26/09/2014 BBC News at One

Facing down the threat from Islamic State. David Cameron says British

forces must be involved in the fight against the extremists.

MPs are debating Britain's role in military action in Iraq now. The

Prime Minister says it would be a campaign of "patience and

persistence, not shock and awe". Opponents, though, say bombing will

This is not a threat on the far side of the world. We will face a

terrorist caliphate bordering a NATO member with a proven determination

to attack our country and our people. Opponents say bombing will

only worsen the situation in Iraq. Is bombing the way to resolve the

problems in Iraq? RAF jets are standing in Cyprus to

carry out their first missions against Islamic State forces. We'll

be getting the latest from our defence correspondent who's there.

And we'll be assessing the role and the impact of any British

intervention. Also this lunchtime...

UKIP's plans for a new rate of tax - to woo what it calls the

"blue-collar vote." The broadcaster Dave Lee Travis gets

a three month suspended sentence for indecently assaulting a woman in

1995. Police cordon off part of a park

close to the spot where 14-year-old Alice Gross disappeared four weeks

ago. And off to a good start. Europe take

the first point as the Ryder Cup On BBC London: 2 more arrests in

relation to Islamist related terrorism. A Surrey Hospital has

been awarded the 1st outstanding rating in England.

Good afternoon and welcome to the BBC News at One.

David Cameron says Britain will need to demonstrate "patience

and persistence" in its efforts to tackle the group known as Islamic

He's been setting out the case for British forces to carry out

air-strikes in Iraq, saying Islamic militants, who he described as

"a bunch of psychopaths," pose a direct threat to the UK.

MPs are expected to back the move this evening.

Downing Street says a small number of British troops could be sent to

Iraq as soon as tonight, although not in a combat role.

Our political correspondent, Chris Mason, reports.

It is the biggest question any national leader can be asked. It is

the biggest decision any Prime Minister ever takes. MPs return to

Westminster this morning to vote on British military action in Iraq. It

is a vote commanding international attention on a day which could end

with RAF bombing missions but began with debate. The Prime Minister...

The question before the house today is how we keep the British people

safe from the threat posed by Isil and what role our Armed Forces

should play in the international coalition to dismantle and

ultimately destroy what President Obama has rightly called this

network of death. Is there a threat to the British people? David Cameron

spelt out in graphic terms the threat both at home and abroad. Isil

is a terrorist organisation and my close we have dealt with before. The

brutality is staggering. The headings, crucifixions, gouging out

of eyes, the use of rape as a weapon, slaughter of children. All

these things belong to the dark ages. Ten minutes in, worries were

raised. To questions he has not put to himself, how long will the wall

last and when will Mission Creep start? This is going to be a mission

that will take not just months but years. Will what the Prime Minister

and the Government is proposing, will that be effective in destroying

Isil? Look at what the House of Commons agreed to - Iraq,

Afghanistan, Libya. None are success stories. Outside, anti-war

protesters gathered. Not many but the last Iraq war is left millions

sceptical about the case made for conflict. Back in the chamber, the

Prime Minister pleaded, this time things are different. This is not

2003. We must not use past mistakes as indifference or inaction. The

Labour leader is supporting the government but is sceptical about

bombing in Syria. In my view, or me are not talking about being invited

in, it would be better to seek a UN Security Council invitation. This is

the highest multilateral body in the world. There was support by the

Archbishop of Canterbury but he said: We must face the fact that

attractions of jihadists outweigh materialism of a consumer society in

some cases. Will it be Syria next, at what cost and when will this end?

