novelist

Doris Lessing has died at her home in London. She was 94. She was one

of Britain's most celebrated and prolific authors, producing more

than 60 works of fiction and non fiction. One of the few women to win

the Nobel Prize for Literature, she was described at the time as a

writer of "scepticism, fire and visionary power". Nick Higham looks

back at her life. Doris Lessing heard she had won the

Nobel Prize from reporters on her doorstep. Reaction was typically

forthright. Have you heard that you've won the prize? Oh, Christ.

She was never afraid to speak her mind. Her early life on a farm in

Africa shaped much of her writing. Her mother felt trapped. The plight

of woman was a theme. Her first novel, The Grass Is Singing, was set

in what she called the drunken world of white Rhodesians. She married

twice, separated twice, escaped to England and became a professional

writer. She abandoned her earlier communism but remained politically

at -- active. The possible future president of the US only four years

ago was talking about the use of an atom bomb just casually, a

conventional weapon. What guarantee is there that another slightly

off-balance general might take the whole world into war? Her

breakthrough novel, The Golden Notebook, appeared in 1962.

Complex, it was hailed by feminists, although Doris Lessing

was hardly a conventional feminist. I don't think my writing can be

described as feminist or not feminist. I think about all kinds of

men and women. I have never in my life met a woman who is not a

feminist. She published more than 50 works, including short stories,

science fiction and space fiction. She wrote because a huge brightly of

genres. If there was a theme to her work, I guess it was this

exploration, working out how we could be good to ourselves and good

for society. These two things don't always go hand-in-hand, of course.

She admitted she was often abrasive. Her view of the world was

often bleak. But she was also a writer of scepticism, fire and

visionary power. More than a week after Typhoon

Haiyan struck the Philippines, aid is starting to reach the most remote

areas affected. Helicopters from the American aircraft carrier USS George

Washington have been helping deliver much-needed supplies. Our

correspondent joined one of the flights to the remote town of

Guiuan. A glimmer of hope, and a desperate

scramble for survival. These villagers living any remote area are

finally getting aid, a week after typhoon hit. The US military has

been working with the Philippine government to coordinate relief

efforts across the devastated islands. We were given access to the

USS George Washington, the American Navy's flagship carrier, which

serves as a mobile airport. With over 6000 sailors on board, it is

working at maximum capacity. We provide a critical element to the

support of the government as they support services, food and water

delivery to their citizens. It is a good sign of the US partnership with

the Philippines. This is just one of 23 helicopters the U.S. Navy is

operating. They are making dozens of trips every day, taking aid and

supplies to much-needed areas. More than 6000 kg of food, water and

medicine has been handed out in the past two days. As soon as it is

loaded, it is gone. What is left of this airport has become a hub for

American aid efforts. This area was almost completely destroyed. People

here are not just in need of food and water, they are also looking for

a way out. US planes have been flying people to bigger cities, but

it is a long, tiring weight. -- wait. Living here is difficult in

this place. So we have to go to Manila, to our relatives that ask

for help. I want to go to Manila. My sister is pregnant, I am worried.

This idiot landscape lies bruised and battered. The US military says

it is here to help. -- idyllic landscape. But this is just the

beginning. The former chairman of the Co-op

Bank has apologised after a newspaper published a video

apparently showing him paying over ?300 for illegal drugs. The Mail on

Sunday says Paul Flowers bought and used the drugs - thought to be

cocaine - shortly after appearing before a committee of MPs. Mr

Flowers - who is also a Methodist minister - said he'd done things

that were stupid and wrong. Danny Savage reports. We were the first

and are still the only bank to have actually issued an ethical operating

plan. He was the high-profile chairman of the co-operative bank.

He is also a Methodist church minister, but after being at the

helm of an ethical bank, his own ethics are now being questioned. How

much? If we give you 300, if you can try and get four, is that all right?

A Sunday paper shows this footage, and says it is him trying to buy

illegal drugs. It was given in by an acquaintance who met Mr Flowers

online and claims to be disgusted by his hypocrisy will stop -- his

hypocrisy. It is said to have occurred within days of him being

questioned by the Commons select committee. Members of that committee

have reacted with shock today. I was absolutely astounded will stop when

the Reverend came before us, I would not have guessed that these were the

sort of activities he was involved in. He has released a statement

saying, at the lowest point in this terrible period, I did things that

was stupid and wrong. I am sorry that this and seeking professional

help. He has also now been suspended from his job as a Methodist minister

at this church in Bradford. The issue which will concern many is

this was a man being paid ?132,000 a year to be the chairman of a bank

which prides itself on its high ethical standards. Things did go

wrong on Paul Flowers's watch. West Yorkshire Police says it has been

made of the allegations and is now making further enquiries.

