16/10/2012 Reporting Scotland

Tonight on Reporting Scotland. "Not given a chance." One of the

rejected bidders for Hall's of Broxburn says his plan to take-over

the meat processors would have saved over 1,000 people's jobs.

is incredible that Vion would say we would rather put 1700 people on

the dole queue than to give another does as an opportunity to save

those jobs. It does not make sense and it is not fair. Tonight on

Reporting Scotland. "Not given a chance." Halls' Dutch owners are

denying claims they didn't want to sell - or save - the business. Also

on the programme, taking the high road - or the low road. Work gets

underway on an alternative route for drivers on the landslide-

plagued Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll. I am in Brussels, where

Scotland desperately need a victory to ease the pressure on their

manager, Craig Levine. Oh, that's my cake. But despite some slip-ups

Scotland are through to the finals in tonight's other big competition,

the Great British Bake-off. One of the companies which bid to save

Halls of Broxburn says the factory closure was "completely avoidable".

Graf Capitals says it put together a seven figure bid to buy the meat

plant and save three quarters of the jobs at the West Lothian site.

It claims the Dutch owners, Vion, never had any intention of keeping

the factory going - a claim the company strongly rejects. Morag

Kinniburgh joins us from the factory. There is real anger here

this evening not only over job losses but over the bidding process

for Hall's. The Scottish private equity company Graf Capitals has

said it made a realistic bid to keep the factory as a going concern

but that that was rejected by the Dutch owners, who said was not

being anything more than lip- service to the process of finding a

buyer. By John, hours Park, rejected the accusations, saying

that in his opinion, Graf Capitals was not a credible bidder. It was a

depressing day in Boston, 1700 jobs are going, and there is little

prospect of other work locally. But one company insists it could up but

Hall's and transformed into a viable business, if it had only

been given a chance. It is incredible that Vion would say

would rather put want 1700 people on the dole queue than to go

another company a chance to save those jobs. It does not make sense

and it is not fair, and what is quick to happen is that a large

percentage of those jobs will be transferred to factories elsewhere

in the country, and that is very unfair. The meat factory owners,

Vion, said that Graf Capitals were But, boardroom arguments are all

little comfort on the streets of Brixton. We get plenty of business

from them, so it is hard for us. do not have much hope for a work

living around here. Just very angry and upset about people losing their

jobs. Many of the other shops, the money. Coming into them and a lot

of people will be affected. closure begins with the butchery

and abattoir and the first jobs could go in the next few weeks, the

next in the year. It is unlikely anything could be sold on. Some

small parts of the business could be sold later, but my understanding

is most of the employees will not be employed at all. Bayern have not

been persuaded back to the negotiating table. The wrangling

gives little prospect of a reprieve for Hall's. Despite the anger and

accusations there seems little to no chance of saving the jobs. The

Scottish government has issued a statement saying that it is happy

to speak to any viable commercial buyer for the plant. Meanwhile, 176

jobs that were under threat at the Barrie Knitwear Factory in Hawick

have been saved tonight. The luxury goods company Chanel has agreed a

deal to buy the cashmere knitwear manufacturers, which is part of the

Dawson group. The plant was put into administration in August. A

spokesman said there was no exclusivity deal and Barrie will

continue to work with other luxury brands worldwide. The day after

David Cameron and Alex Salmond signed a deal ensuring a referendum

on independence the Scottish Liberal democrats have come up with

a plan should voters vote no. They say their blueprint for "Scottish

Home Rule" would see the Scottish Government raising around two-

thirds of all the money it spends. Our correspondent Tim Reid is at

Westminster tonight. What do the proposals say, Tim? All mill has

been a long-held ambition of the Liberal Democrats ever since the

days of William Gladstone, or 100 years ago. Devolution has come a

long way since then but the Liberal Democrats would like it to go

further, not quite as far as independence, but contained within

this report are proposals which would allow the Scottish parliament

to have control and power over things like all the income tax

raised, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, and passenger duty. It

does not give it control over VAT and North Sea oil revenues, but

what it would allow his for some councils to have no financial otter

and any, raising part of what they spend, and perhaps surprisingly for

what is a Unionist Party, the party also says that the Act of Union

which binds the union together should be scrapped in favour of

what it calls a declaration of federal union. What has been the

reaction to this? This is a late their son of the o'clock. The

nationalists have dismissed it as a half-baked plan. It will give the

Liberal Democrats a platform to fight the independence campaign

with. Labour is considering what new potential powers at the

Scottish parliament could have. The Tories are not considering further

powers at the moment, but of course they could change their minds at

some point in the future. You're watching Reporting Scotland from

the BBC. Still to come: Honours for services to golf - Ivor Robson

celebrates his many decades as the European Tour's official starter.

