06/12/2011 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. Tonight:

�60 billion to spend on roads, rail, schools and hospitals, but Labour

claims the SNP announcement is a wishlist.

Also tonight: The country prepares for more bad weather with a warning

of snow, ice and high winds. And why some Lothian primary school

children have been appearing in The Scottish Government has

outlined �60 billion of spending to improve roads, rail, schools and

hospitals over the next two decades. They are describing it as a mega

plan, aimed at making Scotland a competitive and modern nation for

the 21st century. But Labour dismissed it as a wishlist, and a

bit like a letter to Santa. Checking up to see where some of

his money is going, the Cabinet Secretary for infrastructure paid a

visit to a new library being built. The mega plan amounts to �60

billion for 80 project. This similar upgrade for the motorway to

Inverness. There is an ambitious plan for Scotland to join up with a

high-speed rail link to Scotland. Other proposals include investments

in broadband, health care, education, and housing. What this

plan is about is boosting economic growth in Scotland to try to get us

into a position in a competitive economy in the 21st century, and to

get jobs, jobs, jobs. The Scottish government says some projects will

be finished in the next few years. Some of the money will be borrowed.

This set out four separate funding schemes. The SNP have had issues

with the bill. This say it could be improved, but to get those new

borrowing powers, they may have to go with a bill. Whenever the money

is coming from, investment has been welcomed by the business community.

We now at -- we now have a timetable. That is significantly

important. Although time mimes a lengthy, at least we now have a

commitment to these roads being done. -- although time lines.

Labour have picked up on this aspiration. It is not a serious

plan, it is simply a wish-list. This is nothing more than a letter

to Santa. That it doesn't amount to much. The Scottish government

insists they will deliver across a variety of projects. Ministers say

there is no need for concern, claiming it will be done

responsibly. Police in West Lothian are

appealing for witnesses after reports that heavy objects were

dropped from bridges onto cars. Two incidents have been reported in

recent days. Detectives say it's lucky no one was injured or worse.

Our reporter, Gavin Walker, is at the scene of one of the attacks,

and joins us now. So Gavin, what more do we know? We know that this

happened in the place as you say it. People are concerned, because no

one was injured, and they are concerned people might be a. On

Saturday night, just before 8pm, people -- police say an object was

dropped on a car. Thankfully, the driver was not injured. Then last

night, one another bridge, another object was dropped on to a van.

This object went through the windscreen, and once again, it is

lucky the object didn't cause more damage. That would call the police

and motorists concerned. But when it happens over Scotland's busiest

roads, they say it is lucky that no one was more seriously injured. --

cause the police. They are asking anyone with information to get in

touch, either road users, or people from the area, who might know

something. They say this was a lucky escape. But next time, the

driver all drivers may not be so lucky. -- all drivers.

The defence case in the trial of a woman accused of murdering her son

has opened. Kimberley Hainey denies murdering and neglecting her baby

son, Declan. The court heard from consultant pathologist, Dr Charles

Mangham. He said that X-rays appeared to show Declan was

completely normal. The court had previously heard that marks on his

bones could be signs of malnourishment. Declan's decomposed

body was found in his cot in March last year. Experts have said he had

been dead for some time. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come on the programme:

The �25,000 Turner Prize is awarded to a Scottish sculptor whose work

includes a leaning litter bin. In sport: The Celtic captain, Scott

Brown, tells us why he has signed a new deal with the club.

A Scotland international tells us why he has come home to play his

rugby. All that and Rhona Mcleod. Welcome to Colorado's brings. This

is the Olympic training centre, where a couple of the Scots are

training for London, 2012. The country is bracing itself for

more wintry weather tonight with warnings of snow, ice and high

winds. This morning's rush hour brought lengthy delays for some

commuters in the central belt, and as our correspondent Jamie McIvor

reports, motorists are being advised to take extra care and

prepare their cars. The past two days have bought so

their weather across Scotland. A challenge for those responsible are

keeping our road opens. This morning, -- and there may have seen

icy conditions, but most roads remained open. This massive dome

can hold up to 5,000 tonnes of salt. There is no suggestion any of the

important roads have not been treated. The delays were down to

breakdowns and accidents. Glasgow City Council says everything was

done to keep the Express was safe. The expressway is one of the most

important roads into the city, and therefore, we have a presence there.

