15/07/2011 BBC News at Six

Rebekah Brooks resigns as Chief Executive of News International.

She says she wants to leave the bridge to concentrate on rebutting

the allegations about her record. As I said when I called for her

resignation ten days ago, this isn't just about one individual.

It's about the culture of an organisation.

Rupert Murdoch meets the family of murdered teenager Milly Dowler and

gives a "full and humble" apology. We'll have all the latest

developments in another dramatic day in the hacking scandal. Also

tonight: An investigation into three

suspicious deaths at a Stockport Hospital. Police say saline

solution was deliberately tampered with.

A strike at the BBC - news services are disrupted as journalists take

industrial action over compulsory redundancies.

Drought in the Horn of Africa - we travel to one of the worst affected

areas. And Europe's biggest ever lottery

winners celebrate landing �161 million. We were tickled pink -

even the whole notion, you know, of Good evening.

Welcome to the BBC News at 6.00pm. Rebekah Brooks has resigned as

Chief Executive of News International. She faces

allegations over her role in the phone-hacking scandal and illegal

payments to police officers. In a statement Ms Brooks said, she "had

a deep responsibility for the people who had been hurt" and she

wanted to concentrate on defending her record. This afternoon, Rupert

Murdoch apologised to the family of Milly Dowler. It was the

revelations about the hacking of her phone which sparked the crisis.

Our Correspondent Robert Hall has the story. His report contains some

flash photography. She's the most high-profile casualty so far in the

scandal which has spread to both sides of the Atlantic. For the past

ten days, Rebekah Brooks has been at the heart of the storm which has

swept Rupert Murdoch's media empire and remained by his side. Today,

Ms Brooks said she felt a deep sense of responsibility for the

people News International had hurt. I am pleased that Rebekah Brooks

has finally accepted responsibility for what happened on her watch as

editor of the News of the World, the hacking of the phones of Milly

Dowler, for example, but as I said when I called for her resignation

ten days ago, this isn't just about one individual. It's about the

culture of an organisation. The man picked to replace her is already at

his desk. Tom Mockridge has been brought in from Sky's TV operations

in Italy. Writing to all News International staff, James Murdoch

thanked Ms Brooks for 22 years of Not a view echoed in the House of

Lords where one of News International's more vocal critics

referred to Rebekah Brooks's stated desire to remain "on the bridge."

Ms Brooks, I'm told in a statement now, says she likes to be on the

bridge. I was a seafarer of ten years. I wouldn't like her to be on

the bridge if she didn't know where she was goes and what direction it

was. That's why she's gone, thank God. This afternoon Rupert Murdoch

acted to underline the apology offered by his former Chief

Executive, travelling across London to meet the family who lost their

daughter and who are amongst the alleged targets of his paper's

phone hacking. The shock expressed by Milly Dowler's pairns and sister

has fuelled a sense of national outrage. Mr Murdoch emerged after

an hour to a barrage of questions. The Dowlers' lawyer eventually

giving detail of their conversation. He was humbled to give a full and

sincere apology to the Dowler family. We told him - the Dowler

family told him that his papers should lead the way to set the

standard of honesty and decency in the field and not what had gone on

before. Tomorrow, Rupert Murdoch's signature will appear on a further

apology in every one of the UK's main national papers. The News of

the World, he says, was in the business of holding others to

account. It failed when it came to itself. Rebekah Brooks may have

left the bridge, but her role in this developing story and her

forthcoming appearance with her former employers at next week's

Select Committee will ensure she remains in the headlines.

