12/05/2014 BBC News at Six

Nigeria's missing schoolgirls - a video which appears to show more

than 100 of them is released by Islamist extremists.

Reciting the Koran - it's the first glimpse of them since they

disappeared a month ago. The leader of Boko Haram says some of the girls

have converted to Islam and are now "sisters of the militants". We're

with one family in Nigeria's North, desperate for news of loved ones.

Also tonight: A court is told that Rolf Harris indecently assaulted one

of his daughter's friends during a family holiday.

Missing kayakers - the bodies of two brothers and their cousin are found

in the River Tyne. Calls for Gary Barlow to return his

OBE are dismissed by the Calls for Gary Barlow to return his

Minister in a row over the star's tax.

And 20-year-old Ross Barkley leads the England young guns heading for

Brazil. On BBC London: The disgraced former

council leader facing suspension from the Lords for wrongly claiming

thousands of pounds in allowances. And victims of dog attacks welcome a

change in the law. Good evening.

A month after they disappeared, a video has been released which

appears to show more than 100 of the girls who were kidnapped from their

school in Nigeria. The militant Islamist group, Boko Haram, which is

holding them, says some girls could be freed in a prisoner exchange. The

girls were taken from the their school in Chibok in the North East

of the country on the 14th of April. Our World Affairs Editor John

Simpson was the first Western journalist to reach the area. He's

just sent this report from nearby Maiduguri.

136 girls, most of whom were Kristian until a month ago,

obediently charmed the first part of the Koran, dressed in hijab. In

fact, if you look closely, not all of them are chancing. It is the

first sighting of them, yet more than half of the girls are not

here. Whether because they refused to convert or for some other

reason, we do not know. One of the girls is led to the front of the

crowd and told to give a Muslim name, rather than her Christian one.

She is clearly frightened. In the video, Boko Haram's leader, who is

said to be flamboyant, clever and mocking, launches into a long

harangue. These girls, you are so concerned with, he says, we have

liberated them. They have become Ms limbs. They are staying with us. --

they have become Muslims. This man is desperate for news of

the girls. He has made the dangerous journey from Chibok where they were

kidnapped, to Maiduguri. No fewer than six of his relatives were taken

- sisters, nieces and cousins. But he cannot spot them in the video.

This must be pretty shocking for you to see this. It is one of the most

shocking moments I have ever found myself in. This is inhuman. There is

no need for them to impose on them the Islamic religion. Everyone has

the right to the Islamic religion. Everyone has

to follow. Politicians here are furious with the federal government.

They say that although Nigeria has one of Africa's biggest armies,

nothing serious is being done to get the girls back. The federal

government will say they are doing their best but we as parents and I,

for example, as a representative of the people, would only say the

government have done superbly well if the girls are back safe and

healthy. No politician travels anywhere here without heavily armed

escort. This is a silent and frightened city. The fact is Boko

Haram has the upper hand in Borno state as a whole and its influence

of power even here in the capital city, is certainly present. It looks

as though the government, down in Abuja, simply doesn't care about any

of this, any more than it seemed to put any effort at all into searching

for the missing girls. The big question is, when Boko Haram

suggests a swap, those Christian girls who refused to convert, in

exchange for gorillas captured by the government, could this be the

start of some kind of negotiation, or is it just talk?

You can find out more about the situation in Nigeria and the

militant group Boko Haram on our website. ??NEWINE The jury in the

trial of Rolf Harris has been hearing from a woman who says he

repeatedly abused her from the age of 13. The woman, who was a friend

of his daughter, claims he assaulted her on a family holiday and at

Harris's house. The 84-year old-denies indecently assaulting her

and three old-denies indecently assaulting her

and 1986. David Sillito reports from Southwark Crown Court.

As Rolf Harris walked into court, he held two hands, to the left, his

wife, Olwen, to the right, his daughter. At the heart of this

case, the claims of a woman they all know, a childhood friend of Rolf

Harris's daughter Bindi. In court, Rolf Harris wore a hearing loop to

hear the testimony of a woman. She said she went on holiday with the

Harris family when she was 13. In court she said she had been a very

shy teenager and she was rather scared of her friend's very famous

father. If she had spoken out, she said in her own words, it would have

created mayhem. Her response to it all was to start drinking. On

another occasion, she said she was on a sleepover with her friend. They

were sharing a room. Rolf Harris walked in. The prosecuting barrister

asked, how far away was Bindi? Did she remain asleep throughout?

At the time Rolf Harris was a mainstay of children's television.