It was created three times yesterday. Driving conditions were

even worse in other parts of the country. In Shetland, a buzz went

off the road. Public agencies are responsible for keeping the roads

open. And the better prepared drivers are, the less chance of a

accident. The first thing we need to look at is the conditions of the

lights. Check your washer fluid. And obviously, check the condition

and pressure of the tyres. Tonight, there are few signs of traffic

problems, and the busiest roads are fine. But there is warning of more

snow and ice to come. Tomorrow morning could be treacherous.

Well, our reporter, Colin Wight, is at a gritting depot in Inverurie

tonight. What's the forecast like, Colin? Not too great. Some of the

British here have already been out on the roads, preparing them for

conditions tomorrow morning. What is causing anxiety is a rain is

spreading across Scotland from west to east, and in eastern areas, that

is expected to bring two inches of snow in higher ground. In some

areas, that is expected possibly to Ally higher. The danger of further

south, is our eyes. The band of rain is expected to wash away some

of the treatment, and with clear skies following an overnight, that

could result in slippery conditions tomorrow morning. This sort has

been laid on the roads. -- that sort. Winter has arrived.

Some of the other stories across Scotland this Tuesday:

A fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of two teenage girls who

jumped to their deaths from the Erskine Bridge has heard there were

only half the recommended number of staff on duty at their care home

when they absconded. 14-year-old Georgia Rowe and 15-year-old Neve

Lafferty plunged from the bridge in an apparent suicide pact in October

2009. An Aberdeen teacher, who was

accused of failing to keep order in her class, has been struck off for

incompetence. Suzanne Harwood taught English at Hazelhead Academy.

The General Teaching Council of Scotland was told she was

disorganised. Pupils said they were confused by her instructions, and

frustrated it could be months before their work was marked. And

there was a high noise level in her class.

The editor of the Daily Record newspaper is to step down from his

post. Bruce Waddell has been in charge of the paper for eight years.

The paper's owner, Trinity Mirror, has also announced details of a

major restructuring in Scotland. In the summer around 70 jobs were lost

at the Record. A motorist, who blamed her low-

calorie diet for a crash in which a learner driver died, has admitted

careless driving. 55-year-old teaching assistant, Patricia Aitken,

changed her plea to guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court after the

Crown produced an expert report which dismissed the suggestion that

the diet could have caused her to faint at the wheel. Cameron Buttle

was in court. Today, more than two years after

the crash, at Patricia Aitken admitted driving carelessly.

Suzanne was half an hour into her lesson, when she was hit head-on.

She and her driving instructor were trapped. It was just after 6pm when

the accident happened, in August, 2009. According to police

commission investigators, conditions were clear, dry and

bright. Further investigations revealed both cars were travelling

within the speed limit at the time of the accident. There was no

evidence that anyone had taken alcohol or drugs. Mobile phone

records were checked - no one was using the phone. Patricia Aitken

had claimed her low-calorie diet had caused her to blackout. But she

changed her plea to guilty after a report from the prosecution

dismissed the suggestion that the diet could have caused loss of

consciousness or fainting. The court heard that Patricia Aitken

has not driven since the accident. The charabanc Turk the driving

until she appears again for sentencing in January.

There has been a mini reshuffle of the Scottish Government to make way

for a new Youth Employment Minister. The job has gone to Angela

Constance who will now attend Cabinet. Her role as Minister for

Children and Young People is taken over by Aileen Campbell. She, in

turn, is replaced by the former leader of Renfrewshire council,

Derek Mackay, who joins the Government as Minister for Local

Government and Planning. Alex Salmond insist he is raising

this issue of China's human rights record with political leaders.

Amnesty International says China sued -- suppresses free speech, and

has called on Western countries to do more.

