12/03/2012 Reporting Scotland

Tonight, tributes to a QC described as one of the finest lawyers of his

generation. Family, friends and hundreds of people attend the

funeral of Paul McBride. His efforts to tackle bigotry were

praised by the Lord Advocate. did not at -- it did not matter

what side of the divide the prejudice came from, if it was

wrong, it was wrong. Paul McBride spoke out against it, and that will

be one of his legacies. Also this evening, the Defence outlines its

case in the Suzanne Pilley murder trial. David Gilroy denies killing

What is the story? Hundreds of children get the chance to meet the

stars from the small screen, celebrating children's television

in Scotland. With just two wins, opinion is

split on the head coach of Scotland at the Six Nations.

The funeral has taken place of the prom and a lawyer Paul McBride.

Hundreds of people from the legal world, sport and politics joined

his family and friends at a requiem mass in Glasgow. He was 47 and died

suddenly last weekend while on a business trip to Pakistan.

Neil Lenham was amongst 1,200 mourners at Paul McBride's funeral.

His Celtic team were also in the congregation. Paul McBride had

represented both the club and their manager in legal matters. Paul

McBride's e-mail address was TopQC@. Senior lawyers were also there.

Watched by his parents and partner, 8 pallbearers took the coffin to

the church. The amount of people here bears witness to the

remarkable gifts and talents Paul McBride so generously shared with

his fellow human beings. Along with other Celtic supporters, Paul

McBride was sent a suspicious pass all last year. He was a campaigner

against bigotry and the Lord Advocate praised his stance.

easy thing was to keep quiet, but that was not his style. It did not

matter from what side of the divide the prejudice came from, if it was

wrong, it was wrong. Paul McBride spoke out against it. Paul McBride

has been buried in a private ceremony in Barrhead. A celebration

of his life took place at Celtic Park.

This is the man accused of the murder of the missing Edinburgh

woman Suzanne Pilley. David Gilroy denies murdering her and concealing

her body in the boot of a car. Today, his life as I lie in the

defence course -- the defence case to the jury.

This is David Gilroy, accused of murdering Suzanne Pilley in 2010.

His defence began the case today. His lawyer told the court that

after taking legal advice he had elected not to give evidence. They

call the number of witnesses who were in the building on the day she

disappeared. They describe seeing nothing out of the ordinary the day

before. The QC began his closing speech talking of a compelling case

against the accused. He said the basis of the Crown's case is

Suzanne Pilley had come to work here on the morning of May 4th,

1920 10 and met David Gilroy. He said they had gone to the basement

where Mr Gilroy had killed her and put her body in a recess. He then

suggested Mr Gilroy had gone home to collect his car and put her body

in the boot before transporting her to Argyll. He asked the jury to

consider what he was doing on an The prosecutor told the court that

Mr Gilroy's relationship was a possessive and manipulative one

with Suzanne Pilley. He said an appropriate verdict would be guilty.

David Gilroy denies murdering Suzanne Pilley. The defence will

begin their summing up tomorrow. The threat of a double-dip

recession hitting Scotland is diminishing according to a leading

financial expert. Donald MacRae, chief executive at the Bank of

Scotland, says figures show a growth in manufacturing services

last month, and a rise in staffing levels. A separate survey suggests

its members are feeling more confident than the UK average,

despite rising overheads and difficulty accessing finance.

Still to come on the programme, 10 years since the start of it BBC's

children channels in Scotland, children meet their idols.

Scientists in Aberdeenshire have developed software that translates

sign language into text. In sport, we examine the case for and against

Andy Robinson. It is all change at Glasgow Warriors, and we go racing

with the Scottish jockey. The Royal Bank of Scotland and some

former directors including Fred Goodwin are being threatened with a

multi-billion pound court action. Thousands of people claim they were

misled into investing in the bank just before its collapse and bail-

out. Our business correspondent is here. What specific Eliades

shareholders saying? They are angry they invested in a failing company

which they thought was a safe place for their money. Cast your mind

back three years, the time of the credit crunch. Other banks were

collapsing because of bad decisions, lots of shareholders were losing

lots of money. What investors in RBS's claim is they lost money

because the bank misled them into buying shares during what is called

a rights issue. RBS sold a lot of shares in 2008. Lots of people

invested and the Bank raised around �12 billion. Within six months of

that, the bank had collapsed, along with the share value. All these

investors were left with almost nothing. They claim they only

invested in the back because they were told it was healthy when it

was actually in deep trouble. of the people that subscribe to the

rights issue used all their life savings. The Shia went down

dramatically. -- the shares. Those responsible for the last should be

paying out. If they succeed, who will pay the bill? That is a big

question, it could end up as the biggest ever legal action seen in

Britain. Something like 8,000 people would be involved, seeking

compensation of around five or �6 billion. They are targeting RBS,

the former boss, Fred Goodwin, they are also targeting as small group

of former directors. Whatever you say about the size of Fred

Goodwin's pension, he cannot afford that sort of payout, so most of the

burden would fall on RBS which is largely owned by the taxpayer. The

bank has told me they have a strong defence to these claims and will

defend them vigorously. If it loses, it could take much longer for

taxpayers to see any return on their investment.

