24/10/2011 North West Tonight

Good evening. Welcome to NorthWest Tonight with Ranvir Singh and Roger

Johnson. Our top story: Re-living the horror of the fatal Grayrigg

train crash. The driver describes the moment his train was thrown off

the tracks. Iain Black says he knew immediately, without a shadow of a

doubt, he was in deep trouble. Also tonight: Demoted for comments made

on his personal Facebook page - the Trafford Housing Trust manager to

sue his employers. Below goal in P wants a referendum in Europe. Do

customers in this continental delicatessen by it? Why not give an

hour of your time and order to help summon get online? And will give

you the details later in the programme. And bitter humiliation

or unbridled joy? We've got all the reaction from yesterday's

Manchester derby. The midfield wasn't there, the attack wasn't

there. We just weren't good enough today. I never thought a day like

this would come. Four years on from the fatal Grayrigg train crash in

Cumbria, the driver has been re- living the moment his train was

thrown off the tracks by faulty points. Ian Black was speaking on

the first day of the inquest into the death of Margaret Masson - who

was 84 and from Glasgow. She was the only person to die in the crash.

Our chief reporter, Dave Guest, is in Grayrigg for us now. Dave, why

has it taken more than four years to get to the inquest? It was back

in February 2007 that of Virgin trains dreamers, along the track at

95 mph, when it leapt from the points, ran 300 metres down the

track and then rolled down an embankment. Many people on board

were injured and Margaret Masson was killed. There had to be an

investigation by the real Accident Investigation Branch and that

pointed the finger of blame at all the poise. There had been

similarities to what happened at Potters Bar station five years

earlier, when seven people were killed. Back in 2009, the last

Government ruled out a public inquiry has said there should be

separate inquests into the sudden deaths at Potters Bar, and the

symbol debt, here. -- seven deaths. The carriages of a high-speed train

lie scattered like the pieces of a toy train set across a field in

Cumbria. The fight 3:00pm train from London Euston to Glasgow had

been derailed on a February night in 2007. Of the 109 people on board,

30 was Max easily injured. One, Margaret Masson, died. She had

ordered the Glasgow Express at Preston. Today, an inquest opened

into her death. Her daughter told the hearing they had originally

planned to travel the following day but switched to the ill-fated train

in a last-minute decisions. Mrs Langley said she had remembered

nothing of the impact. The first thing she remembered was waking up

in hospital. How has been Richard has since died or were not as a

result of injury sustained in the eyes until stochastic and need

entered 1007 was read today. Described how he found himself

hanging from a table. The carriage was on its side and he could see

his wife laid out across a table with her mother across a. To train

driver, Iain Black, said that as he passed over the points, he was

thrown out of his seat and the train leapt into the air. He said,

I knew immediately without a shadow of doubt I was in big bother. A

subsequent investigation showed that 40 points had caused the

accident. The inquest into the death of Margaret Masson is

expected to last up to three weeks. The coroner was keen to tell the

jury they are not here to apportion blame, but to look at the facts of

what happened, to help the families understand what happened, and why

Margaret Masson the idea, four years ago. -- died here. A

Manchester housing worker is taking his employer to court - after he

was demoted for posting comments about gay marriage on Facebook.