Rebekah Brooks had worked for News International for 22 years. Before

becoming the company's Chief Executive, she edited its most

popular tabloid titles. Nick Higham looks back on her career. Rebekah

Brooks was closer to rup than his own daughter, some said. She was

close as well to his son James, who runs his UK business, but even

Rupert's patronage couldn't save her. The then-Rebekah Wade took

over the News of the World in 2000. At 32 she was Britain's youngest

national editor. Campaigns like that for Sarah's Law, naming and

shaming paedophiles, showed she wasn't afraid of controversy and

was in touch with popular feeling. The paper son the side of

protecting children and not the rights of paedophiles, and I

strongly believe we're on the side of the right. The public are behind

us. A friend and former colleague on the News of the World says she's

tough and talented. Rebekah got to the top because she is ambitious,

and some people might say ruthless. Others would say talented. She was

certainly a person that did stand out. Rebekah Brooks is a very well-

connected woman who numbers politicians and celebrities among

her friends. Her former husband is the actor Ross Kemp. She was on

kissing terms with more than one Prime Minister - Tony Blair and the

current incumbent, David Cameron. She would get on well with Tony

Blair, potentially, with Gordon Brown, with David Cameron because

they know that she actually says what she really believes and what

she thinks as opposed to, like many people, what she thinks they want

them to hear. Her friendships brought her access, influence and

stories. But she made mistakes. This admission to Parliamentary

Committee was one. We have paid the police for information in the past.

Paying policemen is against the law. While her successor, Andy Coulson,

resigned as editor over the phone hacking scandal, Rebekah Brooks was

promoted to News International's Chief Executive, denying all

knowledge of wrongdoing. Critics weren't impressed. It's

inexplicable to me that Rupert Murdoch has this strange tendres

for her because actually she wasn't that brilliant an editor. For

example, she turned down the huge leak about the MPs' expenses on the

grounds there wasn't enough sex it in, so, of course, somebody else -

the Telegraph - got the scoop. That's not really very good, and

she seemed to think every story had to be about sex. No. Now the woman

who had become a lightning rod for public anger at News International

has gone. And there's been another

development tonight with the release of the list of the Prime

Minister's official guest list at his country residence Chequers. Our

correspondent Robert Hall is with me now. Robert what does the list

show? Well, the Government have said in the interests of

transparency, they are going to publish details of the Government's

contacts with senior figures in the media. This is that list. There are

dozens of names on it - senior executives, journalists, all sorts

of figures from TV and the newspapers. Amongst those names,

Rebekah Brooks does appear in June and August of last year. The name

that doesn't appear is Andy Coulson, and Downing Street in releasing

this list admitted also that he had paid a visit to Chequers. He was

this in March of this year. He stayed for dinner. He stayed

overnight. David Cameron had said this week he had seen Andy Coulson

since his resignation as Director of Communications. He said he'd

seen him as a friend. They'd become friends since they worked together,

and he remained a friend. Thank you. Let's turn to other news now.

Police are investigating the deaths of three patients at Stepping Hill

Hospital in Stockport after staff discovered vials of saline had been

tampered with. A further 11 patients have been affected but are

not seriously harmed. Jon Williams has the story. Staff at the

hospital contacted police on Tuesday after patients on one ward

were found to have unexplained low blood sugar levels. Detectives

believed they were wrongly given insulin after their medication was

tampered with. The police say someone had done so deliberately.

Over the past two days our major incident team, having now

identified potentially three suspicious deaths, one involving a

44-year-old woman and two involving males in their 70s and 80s.

Detectives believed viles of saline, used to treat dehydration in

patients who are not able to take food or liquid orally, had been

contaminated with insulin. Health Service managers say the hospital

was safe. It was the staff at the hospital who brought this matter to

our attention and have asked them to continue to be extra vigilant to

continue to safeguard patients. We have increased security both in

terms of access to the hospital and access to medicines and replaced

all saline ampoules across the hospital. Patrols at Stepping Hill

Hospital have been stepped up at the place police say should be most

cared for. Charlie Gilmour, the adopted son of

the Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, has been jailed for 16

months for violent disorder. He was arrested last December after

protests in London against student tuition fees.

Journalists at the BBC are taking part in a 24-hour strike in a

dispute over compulsory redundancies. The walkout began at

midnight and is affecting new services on television, radio and

online. The BBC says it's disappointed by the action. What do

we want? Save our jobs. Pickets were outside the BBC in Cardiff

today and at regional centress and radio stations across Britain. The

National Union of Journalists described the strike as solid.

Nobody wants to go on strike. Nobody wants to lose a day's pay,

but management's attitude means they leave was no option.

