23/03/2017 Reporting Scotland

Tonight on Reporting Scotland: Standing shoulder to shoulder in

Whatever our disagreements, in this chamber or any other, we stand

united in our core values of democracy, human rights and the rule

of law. These values are strong, and they will endure.

Also on the programme: As Police Scotland remember

their fallen colleague in London, we look at how security measures

Too drunk to fly - a pilot is jailed for turning up

to work two times over the legal limit.

Fears for the future of a national running programme

And Scotland booed off in the end by the supporters.

And the national side must do better in their World Cup qualifying match

Scotland's political leaders have all declared their determination

to maintain democratic freedom in the face of terror.

They were speaking at Holyrood as more details emerged of

This from our political editor Brian Taylor.

Shuffling just a little self-consciously, MSP is prepare for

a minute's silent and solidarity. The event consciously time to

coincide with a similar tribute at Westminster.

This shocking event should serve to remind us of the importance of

holding firm to our humanity of defending our democracy. The First

Minister arrived for questions knowing that all had changed,

changed utterly. Above all, we stand in solidarity with London, a

vibrant, diverse, wonderful city that will never be cowed by mindless

acts of violence. Terrorists seek to undermine our values and destroy our

way of life. They will not succeed. Whatever our disagreements, in this

chamber or any other, we stand united in our core values of

democracy, human rights and the rule of law. These values are strong, and

they will endure. APPLAUSE

Rivals applauded each other, determined to project unity, to defy

terror. The First Minister stressed there was no intelligence suggesting

a specific threat to Scotland, and she urged vigilance as she outlined

the police response. That response does involve a substantial uplift in

armed officers on duty, and also a configuration of resources to ensure

that there has been a high-profile non-armed police presence across the

country. Ruth Davidson praised the police and security services while

condemning the culprit. Yesterday a coward killed three innocent people

and injured many more in an attempt to attack the symbol of our

country's democracy. His attack on our values failed as he died, while

paramedics demonstrated what our civilised society is as they tried

to save him. And also it warned that there should be no backlash against

Muslims. This cannot and must not turn into a war on anyone community.

Bringing people together must be part of the solution to combating

terror. The lasting injury that some people wish to inflict upon us all

is to destroy the empathy and solidarity which our society depends

upon, so we must all be united in expressing and buildings that

empathy and solidarity, in particular challenging those who

would seek to blame, stigmatise and alienate people on the basis of

their religion. Nicola Sturgeon vigorously endorsed that, reflecting

upon her own Glasgow constituency. Finally, Willie Rennie recalled his

time as an MP walking to work over Westminster Bridge, then a scene of

splendour, yesterday a scene of horror, a crime scene. I don't think

I will be a will to walk that route again without thinking of the people

run over. The woman in the river. The police and the people injured.

The three people who died, perhaps some were tourists taking pictures.

Parliament move reflate other topics, hospitals, care of the

elderly, mundane, yes, defiantly so. A determination to maintain

democracy, to carry on. Solemnity, sympathy, solidarity. And

Brian Taylor joins us now from Holyrood. Can you update us on

arrangements for the debate, the continuation of the debate that was

interrupted by yesterday's events? It was a debate on the possible

transfer of powers to this Parliament, to hold a further

referendum. Parliament was suspended, that debate will now go

ahead on Tuesday of next week with a vote that day. Is it fitting that

there should be such an early resumption of Parliamentary

discourse, of Parliamentary battle, if you like, between the various

parties? Yes, I believe it is, just as it is fitting that the Prime

Minister was determined to go ahead next week with triggering article 50

and the beginning of Brexit. In the face of threat, it is a reassertion

of democracy. Brian Taylor at Holyrood, thank you very much

indeed. Today's tributes at Holyrood

reflected events at Westminster, where MPs returned to the House

of Commons after From there our political

correspondent, Get undercover now! Get undercover!

24 hours after panic and terror. Westminster was quiet this

afternoon. Security still tight. Police are still present. Flags

flown at half-mast. But this city has faced attack before, and always

got back to business, with heavy hearts, but defiant. A minute's

silence from politicians, followed by calls for unity. Today we meet as

normal. As generations have done before us and as future generations

will continue to do. To deliver a simple message. We are not afraid.

Note terrorist outrage is representative of any faith or of

any faith community, and we recommit ourselves to strengthening the bonds

of tolerance and understanding. Cherishing what happened here

yesterday, with staff coming together who were terrified and

frightened, all supporting each other, and that in itself is a way

to say to terrorism that it will never win. Defiance in tribute, but

also reflection, on the innocent victims and how Westminster starts

to move on. The sister of a police officer, who none of us really know

what they have to go out to do everyday in a uniform, and the sad

fact is that somebody lost their life yesterday predicting so that we

can come back to work today. What has been really heartening the

support there has been, and the fact that we have gone back to work

today, and carried on as normal, and that means that anybody who seeks to

bring down democracy does not win. On the day, people are very

determined, often very calm, and there is quite a lot of camaraderie

looking outreach other, but it is often the next day and the days

after that that it sinks in, and certainly what you could see today

was that people were almost more shaken today than yesterday, because

the different what if scenarios started to run through people's

minds. Tonight, some of the streets around the centre of British

democracy are reopening. A political village under wider city getting

back to business, hurting, yes, cowed, no.

