15/04/2014 East Midlands Today

President Putin calls for the West to condemn it.

Welcome to East Midlands Today, with Maurice Flynn, and me, Geeta Pendse.

Tonight: The world's fourth biggest manufacturer of cigarettes announces

it's pulling out of Nottingham. More than 500 jobs could go. The

company blames falling sales, rising tax, and more illegal tobacco.

People are in tears, total shock that the company has decided to do

this. Also tonight, how the fire at the

Assembly Rooms in Derby could keep it closed far longer than expected

or even have it pulled down. Why this cancer patient has to be

admitted to a children's ward to get the treatment he needs.

And what have smartphones and tablets ever done for us? They have

helped these children learn more about Roman architecture. You get to

learn about the buildings rather than just looking at the ruins.

Good evening, and welcome to Tuesday's programme.

First tonight: One of the region's best`known manufacturing names has

announced it's to close its Nottingham operation, with the loss

of 540 jobs. Imperial Tobacco says all production

at its factory will end by 2016. The company is blaming increased

taxation and the growth of the illegal tobacco trade. It brings to

an end a cigarette`making tradition that started with John Player in

Victorian Nottingham of the 19th century. Our political editor John

Hess is outside the Horizon factory in Nottingham for us.

Good evening. This factory behind me last year produced this 17 billion

cigarettes, half its normal capacity. One of the reasons why

this factory is to close down. As the morning shift left for home,

the repercussion of today's announcement was just sinking in.

The workforce has always been flexible, giving everything, and

they do this. It is disappointing for people with

young families, mortgages. Imperial's Nottingham factory

produces cigarettes mainly for the UK, with brands such as JPS, John

Player Special, and Lambert and Butler. In a statement, Imperial

said of the closure: The regulatory environment has

become more complex in recent years. Excessive tobacco duties are not

helpful. They drive people towards the illicit trade.

The union official Andy Littlewood said today's announcement ends a

family tradition. He is a third`generation tobacco worker at

Imperial's Nottingham works. There's people in tears, it is a

total shock that they have decided to do this. We heard rumours, we

always do in this industry. The shock at the announcement today,

people are devastated. The Horizon factory was

purpose`built in the 1970s as part of an industrial regeneration

project then. Near its site now, plans for a purpose`built enterprise

zone. Nottingham is a resilient city.

Around here, we are looking to create jobs. We have an enterprise

zone close to where this organisation is going to walk away

from. We are looking to create a lot of jobs, and we need to give people

the skills. Whatever the future, today, 540 jobs

are going, discarded just like an empty cigarette packet.

With me, the MP whose Nottingham South constituency includes the

factory, Lilian Greenwood. A sad day for traditional

manufacturing in the city. Certainly for many hundreds of my

constituents who will face losing their job here at the factory, and

for their families who will be very worried about paying mortgages and

rent. I will be putting some questions to

you shortly. Pension historic cities and refractory names here, and the

names of Raleigh, Boots, John Player, spring to mind. We have been

looking at the impact on the city. John Player started business in

Nottingham in 1877 with a factory in the broad March, and added a further

five in a city mostly around the Radford area. Along with 12 other

British manufacturers, it was amalgamated into Imperial Tobacco at

a time when John Player was struggling to compete with American

rivals. John Player was in world`famous brand. In 1972, the

current Nottingham site opened. I was one of the first ones in their

in 1972. I had to stop it up. I was one of the first in. As Imperial

Tobacco today, the company produces 320 billion cigarettes each year.

Making it the fourth largest producer in the world. It is also

the world 's largest producer of tobacco and tobacco papers. It has

ploughed money into the city. In the 1960s, the university actually wrote

to the chairman of John Player saying would they like to contribute

financially to the building of the Queen's Medical Centre. An

indication in those days there was no worry about the ethics of

cigarette smoking. It was part of the way universities raise money.

Nearly a decade later, Imperial Tobacco entered into a joint

ventured to form the British American tobacco company. Both sides

agreed not to trade in each other's domestic territory. Imperial Tobacco

finally sold its shares are held an interest until the 80s. The company

opened a new headquarters in Bristol which so far seems to be unaffected

by the announcement today. As part of the history of John

Player and this city, part of that history is that governments have

taxed cigarette companies so much that this announcement was

inevitable. Successive governments have taxed cigarettes heavily, not

least because they are spending such a lot on dealing with the health

consequences of people smoking. I do not think that is the real impact of

the decision. It's not as if they won't be selling cigarettes in the

UK market, they will, but they will be imported. Tax has driven Imperial

Tobacco at? People are still smoking cigarettes. It is for Imperial

Tobacco to answer why they are shifting those jobs to other parts

of Europe and the world. Governments, can they have it both

ways? We want to keep jobs but there is a strong health message that

cigarette smoking kills. That is right, I have supported action to

cut smoking and to stop young people from smoking.

