11/05/2014 BBC Weekend News

Thousands of people in eastern Ukraine vote in an unofficial

referendum on self-rule. Condemned by the Kiev government and Western

leaders, we report on a process hastily organised by pro-Russian

activists. Anyone from right across this whole region can vote here,

without there being any checks as to whether they've already voted. The

BBC DJ who says he was forced out of his job after accidentally playing a

song that included the n-word Manchester City win the Premier

League title, dashing Liverpool's dream. We are live in jersey as the

Queen's baton relay, which has criss-crossed the world, arrives

back on home soil. Thousands of people in eastern

Ukraine have been voting today in an unofficial self-rule referendum set

up by pro-Russian militants. The vote's been condemned by Western

leaders and the Ukrainian government. Russia's President Putin

also called for it to be postponed. But ballots were cast in two

regions, Donetsk and Luhansk. Our correspondent, Richard Galpin, spent

the day watching the voting in one area, Sloviansk. He sent this

report. Pro-Russian gunmen Manning one of the many barricades around

the town of Sloviansk. The epicentre of the uprising against the

government and scene of fierce fighting with Ukrainian troops. But

today, these separatist fighters taking time out to vote in the

referendum. Everything brought out here specially for them. And, of

course, they vote for independence. At this more conventional polling

station, near the town centre, there's a steady stream of voters.

The makeshift ballot paper asks if they want self-determination for the

region. Officials here admitted this means independence. But for some

voters, it means joining Russia TRANSLATION: We want to live with

Russia and with Vladimir Putin. Because in Russia, there is peace

and love. Maybe it won't be straight away. Maybe it will be in six months

or a year but we really want this. Amongst the voters here, more

pro-Russian fighters. There can be no doubt what the result of this

referendum will be. But there are some really serious issues about

this vote. For example, the voter list is from 2012. They do not have

up-to-date information. Anyone from right across this whole region can

vote here, without there being any checks as to whether they've already

voted. The top security advisor to the government in Kiev told the BBC

the referendum was illegal. He warned Russia not to recognise the

vote and not to use it as an excuse to annex the region. But many who

voted across this region today do want Russia to come to their help.

Some also want Ukraine itself to be divided. First we have to build a

very big wall a very big Chinese wall between western Ukraine and

eastern Ukraine. For the moment no-one really knows what the casting

of these ballots today will ultimately mean fortunity of this

country. And Daniel Sandford is in Donetsk. The voting has now

happened. The question is how Russia and indeed other parts of the world

will deal with this fact? Well, first of all, obviously the Kiev

government, the United States' government and yeern European

governments, including the British government, regard this as an

illegitimate poll and they will be ignoring the result. Russia is much

more interesting and arguably more important. President Putin had asked

the men organising this poll to delay it. They ignored him and went

ahead with that. I think it's quite likely that despite that, Russia is

likely to recognise this poll in some shape or form. So, how are we

to see it? Well, I think obviously the poll was deeply flawed. It

wouldn't be seen as an election in any other western European country.

But there is an issue and that is that thousands of people did come

out today. Thousands of people voluntarily went to the polls and

they came there because they wanted to send a message. That message is

that they are unhappy at the moment with the government in Kiev. While

they probably weren't the majority here that went to the polls, I think

the figures will be very difficult, but they probably weren't the

majority. But they were a significant number of people and

that's a problem that Kiev and the rest of the world has to deal with.

The Prime Minister has insisted he will not return to No 10 unless he

can secure a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union in

three years' time. Mr Cameron told the BBC that it would be a

non-negotiable part of any future coalition agreement. His comments

come ahead of elections for the European Parliament in ten days'

time. Our Political Correspondent Iain Watson reports Meanwhile, the

Prime Minister's also been trying to play down a row within the

Today, just about everyone was talking about Europe, not the EU but

the song contest. Sometimes, just for one, people vote for

unconventional candidates that make a bit of an impression. The

Conservatives are worried that the same thing might happen at the

European elections in ten days' time.

