11/12/2013 East Midlands Today

News at Six, so it's goodbye from me, and on BBC One we now

Tonight: A distraught couple demand answers about their daughter's

violent death. Claire Martin died of multiple stab

wounds in Italy. The police claim it was suicide. We want to know what

went on. A surgeon linked to the avoidable deaths of liver patients

in Wales worked in Leicester for 11 years.

Struggling to keep up, and of bed `` Ofsted inspectors slam our schools.

To see a child let down is awful. Why MPs are desperate to pass up a

big pay rise. It cannot go ahead. We cannot justify MPs getting 11% at

the time of national austerity. All those stories coming up in the

next half hour. Plus Anne is live at Nottingham Playhouse as the theatre

celebrates a very special anniversary. Yes, 50 years ago today

it was curtains up for this now Grade II listed building. The first

production was Coriolanus starring a young Ian McKellen, and the theatre

was the place for rising stars. But in this time of economic austerity,

what of the theatre's future? I'll be talking to the Chief Executive

and some of the well`known faces that have made the Playhouse what it

is today. More from Anne later in the

programme. A couple whose daughter died in

mysterious circumstances in Italy say they're not getting the support

they need to discover what happened to her. Claire Martin from

Nottinghamshire suffered multiple stab wounds to her neck. The Italian

authorities ruled she'd killed herself, and closed the case. But

Claire's parents are convinced she was murdered and are desperate for

help to uncover the truth. Almost two years on from the loss of

their daughter, this couple still have many unanswered questions about

how she died. I spoke to her eat or nine hours before it happened and

her last words were, I love you dad, and tell mum I will see her

tomorrow. It changed our lives forever. She had suffered 24 stab

wounds to her neck. Italian authorities ruled she had committed

suicide due to postnatal depression but her family believes she was

murdered. She is supposed to have inflicted 24 stab winds on her own

neck. Yes. Cleaned the knife, head it and went back upstairs for help.

Wonder woman. That is all I can see if she was able to do that. Two

years on, and this is what I am like everyday. We just want to know what

went on. We have nothing. We have lost our daughter. We have near

enough lost our grandson. Their grandson is being cared for by her

father and her family in Italy. Player had moved to near Naples six

years ago to live with her partner. Her parents have copies of much of

the paperwork for the case but the British authorities have refused to

find the ?3500 needed to translate the filling the reports. We do not

feel as if anybody gives a dam. They want the Italian authorities to

reopen the investigation. It's emerged a surgeon who's been

suspended over the avoidable deaths of eight patients in South Wales

spent more than 11 years working at Leicester's General Hospital. A

review of the operations carried out by Professor David Berry in

Leicester has now been ordered. Our reporter's in our Leicester

newsroom. What's the background to all this? Earlier today it was

revealed that Professor David Berry, a liver and pancreas specialist, had

been suspended from University Hospital Wales and banned by the

General medical Council from performing any more liver surgery

after a review of his work. He's worked in Cardiff since leaving

Leicester in 2011. A review of his work in Wales showed that out of 31

of his patients ten had died and eight of those were found to be

avoidable deaths. That was a routine review that was then backed up by

the Royal College of Surgeons. Here in Leicester, Professor Berry worked

as a consultant specialist liver and pancreatic surgeon at the General

for 11 years. And today the Hospital's Trust here said they've

now ordered an independent review into Professor Berry's cases and

said the year he left Leicester his results were in line with his peers.

Should people here be worried and have concerns? The statement the

hospital sent me says that when they looked back over a longer period

there were occasions when the outcomes weren't as good as his

colleagues but they stress it's not the same magnitude as the situation

in Wales. They say it's specialised surgery and there are a number of

reasons why this might be the case and that's why they've asked the

Royal College of Surgeons to carry out an independent review of his

work. A helpline's been set up for anyone with concerns. It's free to

call. The number is 0808 178 8337. It opens at 10am tomorrow. And one

other thing I've just found out, the case in Cardiff surrounding

Professor Berry has now been handed to South Wales Police.

