17/03/2014 North West Tonight

well. More details if you want to go on the website. That's

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with

Annabel Tiffin and Roger Johnson. Our top story: The tests th`t could

have saved Sophie ` at just 19, one of the youngest ever victims of

cervical cancer. We speak to her family. Also

tonight: High speed U`turn `s Crewe wins the backing for a huge new rail

hub for HS2. A champion boxer admits ass`ulting

his Bollywood actress girlfriend. A Mass for the Cardinal frol Crosby.

Vincent Nichols says he'll give a voice to the poor.

And sheer joy for Liverpool as they humble United.

You're telling me that they have a record champ. We have to go over ``

we have to go along with it now Serious allegations of corrtption,

illegal bugging and misleadhng victims' families made against

Greater Manchester Police bx one of their own officers are to bd

investigated. The Independent Police Complaints Commission today launched

three inquiries into GMP, including one over officers' behaviour during

the investigation into the serial killer Harold Shipman. Stuart

Pollitt is here with more. One force, three separate

investigations stemming frol complaints by one serving officer.

So what's the Independent Police Complaints Commission looking at?

It's investigating whether officers misled the families of victhms of

Harold Shipman when they disposed of human tissue.

GMP kept 12 samples from victims but them disposed of them withott

telling the families. The second allegation refers to

claims of unauthorised bugghng of a GMP office by a Detective Chief

Inspector. And there's a third probe into

claims a sexual abuse inquiry was poorly handled and then covdred`up.

All three allegations come from a serving policeman, we understand he

is a middle ranking officer. The officer took his allegations to

Greater Manchester Police btt wasn't satisfied with their findings, so

the independent body stepped in IPCC commissioner Jan Williams s`id:

"These were serious allegathons and the gravity and nature of the

allegations, and the fact that they are made against senior offhcers

within the force, means thex must be investigated independently." Sir

Peter Fahy said he welcomed the move.

A period of time. A number of issues have already been discussed. We want

to come to a conclusion, so that we can deal with the issues rahsed

Officers to be investigated range from PCs to Assistant Chief

Constable Terry Sweeney. He has stood down from the new

investigation into police h`ndling of the Hillsborough disaster and

returned to GMP while the IPCC investigation takes place. Ht is

expected to take months before the IPCC report is published.

Sophie Jones died at the wedkend, just 19 years old. Possibly the

youngest woman in the country to have died from cervical cancer.

Her family believe she would still be alive today if screening tests

were available to those aged under 25. They've started a campahgn to

change the law. Jayne McCubbin went to meet them.

She was very beautiful and very young, far too young to die. The

family want to make sure th`t what happened to Sophie does not happen

to anyone else. Sophie knew that she was ill, she did not feel lhke

herself. She had bleeding and severe stomach pains that were constant, to

the point where she had pain constantly.

Even as Sophie began keeping therapy, she was still shinhng.

Health professionals missed the symptoms of cervical cancer. By the

time it had been spotted shd was too ill. She died on Saturday. They

could have done something, ht would have been spotted, she could have

lived. Jade Goody, another victim of this

disease. Her death did much to raise awareness. But a recent survey found

that even now, a court of the women eligible for the test do not take up

the option because they are too embarrassed. Her family belheves

that everyone, no matter wh`t their age, such `` should have thd choice

to have the smear. There ard risks involved, but they can save lives.

There are harms as well as benefits, and for young women, you ard more

likely to be harmed them to benefit. So everybody can be aware of your

own body and let your doctor know if you notice any unusual changes.

An online petition has alre`dy attracted 50,000 names, attributed

to a brave and beautiful yotng woman.

The Cabinet Minister and Former conservative Chief Whip Patrick

McLoughlin has told Preston Crown Court that it was a "big ask" to

expect the Ribbel Valley MP Nigel Evans to resign over sexual

misconduct. He was referring to a meeting in 2009 with the man who

claims he was sexually assatlted in Mr Evans Home in Pendleton. Nigel

Evans denies nine sex offences. The trial continues.

Police have released CCTV footage of a Porsche travelling at spedd

moments before a man was killed in Manchester in a hit and run. Craig

Rodger was knocked down when he was crossing Wilbraham Road last Monday.

Officers are appealing for the driver of the car, which was later

found burned out in Chorlton, to come forward.

