30/04/2012 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. Tonight on your national news:

Khalil Dale, the Red Cross worker murdered in Pakistan, and whose

body was dumped by this roadside. A friend says he often met members of

the local Taliban. He had regular meetings with the Taliban, they

would come in with people needing treatment and a good thing is they

treat all victims the same. Dale's funeral will take place in

Dumfriesshire as soon as his body is home. Also this evening: Are

things getting clearer for Rangers fans? Today, an improved bid to buy

the club. But a vote on SPL sanctions is delayed by a week.

Genesis story... A humanist campaign group says schools don't

tell parents they can withdraw their children from religious

lessons. And for sale - 22 80-year- old, down-at-heel TARDISes. Apply

to Lothian and Borders Police. Friends of Khalil Dale, the

Dumfries aid worker whose body was found by a roadside in Pakistan

yesterday, are questioning whether the Taliban were responsible for

his murder. Police say when they recovered Mr Dale's body they found

a note from the Taliban claiming to have carried out the killing.

Tonight, a close friend has told Reporting Scotland that Mr Dale

spoke regularly to the Taliban in his job with the Red Cross and

thinks it's more likely gangsters seeking a ransom are responsible.

Willie Johnston reports. Khalil Dale was snatched at gunpoint from

a car outside the Red Cross offices on 5th January. Close to the Afghan

border, it is the capital of one of the most volatile provinces in

Pakistan. Mr Dale run a hospital there, that brought him into

contact with the Taliban. He had regular meetings with the Taliban,

the Taliban would come with people needing treatment and the thing

about the International Red Cross is a treat all victims the same,

the matter what side of the conflict. He was our that there was

always danger. Mark MacLachlan and his wife were among Mr Dale's

closest friends and were kept informed about efforts to free him.

They are not convinced the Taliban were responsible. What we have been

told is that the chances were that these were not Freedom fighters,

they were covertly gangsters who took this person for money, based

on who he represented. He was a foreigner in Pakistan. There was a

ransom demand, yes. The former health worker spent 30 years

helping people in some of the world's worst trouble spots. His

dedication was recognised with an MBA and a BBC documentary he spoke

in having detail of times spent in Somalia. I was overwhelmed. There

were bodies, people who had died of starvation. People who had gunshot

wounds. Young children, women, lying, waiting to die. Negotiations

for his release were quiet and there was an effective news

blackout since the kidnap. Those close to his family say this was

the right approach. He was such a cheeky character, you had the

feeling that he would wear down his kidnappers! And they did want to

get shot of him, to get rid of him. Up until Sunday, we were convinced

that there would be some happy resolution. We had set our sights

on him being free. Arrangements are being arranged for the body to be

repatriated. The funeral is likely to be in Dumfries, his spiritual

home. Khalil Dale achieved more in his 60 years and most could ever

contemplate. He helped the suffering. He touched people,

whoever he met, he was a warm individual. No higher praise than

to say he was a hero. In this age of false heroes, he was a real hero.

That was Mark MacLachlan, friend of Khalil Dale, ending Willie

Johnston's report. The Scottish Premier League has postponed a vote

on whether to introduce tougher penalties for clubs which become

insolvent. Members were due to decide on changes to the league

this morning. But that decision has now been held back until next week.

Any move would have implications for a new owner of Rangers. And a

fresh bid is now in place for the Ibrox side, as our senior football

reporter, Chris McLaughlin, reports. It seems the battle for Ibrox is

intensifying. Bill Miller and the Blue Knights Consortium continued

to starve the site and tonight, the Blue Knights fired the latest folly.

Another bid submitted, more cash after the brutal the last offer did

not make the grade. Brian Kennedy told us that he held extensive

negotiate shins with the administrator over the weekend in a

bid to provide some deliverable offer that was acceptable to

everyone. Twisting away... What a chance! Perhaps welcome news for

those fans who watched their side take the Parkhead pasting yesterday.

3 - 0 and a plea from the manager. It is a short time, we have to get

something sorted out very soon. I said last week, even a week before,

time was not an hour side and isn't our alive. That is the case at this

moment. Don't delay, the message from Ally McCoist but today at

Hamden Park, all 12 clubs left after agreeing a delay of the run.

It is said to wait until next week to vote on tougher sanctions for

clubs in administration. All 12 clubs felt this was a very

sensitive time with Scottish football and the view was that we

need to take time to come up with financial fair-play rules that are

not merely for one club at all 12. It is one club in particular he

will be watching and waiting. You're watching Reporting Scotland.