And in sport, all eyes on Brussels as Scotland take on Belgium in a

must-win match. The Tartan Army, as you would expect, have made it

Ripper this one, it is a World Cup qualifier, but walk for the future

of the Scotland manager if they lose? And Russell will have some

broke the news for you, too. -- Rugby News. Work is under way to

try to ease a notorious and recurring problem in Scotland's

road network - the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful in Argyll. It's

been blocked by landslides several times over the past few years and

drivers have been forced onto an hour long detour. But now an old

military road is to be used to reduce the disruption should there

be more landslides. Here's our correspondent, Jamie McIvor. The

Rest And Be Thankful has been blocked five times in five years by

lines likes. This was the last one in August. Each time drivers have

faced a 50 mild diversion. It has been an all-too-familiar story.

huge Lansley has closed the A83 at the Rest And Be Thankful. 600 tons

of rock and soil but did up the Rest And Be Thankful remains

closed... The book remains open again but the risk of further

landslides remains. At the bottom of the valley lies the old military

road. Its twists and turns once made it popular with rally drivers.

Today, much of it is barely usable. The plan is to stop -- start using

this the military road as a diversion saving motorists from

using an hour long detour, but first, a lot of work needs to be

done. Work is now well under way, but it is a technical challenge.

The works are programmed to take around 12 weeks. Some of the

challenges are getting the structures on site, and bridges,

which need to be repaired, and the weather in this area is very

unpredictable. At nearby Loch fine oysters, they know what problems

the long detour has cost. It has a massive impact on the business.

Customers cannot get to the facility. We have problems with

staff getting to and from work. It has had a huge impact. Finding

better ways of coping with Lansleys is only a short-term solution. A

task force is trying to find a long-term answer. People have

suggested the old Corus revolt, a completely new road, or upgrading

further the existing road. All these things have been looked at --

the old forestry road. For now, people are keeping their fingers

crossed that there will not be another bad lines laid until the

old military road is ready for new service -- bad landslide. High

Court judges have rejected proposals to abolish the centuries-

old requirement for corroboration in criminal prosecutions. In a

review of Scots criminal law the judge Lord Carloway said the rule,

which ensures key evidence is backed by two sources, no longer

had a place in a modern legal system. But today as part of the

government's consultation exercise, all other judges said they

disagreed and said the rule provided a "major safeguard"

against miscarriages of justice. The comedian, Frankie Boyle has

told a libel trial that he was shocked to be labelled a racist in

a newspaper article because it went against everything he'd tried to do

in his life and work. He was giving evidence at the High court in

London where he's suing Mirror Group Newspapers. From there, Kevin

Keane reports. Frankie Boyle is suing were Group Newspapers over an

article he published last week -- it published last week about 10

been in talks with Channel 4 about a new television series. The

article began with the words, racist comedian Frankie Boyle could

soon be returning to TV. He describes the moment when he first

heard about that article. He received a text from his manager

and he looked it up online, and the talk about being shocked at that

description, saying that he can take most comments about ill-luck

or on the chin, for example being described as "bile", but he said

not this, because being cold and racist is very serious, it is a

very serious crime. Much of our Frankie Boyle's comedy is political

and it is often about politics. He said in court that it goes against

everything he has tried to do in his work. He said, "I was

completely shocked by this and I always thought people would have

considered me to be the most anti- racist comedian in the country." he

said if you were to take this on the chin, it sets a very serious

precedent. He added that he thought the idea of taking racism done to

this casual level is also very serious. The case continues. Let's

take a look at what else has been happening across the country. A

wild at and then on his hospital has been closed to patients and

visitors after the spread of limiting but also up 14 patients

have been affected with nine still suffering symptoms. A paramedic who

knocked down and killed a picture at a pedestrian crossing in air has

been sentenced to 150 hours' community service. He admitted

causing death by careless driving. A teenager has died while in

custody at Inverness prison. Brian McNeill was a demand after a

hearing at El Leger at Corpus of Scottish Prison Service said he

died and Saturday and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

For the work to determine the source of radioactive particles at

a Fife beach will begin next week. Calls will be dug along the

shoreline at Dalgety Bay, to find out whether radioactivity emerged.

