29/08/2011 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Monday's Reporting Scotland. Tonight: The Lockerbie

bomber is found in Tripoli apparently close to death. First

Minister says the government will not asked for his return to

Scotland. It is now time that this aspect of the Lockerbie atrocity

perhaps should be laid to rest and this person should be allowed to

die in peace. We have the latest from our correspondent in Tripoli.

So a tick manager Neil Lennon tells the jury of the moment he was

attacked by a man at Tynecastle. -- Celtic manager.

2 million tickets sold mean another record year for the Edinburgh

Fringe. You will be fine. The holiday

starts here. It is the comedy hit of the decade and probably the

rudest film of the century, but what are The Inbetweeners doing in

Skye? The Lockerbie bomber should be left

alone to die in peace according to the First Minister Alex Salmond, as

it is revealed Abdelbaset al- Megrahi was found at his mother's

home in Tripoli. He is said to be drifting in and out of conflict --

consciousness. The National Transitional Council refuses to

The latest image of the Lockerbie bomber, taken by the American

broadcaster CNN, Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi appears comatose. The

reporter who visited him says he looks close to death. He seems to

be sick and very ill. He was lying motionless in the bed when I came

in, it was a hospital bed, he was hooked up to an oxygen bottle and

being fed from a drip. His son told me he hadn't eaten in days and

hadn't seen a doctor for some time. Al-Megrahi as been living in his

luxury villa in the Libyan capital Tripoli. His family say his

medication has been stolen. His brother was asked if he should now

go back to prison. He told the BBC he shouldn't be re-arrested because

he is almost dying. In the confusion of the capture of

Tripoli, it has been difficult for Scottish authorities to maintain

contact with al-Megrahi, who was released from prison on

compassionate grounds just over a two years ago. Earlier this year

the Scottish government said they had spoken to his family -- earlier

today. We are confident he has not breached its licence conditions. He

is dying of prostate cancer and I think the pictures confirm that.

Maybe it is time for people to stop focusing on this issue. Some people

are calling for extradition which is ridiculous. Having seen his

pictures it is time that the al- Megrahi aspect of the Lockerbie

atrocity perhaps should be laid to rest and he should be allowed to

die in peace. When the plane came down on Lockerbie almost 23 years

ago the town's Catholic priest was in his house yards from where a jet

engine created a massive crater. Now he believes al-Megrahi is

innocent. He has met the Libyan and says he should be offered comfort

at the end of his life. I want to say to him, Goater got no in peace.

-- go to got now. He will meet God and stand before him with a quiet

heart. I am sure he will do that. I am not so sure that those who have

handed him will depart this life with the same tranquillity. When

al-Megrahi dies, the question may well remain: Has he taken with him

the truth about Lockerbie or was he A short time ago I spoke to the

BBC's world affairs Correspondent Lyse Doucet and asked whether the

fate of the Lockerbie bomber was attracting much attention in Libya

itself. It is interesting because he wouldn't be called the Lockerbie

bomber. When he returned in 2009 he was hailed as a national hero, but

that seems like a lifetime ago. A course, it was during can Gaddafi's

time, when he was welcomed home. Namibia is trying to get a new

start. From what we have seen in terms of al-Megrahi on his bed,

said to be according to his relatives only a wake for five-six

minutes at the time, he wouldn't have had a high profile and hasn't

been much in public for recent years. Is it likely he will receive

any sort of medical attention any time soon? That is a big question.

He must have had some sort of services provided by the Gaddafi

regime so he could be kept alive as long as possible. Now I think it is

basically up to his family to provide for him. Like everyone else

here, they may be trying to find enough fuel, enough water, enough

resources to keep this man alive, and also medical suppliers are

short here. Maybe they are stockpiled. We don't have these

details. The justice ministers today said it may be possible for

journalists to speak with him if he says he can. But Alex Salmond today

said, leave him alone on humanitarian grounds. He is dying,

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has told a court of the moment he says he

was attacked during a game against Hearts. He was giving evidence in

the trial of John Wilson who denies assault aggravated by religious

prejudice. Lennon said he remembers a glancing blow on his head and

seeing the accused sprawled on the ground in front of him.

