10/11/2015 Reporting Scotland

news at Six. Goodbye from me. On BBC One we can join the BBC's news teams

where you are. Insufficient staff

and low performance, that's the verdict of a review

into police's handling The review was ordered after the

three-day long delay in responding to John Yuill and Lamara Bell's

crashed car on the M9. I would hate to see anybody else go

through that, three days, just terrible. I just want to make sure

there is change and that this can never happen again.

former Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael admits

trying to mislead an investigation into that leaked memo.

The SNP stops Conservative government plans

for extended Sunday trading in England.

The farmer facing eviction after 20 years on this land in East Lothian.

And Scotland's manager says his squad are ready for

next year's World Cup qualifiers, despite our Euro 2016 failure.

A report on police call handling in Scotland says

no more call centres should be closed for now

because of weaknesses in the way the project has been handled.

The review was ordered after the deaths of John Yuill and Lamara

Bell, who lay undiscovered for days in their car after it crashed

Tonight, Lamara Bell's family said the report was a damning indictment

Here's our home affairs correspondent Reevel Alderson.

It took police three days last July to arrive at the scene of a car

crash off the M9 near Stirling after a farmer had reported the accident.

When officers got there, the driver, John Yuill was dead, and his

girlfriend, Lamara Bell, was seriously injured. She died later in

hospital. Her family say it has been tough waiting for answers as to why

nobody responded to the emergency call. There are constant reminders

of what she went through, they will stick with me all the time, and I

would hate to see anybody else have to go through that. Three days my

sister went through, just terrible. I just want to make sure that there

is change and that this can never happen again. This is the Bilston

control room in Midlothian which handled the control about the crash.

It is now dealing with calls that used to go through Stirling, which

has closed. How the closure programme has been handled was

investigated by the Inspector of Constabulary. He looked at the way

calls adult with a cross Police Scotland. He said oversight of the

closure programme was inadequate and call handlers were sometimes under

pressure to end calls quickly. Some used notepad instead of putting

information into the computer system. He said further planned

closures should not go ahead without guarantees the service will not

suffer. Police say things are improving. We are in the middle of a

long and complex programme of change, and it provides important

assurances about our call handling capacity, capability and processes.

We, of course, acknowledged that there have been challenges and

issues, and today's report recognises that we have made

progress in addressing those issues. The Scottish Police

Federation agrees things are improving, thanks to more

investment, but it says problems were inevitable because the force

has to save ?1.1 billion over 13 years. The almost single focus on

trying to save money at the cost of everything else was clearly one of

the driving factors that resulted in such a poor servers being delivered

to the public, it can come as no surprise that on the back of a cash

investment that enabled the people in place also enabled significant

improvements. Police Scotland receives 3.7 million calls on the

999 and 101 numbers. Opposition MSPs called the report damning and a

shocking indictment of reorganisation, but the Justice

Secretary insist it is working. Collectively, we accept that the

issue of how the call centres were taken forward could have been

handled better, and the recommendations by HMIC have said

very clearly about the need for improvement and how these changes

are managed in the future. What we now have to do is make sure that the

progress that the report highlights has been made in recent months, that

we build on that progress. Another report into how the incident itself

was handled was ordered by the Lord Advocate, and it will be published

next year. Reevel Alderson, Reporting Scotland.

The former Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has said he

didn't lie over a leaked memo in an attempt to protect his reputation.

He said the reason he told the lie was to keep media attention

focused on the alleged double standards of the SNP in

He was giving evidence for a second day at a special election

court in Edinburgh which will decided whether he broke the law.

Trying times for Alistair Carmichael as he arrives at court faced with

accusations he repeatedly lied about a leaked memo. This is already on

the public record, I received a phone call on Friday afternoon from

a journalist... He accepted the lied to Channel 4 television and to a

newspaper reporter and misled the Cabinet Office inquiry into the

leaked memo in a calculated move. Challenged repeatedly in court that

he had lied to save his reputation, he said...

Back in April this year, he authorised the leak of a memo, the

basis of a newspaper article that claimed the First Minister had told

the French ambassador she wanted David Cameron to remain as Prime

Minister after the general election, something Nicola Sturgeon

denied. The Member of Parliament for Orkney and Shetland constituency...

A month after, he was returned as MP for Orkney and Shetland, but days

later evidence emerged he had lied about the leaked memo. His

constituents have taken him to court, arguing he misled the public

in the run-up to his real action is MP. He was asked if this episode had

taken its toll on him and his family. He replied it had been a

difficult few months. Asked if he regretted his involvement in the

leaks, he replied, enormously. Alistair Carmichael left court this

afternoon, his evidence finished. Both legal teams are due to present

closing submissions tomorrow. At stake is his political career. If he

loses the case, he could lose his seat.