Seven men, who were arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was

found in a well in Surrey, have been released on bail. Gardeners

discovered the body in Warlingham on Friday. A postmortem examination has

been taking place and police have appealed for help identifying the

victim. One of Britain's most senior public

health officials has called for a national debate on whether the age

of consent should be lowered. Professor John Ashton, who is

president of the Faculty of Public Health which advises ministers, said

a change to the current age of 16 could help protect children and

reduce teenage pregnancies. Downing Street says there are no plans for

any change, as Jon Brain reports. Sex education in this country has

come a long way in recent years, but the UK still has the highest rate of

teenage pregnancy in Europe. According to the latest survey,

nearly one third of children have sex before reaching the age of

consent, leaving health experts suggesting lower back that lowering

the age to 15 would encourage more to ask for advice and seek

contraception. We have significant numbers of pregnancies in under 16

's, significant numbers with chlamydia, but we bury our heads in

the sand and live in a fantasy land. If politicians are not going to

address the sexualisation of childhood, we need other practical

measures in place to pick up the pieces. Figures reveal nearly 6000

girls under 16 became pregnant in England and Wales alone in 12 months

- double the age in France, where the age of consent is 15, and

Germany, where it is just 14. But a random poll in the centre of London

this afternoon revealed opposition to lowering the age to 15 here. That

is truly young to be thinking about sex. It may put pressure on people.

If it was lowered, they wouldn't think twice about it. They probably

do at the moment. Would you have felt more pressure rise to have sex

if it had been legal at 15? Probably. Yes, I would say that. I

know people that have. I think 16 is better. I think changing the age of

consent wouldn't stop teenagers from doing what they do now. As a parent,

I'm more comfortable with it being 16. Child protection experts also

have their doubts. By having the age of 16 as a legal limit, it is one

told children have in their pockets to say to those people who are

putting them under pressure to have sexual elation ships, actually, this

is illegal, we should not be doing that. The proposal has also been

given short shrift by the government, which says there is no

plans to change the status quo. The Prime Minister has announced an

inquiry into the tactics of trade unions following the recent

industrial dispute at the Grangemouth oil refinery. David

Cameron has accused the Unite union of "industrial intimidation". The

union dismissed the inquiry as a political stunt, and said it

wouldn't participate. Our political correspondent Chris Mason reports.

Amid the bitter dispute about the future of the Grangemouth refinery,

on the driveway of the refinery boss, protesters from the union

gather, complete with flags and an inflatable rat. The Prime Minister

called this industrial intimidation, so the government has ordered a

review of tactics used in disputes like the one here. Protesters is

fine. It's when it moves over into intimidation and clearly

inappropriate activity, particularly in the context of an industrial

dispute. Then I think we have a concern about that. Unite weren't

talking on camera today, but they've always said attack techs are legal

and legitimate. Many have said their party politics at play here. It is a

horrendous waste of tax payers money. The debate around Unite is

always politically charged. Conservatives want an internal

report about the row in Falkirk, where Unite was accused and then

cleared of rigging the subprocess to elect a candidate. Tory campaigners

are always keen to remind voters that Unite is a major donor to the

Labour Party. Government sources insist today's announcement is not

politically motivated. Labour have doubts. I need reassurance this is

not a political call by Mr Cameron. We will see how this develops. Lib

Dems are pushing to make sure employees tactics are part of the

review. They point out strike rates are at a historic low. If there are

sensible, prudent reforms that can help to improve the landscape

further, I would be up for that. I am not up for a bunch of union

bashing. So, should protest like this be allowed? A lawyer will

decide. But politicians will continue to argue about it in the

meantime. Rugby, and Scotland has suffered a

bruising defeat to South Africa at Murrayfield, losing 28-0. Patrick

Gearey was watching the action. By beating Japan last week, Scotland

began the autumn on a high, but that perch looked precarious when South

Africa came to town. Within five minutes, the Springboks sprung.

Willem Alberts was at the front of a line. They were driven into the

disintegrating Murrayfield turf. Willie Le Roux's pounds and paste

what the game's second try. -- pounce and pace. He was evidence of

their brains as well as their brawn. After the break came their return of

heavy industry. Scotland needed a spark, but could only produce hot

air. When they did work up a head of steam in the final ten minutes,

South Africa insured Abe ran out of track. It epitomises an

uncomfortable afternoon for Scotland. South Africa specialise in

handing those out.