This morning, the Foreign Secretary said that initially just 6 RAF

Tornado jets will take part in air strikes against Islamic State

fighters in Iraq, assuming the House of Commons approves that military

action tonight. The Jets will be based in Cyprus, from where our

defence correspondent sent this report. US led air strikes inside

Syria. They were helped by warplanes from the United Arab area -- United

Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. This is not just the West against Islamic

state. These images show the target. Smoke rising from oil

refineries in eastern Syria. It is not just about hitting extremist

strongholds but also their sources of funding. Britain 's contribution

so far has been limited. Tornado is now based in Cyprus have already

been flying over Iraq. We saw them over a few willing tanker last month

as they carried out reconnaissance. They are expected to be directly

engaged in the fight against Isil. For now, it will be a mission in

Iraq. There are many aspects of the campaign, many things we can do to

support the fight against Isil. We have not yet made the decision as to

whether it'll be appropriate for Britain to join in air strikes in

Syria, whether there is a contribution that Britain can

sensibly make. If we did come to that conclusion, we would come back

to Parliament and have another debate. British warplanes in Cyprus

are preparing themselves for a lengthy campaign, one that could

last months or even years. Six Tornado jets based here are now

ready for combat. Laser guided bombs and missiles already in place. This

is more than a month after America first launched its air strikes.

There are far fewer warplanes. This will be a show of solidarity much as

a show of force. Britain does have other firepower. At sea, the Royal

Navy submarine, HMS Talent, is believed to be nearby loaded with

cruise missiles. British special forces are also believed to be in

the region. This is unlikely to be a high tempo campaign. Britain follows

France, whose jets have already carried out strikes limited to

France. They launched their 1st attack a week ago, the 2nd was only

in the last 24 hours. As the extremists adapt, it will be harder

to target them on the ground. That is where this bite will have to be

one. -- this fight. During the last conflict in Iraq, there was a lot of

public opposition to Britain getting involved in military action. Latest

opinion polls suggest public support for airstrikes is in fact rising.

Our correspondent has been finding out more. In just over 6 weeks,

public opinion has moved significantly in favour of air

strikes on IS, according to the latest YouGov poll. In Luton, near

the central mosque, that opinion is endorsed in 1 business owner. If it

is threatening innocent people 's lives, of course, military action is

necessary. In high streets across the country, the mood in the UK

carries on as before. The mood around possible military action is

palpably different. Many think this is because of the execution of

Western captives. Video is released threatening the lives of hostages.

We spoke to some people on the streets of Newcastle. I think it has

to be stopped now because, what will happen in the future? What will

happen to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren? We need to

help. Simple as. Everyone else is. I do not believe in war unless

completely necessary. I think it is a bit of a risk for the country.

Opponents of military action gathered outside Downing Street last

night but today's vote would seem to be the final hurdle before British

air strikes can begin. YouGov has been tracking public opinion on this

for the past 8 weeks. It found that in early August, public opinion was

divided on whether Britain should join U.S.-led action with just 37%

in favour. A week later, that figure rose to 41% and by mid-September 54%

of people supported air strikes. It is fresh week at 1 university in

Cambridge. We spoke to some students to see what they thought. I think it

is ridiculous. Really? Do you think it is ridiculous? Not really. We are

just going to have another world war. There appears to be public

support for military action at the moment. There are questions as to

whether that support will continue military involvement escalates or

stretches over several years. Public support is not a prerequisite. The

strength of feeling can only influence the vote. Our assistant

political editor, Norman Smith, has been listening to the debate which

is ongoing. Tell us about the tone. Do not be confused by the fact that

Mr Cameron will win a huge majority tonight. MPs are appalled at the

barbarity of IS. They are voting on a motion which is very tightly

drawn. It is specifically limited to airstrikes in Iraq. It will zap

British boots on the ground. -- it rules out. I have been struck by the

degree of apprehension, even trepidation, by MPs on all sides

about where this will end up. In part, that is of course because of

the shadow of Iraq. It does pose Mister Cameron with a problem in

maintaining political consensus for this action. He is getting out a

conflict which will last for years and years. He has said, future prime

ministers after him would still be coming to the House of Commons to

seek authorised action against Islamist extremism. But, more than

that, I think, is the sense that trying to hold this consensus will

prove very difficult if action needs to be taken against Syria. He

clearly believes it may have to be done in Syria. Mr Miliband said he

would only do that with UN authorisation. Already, you can see

how that consensus could soon fracture. Thank you very much for

now. More than 3 million people meanwhile have fled their homes in

Syria and Iraq, escaping Islamic state fighters and the US-led air

strikes. Our correspondent has been to 1 of the largest refugee camps in

old in Iraq. This is a shelter for displaced Iraqis. You can see some

of the residents have set up shops. They are selling fruit and

vegetables and other things to eat. This man is smashing up some eyes.

