29/08/2012 Reporting Scotland

Tonight - the News of the World's former editor in Scotland is

arrested. He was the man behind the headlines about Tommy Sheridan. Bob

Bird has now been charged with attempting to pervert the course of

justice. High-heeled who are I have always tried to do the right thing

throw out my career. I will be denying the charge that has no made

against me today. -- I have always tried to do the right thing. Also

on Reporting Scotland: the jury in the trial of a man accused of

stealing this pensioner's car before deliberately running him

over considers its verdict. Smaller measures. Scots are

drinking less alcohol, but we're still buying far more than people

in England and Wales. And shadows from the past loom large, Celtic

aim to secure a place at Europe's top table. The former editor of the

News of the World in Scotland has been arrested and charged with

attempting to pervert the course of justice. Bob Bird was detained in

Glasgow early this morning and later released. The charge relates

to a defamation action taken against the News of the World by

the former MSP Tommy Sheridan in 2006. October 31st due 1004 and the

News of the World headlines which launched a defamation case and then

a perjury trial. Tommy Sheridan was a Scottish Socialist MSP then, he

denied the allegations and sued for defamation. He won the case. He

emerged victorious with his wife. The editor of the News of the World

in Scotland at that time was Bob Bird, seen here arriving at the

Court of Session for the case. He arrived by police -- he arrives in

a police car at this police station this morning. He spent four hours

at this police station this morning. He had been picked up by police in

the morning. He has been charged with attempting to pervert the

course of justice in 2006, arising from his conduct at the time of

that defamation action taken by Tommy Sheridan. As he emerged from

here this morning, he indicated he would fight to clear his name.

just want to say I am really sad and disappointed that things have

come to this today. I have always tried to do the right thing in my

career, throughout my 30 years in journalism. I will be denying the

charge which has been made against me today. This latest arrest comes

as part of an operation by Strathclyde who are investigating

phone hacking and perjury, prompted in part by evidence given in the

successful prosecution of Tommy Sheridan or perjury in 2010. Andy

Coulson, the former editor of News of the World and London was a

former director of the Conservative Party communications. He himself

was charged with perjury. Earlier this month, Douglas Whyte, a former

editor in Scotland was also charged with committing perjury during that

trial and with conspiracy to hack telephones. This is one that

tabloid headline which has not been consigned to me at chip wrapping.

The jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering a South

Lanarkshire pensioner with his own car has been sent home for the

night after retiring to consider its verdict. Christopher Grenfell

is accused of deliberately running over 76 year old James Simpson

while stealing his Land Rover outside his home in November last

year. Catriona Renton is at the High Court in Glasgow tonight. The

jury has been out since 11:30am this morning. They wear a dress for

an hour by the judge. 25-year-old Christopher Grenfell had admitted

killing his 76-year-old James Simpson. He told the jury he ran

over James Simpson with his own car, outside his house in South

Lanarkshire on 29th November. He said he was attempting to steal the

car. He said this was an accident. He offered to plead guilty to

lesser charge of culpable homicide. The Crown did not accept this.

Their case is that Christopher Grenfell murdered Jayne ship --

James Simpson by deliberately running over him. One did the judge

the in direction to the jury? -- what did. The judge said they must

set aside any sympathy they must feel in this case. They must base

their decision on evidence they heard in court. It is unlikely that

Christopher Grenfell will walk free because of his earlier admission.

The jury are considering charges of murder and culpable homicide. They

had been sent home for evening and are expected to resume

deliberations in the morning. Thank you very much.

A 20 year-old man who was jailed for life for the brutal murder of

schoolboy Jack Frew has lost a legal battle to have his eighteen-

year minimum jail term cut. Craig Roy admitted stabbing the sixteen-

year-old 20 times and slitting his throat in woods in East Kilbride

two years ago. The killing, which he claimed to have no memory of,

took place after he had cheated on his boyfriend with Jack. Two appeal

judges said they would give their reasons for refusing Roy's bid to

cut his sentence at a later date. Still to come on the programme: Is

Sir Chris Hoy's success encouraging more of us to ditch our cars for a

two-wheeled commute? And fancy seeing some of this on

the streets of Glasgow? The city becomes a backdrop for another

Hollywood blockbuster. In sport: Celtic are just one game

away from the riches of the Champions League - that game is

tonight against Helsingborgs, we will be looking ahead to it. And we

will be hearing from the fastest man on the planet - Usain Bolt says

he may be coming to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, but in which

