25/02/2013 BBC News at One

Britain's most senior Catholic cleric resigns over allegations of

inappropriate behaviour. Cardinal Keith O'Brien contests the claims

and won't travel to Rome to help choose the Pope's successor.

Nick Clegg denies he ignored sexual harassment claims against Lord

Rennard. All we could act on were general

concerns. We acted on those. He denied those concerns and those

suggestions vociferously. The murder of Catherine Gowing - a

man is jailed for life. Daniel Day-Lewis makes history at

the Oscars by becoming the first man to win Best Actor three times.

My fellow nominees, my equals, my betters, I'm so proud to have been

included as one amongst you. Later on BBC London: We uncover the

high street estate agents advertising illegal sheds with beds.

The Mayor's opponents fail to vote down his cuts to the fire, police

Welcome to the BBC News at One. Britain's most senior Roman

Catholic cleric, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, has resigned. Cardinal

O'Brien, who was the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, stepped

down following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards

four priests dating back to the 1980s. He contests the claims. It

means Cardinal O'Brien will not take part in the election of a new

Pope and it creates a crisis for the Catholic Church in Scotland. In

a moment, we will hear from our correspondents, in Rome and

Edinburgh. First, this report from our religious affairs correspondent.

The abrupt end of an illustrious career. Cardinal Keith O'Brien has

stepped down a month from retirement. His resignation

accepted by the Pope. The Cardinal's move looks to be a

response to intense pressure. Yesterday, the Observer carried

allegations by three priests and one former priest of inappropriate

behaviour by the Cardinal towards them. Some incidents go back to the

1980s. The Cardinal contests the allegations and today issued a

brief statement. For any good I I choose to be the Supreme Pontiff

and... Only days ago, the Cardinal was looking forward to casting his

vote in the Papal Conclave. I will respond as best as I can, writing

the best, the name of the best possible person on my voting paper.

The Cardinal's been an outspoken voice for traditionalists in

Scotland. Recently, he contradicted the Vatican by saying priests

should be allowed to marry and have children. In Edinburgh, there was a

mixed reaction to his departure. I'm glad we are not in his shoes,

for many reasons. I think it probably is a good thing that he's

done. I'm really surprised. It is shocking. It is quite shocking.

Quite right, there's double standards going on. And it is about

time that the Church moves on. 100 cardinals from around the world

are soon to gather in Rome, but Britain will now have no voting

representative. These are testing times for the Catholic Church.

We will go to Rome in a moment and speak to James Robbins there. First,

let's get the thoughts of Robert Piggot. Robert is outside the

Cardinal's house in Edinburgh. What further details, if any, are you

getting about Cardinal O'Brien's resignation? Well, we know that the

Pope is going to appoint an administrator for the diocese,

someone who will come in from outside to manage it while Cardinal

O'Brien has left. The statement he gave was interesting. It referred

to his health problems. We know he has heart problems and gout. It

made a brief reference to wanting the media spotlight to shift from

him to the conclave. I know that that is really what has been going

on at the heart of this. Cardinal O'Brien felt that while these

allegations were outstanding against him, the media spotlight

would be on him, that it would hang over not just him, but on the

conclave, the election for the successor to Pope Benedict if he

went to Rome and took part. That was really the reason that he took

this dramatic decision when he did. I think it is interesting that the

statement is so brief as to his failings. He said he apologised for

those and anyone he had offended but it didn't amount to a rebuttal.

I think that is interesting. Whatever the reason for him going

from this house here, there will be a sense of real shock in the

Catholic Church here. It's already been manifested because he was a

larger-than-life figure, very popular clergyman, people said he

was a man of the people. When he had this house done up, and the

Pope came, two of the people who worked on the house were surprised

and they weren't Catholics, surprised to receive an invitation

to come here and meet the Pope. It is that character that will be

missed by the people of Scotland, by the Catholics of Scotland.

you. Let's talk to James Robbins who joins us from the Vatican.