Adrian Smith, a Christian father- of-two from Bolton, says his rights

to free speech were ignored. But his employer says he breached its

code of conduct. Abbie Jones takes up the story. Adrian Smith posted

his comments on his personal facebook page in his own time. Next

to a link to a BBC News story about allowing gay weddings in churches,

he wrote "an equality too far". But his bosses at Trafford Housing

Trust ruled he had overstepped the mark. They cut his pay by 40% and

he lost his managerial post. call this gross misconduct, which

is usually reserved for activities like being caught stealing from

your employer, I think this is well over the top. The solicitor said

that the conversation could have happened in an office anywhere. Is

it any different having it on Facebook? That is the people, has

friends on Facebook, who have reported being offended by what he

said. It sends a message out to people that at you are posting on

something, is it going to be offensive to some people? By afford

housing trust told its staff in an updated code of conduct how to use

social networking sites like Facebook, and Mr Smith's commits

were said to have breach that code, because his Facebook page again the

thank them as a housing trust manager. The trust said it made no

comment on his personal beliefs. Mr Smith said that his views were

personal, and mildly expressed, and he has lots the civil action

against Trafford Housing Trust. It has promised to vigorously defend

its position. More news from around the north west now and police

investigating the death of a baby whose body was found in a field in

Lancashire last month are holding a public meeting tonight to help try

to find his mother. The boy's body was found near Spen Brook at

Kirkham. Police have been handing out leaflets appealing for

information. We have spent a lot of time in the local community. There

has been a lot of interest, and that community, for obvious reasons,

and we're doing lots of inquiries, still. We'll bring lots of forensic

work and the accord that we will find the mother. An 18 year old man

has been charged with murder after the body of 21 year old Thomas

McInerney was found in the Walton area of Liverpool yesterday morning.

He had been stabbed. Sean Rogan, also from Walton, has been remanded

in custody. A Lancashire couple's campaign for a change to the bail

laws has been backed by the country's top prosecutor. Her

parents, John and Penny, what the law changed to allow prosecutors to

appeal against deal decisions. But the Director Public Prosecutions

said that having considered the case, he would now will come some

reform of the bail lawful stop a man has appeared and cope denying

conspiring to murder the singer, Jos Stone. Kevin Liverpool and

Junior Bradshaw were arrested near the singer's home in Devon. A

Samurai sword, rope and a bodybag were allegedly found in the car

they were driving. Both men have been remanded in custody. Bradshaw

did not enter a plea. "The most devoted couple you would ever want

to meet" - that's how Kenneth and Mary Hall have been described. The

retired couple from Bootle in Merseyside died on Friday after a

flash flood hit a market in Benidorm. Authorities in Spain say

they could now open a criminal investigation into what happened.

Angelina Socci reports. It was a place they'd grown to love. But

within minutes, this heavy rain caused devastating consequences.

Mary and Kenneth Hall, from Bootle, had been sitting outside a cafe at

the weekly market in Finestrat near Benidorm when a torrent of rain

rushed down a ravine, killing both of them. The couple's neighbours

say they're only just coming to terms with the news. It's a nice

thing, in a way, that they've gone together. They absolutely loved in

Benidorm. So they have both been unhappy place. We are all going to

miss them. -- been in and happy police. But questions are now being

raised about whether the local council should have paved over the

area where the flooding took place. And today the mayor has held a

meeting with all those affected by the flood. Will local council was

blaming the regional Government to. But in last vote on it either would

be this bad news in any case. Then you have the problem of giving a

licence for a market to be held there, Wigley. Floral tributes have

started to be placed outside the couple's home in Bootle, where they

have lived for 40 years. Neighbours say they were the most devoted

couple you could ever wish to make. The Prime Minister is facing down a

Commons rebellion over Europe this evening, which is being led by the

Conservative MP for Bury North, David Nuttall. He wants a

referendum on whether or not we should continue in the European

Union. So, how much do people want a vote on the issue? Our political

editor, Arif Ansari, has been in Bury trying to find out. We do not

have that report at the moment but we will try to bring it to you,

shortly. Still to come : Give your time to get someone online -

familiar faces show us how it's done. And sharp shooting Manchester

City hit their rivals United, for six. Were going to win the leg,

simple as! -- we are going to win a league. New figures just released

by the Home Office give us a better understanding of the summer riots,

of who was involved and just what motivated them. Those figures show

that Greater Manchester was the second worst hit area outside of

London. And Salford saw the most violence targeted at people. Jayne

Barrett is in the studio now with more of the key findings. This

summer, the region was rocked as disorder broke out in Manchester,

Salford and Liverpool. This report from the Home Office, a statistical

breakdown of exactly what happened. Of 5,112 riot-related crimes in the

UK, 11%, almost 600 crimes, were in Greater Manchester - and that was

just on one night. 4%, almost 200 crimes, were in Merseyside - spread

out over four days. The report gives a racial breakdown of

offenders. In Manchester, 77% of those arrested were white, 18% were

black, 4% were Asian. In Merseyside, the statistics were almost

identical to Manchester's. In Salford, 94% were white. In Greater

Manchester - 28 per cent were juveniles. In Merseyside - a far

greater proportion - 42 per cent. So what motivated those involved?