The atmosphere at Tynecastle on 11th May was described by Celtic's

assistant head of security as poisonous. Neil Lennon said the

game had an age. It was a crucial clash at the end of last season. --

an edge. Footage was shown of the alleged attack, four minutes into

the second half, immediately after Celtic scored their second goal. Mr

Lennon was celebrating a goal before giving instructions to his

players and then said he felt a glancing blow to the side of his

head, and described seeing a man with dark hair wearing a white

jacket. He said after feeling contact he saw a body sprawled on

the ground in front of him. Mr Lennon identified John Wilson in

court as the man who allegedly attacked him at the game and said

he felt angry after the incident after all the things that had

previously happened to him. He said he knew he would be in the

headlines again. He described it as the to pinpoint and the last straw

for him. He told the jury he had received verbal abuse but that his

experience on the pitch that might made him question his safety while

doing his job. He said it had come out of the blue and had it not been

for the actions of the coach, grabbing hold of the accused, he

could have been at risk. John Wilson's lawyer said his client did

not dispute lunging at the Celtic manager and jumping over the

hoardings last night but the case was not about what physically

happened but what was said. John Wilson denies the claims are sold

was aggravated by religious prejudice. The trial at Edinburgh

Sheriff Court is expected to last You are watching Reporting Scotland.

Still to come: It is the taking part that counts. How you can be a

Commonwealth Games competitor from your armchair.

It has bought a former Hibs stalwart tells us something has to

happen fast to change the fortunes of the struggling Edinburgh club.

Before opening his account at the US Open Andy Murray reveals why New

York is the apple of his eye. The Justice Secretary Kenny

MacAskill has given his strongest hint yet that he will announce a

single police force for Scotland when the MSPs return from their

summer break. He was speaking at a conference on reforming the service,

which included speakers from across Northern Europe. Mr MacAskill was

less clear on how much reform would cost. Raymond Buchanan has this

report. On patrol in the granite city, just

like the local paper, the Grampian force helps define this part of

Scotland, but for how much longer? Behind these doors the future of

the forces was being debated and there was a suggestion from the man

in charge of reform that bigger is better. A single service would

deliver the greatest benefits. Other options just did not deliver.

Changes nothing new to Scottish policing but it doesn't happen very

often. The last big reform was in 1975. All forces worked Independent

with their own chief constables but in 19756 became one as Strathclyde

was created. At the moment, Scotland has eight local forces and

replacing them with a single service could save money. Around

�150 million the year according to the government. They are not so

clear on what it will cost. I think we will see a worsened service,

certainly for the foreseeable future, if this chain goes through.

I have not given up hope that we can get an opportunity to sit down

and discuss with the government how we take this whole thing for wood.

One thing is for sure: It won't be more expensive in ordinary police

officers. We will not countenance a reduction in the number of police

officers or undermine the terms and conditions of those working in the

service. Thatcher secured the support of the rank and file, but

what about those concerned that a single force will just be too big?

-- that should secured. There was this advice from abroad. I have so

they have an answering areas in my district in Copenhagen. To cover

that whole area, I have individual police stations at the major cities

in the area and officers with local knowledge and local management.

Scotland is likely to follow the Danish example. The formal

announcement on a national force is A woman is to stand trial accused

of murdering her toddler son. She is accused of concealing his body

and pretending he was alive for nearly a year. Kimberley Hainey

denies assaulting, ill-treating and neglecting 23 month old Declan in

Paisley, and is also accused of forcing him to ingest heroin and

amphetamine and failing to provide medical care for them.

For First Minister says the government could withhold funding

from the Edinburgh trams project if it can find legal justification.

Ministers are considering whether to withdraw cash after the city

council voted last week to complete only part of the expected route.

The government has already paid around �440 million towards the

project. He Scottish schools may face

strikes this autumn. Key committees of the largest teaching union has

recommended a ballot on industrial action over pension changes -- a

key committee. The ruling body of the Educational Institute of

Scotland is expected to rubber stamp the call for a strike ballot.

Sales of tickets at this year's Edinburgh Fringe are up by three

per cent on last year, nearly 2 million tickets sold across the

festival over the last three and a half weeks, another increase on

last year's record breaking year. But that doesn't include the number

of visits to Free fringe events, which have almost doubled this year.

Pauline McLean reports. They are not the only ones feeling

good. Despite the weather and the concentration of venues in one area,

ticket sales across the Edinburgh Fringe are up three per cent.

have had a wonderfully successful fringe again. The box office is up.