Donald Trump's lawyers have called for a public inquiry into plans for

an offshore wind farm close to his Aberdeenshire golf-course. In a

letter to marine Scotland they said no stone should be left unturned to

establish if there is in the economic risk to the resort on the

proposed 11 turbine development. BBC Scotland's ready Shepherd will

appear in his first pantomime as the voice of a dragon. He will star

alongside pantomime veteran Elaine Smith. Every year, they take the

mickey out of me and get the year they stop doing that, I am finished.

Four or more stories from your area, It has become the biggest hit on TV.

Tonight is the final of the Great British Bake Off. One hoping to win

his it sheds learned medical student, James Morton. Eleanor

Bradford tracks him down. It mixes polite competition...

can hear a penny drop. With it tips on technique. You have to have the

better at the right temperature. And a dollop of history.

transforms home baking. However thought baking could be this

exciting. Tonight is the final. Scotland's hopes rest on the

shoulders of experimental Cork, James Morton. His final bake

doesn't quite go according to plan. This is the mixture. He can only

As tension Mack -- as tension mounts, I get him to sample some

BBC baking. I thought you should try BBC Scotland's signature bake.

That is great. Dropping a cake on the floor is the least of my

worries. It is fun. His sterile tank-tops have also become a hit,

leading to him of having a crests to take part in fashion shoots.

have turned down the fashion shoots. Many factors like this one have

noticed a definite surge in sales. They have taken off all across the

country. A lot of young people are wearing them. The girls like the

cardigans. Only a clip -- few close friends know the results of the

show tonight. Are you going to become a baker or a doctor? I am

definitely going to become a doctor. Baking is great fun but I want to

be a doctor. You can see the final of the Great

British Bake Off on BBC2 Scotland at 8pm.

Our BBC East cons are truly fantastic! It will kiss and a

weighty transfer and 11 -- 11,000 tonne section of aircraft carrier

from its construction site on the Clyde to the Fife.

The Queen Elizabeth was moved out on Sunday. It is being loaded on to

a huge sea-going bars for a 600 mile journey to Rosyth. -- barge.

It is a crucial night for the Scotland football team. Is it any

anything else? We could do with that barge to park

in front of the goal. Craig Levein has made one change to

his team for tonight's World Cup qualifier against Belgium. Here is

qualifier against Belgium. Here is the starting 11. Only one change

and it comes in midfield. James and it comes in midfield. James

McArthur comes in for Scott Brown. Tonight is an important game for

Scotland and the results could have It is the same side that started

against Wales virtually. Tonight's task it is all the more daunting.

Beat the Belgians or the door closes on World Cup 2014.

The ever faithful Tartan Army are in Brussels hoping for something of

a miracle. Scotland come here desperate for a win. They have two

points from a possible nine. Their manager is not far from getting it

right. It takes time for the team to gel and the manager to get his

ideas across and the big players to mature. It comes slowly. If the

plan is good and the players of good, hopefully we will have a long

period of being a property. Belgian put in place a generation ago

something that is now bearing fruit. Craig Levein is hoping to do the

same with Scotland. It goes to the grass roots, decades, the whole

structure. Everything involved in the SFA, the managers coming in

have a positive impact on the squad. We have had some good performances

but have not managed to turn them into results. The fans' patience

seems to be at an end. Some of his decisions and choices have been

shocking. His man-management skills at need a lot to be desired.

don't think he will walk away. He will have to be forced out, which I

hope does happen. If they get a result tonight, I was still back

them. Even during the good old days, Scotland found positive results in

Belgium hard to come by. Craig Levein has to back that trend to

convince the supporters he is still the man for the job.