So, partly to imwill it UKIP's appeal, David Cameron repeated this

pledge. -- to part to to limit UKIP's appeal. I will not become

Prime Minister unless I can guarantee to hold a referendum. He

said even if he fails negotiate a new relationship with Brussels, the

referendum would still go ahead. It is not surprising he is being this

robust. Take a look at recent polling and who UKIP is hitting

hardest. It suggests four out of ten of UKIP's supporters previously

backed the party or didn't any other party but one and three defected

from the Conservatives while only 13% from Labour and the Lib Dems so

unsurprisingly Nigel Farage repeated his view that David Cameron can't be

trusted on the referendum. He has difficulty being developed. I put it

to you five years ago. But he has given a cast iron opinion that if he

became Prime Minister he would have a referendum.

Labour know that Europe isn't part of people's agenda. I'm proud voters

are talking about rent and and the dynamic party. But we are talking

about what people care about and a Conservative Party that are talking

exclusively about the referendum. Nick Clegg said his party only had a

clear view on the EU membership. Theres a foughtline about whether

you are in or out. We can then have debate about how you reform Europe

and what is wrong and right with it. But there is a fundamental debate.

The Eurovision winner dedicated last night's victory to peace and freedom

but don't expect too much political harmony in the run-up to the

European elections. Meanwhile the Prime Minister has been trying to

play a row within the coalition on education with Liberal Democrats

angry about the amount of money being spent on free schools. Now

let's whatter from Iain whose report you saw there. There feels like a

lot of rows within the Coalition. How serious is this? At least we

know the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives don't see eye-to-eye

on education that has been known but now there is a problem on education.

-- don't see eye-to-eye on Europe. You might think there is not much

room for escalating this but today the deputy leader of the Liberal

Democrats, came out and said Michael Gove, the Education Secretary was

getting out of control and needed to be reined N the Liberal Democrats'

accusations is that Michael Gove is taking money that could be used for

extra school places and putting them in, instead to fund a small number

of free schools. Labour have made a similar accusation. The

Conservatives say this is rubbish, there will be more money for school

places. But as thoughts turn to electoral competition rather than

cooperation between the two parties, more disputes will be made public.

A veteran BBC local radio presenter has lost his job after playing a

1930s' version of The Sun Has Got Its Hat On without realising the

recording contained a racist word. David Lowe said it was an innocent

mistake. The BBC later acknowledged it could have handled the situation

better and offered him his job back. Lisa Hampele reports.

David Lowe here once again and as always... The presenter spent 32

years with the BBC. His prerecorded golden oldies show on radio Devon

had a loyal following. # The sun has got his hat on... #

But when David Lowe played it 82-year-old version of The Sun Has

Got His Hat On he had no idea that the lyrics included the N-word.

He apologised to his bosses and wanted to do the same on air. Or, he

suggested, he could stand down. I just want to say to my listeners

that I'm going to miss you and I'm sorry. It was a sillieror on my

part. I have paid the price. I'm sorry they have had to pay the

price, too. But David Lowe received a letter from the station saying

they would accept his offer to fall on his sword. He says he has refused

to agree that an announcement was made saying he was leaving to pursue

other interests. After details were made public, the BBC said, "The

discussion with David Lowe could have been handled better. His

resignation should not have been accepted. He was initially invited

to return to his show. He has declined, so we would like to wish

him for the future." Mr Low who suffers from a stress-related

condition says his condition has been exacerbated and he will not be

returning. This has come to light when Jeremy Clarkson was forced to

say sorry when footage of him mumbling the N-word during outtakes

were revealed and he kept his job. Mr Lowe says the system is wrong.

Now time for the sport. Am Thank you. Manchester City have been

crowned Premier League Championships for the second time in three

seasons. A controlled per performance saw City beat West Ham

2-0 to win the title by two points from Liverpool. Dan row soon at the

Etihad Stadium. In 2012 Manchester City made heavy weather of winning

the Premier League title on the last day of the season this. Time, as

expected there was little fuss as they regained the trophy from their

arch rivals Manchester United. Worthy winners of one of the most

open title races in recent memory. No last-day dramas this time.

Manchester City, Premier League champions once again. The title race

may have gone the distance but today, it never seemed in doubt.

Earlier, City had known a point would be enough, but seemed intent

on three. David Silva close to giving them an early lead. West Ham

survived the early pressure but over at Anfield, Liverpool were doing

City's job for them, needing to win against Newcastle United, the hosts

instead went behind. Martin Skrtel's own goal denting their team's

already slim hopes of the title. No sooner had City fans celebrated the

news from Liverpool they had more reason to be cheerful. Samir Nasri

putting them 1-0. Closing in on their target. City had scored 101

goals this campaign. They were not finished. Vincent Kompany putting

them 2-0 up. Now City knew the party could begin.