More importantly, there has been a great buzz about the festival and

the city for the last 29 days. venues are up by almost 20 per cent

on last year, but it is not just about sales. A growing section of

the Fringe is free, and for most companies, it is as much about

making contacts as making money. love the French. It is a brilliant

place to get started and I have started up his company so it is a

great opportunity to get stuff out there. We have had an amazing time

and a lot of sell-outs. There is great feedback and response from

audience members, people returning more than once, which is great for

us. It is lovely to get good reviews but mainly for us the best

thing is when people say it is a great show and they have seen it

before and are coming again. It is about having a following. Money

does come into it, obviously, but for us it is about the good

audience and respecting and loving For many companies, the Fringe is a

stepping stone to bigger and better things. This flamenco company from

Spain arrived this year as a group of three and a already planning

their return with a cast of four, perhaps even more. We received a

review say we should add a female dancer, which is something we want

to do, and hopefully we can request funding from our respective

governments, which would make bringing a larger production

possible. So yes, we are already planning 2012. While the French may

have run out of steam, the International Festival and the Art

Festival continued until the weekend. -- continue until the

weekend. Dougie has the sport next, but

first, the countdown to the 2014 Commonwealth Games has started to

but it is not too late to try your hand at one of the many sports the

games will feature, even from the comfort of your own armchair.

The gun has already fired for the online Commonwealth Games,

featuring 10 of the 17 sports at Glasgow 2014, the new digital game

was launched by the sports minister and designed by a 21 year-old

studying in Dundee. I wanted it to go smoothly, and we have managed

that. There is no waiting for anything, it is just constant

action all the time, always something to do. What do you hope

the game will achieve? I hope it sparks interest for gamers to get

interested in the Commonwealth Games and vice versa, for none game

has to get into computer games. -- people who do not play games.

Anyone can play the game on the 2014 website and by linking the, of

games to video-games, the Scottish government hopes to raise the

profile of the Scottish digital economy. He is why, Scotland is

home to 25 per cent of UK video games companies. The game's

development sector sustains 1800 Scottish jobs and contributes �66

million to the UK economy. It is a great place to come and make and

develop games. We hope in the coming years we will see superstar

companies coming to Scotland, and games like the Commonwealth Games

game we have here definitely reflect the new style of games,

easily accessible, instantly playable and in this case free to

play. So this is a first for Dundee and Scotland indeed, as in the long

history of the Commonwealth Games, they have never had their own

digital game before. So, with three years to go until the actual sports

begin, there is plenty of time for those with all athletic abilities

He was only pretending to play that game! From the virtual to the real

Sunday's derby defeat by Hearts will rebut the club. Paul Kane says

the consequences would be dire The club's latest reverse, a

painful derby defeat to Hearts dragged them to the foot of the

table, and the fans are not happy. I don't know what the answer is

full stop what the hell can you do about it? The manager is not up to

much. That is my personal opinion. They are pretty poor, it really

poor. I don't know if they have lost faith in the manager. I think

the ball is to blame. The manager The chairman has helped bring Hibs

debt down and helped build a training complex, but Colin

Calderwood was the 4th manager in many years and he hasn't been in

did to fans. I think there is pressure on him and the board, and

pressure on Tom Farmer, because people are now questioning him and

his commitment. He did great when he first came in 20 years ago.

Sometimes, everybody goes past their sell-by date. Is there

somebody out there? That is the question you must ask.

Unfortunately for the supporters the answer is likely to be no.

These are worrying times for the green half of Edinburgh.

The draw for the Scottish Communities League Cup third round

was held this morning throwing up interesting times. Rangers face

It is a good game for us, especially after the Scottish Cup

semi-final. It will be a tough game, and am looking forward to it.

the years, they have been known as a Cup team and have done well. It

will be a good game for us. We will have as if for support which will

make a difference to us. The winner of the Johnnie Walker Championship

Thomas Bjorn thought he had blown his chances of taking the title

when the competition went into a play-off. The 40 year old Dane won

a five man, five hole shoot out to take the championship but admitted

the he thought the trophy was going to someone else when he started the

play-off poorly. I thought I had played myself out of it.

Fortunately for me, I made birdie and scrambled up and kept in it.

