20/02/2012 Reporting Scotland

Welcome to Reporting Scotland. Tonight on your national news.

A man goes on trial for the murder of Edinburgh book-keeper Suzanne

Pilley almost two years after she disappeared without trace.

SINGING: We love you Rangers. What now for Rangers a week after

the club went into administration? Alex Salmond backs controversial

plans for the redevelopment of Aberdeen city centre, but a local

MSP hits out at his intervention. And his rugby career was ended by a

life threatening injury, now Thom Evans is back to relaunch himself

as a sprinter. A man has gone on trial accused of

the murder of Edinburgh woman Suzanne Pilley. David Gilroy is

charged with killing the 38-year- old in May 2010. This afternoon,

the jury heard that the two had been in a relationship. She was a

divorcee and he had left his wife. Ms Pilley's body has never been

found. Lisa Summers reports. This is Suzanne Pilley on holiday

and America. She went missing in 2010. It was just before the

general election. She was captured on CCTV cameras on route to work.

But she has never been found. Today, her former boyfriend David Gilroy

went on trial for her murder. He is accused of murdering her in the

Thistle Street office where she worked, or somewhere else, and

tried to cover up her death. He is accused of trying to defeat the

ends of justice. Prosecutors say he tried to disguise injuries to his

hand and tried to convince police and his colleagues that he thought

Suzanne Pilley was alive when he knew she was dead. He is also

charged with assaulting his wife and his for the accused of

threatening two children. The trial is expected to last around six

weeks. The first witness in this town was Suzanne Pilley's mother.

She said she had met David Gilroy and a number of occasions. She said

her daughter and David Gilroy moved in together. She is expected to

continue giving evidence tomorrow. David Gilroy denies all the charges

against him. Players and staff at Rangers are

awaiting a decision from the club's administrators on how many jobs

will be lost there. The Ibrox club was declared insolvent last week

after it failed to pay a multi- million pound tax bill. Our

business correspondent David Henderson joins me now. So, David,

a week on and what are the adminstrators saying now?

They say they are trying to get on with their job. They have spent the

weekend at Ibrox going through the books, looking at the millions of

pounds are generated by Rangers in recent years and trying to work out

what assets are left. This is not easy, it takes time, but it is

crucial because they have to identify the height of the Rangers

a debt mountain. That will determine the health of the

business and ultimately how many jobs will be lost at Rangers.

Rangers currently have a 67 players on their books, they also have

another 89 full-time, non-playing staff. They are wondering what

their future holds. At the weekend, Ally McCoist dried up to address

this, trying to sound upbeat about the future for them. The ad

ministers have said that the cuts, people losing their jobs is not

inevitable. It is a possibility, but not inevitable. That, in itself,

I find encouraging. It gives us hope. What other key questions for

the administrators? The most important question is

where is the big money, the �24 million apparently and raised by

Craig Whyte by selling off season- ticket? Money collected for taxes

but not passed on to the taxman. There is more visibility according

to the administrators about the �24 million. The administrators plan to

publish some of the details over the course of the next few days. In

the meantime, Craig Whyte has announced that he plans to shed

several director ships in order to focus on a Rangers.

You're watching Reporting Scotland from the BBC. Still to come on the

programme. A plea for help in raising funds

for the Highlanders Regimental Museum.