That doesn't detract from the questions about white Imperial

Tobacco has taken the decision to move jobs manufacturing cigarettes

to other parts of Europe. The priority now is do care about and

support those constituents who are affected. I have already spoken to

the city council, they have spoken to the DWP about helping people

facing losing their jobs, how to upscale them `` upskill.

Tonight, Imperial Tobacco says the closure of its Nottingham factory

and a sister factory at Nantes in western France will save ?300

million a year. In its words, to "sustain the future of the

business." Derby's Assembly Rooms could be

closed for eighteen months, or even demolished, after a huge fire a

month ago. The city council, which owns the venue, says they're looking

at all the options, as a host of top name shows have been called off.

Mike O'Sullivan reports. The fire which destroyed the plant room to

the assembly mode `` Assembly Rooms a month ago. Today, a senior council

officials told me the entertainment venue could be closed for at least

18 months or even demolished. We know it will be closed for at least

18 months. We will do and options appraisal and look at the options on

this site, that we could do in terms of entertainment going forward.

These pictures show the roof of the plant room today. A mangled mess.

Underneath, there is extensive ducting, coated in polystyrene foam,

which would have to be replaced, costing millions. These are some of

the acts and events that cannot go ahead. Dawn French at a comedy

Festival, the folk Festival in October. The Festival of

remembrance, so poignant this year. And next January, thousands of

graduates at Derby University. There is mixed reaction to the prospect of

knocking down the Assembly Rooms. It has been part of Derby for such a

long time. It is part of its heritage. We saw Rod Stewart at the

football ground, but that doesn't happen very often. We need a bigger

place. There is concern from businesses around the Assembly Rooms

about the impact of the closure on the night`time economy. It does

bring pre`theatre people into the city for bars and restaurants. In

the daytime, we have got the shoppers visiting. Another car park

will be out of action. It could be months before a decision is made.

A teenager has been found guilty of the murder of a football coach in

Leicester last year. Hussain Hussain, a refugee from Somalia, was

convicted unanimously by the jury. He stabbed Antoin Akpom with a

ten`inch knife, following a confrontation. The jury will return

tomorrow to continue considering its verdict on another 19`year`old,

Abdul Hakim, who denies murder. Hours after the stabbing, four

members of the Taufiq family were killed in a house fire, two doors

down from Abdul Hakim's mother's house. It was believed to be a

revenge attack on the wrong house. A hospital in Leicester has agreed

to create designated smoking areas for staff. The trust running the

Leicester Royal Infirmary says it's taken the decision while "continuing

support for staff who want to kick the habit". It added that staff will

be required to change or cover their uniform if they're smoking during

their breaks. The areas are expected to be ready in three months.

A Derby magistrate, who posted a picture of himself holding an AK`47

rifle on Twitter, has been suspended while an investigation takes place.

Derby city councillor Ajit Atwal, who represents Abbey Ward, has

apologised for the picture, which he says was taken eight months ago on a

personal trip to India. Liberal Democrat Mr Atwal will not face any

action from his own party. It's Geeta and Maurice. With your

news tonight, and plenty more ahead. Including, why NHS rules mean Alex

has to be treated on a children's ward to get the cancer treatment he

needs. It has been another lovely, warm day

today. But the downside is that temperatures will go down 2`1dC

tonight, if frost is forecast, but we will see the sunshine again

tomorrow. There were major traffic problems

earlier today, after the M1 through the East Midlands was completely

closed southbound. It meant long delays for many commuters. A lorry

driver is being treated in hospital, after a crash with another lorry. It

happened near Markfield in Leicestershire. Simon Ward reports.

It is the height of the rush hour but you wouldn't know it to look at

the southbound motorway between junctions 22 and 22. This is the

reason. The driver of one of the HGVs had to be cut out of his cab,

after a crash earlier this morning. He is now being treated at the

Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. The resulting closure of

the M1 South led to massive tailbacks on other routes leading to

and from the motorway, in areas that included Loughborough, Shepshed and

Markfield. Police say one lorry involved was carrying 44 tonnes of

timber. The white lorry in front is eventually able to drive off. But

the one behind is being towed, and it is easy to see the damage that

resulted from the smash. Originally, the emergency services thought he M1

southbound could be closed for around five hours, until lunchtime.

Thankfully, they've managed to get the carriageways cleared, with the

traffic running again at ten o'clock. The police say the lorry

driver who was hurt is not thought to have life`threatening injuries.