Cardinal O'Brien will not be going to help choose the Pope's successor,

so there will be no British involvement in that choice. How

significant is that? I think there will be a sense of regret in the

Vatican behind me that Britain will have no voice in the choice of Pope

Benedict's successor. St Peter's basilica may look as serene as ever,

but there is a sense of crisis and a growing scandal within the

Vatican, a sense of alarm about this upcoming election, deepened

considerably by the resignation of Cardinal O'Brien as the head of the

Church in Scotland. Cardinal O'Brien has made it clear that

although he has the right to come and vote here, he won't, as we have

been hearing, because he doesn't want to be a distraction. I think

the much more serious problem for the Vatican is this: For a long

time, it has been able to bat away some of the criticism of other

cardinals that they may have been involved in a cover-up. These

allegations are specific, although contested by Cardinal O'Brien,

these allegations are that he specifically was involved directly

in improper behaviour towards other priests. That will bring it much

closer to the College of Cardinals than the Vatican could possibly

want at this very sensitive time. Thank you.

The President of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, has admitted

the party screwed up in the way it handled allegations of

inappropriate by its former Chief Executive, Lord Rennard. Nick Clegg

insisted he had nothing to hide. Lord Rennard denies the claims.

He was the Liberal Democrats' chief election strategist. Now

allegations that Lord Rennard may have acted improperly towards some

women have left many questions about who in the leadership knew

what and when. Nick Clegg having to deal with what is unwelcomed

turbulence for his party. The accusations against the former

Chief Executive were first broadcast by Channel 4 News last

week. Until last night, Mr Clegg's aides insisted he didn't know any

detailed allegations. He's now admitted he did know of general

concerns five years ago and says it is important that two separate

party inquiries establish the full facts. These investigations will

show that some procedures were flawed and the women themselves

feel that they weren't listened to. That is why I want us to get to the

truth. That is why I want to make sure the women who felt they

weren't listened to are now listened to. Lord Rennard was on Mr

Clegg's orders confronted and warned five years ago by the Chief

Secretary to the Treasury. He resigned shortly afterwards on

health grounds. The Party President has been candid this morning.

one thing I can tell you without having to go through due process is

that we screwed this up as a Party. There are individuals out there who

we had a duty of care towards, who we did not fulfil that duty of care

to them. That is something that we have to learn from, apologise for

and make sure it never happens again. While Nick Clegg should be

focused on political battles this week, his opponents are using his

difficulties to raise questions not only about his future but about his

leadership. Let's get more on this with Norman

Smith. Where do these denials and the two inquiries leave us today?

Well, they leave Nick Clegg in some trouble. Up till now, he has been

able to hide behind the Manuel defence, to say, "I know nothing

about these allegations." Last night, he said, "I do know

something. I remember there were general, vague, non-specific

allegations back in 2008 and I ordered my Chief of Staff to go and

have a word with Lord Rennard to warn him about his conduct." Why

that matters is Nick Clegg is being dragged into the centre of this

crisis. It is no longer a story about sexual misconduct, it is a

story about political leadership. to compound his difficulties, some

have not been entirely helpful this morning with us. Tim Farron, the

Party President said the party screwed up. It conveys an

impression that the Lib Dems at the moment are at sixes and sevens over

how to respond to these allegations. Thank you.

A man who murdered the Irish vet Catherine Gowing has been jailed

for life with a minimum term of 37 years. Clive Sharp from Gwynedd had

already admitted murdering her. We should warn you, this report

contains some graphic details. This is the last sighting of Catherine

Gowing, shopping for the weekend at her local supermarket. The 37-year-

old vet was renowned for her care and compassion. But she died in a

sadistic act of violence. After seeing Catherine's killer being

sentenced to life in prison, her sister spoke outside the court.

was a beautiful light. She shone very brightly. She enriched the

lives of all she encountered. All God's creatures. Her light is gone

from our world. She now shines elsewhere. Thank you. The 46-year-

old had been in a relationship with Catherine Gowing's housemate and

had managed to gain access to her home. The police have never

revealed the full details of how she died, but after returning from

the supermarket, she was confronted by Sharp who raped her and killed

her before dismembering her body. He used her car to drive to this

disused quarry a few miles away where police discovered some, but

not all of her remains. Days later, an off-duty police officer found

more human remains three miles away on the banks of the River Dee. The

search became the biggest in the history of North Wales Police.