And learning how to ride a bike safely - an appeal for volunteers

to teach cycle skills to children. In sport, Strathclyde Police

express concern about a title decider at Ibrox. A former rugby

international who was worried he might never walk again, shares his

plans to run for his country. And after a string of impressive

performances for Celtic, Mulgrew gets the call from national boss,

Alex Salmond has backed plans for the controversial redevelopment of

Aberdeen's city centre. He says he is very impressed with the City

Garden project. But his comments have been attacked by one local MSP

who says the wisdom of the First Minister's intervention is highly

questionable. Colin Wight reports. The letters have started arriving

at homes throughout Aberdeen. Residents have to decide whether

they want a major change in the centre of the city. This is what is

at stake, Union Terrace Gardens. This is what is on offer, a new

city centre, the brainchild of a local businessman. Alex Salmond

gave his view on the issue. As an MSP for Aberdeenshire, my view is

that this project offers the possibility of a city centre in

Aberdeen which would be the equal of any in Europe. It is a statement

of confidence. But it is up to the people in Aberdeen. Alex Salmond

got into trouble once before. He was grabbed over the knuckles by a

parliamentary inquiry over his involvement in Donald Trump's golf

development. I think the wisdom of his intervention is highly

questionable. His constituency is out with the city. It will be for

the Scottish government to decide whether the funding package goes

ahead, but ministers have told us that they have not approved the

business case or even at see it. He seems to have pre-empted at that

decision. If someone asks me a question, I have the right to speak

out as a constituency MP. But as a government minister, I would be

precluded from intervening in that decision. Tonight, the Friends of

Union Terrace Gardens called Mr Salmond's involvement unfortunate.

How influential, or not, is this intervention?

Who can say? Alex Salmond has made no major comment on this project

until now. He has made his comments at a sensitive time, a time when

the voters in Aberdeen are deciding where to put their cross in the

referendum. His involvement, that makes way some, it may deter others.

Some of their personalities have already made their views known.

Some at bigger -- some big personalities have already made

their opinion Sloane. The starting salary for new

recruits to full-time jobs has fallen for the first time in more

than a year, though recruitment to permanent jobs in Scotland's

private sector is up. The Bank of Scotland survey found the strongest

sector was IT and computing, followed by healthcare. But

separate surveys have found that confidence in the construction

industry has continued to fall, while the retail sector suffered an

8% drop in footfall over the last three months compared to last

winter. A look now at what else has been

happening across the country this Monday. An investigation is under

way after a fatal early morning ward crash in North Aberdeenshire.

One man died after the clash between two vans. It is a junction

which has had several accidents over the years. We will look at the

layout of the junction. What is described as a significantly a

radioactive party will from De re has been found on a beach. --

Dounreay. The Broadcasting agency Ofcom has

said that comments by Matthew Wright has caused significant

offence. Police and ought behalf arrested

and 19-year-old man who attempted it Ireland's first armed robbery.

The transport group stage court -- Stagecoach says it will be

investing �60 million in a new fleet.

Events have been unveiled to celebrate the legacy of AK Bell.

is the projects of people never hear about. The small, lifeline

contributions that the trust makes it to small communities.

Tempers of pounds is being spent -- �10,000 is being spent are planting

trees in South Uist. There is more on those stories on

the BBC Scotland website. Fundraisers in the Highlands say

they are close to reaching their appeal target of �3 million to

redevelop the Highlanders Regimental Museum at Fort George.

They are hoping to be able to start work on the revamp this spring. And

as Craig Anderson reports, the project's already won financial

backing from a number of high profile supporters.

From the days when the Highland regiments were raised from plans, -

- clans, generations have passed through the Seaforth Highlanders,

the Cameron Highlanders, the Queen's Own Highlanders. The museum

will get the regiments' history into context. There will be

wonderful artifacts on display. People will go away knowing much

more about it and a very enthused by what they have seen. 15 months

ago, the appeal was launched by actor Hugh Grant whose father and

grandfather served in the regiment. His donation has been joined by

donations from the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles.

this is a hidden gem. Many people from Inverness have not been to

Fort George and seem that the attraction. It is a beautiful

location and we can make much more of it. This is just one of many

attractions at an important one. Fundraisers have appealed to the

general public to help them raise the final �350,000 for work to

A climber who survived a 1,000-foot fall on Ben Nevis, which claimed

the life of a climbing companion, is said to be in a serious but

stable condition in hospital. Police have named him as David

Warden, who is 46 and from Perth. Mr Warden and his climbing

companion were close to completing an ice climb in Zero Gully on the

mountain yesterday morning when they fell. Northern Constabulary

have not named the other man. A man has admitted attacking a BBC

reporter as she filmed a Panorama programme on counterfeit cigarettes

in Glasgow. 58-year-old Alexander Quinn lashed out at Samantha Poling

at the city's Barras Market in January last year and brandished a

large pole at the BBC crew. He pled guilty to a number of

charges, including assault and breach of the peace, when he

appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court and was fined a total of �300.