Back on Merseyside, Liverpool weren't giving up without a fight,

going 2-1 up after goals from Daniel Agger and Daniel Sturridge but this

comeback had been rendered irrelevant, the runners-up falling

just short of what was almost a fairy-tale season. City knew what

had to be done and now they have done it. At the end of this most

compelling of seasons, separating themselves from the pack. Escaping

their euphoric fans would now prove just as much of a challenge. I don't

think anyone could contemplate of what was going on at Liverpool. We

knew what our job was. We did T we have played well this year. Came

through a lot in a strong league. We are proud of today. After the ups

and downs of recent seasons, Manuel Pellegrini has provided stability

and silverware in his first year in charge and confirmed City as the

team to beat in the English game. Well, some will say City have simply

bought the title. Tomorrow they are expected to be hit with a record ?50

million fine from UEFA for breaching financial regulations. Their fines

will relish the season in which they have replaced United as the dominant

force in the Epping lib game. Celtic won the Scottish Premiership title

in March and today finished in emphatic sign with a 3-1 win over

Dundee United. Neil Lennon's side topped the table with 99 points. 29

ahead of Motherwell who claimed second place with a 1-0 win over

Aberdeen. Lies Hamilton has moved to the top

of Formula 1's World Championship standings after victory in the

Spanish Grand Prix. It is the British driver's fourth win in a row

as Mercedes continue to dominate the start to the Formula 1 season.

In the recent past, one driver has stood head and shoulders above the

rest. That man was Sebastian Vettel, but here in Barcelona it is Lewis

Hamilton who has been on top. This, his fourth pole from five races

Lights out, away we go. Hamilton gets off the line beautifully. The

Circuit de Catalunya is notorious for its difficult overtaking, so

once ahead, Hamilton held the advantage. Meanwhile, Vettel, who

started from 15th, was working his way through the field. The four-time

World Champion went on it finish fourth, behind Red Bull team-mate,

Daniel Riccardo. Ahead of him the drama was starting to unravel, or

rather, Lewis Hamilton's were. ! My rear wheel is everywhere. Despite

complaining, he led the way. His Mercedes team-mate and Championship

rival Nico Rosberg was gaining on him with every passing lap but it

wasn't enough. Hamilton crossing the line for his fourth straight Vic

train more importantly, one that el vats him to the top of the driver's

standings. -- victory and more importantly one that el vats him to

the top of the standings. Marcel Kittel won stage three in the

Giro D'Italia. He beat Britain's Ben Swift into second at the end of the

187 kilometre race which finished in Dublin. Michael Matthews retained

the overall pink jersey and Marianne Vos has won the inaugural Women's

Tour of Britain. Finally, the Queen's Baton,

heralding the final countdown to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, has

touched down in the British Isles. The flight carrying the hand-crafted

baton, containing a personal message from the Queen, arrived in Jersey

this afternoon. In the last hour, Olympic driver Tom Daley has carried

the baton ashore to begin this leg of the tour. Robert Hall is in

jersey. 118,000 miles, criss-crossing the

world. 70 members of the Commonwealth and new it is back on

home soil. The man who carried it is here. Tom Daley, tremendous

excitement. You travelled by sea to get her. It is brave of you. It is

not brilliant. It was windy and choppy. I made it in one piece. I

didn't drop it or fall over. I think this is a real moment for everyone

to get behind the athletes and the Gilles and get excited. It is only

ten weeks now until the Commonwealth Games begin. The last push for

particular sets tomorrow. If you want it get tickets, the last chance

is tomorrow. You made the point that everybody remembers the torch. Now

it is all sort of beginning again. Exactly. We are getting to relive

that experience, the buzz and excitement and sport is bringing

everyone together again. I think it is just amazing. And you have

hoardes of people wanting to talk to you. I will go quickly now, to be

point out, it will be jersey tomorrow. Loads more people will see

the baton. Northern Ireland, England, Wales, back to Scotland,

all-important in the middle of June. Thank you very much. Full coverage

of the Commonwealth Games on the BBC in due course. More news throughout

the evening on the BBC News Channel. We are back at 10.00pm tonight. Time

for the