Television Centre in West London, managers and some non-striking

staff worked on putting out news programme, but services on radio,

television and the news website were affected with some programme

guests refusing to cross picket lines. The strikes are over

compulsory redundancies. At Bush House, headquarters of the World As

far as and at the BBC's headquarters at Caversham. The NUJ

says no-one should be forced to leave if they don't want to. Their

management says that's not Lucy Adams, the Director of

Business operations, said in an e- mail to staff today, "No business

of our size could commit to such a policy." The NUJ has criticised the

BBC for refusing to use ACAS to find a way forward. It calls the

BBC staff "stubborn and provocative", but with the BBC

license fee frozen for the next six years plans are being drawn up for

big cuts across the organisation, which will mean more job losses and

possibly more strikes. Eight European banks have failed

tests to see how they would cope with any future financial

meltdown.90 banks, including four from the UK, had their finances

examined in detail by the European Banking Authority. In the past hour

its been announced that five Banks from Spain, two from Greece and one

from Austria failed the tests. All four UK Banks were given a clean

bill of health. A couple from Falkirk have emerged

as the winners of the record- breaking Euromillions jackpot.

Tuesday's prize of more than o�161 million was Europe's biggest-ever.

Colin and Chris Weir say "it felt like a dream" when they realised

they'd won. Jonathan Baker's report contains some flash photography.

They say they're just a normal family, not flashy, not celebrities,

but Colin and Chris Weir, a retired cameraman and former nurse, are now

one of Britain's wealthiest couples. It was after Tuesday's draw when

she realised they had the winning ticket. They were still checking

the numbers when dawn broke. could see the sun coming up, and it

was just magical, but we still couldn't sleep. We were sort of

absolutely full of adrenaline. We even opened a bottle of wine, and I

don't drink, so... LAUGHTER Here come those results now. With

forming came confirmation they had won Europe's largest ever jackpot,

the result of weeks of rollovers. It catapults them to 430th on the

rich list, ahead of Ringo Starr and Tom Jones, but still short of the

combined worth of the Beckhams. They would have preferred not to go

public, but didn't think they could keep their massive win secret, and

they wanted to enjoy it. We're not scared of it. It's going to be

fantastic, and it's going to be so much fun. They're determined to do

some good with their wind fall. They don't plan to move house, but

there is talk of some travel and maybe a new car. I don't think

we'll be immediately swapping cars. If you've got reliable cars, what's

the point? I'll be swapping cars. LAUGHTER And one of the first

things they intend to buy - a Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of

News International, has resigned. Coming up on tonight's programme:

It's a good day for Darren Clarke at the Open Golf Championship, as

he storms up the leaderboard. �15 million has been raised for

victims of the worst drought in East Africa for six decades. But

the Disasters Emergency Committee says it's not enough to help the

estimated 10 million people who are fighting famine and disease. Our

correspondent, Clive Myrie, has been travelling through some of the

worst-affected areas in north- eastern Kenya, from where he sent

This is north-eastern Kenya, one of the poorest parts of the country.

The landscape, parched, the lives of its people, blighted by drought.

In one hospital in the district of Habaswein, we found three-month-old

Umi. She wears -- weighs barely more than a bag of sugar, less than

half the weight of a healthy newborn child. Her malnourished

mother meant Umi was weak at birth. TRANSLATION: My daughter is alive

now, but I worry about when I have to take her home. We have so little.

In the bed opposite, another mother, consumed by malnutrition. She gave

birth just before we arrived at hospital, but she's grieving. Her

son was buried an hour ago. Azumi clings to life, she is a source of

pride and worry for her father. Later, he took us to his village

and explained how the drought had wrecked lives. TRANSLATION: All our

animals are dead, there is no grazing pasture, because there is

no rain, so we have nothing. short walk away, rotting animal

carcasses bake in the sun. This village is typical of so many

communities in this part of rural north-eastern Kenya, reliant on

livestock for everything. For milk and food. If the animals are sold,

for an income. Normally, this area would be teeming with cattle and

goats. As you can see, it is completely empty. Dusty roads

around here twist through a land that hasn't seen rain for close to

three years. We found an outreach clinic in this village. This boy is

hot, tired and underfed. This card says he is severely malnourished.