Hundreds of people turned out in Old Market Square in Nottingham this

afternoon, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough

disaster. 96 Liverpool supporters were killed during an FA Cup

semifinal match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool, in 1989. A

minute's silence was held at 3:07pm, exactly 25 years after the match was

stopped in Sheffield. The Transport Minister has said the

part of the HS2 route that will be going through the East Midlands will

not be sacrificed to cut costs. The plans are quite fluid, not this

Y`shaped, but the route itself is something that is under detailed

consideration. We had a major consultation. A lot of responses. We

are going through is those in a great detail and that will take us

beyond this year. Nottinghamshire Police say they're

treating a fire in an historic chapel as arson. The building in

Eastwood Cemetery may have to be demolished after the fire last week.

Police say they think someone forced their way into the chapel on Chewton

Street. The area is a heritage site, with members of DH Lawrence's family

buried there. The Parliamentary Standards

Committee says it expects to make a decision about the future of the

Newark MP, Patrick Mercer, after Easter. He resigned from the

Conservatives last year. It came after an investigation revealed he

was paid to table questions in the House of Commons. Mr Mercer also

failed to declare the payment within the deadline set for the MPs'

Register Of Financial Interests. He's since declared ?2,000 given to

him by reporters posing as lobbyists.

Next tonight: Alex has cancer, a form that's extremely rare in adults

but common in children. So, although he's nearly 40, he's one of the

first people in the country being treated on a children's ward. What

his case highlights is the reluctance of doctors to try new

ways of treating rare and terminal cancers IF they haven't been

trialled. `` if they. Alex's consultant at Nottingham Children's

Hospital is backing a new Cancer Bill which could change that, as Jo

Healey reports. When Alex's brain tumours returned

two years ago, he never thought he would still be here and still be

able to do some of the work he loves. They said, sorry, nothing we

can do. No treatment available for it.

You have to make a decision of whether you sit back and watch it

happen, or we fight. So I fought. And that brought them here, to the

Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre in Nottingham. They were able

to treat him as they did children with his type of tumour, injecting a

drug into his spinal fluid, a smaller dose, bigger impact, few

side`effects. It was a bit of, do you want to be a guinea pig? Yes,

please, I'll try anything. Why couldn't he get this on an adult

ward? The condition Alex has is so rare,

that the chances of a trial for adults are almost zero. That means

the treatment, according to conventional terms would never

become available to adults, because no one would ever launch a trial. So

he has to be treated in a children's ward. That is the current

arrangement. He is in what I would call the innovation trap. It is a

trap Lord Saatchi has tried to end with his new bill, giving doctors

more freedom to try new ways of treating rare or terminal cancers.

There will be no cure for cancer until real doctors with real

patients in real hospitals attempt innovation. People have said to me,

people at the top of the medical and legal profession, that this bill

could save thousands of lives. This has been tested, but not on

adults. But when you have no choice, that becomes a choice. You have to

take it. What they and the supporters of the

bill hope is that more people will get that choice.

Sport in a moment. And, coming up after that: How ancient Leicester

might have looked, through Roman eyes.

New technology cuts through the mists of time.

Time now for the sport. We start with Leicester City who

have reached the 90`points mark, and need just two more wins to guarantee

a return to the Premier League as champions. A draw at Reading last

night means they're seven points clear of second`placed Burnley, with

four games to go. Kirsty Edwards reports.

Promotion may be in the bag, but Leicester went out at Reading still

focused on winning the title. After the disappointing defeat against

Brighton, Nigel Pearson was looking for much improved performances from

his side. They thought they had an early breakthrough, fit again Jamie

Vardy's goal ruled offside. Then, the Foxes were undone by a free

kick, a header into the far corner, Kasper Schmeichel with no chance.

The keeper was looking impressive, keeping the deficit to just one

goal. As so often this season, Danny Drinkwater was looking good in

midfield, his stunning long`range swipe put Leicester back on level

terms. Foxes had their chances to grab a winner, but a draw was a fair

result on the night, as they edge closer to the Championship title.

At Nottingham Forest, captain Andy Reid says they haven't given up on

the play`offs, but admits it will be an uphill struggle to reach them.

The club held an open training session at the City Ground this

morning for fans, and Reid was also helping to sell season tickets in

the club shop. He should be back available this weekend, after his

injury problems. But today was reflecting on what might have been.

We believe that if we had everybody fit and we had a full strength team

out there, we would be challenging to win the league. We know the

quality we have got, some people might see that as excuses, but they

have been the facts. This has not been good enough. We have a chance

to put it right and that starts on Saturday.