In the aftermath of the Westminster attack, Police Scotland

stepped up patrols for - as they put it, "reassurance

Senior officers have held a series of meetings aimed at reviewing

Our home affairs correspondent, Reevel Alderson, reports on the way

Almost ten years since the terrorist attack on Glasgow airport, then, as

in the atrocity yesterday at Westminster, a vehicle was used as a

weapon, in this case to deliver explosives. But it failed was more

to luck than physical preparations, but security lessons were quickly

learned. You used to be able to drive right up to the front doors of

Glasgow airport terminal building to pick up or drop off passengers. But

after the 2007 attack, that became impossible thanks to the

installation of these steel bollards, which are called hostile

vehicle mitigation devices. Some vehicles are still allowed, such as

these taxes, but they are controlled by automatic number plate

recognition systems. Armed police are routine sites at Scotland's

airport, and were deployed during the Commonwealth Games. The man who

organised the counterterrorism effort across Scotland following the

airport taxes more places may now need to be protected by armed

officers. With regard to these very iconic sites which are also crowded

laces, I think that the chance of an attack taking place in these places

is very large, so why wouldn't you have an armed police presence, as

happened yesterday, to deal with that? It was announced last year

that the number of firearms officers in Scotland was to be increased.

These are deployed across the country to respond rapidly to

firearms incidents. Some of those completed their training today. We

pride ourselves on primarily being and an armed police service, and

pride ourselves on primarily being that is what we intend to remain. We

do have a substantial armed capability which we have deployed

appropriately last evening and again this morning. I am confident that we

have the appropriate countermeasures to protect officers and staff and

members of the public, both with and without firearms.

Ultimately, it is individual police officers who are in the front line

against terrorism. At police headquarters, a wreath was laid to

remember the officer killed yesterday guarding Westminster.

Other news now. A pilot who admitted preparing

to fly a passenger jet from Glasgow Airport to America,

while more than double the legal alcohol limit,

has been jailed for ten months. 35-year-old Paul Grebenc was first

officer on a United Airlines flight last August, when concerns

were raised about his He's the second member

of the plane's crew to be jailed Willie Johnston reports

from Paisley Sheriff Court. The pilot Richard here after his

arrest last summer, along with fellow United and nines pilot

Carlos. They were due to fly a Boeing 747 with a passengers on

board from Glasgow to Newark on the 27th of August last year. They

arrived at the airport early in the morning after a night at a Glasgow

hotel. Security staff smell alcohol on the pilot's breath, and raised

the alarm. Police removed them both from the flight. The co-pilot was

seven times over the legal limit flying and was jailed for ten months

seven two weeks ago. Today Paul Grebenc was also jailed after

admitting intending to fly with alcohol in his system. They test

found 42 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal

limit is 20. Passing sentence, the judge said there were mitigating

circumstances, including difficulties in Paul Grebenc's

private life, but he was experienced pilot who must've been aware of the

dangers of flying under the influence of alcohol. He had also

flouted his employers' guidelines and ignored what they regarded as a

safe eight hour gap between drinking alcohol and flying. After the

hearing, Paul Grebenc's wife, herself a pilot with the US Air

Force, left caught without comment. Two other pilots were arrested last

July before they were due to fly from Lars go to Toronto. They are

also accused of being over the legal limit for alcohol, but denied the

charges, and will appear again in April.

You're watching BBC Reporting Scotland.

A reminder of tonight's top : Scotland's political leaders

declare their determination to maintain democratic freedom

And still to come: An unfriendly atmosphere for Scotland,

Big changes lie ahead in how schools are run.

In a speech today, the education secretary John Swinney said

the status quo was not an option if standards are to improve.

He also said it was worrying that some didn't accept

But critics fear councils could be undermined or that head teachers

Here's our education correspondent Jamie McIvor.

The Scottish Government says it wants to be judged on education, but

its record is mixed. Both literacy and numeracy are not good enough and

helping more children from disadvantaged areas scored top marks

is easier said than done. Detailing the challenges that we faced...

Today, John Swinney signalled he would tackle critics head-on. He

opts giving parents and schools more help but some do not want big

changes. There is a strong body of opinion which does not accept the

need for change. What is worrying is that body of opinion is from within

Scottish education. I want to be clear that my opinion, the view of

the Scottish Government is clear. Looking at the data, the status quo

is not an option. Change is needed, change is happening and more change

is coming. John Swinney may have a mild manner

but the government could have a real fight on its hands. Some in local

government will resist any attempt to reduce their role in the system.

Some headteachers are worried about additional bureaucratic

responsibilities. I'm interested to hear what it is headteachers want to

do that they cannot do. Our members are saying what they want is proper

support, they want systems which are are saying what they want is proper

not bureaucratic. The body which represents many parents thinks in

heads could also empower parents. The attitudes and values of the

headteacher, that dictates how the school works with parents, because

it trickles down. We hope what we will see is an empowerment of

headteachers to work more effectively with the parent body.