In Manchester, most seemed to be motivated by what they could get

their hands on. It was a shoplifting spree. 70 per cent of

arrests there - were aquisitive - that's theft, burglary and handling

stolen goods. A far different picture in Merseyside. The majority

of arrests there - 70%, were for public disorder. Probably because

the police prevented the mobs getting anywhere near the city

centre shops. But in Salford - it was far more about physical

violence. 26 % of crimes reported there related to violence against

the person. More than double anywhere else in the country. Those

are the hard statistics, but the analysis goes on of the worst

breakdown in law and order for more than 30 years. How often do you use

the Internet? I must have lock on and off half-a-dozen times. But,

maybe you never used it at all. Almost 9 million people in the UK

have never been online. As the clocks go back this weekend, we're

encouraged to put that expire to good use and help somebody to get

online. A photograph, e-mail from a friend. 70 year old Beryl got

online two years ago. Now, she's unstoppable. She does it all.

like having a set of Encyclopaedias in your home. It has all been so

many doors. It is estimated the 0.7 million adults in the UK have never

been online, and 42% of those people are aged 55 and over, and in

the north-west, that figure rises to 44%. What is it that stops be

able using the internet? I am afraid of using -- braking the

computer. The other thing is, when you touch that knows, what is it

going to do? -- that mouse. There were a few familiar faces to give

some reassurance. You do not need to know how a car works to know to

drive it, and it is the same with going online. You know that if you

press this, that will happen. Don't be scared of it, going online, it

will be the best thing you have ever did. And at the end, happy

faces all round. Was it worth it? Yes, it has been good. It has been

nice to help somebody else out. find out how to donate your hour,

go to bbc.co.uk/giveanhour. We can go back to the report on the

Commons rebellion over Europe, being led by the Conservative MP

for Bury North, the bid battle. -- David Nuttall. This European

delicatessen open two years ago and it has expanded as a tastes have

been developed, but some people around here would like to have a

referendum on Europe. A think it would be a good idea, actually.

you would like to stay in? Yes. There should be a referendum for

the people of this country to decide what they want, not what the

Government wants. The European debate has flared again, and they

in p believes that the EU gives foreign companies and advantage.

They and not broadened bound by rules and regulations handed down

from Brussels, because of all five majority voting, we have no power

to stop them. The EU wants car manufacturers to make cars more

fuel efficient. People don't notice that but they when it, and that is

what is delivered. For many, this debate is an irrelevance. At this

text will company they have other priorities. Business rates are one

thing. And they should be giving us a system in -- assistance, in those

sort of areas. Rather than talking about whether we should be in

Europe. People would like the economic benefits of Europe without

the political interference. Our European partners would probably

say that we want to have our tiramisu, and eat it! Sports news

now. What shall we talk about?! Manchester City, five points clear

at the top. I was trying to avoid it and wait for Match of the Day 2.

But I was getting texts. You will remember where you were when you

heard the score, because she could not believe what you had been here

in. No-one who saw it will forget it. Just to put it into context,

United dropped just two points at Old Trafford during the whole of

last season. And even though they were down to ten men for most of

the second half City fans now believe this could be the year they

win the title. United will be determined to bounce back from what

Fergie called an "embarrassment ". Let's face it, they normally do.

But after a result that equalled the biggest margin of victory ever

in a Manchester derby, what now? Here's Ian Haslam. I never thought

that it be like this would come. There was a brilliant finish!

embarrassing. There are a lot of boys in the dressing room who will

be feeling that, and we will expect an impact. He manage to get in

front of Johnny Evans, and go down. And it is a red card for Johnny

Evans. Johnny Evans should not play for Manchester United again!

Mario Balotelli has the second! Never got going, just get digging

them back. And it is three goals for Manchester City. We have won

only one game, but we have beaten a fantastic team, like United. Five

points clear at the top. We are going to win the League. Simple as.

The midfield wasn't there. The attack wasn't there. We were not

good enough. I would say that there is a belief in the Manchester City

camp that they are there, or there abouts. And it is through the legs

and in. The big silver has got it through to -- David Silva to Edin

Dzeko. I am disappointed that it should have been so then! Well done,

boys! And this is united's worst double you mac in the Premier

League. There was some good news for United today. Striker Javier

Hernandez has signed a new five year contract keeping him at Old

Trafford until 2016. Elsewhere in the Premier League, defeats for

Blackburn, Wigan and Bolton means they're propping up the rest in the

bottom three. We did though, as you can see now, have plenty of winners.

