13/08/2014 North West Tonight

That is all from the BBC News at 6.00. Now on

Welcome to NorthWest Tonight with Beccy Meehan and Roger Johnson.

Pressure mounts on Greater Manchester's Chief Constable

` after a second MP calls for his suspension.

Sir Peter Fahy is facing a criminal investigation into his conduct.

Anger as passengers face fare hikes under proposals to restructure rail

The inscription on a gravestone which put a grieving

It is a kaleidoscope of colour. Die need to find out why bust Chinese

had become that little bit more colourful. `` bus journeys.

A second North West MP is calling for the Chief Constable of

Greater Manchester Police to be suspended ` while a criminal

Graham Stringer, who represents Blakely and Broughton,

says the situation is "not fair on the chief constable and not fair

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating

Sir Peter Fahy ` and two other officers ` over allegations that

Our Reporter Clare Fallon is at GMP headquarters now.

Yesterday we had the Police and Crime Commissioner backing him. Is

there a sense that pressure is starting to mount? The calls for him

to have been suspended had been intensifying over the course of

today. This second MP is saying he should not be staying in his post as

he is being investigated. He told me earlier, you cannot have a man in

charge of investigating crimes who is himself under investigation.

There was a protest by a small but noisy group. They had grievances

over a number of issues and are now calling for him to go. Enough is

enough. Small in number,

but noisy and angry. These people had concerns

about Greater Manchester Police even before the Chief Constable was

under investigation. And they're not

the only ones who think Sir Peter Fahy should be suspended

Today a second North West MP joined the calls for the chief constable to

be temporarily replaced. His judgement is bound to be

empowered, so whether he is guilty or not guilty, to be fair to him and

the people of Manchester he should be suspended. That is the safest

thing to do and I am shocked it did not happen immediately.

Greater Manchester's Chief Police Officer is not

Nationwide many senior officers have been investigated in recent years.

Those at the top are being scrutinised like never before.

There is a great deal of interest in the way forces operate and this

exposes officers to a great deal of public scrutiny and makes it very

easy to make allegations against them and when that happens they have

to be investigated. We are demanding he steps down.

The family of Anthony Grainger wants something done now though

His supporters were among those protesting today.

He is under criminal investigation, he should be suspended.

For now though Sir Peter Fahy remains in charge allbeit under

It is worth stressing that when we heard from the commission yesterday,

he was standing by the chief constable. He said there is no legal

reason for him to be suspended. My understanding is that he will not be

giving any interviews about the investigation he is facing. We had a

statement from him saying that it is right and proper that he is

scrutinised. We've been hearing over

the past few weeks about ambitious new proposals for high speed rail

across the Pennines. And Northern cities revealed plans

for massively improved rail links. But according to rail campaigners `

the immediate prospects for rail passengers in

the North are anything but bright. They say new franchise proposals

from the Department of Transport could see passengers paying more

for less of a service. The Government has dismissed

their claims as "nonsense". Our Transport Correspondent Judy

Hobson reports. How well the network is creaking.

David Cameron recently said he would transform it. To link up our cities

would help to create a real economic powerhouse. Somerville groups say

the current proposals will not work. If they go ahead unchanged it would

be a disaster for the travelling public. They will have owed trains

which would not be in the network and they will be paying more for

those trains. The rail network is being upgraded to allow up to 700

more trains every day and to in electrification. To pay the

government says a network has to more efficient. Trains only stop

here on Friday mornings and would it make sense to close

stations like this questions like these which are

currently The franchises but the two main

local networks are up for Proposals include increasing powers

which the government says services such as fewer train stops

and But the plans also look at an

increase in including those between Manchester

and Sheffield. On Friday representing rail workers protested

against the proposals including claimed that would put passenger

safety at risk. In a strongly worded document, the Department

Transport code that is a nonsense. They said they would never destroy

services. They say improvements but our passengers

happy to pay for shorter journeys. A premier service

by Premier price. If the service was better then yes. The results will be

announced in the Zambia. `` announced in December. The

franchises changed hands in the two franchises changed hands in

Northern Rail is an expensive franchise. What the government is

doing is saying we cannot necessarily afford at this any more.

The rest of the money is taxpayer support. In terms of what they do to

close that gap, cutting closing stations is never going to

be popular. I do not services is likely. It was decided

not to be clever but there are some stations that see very

every year yet they must be maintained and looked after. That is

general question of whether we should ask people who

to pay more or ask at the taxpayers to continue to

railways? Paying more is what is involved here. You are not allowed

to use off`peak tickets at peak times. It is coming. In a lot of

countries already you cannot use an off`peak ticket in the morning of

the evening. Here the off`peak ticket lets you

evening and that is going to be removed.

lot of the country already. This squeeze.