John Swinney accept improvements will take time. Other parties point

out the SNP has been in charge for almost ten years. More details to

possible changes of how schools are governed is expected in June.

RBS has announced that it's shutting 30 more Scottish branches.

The bank, which has already closed dozens of branches here since 2015,

said 176 full-time posts would be affected.

It added that the move was in response to the growing

popularity of mobile and online banking.

The union Unite said RBS was "turning its back"

on the communities that had been the foundation of its

It's been hailed as a big success - an initiative that encourages

beginners to get off the couch and take up running.

But despite attracting 40,000 members to 300 clubs, Jog Scotland

is set to lose its funding from next month.

Scottish Athletics says it had no choice, after ?100,000 of government

Here's our health correspondent, Lisa Summers.

Jog, walk or run. This Tuesday night group is a typical drug Scotland's

success story. And there are many inspirational stories about the

health benefits -- atypical Jog Scotland's success story. About five

years ago I was 100 kilos in weight. I was on the maximum dosage of blood

pressure tablet and one day I stopped and said I had to do

something about it. I looked around for ways I could improve my health.

Within a year I had lost a third of my body weight and of medication

totally. This is what Jog Scotland is all about, getting people to

enjoy exercise. 70% of those who join were inactive before signing

up. That is why those here are surprised that such a success story

is under threat. Scottish Athletics say this is not about reprioritise

into support elite athletes after budget cuts. They said they had no

choice after ?100,000 of support was withdrawn. We are absolutely

devastated and shocked as well. Jog Scotland tick the boxes for physical

activity and inactivity to active, so we are perplexed. The Scottish

Government says the money was never ring-fenced but money was given to

develop a sustainable Jog Scotland ring-fenced but money was given to

model. They said is up to the Scottish Government and Scottish

athletics to discuss their priorities. The joggers here say

however it is funded, Jog Scotland is too valuable a resource to lose.

We have 40 people on a Tuesday night. People's the 40 people

dressed up to go running. I see for pull -- 40 people who will be lying

in an NHS bed suffering from heart problems and obesity. That is what I

see. Boo us if we're rubbish -

but at least come and see us! That was the message today

from the Scotland The national team play Slovenia

on Sunday, looking for a vast improvement on last night's

draw with Canada. There has been precious little to be

happy about in the Scotland camp of late. Last thing in the face --

laughing in the face of adversity is a national trait. Many footballers

will play key roles on Sunday. The more individuals you have on the

picture are confident in the way they are doing things, the better.

It is fantastic and it will only increase their performance, their

confidence and of course it rubs off on the group. Say that's that.

Certainly, the supporters are in need of a lift if the reaction to

last that's draw is anything to go by, and more empty seats are

expected at Hampden on Sunday. I would only implore the supporters to

come along and if we are rubbish, boo us, but come along because you

never know, we might be decent and you might have something to cheer

about. We expect to see a positive reaction on Sunday night, that the

supporters could enjoy. But with just four points from four games,

have the supporters done enough? May at times, 45 minutes worth, the

results have not been good enough to suggest we will qualify, but then

again, you can turn things round. I think there is a bit of quality in

the squad, they are capable of getting the results but they need it

now. I do think we have any chance of going to Russia. Gordon Strachan

knows even a win against Slovenia will not guarantee that but it might

help lighten the mood of the rest of the footballing nation.

Talking of lightening, I think you have some mood lighting news for us?

It is warming up, Sally. Hello, some lovely sunshine around

for many of us. The cloud was stubborn but it is on its way out

tonight. If you had the sunshine, a very pleasant day. That cloud will

thin and break further. Dry, clear and cold for central and southern

Scotland. Cloud Innova tonight with outbreaks of rain. Where we have the

cloud and wet weather, it is clear and cold. Tomorrow, it is largely

dry, fine and bright. Certainly, south of Inverness, some sunshine

around. North of Inverness, something cloud in the morning but

clearing by the afternoon. By mid-afternoon, really quite

pleasant. It will feel quite good. But the cloud, high clouds turning

some of that sunshine a wee bit hazy at times. Further north, some

thicker cloud edging into the Moray coast. Moreover breeze coming from

the south-west. However, temperatures nothing too low. Now

for the rest of the afternoon, evening and overnight. Little in the

way of change. It is largely dry but where it is clear it will be cold

with Frost. It is all thanks to high pressure, exerting its influence

sitting overhead and keeping us dry and settled at the weekend. There

will be some thicker cloud and a few spots of rain at times. Saturday is

another bright and sunny one. Look at the temperatures. Maybe up to 16

Celsius, way above average for the time of year. The high pressure

still with us into Sunday. The orientation changing somewhat. More

likely to have some cloudy weather across eastern Scotland. In the west

it will be quite mild for the time of year. That is the forecast for

now. That is lovely. Thank you. I will be

back at 8pm and then after an extended ten o'clock News. Good

night.