If you go through the awning, here the people have divided up the space

into sleeping and living areas using this canvas they have got from the

UN to give themselves some prissy. Not so long ago this used to be a

cement factory. -- some prissy. All kinds of buildings have been

converted into temporary accommodation. Huge numbers of

people fled from the area around Mosul chewing the summer. -- during.

Outside the factory you can see how the camp has expanded on all sides.

3500 people live here now, most of them in rows of tents like this.

There is a lot of support for international military action

against IS. TRANSLATION: We want to go back.

Whoever comes to clear our district, we want to go back to our

city and take our families back. TRANSLATION: War is bad. People are

miserable and there is no work and no money. All the people are

miserable. If they attack IS it will be good for all the people. People

here are telling us they will not be able to go home and less IS is dealt

with effectively. It is not clear whether airstrikes are going to

achieve the results they want to see and how long this will all take.

That was Yolande Knell. That is crossed our chief international

correspondent Lyse Doucet, in Baghdad. If MPs here in London

tonight vote for Britain to get involved, just give us a sense of

effectively how that goes down with people where you are. Is there a

sense among people that it will help? Certainly the Iraqi government

is desperate need of urgent international assistance. They face

nothing less than an end -- existential threat with the brutal

Islamic State fighters controlling a quarter of Iraqi territory. Over the

past week, speaking to prominent MPs, people on the streets of

Baghdad, they say in particular that Britain has a lot to offer. It has

had a long history in Iraq, it has done a lot in training and

intelligence, but it is equally clear that in the same way that Iraq

is divided militarily it is also deeply divided politically and some

prominent Shi'ite clerics here, who have their own men under arms, have

told us they do not want and do not need the return of the United States

and Britain to Iraq. They point to a past involvement they say is very

sinister and they believe that the Western powers are coming here with

other intentions. I think the British public has to be mindful

that there are military risks in this campaign and there are deep

political risks as well. Lyse Doucet in Baghdad. The debate here at

Westminster very much continuing. I will be back with more from here a

little later in the programme. Now back to the studio.

David Cameron tells MPs it's in the national interest to

confront Islamic State militarily, as it is a threat to the streets

of Britain - but he warned it would take years, not months.

The latest from day one of the Ryder Cup, where Europe has taken

Fears from businesses that employees will be forced to leave the capital

And we look at the team from Romania hoping to make it to

UKIP has revealed proposals for a new rate of tax.

The party says it would introduce a 35% rate

Its annual conference is under way in Doncaster,

with the focus on gaining what it calls the blue-collar vote

From there, our political correspondent

Nigel Farage is a man who has his own style of rallying the troops.

After 15 years as a professional elected politician, UKIP is now

Just think, this is what a UKIP Cabinet would look like.

They've come to South Yorkshire for their biggest conference yet.

They've come to spell out more policy ideas, but that's not all.

It's no coincidence that UKIP has come to Doncaster Racecourse.

Yes, they need a glorious open space that the 2000 or

so activists attending demand, but just over there is the constituency

of Labour leader Ed Miliband and he is the man and it is the party that

This is a town where they still sell fruit and veg in pounds

UKIP thinks there is votes up for grabs in the north,

where a tougher economy combined with a wave of immigration

I was voting Labour, then changed to the Greens, which is

I haven't watched UKIP and their campaigns but with

A UKIP government would stop anyone on a minimum wage

They'd cut taxes for middle earners, down from 40p to 35p for those

And the party has already said it will abolish inheritance tax.

No tax on minimum wage would cost just over ?12 billion a year.