government is trying to do to get more

improve connectivity in the North? We would not need as much. `` onto

the rails. There is a consultation going on. You have got until Monday

night to put your views. Does consultation make a difference? If a

lot of people say things yes it does. We could talk about it all

evening. Thank you very much. The body of a 41`year`old father

of three from Blackpool who went missing four years ago has

been found. Chay Lancaster disappeared

in September 2010 and it's believed he had an accident

while walking in the Lake District. Lancashire Police says there are

no suspicious circumstances. And some good news on the job front

` he number of people out of work in the North west fell by 23,000 in

the last quarter according to new figures from the Office for National

Statistics. There are now 243,000 A man from Rochdale, who admitted

stabbing his mother to death just days after moving back in with her `

has been given a hospital order. Glennis Brierley was found dead

at her home The court heard her son, Matthew,

had delusions she was part He pleaded guilty to manslaughter at

Manchester Crown Court yesterday. Manchester United Football Club is

banning fans from bringing laptops and tablets to matches at Old

Trafford, from this season. On their website, the club says they

are reacting to the latest security intelligence and the move is in line

with UK airports. They say the restrictions are to ensure the

safety and security of all spectators and apologise for any

inconvenience this may cause fans. When Mike Howsley from Lancashire

died suddenly at the beginning of the year, his grieving family

had him buried at the local church. They spent more than ?2,000

on his headstone. So imagine their shock when

the parish priest told them they had to remove it because it included

the inscription "Sleep Tight Dad.", Andy Gill went to see

them this morning. But then,

events took an unexpected turn. At home this afternoon,

Janet remembers her partner. Mike collapsed and died suddenly

in January. The gravestone Janet

and her daughter Sophie had made was in the churchyard but is now back

at the stonemason. Janet says her parish priest told

her the kisses made it too personal and

the inscription was inappropriate as people in a graveyard are not

sleeping, they are dead. We're still trying to get over the

fact that Mike died only in January. Personally it has made

me feel really ill. I did start going back to

church actually when Mike died. I was getting great comfort

in going into the church. I went to

the churchyard nearly every day. We contacted the catholic abbey

in North Yorkshire which runs This afternoon the parish priest put

out a statement saying the church was sorry for any

miscommunication and it would work with the family to put up a plaque

which would complement what they We asked a spokesman if this meant

that the priest had changed his mind ` the family could now

have the gravestone as they wanted, We went back to Janet to break

the good news. We have just had an e`mail

from the church saying that you can It'll make me start crying

on camera, I cannot believe it, Now, last week we heard

from the North West's Muslim community who've been campaigning

and fundraising and for people Today, we've heard from the region's

Jewish community where there are concerns over a significant rise

in the number of anti`Jewish crime. If it is a war happening thousands

of miles away. But the repercussions are being felt much closer to home.

Tensions have been rising, with regular protests held by both

pro`Palestinian and pro`Israeli groups. We had a phone call from the

police. Members of Manchester's large and established Jewish

community say they are feeling the pressure. A woman was accosted

yesterday and Nazi kind of remarks were made to our. Rabbis have been

targeted on their way to the synagogue. There are real things

happening out there that have very unpleasant. Images of what reflect

the devastation and consequences. Some blame the media coverage for

what is happening here. It shows up on the side of the story and not the

other. The result of that is that well`meaning, good people in this

country become angry at Israel. Latest of a show that the Israeli

community are justified in their concerns. Last year 78 incidents

were recorded in the same period. This year that figure was up to a

100. Those working for cohesion between communities condemn

abuse. What is needed is a certain level of community. If you throw a

brick through a synagogue and how does that help a single Palestinian?

And Turf at the top ` how promotion winners Burnley are planning to stay

And, meet the brightest bus in town ` all

Exactly 50 years ago today two men in two different prisons

in the north`west stood on the scaffold, waiting to be

Gwynne Evans and Peter Allen were both being led

to the gallows for the murder of a van driver in his home in Cumbria.

They were the last to be hanged in Britain.

As the clock struck 8, a handful of protestors gathered

Within 20 seconds Peter Allen was dead ` his partner in crime

What no one knew that morning ` they would be

This is where the two men ended up living Clarendon Street in Preston.

And it's thought they only went to steal some money

This 50`year`old van driver John West was their target.

Killed at his home in Cumbria simply for his bank book.

I think it was the brutality of the murder which is the reason why the

Home Secretary didn't sanction a reprieve. They stabbed him 15 times

in the head. His false teeth actually flew out and flew across

The men were put to trial here at Manchester Crown Court.

Today historian Ed Glinnert is taking these locals on a tour

of Manchester telling the tale of what unfolded.

The authorities didn't want either man to become a martyr but what was

interesting about this story was about Strangeways waited 10 minutes

to have the dubious honour of saying we had the last hanging.

The death penalty was suspended in Britain.

And Parliament finally abolished it in 1969.

Making Peter Allen and Gwynn Evans the last to be hanged here.

Sport now and Richard, Manchester City have another building block in

place ahead of the start of the new season this weekend?