event? Scots are drinking less alcohol,

according to a report analysing retail sales. Although sales are

down, we are still drinking more than in England and Wales. Our

health correspondent explains. The best indicator of how much we are

really drinking our retail sales. New figures suggest the amount we

have what has fallen over the last two years. We are drinking less

alcohol here in pubs and clubs. That is down by 30 % since 1994. We

are buying it in supermarkets and off-licence. Sales have risen by 48

% over the same period. Over the last two years, sales everywhere

have started to fall. People cannot afford alcohol. I do not know how

people afford it. I could not afford it. A are you drinking more

or less than you used to? I do not really drink that much. When I was

younger, I have been there and done that and got the T-shirt. We are

buying less of every kind of drink except cider. We're still drinking

more than we did a decade ago. Also more than our counterparts across

the border. If you add up how much we drink, it would amount to one.

Six litres every year. We drink twice as much of what can. Along

with falling consumption, the number of people suffering harm

from alcohol has also fallen. Do we still need minimum pricing?

says good news but I do not think it is a sign we can take our foot

off the pedal. Alcohol issues still cost Scotland �900 a year for every

adult who lives here. That is not acceptable. Minimum pricing has

been passed by Parliament and is due to become law next year, but if

we are drinking less because we have less money, the recession

might have done the job already. Body scanners will be in operation

at Glasgow and in a report from Saturday as an extra security

measure. -- Edinburgh airport. Passengers will be chosen to be

scanned at random or if there is a particular safety concern. The

scanners are already in operation at Manchester and Heathrow airports.

The airport authorities say the change will not delay proceedings.

This adds an extra layer of security to our processes. If you

activate the archery, you will be asked to go through this it QT arch.

-- activate the arch way. A man who is hit and killed by a train has

been formally identified more than 23 years after his death. Derek

Burns, of West Calder in West Lothian, was struck by a train in

West Hampstead in London in 1989. He has now been identified using

advanced DNA profiling which was not available to investigators when

he was killed. Let us take a look at what tells has been happening

across the country. The Scottish cabinet has been

meeting in Orkney as part of their summer tour. Ministers gathered in

Kirkwall and it was chaired by Nicola Sturgeon. There was a public

question and answer session. The Western Isles council has

unveiled a new scheme for school transport after being forced to

delay plans to withdraw free buses. The plans include payments to buy

tickets on a more flexible basis and family discounts.

The future of St Kilda - the UK's only World Heritage site is the

focus of a new management plan being signed tonight.

It will set out a vision for the next 30 years.

The Glendoe Hydro-Electric scheme which was closed three years ago

after a rock fall in a tunnel is back in action. Scottish and

Southern say the plans are that loch Ness is already producing cut

just before then it work. The plant was opened by the Queen in 2009.

The old his car to be driven between Land's End and John

O'Groats is close to reaching its final destination. -- oldest car.

It is expected to reach the coast tomorrow. The attempt is being made

by the original owner of the car. - - descendants of the original owner.

A could have been stuck in and a love know where with no support,

goodness knows what they did for a food. -- they could have been stuck.

Community leaders in Langham what a special service in memory of Neil

Armstrong to be held. The town is the heart of Armstrong territory

and made the astronaut an Honorary Freeman, three years after he

became the first man on the mend. Fishermen and divers are being

asked to report sightings of seahorses as part of the survey.

Two species have been seen off the north-east coast and in the

Northern Isles. There are more stories from your region and all

the latest news on at our website. The success of cyclists like Sir

Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins in the Olympics may have encouraged

more of us to get on our bikes. Still only a tiny proportion of

Scots cycle to work or use bikes to get about four business. Can we be

persuaded to change? Yes! Those great British Cycling

victories have done wonders for the sport. Apart from dusting down the

pike and pedalling off for a Sunday Cycle, are more of us really taking

to the roads on two wheels? And in the Olympics have done wonders for

cycling in the UK. -- I think. There has been a huge resurgence of

cyclists, of all ages. It has done wonderful things and I can see it

can -- continuing. According to government statistics, only 2% of

Scots use their bike for the daily commute. The lack of proper cycle

lanes and concerns for safety are real barriers. I am a road cyclist

and I'm quite comfortable cycling on the road. But actually, even or

Inverness is a small city, that is the most nerve-racking part, being

in tie-ins. Cycle lanes would be great. The Environment Minister is

launching a sustainable transport pitch in Highlands. The Government

has put millions into cycle routes but is not much more needed?

think anything which reduces barriers and makes it easier for

people to cycle is a good thing. There seems to be research

suggesting that the more people who cycle, the safer it gets. Will

cyclists are drivers as well. They are therefore aware of the issues.