In a letter, he said, nothing happened between them before she was

18, a claim she disputes. She describes her feelings when he

visited, I went upstairs to my bedroom and drank a shed load of

gin. It would calmly write down, stop my heart beating, stop my

anxiety. She said she thought about going to the police in 1997 but she

was too drunk and too angry. The turning point was seeing him in 2012

at the Queen's Jubilee concert. Rolf Harris left court today, as he

arrived, flanked by his family. He denies all the charges.

Rescue teams searching for three kayakers who went missing in

Northumberland yesterday have found three bodies. The men, two brothers

and their cousin, failed to return home after setting off along the

river Tyne. Our correspondent Danny Savage is in Hexham.

Over the weekend, it was really noticeable that these rivers were

much higher than normal. They are several feet above the norm at the

moment. This is where we believe those kayakers entered the water

yesterday. Even with the river levels dropping, there is lots of

Whitewater and rapids. Somewhere down river from here, those three

men lost their lives. It was early this morning when searchers found

the first evidence of yesterday's tragedy. A kayak was discovered and

over the course of a few hours, three bodies were found and pulled

from the water. What is not clear is exactly where a paddle down the

river went wrong, resulting in the deaths of two brothers aged 40 and

41 and their 36-year-old cousin. They were all from South Shields.

The river was high and fast flowing. They are quite challenging

conditions for anybody who wanted to kayak. The alarm was not raised

until late last night. Today, boats and binoculars were aided by

helicopters from the police and the RAF. By mid-morning, all three

kayaks had been recovered by the fire and rescue service. One was

tied to the roof of a fire engine. The suitability of these craft will

be looked at in detail by the investigation. Police also said they

found one of the kayak are's cars here and another downriver but a few

miles into that journey something went disastrously wrong. We may

never know exactly what happened, but the men were all wearing

buoyancy aids. Pro-Russian separatists in parts of

eastern Ukraine have declared victory in two unofficial

referendums held yesterday despite opposition from western leaders, and

the authorities in Kiev. Moscow is now calling for the results to be

"respected and implemented", saying they reflect the will of the people.

But the interim president of Ukraine said the votes had no legal basis.

David Cameron says he does not believe Gary Barlow should have to

hand back his OBE after a judge ruled the singer had invested in a

scheme predominantly designed for tax avoidance. But the Labour MP

Margaret Hodge said the singer might want to show some contrition when

giving back the award. Two other members of take that, Howard Donald

and Mark Owen, may have to pay back millions of pounds of tax relief.

Too many, here's national treasure, the boy band star who organised a

concert for his queen. But while raising millions for charity, Gary

Barlow also avoided paying millions in taxes. Many say he should give

back his OBE. Not so his friend, the Prime Minister. He was given that

award to his service to music, his immense charitable services for

Children in Need, the faculty organised that concert for the

Queen's Jubilee, he deserved his OBE and he should keep it. Gary Barlow

and his fellow Take That members invested in this scheme. Hundreds

invested in a similar scheme but Mr Barlow's partnership swiftly

recorded losses of ?25 million which could be offset against income. The

courts ruled the whole aim was to avoid tax. If he invested the money

then he was trying not to pay tax on that sum. Tax on ?20 million is a

large number. David Cameron wants the government to be seen to be

tackling tax avoidance, closing loopholes and giving more money to

the revenue. It is popular and helps the Treasury here cut the deficit.

But while the Prime Minister is happy to attack tax avoiding

corporations, he is more reluctant now to criticise individuals

personally. It was not always thus. Two years ago, David Cameron

described tax avoidance by the comedian Jimmy Carter, as morally

wrong. It is a pleasure to share the stage with a member of Britain's

best ever boy band, Gary Barlow. Today, the click -- the Prime

Minister was less reluctant to criticise Gary Barlow who is a

Conservative supporter. It looks like he will have to release more

records like this to pay the tax he owes.

Our top story this evening: Nigeria's missing schoolgirls, a

video which appears to show more than 100 of them is released by

Islamist extremists. Coming up, I am here in Manchester with a party

which is just getting underway as Manchester City parade their Premier

League trophy. Later on BBC London: Keeping their

memories alive, the digital memorial to the millions who served in World

War I. And Chelsea and Arsenal players make it on the plane to

Brazil but Spurs are left out of the World Cup squad.