For the first time ever, the school inspection body, Ofsted, has spelt

out, in detail, what it thinks of schools across the East Midlands.

While there are signs of improvement, they say too many of

our children are getting an education which is mediocre or

worse. It is not all bad, the school near

Derby has been rated outstanding. When the head took over 16 years ago

it was struggling. We have a belief that given the right conditions

everybody can really achieve and do well. Today's reporters about our

region's education as a whole, how it is doing nationally and locally.

It says too much of our education is mediocre. There is some improvement

but more dates to be done. Only Leicester and Rutland secondary

schools were in the top third of the country. Rutland got top marks. Not

one of the seven authorities was then the top third of the country

for primary schools and in Derby the will and the bottom third. In

Derbyshire, they were in the bottom third of the country for secondary

schools. As for GCSE performance, Nottingham was very low, among the

worst in the country. What this report is showing is that hundreds

of thousands of children across the East Midlands have been let down in

their education year upon year. How does that make you feel? I cannot

read it if anyone child does not have the education they deserve. As

an inspector, as a teacher, as a head, to see even a single child let

down is awful. Are they being let down? Some of them are. What do you

think about that? I think it is appalling. What do you want to do

about it. I want to eradicate any inadequate teaching. I want all

schools in the East Midlands to be good and I want many of them to be

outstanding. We know that the inspection and still `` system

itself could be better, but that is not an excuse. We need to set down

and analyse to make the correct decisions. Some of them must

improve. The pledge from Ofsted, we will not walk away until they do.

A young man's been treated for serious injuries after an incident

at the University of Derby. Police and paramedics were called to the

Kedleston Road campus in the city this afternoon. Security guards

found the man, who's thought to be a student, just before 4pm. He was

unconscious and was taken to hospital. The police say they're

still trying to establish his identity.

The police have started a murder investigation after the death of a

woman in Derbyshire. Police discovered the woman's body at a

house on Short Row in Belper last night. She hasn't yet been formally

identified. Another woman, who's 37, has been arrested on suspicion of

murder. Forensic officers are still at the scene and the police say

their inquiries are continuing. A growing number of East Midlands

MPs have voiced opposition to a planned 11% increase in their pay.

Tomorrow, a report will recommend that MPs salaries should rise to

?74,000 a year. One government minister from the East Midlands says

he would rather give the extra cash to local charities. Our Political

Editor is at Westminster. How has this talk of a big increase come

about? A pay rise of ?7,600. That's the recommendation of Ipsa, the

independent parliamentary authority that would bring an MP's salary to

?74,000 after the next election. A one`off increase, it says, to

compensate for cuts to their perks. But that proposed 11% pay rise has

outraged many MPs. Tips that is independent. It is an independent

body `` Ipsa. We cannot justify MPs getting 11% at a time of national

austerity. East Midlands Today contacted 30 of our MPs. The

question, would they accept the proposed pay rise? Of the 15 who

replied, not one said yes. Earlier, one Tory backbencher, the

Sherwood MP Mark Spencer, told me that Ipsa may be independent, but

had a lot to answer for. It is causing enormous frustration. My

constituents are very angry about it and I have encouraged them to write

to Ipsa and tell them what they think. Is there a solution that will

satisfy public opinion and MPs? The way to do it is to reduce the number

of MPs, make us work harder and so the taxpayer does not lose out.

Parliament set up Ipsa to sort this out. It is meant to be independent,

which is why I am saying to my constituents, right to Ipsa and make

sure they understand how angry you are. An update on John Mann's

parliamentary motion to peg the MPs' pay rise to 1%. So far, the

Bassetlaw MP has the backing of only seven other MPs to that idea.

The family of a woman who's gone missing from her home in Nottingham

have made a plea for help finding her. Elaine Harrison, 59, hasn't

been seen since Monday. She lives on a houseboat at Castle Marina and was

last spotted outside a pizza restaurant there, just before 4pm.

Police are asking anyone who's seen her to get in touch.