Still to come: We'll be looking highlighting the independents

running in the local elections. And fancy buying a TARDIS? Edinburgh's

police boxes are going on the market. In sport, Motherwell are on

the brink of Champions League football. But the message from the

boss is, don't mention it and don't tempt fate. And we'll be in Spain

to hear from the basketball player desperate to fly the flag for

Scotland as part of Team GB at the London Olympics. Should schools do

more to let parents know they have a legal right to withdraw their

children from religious assemblies and lessons? The Humanist Society

of Scotland, which seeks to promote a secular culture, says schools

aren't doing enough to inform parents of their rights. This

report from Seonag MacKinnon. are you sitting there? A question

for the teacher but also the question from non-believers. While

our pupils sitting in religion classes? The campaigning Humanist

Society claims lessons can border on indoctrination. We hear from

parents all over the country that certain schools and especially

primary schools tend to teach one religion like Christianity as the

true religion, with very little time for anything else and non

belief. Our poll today says that schools might be failing in

obligations to make parents aware of the right to withdraw children

and of the or withdrawn, problems in not end. Initially, my children

would be sat outside the office for one hour while assemblies and other

activities take place. Teachers and other pupils would ask them, why

have you been sent to the office? Assuming that they had been

misbehaving. Parents used might change when they realise the

subject has changed. One of the most common things they say is this

is great, I wished -- I wish that religion was like this when I was

at school, it is about world religions and engaging pupils.

Getting them motivated and getting them to think. Few children are

taken out and did it comes to choosing hires, more are choosing

the subject. With over 4000 candidates, it is one of the

fastest-growing hires. Just by other more fans? They don't try to

make may follow religion, it is about separate things. We are not

just resiting the catechism. We are going into depth and making ongoing

decisions in this. Humanists struggle to believe that religious

lessons and Assembly's are wide ranging and optional in all schools.