There has been a big increase in the number of British veterans of the

conflict in Afghanistan seeking mental health treatment because of

their experiences in the war. The mental health charity Combat Stress

says it received 358 new veteran referrals last year. That's a 57%

rise on the 228 referrals in 2012. At the moment the charity is

supporting more 600 veterans who fought in Afghanistan. Our defence

correspondent Caroline Wyatt reports on the efforts being made to help

them. The years on the front line can take

their toll. British troops's fighting role in Afghanistan may

soon be over but some will face new battles back home as the mental

scars remain. Former reservist Jake Wood saw friends die in front of him

in Helmand. He still suffers post-traumatic stress and his book

describes the isolation veterans can feel on the return from combat. I

was extremely jumpy around loud noises. I was constantly on alert

for threats and dangers around me, which is exactly the mentality you

have in Afghanistan, and you bring it home with you. I was getting

terrible dreams. Always revolving around either me killing people or

seeing people killed. The military mental health charity Combat Stress

says it has seen a sharp rise in the number of soldiers who fought in

Afghanistan seeking its help, although it is still hard for many

to admit they need it. Many pretend perhaps to themselves that they can

solve the problems themselves. Of course we train soldiers to solve

problems and that training makes them very good soldiers and very bad

at asking for help. OK, maybe it is not all great. In fact I am going

through a nightmare at the moment. Do I need to talk about it? An

advert campaign encouraged soldiers to come forward and veterans of

Afghanistan are seeking help earlier, after 18 months rather than

years. It is still not entirely clear why veterans of the campaign

in Afghanistan are coming forward earlier for help than those of other

campaigns. The MoD says it is keen to help further reduce the stigma

associated with mental illness, and is working closely with Combat

Stress to help veterans from all is working closely with Combat

UK's campaigns. The British forces prepare to leave

Helmand is to make sure those British forces prepare to leave

not left to cope alone. A psychiatrist giving evidence at

the murder A psychiatrist giving evidence at

told the court that the athlete has had an anxiety disorder since

childhood. Meryl Vorster said Pistorius's actions when he shot his

girlfriend on Pistorius's actions when he shot his

year should be seen in context Pistorius's actions when he shot his

his anxiety. The athlete denies intentionally killing Reeva

Steenkamp. The England manager Roy Hodgson has

named his squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil. It's a young

team with only four of the players over the age of 30. Among those left

out are Ashley Cole who's announced his retirement from international

football as a result and the Manchester United player Michael

Carrick who says he's disappointed that he's not included. Our chief

sports correspondent Dan Roan reports. England's wrote to Rio

began, whereas, but at a car factory in Luton today. Roy Hodgson arrived

to unveil the chosen few in whom he firmly believes. You believe the

squad can win the World Cup? Of course I believe we can win

otherwise what is the point of taking the squad if you don't have

some believe they can win it? That they are empty words and I have

never quite understood the importance people attached to that.

I am certain that Brazil can win it. I am certain the Uruguay coach is

certain they can win it. Why should we say otherwise? This is the 23 man

squad Roy Hodgson has put his faith in. There is no place for Ashley

Cole and his 137 caps, but there is experience from Wayne Rooney, Frank

Lampard and Steven Gerrard. This election is defined by use.

Teenagers like Luke Shaw and Raheem Sterling rewarded for breakthrough

seasons alongside 20-year-old Ross Barkley. The Everton midfielder has

impressed Roy Hodgson with moments like this. What a goal from Ross

Barkley! And takes his place in a squad stocked with raw talent and no

shortage of enthusiasm. Getting picked to go is obviously a great

achievement. Going to the World Cup will be the best thing to happen to

me. Everybody dreams about doing it. After almost half a century of

World Cup disappointment, most recently in South Africa four years

ago, a level of expectation among England fans is muted but many will

welcome Roy Hodgson's investment in a new generation. You have always

got to go with youth. It gives you hope and belief. We can go with more

optimism. This time last year there was concern about the young players

and their development but so much to look forward to now. Raheem Sterling

at Liverpool, great season. Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw. Such a young

man and a great future ahead of him. At a time of mounting concern that

the production line of English footballing talent is not what it

once was, Roy Hodgson has given youth a chance. The squad announced

here today can appear a gamble but in truth perhaps he had little

choice. Dan Roan, BBC News, looting. Ed Miliband has announced that under

Labour nobody would have to wait more than 48 hours for a GP

appointment. This was introduced by Labour in 2000 but was scrapped by

the coalition. Doctor Miliband was practising his

bedside manner today. I came off my motorbike this morning. Sorry to

hear it. The Labour leader came to Accident Emergency in Crewe to

highlight a promise, to ease the pressure on hospitals by making it

easier for people to see their GP. We have a lot of people that come in

with a problem because they can't see their GP. Ed Miliband is

pledging to restore one of the NHS targets which the coalition

scrapped. What we are promising is that everybody should get same-day

consultation with their GP surgery and if they have got an urgent

situation to see the GP and then a guaranteed appointment within 48

hours. What you call a guarantee for patients, doctors will see as a

target and they hate targets. I think standards are important. The

royal College of GPs when you floated this idea called it ill

thought out and a knee jerk response. Some people may not like

it but we have got to a situation where only 40% of people are seeing

a GP within 48 hours. People say they are waiting more than a week to

see the GP and that is wrong. We have got to do something about it.

