25/01/2012 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. Tonight: looking to Scotland's

future on Burns Day. Alex Salmond launches his consultation on an

independence referendum and tells us what the question will be.

Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?

The First Minister says it much -- it will be the most important

decision in 300 years of Scottish history. We will be gauging what

you think and for some the debate is already under way. I do not

think he will lose it. I think he We will also be looking at the key

policy areas. Also in the programme: Scots

celebrate the birthday of our national bard with events across

the country and abroad. And Andy money it storms into the

semi-finals of the Australian Open and now faces Novak Djokovic in a

re-run of last year's final. Do you agree that Scotland should

be an independent country? That is the wording of the question that

Alex Salmond want to ask the Scottish people in a referendum in

the autumn of 2014. He described it as straightforward but the most

important question in 300 years. He chose Burns Day to launch his plans

for a consultation on the referendum. The Scottish Government

still cannot agree with Westminster over when it should be held, what

questions should be asked and who should be allowed to vote. We will

hear from our political editor. But first, a report on the day's events

in Edinburgh. A big smile from Alex Salmond.

Little wonder, it is the closest he has ever been to a vote on Scotland

becoming independent. With the future uppermost in his

mind, there is still time to celebrate the past. The First

Minister had promised these youngsters a school trip to learn

about the nation's most famous poet. Then, the serious business. The

Scottish Government's proposals for a referendum in 2014.

The people of Scotland elected at a majority pro-independence

government. A democratic decision will be made by the people of

Scotland. A consultation paper reveals the

question that he wants to put to voters.

Sadly, this consultation paper has done little for those who feel this

process is not fair. The First Minister asserts as truth his own

view Alfa -- due of the future of Scotland and misrepresents the

position of those who want to remain in the United Kingdom.

The chef is preparing a haggis for the Burns Supper at Holyrood while

the politicians continue to debate. Today was more Shakespeare than

burns. It was much ado about nothing. We are looking forward to

finding out what questions we have on the ballot paper. There is a

serious problem with proposing a second question and it being

treated as a second-class question. We need a straightforward yes or no

question. They have not said where they stand

on any of the major issues. We want to sit down with the Scottish

Government and see if we can make sure we have a legal, decisive and

fair referendum for the people of Scotland. In the Great Hall at

Edinburgh Castle, Mr Salmond has been explaining his plans to the

world's media. He has threatened to go ahead with the referendum if the

two government to not agree. It is perhaps not surprising that

the Scottish Government tours the country's most famous ancient

monument to launch it sped for an independent Scotland. There is a

lot of negotiation still to be done between man and 2014. If Mr

Salmon's get his way, it is possible the Scottish Parliament

there will be the headquarters of an independent Scottish nation.

We know the First Minister's plans. Yvette -- a vote could come in

autumn 2014, or sooner. Our correspondent was in St Andrews

today. That is the First Minister

unveiling his plans. We have a small audience here in St Andrews,

listening to report the First Minister is saying and it has

already sparked debate. We will ask them for their pots. It is a good

question, straightforward, definitive, there can be no mistake

in your response. He has handled some awkward questions well.

will not get closer by splitting up. We will lose the benefits by

separating. But we should just get on with it. Alex Salmond does

Scotland no favours by mentioning all of these new people that have

entered the year. Most of those, I think, where from the old Soviet

bloc. I remembered the Queen saying she was crowned as the Queen of the

United Kingdom and I think it would be a very sad day for her and asked

if the union splits. I have grown up on both sides of the border and

have always considered myself to be British. But he came across very

well. I think Scottish young people should be able to vote, from the

age of 16, it is their future. Those are the views of our audience

here in St Andrews on the referendum debate. To report extent

they are shared by the population should become clearer in the coming

months as the debate heats up. The focus now move to what the SNP

wants an independent Scotland to look like.

A referendum on independence raises many challenging questions, not

least, and an independent Scotland would defend itself. This is

Faslane Naval Base, home to much of our surface fleet, and to our

nuclear submarines. In that said, the submarine is being worked on.

When its sales, it will contain Trident nuclear missiles. An

independent Scotland would not have the British Navy, Royal Air Force

and British Army. Instead it would have a Scottish defence force. The

SNP says there is no place on Scottish soil for at nuclear

deterrent. So the future of the space would probably be decided by

a referendum. This is Glasgow fish market, dozens

of different types of fish are brought here and sold. But who

decides how much fish is caught? Every year, quotas are set by the

European Union after negotiations with the UK Government. The

Scottish Government takes part, and offer advice, but it is often not

taken. Voters will decide who is really at the helm.

This is the Erskine Bridge. A few years ago, the Scottish Government

scrapped the tolls for motorists crossing this bridge. An

independent Scotland would have complete control over taxation and

spending. It would control income tax rates, corporation tax and all

the revenue from oral and gas in -- while and gas installations in the

North Sea. But every pound that is spent would be a pound that has to

be raised. If I bought something in a Scottish

shop, I would have to pay in pounds Stirling. But that night -- might

not remain at the case for long after independence. The SNP's

policy is for an independent Scotland to remain part of Stirling

until it is advantageous for us to join the euro.

