04/04/2014 Reporting Scotland

Tonight, on Reporting Scotland: One of the best known and most

charismatic figures in Scottish politics, Margo MacDonald, has died

at the age of 70. In a career spanning more than forty years, she

played a prominent role in the independence movement. Tonight, the

First Minister paid tribute to her. Margot tended to tell it as it was.

It was one of the reason she was so loved by the people. She was known

universally by her first name. Very few politicians achieve that

accolade. I am the MP for Govan. She came to the fore in the seventies,

winning the Glasgow Govan by-election for the SNP. More

recently she battled Parkinson's disease and campaigned for assisted

suicide. I am sorry to hear she died. She is the blonde bombshell

down here, I suppose. You will never see another Margo. She will be sadly

missed. We'll be assessing her influence on the nationalist cause

and how she'll be best remembered. Also on the programme: The

resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien - now the Vatican says it's

to investigate the claims of sexual misconduct levelled against him.

Police release CCTV images of a missing medical student in St

Andrews, as his parents appeal for help to try to find him.

And on the eve of the Grand National, we speak to last year's

winning jockey about his chances of doing it again.

The popular Independent MSP Margo MacDonald died today at her home in

Edinburgh at the age of 70. For more than 40 years, she was hugely

influential within the Scottish independence movement and at one

point was deputy leader of the SNP. More recently, she had been

suffering from Parkinson's disease. She campaigned to legalise assisted

suicide for people with terminal illness. Our political editor, Brian

Taylor, looks back on her life. Deeply serious, a political partisan

who chafed within party constraints but above all charismatic, hugely

popular. They had won the constituency of Govan in 19 73 in a

by-election. I am the MP for Govan. So get that straight, first of all.

Govan and Scotland got it but she was to spend just 112 days in that

role as an MP, ousted at the general election. Feisty and energetic, she

was the SNP deputy leader during the 1970s but political divorce followed

and she quit the party in the internal conflict which followed

defeat in 1979 but she was more than a politician. She qualified as a PE

teacher first of all. Joining us from Edinburgh is Margo MacDonald.

Here with a youthful Jeremy Paxman, she built a career as a respected

broadcaster. She rejoined the SNP alongside her second husband, Jim

Sillars who had also won a by-election in Govan. Welcome back,

coat. The rebirth of the Scottish Parliament brought her back to front

line politics. Scotland seemed happy to see her. Populist and pragmatic,

she fought hard on issues like health care. She was a persistent

critic of the Hollywood building. She forced the Fraser inquiry into

the building. She was up for droll humour when tackling controversial

issues that Chas prostitution. -- it is -- issues such as prostitution.

It would do no harm for some folk. She was less than amused it to be

ranked low in the SNP election list for 2003. I think they are snakes. I

think they did it for selfish reasons. Margo fought and try that

the party of one, perhaps the only party that could hold her. Her

politics and some of the left, but in the world. Calmac if artificially

confine our interests or a responsibility to our small corner,

we will think small thoughts and do small things.

More likely a new and controversial cause, backing assisted suicide for

the terminally ill facing intolerable strain and of course it

was partly personal. She coped with a degenerative disease. I don't want

to burden any doctor. I don't want to burden any friend or family

member. I want to find a way in which I can take the decision to end

my life in case I am unlucky enough to have the worst form of

Parkinson's disease near the end of life. Intelligent, driven, witty,

passionate. Just Margo. Tributes have been paid to Margo

Macdonald from across the political spectrum and by members of the

public. They were led by her husband Jim Sillars, who said she had left a

void that would be impossible to fill. "The brightest light in the

Scottish political firmament," he said, "has gone out." Our political

correspondent, Glenn Campbell, reports.