A report into a train derailment on one of our busiest rail routes has

revealed that a planned inspection of the track hadn't taken place. A

freight train came off the tracks just north of Barrow upon Soar last

December. No one was hurt but the line was shut for days, causing huge

disruption to services. The report says the planned inspection three

days before the derailment could have identified the problem. It's

recommended improvements to the way Network Rail inspects embankments.

Still to come: All the sport, including a special interview with a

Tigers star. But first it's time to go back to Anne who's at one of our

best known theatres for what is a very special night for them.

The drinks are already flowing, the party is in full swing. It is a

special gala evening because it is 50 years ago to the day that Lord

Snowdon was here opening what was then a state`of`the`art theatre. It

was cutting edge. It was what theatre was all about. So many stars

came here. Many of their pictures tell a door in the wall. A very

young Judy bench. `` Judy Dench. These are the names we have grown up

with. A modernist design with the layout

inspired by classical Greek auditoriums. In name to 63 the

Nottingham Playhouse was seen as an innovative news is. `` 1963. Not

long after the doors opened, it earned a reputation as the place to

be seen if you were the right things dark in the acting world `` a rising

star. A production starring Peter O Toole earned a critical review

citing Nottingham Playhouse as the theatrical capital of England. It

must have been astonishing then, particularly 1963, some years when

people were just coming out of austerity, so the combination of the

modernist building, the stars that were working here, the clamour that

was associated and the quality of the work must have been

extraordinary. The theatre is now grappling with budget cuts with the

County Council currently considering with growing `` withdrawing funding.

I came here because the County Council subsidised the tickets, so I

came here for 50p. It saddens me that young people will not have the

opportunity to even work I did because the ticket prices will go

up. A modern`day challenge for a theatre that is no longer the new

kid on the block but instead an established arts venue.

Let me introduce you to the Chief Executive. Many challenging times

ahead. Absolutely. It is a challenging time for everyone. The

great thing about theatre is people are still coming, even in the light

of challenging those. In terms of proposed cuts, we are still

appealing. People still need theatre. The possible cuts in

funding from the County Council, how real is that? It is a proposal and

we are rendered ashen 's and we hope that we can find a way round it ``

we are in discussions. I think it is a case of getting round the table

and continuing to keep talking and keep the communication channels

open. One of the things I mentioned is the wealth of stars that have

appeared here. Where are the stars of today? Are they still coming

here? Yes. The interesting thing is we have the stars of tomorrow. James

Alexander was here. We have all the stars of tomorrow. You see them here

before they get famous. We will look back and say, we saw them at the

Nottingham Playhouse. We will be back with you later looking at

pantomime, because it is that time. Possibly climbing up the giant

beanstalk. Rugby, and the Leicester Tigers

winger Miles Benjamin says he'd love to play for England in the Six

Nations next year. It'd cap a remarkable return because Benjamin

has just come back from 13 months out of the game with a neck injury.

Five months in a neck brace and hours spent in rehab, but is now

ready to start both for Tigers and England. Two tries against

Montpellier at the weekend announced the return of Miles Benjamin. I

fractured my neck. It was September 2012. It was just a case of being

really careful with it, I had to get surgery in the end, it is the last

part of the body you want to be going into a game worrying about.

You have to be as patient as you can. We got great press at the

weekend about the possibility of you being in the England or six Nations

squad. I would be lying if I said I did not think about it cause I would

love to have the opportunity. You have to look after your club first

under the call came I would be delighted. First thing is first. It

is more than a decade since the Tigers won the Heineken club and

this could be the last time that English clubs take part in at. At

the training ground, the Tigers are putting the finishing touches

towards people will be another classic performance this Sunday.