Time now for tonight's sports update.

The Old Firm fixture at the end of next month will go ahead as normal.

That is the message from the SPL, after Strathclyde Police raised

concerns about a potential title deciding Old Firm clash. Neil

Lennon's side could be crowned champions next month if they

continue their winning run, which is a worrying scenario for the

police. Sir Celtic continued their relentless march to the title, with

the five-goal hammering of Hibernian. It was No. 15 general in

the leak for the club up and leave sends 17 points clear of Rangers.

In now opens the door clear for them to clinch the title at Ibrox

next month. Both clubs have three games in between. Rangers would

have to drop two points in their trio of games against Inverness

Hearts of Midlothian and Dundee United. Hypothetical, but very

possible. In 1999, Rangers wrapped up the title at Celtic Park with

the 3-nil victory, which led to problems in and outside the ground.

It also led to the Police Federation asking for the fixture

to be banned altogether. 13 years on, the police do not want to

repeat and will meet with League bosses to assess the risks. In a

Those at the League say they will meet the police but there will be

no fixture change, as the Celtic fans lookout the party poppers, the

boys in blue will be hoping they are not needed for Ibrox.

Scotland manager Craig Levein says he will use his next three games,

starting with Slovenia next week, to fine tune his squad for the

start of the World Cup qualifying campaign. Celtic's Charlie Mulgrew

and Matt Phillips of Blackpool are the latest players to be given the

chance to impress. But there is still no place for one man who has

been on top form in the English Premier League. Craig Levein theme

is aiming to Steer Scotland to the World Cup. But it looks like

Stephen Fletcher will not be along with the ride, despite 10 goals

this year for Wolverhampton Wanderers. For the good of the

country, we do not be better to have Stephen Fletcher in the team?

As I wondered when this would re- read said. Nothing has changed on

the Stephen Fletcher front. We are here to talk about people who are

involved in the squad for the game against Slovenia. If you don't mind,

we will stick to that. Here is Charlie Mulgrew, in great form a in

his second spell at Celtic. But when he was like goal by then five

years ago, did he think he would be back to this level and getting his

column called up? Il was thought I could, but you have to just keep

your head Downing keep believing in yourself. I am just glad to get the

opportunity. Matt Phillips from Blackpool is another getting a

chance. The English-born striker issued by Craig Levein as an

exciting prospect. Two years ago, he wondered whether

he would be able to walk again after suffering a serious neck

injury playing rugby for Scotland against Wales. Yesterday, Thom

Evans took part in the Scottish Indoor Athletics Championships.

Evans had to give up rugby but the former international winger has

turned to sprinting - and his first competitive race was at Glasgow's

Kelvin Hall. For large spells, stars and the track played second

fiddle to it those of the track. Model Kelly brick was in town. She

was there to cheer on this man. A sheet is very supportive and it is

great to have her support as I try house printing. And bad neck injury

forced Thom Evans to call time on his rugby career. Two years on he

was back in professional sport, just missing out on the medals and

the 60 metre sprint. I'm was just happy to be walking again. Training

and competing is something I have always enjoyed. I am doing is six

days a week and it feels good. To be competing at a high-level Disney

that added incentive to train harder, which I intend to do.

has caused by the wife of Alan Wells, who won Olympic gold in 1980

in Moscow. It is exceptional, for him to come here with all the media

attention of the three-month training programme was amazing. No

training medal for Evans, but he did not go unrewarded.

To curling now and Aberdeen's Tom Brewster retained his Scottish

title at the Dewers Centre in Perth, beating the home rink of David

Smith. In the women's competition, Eve

Muirhead, playing alongside last year's champion, Anna Sloan,

defeated Stranraer's Gail Munro with a ruthless performance.

Muirhead and Brewster's rinks will now go on to represent Scotland at

their respective World Championships.

And you can see highlights of the women's final between the Muirhead

and Munro teams tomorrow night on BBC Two Scotland at seven o'clock.