That would mean interest rates being set, not by the Bank of

England but by the European Central Bank in Frankfurt. That might

benefit the Scots economy and Scott homeowners but it might not. There

is a lot to talk about. Our political editor Jones us from

Holyrood. What is your assessment of where we are? There is a degree

of uncertainty hedging around the rules and regulations, let alone

the outcome of a referendum. People might be inclined to gloat Walter's

got, what a tangled web we weave. I think he is absolutely fixed on

autumn 2014. I do not think he will be moved on that. Further, the

question of whether 16 and 17-year- olds should be allowed to vote. Mr

Salmond is keen. What about this idea of a second question? What is

his strategy for that? This is one of the core issues here between the

Scottish Government and the UK Government. Mr Salmond has advanced

a single question on independence but if he wants that form of simple

question, he needs further powers transferred from Westminster to

make that ballot of lawful. He is known to like the idea of a second

question, but the UK Government says absolutely not. In turn for Mr

Sam and getting the legal background he needs for that simple

question on independence, will be perhaps concede the UK position

that there will not be a second question? In which case, Mr Salmond

might argue on a campaigning business that he wanted that on the

ballot paper but his political rivals prevented it from happening.

It could be used in the referendum. We have a long way to cope. I think

we are agreed on that. We cross now to our correspondent who has

details of a special programme on BBC Scotland tonight.

I will be here to ask the questions with help from a studio audience of

more than 200 members of the public. To provide the answers, our panel

includes the Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Lord Jim Wallace,

and to one Lamond, and writer and You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come on the programme:

Scots celebrate the birthday of our national bard with events across

the country and abroad. In sport:

Andy Murray's through to the semi finals of the Australian Open. We

will be hearing from the world number four in Australia.

And Rangers get a multi-million offer for their prized asset.

Details a little later. A teenager accused of murdering a

fellow school pupil was nowhere near the threshold of someone

suffering from a personality disorder, according to a

psychiatrist who assessed him. Craig Roy has admitted killing but

denies murdering Jack Frew in East Kilbride in 2010. Reevel Alderson

reports from the High Court in Glasgow.

Arriving with his mother and sister, 19-year-old Craig Roy is accused of

murdering his schoolmate at Jack Frew in East Kilbride. Jurors heard

from a series of forensic psychiatrist. When interviewed

Craig Roy for more than three hours. He was asked to look at the

In an interview with another forensic scientist, Craig Roy said

that he did not habitually carry and night and he was against knife

crime. He told another that on the night of the six will be to the is

and 10, denied that Jack Frew died, Jack Frew had exposed himself to

him in the woods. He said he was furious and told the doctor that

his next recollection was of the Jack Frew lying on the ground with

the winds, covered in blood. The court heard that Jack Frew was

described as a sex pest by Craig Roy. Jack Frew's father shook his

head as Craig Roy's claims were read out over his son's use of

alcohol and drugs. Senior civil servants will meet

this week to discuss whether the former Royal Bank of Scotland chief

Sir Fred Goodwin is to be stripped of his knighthood awarded for

services to the industry. The Prime Minister David Cameron told MPs he

expected the Honours Forfeiture Committee to sit in the coming days.

He said it would consider all evidence including the FSA report

into the RBS debacle. A look now at what else has been

happening across the country this Wednesday.

Glasgow engineering firm via a group has bought at Texas company

for more than �1 million. The new company makes pump funds for their

oil and gas industry. There has been a marked rise in its

serious crime in Dumfries and Galloway. Sexual offences went up

by 43%. A police say that the overall rate in the region is still

lost in it Scotland. A hill walker has died after

falling will climbing and mountain. She was part of a group that was

walking in Wester Ross. Tourism businesses in its Edinburgh

have warned that investment is needed if the capital is to attract

visitors throughout the year. identifying out to develop a winter

product development, so that we can attract people all year round.

Protesters against controversial plans to redevelop gardens in the

Aberdeen it demonstrated outside the council. The latest rage of the

project was debated. Plans for a wind farm have been

rejected on appeal. It was because of their impact on the landscape.

Another 40 jobs are to be created in the Moray, as efforts continue

to offset the closure of the RAF base. The new jobs at a call centre

are in addition to the 100 announced last year.

And there is more on those and other stories on the BBC Scotland

website. The Scottish Government's spending

plans for the next financial year have passed their first

parliamentary hurdle. The budget includes a guaranteed training

place for every 16 to 19-year-old and the continuation of the Council

Tax freeze. But Labour claims it does not recognise the scale of the

jobs crisis facing Scotland and the Greens described it as a good day

to bury a bad budget. The final vote on the bill is expected next

month. Well, fair fa' your honest sonsie

face. Of course, all that has been happening in the political sphere

today has been timed to coincide with Burns Day, when we celebrate

the birthday of our national bard. As Aileen Clarke has been finding

out, Rabbie has been well celebrated here and abroad

At this premise school in Kirkintilloch, rehearsals were well

under way today for the school Burns's supper. -- Burns Supper.