Panda sharing it is the cuddly side of Chinese communism. Party leaders

are no these bears are their best ambassadors. When Alex Salmond

thanked China's vice-premier for the pandas, he said he hoped they

would bring Scotland sunshine. They have certainly brought with them

fresh questions about Diana's commitment to human rights. It is

22 years since the world watched with horror as China turned its

tanks and soldiers against its own people. China has changed since

then, but human rights group says it has not changed enough. It says

it executes more people than the rest of the world put together.

cute as the pandas are, we don't believe they should be as a

distraction from the issues in China. We have got the Nobel Prize

peace when it locked up in jail. These are serious issues. In a

speech to communist officials, the First Minister Chuck -- touched on

Human Rights, and says he does so by discussing the philosophy of the

Economist, Adam Smith. His ideas, they went hand in hand. That is a

great debate to have in China. It is very useful. It is also

important to do it in a way that is thoughtful and considerate. Alex

Salmond said he consulted the Scottish Human Rights Commission to

strengthen train and cultural ties with the world's second largest

The Hamilton porn artist to fold his first application to study at

Glasgow School of Art has won the Turner Prize. The winner for the

2011 Turner Prize... Is it is the most prestigious prize in art, but

at least one protester has made his point, the Turner Prize awarded to

a Scot. Today he was getting used to the publicity, the �25,000 in

cash. Two. He said it was a chance to remind everybody of art

indication. I just knew I wanted to go to Glasgow School of Art. I used

to walk around the building. I'd just had a sense something would

happen. People would be waiting. The this is the first time the

Turner Prize has been staged a sign the Tay Gallery's, thousands of

people have visited the show. Now that Martin Boyce is the third Scot

to win in as many years, the argument is that it should be

staged in Scotland. Glasgow School of Art which has produced 30 per

cent of applicants and the last six years is in no doubt. Absolutely, I

would hope it would come home almost, so many Scottish artists.

Totally disproportionate to the Scottish population. As for Martin

Boyce, he has had his moment in the spotlight, but now he wants to

return to his studio in Glasgow to create more work. Time for some

sport now, from David Currie. Scott Brown says there was never

any chance of him leaving Celtic - in fact he likes it so much he

wants to end his career there. The Parkhead captain has been speaking

about the deal he signed with the club that'll make him a Celtic

player till twenty fifteen. It follows lengthy negotiations

between his agent and Celtic's chief executive Peter Lawwell.

Here's our Senior Football Reporter Chris McLaughlin.

Flogging the festive fixtures, he turned to crackers today to

highlights three game. Do you see yourself signing a contract be on

this, to end your career here? think so. I would be glad to say, a

great club. A good place to play football in front of 60,000 fans.

Wilson. But stable back, to Scott Brown! Was he tempted by talk of a

big-money move to England? No, it is a great leak, but if you want to

win trophies they you need to go to one of the top teams. I am here and

we have a great chance of winning trophies this season. He has signed,

and now the talking stops. Now he just has to lead his team to the

title. The Rangers winger Sone Aluko will

appeal a two match ban for what the Scottish FA calls "simulation".

That's diving in common parlance and this is the incident in

question. He won a penalty against Dunfermline at the weekend but an

SFA compliance officer reckons he dived. Meanwhile the Dunfermline

boss Jim Mcintyre faces a touchline ban for questioning the competence

of the referee. Glasgow Warrior's new acquisition

Rory Lamont says he had to come back to Scotland to save his

international career. The 29 year old had been playing his rugby in

France with Toulon, but he hadn't been getting a game. Now that lead

to some heavy hints from the Scotland coach Andy Robinson that

his place in the national set up could be at risk. So Lamont decided

he had to act. I made the movement and asked the coach is to release

me. In the hope that I could find another club and get some game time

before the Six Nations. To put my hand up for selection. After it was

announced that I was being released, Glasgow came in and gave me the

option. With about eight months till the

London Olympics Scots athletes are trying to make sure they have the

best possible chance of being selected for Team GB. For two

Aberdeen based shooters, Jen McIntosh and Neil Stirton, that's

meant saving up, leaving home and heading to America. Rhona McLeod

caught up with them in Colorado. Welcome to Colorado Springs, this

is the US Olympic training centre. Home to a sporting superpower. But

it is not just American Olympians here preparing for London 2012. Two

of Scotland's gold medallists from the deli World Games, have also

taken up residence here in Colorado Springs. A Neil and I just fell in

love with the place. We loved the atmosphere and everything about it.