More than 2000 calls about suspected child sex abuse have been m`de to

Greater Manchester Police in under a year. They're the first figtres

since a new system was introduced to flag up potential victims, `fter the

serious child grooming case in Rochdale.

Beach cleaning on the Isle of Man coastline over the weekend resulted

in a record amount of rubbish being collected. Volunteer group Beach

Buddies said more than 70 island residents volunteered. They gathered

130 bags, mainly of rope, plastic and polystyrene.

A Merseyside boxing champion has admitted assaulting his Bollywood

actress girlfriend. Joe Selkirk hit Amy Jackson during a row in

December. And even though Mhss Jackson said she didn't want to make

an official complaint, prosdcutors went ahead with the case.

They're a couple who live their lives in the public eye.

Ladies and gentlemen, Joe Sdlkirk. Bootle boxer Joe Selkirk is the

European light`middleweight title holder. Amy Jackson is the

model`turned`actress who's now one of the biggest stars in Bollywood.

But the glossy glamour of Mhss Jackson's films is far removed from

what happened on a hotel car park in Liverpool.

The couple were seen arguing at this hotel in Liverpool during the early

hours of a December morning last year. Selkirk shouted abuse at Miss

Jackson who asked staff to call her a taxi. The argument continted and

witnesses saw him hit her in the face with his open hand causing her

to stumble. The police were called. But later that same day Miss Jackson

told officers she wouldn't be making an official complaint, and didn t

want to see her boyfriend prosecuted. But he was prosdcuted

anyway. The Crown bring as many casds of

domestic abuse to court, regardless of whether the victim feels able to

support the case. We know that because some people do not feel able

to support the case at the time Selkirk protested his innocdnce

telling a newspaper he would clear his name. But soon after arriving at

court this morning the boxer changed his mind and pleaded guilty to

assaulting Miss Jackson. He claimed that he had pushed her and not meant

to hurt her. She is a famous actress, surely she

would know whether she wants to prosecute? Domestic abuse c`n lead

to a loss of confidence. Selkirk will be back in court for

sentencing early next month. One of the Catholic Church's newest

Cardinals has told North West Tonight that he hopes to usd his new

status to give a voice to poor and destitute people. Cardinal Vincent

Nichols, who was born in Crosby and is a big Liverpool fan was speaking

at a special mass in Liverpool to celebrate his new title.

As a cardinal, he could now, theoretically at least, become the

first Scouse Pope. But he s`id he doesn't have the right profhle for

the top job. Cardinal Nichols led the celebratory

mass himself. And still found time for a couple of jokes about when he

became a cardinal at a cerelony in the vatican last month.

Never before have the Swiss guards clicked their heels and saltted

every time I went past. When we spoke just before the mass, he said

he still can't quite believd what's happened.

Inside of me, I do not feel that different, I still think of myself

as a priest. I am amazed at how much delight this has given people and

how much sense of pride and confidence in their face and in

their church. Your comments about the welfare state have created

headlines. Do you think that there is a special meaning for thdm in

Liverpool, a fairly poor city? I acknowledged the difficulty in

understanding the causes of poverty and how complicated it is, that in

Liverpool as well, we have to respond to the actual peopld, not

just to the politics of it. We have to have open eyes to see how many

people, sometimes with great harshness, and up in what mx fellow

bishops court destitution. As a cardinal, he gets to vote for

and is elegible to be the ndxt Pope. Does the top job interest hhm?

You have got to look at the role of the Pope in a worldwide

perspective, not just from ` European perspective. On th`t big

stage, I don't think I am a major player. You might become ond? I

think I will take this day by day. We will be talking about HS2 later

in the programme. The developments in that today. We will have a report

later. But first, the sport. And Liverpool emphasised thdir title

credentials with a resounding 3`0 win over reigning Premier Ldague

champions Manchester United at Old Trafford. But there's also `nother

mouth`watering clash tonight in League One.

Promotion chasing Preston ` unbeaten in 11 League One games ` face

Sheffield United who've won their last ten matches in all

competitions. Richard's got all the sport at Deepdale.

I know you'll be talking about the events yesterday at Old Trafford.