Campaigners say drivers need to be more aware of and more

accommodating to cyclists. Possibly the more of us that Nadal up to

create a critical mass, the more that will happen. -- that saddle up.

Car chases, explosions and shootings, residents in Glasgow

city centre are being expect -- are being told to expect surprises over

the next couple of weeks. It becomes a backdrop for another

Hollywood blockbuster, this time This is what the fast and furious

songs are all its. The six film in the franchise will be no exception.

For the next few weeks, parts of the city centre will be subjected

to the kinds of illegal activities that would usually sparked panic,

all with the blessing of be authorities. This is as close to

the action as any of us is going to get. Filming takes place overnight

on completely closed sets. The action scenes are being filmed here

so Vin Diesel and his co-stars will not be here. Fast Six is the latest

Holyrood production to come to Glasgow. Last year saw the city

under siege from zombies in the latest Brad Pitt film. Glasgow has

also doubled as San Francisco. is great that they are here and

after the great success of filming here, word of mouth means film

companies are back here because Glasgow was the place to be. Around

250 cast and crew will be here for the filming. It is estimated the

filming has brought �20 million to the local economy in the last year

alone. It is good for Glasgow. can watch these movies and hope to

see bits of Glasgow which makes it more interesting will stop I am

happy. At the excitement into a boring lives see a. The council

says there will be minimum disruption to life here. If you do

hear the odd explosion or round of gunfire, try not to be too

surprised. Sport now, what have you got for us, David?

Nothing as fast or as serious as that! Celtic will qualify for the

Champions League group stage for the first time in four years with a

win, a draw or even a one goal defeat tonight. They lead Swedish

side Helsingborgs 2-0 from the first leg last week. The manager is

taking nothing for granted but the fans can't hide their excitement,

Here's our senior football reporter Chris McLaughlin.

The first British team to be crowned kings of Europe are much

has changed since then. The game has changed and even the

competition has changed. Expectations remain high. The

European Cup is now the Champions League, the fans and the world or

watching, so what makes it special? You going that park and you can

hear the hairs in your neck tingling. That is how much it means.

Play good fit Golant come up against good teams and players.

lead is now one-horse race after what has happened with Rangers but

it keeps us competitive and treats the fans interested. Party time.