Onto cricket and Nottinghamshire batsman Michael Lumb has signed a

new three`year deal at Trent Bridge. He's become a central figure for the

county in all forms of the game. Swimming, and Loughborough's to

become the main national centre for British swimming. There's been a

shake`up following a disappointing Olympics. Two national centres are

being set up. The majority of the British team will be based at

Loughborough, the rest at Bath. He's been skating since he was six

years old, and next week Jack Whelbourne should discover if he's

made Britain's Winter Olympic team for Sochi. The 22`year`old from

Nottingham trains at the National Ice Centre. Our reporter's been to

see him to learn more about his sport, speed skating. These are the

ice skates that have hopefully qualified Jack for his second Winter

Olympics, but these are no ordinary ice skates, it is short track speed

skating and the blades are longer, thinner and sharper. They also cost

more than ?2000 will. The boots that we skates on our custom made to our

own mould eat food and I mean, there is a lot of technology going into

the boot and a lot of expense. It comes just under ?2000. Then you

have your blade attached which comes at about ?400 appear. The helmet is

the new technology can such proof `` concussion proof. It compresses

which reduces the concussion massively. Once that happens, it is

pretty much in the bin and you have to buy a new one, it is ?100 apiece,

it is important but expensive. The cost does not stop there. The sport

demands specialist classes, gloves and suits, that even with the Winter

Olympics just months away, he is still without a sponsor, which makes

finding himself difficult. Individual sponsors, we do not get

many out there. It is only coming up to the Olympics that people start

getting interested and start funding a few of the athletes and that is

just a few. Is a medal on the cards? I am not saying I can or I am going

to, but when you are on form and when it is your day, there are six

teen or 17 guys. It has not happened to me yet, but hopefully I am saving

up. More news on Jack next week. That is all from us. Oh no, it

isn't. Oh yes, it is. It is filling up here. This is to celebrate 50

years and there is also a gala performance of the pantomime. There

is a giant beanstalk behind me because it is Jack and the

Beanstalk. The Playhouse has always been known for its new works for

children and the weird looks after children and panto is very special

`` the way it looks after. It is a special year for the artistic

director because he has been doing it for 30 years and he says this is

his last performance. I managed to catch up with handfuls top `` catch

up with him. It may be 50 years of the Playhouse

but it is 30 years of panto for Kenneth Alan Taylor. You cannot come

to the pantomime without talking to the Dame. How lovely to see you! I

am famous at last. How is it going? A little bird told me that this is

going to be your last pantomime, but you have said that before and come

back. This year, honestly, this is the last appearance as Dean. I will

be back writing and directing. 30 years. If you come back and do a

Dame again I am going to make you pay a forfeit. Honestly, I will not

be back, I promise. What will you miss? The audience. I will not miss

the 12 shows a week. I did my first panto in 1959. Were you only three?

You are a charmer. I was going to say how beautiful you are. Perhaps I

could borrow some of your outfits. I could give you some tips on make up.

It is surely good this year. There are lots of funny jokes. We have not

been to one since our children are small so it was really nice. I have

found Billy Ivory. This theatre means a lot to you. I have been

coming here for donkeys. The thing that made me want to be a writer was

Kevin Griffiths' play which was back here in the 70s and I saw it as a

young boy. What does tonight mean to you? It is a fantastic chance to

celebrate the building and the city. And the people of Nottingham and the

effect this building has had on the city culturally and the wider

populace as well. It is lovely to see you. Alice is outside.

I think Jack would have struggled to see the Beanstalk because we have

had fog. There is some around this evening but nothing as widespread as

we had this morning. Tomorrow is quite quiet with a lot of cloud, a

little bit of rain. Tonight, plenty of clear skies at the moment. That

is going to allow those temperatures to drop quite quickly. It might

allow for a little bit of Bros in sheltered spots. As we go into the

early hours of Thursday morning, you will start to notice some cloud from

the south`west and the winds starting to strengthen and that will

help to lift any patchy mist and fog. Thursday, generally very

cloudy. It seems to be quite dry first thing in the morning but then

we will notice some rain pushing its way south east as we go into the

afternoon. It is very light and patchy but it will be quite a damp

afternoon and quite easy. Friday, rain pushing its way east as we go

through the day, giving us a damp day. The weekend, Saturday starts

dry but more rain to come. That is just about it for us. It is

going to be a great night. The pantomime is about to begin. A very

happy birthday and here is to the next 50 years.