The UK Government has put plans to relax Sunday trading laws

on hold while talks continue with opposition parties.

The SNP had threatened to vote against the proposals.

They said even though the plans applied only to England and Wales,

on shop workers' pay across the whole of the UK.

We are in favour of Sunday trading, but not on the back of lower paid

shop staff, and the effect of the government plans, which had no

safeguards or guarantees on pay, could have led to staff having their

pay is squeezed not just in Scotland but the rest of the UK as well. Tim

Reid is at Westminster tonight, Tim, how significant is this SNP

intervention? Well, officially, the word from Number Ten is that their

plans have not changed and that they will come back with next steps at a

later date. Unofficially, they have been put on hold pending further

discussions with the opposition party leaders here, and I think the

figures simply did not stack up for the Government if they had pushed

this to a vote if it had been brought before the house, they could

have lost because the SNP were threatening to vote against it,

despite it being measure for England and Wales. Angus Robertson said he

had been persuaded by shop workers and unions that wages may be

affected by this, and significantly he was today spotted in Downing

Street, having a meeting with the Prime Minister on other matters, but

I think it is safe to assume this is one of the things at the top of his

agenda. And the fact that the Government is going to have to go

back to the drawing board on this is a significant flexing of the SNP's

muscles here. Ironically, though, it is today after the Scotland Bill,

where the SNP could not get way entirely on the Scotland Bill last

night on a measure relating to Scotland, but it has managed to

cause some element, inflict some damage on the Prime Minister on a

matter which was only England and Wales. So perhaps the English votes

for English laws that the Government has introduced not going to be quite

as easy as they had hoped. Also discussed at Westminster and

Holyrood, the forthcoming trade union bill. Yes, workers' right at

the top of both genders today, Nicola Sturgeon was here today

meeting her MPs, head of discussion of the trade union bill in the House

of Commons. Opposition parties here and that Holyrood against those

changes to workers' writes, the SNP saying they were an ideological

attack. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come

on tonight's programme: Councillors back revised plans

for new flood defences in Dumfries, In sport, the Scotland boss

Gordon Strachan says we need a winning mentality across

all levels of Scottish football. We meet the Scots rider

racing for gold in Rio. Campaigners gathered at Holyrood to

demand that the Scottish Government does more to stand up

for the rights of tenant farmers. Among them is Andrew Stoddart, who

faces eviction in two weeks' time after more than 20 years

farming land in East Lothian. Whatever the day, whatever the

weather, there is much work to be done. Andrew Stoddart has fond here

since 1993, investing in a business and a future for his family. But at

the end of the month, his wife and three children will have to leave.

It is totally devastating, we have spent 22 years here. We have built

the place up, made it our home. And, you know, it is just absolutely

gutting to have to leave. He believed legislation brought in in

2003 would give him a security of tenure, but two years ago the law

was ruled defective. Now his landlord wants the farm back. The

trust owns the land, the trust has taken the view that they would like

to farm the land themselves, and in many ways that is their prerogative,

it is their land, they ended into the tenancy originally of their own

free will, and this is now their decision. Andrew is not alone -

seven other farmers face eviction because of the defective law. You

have sons going into businesses with their fathers, and in fact some have

actually moved onto the next generation. So there is a profound

human aspect to this position, whereby, as families, they do not

know what the future holds for them. Today land reform campaigners

gathered at Parliament, calling on the Government to step in. My

officials are working on this case as a matter of urgency, given that

the end of this tenancy is approaching fast, to see how we can

help them, because we do not know what the position is when he is not

able to continue farming. We want to do all we can to help them.

Meanwhile, back in East Lothian, Andrew can now only hope for

compensation to help them start again, something the trusts say they

are discussing with him. The Scottish Government's decision

to award ?150,000 to the organisers of T in the Park

is to be reviewed by the public spending watchdog

Audit Scotland. The Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop,

was called before a parliamentary committee in September

to be quizzed on the award. it will examine the funding

as part of a wider review. MSPs are being asked to approve

an increase in their expenses to allow them to employ

an extra member of staff. The Parliament's management

are recommending that staffing allowances increase by almost

?23,000 after the next election to ensure all office staff

are paid the living wage and to deal with the

increased workload because of the new powers coming

to the Scottish Parliament. Now a look at other stories from a

chorister country. A private funeral will be held for 16-year-old Bailey

Gwynne, who died after being stabbed at Cults Academy in Aberdeen. The

16-year-old boy who was charged with murder has been amended in custody.

