23/10/2012 Reporting Scotland

And Welcome to Reporting Scotland. Alex Salmond under pressure over

independence. Abuse sought advice from your own Scottish law

officers? We had. What did they say? The First Minister denies that

he lies in that interview from the BBC over advice in EU membership.

Those outside this chamber who make those assertions will have the

courtesy and integrity to withdraw them. And he loses two MSPs. There

opposed to the party's support of NATO.

Offshore at unions show growing safety concerns after the ditching

of this aircraft in the North Sea. Diggers move into Dalgety Bay to

find the extent of radioactive contamination there.

And can Celtic see off the might of Messi tonight in the Champions

League against Barcelona? The First Minister has denied lying

over whether his Government obtained legal advice on an

independent Scotland's potential membership of the European Union.

Two of his MSPs quit to take over another issue, opponents claim also

that he had said he had sought legal advice when it claims today

word that he had not. We will hear more on the resignations that first

Raymond Buchanan reports from Parliament.

Would an independent Scotland state in Europe? The First Minister has

always been confident. Have you sorted vice? We have. What did they

say? You can read that in the documents be put forward which it

argued that position would be successful. What do they say?

cannot reveal the legal advice of law officers. That seems a very

clear. The advice of law officers was not. But today his own deputy

told parliament this. The Scottish Government had previously cited

opinions from eminent legal authorities past and present in

support of its view that an independent Scotland... In support

of its view that an independent Scotland will continue in

membership of the European Union that has not sought specific legal

advice. A political storm brewed and suddenly the First Minister was

on his way to the chamber. You are accused of lying, have you? I will

deal with that in Parliament in a few seconds. He made an emergency

statement to MSPs saying that he has always been consistent and

Labour have selectively quoted his BBC interview. In this partial

transcript I have been described as a bare-faced liar and a quote that

is used to justified this has me saying in response, we have, yes,

you know why cannot release the legal advice all officers. That

misses out 27 words across three separate answers. A have you

clarified the position now? I think that has been clarified to the

chamber's satisfaction. It is clear I was talking about Government

documents and I have cited the references to the point. All

Government documents are subject to the legal advice of law officers

which is what I was referring to and no reasonable person would see

anything different. He says bet you made him look like a liar when he

is not a liar and if you are being honest you would apologise. I would

say, let us have a full and frank debate. It is now time for debate

following his statement. The people of Scotland need to have a proper

opportunity to know what legal advice was received and how it was

received. Nothing that Alex Salmond has said this evening clears up the

dispute. We have our members of the Government telling us for months

saying that they knew what our position would be in Europe and we

find out today that they do not know. They have spent thousands of

taxpayers' money trying to keep that information back.

Two of the SNP's MSPs and as they were quitting the party over its

support for NATO today. It was an angry debate at a party conference

last week over at NATO membership of an independent Scotland. The

leadership one that to beat. After at the SNP's heated NATO

debate, the fall-out. To Highland MSPs left after it they could not

stomach the policy of opposing nuclear weapons and Scotland but

staying in military alliance. have wrestled with how I can swear

staying in the party, I cannot. I cannot advocate joining NATO.

is the only reason that I am making this horrendous decision. I am not

proud of it, but I feel for my own integrity it is the only thing I

can do. She and Hackett and John Finnie were part of a group of MSPs

and opposed the leadership during the conference debate last week.

The man leading the change was even a year it. -- was shouted at.

can shout. You can shout. I knew it was the first SNP reaction to these

rare -- resignations? I only had a short time ago. And what you think

as somebody that voted for the change of polity on NATO? I think

it was the right decisions. It is a decision that many feel

passionately about. Will others follow and resign from the party?

Here is another that was opposed. Are you considering following them?

No comment. That is not the same as snow. No comment.

But the party leadership might believe that sacrificing some MSPs

is worth a bigger prize. They believe most -- most Scottish

people want to stay in NATO and they want them to vote for

independence. That has gone out to Holyrood and

Raymond Buchanan. Not a great day for the SNP.

A probably one of Alex Salmond worst days since becoming minister

in 2007. Starting with those Highlands and Islands MSPs saying

they were quitting, I understand there is another MSP considering

their position following that device they have NATO to beat. Then

we have the First Minister rushing to chamber in order to make an

emergency statement over whether an independent Scotland would maintain

its membership of the EU. Alex Salmond explanation was that he

could not ask lobsters for specific details because he did not have

specific details. -- Law makers. Opponents are not satisfied vote.