Despite weeks of searching along these riverbanks, the police

haven't been able to find all of Catherine Gowing's remains. They

say any new search will be intelligence-led. The man who

killed her has refused to give them any information. His acts were

described as "causing unimaginable pain and suffering". He now faces

life imprisonment and I doubt a tear will be shed if he is never

released from prison. Catherine Gowing had been due to leave Wales

a few months after her murder. Her family say they have been left

living a recurring nightmare. The value of sterling fell on some

markets today as they reacted to the loss of Britain's AAA creding

rating. Moody's downgraded the UK rating on Friday -- credit rating.

What happened to the pound today? Perhaps surprisingly, the pound was

fairly stable this morning. There had been predictions it might come

under pressure. It was weaker earlier in the day. The general

background has not been that rosy for sterling going back a couple of

months. Let's look at what it was against the dollar on January 2nd.

1.625 against the pound. Last week, this time last week, you can see

how much it had fallen - 1.546. This morning, even weaker, compared

to last week - 1.514. So a background of general weakness, not

helped by the downgrade. markets go up-and-down. In the

long-term, what will the downgrading mean? In a sense,

Moody's were telling the markets what they knew already. There were

question marks about UK growth and the ability of the UK to bring down

its Government debt in the medium- term. So markets really in a sense

saying we knew all that already. It raises another question mark over

the UK in the eyes of foreign investors. Speculation the Bank of

England might be pumping more money in to support the economy didn't

help the pound last week. Another question mark for those people who

invest in the UK and buy sterling $:/STARTFEED. Start Oscar Pistorius

has reported under the bail terms, he is charged with the pre-

meditated murder of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. He says he mistook

her for an intruder and shot her accidentally.

The new US Secretary of State, John Kerry is in Britain on the first

stop on his overseas trip. John Kerry has met David Cameron, he is

in talks with William Hague. Let's hear from Bridget Kendal who

joins us from outside of the fo Foreign Office.

I should say that this demonstration behind me are Iranian

opposition protesters. Whether Senator John Kerry is aware of them

is not clear. His talks with David Cameron were in Downing Street with

William Hague in another house not far from here, but, what is clear

is that the British Government is pleased that the US Secretary of

State decided that the first port of call on this, his first major

trip abroad as the US Secretary of State, should be here in Britain.

He goes on to European capitals and other capitals in the Middle East.

It is in marked contrast to the last US Secretary of State, Hillary

Clinton who, went to Asia first. What we are hearing about the talks

that there were between John Kerry and David Cameron do suggest what

is at the top of a priert list of the Obama administration at the

moment. Syria, Iran and the nuclear programme. Other fragile states but

interestingly, the EU and US trade deal for free trade that is being

brokered. We understand when meeting David Cameron, the whole

question, the touchy question of the Falkland Islands and the

referendum did not come up but it is possible it has been touched on

in the talks with William Hague. Now a look at the top story:

Britain's most senior Roman Catholic cleric resign over

allegations of inappropriate behaviour. Coming up: At the Oscar,

Adele sings the Bond theme, Skyfall and then picks up the award for

benefit song. On BBC London: The couple who say

they were discriminated against by a London hotel for being gay. We

visit the film school tipped for Daniel Day-Lewis has made history

at the Oscars, by becoming the first man to win Best Actor three

times. He received the award for his portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in

Steven Spielberg's film, Lincoln. The Best Actress went to Silver

Linings Playbook's, Jennifer Lawrence. She tripped up on the way

to accept her award. Argo won Best Picture and Adele won benefit song

for Skyfall. The first Bond song to get an Oscar from Hollywood.

