07/04/2014 Reporting Scotland

years old and the mother of two spoiled children. Now

Tonight on Reporting Scotland, the demolition of Glasgow's Red Road

flats. Thousands of people sign a petition opposing the plan to open

the Commonwealth Games with a bang. I am not out to cause embarrassment,

am interested in saving embarrassment. So the quicker they

rethink this, the better. The games organisers say they are

still going ahead with the plan. On the programme. . New hope that

Hearts football club can avoid liquidation, after talks in

Lithuania with the creditors. A man dies after a car plunges into

Peterhead harbour after frantic efforts to rescue him.

New York turns tartan for the week but the referendum debate is

conspicuous by its absence. And we look back at a remarkable

victory for Raith Rovers over Rangers in the final of the Ramsdens

Cup. Good evening. Commonwealth Games

organisers are defending their plans to blow up five tower blocks in

Glasgow, as the centrepiece of July's Opening Ceremony. They say it

symbolises how Scotland's biggest city is changing for the better.

6,500 people have now signed an online petition against the

destruction of five of the six remaining Red Road high rises.

It has been just a few days since it was announced that the opening

ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, would feature the demolition of his

five Glasgow tower blocks. While that has created a bit of noise

already. An online petition open posed to the demolition being part

of the ceremony has attracted more than 6,000 signatures with comments

like: I am not out to cause embarrassment.

I am interested in saving embarrassment, so the quicker they

rethink this is better, then they can get on with planning a ceremony

that everybody can get some enjoyment out This block houses

asylum-seekers and will be left standing. One man staid here while

his application was processed I lived in Red Road flats for almost a

year. He thinks the idea is disrespectful to all asylum seeking

and local residents of the flats, past and present. I believe that

clubbing the both thing together, the Commonwealth ceremony and these

demolition is totally ridiculous because you are being, how could

destroying someone's house a source of joy and delight. They hope to

convince people including the demolition will help to show all

sides of the city. The less glamorous, the gritty We try to have

something that is more authentic and more meaningful and resonates off

the character of a city and a people of the city. So it is not simply a

spectacle. We would hope people will understand we are trying to be

deeply respectful, of that shared history of people they have and we

want to commemorate this incredible thing happening. We don't want it

just to come down on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Near the flats today,

there was some support. It is terrific. The more bang the better.

So you are happy for it to be part of the Commonwealth Games ceremony?

Certainly. But there is others who may still

feel destruction like this is for a Sunday afternoon, and not for a

world stage. Three men have been arrested after

what police describe as a racially motivate attack in Edinburgh. An

Asian man was said to be seriously ill in hospital after the incident

at Downfield Place in the Dalry away of the city in the early hours of

Sunday morning. Police are carrying out door-to-door wire I -- enquiries

and urge witnesses to come forward 6789 Hearts football club is still

in administration tonight, but one of the creditors of one major

shareholder have now agreed to transfer their holding to the bid

that would hand control to fans. Talks are continuing between lawyers

representing the or large shareholder, a failed Lithuanian

bank, and Hearts administrators. It has been a day of mixed messages

for Hearts administrators as they try to find some way to help save

the football club. Earlier this morning, they held a three hour

meeting with the creditors of the main shared, to try and find a

solution, and they got a result. A deal was concluded, and the shares

will be transferred back to Scotland.

Early this afternoon, they also held a meeting with the lawyers of

another major shareholder, and crucially, the owner of the stadium.

They are asking for more information on certain aspects, of the deal,

before an agreement can be reached. Much to the annoyance of fans back

in Edinburgh. It is a pain in the neck. It is just a shame for the

team, shame for everybody. We don't know what is happening. It has been

going on for weeks. I hope they can sit down and be depending on them

and say it is all going to happen, and hopefully it will be sorted

soon. On the pitch on Saturday Hearts had one of the best

performances of the season, defeating part tick thistle 4-2 but

results elsewhere confirmed the club's relegation out of the top

flight of Scottish football for the first time in over 30 years.

-- Partick Thistle. Budge, who is waiting in Edinburgh to take over

the club should a deal be concluded is wear of the situation. Talks are

set to continue over the next few day, but time is crucial. We were

told today it was D-Day. It may go on for another couple of days but

not too much longer. The Celtic and Scotland striker Lee

Griffith fifths is facing investigation by the football

authorities over claims of further doingty singing. Former Hibernian --

nan player is accused of joining fans in a song calling a player a

refugee. A man has been telling of his

frantic efforts to save a taxi driver whose car plunged into

Peterhead harbour. No-one else was injured, and Police Scotland say

they are in-- their investigations are at an early stage.