Over more than 40 years, she has become an iconic figure in Scottish

politics. In Govan tonight, where she made her big political

breakthrough, she is remembered with affection. I am sorry to hear that

she died because she is a blonde bombshell down here. She was very

chic and elegant, which added to the whole picture. Glamorous and

good-humoured and generous, Margo MacDonald was held in high regard

across the political divide. Scotland has lost a very special and

quite unique women, Margo MacDonald was an institution in Scottish

politics, she was the mother of the Scottish Parliament. She was

somebody who believed passionately in Scottish independence, was very

political but somebody had managed to transcend party politics. She was

able to reach out to people beyond politics, she spoke with such warmth

and passion, such great humour. She just managed to do something that

was speaking out to everybody that politics was about people and their

lives. The Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson described her

as a complete 1-off... The Liberal Democrats Scottish secretary

Alistair Carmichael said... It is a sad day. Margo MacDonald was one of

the great figures of Scottish Parliament. I don't know anyone who

served in the Scottish Parliament with who not have the highest

respect for her commitment for serving her constituency and the

cause is she believed in. The Lothians MSP was still staring wit

and wisdom with the Holyrood chamber towards the end of last year. In

November she launched a new right to die bill which will be taken forward

by the Green Party's Patrick Harvie. Whether you were on the same side of

any issue or on the opposite side, you could never fail to acknowledge

the quality that she brought to the debating chamber and two Scottish

public life in general. She was a sparkling, fun, exciting person but

she was also formidable and challenging. Margo MacDonald died in

home -- at her home in Edinburgh this afternoon with her family by

her side. Her husband said... Margo tended to tell it as it was. She was

loved by the people. She was known universally by her first name, very

few politicians get that accolade of being able to campaign on their

first name. She was elected as an independent three times and that is

tough. Few politicians can achieve that. The flag that Holyrood are

lowered tonight in tribute, any book of condolences memories will be

left. She lit up Scottish Parliament.

Our political editor, Brian Taylor, is here. She involved herself in

such a wide range of issues. What will she be most remembered for? She

was a great campaigner on these issues and especially on the cause

of independence. It was always independence with a purpose, the

purpose being to benefit the dispossessed. She was making choices

within Scotland rather than just choosing Scotland, she was highly

intellectual yet very human and funny. If you went into her office,

you were likely to be engaged in a hugely intellectual debate about

independence or speaking about Hibernian or her latest purchase on

the shopping channel. There aren't many politicians you can honestly

say inspire affection among the public. What was it about Margo that

drew people to her? She was witty, she was humane and she was

demonstrably on the side of the people. That point that Alex Salmond

made about her standing as an independent, she stood in 2003 as an

independent, she was a party of one. No resources. Just her own integrity

and a few supporters. She won by a country mile. Her place in the

Scottish Parliament will not be replaced until the Hollywood general

election of 2016, Margo MacDonald literally is irrepressible. --

irreplaceable. Thank you, Brian. Margo Macdonald, who has died today.

The Vatican is to investigate the claims of sexual misconduct that led

to the resignation of Cardinal Keith O'Brien. He resigned as Archbishop

of St Andrews and Edinburgh last February, following allegations of

improper conduct in the 1980s. Our home affairs correspondent, Reevel

Alderson, reports. The last pictures of Cardinal Keith

O'Brien before his dramatic resignation in February last year.

Following allegations of sexual misconduct with trainee priests, he

admitted his behaviour had fallen short of what was expected of him.

Now the Pope is sending this Maltese bishop to Edinburgh to take

evidence. Bishop Charles Scicluna is known as an aggressive investigator

of sexual abuse by clergy. The new Archbishop of St Andrews and

Edinburgh has welcomed this step, he said...

The order by the Vatican four ship Charles Scicluna to visit Scotland

is unprecedented, a cardinal has never before been investigated but

the journalist who originally broke the story said victims of the match

interests have not been considered. They have been given less than one

week notice. I don't think any serious investigation is handled in

that way. They have asked the priest to go through the vicar general of

the diocese, so they are asking them to tell their line manager first

that they want an appointment with Charles Scicluna. When you have

confidential information to give, I don't think that is the way to get

to the truth. Cardinal O'Brien is currently in Scotland on retreat.

Pope Francis will consider his future after receiving Charles

Scicluna's report. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come on tonight's programme: Two shinty

clubs that lost many players during World War One get ready to

commemorate their sacrifice. In sport: the Scots jockey who won

last year's Grand National is back in the saddle for tomorrow's race -

how does he rate his chances? And twenty years on from their last

big trophy win, Raith Rovers face Rangers in the Ramsdens Cup final.

The parents of a young medical student who's been missing for more

than two weeks have appealed for help to find him. Manvir Singh from

Bishopbriggs was last seen getting off a bus in St Andrews. Aileen

Clarke reports. Manvir Singh, 21 years old and in

his third year of studying medicine at Glasgow University. He had not

been seen by friends or family since the 19th of March. He lives with his

parents in Bishopbriggs. Today their anguish was clear. He is a much

loved son. We have not heard from him or seen him for more than two

weeks. We are very worried about him. We want you to know that you

are not in any trouble. We miss you very much and want you back as soon

as possible. Please, please call to let us know if you are OK. Manvir

Singh left a friend on Wednesday the 19th here in Glasgow city centre.