It was music, music, musicals at this year's Oscars, film stars

showing versatility and great singers doing what they do best.

Bond's 50th anniversary celebration was well timed.

The first Bond theme ever to win an Oscar. Sung live by Adele.

# Let the Skyfall... # She kept heroineer's speech short and sweet

and emotional. Sony Pictures, MDM, Paul Epworth,

oh, God, for believing in me. My man, I love you, baby.

Ang Lee won Best Director for Life of Pi. It took four awards, more

than any other film. Thank you, Namaste.

As widely predicted, Daniel Day- Lewis won Best Actor. The first man

to win it three times. Making firm how deeply he throws himself into

his roles. My wive, Rebecca haslyed with

strange men. They were strange as individuals and stranger as taken

as a group! But luckily, she is the versatile one in the family. She's

been the perfect companion to all of them.

And a surprise guest that made the announcement for Best Picture, live

from the White House... Argo. Ben Affleck was not nominated nor

Best Director but this was enough for mim. -- 478.

Anyone who worked on the movie gets thanked.

So, no run away winner but a great evening and an exciting Academy

Awards. The show is over for another year but the celebrations

will be going on through the night. A small group will be hanging on

contra- tightly to the newly- acquired gold statuettes.

Now to David willies in Los Angeles, for Best Actor, and a place in the

record books as well. Was it in doubt? Not really, but he is the

toast of Hollywood tonight. Cementing his place as the pre-em

nait -- pre-eminent film actor of his generation, perhaps of any

generation. He won an Oscar in 1990 for his depiction of an Irish

artist with cerebral palsy in My Left Foot. Then in 2008 for his

depiction of a violent oil baron in There Will Be Blood and this

victory in Lincoln secures himself a place in the record books. We

have been asking others on the red carpet for their reaction to Daniel

Day-Lewis's amazing victory. Just fantasticment I mean, what can

you say to three Oscars, you know, a good job.

I thought it unique and fun. I was happy for him. He is a very

dignified gentleman. They were all very deserving, but it was an

astonishing performance. He has inspiration and it sends you to the

doll drums as you think you can never be that.

And Best Picture for Argo that Ben Affleck directed. He was not up for

Best Director but he made a gracious speech about bouncing

back? Yes. It does represent an amazing comeback. He won his first

Oscar for the screen of Good Will Hunting in 1997. Since then, he has

been associated with a string of flops, including Gigli, which he

starred alongside his then girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez. Widely

seen as a big turkey, one of the biggest in history. He has got his

comeback behind the camera more than in front of it despite being

passed over for the Best Director, he won the big award, that for the

Best Film it really is the sort of comeback you would have thought

only Hollywood would bring about. Thank you.

Food inspectors in the Czech Republic have found horsemeat in

meatballs made in Sweden for restaurants in the IKEA group, the

world's biggest furniture retailers --er. The meatballs have been

withdrawn from out let's in 13 countries, including in the UK.

Agriculture ministers are meeting in Brussels to find a solution to

the horsemeat scandal. There is no knowing still how the horsemeat got

into the meat. Christian, the scandal seems to go on and on. What

sort of solution are the ministers looking for? It does, yes. Almost

every week a well-known brand or a supermarket chain we use is dragged

into the widening horsemeat scandal. Certainly the announce frment

iekoor -- IKEA will focus attention here today. It is not one company

but a multitude of companies across the common market. They will talk

about enforcement and regulation. They like to talk about criminal

conspiracy but there are questions asked of the national food safety

authorities in countries like Britain, France, Ireland, perhaps

countries you would not expect questions to be asked. Also they

are to talk about labelling of processed food. Of the origin of

food. So where as at the moment we know if we buy a steak or lamb chop

where the animal is reared or slaughtered, the same cannot be

said of processed food. France and Germany focusing hard on the -- on

the labelling of food. The commission points out that

supermarkets can if they want to, put labels on food stuffs but to do

that you have to know very well the supply chain. Everybody link in

that supply chain, certainly better than the supermarkets appear to do

so at the moment. Thank you.