Yes, a big name for Preston tonight. I will be talking to a man who has

played for both clubs already. But first, a significant moment in the

title race yesterday. Liverpool winning very dominant, apologies to

United fans. But for Liverpool fans, they might have thought that

this was it. The last time Liverpool lifted the

title, Margaret Thatcher was still Prime Minister and Liverpool fans

had no why did the 24 years later, they would still be waiting for

title number 19. Many are starting to believe that the long waht may

just be over. Manchester United mail, Livdrpool

one. And it is a penalty. C`n he make it two goals? They are back to

what they used to be. We have a good chance.

And he has put it into the back of the Manchester net.

It is fabulous. Here is a man who knows what it

takes to win for Liverpool. He began in 1990 season, before being

transferred. What did he thhnk as events unfolded?

I think the manager has been a breath of fresh air. Anyone who

places to players up front, everyone else with the ball, takes a lot of

guts. The players have taken it on board.

Manchester United know that they have major problems to resolve, not

least restoring belief, but this is not the start of a decline. We are

just going to try and keep winning the games. We are well award of what

is happening, but we will kdep on fighting.

Liverpool still have Manchester City and Chelsea to play. After

yesterday, many observers who had previously kissed goodbye to

Liverpool's chances might jtst have had a change of heart.

League One strugglers Tranmdre Rovers are about to get new owners.

In an exclusive interview on tonight's Late Kick Off, Ch`irman

Peter Johnson reveals a takdover is imminent and may be completdd within

two weeks. What this club needs is somdone like

me 27 years ago. I made a bhg difference here. So it now wants to

be carried on, but not only do I live away from here, but I think age

is catching me up. I'm readx to move on. It has been a very diffhcult job

and fortunately the fans have had patience. It is very import`nt that

we find the right people. The lower regions of the Football League are

littered with examples of clubs being raped for their properties. So

I have had to find someone who loves the club and that the fans can

trust. I think I have done that now. And there's more from that dxclusive

interview on Late Kick Off on BBC One tonight at 11:25pm.

As you mentioned earlier, Sheffield United have won it ten games in a

row. I am joined by Ian, who played for Sheffield United. Let's talk

about the difficulty that North end may face tonight. Since Nigdl has

taken over, they have got to the semifinal of the FA Cup, whhch is

brilliant for a team in the first division. We offer full of

confidence, they may still have a chance of a play`off. They `re seven

points behind the team in shxth place, so they could get in there.

If North end are going to gdt into the automatic promotion places, they

have to win tonight? Yes, they need to win eight of the games. They have

a tough night tonight. I thhnk it will be a good game. Craig Davidson

has been brought back, therd have been a lot of the players in and

they are on form. They are going for it, and they are in the plax`offs

already, in my opinion. So they should try and put a bit of pressure

on and get into one of thosd top two positions.

How important is it that thdy do get into the championship? It is a big

club. It all started in 1996 when we won the championship. They `re well

on their way. They have sampled championship football. But we need

to get up there. It is a big club, and I hope that we can get there

this season. Who are you supporting?

I am hoping that Preston will winter night.

It's Sport Relief next weekdnd and there still time for you to sign up

and raise much needed cash for this year's appeal. In 2012 more than ?2

million were raised for 390 projects across our region. You can run,

swim, cycle or anything that's healthy exercise. More detahls on

the website. And he will run and get a hhgh. `` a

baked high. `` a pie. And here is the story of HS2.

The town of Crewe has always been part of railway history, now it look

like it's going to play a cdntral role in its future. HS2 said today

they wanted to create a hugd new rail hub in Crewe. Hours later, the

government said they'd back the project. Originally, the HS2 line

was going to by`pass the town completely so today's announcement

represents a major turnaround and a victory for the town's camp`igners.

But opponents still claim the project will be a colossal waste of

money. Crewe has been announced as the

possible hob of HS2. People are wanting this to happen by 2017.

People are saying that it would not only benefit Crewe, but the whole of

the North West. We connect 6 million people, it is a

fantastic opportunity. Across the way is one of the oldest st`tions in

the country. People think that it will bring jobs

into the town. It is exciting news, it will improve the services to the

north`west. To advance it by six years hs great.

But the arguments against HS2 continue, as the costs against the

environment are campaigned `gainst. We have always thought that HS2

there are no business or environment cases, and no money to pay for it.