The way I played the last three play-off holes was pretty special,

and a seven-iron on the last play- off hole was one of the better

shots I have hit in my life. With Hurricane Irene having passed, the

US Open tennis got underway as planned today in New York. Andy

Murray, who lost in the final three years ago, is not in action until

Wednesday in his favourite tournament. We have been hearing

why he loves the event and the city It is an amazing city. There are so

many big buildings, so many lines, so much stuff to do, good places to

eat. There is so much energy. It is an unbelievable atmosphere on

Centre Court. It is different to any other court. There is music

playing. They have the night matches, which I have always

enjoyed playing in. Everyone has normally had a few drinks as well

and they do pretty well. New York is a relief on city to be in.

can pretty much hear a pin drop here at an empty Arthur Ashe

Stadium, but that has not what it will be like on Sunday's tie when

25,000 people will run the stadium to cheer on the finalists and the

eventual winner. Can that Mandy Andy Murray? I think I can, I just

need to play a great tournament. I will be the favourite coming into

the tournament. It has been incredible so far. Roger and Raffel

play well but I think I have Good luck to Andy Murray at the US

Open. We will keep you updated, of course.

We will not jinks in, we normally The stars of smash hit comedy film

The Inbetweeners swapped the red carpet of Leicester Square for the

rugged landscapes of Skye this weekend. The producers staged a

special screening on the island With the TV series of teenage angst

and toilet humour having successfully made the transition to

the big screen, The Inbetweeners are hot property. I think we should

break-up. Some of the cast brought some of that glitz to Skye, where

the film's Scots producer had a special screening. This is amazing.

We spend a lot of time in toilet cubicle so this is a step up. It is

a nice day to have a Skye Premier because it is a second home for the

show, because of our producer living here. It means so much for

him. We have been here a few times now, and it is really nice to come

back. It feels very relaxed and happy here. It is really nice.

film became the biggest grossing UK comedy in its first week of release,

tracking the four main characters on the first LAB's holiday abroad.

It has taken us a bit by surprise that we have beaten every record in

the book. The Skye context is even more outlandish, but that is nice.

Success like this is a great way of saying, you can do it from anywhere.

You can set yourself up on an island in the Highlands and make

one of the biggest comedies in the UK of all time. That is a great

message. The story may end here, though, with the lobes --

youngsters having left school and come of age. Unless the producers

can come up on a secret -- come up with a sequel based on a misty

That would be an interesting one! It will be fairly cloudy, although

dry and unsettled. Taking a look at the map from 7pm we can see some

showers across the north-west turning to light rain. Much of the

mainland staying dry overnight, though. In the north, rain and

temperatures no lower than 10 Celsius, much of the South cooler

around seven in Edinburgh. Into tomorrow, there is the area of high

pressure we were talking about, pushing him and bringing us dry

unsettled conditions. Dry tomorrow first thing and probably wet across

Dundee and into Edinburgh, with rain across Asia and Strathclyde

and Argyll as well. As we go through the morning and into the

afternoon these features will be put away bringing in dry weather

for the mainland. By mid-afternoon, 4pm tomorrow, temperatures in the

South up to 16 or 17 and we will start to see sunshine as well.

Perhaps 15 for Glasgow with rain in the morning. Furthermore -- North,

highs of 17 or 18, and warmer than the last couple of days with one or

two like showers in coastal areas. Wind still from the north-west and

in the afternoon and into the evening holding on to the dry

storage across many parts of the country, and settled. Not too bad

at all. The pressure chart for Tuesday into Wednesday, the high

pressure continuing to stay with us with more dry and settled

On Wednesday we can see temperatures improving, certainly

in the West. Generally a dry day. Some showers possible with dryness

in between. It is a similar story as we move through the week towards

Thursday. There will be some brightness, fairly dry,

temperatures up to 19. So this week, mainly dry, mainly settled but a

fair amount of cloud. Let's recap tonight's top stories.

Libyan rebels are continuing their push on the last stronghold of

Colonel Gaddafi. They say they want to avoid more bloodshed. But the

talks with the regime loyalists trying to arrange the handover have

stalled. NATO says pro-Gaddafi forces are becoming weaker by the

day. A First Ministers says he has no

intention of seeking the return to Scotland of the Lockerbie bomber

after Megrahi was found in a live there in Tripoli apparently in a

coma. He was released from jail on compassionate grounds because of

his cancer two weeks ago. The Justice Secretary has given his

strongest hint yet that he will announce a single police force for

Scotland when the MSPs return from their summer break. He was speaking

at a conference which included speakers from across northern

Europe. Herr account Irene has claimed many

lives are crossed Americas east coast. President Obama says there

are still a significant risk of flooding entire wins. People have