By late morning, the taxi is winched from the water up a slipway at the

harbour. Emergency services, including the left boat were on seen

within minutes of the accident. Eyenesses describe the car Dom

coming down at some speed before plunging over the wall into the

harbour. An offshore worker was driving past at the time. He saw

frantic activity, and decided to go into the water to try and help.

I just noticed, it looked like the tail end of car, so I jump out of

the car, so I took most of my clothes off, asked the guy if there

was someone in the car, he said yes. I climbed down the steps, into

water, swam to where the car had submerged, and I tried a couple of

times to get down to see the guy, but I couldn't get down to get him.

There was nothing you could do? No. With the Boyd diof the victim

recovered and the car taken away for further examination divers took to

the water to try and find more wreckage. Police say their

investigations into what happened are still ongoing. -- the body.

You are watching Reporting Scotland from the BBC.

Still to come on the programme. Tartan is in in New York. Crowds

turned fourth the Scotland Week parade but no-one is interested in

the independence debate. In sport, celebrations for Raith, but what is

the impact on Rangers? Defeated in the Ramsdens Cup. How the

Commonwealth Games are courting rivalries, as best friends battle

for selection. Spending on main tanning pavement in

Scotland had fallen sharply according to latest figuring.

Councils insist they are doing their best with limited resource,

campaigners say pedestrians are losing out.

-- figures. Poorly maintained and badly design, pavements and

crossings. They are more an an inconvenience. They can be

dangerous, especially for wheelchair users like Mike. There is much that

needs doing. Any sort of break, anything that you can't do stops you

completely. It is like a crevasse you can't get across. Mike says his

experience is far from unique. The latest figures show that spending on

footpath maintenance is down bay fifth since 2009 and campaigners

warn that is a false economy. We know that physical inactivity

costs us all money, so if we can invest in improving the walking

environment, that will save our health boards and other public

services money in the long-term. What we also find is that for many

people there are trip hazards, things they fall over and that costs

money in compensation payments. As well as asking utility companies to

do more to help. Scotland's councils say they recognise the importance of

well maintained foot ways, and continue to invest as much as their

budgets allow. Mike argues the situation must

improve. He is hoping Local Authorities will reflect on the

impact spending cuts are having on wheelchair user, and other

pedestrians. The funeral of the television cook

Clarissa Dickson Wright has taken place in Edinburgh. Friend and

relatives attended St Mary's Metropolitan Cathedral to pay

tribute to the former barrister, Clarissa was renowned for her strong

opinions. After alcoholism ended a successful legal career, she ran

cookery book shops before becoming one of the Two Fat Ladies in the

popular TV series. The annual Scotland week is under

way in New York. There is an abundance of tartan on the streets,

pipe bands and kilts are the order of the day, but there is not much in

the way of debate on the Independence Referendum. New York

limbered up for tartan day with the parade this city loves.

Band after band marched up sixth avenue, lined with crowds festooned

in flags and Bonnets and scarves. Some from home, getting a pleasant

surprise. We came for a holiday. Didn't realise it was tartan week,

so when we heard that we decided, let's go for it. Others clinging to

ancestry in a country where more than 30 million people claim to have

a line top Scotland. So when you get round the corner after the par rid

and get the bands together, that is probably our favourite part. It is

brilliant. It echoes throughout all the canyons and it is wonderful. It

was the start of Scotland Week when all businesses are advertising

Scotland and when anywhere in New York you might hear a piper warming

up, or subsiding into the night. The odd thing is that despite all the

political turmoil at home, independence isn't a word that is

been shouted from the side walks here, on sixth avenue. But what you

do see on display is the extraordinary scale, and depth, and

emotion that is involved in the Scottish connection in this country

and its history. It was a determined celebration. And

of course, distinctively American. Not far from the parade, stand two

wonderful sculpture, the scale models for Andy Scott's 100 foot

high kelpies. Looking at home under the towers. They are a crowd puller

here, Scottish art and industrial history fused in steel, who used the

Ince preration of them for his sculptures. The mythology angle was

one that got me in my creative path. It was to do with paying a tribute

to the great workforce of the Industrial Revolution in Scotland.

