17/04/2014 Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)

in Ukraine. That is all from the BBC News at six. It is goodbye from me

and on BBC One Good evening and welcome to BBC Look

North. The headlines tonight. 37 years after becoming an MP, Austin

Mitchell decides to stand down. A lot of the game to made have been

rolled back by this government. A Government minister says Immingham

needs more flood protection, but won't promise more money, A fire

drives a couple out of the home they'd moved into after their house

was flooded, Politicians from all sides have been reacting to the news

that the Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell is to step down at the next

election. He's represented the town in parliament for the past 37 years.

The streets of Hull transformed into the set of a new film.

A weekend of two halves as far as the weather is concerned. I will be

back with the forecast. Good evening. Politicians from all

sides have been reacting to the news that the great Grimsby MP Austin

Mitchell will stand down at the next election. He has represented the

town in Parliament for 37 years. The Labour leader Ed Miliband praised

his "commitment to the people of Grimsby". In a moment, I'll be

asking Austin Mitchell why he's decided to retire. But first, Tim

Iredale looks back at his career. 21,000. Dot. Austin Mitchell has

represented great Grimsby in Parliament since 1977. He says it is

time to leave the political stage. It is time for change, time to bring

in somebody younger. All I can do is go away and weep quietly, which I am

now proposing to do. At a meeting last night, Austin Mitchell told

people he will carry on as the MP until the general election next

year, then he will step down. Austin Mitchell was a familiar face on our

TV screens long before he entered politics. As a reporter with

Yorkshire television, he covered serious news as well as

light`hearted stories. Not surprisingly, for a former TV

presenter, he was one of the leading campaigners in favour of television

cameras being introduced in the House of Commons, of that was

opposed by the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher. Most people know

Austin as the local MP. It will be a hard act to follow. He has been a

great servant to the local community. We have political

differences, of course, but our aim is always to improve the lot of the

people we represent. What do we say? Out. A fierce critic of the European

Union, Austin Mitchell is one of the few Labour MPs to support Britain's

withdrawal from the EU. At one point, he changed his name to Austin

haddock to show support for Grimsby's fishing industry. People

still say it is grim up there, but Austen has made it fun. This was the

reaction from Grimsby voters. They should've gone a few years ago and

enjoyed retirement. I wish him well. These can a lot of work for

Grimsby. `` he has done a lot of work for Grimsby. I think we need

somebody new. We need somebody with new ideas. Austin Mitchell will turn

80 later this year, by the time of the next general election, he will

have represented great Grimsby in Parliament for 38 years.

I spoke to Austin Mitchell and asked why he thought now was the right

time to announce his retirement as an MP. While, I think having an

election in May, Parliament will come to an end early in April, and I

think that is time for me to go. I shall be 80 this year. I don't think

there is we will elect a geriatric. I don't want to go, actually,

because I enjoyed the job so much, but it is time to bring in a new

face, new approach, new energy. 37 years. What is your biggest

achievement? I shouldn't laugh, because it is a sad moment. I think

my biggest achievement was getting compensation for redundant

fishermen. The Tory government had refused to pay them. We managed to

get compensation. I think that is the biggest achievement. Life as an

MP is a constant struggle. It is a struggle. The continuous run of

helping people with problems is the most enjoyable thing. You always

supported the fishing industry and the trawlermen. You changed your

name. That is right. The fishing industry asked MPs to change their

name. I was the only person that is enough to do it. I got free fish and

chips. Hansard wrote to me and said, did they want my contributions to be

from Austin Mitchell or Austin Haddock and at last point I changed

back. Will you be sitting next to John Prescott in the House of Lords

in a few years' time? I doubt it. I don't think I shall go there because

I have not made any contribution to the Conservative Party. Would you

like to? Well, I would like to. Politics continues. My history has

been constant rearguard actions, against Europe, against economics of

the Liberal party and the Conservative Party. I am not going

to wish you a happy retirement because I am sure I will see many

times before. We'd like to hear your thoughts on

this story. As he approaches 80, is Austin Mitchell right to retire. How

will you remember him as an MP in this area?

Some of you have already been in touch on our Facebook page.

In a moment: battling for bragging rights in the rugby league derby.

The floods minister says it's "critically important" that

Immingham is given more protection from tidal surges. Robert Goodwill

has been at the port today to look at the damage done in the floods

before Christmas. But he's stopped short of making a firm financial

commitment. More from our Paul Murphy.