It's a lot of money, I agree, but leaving the European Union

Cutting our foreign aid budget to a level that was sensible and in line

with genuine humanitarian missions would save as ?9 billion a year.

Its detail that UKIP hopes will make it more credible.

The truth is though for now just standing apart from

The former Radio 1 presenter Dave Lee Travis has been given

a three-month suspended sentence for indecent assault.

He was convicted of groping a young researcher at the filming

Our correspondent Matt Prodger is at Southwark Crown Court.

This report contains some flash photography. He left court a guilty

man with a suspended sentence for indecent assault. But Dave Lee

Travis was anything but apologetic. Whilst I am relieved that I have

been able to prove that I am not a sexual predator, I am mortified and

I am really disappointed that I was convicted of one count and it is of

little comfort to me that I was acquitted of so many others. Those

closest to me, including my wife Marianne who have been by my side

all the time, we all know the truth and I am grateful for that. A

statement from his victim was earlier read out in court. She said

that she had been subjected to an unprovoked and terrifying assault.

Being called a liar and a fantasist had been painful. Just before he was

sentenced, DLT shouted angrily at this journalist as she sat in the

public gallery. She has previously accused him of groping her as well.

I would have preferred it if he had a been sent to jail because having

been on the receiving end of his behaviour I know exactly how serious

it is and how unpleasant it is. DLT has been spared prison, but the

reputational and financial cost of two trials has crippled him.

Police looking for the teenager Alice Gross have

spent the morning searching a park in west London, near the canal

The 14-year-old's been missing since August 28th.

Officers cordoned off part of Elthorne Park because

of a patch of disturbed earth - but in the last hour they've ruled

Our correspondent Richard Lister reports.

Day 29 in the search for Alice Gross.

Today, police returned to the area where she disappeared, examining a

It's the biggest police operation in almost a decade.

Search teams have covered some 25 square miles.

Little has been said about what, if anything, has been found.

A knife was recovered half a mile further up the river on Tuesday, but

The new search site was identified a few hours

after this police reconstruction of Alice's last known movements.

She was seen taking power walk, which covered several miles.

August 28, Alice left home at about 1pm and began walking south

she arrived in the Brentford area and then at 3:45pm

she started to walk back along the canal, reaching a bridge at 4:26pm,

next to the area being searched today.

This is the stretch of towpath where Alice was last seen.

It had just started to rain and cameras saw her walking under

this bridge but this is where the trail goes cold.

CCTV had also picked her up at this point earlier on her walk,

when she was followed 15 minutes later by Arnis Zalkalns, the man

He too has vanished and Metropolitan Police have been to his native

Her father is still haunted by the last messages they exchanged.

Well, I was teaching in the studio and I

got a text just after 3pm from her, saying, what time will you be home?

and that was it, that is the last time I had any contact with Alice.

Every tree, every pole it seems has a yellow ribbon to keep

But so far no one has been able to say where she might be.

The 40th Ryder Cup between Europe and the United States is underway

The first point has gone to Europe with Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson

beating Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson.

Our sports correspondent Andy Swiss is at Gleneagles.

Yes, welcome to Gleneagles. Glorious conditions for the thousands of fans

here. Most of them hoping for a European win, but the hosts have not

had a very easy morning. As the sun started rising the fans started

racing. The most perfect Perthshire morning even for the loudest of

wake-up calls. This was the first hole, at early 7am. That is what the

Ryder Cup does to people, a wall of noise, colour and anticipation.

Unbelievable. Worth getting up in the middle of the night. Oh, it is,

fun. Exciting. We got here early and I cannot believe the people here

already. Listen to the crowd over there. What is it, 6:30am and it is

packed, unbelievable. The decibel is soon doubled. Europe's Justin Rose

and the US's Bubba Watson working the crowd to a frenzy as the Ryder

Cup was moored under way. -- roared under way. The hosts settled the

quick. Sergio Garcia with an early contender for shot of the day.