They have learnt the poems, the format and I think they will

remember this. Hopefully they will Our lads in Afghanistan are

performed the soldier's return. Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, this flash

mop Kayleigh was celebrating the bar go and dance. -- flash mob

ceilidh. And rehearsals were still going strong. But they clearly know

what they are burnt inside the school, but I wonder how people

will do outside? -- know their Burns. Luckily, I have the words on

a new Burns Night up on my phone. - Scottish actor Nicol Williamson,

best known for his role as the wizard Merlin in the 1981 film

Excalibur, has died aged 73. The Hamilton born actor, seen here in a

BBC production of Macbeth, passed away shortly before Christmas at

his home in Amsterdam. The playwright John Osborne once called

him the greatest actor since Marlon Brando.

And now the sport. Andy Murray will face world number

one Novak Djokovic in the semi final of the Australian open after

his straight sets victory down under. Murray reached his fifth

consecutive grand slam semi by seeing off Japan's Kei Nishikori.

From Melbourne, David McDaid reports.

If level of support was anything to go by. This could have been at

close-run thing. Very quickly, it His followers feared the worst. The

man showed that he was not be counted out just yet. Andy Murray

tried and failed to pull off his own trick shot. He still managed to

take their first set. Poor service stopped him breaking clear. The

Scot eventually cruised into his fifth straight Grand Slam semi-

final. We have played a lot of long matches. I wanted to make it as

tough as possible for him in the beginning. That paid off. It is not

an easy thing to do it. People might think it happens, but the

other guys are some of the best players. With one that -- with just

one set dropped all tournament, it has been plain sailing. But now he

will have to beat the world No. 1 and the man who pipped him to the

title last year. West Ham have offered Rangers �7

million for their top goal scorer Nikitsa Yelavitch. The English

Championship club have been holding talks with the Ibrox club for the

past week. However, Rangers think the Croatian international is worth

more. The player, who has scored 17 goals this season, is also

attracting interest from Liverpool and Fulham.

Scotland's rugby coach, Andy Robinson, says he will use his

anger over what he calls England's arrogance to motivate the Scots for

their forthcoming Six Nations match. Robinson says he did not like the

English player's attitude during and after their win over his team

at the recent World Cup. This year's competition was officially

launched in London today, when the captains of all six nations pitched

up to, well, to pose for the cameras, basically. Scotland play

England at Murrayfield a week on Saturday.

We have already had some Burns tonight. Here's some more. To see

oursels as ithers see us. So, how do others see us? Well, Laura

Bicker had a rare chance to find out when she joined the

international press corps, who descended on Edinburgh in huge

numbers to cover Alex Salmond's statement. But, of course, it's not

the only world event concerned with the state of the Union.

Members of Congress, distinguished guests and a fellow Americans.

hours after one of America's grandest political events,

President Obama's state of her -- state of the Union address, the

world's media came to Edinburgh Castle, to see this man. I am from

Italy and we're very interested about the situation, because it is

very important to understand how they would share power. It will be

in a Chinese and English and we're covering vast news because it is

important in Britain and in the world. Norway has always struggled

for independence as well and we're not a member of the EU. There were

referendum has been spoken in around 17 different languages in

this hall today. There are journalists from Canada or

Australia and even Japan. Make no mistake, the decision the Scottish

people have to make is being watched around the world.

Wet and windy for some of us today. Later on, in the second half of the

night, it will be turning frosty. Some of the rain will be quite

heavy over the next couple of hours. Once it clears the way, some

clearer skies. Temperatures for most it down to freezing or just

under. Taking a look at the pressure charge for tomorrow, there

is the overnight rain. For most of us, it will be at dry and bright

start. You could see some at sleet at all levels. It, mid-afternoon

tomorrow, generally dry and cloudy. Temperatures back to where they

should be, highs around the five Celsius. The rest of the afternoon

and into the evening will stay much the same. One or two showers are

scattered across the country. Once again, the risk of ice across much

of Scotland. One or two showers again and wintry over the higher

ground. Into the weekend, it is a little bit complicated. There is

any area of high pressure over Scandinavia and that will battle

with weather fronts tried to walk the way in from the Atlantic. That

means we will not -- we do not know he further agree more common on

Saturday at the minute. For the start of the weekend, the West is

likely to be wetter than the the East. Stay tuned as we reveal the

detail on that. Tonight will be wet and icy.

Now, just before 7pm, a summary of tonight's top stories:

The First Minister has revealed for the first time the question he

wants to put to the Scottish people in a referendum. "Do you agree that

Scotland should be an independent country?" will be the question on

the ballot paper in Autumn 2014, but there's still disagreement with

Westminster on when it should be held, what questions should be

asked and who should be allowed to vote.

The UK economy shrank by 0.2% in the final months of last year,

prompting fears of a return to recession. The fall in growth was

driven by a decline in manufacturing and construction. The

Chancellor, George Osborne, said the figures were disappointing.

That's all from us for now. I'm back with the late news just before