With the new Premier League season just 66 hours away `

not that I'm counting ` there's great news for reigning

A day after David Silva signed a new deal, captain Vincent Kompany

has become the latest player to agree a new long`term contract

He's extended his stay for another five years.

It's not as positive, though, for the red half

of Manchester with some injury news that broke late this afternoon.

Full back Luke Shaw has been ruled out of action because

The 19`year`old, a ?27 million signing from Southampton,

City start the defence of their title at Newcastle on Sunday.

Burnley have to wait until the following evening

for their highly`anticipated return to top`flight action.

And what an opening fixture it is for the clarets.

They take on Jose Mourinho's Chelsea at Turf Moor and for everyone

at the club the big kick`off can't come soon enough.

The smallest town to have a Premier League team threw one heck

Ever since then fans have been waiting for the big kick`off.

I don't see why we can't do this year.

There is going to be another rollercoaster ride I think.

It certainly was the last time Burnley mixed it with the big boys.

There were unforgettable moments like this.

Robbie Blake's goal, enough to beat Manchester United.

In the end of the clarets were relegated.

How confident then is the current team of upsetting the odds?

Obviously a little of nerves like you would expect but as soon

as the whistle blows everything will come into our mind.

I will try to do my best in show people what I am all about.

I believe that we've got enough within the dressing room

I am sure the manager will try to add a couple

more to have a competitive season and keep ourselves in the league.

It is not just on the pitch where Burnley are having to up their game.

To bring the ground up to Premier League standards they have had to

put in more camera positions, widen the tv gantry and the press box.

They have also moved to the tunnel and revamped the dug0out as well.

?4 million has been set aside for those improvements.

A slice of more than 100 million that comes

Even so, trying to sign top quality players is tough.

For Burnley's world we have bought in a tremendous amount of finance we

have used widely on and off the pitch but for the bigger picture

of the Premier League we cannot spend as much on wages and fees.

And with half a dozen new faces already, coupled with their

trademark team spirit, Burnley feel the prize of staying in the Premier

Finally from me, Liverpool may already have American

owners but there's someone else Stateside who apparently has an

A Spanish newspaper says superstar singer Rihanna is a big fan

of the Anfield club and on the back of the World Cup would

11 years ago today Mike Newman became

He set a new land speed record of 144 miles per hour.

Well today Mike, from Sale in Greater Manchester,

was back at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire ` with the aim

If Mike has a four speed. A blind from birth, and he could not fill

his dream of being a so he went for the next best thing

both an ``. He entered the Guinness book of records. Today he has a new

ambition. To smash through the 200 mph barrier. Sense of anticipation.

He drives with the help of a navigator who just helps to be his

father. I am in a vehicle behind him and we are connected with a radio

link and I can tell him straight and tell him where to

start. 200 mph barrier. Can he do it? He is

finally got It is just a few minutes time before

he sets. Let us find out. After the exhilaration and excitement, it is

time for the horrible part. Waiting to see if he has done it. Then the

results came in. Mike had averaged 200.9 mph. I am feeling absolutely

ecstatic. It has not sunk in really. I have been chasing this dream for

11 years. It was on this Day 11 years ago I got this first car. It

is a great anniversary present. Not bad for a former bank manager. With

his determination there is little doubt he will make history once

again. Well done to Mike. Another mode of transport now but not quite

as quick. As bus journeys go `

it's been a long one. From Karachi in Pakistan,

to Accrington in Lancashire. It's been brought over

by two brothers who are planning But why bring a bus all the way

from Pakistan? Safe to say it's not

your normal Lancashire bus Elaine. It is certainly not. A kaleidoscope

of colour all the way from Karachi. It has taken two years to have this

custom`built. There are over 400 lights. It is absolutely magnificent

and when you are on board you transported to a different world.

You can hear the hustle and bustle of Pakistan and then you look

the window and CB terraced houses and realise are in England. `` see

the terraced houses. We are ecstatic it is finally here. It was a long

project for us but having it on the roads here

it feels like a sigh of relief and we

this. It stops traffic everywhere it goes. People just have to take a

picture with it, and enjoy it and that was the idea of

it. We want to bring a Who was a doom was this? Part of it

was mine but also my effort really. How can people get on

board. `` whose idea was to use it for weddings but

now that we have received promotions. It has been booked for a

concert product launches and restaurant

openings, even hen parties and more colourful than the usual bus

ride. Thank you Brett much. It is my birthday next month. `` thank you

very much. Here is the weather. It took some time to get going and for

the sun the next couple of days remains

unsettled with This is been the picture of the

showers through the day. o'clock picture. We will pick up

what it wants to do. It there. A huge portion of the night

should be dry. We have got but a few things are conspiring

against you. When you get up tomorrow you can see

there will its way through. It just has to

drift north slightly. Figures then and you will see some brighter

skies Pennines a couple of heavy ones as

well. In terms of the breeze times but Friday could be a drier

day than