He is, yes. But with the right food supplements, he and so many others

can survive. Already, the generosity of the British public

means we are saving children's lives, but we can address some of

the underlying causes. We can help these communities rebuild lives,

restock animals, make sure when it finally rains that they managed to

harvest a water and build reservoirs. Help came too late for

baby Mohammed, buried at just 20 days old. The sharp twigs around

his grave are to stop hyenas digging up the body. It isn't too

late to save our this -- save others, if the world acts now.

The main opposition groups in Libya have been recognised as the

country's legitimate government by America and the alliance of

countries seeking the removal of its leader, Colonel Gaddafi. The

announcement came at a special meeting in Istanbul of the so-

called Contact Group. Our security correspondent, Frank Gardner, is

here. How significant is this recognition?

I think it is quite an historic day for the rebel groups. It clears the

way, in principle, for the release of billions of dollars of frozen

Libyan assets which have been sitting in the States, which the

rebels badly need. They are strapped for cash and supplies.

There are a few legal obstacles but it will clear the way for that. It

comes together with condemnation of Colonel Gaddafi's government as

being an illegitimate representation of the people.

today, news that Britain is deploying another four Tornado

aircraft to take part in NATO operations. How important is their

role in the military action? They are joining 12 other Tornado

aircraft that are there, bringing to 29 the total of combat aircraft

that Britain has got in theatre, as it is called. They are important

because underneath them, they have pods which can see ahead of the

aircraft several miles ahead, and to the side. They can scan to

incredible details. I have seen them in action in Afghanistan. They

can tell if there are hinges on doors, which doors are open. The

idea is to better locate, find and destroy Colonel Gaddafi's hidden

weaponry, which is proving adept at hiding amongst foliage, houses and

the civilian population. The Queen has paid tribute today to the

codebreakers who worked at Bletchley Park, the top secret

cipher station which broke the German Enigma codes in the Second

World War. She unveiled a memorial to the men and women who worked

there and made such an important contribution to the victory over

Nazi Germany. Our royal correspondent, Nicholas Witchell,

reports. They were some of the darkest days

of the Second World War, when Britain's survival was in the

balance. In the Atlantic, the shipping convoys bringing essential

supplies. The food without which the population would start, the

munitions without which the war effort would collapse, were being

sunk by German submarines. The U- boats which had a largely free rein

to plunder the Atlantic convoys at will. Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany

was in danger of winning. Britain desperately-needed a breakthrough

to survive. It happened in a secluded countryside 40 miles north

of London. This is Bletchley Park, quiet and rather overlooked now. 70

years ago, these prefabricated huts where the heart of Britain's secret

and vital establishment. It is here that Britain broke the code of the

German military. The most brilliant mathematicians, crossword experts

and linguists were brought together to tackle the intercepted messages

of this, the supposedly impenetrable German cypher machine

it known as Enigma. The British build this, it was called colossus.

This is a replica of it, and it is generally considered to have been

the world's first computer. With it, codes which had taken the code-

breakers six days to crack by hand, could now be broken in a matter of

hours. The U-boats were sinking our food ships and weapons ships left

right and centre. We would have lost the war at that juncture. It

is that important, Bletchley Park. 70 years ago, such was the secrecy

about Bletchley Park that the then Princess Elizabeth would have known

nothing about it. Today, as Queen, she came to Bletchley Park and was

shown something of the work that was done here. She met some of the

surviving veterans and heard about the desperate battle they waged to

break the Enigma codes. It saved countless lives. 70 years after the

code-breakers of Bletchley Park worked in total secrecy, their work,

which it is said shortened the war by perhaps two years, received the

recognition and gratitude of the nation.

Golf now, and it's been a good day for Northern Ireland's Darren

Clarke at the Open Championship in Sandwich. He picked up four shots

to move near to the top of the leaderboard. His fellow countryman,

Rory McIlory, had another day of fluctuating fortunes.