The big teams and big bucks means it is easy to see why sides are

desperate to progress. The winners of the Europa League make �4

million but progress into the Champions League will ensure Celtic

�16 million. Pressure to get their. If we get through, and the teams we

could come up against in terms of the financial muscle they have

available, but Mac the mind wanders in terms of the teams you could

play but we have to do the job first. The cash would pour in here

if they can finish the job against Helsingborgs. The days of less than

a are long gone and fans know will just be happy to see their side

back playing with the big boys. And you can listen to the match in

Sportsound on BBC Radio Scotland 810 medium wave. The show is on air

now. He's one of the most famous

sportsman in the world - you'll probably recognise him. If not, you

will when you see this. It's Usain Bolt, and the Olympic 100 and 200

metres champion is considering competing in the Glasgow

Commonwealth Games in two years in the long jump. The Jamaican says

he's going to talk to his coach about trying the event. Not sure

what time it is going to take place but after the season, or maybe

before we start training, why not try the Commonwealth Games? It is

not as big as the world championship or Olympics. Thanks

for that. Andy Murray's on court in the wee small hours of the morning

UK time. He's playing Ivan Dodig in the second round of the US Open at

Flushing Meadows. Although the 27- year-old Croat is unseeded for the

tournament, Murray says he's aware of his potential to spring a

surprise. He beat Rafael Nadal last year on the hard court and in

Canada just before the US Open. He has a huge first serve. He is an

extremely good athlete and his quick and flexible. It gives me a

tough match. By the time Andy Murray takes to the court, the

Paralympics will have opened. Our correspondent is in London and has

been considering the prospects of some of the Scottish athletes

taking part. The Olympic Stadium will now be

filled to bursting for tonight's opening ceremony. So many golden

moments during the Olympics, could it be where Scotland managed to

turn sovereign to gold? A former student at the Royal Blind School

in Edinburgh, she is the world champion of the 100 metres but

could she become Olympic champion? The velodrome provided a wonderful

backdrop for Sir Chris Hoy to become Britain's more successful

Olympian. There serious gold medal chances to. Determined to defend

both titles from whence in Beijing. This is the only venue built on

purpose for the Paralympics, Eton Manor. Inspired by Andy Murray's

Olympic gold, targeting a medal in a second Paralympics. It is good to

be in the squad again. I was in Beijing four years ago which was a

great experience for me. To play at the Paralympics in your home

country is pretty unbelievable. Scotland has 27 athletes among the

Team GB squat. We will keep you up- to-date with their progress over

the next 11 days and what has been billed as the biggest and best

about Paralympic Games. A wealth of sporting action on the

programme tonight because next year Scotland will host the world

championships of coastal rowing. Training for the home teams is

already pretty intensive and unlike those pampered Olympians and

paralympians, those taking part have to build the boats themselves.

Our community reporter Euan Leopold spent a day on the ocean wave.

A familiar sight among coastal communities around Scotland, part

of an amateur sporting competition at its peak 100 years ago. Here,

the rowing club and occasional quiet get ready. There are now 33

votes in Scotland so it is getting bigger and bigger. It brings

together a lot of different elements that are valuable. Sport,

on the water, you are engaging with communities and the people build

the votes. There is a lot of benefit in the fact everyone works

together. The project started by the Fisheries Museum Anstruther has

been putting together community workshops like this one and even in

sheds at the bottom of gardens. is a fun thing to get out and meet

people and get a chance to go on the water. Not a lot of people get

a chance to go out on the coast and see the beautiful sites and make

the beautiful people. The North Berwick team's activity get them

noticed by the local wildlife but they sometimes get too close for

comfort! What is this work heading towards? The World Championships

happen next year and I cannot wait for that. We have people coming

from New Zealand and Tasmania and I am looking forward to meeting them.

There is more fun than the his rivalry. After a hard day of rowing,

there is nothing like a good sing- song, but it is all too much for

some. Just before the weather there's

been a storm worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster across the central belt

this afternoon. There was flash flooding in parts of Edinburgh and

water had to be pumped out of the Usher Hall although tonight's

performance is expected to go ahead as planned. Take a look at this.

And this was the scene in East Kilbride in Lanarkshire where

despite it being the end of August there was a freak hail storm. It

set off car alarms but otherwise there were no reports of damage. A

plague of locusts any day now, plague of locusts any day now,

Christopher. Scottish Sumner! We talked about it last night, the

effect of heavy downpours and they certainly delivered as belt. Heavy

rain courtesy of this front wrapped around the Western Isles and the

Northern Isles. Over the next few hours, those showers will fade away

and that rain again starts to fade away becoming confined to the

north-east, eventually leaving Shetland as well. As it clears the

air, there some gale-force winds to contend with. We could see some

grass frost and the winds still rather keen down the west coast.

After that drama, into tomorrow it is not to that. Dry and bright but

had damp start with the overnight rain clearing over the Lothians and

borders. Still rather be easy across Orkney and Shetland. By mid-

afternoon, there will be some sunshine around but with they're

coming from the North, rather cool conditions. If you are out of the

wind in the sunshine, it is suing pleasant on the same with the

chance of some white isolated showers across the Outer Hebrides.

The rest of the afternoon into the evening stays dry and bright and

then overnight, clear skies once again will mean actually night for

some with grass frosts spreading. Into Friday, the high pressure is

squeezed out of the way and be a low pressure works its way in

bringing rain to finish of the week. The heaviest and most persistent

and the north and west, patchier the further south and east you are.

We still have the rain over the weekend but it is split across the

weekend but it is split across the country. Sunday improves for all.

Now, just before 7 o'clock, a summary of tonight's top stories.

The former editor of the News of the world in Scotland has been

arrested and charged with attempting to pervert the course of

justice. He was detained in Glasgow this morning and later released.

The charge relates to a defamation action taken against the News of

the world by Tommy Sheridan in 2006. The Queen, and the Duke and Duchess

of Cambridge will join more than 60,000 people packed into the

stadium for the opening ceremony at the Paralympics in London. The

Paralympic flame has been carried through a variety of London's

historic landmarks ahead of the start of the games.

The duty in the trial of a man accused of murdering a says lack a

pensioner with his own car has been sent home for the night after

retiring to consider its verdict. He is accused of deliberately

running of a James Simpson while stealing his Land Rover. The Deputy

Prime Minister Nick Clegg has called for an emergency tax on

Britain's wealthiest people, saying the rich should shoulder more of

the UK's economic pain. But the Chancellor George Osborne has