I am joined by the former Scotland striker, Billy Dodds. He played in

one of those seven defeats in Brussels. Looking at the team line-

up scum had difficult is it going to be for Scotland to get anything

from this match tonight? situation we are in with the

pressure and the players we have and their substitutes, it is going

to be a tough night. We have to be realistic. We heard from the fans

and their view of Craig Levein. The players seemed to back him. If they

lose tonight, does Craig Levein have to go? I think they have to be

honest. I don't see us getting the results where we will see him keep

his job. Whether he goes at the end of this game or the end of the

campaign, I don't think he can carry on. To finish off, a

prediction for this evening? think we will do OK but it might

lose it by the odd goal. 2-1. A bit of optimism their bets

certainly, it is going to be an uphill task. Back to yourselves in

the studio. the studio.

BBC Scotland is the place to be to watch and hear all the action from

Belgium. The match is live on BBC 1 at 7:30pm. There is also online

Six Hearts players have not received their October salaries

averaging route today. It is the second time in as many months that

some players and management have been paid late. They have informed

the SPL about this latest delay. They introduced new rules regarding

players' being paid on time. The SPL board will be discussing the

matter on Monday. Winning our home games is a must if

we are to progress in the Heineken Cup. That is the message from the

Glasgow Warriors players. The Scot who were hard at it earlier in the

gym prepare to face Ulster on Friday. They lost to Northampton on

Sunday in their opening match. The Warriors insist they can't afford

to lose. You can't expect to progress unless

you win your home games. We were gutted not to win the game and even

more gutted not to get a bonus point. To get anywhere past group

stage, we have to win the home games. That is the sport.

Everything crossed for Scotland this evening.

He is the borderer who became one of the Wells -- the world of Golfs

leading personality without hitting a ball in anger. Ivor Robson has

been the European Torus -- European Tour's official starter. Today he

was honoured by his services to golf -- for his services to golf by

his local club. He has been the face of the

European Tour since 1975. Ivor Robson, a first fixture for keeping

everyone in order from superstars to rookies. You have to make sure

the player gets to beTeachta Dala. -- gets to the starting position.

They have a role to play. I don't have any messing about but still

have a few laughs with them. He has treated everyone the same, from

Jack Nicklaus to others. He is always a wonderful man and a

professional starter. He shook my hand extra tight and said, "good

luck, Darren.". When he is not jet- setting, his home is in more fat.

He was once club master and lived above the shop. Today he was

recognised with a life membership of the golf club. Presented by his

friend, Peter Alliss. By he has built himself into a marvellous

character that is part of professional golf on the European

Tour. He never changes, he never wears an overcoat, he never takes a

break to go to the toilet. He stands there from 7am until 4pm in

the afternoon. He is a nice man and he epitomises everything that is

good about golf. When he retires, the void he leaves behind will be

hard to fill but that is a few years away. From BBC Scotland, I am

signing off. If Now a look at the We have clear skies tonight that it

will be a rather cold. We have this low-pressure that is pushing

towards the North Sea. In its wake, we have called conditions. Four

areas north of the central belt, to matters around minus four Celsius.

Cloud and rain is working its way in. Tomorrow morning, the story is

all about the rain. A band of it is crossing towards the far north. We

have a Met Office yellow warning for rain. Be aware across Argyll,

Dumfries and Galloway. That range travels up towards Aberdeenshire.

In its wake, they would be showers. There is a strong easterly wind and

it will not be a pleasant day at all. He is that rain band. The

showers are the order of the day for you. Temperatures around ten

Celsius for you. In the south-west, we have concern because that rain

continues as we head towards this time tomorrow night. It is part of

another area of low pressure working his way in from the south-

west and that will stay with us towards the end of the week. The

outlook is unsettled. Looking at the detail for Thursday, it is

cloudy. Either side of it, showers are possible. The winds will be

lighter and feeling warmer. Cloudy skies with outbreaks of rain and

temperatures up to 12 Celsius. temperatures up to 12 Celsius.

The headlines: Gary McKinnon has won his ten-year battle against

extradition to America on charges of hacking into military computers.

The Home Secretary blocked the move saying he was seriously ill and

might take his own life if he was sent to the US.

One of the companies which bid to sell Halls said the merger was