This was around quarter to five. After leaving his friend on

Sauchiehall Street, Manvir Singh came here to Buchanan Street bus

station where he got on the 17th 25 Stagecoach bus to St Andrews. CCTV

picked him up in St Andrews that night. Police are concerned that

though he may have had ?200 with him, he left his phone and bank

cards at home. He is never far from his mobile phone and we have his

mobile phone which was left on charge. We have his wallet and his

passport and his glasses. After he went missing, his parents learned he

had failed some recent exams. He has friends in St Andrews and people are

urging -- police are urging people who seen him there to get in touch.

The oil and gas industry could create up to 39,000 jobs across the

UK over the next two years, according to research. The study

from the Bank of Scotland suggests that because most of the oil and gas

firms are clustered in Aberdeen and the North East, Scotland would gain

the largest share of the new work. However, more than a third of the

companies taking part raised concerns about a skills shortage.

A forensic scientist has told the Elaine Doyle murder trial that the

crime scene was particularly difficult to manage. 68-year-old

Keith Eynon examined the scene where Elaine's body was found in a lane in

Greenock. He also said that DNA evidence did not exist in crime

investigations in 1986 when the 16-year-old was killed. 49-year-old

John Docherty denies murdering Elaine. He has lodged a list of 41

names and says one of those people could have been Elaine's killer. The

trial continues. This If you Developers behind plans to replace

the former council headquarters at St Nicholas House in Aberdeen say

they have listened to the public, as they unveil their latest vision for

the site. Are a if Muse Developments are

lodging plans for the office, hotel and retail project, known as

Marischal Square, and have unveiled new images showing how it will look.

You are in An exhibition is being held at the city's art gallery to

give the public another chance to comment on the scheme. A A look at

other stories from the across the country.

Some free-standing walls at Edinburgh schools are being

demolished as a safety precaution following the death of a pupil at

Liberton High on Tuesday. 12-year-old Keane Wallis-Bennet died

when a gym changing room wall collapsed. Safety inspections of all

similar walls have been carried out and no imminent risks identified.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is investigating why a large

expanse of foam appeared on the River Clyde in Glasgow. Samples are

being taken for testing. It is thought the foam came from an

overflow. High streets in Scotland have the

highest rate of vacant shops in the UK, according to a study by

Deloitte. The firm looked at data on nearly 6,000 shops across the UK.

Aberdeen's new aquatics centre is ready to host its first competition.

?22 million has been spent on the new Olympic-standard swimming pool

and diving arena. 7,000 visitors are expected tomorrow at the eight-day

Commonwealth Water Polo Championships. The centre will open

to the public in May. Part of thinking was that we not only wanted

the facility here in a grand scale, we wanted to produce something which

would attract local, regional, national and international

competitors. Soldiers from the Royal Scots

Dragoon Guards marched through Edinburgh to celebrate their return

from Afghanistan. The homecoming parade went down the Royal Mile

finishing up at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The horrendous losses suffered by two shinty teams in the First World

War will be commemorated tomorrow. Kingussie are playing Kyles Athletic

in the league, exactly 100 years and a day since the two sides met in the

Camanachd Cup final in 1914. Nine of those who played that day were among

the fallen of the Great War. Camanachd Cup the winning Kingussie

squad, taking a few weeks before the start of the First World War. At the

time, the expected to be home by Christmas. But 19 of them became

victims to trench warfare. They were told to virtually charge the German

lines. The German submachine guns and snipers waiting for the minute

was a total massacre. The shanty players from various parts of

Scotland, it was horrendous to even think about it. A large part of a

whole generation gone. Many communities were never the same

again. We are talking about nine out of the 24 players. The tone lost 60

in the great War. We can't contemplate losing that amount of

people. For the players who wear friends on the pitch, became part of

another common cause at the start of the world war. They were swapping

the tranquil surroundings of the quiet A1 tone for the industrial

scale slaughter of the Western front.

Let us get all the sport. He became an overnight sensation last year.

Ryan Mania will attempt to win the Grand National for the second year

in a row tomorrow when he rides Mr Moonshine in the 4.15 at Aintree.

The jockey from Galashiels is playing down his chances of repeat

success, but as Heather Dewar reports, hopes are high for the

24-year-old. Warming up for the big race tomorrow. At Aintree today, a

painful reminder of how tough this course can be. His fall was a

disappointing start to the day. It was a far cry from the success last

year on the 61 6061 outsider. It turned my life outside them. It was

just great to be a part of it. Tomorrow, he will ride Mr and Shane

after his Grand National winner was retired. Same jockey, trainer and

owner going for it again would have been nice. Because he is not racing,

maybe the pressure is off slightly. So, is Mr men shame when we should

be putting our money on? It is Pollock over the fences. I hope I

can just get round. That is all you can hope for really. If you stay out

of trouble, you never know in that race, that is the beauty of it.