COMMENTATOR: Fantastic! Europe seized the first

point. Rose and Henrik Stenson emphatic win don't -- winners over

Webb Simpson and Watson. Elsewhere, expectations were dampened. Ian

Poulter, a picture of frustration as he and Stephen Gallacher were

walloped by Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed. It was also a tricky

moment for Rory McIlroy as his rivalry with Phil Mickelson produced

the tensest of income encounters. It was not the only one. Thomas Bjorn

rolling back the years but ultimately having to settle for half

a point. The drama of the Ryder Cup has returned in style. So the latest

score is currently Europe 1.5, USA, 1.5. Rory McIlroy's match going

right down to the wire and strengthening winds could make life

even more interesting this afternoon.

Let's return to Westminster now - where MPs are continuing to debate

air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq.

That debate has some time to run yet. Let's talk to our assistant

political editor, Norman Smith. Talk us through what happens from here on

in. The debates will end at around 5pm. It will be concluded by the

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg. We are expecting 70 or so backbenchers

to have spoken by then. They each have five minutes because so many

want to take part in the debate. The final result will be around 5:15pm,

I would suggest. The outcome is not in doubt. We know there will be a

huge majority in favour of action. There may be 25 or so Labour MPs

voting against, a smattering of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

But all three party leaders are urging their MPs to support it. They

are under a 3 line whip, ordering them to back this. This is just the

first step in what is going to be a long, long campaign. It may prove

much more difficult to get authority for action in the future, for

example to extend those attacks to IS in Syria. Norman, thank you.

There is continuing coverage. You can keep up-to-date with everything

said on the BBC News channel throughout the afternoon, on BBC

Parliament as well you can follow it there. Here at Westminster, let's

find out what is happening on the weather front. Chris Fawkes can tell

us about that. But all three party leaders are

urging their MPs to support it. The satellite picture shows

relatively clear, sunny skies across Northern Ireland and Scotland, but

the sunshine is urging South. These are the weather fronts, a couple of

lumps of cloud that have been working south-east across England

and Wales. Those fronts are bashing into this area of high pressure.

There is not much cloud left on the fronts. It means there is not much

whether left either. A few showers, that is about the size of things.

This afternoon some patchy cloud around across southern parts of

England, the South Midlands, south Wales. Just about the South

Midlands, south Wales. Just about thick enough to squeeze an odd light

shower but that is about it. A lot of dry weather as well. When the

sunshine comes out, reasonably warm, but a Scotland where we have

blustery winds driving in heavy showers across northern parts. The

forecast for the Ryder Cup, reasonable today, although with

gusty winds. The winds get lighter through this weekend. There will be

a lot of dry weather to come. Overnight tonight we will keep quite

a bit of cloud across the south and we could see mist and fog patches

developing. Some could be dense. The fog will be patchy nature. In the

towns and cities especially cold but in the countryside is enormous

contrasts in temperatures. Last night in Staffordshire, temperatures

down to 14 Celsius. It could be cold enough for a pocket of frost in the

coldest spots as we look at this night, with clear skies generally

from North Wales and the Midlands northwards. A cold start for some

for the weekend. A lot of dry weather to come. Watch out for early

morning mist and fog patches, lifting into low cloud, with sunny

spells on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, mist and fog to start the

day. Cloud lingering in the South before it breaks up. An odd isolated

shower. By and large the weather will be pretty settled with some

sunny spells coming through. Temperatures of 21 Celsius in

London, 15 Celsius in Glasgow, which is close to the average for this

time of year. On Saturday night weather fronts moving to Scotland,

so changes here. More cloud around on Sunday with the threat of

outbreaks of rain across the north and west of Scotland. Temperatures

average. Elsewhere, sunny spells and temperatures above average. In

London, 22 Celsius, four degrees warmer than it should be at this

time of year. On the one side for the time being.

Now a reminder of our top story this lunchtime.

David Cameron tells MPs it's in the national interest to

confront Islamic State militarily, as it is a threat to the streets

of Britain - but he warned it would take years, not months.