09/01/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

George. Thank you. That's all so it's goodbye from me and on BBC One

Hello, welcome to Look North. In the programme tonight...

She was found dead in the stairwell of an American hospital. Now her

twin brother tells us about his battle to discover the truth.

Also tonight, more than 400 Northumbria Police posts to go, but

the force says it will not affect its ability to do its job.

another accolade for North East another accolade for North East

car`maker Nissan. And find out why this Teesside woman

will be voting for Scottish independence, while this Scotswoman

will not be allowed a vote at all. In sport, the latest comings and

goings at our clubs in the January transfer window.

And meet our latest Sportskid hoping to become the next big thing in

cyclo`cross. Three months ago, she was found dead

in a stairwell at a hospital in San Francisco. Then, say her family,

came an attempt by the US authorities to smear her name and

shift the blame. Today, in his first interview, the twin brother of Lynne

Spalding, from Haswell in County Durham, says the way he's been

treated in his search for the truth has been "a disgrace". And he says

UK authorities are also at fault. I remember the first time we got a

pair of jeans, the first time we drank Coca`Cola, got a piece of

pizza. Although she lived thousands of miles away, we had a very real

relationship. Lynne Spalding was 57.

She ended up in San Francisco after marrying an American serviceman.

In September last year, she was taken into San Francisco General

with an infection of the urinary tract.

Friends say her medication was making her confused ` and then she

disappeared. 17 days later, she was found dead in a stairwell, a matter

of metres from her bed. So how was she missed? As well as

being told sorry, her twin has been told something else. The hospital

have said that they had one third less than the required security at

the hospital. That search of the steers was stopped because they ran

out of overtime to do that. A medical report said she was a

chronic alcoholic, based, it seems, on her having a fatty liver. Her

friends and family say she was not an alcoholic and Bill thinks the

report was a cynical attempt to shift the blame.

And when he went to San Francisco after her death, it got worse. He

says the British Consulate virtually blanked him and then told him he was

suspected of being a prying journalist. She is dead and that is

the end of it. I would like to know how she personally was in the

hospital in the last days. I think it is possible to get a better

result than what was in the report. I think the foreign office should be

doing that. The British consulate in San Francisco should be doing that.

Believe you me, the actor The Foreign Office will not comment

on what he says, but San Francisco General says Lynne's death should

never have happened and a big security review is already underway.

Chris is with me now. Chris, as soon as this phrase "chronic alcoholism"

was used, people jumped to conclusions about Lynne Spalding, it

seems. That is exactly what you see, it conjures up the prospect of

someone maybe be coming in after lying on a park bench. That she had

a very good job, was very well connected and all of her friends say

she was not an alcoholic. She had a very good job in corporate

hospitality. The hospital has said it was a horrible event which should

not happened and detailed a number of improvements and investments to

prevent this happening in the future. It also says the enquiry may

not be enough to discover exactly what happened to her.

More than 400 jobs are to go at Northumbria Police and police

stations will close, after the force announced it needs to save an

additional ?46 million pounds, on top of the original ?58 million, by

March, 2017. The force says its priority is to protect front line

and neighbourhood policing and the cuts will not affect that. This is a

police force which has already had to save ?50 million. Now read

further ?46 million must be saved. That means job losses. 200 senior

management and advisory jobs and 200 other police jobs will go. They say

it will come through natural turnover. We are not overstaffed,

but information technology has changed so much, it has all moved on

so much since I joined, and because we can do things differently,

without using performance, we do not need as many people as we did in the

past. A new operational structure will mean reducing the area commands

from six to three. Proposals include closing outdated police stations. We

will not be closing any police station before we have a new

neighbourhood Alyce team base open and operational. Within that

community and operating. The commitment is to front`line

policing. All the police officers on the community police teams and the

neighbourhood the patents will not be affected by

about delivering what the public values most, the fuelling of public

safety. The search for a missing Cumbrian

man has been continuing today. Tom McMorrow, who is 26 and from

Penrith, went missing after a works party at The Inn On The Lake at

Glenridding, on the shores of Ullswater, on Sunday night. Mountain

rescue and underwater search teams have been looking for him. Mr

McMorrow's family has appealed for anyone who may have seen him to get

in touch. The government is putting the Lake

District forward for designation as a World Heritage Site. The proposal

will go before the international organisation UNESCO in 2016. Experts

will visit the Lake District and scrutinise the bid, with a decision

expected in June, 2017. The UK currently has 28 World Heritage

sites. A fire which began at a wood

recycling plant on Teesside two weeks ago has finally been put out.