The Falkirk MP Eric Joyce has announced he has resigned from the

Labour Party. Mr Joyce last week avoided prison after pleading

guilty to assaulting four people in the House of Commons bar. He got a

12 month community order. Making a personal statement, he apologised

unreservedly to fellow MPs and his constituents. Rangers

administrators have been meeting one of the group's planning to

present a takeover proposal on Friday. Paul Murray's Blue Knights

met Duff and Phelps in London this afternoon to go over details of his

bed. It comes after he made public the identities of some of his

supporters. -- his bid. The future of Rangers Football Club remains in

the year, but by the end of the week we could be closer to knowing

who will be their saviour. The administrators want proof of

funding by Friday, today they were meeting the one interested party to

make some of their plans public. Who are the Blue Knights? We know

they are spearheaded by Paul Murray, whose background is as a chartered

accountant, but he also sat on the board of the club before being

removed by Craig Whyte. He is joined by Douglas Park, whose

joined by Douglas Park, whose family wealth is around �78 million.

John Bennett is a fund manager. Scott Murdoch is a retail property

Scott Murdoch is a retail property adviser based in London. Several

characteristics are apparent. Strong financial track record, a

passion for Rangers, and the ability to bring France -- bring

funds to the party. Those are the sort of characters Rangers will

lead. Paul Murray says there are about 10 individuals expressing

keen interest in investing with him. Also interest that are at the

company that provided the money to fund Craig Whyte's takeover. Paul

Murray says it is beneficial to them to help with cash flow. One

man and will not be involved is Dave King, who wants his wrangle

with the South African of tax authorities sorted first. In a

separate development, trustees for a pension fund considering loan in

Rangers almost �3 million have said the cash may have been released

without consent. The Jerome Group is one of five parties chasing �3.6

million, which Rangers administrators seized from Collyer

Bristow, the lawyer's of Craig Whyte.

Bourne's discovered near Holyrood Palace are believed to be human

according to police. Forensic tests are being carried out on the

remains found at the bottom of Salisbury Crags. Initial reports

also suggest they are not rescind, although the exact age is unknown.

The remains were discovered by hill walker on Friday.

Donald Trump says that First Minister will be known as Mad Alex,

the man who destroyed Scotland, if he continues to support wind farms.

Mr Trump, who is opposed to an offshore wind farm near his project

in Aberdeenshire, make they claimed in a letter to Alex Salmond. --

It has been Tony years since the BBC launched took digital channels

for children. -- 10 years. Some of the most successful shows have been

created in Scotland. A special gathering was held in Glasgow

yesterday for a young television fans. This is one of the most

popular children's programmes of the last decade. Watched by

millions and sold around the world. What is your name? Jennifer!

Despite it being seven years since an episode was last made, the stars

remained instantly identifiable. Everybody went crazy, everybody

knows about it, everybody watched it. I have met everybody from

children who have 10 years old to babies in prams. Scotland is now

the second biggest base for children's television production in

the UK. But the challenge is to continue producing shows. Most

children now expect online entertainment and interactive

elements as well as a show. Children are very sophisticated and

discerning. When we are developing new shows we must have made should

be given exact what they want. -- we must make sure. And what do they

want? Mickey Mouse Club House. time rush. It is really funny and I

like reality. One decade on the channel has made its mark and the

challenge is to continue making programmes for the next generation

Scotland's newest jail received its newest and makes today. -- first

inmates. The use of modern technology and design is intended

to free up more staff for It has emerged that Highland

Council spent almost �250 per day taking one pupil to and from

schools by taxi. In the last three years it has spent almost 1.5

An Aberdeen restaurant faces an �80,000 fine after eight men were

caught working there are illegally. The restaurant had to be closed

after the operation because there Passenger numbers that Scottish

airports rose in February with Aberdeen experiencing the largest

leap of 18%. The feeling is that Aberdeen as in economy is a little

bit more sheltered from the economic effects of the recession.

It has not been hit as hard. Prices for Highland cattle are up 45% on

last year. European traders have been in open for the spring sale.

European cows are easily adaptable to harsh climate and therefore face

a double for places like the Alps Visits Scotland a behind a new

publication giving basic astronomy trips and information. -- astronomy

A 50,000 pound loo is being built three miles off the coast of

Sutherland. Existing facilities cannot cope with the influx of

birdwatchers. The foundations need to be 7 ft deep to stop it blowing

Scientists in Aberdeen have developed software to translate

sign language into text. It is the first and the world that can be

used on laptops and mobile phones. The user can customise their

gestures. At Aberdeen University They are still working hard on the

portable sign language translator. It could make a large difference to

thousands of people Iraq deaf or hard of hearing. -- who are deaf.