Boxing, and it sold out in an hour, but now an extra 20,000 tickets will

be available for Carl Froch's world title fight against George Groves.

The rematch between the rivals was initially limited to 60,000 fans at

Wembley Stadium. But now, the local council and Transport for London

have agreed a plan that'll take the capacity to 80,000. There's no word

yet on when the tickets will go on sale.

Now, he's a musician, a comedian and a fans' favourite. But, from today,

he's an ex`rugby player. The Leicester Tigers' George Chuter says

the rigours of daily training at one of Europe's top clubs has proved too

much. So, at the age of 37, and after a first`class career, he's

called it a day. Mark Shardlow has been to see him.

For 18 years, his job has been in the middle of this. For England,

Saracens and, nearly 300 games at Leicester. It is a stupid position

to play. In the front row, you are in a really bad position. There is a

lot of pressure. This is why the fans love him. He's

from the old school. Embracing the club nature of rugby, joining in at

social nights. The social side has always been

something that attracted me to the game. I love the competition, the

physical side. Away from the game as well, time to socialise with the

fans and players. Slightly odd at times, I could never

understand his jokes, it's probably more me than him. He's been great,

even in tough times, he has seen the funny side of it. I don't want that

to take away from what a great player he was, and what he has done

for the game and this club. It has not been easy at Tigers. He

has had to battle for a place. Sometimes, he has been third in

line. For 14 years, he has stayed in Leicester.

You get less for murder. I found everything I needed here.

The challenge of getting in the team and stay in the team. Getting better

as a player. I like living in Leicestershire, the people up here.

My family are here. What are you going to do? Run a

pub, salesman, coach? You're the second person who has

asked if I'll run a pub. Do I have a publican face? I'd love to run a

pub, actually. But he will surely stay in the

sport. A World Cup finalist with a sense of fun and authority, as a

coach, pundit or ambassador, this Tiger's life in rugby is far from

over. And you can hear more from George on

BBC Radio Leicester's Rugby Show, at six o'clock tomorrow evening.

Now, new technology is enabling us to see what one of our cities looked

like, through Roman eyes. A new computer app developed by De

Montfort University is revealing how Leicester might have looked 1,800

years ago. Paul Bradshaw has more. These are doors. It looks like where

they go in. The old and the new. These children

from a primary school are getting a glimpse of Leicester's Jewry wall as

it was in the third century AD.. Viewed on a tablet, the new app

recreates ancient buildings in 3D models, allowing you to explore a

virtual Roman world. You get to see what it was like,

what the building was like, instead of just looking at ruins. If you are

reading a book, you'll have to think about it. But on this, you can

actually see it, as if you're there.

The app was designed by a team at De Montfort University, using augmented

reality technology, the type used in electronic gaming. They saw

potential in the technology, not just for tourism, but for education

too. What this technology can do is bring

history to life. Kids expect that today, subjects to be presented in a

way that engages them. Hopefully, this app will do that, and encourage

them to learn about the history that is around them.

This shows much more than going into a museum and maybe handling a few

objects. It feels separate from the real places and buildings. But this

gives them a context, that it happened here, and the stones they

see are part of a building once here. There is a door over there.

There are more archaeological sites to explore with the app, including

the Roman temple under the Holiday Inn, and the forum along the High

Street. The app is available as free download.

It beats a textbook! I wouldn't be happy if my kids were on a tablet

even more than usual. Time now for the weather.

Nice again tomorrow, we lose it a little by Thursday.

Another very cold night across the East Midlands, similar to last

night, likely to drop down to minus one Celsius. It has been a lovely

day today. After the grass Frost, clear skies mean the sunshine will

return once again. A small amount of cloud developing in the afternoon,

clearing away now. A nice, moonlit night. In towns and cities, the

temperatures will stay just above freezing. Chile first thing in the

morning, with Frost. A lovely, bright start to the day. The winds

will remain light. The main change is high cloud. It will start to come

in, in the afternoon, temperatures in the region of 15 Celsius with a

gentle, southerly breeze. By Thursday, a cold front is working

its way down, currently in Scotland. It will work its way south, through

the daytime. It will weaken but there is the opportunity for it to

cloud is over and produce the odd spot of rain. Once it clears, on

Friday, the skies will brighten again. Temperatures will start to

come down. That applies to the early part of the Easter weekend. By

Saturday, quite a bit of sunshine around. Temperatures feeling

fresher. Quite a bit of sunshine in the early part of the Easter

weekend. In the second half, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, we are

more likely to see it turning unsettled.

That's all from us. Join us again at 10.25pm. Goodbye.