It began at the UK Wood recycling facility at Wilton just before

Christmas, when 16,000 tonnes of recycled wood caught fire. Residents

of Grangetown and Redcar were asked to keep windows and doors closed.

Cleveland Fire Brigade said the safest strategy was to let the fire

gradually burn itself out. Five years ago, the story was of

mass redundancies and talk of a devastating blow to the region. On

January nine, 2009, the Nissan plant at Sunderland announced 1,200 job

losses and the media turnaround is complete, as it

announced 500,000 cars made in a single year. Yes, five years ago,

there was a meeting held to go and with the company looking at the

sales projections, they believe they were unrealistic. The plan for

redundancies to try and safeguard the future of the plant. Things are

looking very different nowadays. This report does contain some flash

photography. January, 2009 ` the banks had

crashed and the news was grim. Nissan is axing 1200 jobs.

One quarter of Nissan's Sunderland workforce was heading for the dole

queue. Car sales had plunged. January, 2014 ` things look very

different. Record production. For the second

year in a row, the plant has made 500,000 cars. And memories of the

bad times fast fading. They were really liked days when the market

where levels we had never seen before. It was purely product

driven. It was just having such a good car, the demand has come back

very quickly. And that Dante, there was talk of a government task force

to help the redundant workers. Later this month, once this reduction Lane

goes 24 hours seven days a week, the production lines will be working

round`the`clock for the very first time.

Optimism for the future is fuelled by Sunderland's new Qashqai,

launched in London in November. It has just been named What Car?

Magazine's car of the year. If one fight beers out that optimism, back

in 2009, the Iraq already less than 5000 people working here. Today, it

has already gone up to 6500. Engineers are still battling to

repair a railway line in Cumbria, which was damaged by last Friday's

high tides and strong wind. Network Rail has to replace tracks on the

coastal link just south of Maryport. In the meantime, the line remains

closed between Maryport and Carlisle. Trains should be running

again by Monday. The waves sent sea defences tumbling

and washed ballast from beneath the tracks. The force was so destructive

that, almost a week on from the high tides and strong winds, the train

line between Carlisle and Maryport is still shut, while repairs take

place. We have not seen the EC surging in this way for many years.

The main and a half metre tide, the onshore wind and the rain all coming

together at one time. As you can see, it's smashed the sea wall. It

will be a good job to get it back. The tracks were washed away on two

stretches of about 200 metres. As well as putting in new rails, the

wall which was meant to protect the line from the sea is being replaced

with so`called "rock armour". One of the biggest challenges of

this project is bringing 4,000 tonnes of stone from the quarry at

Shap along the beach here at Flimby, so that it can then be put in place

as part of the new sea defences. Thousands of people use the line

every day. It is an essential service, so our first priority is to

get this up and running as quickly as possible. There is a lot of work

to do, but we are doing it as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, buses have been used to transport passengers.The

line is due to reopen on Monday. Coming up later, we meet a sports

kid who takes his bike where others might fear to tread.

And bridging 180 years of history, as the old and the new meet on the

river that gave birth to the lifeboat. And with the Reg of high

pressure bringing a quiet spell, which could be a good news.

Now this week on Look North, we are asking whether an independent

Scotland would be a friend or foe for our region. The Scottish public

will choose in September whether they want to breakaway, but it will

not just be Scots who will decide. People originally from the North

East and Cumbria, but now living north of the Border, will also be

given a vote, while thousand of Scots now living in our region will

not. Meet Mrs Campbell and Mrs Moffat.