A man went on the run for more than a decade has been jailed for

trafficking heroin worth more than ?200,000 into Aberdeen. 41-year-old

Scott Coleman was caught in Liverpool in 2003 but failed to

reappear after being released on bail. He was detained in Amsterdam,

extradited and jailed for five years. Police in Edinburgh are

hunting three men who attacked a shopkeeper during an armed robbery.

They stole a 4 figure sum of cash and a large quantity of cigarettes

from the newsagent's at around five o'clock yesterday afternoon. The

shopkeeper was threatened with a knife and hammer before being struck

on the back of the head as the man-made off.

The Education Secretary has indicated she might be willing

to consider amending or removing controversial provisions

Universities and opposition MSPs have complained that ministers are

seeking to increase their power over institutions.

The Scottish crofting federation has welcomed the governments decision to

look at the potential of reintroducing loans for building or

improving croft houses. The federation said such a systems could

help young crofters get onto the housing ladder. -- assistance. A

conservation charity says that it is cautiously optimistic that new

planning guidance about wild land is stopping the building of wind farms

in key areas of outstanding natural beauty. It comes after a proposed 14

turbine wind farm was rejected by Scottish Government planning

officials following an appeal by the developers.

Councillors in Dumfries have backed a controversial flood-defence scheme

for the town's Whitesands area, which involves building

Last year, thousands of people signed a petition objecting to the

plan and, although it's now been scaled back, opposition remains.

The last big flood in Dumfries was in 2009, but the River bursts its

bank here every year. The council came up with this proposed solution

a three meter high embankment with a walkway on top. The scale of the

structure which would block the River view and wipe out car parking

prompted an outcry. Officials came back with this. A lower raised

walkway 1.3 meterers here which a glass wall on top which could be

heightened further to prevent even the worst one in 75 year flood

experienced here. That concept was approved today by the council's

environment and infrastructure committee. Councillors have listened

to this problem and failed to take a decision. We have a solution that

will tackle the flooding problem it will regenerate the area and make it

an attractive place for people to visit. Most floods in Dumfries won't

come above this railing. The council want something that is two to three

meters high. It's not necessary. Opponents concede the less design is

less visually intrue sieve than the earlier one, but still don't want.

It This barrier is going to be here all year round. Now, if it's made of

glass, that's a massive maintenance problem for them. Think of all the

cleaning they will have to do all year round to prevent a flood for

two-days. It's a nonsense. It's crazy. It goes into a detail design

and planning phase. The Scottishings Government will be asked to come up

with 80% of the expected ?15 million cost. With a favourable tide, it

could be built by the end of the decade.

Thank you very much. Good evening to you.

The Scotland manager believes we should demand a winning mentality

Gordon Strachan doesn't want youngsters to be over-protected from

One of which is that we won't be at Euro 2016 next summer.

Despite that, Strachan says he and his senior players do have

Run away from the Scotland manager's job - no way says Gordon Strachans

despite concerns from his employers he may have called it a day. I

wanted to make sure that after the final games that everybody was happy

where we have to go and happy with the progress. I mean everybody. I

mean the staff, the players, my bosses. The fans. We got a positive

reaction. I just needed that confirmation. With the manager

signed up for another qualifying campaign, his senior players

indicated they are also committed. They are positive. I don't see why

not. This week he is alongside under-21 boss observing what he

hopes will be stars of the future whachl does he see as progress for

the youngsters? They want to win. That is what we are about. Forget

about the nonsense we have to progress and play this. Football,

from whatever age, whatever sport, you want to win. That is part of

life. It's part of what makes your character. People say, we don't want

to show the scores it will upset the kids. Show the scores. You will be

upset. Then you do something about it. That's life. Deal with problems.

That's my rant there. See you later. In good form there.

David Denton says he had an incredible six years

The 25-year-old is leaving for a move south to Bath.

should link up with the Premiership side later this week

since returning from Scotland duties at the World Cup.

Andy Murray has repeated his warning that he may have to pull out of next

week's World Tour Finals if his body reacts badly to practising this week

A man who knows him well, and used to coach him, was focused

He was coaching school kids from Cambuslang with

Mark Petchey does expect Murray to make the end of season finale.

I personally think he will be there. You know it's such a great honour

and a prif ledge, also recognition of what a fantastic year that he's

had. He has never finished as World Number Two year end. There is a big

prize there in terms ofty staying away from Djokovic until the final.

That is a big thing for him to try and achieve -- of.

From a world tennis Number Two to a World Number One.

Helensburgh's Gordon Reid has, for the first time in his career,

reached the top ranking in wheelchair doubles.

He won both the US and French Open Wheelchair Doubles titles this year.