Why is this supped -- why it is so important? One of the singular

arguments from the SNP is to say that we're good at Government and

we are competent, trust us what health and education and then trust

us with foreign affairs and tax also. If he has too many of these

bad days then the chances of having losing that they will look more

likely. -- bad faith. A still to come: from the other

side of the world, supporters of Morton football club.

And in sport Celtic face Messi in the Champions League tonight. Also

Ricky Burns confirms his latest opponent and says he has set up a

unification bout for next year. We will also have rugby news.

Unions say they are concerned for the safety of offshore workers

after the latest ditching of a helicopter in a sea of of Shetland.

19 people were rescued after at the incident involving a Super Puma.

Eurocopter says it has full confidence in their aircraft

despite so many incidents in the last few years.

These exclusive pictures showed the helicopter today as it is attached

to it hock to protect the aircraft from a heavy swell. It is expected

to arrive in the North East tomorrow morning. These pictures

show the aftermath of yesterday's ditching. The 17 passengers and two

crew clambered into life rafts after being -- and Ben were picked

up and airlifted to Orkney and Shetland. Some are recovering their

last night and glad to be a light. Yes, I was afraid. But you training

kept saying. Everybody was calm. Everybody got away from the

helicopter. Or a work as today were left waiting. They were held back

by the weather and the decision to ground aircraft similar to that

involved in yesterday's incident. And have been offshore for about 35

years and I feel very safe in the hand of all helicopter operators in

the North Sea. It is one of those things, there is less chance of

that and being in a car crash. It is a risk you take. But offshore

unions are worried. Yesterday's incident was the third ditching in

three years involving a Super Puma. We have had phone calls to date

with the concerns of the offshore workers about flying off shore in

these types of helicopters. But the reality is that it you want to work

of sure you have to be in a helicopter. We need to make sure

that it you going a helicopter you OCD and he -- you go safely and to

come back safely. The stress but safety is paramount and walkers

pass rigorous tests been checked before be unable to fly off shore.

It just goes to show that the training we deliver is paramount to

these guys see the. The accident staff are right date to be in the

Act investigation. Eurocopter also have a team in Aberdeen. The said

that they have full confidence in the aircraft. But tonight no one

knows when the might fly again. Colin Wight is at heliport tonight.

How long a be set to be grounded for?

It is anybody guess. Last time it happened it took at least a week

before flights got back to normal. A lot will depend on the

investigation which will happen in earnest when the helicopter arrives

back in Peter Hyett tomorrow morning. There are strong industry

rumours that it could have been another gearbox problem. -- in

Aberdeen. No one knows for certain at the moment. A lot of this will

be examined in detail tomorrow when a special meeting of their

helicopter a steering group meets your in Aberdeen bringing all of

the industry together. Work to establish the scale of

radioactive contamination in Dalgety Bay has begun. It is the

largest survey to date and it is thought to come from aircraft

scrapped in the First World War. It could become the first area of

radioactive land. The digging for answers began this

morning. The biggest effort yet to determine the radiation leakage but

lights this community. Over the last 12 months they have been found

in increasing numbers and strength leaving officials concerned that

the problem is getting worse rather than better.

We know that ahead land by the yacht club has built using World

War II aircraft that had radioactive instrument dials. Here

the will decide whether it that is limited to the head land corridor

just how far back it goes. The Ministry of Defence to responsible

for the aircraft have agreed to carry out the work and have a

deadline of May to produce a plan to clean up the area once and for

all. This is the biggest piece of work that has been done to date. We

will be looking at that roses as it goes on to make sure that thing is

that for a purpose. It will bring about a characterisation of the

site. Her so sensitive is this issue that the sailing club or at

the Les -- were the last to allow the work to start and refused

permission to fill today -- to film today. I am pleased it is finally

happening. It is staged two of the investigation. I am optimistic that

we're going somewhere wet this investigation. The light is no

appearing at the end of the tunnel. Life in Dalgety Bay goes on as

normal but there is an apprehension, in six months a plan must be in

place to avoid this becoming the first contaminated land in the

country. A couple in their 60s found dead in

their home yesterday in the Muirend area of Glasgow have been named as

George Garcia and his wife Betsy. It is understood police are not

seeking anyone else in connection with their deaths.