20 years ago, Raith Rovers shocked Celtic to win the League Cup final.

Rovers' class of 2014 are hoping to make their names by lifting the

Ramsdens Cup this weekend. They will have to beat Rangers to do it. The

cup may not be as illustrious as the league cup, but the heroes of 1994

were joining the current squad. Easter Road as the venue for the

final and it has already been the scene of cup delight for Rovers this

season. There are constant remainders at the club here. There

are pictures on the wall. It is not mentioned so much, the pressure of

it. But it is always on the back of the main portable mean to the

supporters. The question is, would make up mean as much to Rangers. By

the amount of tickets that they have sold, they are like gold dust, I

think they have had so many negatives around the club for such a

long time, they want to just get a bit of silverware, if you include

winning the championships last year in the season. It is all part of

them getting back to where they want to be. So will Rangers succeed a bit

of silverware, if you include winning the championships last year

in the season. It is all part of them getting back to where they want

to be. So will Rangers succeed role may be dancing in the streets of

wreath on Sunday? You can watch the Ramsdens Cup final

on BBC Alba on Sunday. Or listen on BBC Radio Scotland. Play was

suspended a short time ago at the Davis cup because of bad light.

Now, a look at what else is happening across Scottish sport.

Scotland's women play Poland in a World Cup qualifier tomorrow - the

Scots top their group. But with favourites Sweden still to be faced,

they can't afford a slip up. Ross County, three points above the

Premiership's relegation play-off spot,

it is just the four best runners-up go on, so you cannot afford to lose

a game. Ross County face Inverness tonight. The game is live on radio

Scotland. Inverness Cowley are guaranteed a top six finish.

Everything has to be done with a bit of direction. You need a lot of

patience. It will not happen overnight. .

St Mirren are currently in the relegation play-off spot, after a

draw at Inverness last week. Their fight to beat the drop continues

with a home match against Motherwell tomorrow. Our best performances have

come when we have followed the game plan and played to our strength. We

have not done that enough for my liking.

Edinburgh Rugby can still finish in the top half of the Pro12 table.

They beat Dragons 23-19 last night. Glasgow Warriors are away to Treviso

tonight. And my favourite story of the day.

Sir Alex Ferguson is becoming an academic. Taking up a teaching

position at Harvard University, he will lecture on his management

style. And there are more sports stories,

plus all the latest news 24 hours a day, on BBC Sport Scotland's

website. That is the sport for tonight.

So, what can we expect from the weather this weekend? Here is

Gillian. I wish I could give you some

sunshine, but it will at least feel a bit warmer than it has done in

recent days. You can still see the remains of that rain across the

North. It will become confined to Shetland overnight. Mostly dry

across the country overnight. We will see marine knocking on the door

early tomorrow morning. Quite a chilly night in store. Tomorrow, the

leading across the West in the early morning and it will spread from West

to East during the course of the morning. There will be a few heavy

bursts in that. Much of eastern Scotland will just see a few spots

of rain. Orkney and Shetland will fear real tomorrow. The likes of

Inverness and Aberdeen should also avoid the rain. You will also notice

a change in the wind direction. We will lose a lot of the mist and low

cloud. Temperatures will respond as a result. Still pretty poor

conditions if you are taking to the hills tomorrow. A lot of cloud and

rain in the north-west Highlands. In the East, you'd better start, but it

will cloud over and fog will be an issue. Here are the inshore waters.

For the rest of the afternoon tomorrow, tomorrow at the evening,

rain clearing and it will be dry for a spill, before in the night, more

rain beginning to gather in the West. On Sunday, another weather

front heads our way and it will be rather wet across much of the

country. It could be heavy at times, particularly in the West. Some

improvement in the west later in the day, but that will be late on.

Monday looks like a day of scattered showers.

Now, a reminder of tonight's main news...

The popular Independent MSP Margo MacDonald died today at her home in

Edinburgh at the age of 70. For more than 40 years, she was hugely

influential within the Scottish independence movement and, at one

point, was deputy leader of the SNP. More recently, she had been

suffering from Parkinsons disease. And that is Reporting Scotland. I

will be back with the headlines at eight o'clock and the late bulletin

just after the ten o'clock news. Until then, from everyone on the

team right across the country, have a very good evening.