Everton's next there is much games against Chelsea, Manchester United

and then beating Newcastle, so they needed a confidence boost, and it

just three minutes at full-on Everton cling the table to 14th

that the game in hand and stop Burnley bounced back from two

success of the ease with a last- minute winner at Coventry it.

Charlie Austen's struck his servant of the season on 94 minutes. Three

of muster five League One sides took maximum points, with and you

know on the shoulder of the plea ofs. -- play-offs. Oldham had a

comfortable win over struggling Wycombe Wanderers. The visitors

were put out of their misery by Oldham Athletic skipper close to

the end. Giles Cope made it 1-1 before and the bishops to do that

it'll stop lead to's men at the moment are Morecambe, who put four

passport deal. Using price set at all in, were less Alexander added

the second. Mostly buttered the winner at Crewe Alexandra. If you

think this goal celebration is understated, which has go back to

Tranmere and watch the lads they are doing it in style. I bet that

Liz Parry has been practising that four weeks in training. Boxing now

and Bury's Scott Quigg has what it takes to become a world champion

according to his famous promoter. Ricky Hatton made the comments

after watching Scott win a British title at the weekend. The 23 year-

old overpowered his opponent, Jason Booth ,at the Bolton Arena, forcing

him to retire at the end of the seventh round. And well done as

well to boxer Lisa Whiteside from Chorley, who won a silver medal in

the European Championships. She only missed out on gold by a point,

and it was her first ever international tournament. The

boxers are going well at the moment. If it had been one-0-either side,

we would not be talking about it, but we're going to have to talk

about it a bit more. Well, red or blue, that match was the one thing

people in Manchester were still talking about today. Here's Stuart

Flinders on the morning after the night before. This is a tale of two

cities. Red and Blue. Victors and vanquished. I was hoping for may be

a draw, but a not 6-1! And for the losers, no hiding place. One of the

drivers has just showed me one of the newspapers, with six of the

best on it. What is the difference between a black taxi and Manchester

United? A black cat only less five in! -- a black taxi. It was hard

not to get caught up in it, even as a neutral. Which team? Unite it.

am pulling set. These fines from Austria were glad to have witnessed

us to it. I only want to see a good game with many goals. I want to see

a good game, and it was a good game. The final word to the United fan

from Toulouse, funnily enough, who remained philosophical ahead of a

long journey home. You do not always see what you want to see.

You are beginning to sound like Eric Cantona. Maybe he could have

help them, yesterday, if he was there! Tonight, Manchester's reds

are feeling decidedly blue. Do not winning -- you do not win anything

in October! Time now for the weather forecast. Hear a my dogs

Sam and Lucy enjoying some autumn sunshine in Tatton Park. It is

going to be cooler from Wednesday onwards. But true that the to the,

we had the temperatures, 16 and 17 reported, and for the most part,

the rain stayed out in the end we see. Yes, the Isle of Man had some

rain, but for the Esther was it has been reasonably quiet. The wind has

been gusting over 35 mph. Begin, little bit of rain might continue

on the Isle of Man. It might bother you along a coast of well. Then the

next Idi Amin comes towards us from the Pennines. Everywhere in between

should be fairly dry and predominantly cloudy with the odd

break developing, here and there, but the wind direction shows that

that is not troubling to many parts of the region. Is South-South

easterly, and not too strong. That the sound it looks first and

tomorrow morning. One or two spots of drizzle in the Pennines, but it

will not last long. It will pull away relatively quickly. As we get

into the afternoon, it will be thick enough from time to time,

there might be the odd shower here and there, and as we progress

through that they, there should be some sunshine on offer, from time

to time. With that breeze coming from the so, it is not going to

feel cold. Temperatures of around 16 Celsius. For the next couple of

days, the outlook does not look too bad. Thursday, with a with a front

coming towards us, at different picture, but that moves away, then

Friday does not look too bad. It is not a bad week, but it will be cool

on Wednesday. How come you dogs get all the glory? You bogs have been

on The One Show, I am just trying to balance things out -- your dogs!