Some university lecturers are striking today. Members of the EIS

union, who mostly work in newer universities, have walked out in

pursuit of a pay claim. Union leaders say below-inflation rises

over three years mean in real terms lecturers' pay has been cut by 12%.

The Highland Council say disruption should be kept to a minimum as work

gets underway moving utility pipes and cables in Inverness ahead of

new flood defences being built in the city. Construction of the flood

defences on the tidal part of the river Ness starts next year.

want to mature into swimming when you're 16 and then make the series

decisions. A �10 million fund to help build

local sports facilities has been launched as part of the build up to

the Commonwealth Games. Grant applications are being sought from

across Scotland. The Active Places Fund aims to help people to take up

or do more physical exercise. A new network of footpaths is being

built to connect the Culloden Battlefield with the surrounding

local community. The �200,000 project will link the villages of

Balloch, Smithton and Culloden, and enable walkers to reach the

historic battlefield through 5 miles of trails. It is important

that people understand the impact that it had here and throughout the

world. The Scottish Government is pumping

�1.7 million into restoring damaged peatlands. They cover about 20% of

Scotland and research suggests they play a key role in reducing

greenhouse gas emissions. And there are more stories from

your area, and all the latest news, 24 hours a day on BBC Scotland's

It's been a mystery for nearly 70 years. Just what did happen to

dozens of bodies recovered after a wartime sea tragedy off the west

coast of Scotland? It's long been suspected the men were dumped

without ceremony in a mass grave as part of an official cover-up and

work under way this week could finally prove it. Willie Johnston

reports. March 1943, the British aircraft carrier explodes and sinks

in the Firth of Clyde. It was a US merchant ship converted by the

Americans for war. The ship was not safe. In fact, it could be

described as being a floating bomb. There was a constant smell of

petrol on that ship. All it required was a spark for it to blow

up. It did and 379 it died. If you were commemorated in a cemetery.

But many others were disposed of quietly as part of a cover-up to

avoid embarrassing the Americans by revealing the true loss of life.

From early on, there was talk of a mass grave. John Steele believes it

right here, beside the marked graves, and he persuaded the

council to petition the courts to investigate. We're trying to assess

whether there is an unmarked grave there by doing as little damage to

the ground as we possibly can, so we are really taken off the top

soil to see if there is a burial ground there. Only a handful of

victims were ever identified and given a proper burial. At least 44

bodies recovered simply disappeared. If they ended up dumped in a mass

grave, the work taking place this year should prove that and allow

them finally to be properly remembered. 69 years later.

Sport now and a task ahead for Celtic?

Yes, they certainly do. Celtic are in Barcelona for a match their

manager Neil Lennon's described as their ultimate test. They are up

against the Spanish giants in the Champions League this evening.

Think of Barcelona and perhaps you think of this. Maybe you think of

the football club and, if so, you may think of this man, Lionel Messi.

Perhaps the greatest player ever, his record is frightening. At just

25 years old, he's already scored 180 league goals, 15 coming last

season alone. They have helped him win five league titles, and three

Champions Leagues. Just how do Celtic stop him? He is tough to

deal with him. Watching him live for the first time on Saturday

night was a privilege. He was just exceptional. I don't think I could

come up with any superlatives which could do him justice. He wants his

side to relish the opportunity to come up against the company and

they are enjoying the trip and the prospect of watching his side take

to the pitch. I'm optimistic but worried at the same time. A lot of

people are writing us off but keep the face. The set pieces are going

to be very important. These visiting supporters can take some

heart from the knowledge they had twice come away from here withdraws

in recent years. That was before Lionel Messi, though, and the

goalkeeper will be a busy man at tonight. There is commentary on BBC

Radio Scotland. Sportsound is on air now. And there will live text

updates on-line too. Glasgow Warriors have signed former

New Zealand Under-20 back Sean Maitland subject to a medical on a

two-and-a-half year contract. The 24-year-old qualifies to play for

Scotland through his grandparents, who were both born in Glasgow.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh centre Nick De Luca says the club's poor start to

this season. Is the fault of the players and not head coach Michael

Bradley. Ricky Burns has set up a potential

unification fight for early next year. The Scot will be favourite

over the Englishman on the 15th December in London. He admits a big

motivator is the thought of a unification bout with Adrien Broner

of America. It's the month of October, when in

racing the Jump Season gets properly under way. The racecourse

at Musselburgh saw the official launch and it was a moment to

celebrate recent success. Jonathan Sutherland's been checking the form.