It is wrong. Are you in danger of saying not doctor knows best but

Miliband knows best? No, because this has been carefully thought

through. He has promised to find ?100 million to pay for the pledge,

which the GPs have welcomed, but is doing it from within existing

budgets. I asked the Labour leader about the pressure on him to spend

more on wealth and raise taxes to do it. My responsibility coming in as

Prime Minister is to make sure we spend resources and health service

more wisely. That has got to be the place we start. When you worked for

Gordon Brown in the Treasury he promised increased tax and National

Insurance to pay for a better NHS. Are you not courageous enough to do

the same? We will outline our plans at the election but we face

different times. It is precisely because we will not be able to go

back to the scale of increases that we saw at times under the last

Government that it is more important that we ask how to make the

situation work better. How do you treat the man who might be Prime

Minister in less than a year? The man who reveals two nurses today

that he had just spent two days covering a shift at another

hospital. What most struck me about the couple of days I spent in

Watford is how much people love the NHS. Labour are planning an election

broadcast showing their leader working at Watford general hospital.

Patients say they object to waiting in the NHS but the question raised

by Labour's promise is whether they can really make a difference without

an emergency injection of large quantities of cash. Nick Robinson,

BBC News in crew. Thousands of people have gathered in

Manchester tonight to see the victory parade as Manchester City

celebrate their Premier League win. It sets off in just a few minutes'

time from Albert Square. An open-top bus will take the champions and

their trophy on a tour through the city centre after they won their

second Premier League title in just three seasons. Our correspondent

Andy Swiss is in Albert Square and joins us now.

Welcome to a very noisy Manchester where the blue half of the city is

getting ready to party. Behind me you can see the Manchester City

players. They have just emerged in the last few minutes with the

Premier League trophy, ready to get onto the open top bus for the

victory parade. They have already had a deafening reception from the

thousands of fans here in Albert Square. Tens of thousands of fans

are expected to line the parade route. The route itself is only one

mile long but it is expected the bus will take more than an hour to cover

the distance, such other sheer numbers of people wanting to watch.

City fans are getting used to the victory parades as this is the

second in just three years. Manuel Pellegrini has guided them to

swashbuckling football this season. They won the league title scoring

more than 100 goals in the process and the League Cup as well. In fact

they are parading two trophies this evening and Manuel Pellegrini

believes it will be the start of an era of dominance for Manchester

City. The fans will certainly hope that is the case. Other clubs may

beg to differ but City fans tonight celebrating in style. Back to you.

Thank you. The sun looks like it is shining in

Manchester. What about everywhere else? Those places have seen some

sunshine but the storm clouds have been looming for others. Torrential

downpours and thunderstorms throughout the day. More showers to

come tomorrow but the general trend of the week goes on is for high

pressure to build and it will settle down becoming drier and warmer. The

latest showers are scattered across down becoming drier and warmer. The

the country. A couple of lines of heavy showers still out there but

the country. A couple of lines of day dry and bright with that

sunshine around. day dry and bright with that

night there could be some showers but equally clear

night there could be some showers spells across northern Scotland once

again mean that temperatures could drop the way here. We could start

with the risk of a touch of frost but most temperatures sitting at

with the risk of a touch of frost showers scattered on Tuesday with

the potential for heavier ones to develop. The focus of the showers

shifting slightly on Tuesday as things begin to change. Certainly

across the North West of the country by the afternoon, many places should

be dry and bright and with light winds that will not feel bad.

Showers scattered across parts of southern Scotland but not the

intense downpour that we have seen over recent days. As is the nature

of showers, they are not everywhere all the time. In between it will be

dry and fine with light winds and temperatures 14 to 15. Not too many

showers across West Wales and South West England but a greater risk

further East. High pressure is building on Wednesday. Weak weather

front in the North keeping things breezily. Always the risk of thicker

cloud and patchy light rain and drizzle. For the majority by the end

of the week it should be dry and bright with sunshine. Temperatures

widely in the low teens and into the low 20s. More details on that

forecast available by heading to our website. Her reminder of our main

stories. Nigeria's

stories. video that appears to show more than

100 of them has been released by Islamist extremists. And a court has

been told that Islamist extremists. And a court has

indecently assaulted one of his daughter's