You don't need to look hard in Immingham to get a sense of the

damage caused by the tidal surge. At the charity which supports seafarers

they don't expect to reopen fully until September. The entire building

has been wrecked. The telephone systems have got to be put back in.

The alarms have to be put back on. Skirting boards, full declaration,

the far has to be built. But the floods here did much more

than damage buildings. Immingham is a major processing centre for coal,

gas and oil. Many of those facilities were knocked out and the

Government was conncered about the nations energy supply. Today the

floods minster said he wanted to learn how the government could

better protect this port. The call that goes into those big power

stations we all see on the motorway, by and large comes from here. Much

of it comes through here. It is a vital national asset. It is

important this acid is not compromised and put at risk by

another tidal surge. The port operator does not need are simple

enough. Big, stronger, coastal defences. It said that a it would

have also helped to resist the surge. This port is at the centre of

the UK's energy supply industry. If this goes out, we have major issues

for the economy. That has been There's been no commitment given to

fund improved defences, but the tidal surge revealed just how

vulnerable the nation's energy supply is, and that's perhaps the

most compelling argument for giving this port greater protection.

Recognised. Paul is still at Immingham at the moment. What was

the importance of this visit today? I think it was significant he was

here. It reflects the importance of Immingham strategically.

Interestingly, the minister told me that during those Cobra meetings

about flooding in December, Immingham was very high up the

agenda. That tells you what you need to know about how government views

this place. No extra money announced today. That was never the intention.

You could be sure that when the discussions take place, Immingham

will forget largely when it comes to funding flood defences.

Thank you. Some stories now. Two children remain in a serious

condition in hospital after the car they were travelling in crashed into

a ditch in North East Lincolnshire. It happened yesterday on South Marsh

Road in Stallingborough. Police are appealing for witnesses. A former

care home in Hull has been renovated into flat and bungalows. This

development includes 16 flats and two bungalows, and is in great

demand already. Full city council says it has a huge programme of

housing works planned over the next 12 months that will generate

construction jobs and better accommodation for local people ``

whole city council. It is the first time in a few decades such a big

programme has been in place. We are pleased to be able to start that

construction. The chief executive of whole and East Yorkshire hospitals

have announced his resignation `` the chief executive of Hull and East

Yorkshire hospitals have announced his resignation. He had been in the

role since 2010. Modern 200 men who claimed they were

abused at a former school in market Wheaton could see their cases for

compensation come to court. Saint William school, which was owned by

the catholic school, closed in 1992. There has been a long`running

legal battle over hundreds of claims of sexual and physical abuse.

It was a residential school owned by the Catholic Church, and it is

alleged that in its 40 year history, over 250 boys were physically and

sexually abused here. In 2004, the former principal here was jailed for

14 years for abusing boys at the school. He was part of a Catholic

organisation that run the school and provided teachers. The Roman

Catholic dioceses of Middlesbrough owned Saint Williams and appointed

the brothers to manage it. In 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that both

organisations should share responsibility for the abuse, and

between them, share the cost of any future claims for compensation,

which lawyers say could amount to millions of pounds.

What has happened in this case now, Caroline? Solicitors acting on

behalf of of the men who claim their were abused totals about a hearing

at the High Court yesterday. During the hearing, the judge decided that

some other compensation claims should be heard in court and trial

dates will be set for May of next year. It is still hope that the

majority of the cases can be settled without the need to go to court. It

is one of the UK's longest running child abuse cases. Those who say

they were victims here just want it to be resolved.

Thank you for watching. A fire forced a couple out of their own

home. How a film in Hull could bring ?1 million to our city.

If you take a good picture at the weekend, send it in. Lee Wilson took

tonight. Thank you for that. Another picture next week. Good evening.

Good evening. All this talk of retirement. Austin Mitchell, Bruce

Forsyth. Anything you want to tell us?

Happy Easter to you as well. I bought you an expensive Easter eggs

this afternoon. Is that why you didn't answer my

phone calls? I was told you are chatting in the newsroom.

I was buying your pack. The Easter weekend. The first looks

nice. It goes downhill on Sunday. A chilly start tomorrow, but it will

be a bright the day. Beware, very chilly. Quite blustery out there.

Through the evening, we will see clear spells developing. It will

develop into a fine night. A touch of Frost to start the day tomorrow.

As big of a nippy start, but it will be nice. Dry and fine. Plenty of

sunshine. Things going downhill through the weekend. Very chilly out

there. Around average for the time of year. Even colder into Saturday.

On Sunday, ten and wetter. Everybody wants to know why you were

ringing me. Do you want me to tell them?