They live just a couple of miles apart. Between them, though, a

river. This one, the Tweed, separating, in a rather attractive

style, England from Scotland. And with people in Scotland voting on

whether they want independence this year, this rather pretty bit of

water is starting to divide people in new ways.

Let us start with the Moffats. Marie's from Teesside, Donald from

Scotland and, when they first met over 30 years ago in Norton, near

Stockton, there were some translation problems. It took me

about three months to understand some of what he was seeing. I then

realised some of the stuff he was seeing was swear words.

These days, the happy couple live just over the Scottish border in

Cornhill. So, Marie's from the North East, but she will help decide

Scotland's future. I am going to vote yes, because I believe is a

country B cannot we are now. I think we would be

better off. From our point of view, it is free prescriptions for my

asthma, free eye checkups and Scotland and for me, it is

beneficial. I think we cannot lose. We have to be better off. It would

be embarrassing for the rest of the United Kingdom if Scotland was doing

well and independence. I think the North East has been begot neglected

for decades and this would highlight it more if Scotland got

independence. Perhaps not a surprising view, as Mr

Moffat is an SNP councillor. Both the happy couple want independence.

But there are thousands of Scots on this part of the border who will not

get a vote. At the last census, over 43,000

people in our region described themselves as "Scottish".

Over 10,000 of them are in Cumbria, over 5,000 in County Durhan, over

2,000 in Stockton and over 8,000 in Northumberland.

Karen Campbell is a proud Scot living in Cornhill, Northumberland,

just a mile into England. She would like to vote no in the referendum,

but because she lives in England, she can not. I have not got a

voice. That is what upsets me the Scottish heritage and relay come

from. As I say, I do not have a voice. I do not think Scotland could

survive on its own. I think it needs England.

So, Karen and Marie remained divided. Two miles apart and two

sides of the independence debate. And eight months to go.

And on tomorrow night's Look North, we will look at whether an

independent Scotland could kick`start transport projects in our

region. Time for the sport know. And some movement at Sunderland? Yes,

the manager tends to not like to talk about anything until things are

signs, sealed and delivered. Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has

confirmed the club is hoping to sign defender Santiago Vergini from

Argentinian club Estudiantes in the January transfer window. It is

thought the deal could be done over the weekend. He also confirmed that

Cabral has joined Italian side Genoa on loan until the end of the season.

The midfielder failed to impress Poyet, having been signed by Paolo

Di Canio on a free transfer from Basel in the summer.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka today hinted there may

be some more comings and goings at the Riverside this month. Nigeria

international Kenneth Omeruo, who is 20, joined Boro on loan from Chelsea

yesterday, following stints in Holland and Belgium. Karanka, who

has recalled midfielder Matty Dolan from a loan

revival will continue at Blackpool on Saturday and is predicting a busy

January transfer window. I like to try and bring in some players to the

squad. We will be working to keep the squad apart 23`24 players, if

possible. Will new players arrive? Yes.