Jen McIntosh is the most decorated female medal winner in Scottish

Now, she dreams about becoming the first British woman to win

The 24-year-old has taken a step closer to realising that aim

after being named today in Team GB for next summer's Olympics in Rio.

McIntosh competed in London 2012, and she believes that experience

I want to go out there and do myself proud and do the very best I can. I

know if I do all of that, that my opportunities are the same as

everybody else to win medals and make finals. As long as I'm happy,

at the end of the day, you can't really control the result.

Triple European cycling Gold medallist, Katie Archibald,

says she's had to move 200-miles from home to have any chance

The Scot's become a key member of the British Women's Pursuit

Team, who now want to take their European success onto the Olympic

Jane Lewis went to Manchester to find out more.

Hitting the roads in training, but this Scot has hit the road south in

a bid to realise her Olympic dream. I'm based down here with the rest of

the Team Pursuit girls. Four of the girls I train in day in and out with

the aim of performing at Rio. It's important we have one base. The Ied

mid--le of the country. We have come to Manchester. She is following in

the footsteps of not just one of her cycling heroes but a fellow Scot who

knows about success on a bike. It gives you goose bumps. It's

inspiring to be on the same track, walking the same hallways and

dealing with the same coaches at times. Pretty privileged. Her move

to Manchester is proving fruitful. COMMENTATOR: It's arch bald. It's

Gold for Great Britain. GB Women's Pursuit Team were World Champions in

2014. They won Silver this year. They are the current European

Champions. Living in each others pockets. Give constructive fedback

and relevant criticisms at times. You think it would be tricky, we get

on well. I'm bragging, maybe there is a secret to success in there. The

question is - will that success continue in Rio? I guess everybody

is confident, aren't they, in the world of sport people get bye-bye

assuming they will be the best. For some people it works. I feel good

about how training is going and how I've been performing at races. I

hope it's going to pay off. If it does, that would be some journey for

this 21-year-old. That's. It I'm so sorry much you can call me David -

You are given. What am I like? Here's Shelley Joffre

with details of Scotland 2015. Is the Scottish Government doing

enough to protect tenant farmers. Join me at 10.30pm over on BBC Two.

It was another fairly cloudy and in places wet day. Thank you to our

weather watcher, Alastair, who sent in this autumnal picture from

Glasgow. Whilst it has been wet for many today, tonight is dry for many,

but cooler than last night. Still some wet weather to the south,

drifting down towards England. Heavy showers to the north-west. For a

good part of the country, dry with clear conditions. Windy to the

north-west from a south-westerly direction. By the end of the night,

temperatures wise, seven or eight Celsius to the north, 10 in the

south. The rural north-east two or three. Tomorrow, wet weather to the

south pulling away. Cloudy here. Showers to the highlands, drifting

further east during the course of the day. A much dryer, brighter day

than today. By mid afternoon in the south, cloud around, a few showers,

the rain waning. Showers to go with the sunshine. Winds lighter, 11

maybe 12 Celsius. A number of showers to the northern isles and

breezy at times. Into the evening, the next batch of rain will arrive

from the south-west. Wet evening community. It journeys up to the

north coast fairly smartly. Thursday, it gets off to a dry,

bright start. The cloud will increase, rain will follow on and

winds will strengthen. Temperatures to 12 Celsius. That wet and windy

weather due to this area of low pressure out in the Atlantic.

Actually, it's our first named storm of the season, Storm Abigail. A wet

windy night, Thursday to Friday. High winds, particularly to the

north-west of the country on the southern flank of that low. Because

of that we do have a Met Office yellow be aware early warning for

wind. We are likely to see disruption on the ferries, bridges

and branches taken down, that sort of thing. That is the exact area for

the weather warning. Gusts of 60-80mph overnight Thursday to

Friday. On Friday there will be colder air, a bitter feel at times

as we head through towards the end of the week as the cold air shunts

the mild air out of the way. Rain around on Friday. The temperature

you will notice, the wind feeling like two or three Celsius. That

rain, it's cold enough to fall as snow on the top of the hills and

mountains down to around 400 meters. That's the forecast for now. Thank

you, Christopher. That's the forecast for now. Thank

you, Now,

a reminder of tonight's main news: A report on police call handling

in Scotland says no more call centres should be closed

for now because of weaknesses in the The review was ordered after

the deaths of John Yuill and Lamara Bell, who lay undiscovered for days

in their car after it crashed The Prime Minister has outlined

the reforms he'll be looking for in negotiations over Britain's

relationship with the EU. David Cameron's four demands include

curbs on benefits for migrants, but some of his own backbenchers have

accused him of demanding too little. I'll be back with the headlines

at 8.00pm and the late bulletin Until then, from everyone

on the team, right across the