It is the entire environment here. You are surrounded by past and

present Olympians from a multitude of sports, you breathe and eight

Olympics. You just have to look around, the Olympic rings are

everywhere. The whole ethos and ambience around this place is

fantastic. I have already seen a big improvement, two points on my

personal best in four weeks. much will be 2 1/2 months cost you?

Towards �6,000. You have taken a bit of a gamble, out here for two

and a half months which is costing the financially. Yes, it was one of

those decisions, where I did not want to get towards London and not

having given my all. This is the best decision I have made, to come

out here. I am really looking forward to next year.

And you can see Rhona's report in full with Neil and Jen in tonight's

Sport Nation programme, over on BBC2 Scotland at 10 o'clock.

And that's the sport for tonight David.

Primary school children in and around Edinburgh have been in court

today, taking part in a 'mock trial'. The students have become

lawyers, witnesses, even journalists for the day as they put

their case to a real life Sheriff. And for the first time in 90 years

Leith Court has been opened up for the occasion. Lisa Summers reports.

My name is Rupert, and I am 36. Plenty of opportunities for

children in school to act out roles, but at King's Park Primary, today's

rehearsals are about putting theory into practice. This court has not

sat since 1920, but it has remained the same ever since. Tonight, for

the first time in over 90 years, it will be brought back to life when a

real show of presides over a case. 11 years old children from King's

Park Primary are about to go head- to-head in front of the Sheriff.

The whole truth and nothing but the truth. They are taking on the roles

of lawyers, witnesses, artists and even journalists. The case is about

a mobile phone bill. It is designed to help the children is the

everyday skills they have learnt in the school in a professional

environment. I have awarded King's Park 21 points, and Heriots 24

points. While Heriots might-have- been the winners on this occasion,

everybody learned something. I did not know who was going to win.

was worried about lots of cross- examination questions. They handle

it very well indeed and it gave them some idea of what it would be

like. The fact so many were involved, the rope making and the

statements, I liked that. The winners go on to the final next

From the met Office we have an ample warning in force, some

treacherous driving conditions overnight tonight. Thanks to the

cold air and the band of rain moving across: from west to east

turning into snow, affecting some of the higher rates and pushing

towards the north-east as well. Take a look at the Ice risk,

primarily, towards Fife, Lothians and the Borders as well as the

central belt. Some of the showers will move through and behind them

the clear skies turn rain to ice on the roads. Treacherous driving

conditions. A yellow warning on the roads, a warning for snow on all

levels, potentially up to five centimetres in Aberdeen Shea.

Across to the other side of the country, strong to gale force winds.

For her it will be a cold night, we have the showers, just above

freezing. Clearer skies lower than that. Potentially some snow across

the higher parts of the M4 and M8. Tomorrow starts windy, across the

south-west, showers continuing. Wintry through the north and north-

east but generally an improving day and by the time we reach mid-

afternoon lots of dry and sunny weather around. Across the south-

west we hold on to the showers, quite blustery. One or two wintry

showers continuing across the north-east towards the north-east

corner and Orkney and Shetland to. Just two Celsius for Shetland. In

the second part of the afternoon and evening the showers will

continue. Elsewhere it will be drier, clearer and pretty cold. All

change as we go through the week ended to Thursday, thanks to this

low-pressure. Notice the trailing weather front bringing heavy rain

at the packed isobars Roy Strong to gale force winds. We could see cuts

of up to 80 mph. Some heavy rain, but temperatures just creeping up a

little, it does not last though, Friday sees the low-pressure moving

away. Isobars pulling down much colder air, a real Arctic blast to

finish of the week. Tonight is the focus on the ice and snow in the

north-east. The Scottish government has outline �60 billion of spending

to improve roads, rail, hospitals and schools, but Labour has

and schools, but Labour has dismissed it as a wish-list. A

suicide bomber has killed at least 58 people at a shrine in the Afghan

capital, carpel. Blast took place in the most holy day of the

festival. They pressed and said the country had never experienced a