It will translate on the fly every sentence into a plain English

sentence so that people can understand, react. Thus, for

example, means hello. This, means call one white, or Reporting

Scotland, Aberdeen. -- call on white. This software could change

lives. Dr Christie worked on the project but is also partially deaf.

It will help break down the barriers between the deaf world and

is heeding world. This will remove and reduce barriers. Software is a

natural language processing a sentence anyway. So, a major

development? We think so. software should be available by

Sport now, and Andy Robinson has gained just two wins from 14

matches after defeat in Dublin against Ireland. Opinion on the

manager is split. We look at the case for and against the head coach.

More disappointment for Scotland. This time defeat at the hands of

the Irish. They scored three first- half tries. One of former captain

believes the coach is still the right man for the job. He is

absolutely the right guy for the next few years. We're a better team

and squat than two years ago. record is not great. But his

predecessors were not much better. They have competed well and scored

well but infuriating errors have let us down. That is putting

immense pressure on Andy Robinson. He is in charge, he makes the

decisions, brings in the backroom staff, picks the team. So he must

be responsible for the results. with the Six Nations his record is

much better. But for now the only prize on offer is the wooden spoon

and Scotland must defeat Italy. we simply try to avoid a defeat, a

rugby arm wrestle, if you like, then we will be defeated. We have

to take the same attitude we took into the game against France.

Scotland did manage a try at the weekend but it is ones that are

important. They must back up on a Sean Lineen says the decision to

remove him as Glasgow Warriors coach to come by surprise. He will

take a newly created role recruiting and developing players

for the Scottish Rugby Union. Gregor Townsend will replace him at

Glasgow at the end of the season. The changes being made at the top.

It is a decision I don't have control over. It took me by

surprise, but that is the way it goes. That is professional sport.

Coaches come and go and buy which beggar every success. -- I wish

MacGregor. Kevin Kyle has negotiated an earlier release from

his contract after a year out injured. He says he hopes to return

to harps on a pay-as-you-play deal next season. -- return to Heart of

Scottish jockey Lucy Alexander is having a season to remember and we

spent a day at the races with her. This is becoming a familiar sight

around British racecourses. Lucy Alexander on board another winner.

She has ridden more winners in a single season than any other women

in British racing history. That has made her a firm favourite with

punters across the land. Women have been riding on the flats for many

years but not many tried to make a living on the jumps. I was studying

science and went to university but it was not for me. Then I reapply

for sports science which was more interesting but again, racing has

always been what I have been really interested in. She will be riding

alongside Tony McCoy at Cheltenham. But there are some concerned

onlookers. I know her mother worries more than me! There is that

this that anything can happen in any race but that his life, you

just have to hope for the best. And pray about it! For now Lucy

Alexander is just concentrating on If you are thinking about buying

your first home you might have a question for our money expert. As

he will be back on Wednesday's lunchtime Reporting Scotland. He

will look at impending changes to stamp duty and how they will impact

on first-time buyers. Send your And now the weather. Not looking

too bad but a bit disappointing, cloud wise. But it was not like

that everywhere. This satellite picture shows you that the best of

the brightness was Tayside and Aberdeenshire. Around 14 Celsius we

are we saw sunshine in the east. Dry, cloudy, mild. Pretty cloudy

skies across Galloway for the start gazing I am afraid. Eastwood, a few

clear spells developing. -- East Water. Tomorrow morning, a cloudy

start. Elsewhere from the Highlands however it should be dry. We will

start across southern Scotland where the best of the brightness

will be in the eastern borders and perhaps for Kintyre. Further north,

certainly Tayside, Aberdeenshire, seeing some brightness. Also Orkney

and Shetland. Sports of drizzle there however. Throughout the

course of tomorrow night it will be another mild one with plenty of

cloud. The picture for Wednesday shows a similar picture but a high

pressure will begin to retreat and allowed this system of

strengthening winds to start to encroach. That will threaten to

change the weather by far stay. Best of the brightness again across

eastern the areas with a high of 14 Celsius. That will herald a change

anther stage where we will see the biggest change. For the bulk of the

The funeral has taken place of Paul McBride QC. Hundreds of people from

the legal world, sport, and politics, joined family and friends

at a requiem mass in Glasgow. He was 47 and died suddenly last

weekend whilst on a business trip. Hosepipe bans will be brought in

across some English regions during the worst conditions for 30 years

after unusually dry winters have left reservoirs well below normal

This man is accused of the killing of missing Edinburgh woman Suzanne

Pilley. David Gill Rowley denies the charges and today his lawyers

outlined the defence case to the A severely disabled man has won the

right to have his case -- his right-to-die case heard in the