Staying on religious matters... A coalition of smaller faith groups

in Scotland say the current ban on same-sex marriage is discriminatory

and reinforces homophobia. The group, including the Humanists,

Quakers and Buddhists, gathered outside Holyrood launching their

campaign to end the ban on religious same-sex wedding

ceremonies. The Scottish Government has held a public consultation on

the issue and is considering responses. Police investigating the

murder of a 63-year-old man in Dundee say they're still searching

for a motive. The body of the man, named locally as John Kennedy, was

discovered inside his house in the city's Mossgiel Crescent late last

night after neighbours reported a disturbance. Detectives want to

trace another man wearing a hooded top seen leaving the area. A one-

time friend of murder-accused Nat Fraser lied to police who asked for

help with their inquiry into the disappearance of Mr Fraser's wife,

a court has heard. Hector Dick spoke to officers in the aftermath

of Arlene Fraser's disappearance in 1998. He was giving evidence today

at the High Court in Edinburgh. Lisa Summers reports. Hector Dick

was questioned about the number of times he lied to police about his

involvement in the disappearance of arming Fraser. He admitted he

repeatedly denied any knowledge of where she might be our the Ford

Fiesta that officers believed was key to what happened. He was giving

evidence for a third day. Last week he told the court he had acquired a

car for Nat Fraser but had not told the truth until 2003. QC John Scott

asked him about why he can remember certain details but not other key

events. Mr Scott put it to Hector Dick that you remember what suits

you when it suits you. On one occasion, police were begging him

to tell the truth, offering him a chance to wipe the slate clean but

still Hector Dick did not take the opportunity. The court also heard

that as part of their inquiries in December 1998, police searched the

farm at Hector Dick, questioning him over equipment used for steam

cleaning and reducing dead animals to kneel. Nat Fraser denies

murdering his wife and he has lodged a special defence of

incrimination, saying that of Arlene Foster was murdered, Hector

Dick was responsible. The evidence continues tomorrow. Scotland and

Blackburn footballer David Goodwillie has been given a 12-

month probation order after admitting assaulting a man in

Glasgow. The 23-year-old attacked John Friel in November 2010. The

court heard he lashed out after his then Dundee United teammate Danny

Swanson was knocked unconscious by Friel. A look now at other stories

from around Scotland. The Australian owner of the council and

Yorkshire Bank says that cutting 1400 jobs across the UK. However,

NASA at -- National Australia Bank says that fewer than 60 jobs will

go in Scotland. Tough rules for the charity fundraisers on Glasgow's

streets are being introduced. They will only be able to work on two

days of the Week in certain parts of the city. The RSPB in Shetland

has re-established its world famous Puffin camera. It streams live

pictures from a Puffin nest. It has been upgrade and with four cameras

and infra-red technology for a night watching. The Queen's Jubilee

has inspired a Shetland community to give their bus-top are royal

makeover. It is complete with cushions, telephone and a princess

Diana book. It is the most northerly shelter in the UK. Every

year, people band together to create a new thing. Scientists say

that warm spring weather is attracting basking sharks earlier

this year to the coastal waters around the West of Scotland. The 20

ft long sharks, which grow to over four tons, are not usually spotted

until the summer. Islanders are hoping their dark and clear night

skies could boost tourism. They are applying to become Scotland's first

dark skies and with little light pollution and it is hoped to

attract stargazers in search of a good view. The 25th fire festival -

- fire festival takes place on Edinburgh's card in hell. Over 300

performers celebrate the start of some work by lighting fires and

brooding over the hill, led by May Queen. And more stories from your

area and all the latest news We go to the polls on Thursday in

council elections and as campaigning enters its final phase,

it is worth remembering that candidates are not just from the

main national parties. Some are either standing as individuals or

as part of a purely local grouping. We've been looking at the role of

the independent councillor and how it has been affected by the

introduction of proportional representation.

At their best, councillors have always tried to represent the whole

community. Their political persuasion, second to putting their

area first. But to understand local politics in a lot of the country,

you need to remember that some local politicians are not even

members of a nationwide party, especially in the Highlands and

Islands. There has been an emphasis on individual in small communities,

people have tended to vote for the people they know. Awards have been

quite small so everybody has known at the councillor and has been

unwell vote for individuals. After the last local elections, Orkney,

Shetland and Western Isles consuls were run by independence while in

the Highlands, they formed a major part of the ruling administration.

But times are changing because of PR in council elections. It has

made it more difficult for people to get elected in some parts of

Scotland where previously they were dominant. In the central belt,

where independence had almost died, one are to have managed to get

elected because you only need to get 20% of the vote. There are some

independent councillors in many areas. The PR system it means we

all have a three or four cancers each. This long-serving independent

councillor who is not seeking re- election has regrets over that

particular move. In the past, you had your own ward and you really

looked after that Ward and I think people appreciate having one

councillor for one ward. The role of independents may continue to

evolve. For instance, the SNP is standing across the Orkney and

Shetland for the first time in a council election. So, how many of

our councillors will be from the big parties and how many want? We

will know on Friday. There's more information on Thursday's local

government elections available on our website. Time now for the

sports news. If results go their way over the

next couple of days, Motherwell can clinch a place in the Champions'

League qualifiers for the first time. Third place in the Scottish

Premier League will be enough to do that this season as second-placed

Rangers financial woes means they don't meet the criteria for playing

European football, but you won't find anyone getting carried away

with the prospect of Champions League football down Fir Park way,

at least not yet. Saturday's when recorded in some

style means Motherwell are on the verge of something special. Third

place in the SPL will earn some on a place in the third qualifying

round of the Champions' League and other well are strong favourites to

be that someone. With only three matches remaining, they hold a

five-point advantage over Dundee United. Victory over Hearts

tomorrow and anything short of a win for United against Rangers on

Wednesday will clinch it. Don't expect any counting our chickens to

be going on at Motherwell. You only look back when the season has

finished. It is no good patting ourselves on the back now. To get

European football, it is terrific, but it would be a disappointment if

we couldn't hang on to third place. It is all in the boys' hands and

they are determined to do it. something you wouldn't think of,

especially playing in this league. It is normally only the Big Two but

get this opportunity. We still have a way to go yet before we can even

think of that. Tomorrow night, hearts are still in the hunt for I

Europa League spot. Having dented United's champions are made for the

straw on Saturday, they can do them a favour by beating Motherwell.

While the fate of Rangers remains uncertain next season, there's no

doubting the immediate future of Ross County. The club is on its way

to the SPL. The runaway winners of the First Division celebrated their

achievement at this parade through the sunny streets of Dingwall on

Saturday. They only joined the Scottish Football League in 1994.