The re-trial of prienprien Vicky Pryce has started. She admits

taking points for the former Cabinet Minister but admits she was

forced to do it. Last week a jury failed to come to

a verdict. Dominic, what happened this morning at Southwark Crown

Court? Chris Huhne has pleaded guilty to the offence of trying to

pass on speeding points to his then wife in 2003, Vicky Pryce. She

denied the charge on the basis of marital coercion, she was forced

into doing it. Last week the jury at her trial failed to reach a

verdict. The case was put on hold. It was re-started this morning with

a fresh jury, but the same facts. When you open the case this morning,

Mr Justice Sweeney said the following: That the failure of the

first trial is something that happens in the Criminal Justice

System. That the slate was wiped clean. He wanted the new jury to

come to a true verdict on the basis of the evidence. What had happened?

The original trial was irrelevant. The prosecution began to outline

the evidence this morning and this afternoon. They say that Vicky

Pryce's defence was she was coerced to take the points does not wash.

That she is a strong woman, a woman who would not be told what to do by

her husband. The evidence to be laid out in the coming week.

We have learned that the veteran explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has

been forced to pull out from the latest Antartic expedition with

frost bite. He was injured after an accident while skiing. He 47

preparing for the coldest downist. The first attempt to cross the

South Pole in the winter. What has been billed as the coldest journey

on earth. As the expedition arrived, they knew that the risks were high.

4,000 kilometres, during a winter when temperatures plunge to as low

as minus 90 centigrade. As Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his five fellow

team members landed on the ice, they were swallowed by a snowstorm

that hampered efforts to set up the camp and to prepare equipment for

the journey. We are going nowhere in this for

the moment. Fingers crossed it improves. It could be here for a

week or a day. We understand that Sir Ranulph

Fiennes, seen here during training in northern Sweden, fell on the ice

and had to remove a glove in order to regain skis in temperatures of

minus 30 centigrade. He suffered frost bite and the decision was

taken to evacuate him. He is to be moved to the base of Prince yes,

sir Elizabeth, then to a Russian base for the flight out.

There had been apprehension amongst -- among the team over the dangers

that they could have faced but Sir Ranulph Fiennes viewed this as just

another challenge. It is a way I make my living. I did

not get A-levels, this is what I do. You could die out there? More

people die travelling on the motorways in the UK. Not on this

sort of expedition. The challenge now is to re-plan the

expedition with out Sir Ranulph Fiennes it is a terrible blow for a

man who knows he may never complete what he believes was his final

Polar adventure. Now, let's find out what is

happening in the slighter warmer happening in the slighter warmer

climates. A lot of us are tired of the cold

and grey weather. This week will not bring a significant change. It

will be mostly cloudy and dry and you gather, staying cold. You are

wondering why? Well why has it been grey for a long time without any

change? The key is up in the atmosphere. This is the satellite

picture that shows the cloud. The winds are blowing from the north or

the north-east. This is driving the cold, grey weather. All of that

cloud. This is linked to this almost whirlpool across the whole

of Europe here. For as long as this pattern is stuck here, the weather

is not going to change. We are anticipating that the whirlpool is

going to be across this part of Europe for some time. It is a area

of low pressure. As long as it is there, weather fronts that are here,

that bring in the milder weather will stay there in the Atlantic and

we are stuck with the cloud. Now it looks as though the cloud is about

thick enough to bring a little bit of rain. Not shed loads but a few

spots. That may bring iciness, but here is the afternoon forecast.

So dribs of rain. Fleeting through the Skye. Temperatures a little

higher than yesterday. As far as Northern Ireland and Scotland, here

we see the lovely sunshine. The western island of Scotland is

beautiful. Looking out over Orkney and

Shetlands but back to the rest of the UK, cloudy skies. A line from

Norwich down to Southampton. Chilly too with iciness. The temperatures