Hartlepool's Tony Eccles celebrated his 44th birthday by reaching the

last eight at the BDO World Darts Championships in Surrey. Eccles, who

beat the fifth seed in the opening round, knocked out Dutch 12th seed

Wesley Harms 4`3. This evening's quarterfinal against Robbie Green at

the Lakeside Country Club is already underway. Coverage continues on the

BBC red button. Newcastle Falcons have made nine

changes for tonight's European Challenge Cup game against Brive at

Kingston Park. The teams are tied at the top of Pool C with two games to

go. Will Welch is back in the squad as Newcastle look to avenge the

defeat they suffered in France. But the Falcons are still struggling to

score tries and are the lowest points scorers in the Premiership `

a cause of frustration for the players. Absolutely. You can feel

it. We have been so close to scoring, but it is just that led

final pass, or concentration or focus which has let us down. We try

not to dwell on it or think about it, but we should have scored if you

more tries. Now, it is time to meet another of

our Sportskids. This time, a youngster who lives near Penrith in

Cumbria, whose sport is growing in popularity. In fact, throughout

winter, it is probably taking place in a park near you, but as Stephanie

Cleasby found out, you have to be prepared to get muddy! I, I am Mark

and I erase cyclo`ross. Might, hurdles and fast and furious

racing. This is cyclo`ross. Tell me a bit about your bike. It is pretty

much like a road bike, although the tyres are a bit thicker. The sport

is ultra competitive. Every lap of the traffic gets harder as it gets

my dear. The trades on the tyres were clogging up with mud. When I

put the power down, it just slipped. What is your biggest achievement so

far in the sport? I came second in the over 14`year`old Championships

and got the North of England Trophy. His family spend a lot of the year

on the road. He is young for his age group, so it is quite hard this

year. But he is coming in the top ten in the country. You are out on

courses like this in all weather during the winter. What do you enjoy

about it? I find it very exhilarating. It started as a winter

sport years ago. Now it is growing in popularity, particularly in the

North East. As many features as possible. The odd hurdle, gas bank.

It has grown into its own as a new sport. It has been one of the

biggest growing sports, next to cycling itself. Mark is determined

to race to the top of his sport. I would love to become part of a

professional team. I would hope to do well internationally. At the

moment, it is the Belgians who are really good at it. I think you

missed a bit! I would have given him a squat of

that if he had said that to me! The second`oldest lifeboat in

world has been lovingly restored by volunteers in South Shields. And

"The Tyne" , as it's called, is a familiar landmark, which will soon

be returning to its prominent place in the town. Well this morning the

Tynemouth lifeboat ` one of the most modern in the world ` crossed the

river to pay its respects to one of the oldest. Restored to her former

glory, beside the river that gave her her name. This is really very

first lifeboat is well built and now, one of the oldest is meeting

one of the newest. 180 years between them. It is an ideal chance to get

the two of them together. It will never happen again. Heritage skills

rules and was given the important job of repairing the boat name. You

happy your handiwork? People see it is wonky, but I am saying it is the

boat which is a bit wonky! It is extremely important that this is

renovated for South Shields. It has brought together so many people

here, visitors and everything with wonderful stories, it has just been

wonderful for the North East maritime trust. After 50 years

service at sea, The Tyne has been a landmark on the South Shields

seafront since Victorian times. And she will return when building work

is complete in the spring. Now, if you watched the new series of

stargazing, it was hard to see anything, but is there a chance to

see the Northern lights this evening?

Yes yes, people are surprised that you can see them from here, but it

may well be possible. The weather should be better than last night. It

will not be completely plain sailing. There are some shot was

pushing across from the West. There was plenty of clear sky through the

day. Look at this lovely photograph from Tracey. There will be some gaps

in the code in most places remaining drive. This ridge of high pressure

is bringing the clear sky tonight and the best of those will be in

eastern areas. They will be the favourite sport sports to see if you

are stargazing stargazing and hoping to see the Northern lights tonight.

As I said, the odd shower pushing down from the Scottish Borders. In

the towns and temperatures still seeing above

freezing. But out in the countryside, there could be a hint

of Frost. Check out for pace patches tomorrow morning. Tomorrow, a dry

stout and decent spells in the East. Into the afternoon, the cloud

will thicken and we have this band of rain coming in across from

Cumbria in the second half of the day. The rain will not be especially

heavy, but it will be a nuisance if you are out and about. But the wind

will not be as strong as it has been in the last couple of weeks. I

temperatures of eight Celsius tomorrow. That is the picture for

tomorrow. As the weather front clears, we pick up this cold here

which originated from the other side of the Atlantic, but nowhere near as

cold for hours as it has been for those people in America. If the

amount of dry weather over the weekend. Saturday is tight and

bright and again, Sunday will be not quite sunny, shouldn't drive.

Thanks Paul. Now for a last look at tonight's headlines. The

Mmetropolitan police say they need to do better with black communities

in the wake of the Mark Duggan inquest. And the brother of a County

Durham woman found dead in a stairwell at an American Hospital

has spoken of his fight to find out the truth about what happened to

her. I am back after the BBC ten o'clock news. Goodbye for now.