The men's final will be on the same channel at the same time on

Wednesday. Sir Chris Hoy looks to be hitting

top form at the right time in the build up to the London Olympics.

Scotland's most successful Olympian capped a fine weekend with gold in

the sprint, to add to gold and bronze in the keiren and team

sprint respectively. The World Cup event was held in London's Olympic

velodrome. I have really fed off the energy of the crowd. I have

said it any other interviews, the are the best crowd I have ever been

in front of. They did their job and we had to just do our job. In the

Olympics, we will all flea feed off that energy into well. The think he

has got a badge to prove how good he is that cycling?

Now, mention the Cycling Proficiency Scheme and many of us

will think of wobbling round school playgrounds in pursuit of a badge.

These days, though, things are a bit different. The scheme is now

called Bikeability and an appeal has been launched to encourage

adults interested in teaching Way we got. It is cycling training

for the 21st century. It is an essential skill for children to

stay safe on the roads. There is a is how I used to be. Things are

rather different now. The biggest difference between the cycling

proficiency test and Bikeability is an increase for kiss on safety on

the roads and traffic. Is to us often that playground. When the are

ready, the move on to real roads like today. And then making going

to the likes of journey planning and making their journeys. It is an

all-round learning experience, but it can only happen with the support

of volunteers. It is very important to keep your heads up dies. It is

important for adults to lead by example. A if they see people

driving everywhere, they will just assume that is what they have to do

when they grow up. But if the see people cycling everywhere, it will

encourage them to follow suit. Bikeability is now searching for

volunteers across the country, looking for adults who are prepared

to spend just one hour per week helping a degeneration of cyclists

safer on our roads. And a reminder that our money man

Fergus Muirhead will be with us a week on Wednesday lunchtime to

answer your consumer queries. You can e-mail him at [email protected].

This week, he is dealing with power of attorney.

Let us get an indication of what the weather is going to do, from

It is set to get milder this week. We are expecting a temperature of

14 Celsius in Aberdeen by Thursday. Today was pretty cloudy and we will

keep a lot of that overnight. There will be outbreaks of rain, mainly

in the waste West, where they could be heavy. However, it should be a

largely mild night, with overnight temperatures just stepping down to

five or six degrees Celsius. Tomorrow, a fairly cloudy picture,

with further outbreaks of rain. Again, a drier day towards the east,

but some bright and sunny spells developing down eastern coasts. At

3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, another mild day, with temperatures

getting up into double figures. The wind wellies off overnight tonight,

but will increase through tomorrow, turning stronger to deal forced

around northern coasts and across the aisle asked. We keep hold a lot

of the up cloud and rain as we head towards tomorrow evening. If we

send out for a second and take a look at what is going on across the

Atlantic, the reason for the weather we're having is this low-

pressure pushing and. There is a conveyor belt of them pushing and.

But it is also attracting mild air with that. So, Wednesday and

Thursday looking set to be milder form most of us. But on Wednesday,

a wet day for most of us across the board. Thursday, still some rain

around, but lighter and patchier than it was the previous day. So, a

fairly mild, but wet and windy week. Now, just before seven o'clock, a

summary of tonight's top stories... A man has gone on trial accused of

the murder of Edinburgh woman Suzanne Pilley, whose body has

never been found. David Gilroy is charged with

killing the 38-year-old in May 2010. This afternoon, the jury heard that

the two had been in a relationship. She was a divorcee and he had left

his wife. Alex Salmond has backed plans for

There is to be a big shake-up in the UK border agency, after a

report showed that there was serious lapses and cheques. There

is that belief that the organisation could become a

separate organisation. The First Minister has backed plans for the

redevelopment of Aberdeen city centre. He says he is very

impressed with the City Garden project, but his comments have been

attacked by one local MSP, who says the wisdom of the First Minister's

intervention is "highly questionable".

A drought has been declared for the south-east of England. It comes

after water industry bosses met with the Environment Minister today,

amid fears that water levels in reservoirs in parts of England are

now so low the most severe drought since the summer of 1976 is