With some girl power lingering in the air, racing is in a pretty good

place at the moment. There is the jockey, Lucy Alexander, 22 years

old and in her first year as a professional, she has had 38

winners, not bad in a male- dominated sport. Could you be a

role model? Hopefully. Hopefully people will see that there's not

such a barrier being a girl these days. If it brings more people into

the sport, that's good. I never thought somebody is pretty and kind

and nice as she is could combine that toughness with the skill she

has got. She's doing a fantastic job. The Scots are showing good

form. Jack Dexter won at Ascot this weekend although he was

overshadowed by another horse. big emotional day. It was just

superb. Jack Dexter on another day would have done well and been a big

story. We bred him. He was one of the favourites. To go down there

and win at Ascot is a big story in Scotland whatever. Another big

story is the Scottish jumps season getting under way. There's no

Frankel, but there is drizzle, but there is a sense in the sport that

the wind is blowing in the right direction.

That is your sport for this evening. A little bit more sport, though.

Greenock Morton Football club has found a new group of fans and they

are anything but local. In fact some come from thousands of miles

away. They are Filipino and Italian sailors who have been stranded in

Greenock for nearly three months after their ship was impounded.

Aileen Clarke reports. This a bulk carrier has not been

carrying anything since August. Impounded in Greenock Until

financial issues are sorted out, the crew, comprising of Italians

and Filipinos, are embracing the local culture. Keen football fans,

they discovered the home ground of Greenock Morton was short ground

from the ship, so the crew have been getting a taste of first

division football which makes a welcome change from their own

kickabout on the quayside. We are happy to watch the game. We enjoy

it too much. Who would you normally be supporting? Morton. Morton.

we find out that the people are very crazy about football. And the

crowd are good, very happy. Quite so relaxed crowd watching the team

training today. The club are sitting third in the First Division

and on a six-match unbeaten run. A good time to be picking up more

fans. It's good to know we have got people from a different country,

not understanding Scottish football, perhaps, but I think they have

praised us. Maybe more Filipinos will come on the boat and watch as

next week. The club's global appeal is nothing new. In the shop, they

are aware of the international fans, and a rake descending steps to

Australia, New Zealand, America, even Japan. -- a regular the

sending strips. -- regularly sending strips. Maybe these guys

are better spectators. Let's get the weather now from

Jackie, thank you very much. Stubborn mist and fog around today.

A lovely picture from Catherine here. This evening and overnight,

we will see a return of some mist and fog and in the south, some low

cloud of thick enough to produce some trouble -- drizzle. Clear

skies in the Central lowlands and temperatures will fall away down to

minus two. In the south, with a cloud, it will be milder. Tomorrow

morning, it will start fairly sunny and bright but there will be mist

and fog first thing. Further south, generally dry but cloudy as we head

through much of the day. And, in the north, across Orkney and

Shetland, Caithness, the Outer Hebrides, cloudy for much of the

day with outbreaks of light rain. Here are the brighter conditions,

towards Aberdeen by the afternoon, stretching down to Kintyre and the

south-west. The rest of the afternoon into the evening, and

overnight, we continue to see those light outbreaks of rain in the far

north and that is part of a weather front which is slowly moving its

way southwards. You can see the cold front clearly there and it's

quite important because it's the dividing line between the

conditions we have seen and the conditions on the way. The yellow

is being replaced by this a blue air coming down from the north, so

it will be cold for Thursday and Friday, but actually better weather

will come, dry and bright once the cloud breaks. If we take a look at

the source region for it, and see where it is coming from, trace the

isobars back, it's coming from the Arctic, so no wonder it is cold and

there will be some snow as well, particularly in the hills and

mountains of the north-east. On low levels in the Shetlands and very

cold indeed. Dry, bright, crisp, sunny but cold, five degrees. That

Thank you very much for that, Christopher.

Now just time for a summary of tonight's main stories. The First

Minister has denied lying over whether his government obtained

legal advice on an independent Scotland's potential membership of

the European Union. On the day two of his MSPs quit over another issue,

Alex Salmond appeared before parliament after opponents claimed

he had said in an interview he had sought legal advice, when it was

confirmed today the party had not. The Director General of the BBC

faced a grilling from MPs today over the Jimmy Savile sex abuse

scandal. George Entwistle admitted that the corporation's handling of