You are in bad books now. The cool family have lost the last

of their possessions after a fire in their temporary home.

Like many who suffered the surge, Geoff and Stephanie Cowling thought

they had weathered their worst look at the hands of of the element in

December's floods. The scene in their village. Just days ago, their

temporary home caught fire at the hands of the spring sunshine. A fire

investigation report has concluded bright sunlight coming in from one

of the windows behind me hate a mirror and directed concentrated

heat onto one of the sofa cushions, catching fire. Humberside Fire and

Rescue services very rare, and one almost impossible to foresee. They

just act to get my son a computer, mere computer, get a few things back

together, and we have lost everything again. We are back to

square one. The family were given ?3000 from their insurance company,

some of which they used to buy new household items, items they will now

have to buy or borrow again. Friends are wanting to come and help. Even

the builder wanted to take washing for his wife to watch for others.

Members of the community have offered what help they can. Some of

the residents have left money behind a bar for them to come in for a meal

and stuff. We have genetically as well. They were have many worries

about rooting for a few days. `` we have donated a meal as well. You can

always find a silver lining in even the darkest of clouds. I have just

got to keep myself together and hope things will come right. At least we

are not hurt. It could've been a lot worse. Somebody have been killed.

Dreadfully sad story. We wish them the very best.

The BBC has received numerous reports of tremors being felt in the

south of Lincolnshire this morning. They were the result of a small

earthquake which shook parts of the East Midlands at around seven

o'clock. There have not been any reports of injuries or damage. I

headed distant low rumbling sound. A slight vibration. Having gone

through an earthquake, I recognise the signs.

Humberside Airport have announced they will be offering flights to

Mallorca starting next summer. Thomson holidays will be running the

route to Palma from early May to mid October. The airport welcomes

Thomson's return and says it's down to local economic changes. Hull FC

coach Lee Radford says his roots in East Hull will be put to one side as

he takes charge of his first Super League derby tonight. Hull, whose

home is in the west of the City, travel East to Hull KR tonight and

his side go into the game having won three of the last four derbies.

Phillip Norton reports. He's used to the pressure as a

player, having had a vital role in many Hull derbies of the past. But

for Lee Radford, the fixture's been taken to a whole new level when

you're head coach ` especially if you live in the other half of hull.

You can see how important it is. Lee Radford was born on this side of

the River Hull, the dividing line for whether youre a red and white

Hull KR fan in the east of the city, or a black and white Hull FC fan to

the west. And with much of the city united with the football club's

achievements in the past week, tonight's match brings the rugby

rivalry to the fore once again. I live over that side of the city. I

can take the kids to school with a smile on my face if we get a good

result. It is a massive game. It's the 221st meeting between the

rivals. Hull KR trail FC by just one point in the league table, adding to

the importance for the Robins to turn around recent losses in the

derby on home turf. It will be a tough game. We will play the best we

can. A KR fan as a boy, Lee Radford's

done his bit for his native side of the

distribute tickets for next month's final against Arsenal. Season ticket

holders who went to Sunday's win over Sheffield United will be given

the first chance to buy Final tickets. Then after the other season

ticket holders have their chance tickets will go on general sale with

the same priority given to those who attended the cup semi final.

Five people have been selected to carry the

?1 million into the city. It is an industry. It is the thing people

need to concentrate on. The road closures and slight disruption is

worth every penny because of what comes back to their city. The

filming here will take just a fortnight. But with the film going

on global release next year, it will showcase Hull to millions.

Very exciting. Strictly speaking, they were not route masters. They

were introduced in 1954. Let's get a recap of the national

and regional headlines. This is the search continues for

survivors following the sinking of a ferry which was carrying hundreds of

school students. Austrian Mitchell says he used to

alter rubbers in the town in Parliament and the will stand down

at the next general election. Some of the messages for Austin

Mitchell. Doris said, I did not realise he was coming up to 80, I

hope you enjoyed retirement. Another one, he has been brilliant for

Grimsby, put your feet up and enjoy retirement. Graham says, I remember

a young Austin visiting our street party for the Queens Silver Jubilee

in 1977. This is from the Queen family. Thank you, Austin, for all

the help of the fishermen. David says, it should be Lord Mitchell, no

discretion required. He has been one with the people and one for the

people. This is from Mr Blanchard. He says, thank you for looking after

the people of Grimsby from a fisherman's grandson. Nice message.

Thank you for watching. Have a happy and peaceful Easter. Goodbye.