But he has moved into contention in calmer conditions. Jill Douglas

reports. It was a tale of two Toms at Royal

St George's. Tom Watson, and young Tom Lewis, the 20-year-old amateur

who rewrote the record books by taking a share of the overnight

lead. It was all a bit of a struggle early on for the younger

of the two Toms, whose first round has been virtually flawless. This

was an introduction to the challenges and Open Championship

can present. Yesterday, Lewis, from Welwyn Garden City, made almost

every part. Today was a different story. If the youngster needed a

lesson in how to cope with the pressures of The Open, he received

one at close hand at the 6th, where Watson the elder did this. A hole

in one. The second on the course this week, and yet another chapter

in Watson's incredible Open history. The American faltered but another

crowd favourite, Darren Clarke, helped by this huge eagle putt, is

staking a claim. You little devil! Right in the heart of the cup.

had everything going on, I had good shots, poor shots, poor decisions

and what have you. Overall, I am very pleased with shooting 68 Again.

We got the good side of the draw. There is no breeze at all this

morning. We had a good advantage on the front nine, the wind picked up

for the back nine. The finish is tougher today than yesterday.

of the pre-tournament favourites, Lee Westwood, failed to take

advantage of the relatively calm conditions, dropping a whole host

of shots. With poor weather forecast for the last two days,

this wasn't a good time to start slipping out of contention, and his

open could already be over. World number one Luke Donald was

similarly wayward, and his search for a first Major trophy looks set

to continue. As for golf's newest star, Rory McIlroy, he has been

packing the galleries and is receiving fantastic support on the

Kent coast. He began to move up the field with a steady performance.

This putt at the 6th for a birdie. It is not all going his way and he

will need some consistency and a bit of luck, to follow up his US

Open win with another Major success is weaker.

Our sports reporter, Andrew Cotter, is at the Open in Kent. It's been a

mixed day for British and Northern Irish golfers today. Who's still in

contention? First of all, Darren Clarke is

there for Northern Ireland. Graeme McDowell has won the US Open, all

hopes were on Rory McIlroy. Darren Clarke, the old guard, was perhaps

miffed at being left out of things, so he is tied for the lead with

Lucas grubber -- Glover. He has been second ant -- in The Open

Championship before. Darren Clarke has got to be a man to look out for.

Roy has been going a long it so so. He is just hanging in their -- Rory

McIlroy has been going so-so. Lee Westwood, 4-over par, he might

sneak in for the weekend but it looks as though he will miss the

cut. Luke Donald, just about hanging around. A fighting

performance from Tom Lewis. The 20- year-old amateur. 1-under par, he

will be here for the weekend, and in prime position to take the

silver medal for leading amateur. Let's take a look at the weather

Be no picnic at Sandwich tomorrow. Temperatures, definitely below par

for the time of year. Very damp across western parts of the country.

This will extend eastwards. Drizzly rain for many of us. Not a very

pleasant end to the night. The wind picks up as we head towards morning.

Temperatures, 10 to 15 degrees north to south. Tomorrow morning,

the rain will turn a heavier across England and Wales and the winds

will pick up. Thoroughly wet and windy weather, sweeping South East

Wood's -- southeastwards. It will not rain all day. Things will perk

up into the early afternoon. There will be some sunshine but don't be

fooled, further showers will rattle in later on in the day. Not great

holiday weather, it has to be said. Further north, the rain will still

be through in the morning, it will be a day of sunshine and heavy,

possibly slow-moving showers. The winds across the northern half of

the UK will be lighter. Prolonged rain early on, across eastern and

northern parts of Scotland. For northern England, the rain will

move away and will be replaced by sunshine and heavy and thundery

showers. It will be a struggle for East Anglia and the south-east, the

rain lingering on into the afternoon. It is not looking all

that good at Sandwich. Heavy rain for a time. By the end of the day,

the rain should clear away and the winds will die down a touch. Sunday

looks like another windy day. Particularly wet across the north

and west. Some of the rain will head towards the south.

Temperatures, very disappointing indeed. No sign of the weather

A reminder of our top story tonight:

Rebekah Brooks has resigned as chief executive of News

International. She says she wants to concentrate on rebutting the