It is the sixth relaunch. There was a mixed reaction from commuters

It is a waste of money, it would be better used for the network. I think

it is a good idea. It is thought that the Birmhngham to

Manchester line could be buhlt three years early.

Earlier, I spoke to Sir Davhd Higgins, the chairman of HS2. I

asked him why Crewe, which was originally to be bypassed bx a

tunnel, has now been chosen as a hub for the line.

Just because Crewe has historically was been a railway town and there

are logical reasons why it hs, because from Crewe, railways go in a

lot of directions. That is how people plan railways in Europe, that

you have an interconnection, so that people have the opportunity to have

more frequent services. What you are saying is that areas

like Manchester that will bd one end of the second phase. They h`ve to

wait? Trains, obviously, if you ptt a

service through to Crewe in 202 , that will benefit all trains north

of Crewe, from Scotland to Liverpool, North Wales or to

Manchester, by the next stage. It would cut journey times.

There's not a way of delaying Phase One to allow Phase Two to c`tch up

and build from both ends of the line, so that there is no fdar that

it would be finished? I think the best protection to

insure that it will be built and built at a prudent time is to keep

political consensus, partictlar for the North to champion that tnified

form. Whilst there are many peopld that

believe HS2 are a good idea, many don't, and hope it will nevdr be

built. What would your mess`ge be to the opponents of the project today?

High`speed Two is the equiv`lent of a major motorway being built in the

centre of the UK. We will h`ve a very strong population growth in

this country over the next 20 years, how will we cope with that? The

alternative of not building a high`speed rail corridor is

increasingly congested and tnhappy customers. Eventually, something

will be bought at huge cost and a lot of disruption. This existing

Victorian network will never survive long`term with the growth that is

happening. Thank you for your time.

We apologise for bringing that sequence later.

When you want to win gold on the athletics track, the popular belief

is it comes down to planning, preparation and perspiration. But

science is starting to show that long before all of that ` your

genetic makeup can play a kdy role in your performance.

Now, medal winning athlete Jenny Meadows from Wigan has undergone

what's said to be a revoluthonary genetic test ` with the hopd of

improving her chances of gold at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Peter

Marshall has been to meet hdr. On the training track Jenny Meadows

gives it 100% ` she can't train any harder ` but she can train smarter,

and that's where the DNA sw`b comes in.

The 800 metre runner is one of the first to undergo what's clahmed to

be a cutting edge genetic tdst ` to reveal if an athlete is best suited

to power or endurance events. Jenny missed the London Olylpics

through injury. Jenny's results put her in the

middle. It means that I am dqually balanced, I will never be P`ula

Radcliffe, but in the right event I will hopefully prosper.

Jenny missed the London Olylpics with a problem with her heel. The

DNA testing has shown she h`s a high risk of injury. So her coach has

modified her training. We have reduced her number of

running sessions, from 14 to 11 and replace them with other methods of

training. She still gets thd training, but without the rhsk of

injuries. The company behind the test says

it's not designed to identify enable pick out potential champions predict

at a young age. Passion shotld still play the key role. People who like a

particular sport, we will ghve them the science to see the results. If

it will help me with my carder, it will be great.

Jenny hopes that the results will give her a chance of doing well in

the championships. I think if I did it, it would say I

should not bother. How is the weather looking?

Not as good as last week. L`st week, we saw a lots of sunshine and

springlike conditions. At the end of this week, spring officiallx starts,

so you might expect some more sunshine, but I have cloud, rain and

the temperature is getting colder by the end of the week, struggling to

hit double figures. Tonight, there will be more cloud. The temperatures

towards Friday to single figures. But we will start with the cloud

around, occasional drizzle, but we will get more showers beford dawn.

It is a breezy night, but it is mild. Temperatures down to six or

seven Celsius. It will be breezy and we will see rain. It was at cloudy,

the wind will pick up, the rain pours in. It might become showers in

the afternoon, thundery showers a lot of cloud around. In between all

of that and possibly highs of 1 Celsius tomorrow. It will not be

very warmer because of the breeze. Wednesday on paper is not looking

too bad, but on Thursday, the high`pressure moves away, it brings

a lots of rain and we could see sales in places. The temper`tures on

Thursday and Friday, it is very to supporting `` very disappointing for

the start of spring. Yes, because it was much warmer last

week. It was not even spring yet. Maybe next week. Good night.