Now the top league beckons. A Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed

this afternoon that the British Olympic Association has lost its

legal action to stop athletes who have served drug bans from

representing Team GB. The decision clears the way for the Scottish

cyclist David Miller to be considered for London 2012 but

speaking to BBC Scotland a few months back, he said he would

rather focus on the Commonwealth Games in two years' time.

It is something I signed off for a long time ago so I am happy just

looking forward to 2014 in Glasgow and Commonwealth Games. That will

be a much more durable experience than me going to the Olympics even

as a black sheep. I don't know if it would be a joyous experience for

me. Staying for the Olympics, it is less than three months until it all

kicks off in London and for the athletes still waiting to see if

they have been selected to represent her country, it is a

nerve-racking time. One basketball player, Keiran Achara, is

determined to fly the Scottish flag as part of Team GB. But he still

has a few hoops to go through before making it to London 2012.

This is a small town in the heart of Catalonia. But we don't have to

look too far to find a little slice of Scotland. Or rather, a big lump

of Scotland. Stirling's Keiran Achara is 17 stone. He is looking

to make it even bigger at the London Olympics. It is one of those

experiences you want to be a part of. Being in the squad, you feel, I

am so close, but at the same time it could end any time but hopefully

I'll need it. Having spent the last decade in America and Italy, home

is never far from his mind. I am very proud of red came from and

where I grew up. It has moulded me into the man I am today. My first

experience playing for the Scottish national team in Ireland when I was

16 years old, it was the proudest moment for me as a basketball

player. Hopefully I will make it and I want to flag -- fly the flag

for Scotland, to represent Scotland within the Team GB squad. You can

see that report in full plus a look back at Edinburgh's Heineken Cup

semi-final against Ulster rugby on Sport Nation tomorrow night at

7:00pm on BBC2 Scotland. That is all the sport this evening.

We have set my seen a lot of cloud around today and for many of us,

not of that warm but there is some it sunshine around this evening for

some. Even with clearer skies for the West, it will not be a cold

night. We could see some mist and Mark as well and that is generally

higher restart things tomorrow. It will be dry and there will be

brightness here and there but low cloud and mist in eastern parts of

the country and then later on, pushing up from England.

Potentially, some rain as we head through the afternoon. By mid-

afternoon, it will not be too bad temperature Weise. Cribbing up into

the mid- teens. Further north, we could see a highs of 18 and 19

Celsius. Down the east coast, always prone to that low cloud and

it will be colour as well. Into the evening, the rain tries to make its

way for the North but doesn't get too far. For tomorrow, Wednesday

and Thursday, high pressure is controlling our weather so it will

be drier and settled across the board. In eastern parts of the

country, cloudier with that must at times. Further west, dry and sunny

and warm in the sunshine. A similar story as we head into Thursday with

winds generally light and from the east. Unfortunately it will not

last. As we head into the weekend, we can see at the Warner their

retreating towards the Continent and we get this cooler air from the

north. Before then, this week we have some warm sunshine to look

forward to, particularly in the West.

Police boxes have become synonymous with a certain time-travelling

doctor. Now some are being put up for sale in Edinburgh. They are not

any bigger on the inside than on any bigger on the inside than on

After decades with a role in crime fighting in the capital, 22 police

boxes have been put up for auction. There is no minimum bid but �100

administration fee. A they are now no longer required for operational

policing. We thought that rather than them deteriorating on the

street, we would make something of them for somebody. Your cash will

buy at two-ton cast and a box but not the land on which it stands and

you will have to read it or get the relevant permission to keep it

there. If you look inside, they don't look like much now but many

of these have been converted before, all it takes is a little

imagination and a fair bit of paper work. His mother first time

Edinburgh police boxes have been sold off. This one operates as an

Indian snack bar despite the size restrictions. I know what I am

keeping where so when the customer comes during the peak Garras, I

know where everything is all the time so I have to be careful

because of the limitations of space. What else might they be used for?

colleague has one who has it in his front garden, just as an item to

look at. They are iconic but I don't know why they are selling

them off? What else it might they be used for a potential customers?

If you have the technology and know-how, there is another already

well-established use. A summary of tonight's top stories: Friends of

Dumfries aid worker Khalil Dale who was murdered in Pakistan said they

doubt if the Taliban were responsible. A close friend has

told this programme that Mr Dale spoke regularly to the Taliban in

his job at the Red Cross and thinks gangsters seeking ransom are more

likely to blame. Immigration officers from

Manchester have rushed to Heathrow to help deal with long delays

through immigration. The UK Border Agency blames severe staff