Everywhere you turn a glimpse of Scotland. Art, a lot of kitsch and

loads of passion. Now a look at other stories from

across the country. An investigation is under way to

determine what forced an Apache helicopter to make an emergency

landing on a farm on the outskirts of Aberdeen. The aircraft, taking

part in a NATO exercise, came down but no-one was injured. We went down

and talked to the pilot and co-pilot. They said it was an

emergency landing. They needed to set down quickly as they were

struggling to maintain height. They looked at setting it on the main

road. Pause bauz of the power lines they chose to go in a field. The

lack of emergency tug cover for the west coast has been highlighted

again after a large cargo ship was left drifting. The 30,000 tonne

vessel floated over 150 miles offshore. It has been taken to

Newcastle for repairs. Scotland's busiest snow sports are

sort has a new operator. The owner of the Cairngorm mountain site has

appointed natural retreats to run the railway and visitor centre. The

new operators are promised to invest 6 million over the next five years.

A salmon fishing firm at the centre of a row after it propose add cull

of seals at a prominent North East colony says it is not going to set

up a netting company. The weight in the town is regarded as the cradle

of Christianity in Scotland. Were attracting large volumes of

people, some who are engaged in spiritual quests and others curious

to see special places. This has the potential.

Towards the end of next month, you'll have the chance to elect

Members of the European Parliament. Scotland has six MEPs: two from the

SNP, two Labour, one Conservative and one Liberal Democrat. But this

contest is entangled with the debate over Scottish independence - and

with the question of whether Britain should withdraw from the European

Union. Our political editor Brian Taylor went to Brussels to try to

tease out the strands. The powerless believed to be powerful. Protesters

from Rwanda outside the European Parliament urging support for their

country. They have travelled to Brussels. As have I, too look at the

connections with Scotland. For Scottish MEPs, people of Scotland

may choose to demand independence. But they may be asked to leave

Brussels altogether. This man topped the list for the SNP last time

round. He sees the Scottish Referendum as an opportunity and the

UK plebiscite as a threat. There is real uncertainty and the real

possibility that if we remain part of the UK, Scotland could be removed

from the European Union without our view being taken into account.

For Labour, this man concedes it may be complex for voters.

On many issues, it is not clear where the answer lies. I take a

strong view that Scotland would not automatically become a member of the

European Union. I come to that opinion based on 30 years of

experience here. But I cannot be absolutely certain.

David Martin insists the weight of evidence lies firmly with the

union's side. MEPs clear the legislative backlog. EU supporters

insist there have been big reforms in farming, fishing, finance. But

this man, for Conservatives, there's Britain might quit the EU without

further fundamental change. I feel there is such antipathy to the

intrusiveness of Europe. The fact that more and more sovereignty is

being taken away from the member States to the centre, I think the

vast majority may vote to leave. That would be a catastrophe.

He believes more reform will happen to prevent that scenario. This

Liberal Democrat faces a tough fight. He decries independence.

Europe is about bringing nations together and sharing power and about

building the biggest single economy in the world. That is why we have

always argued we are better in Britain and in the EU.

Back in Scotland, a visual reminder of the European contest. More choice

for voters, from the Greens and UKIP. Do Scottish people want

someone who will fight for the corner? Or do they won't be slightly

xenophobic agenda of UKIP? The European agenda is undemocratic. It

has no democratic structure whatsoever. It is run by

bureaucrats. In Brussels, the strains of the

Hungarian folk singer. A reminder of national identity in this

international assembly. This is a sharply polarised political contest.

These European elections could play a part in Scotland's's referendum,

to influence thinking about whether they ought to be a British

referendum on membership of the European Union. In the first

instance, you play a part in electing members to this Parliament.

Now the sport. Rangers manager Ally McCoist says he

doesn't fear for his managerial future at the Ibrox club despite

slumping to a disappointing Ramsdens Cup final defeat to Raith Rovers.

It's a victory for the Kirkcaldy side that's got everyone talking,

including those who used to be in charge of running Great Britain. A

wonderful woman for the underdogs from Fife. It even has a former

Prime Minister waxing lyrical about the team he supported all his life.

In the last few minutes everyone was expecting a penalty shoot-out. Then,

suddenly, we managed to get a goal. They won the Scottish League Cup

against Celtic in 1994 and now they have won the vans and now they have

won the ransom cup against Rangers, so they have completed a sort of

double. For Kirkcaldy it is a great thing. The boost to the town. It

enhances community is great. There will be a reception for the team.

This is what football is about. The smaller teams can sometimes come

through and win things. This mandated them to their second

cup success ever. Rangers is one of the biggest clubs

in Britain. To beat them is something special.

Bad news for McCoist. He came under pressure in the newspapers this

morning. Ally McCoist will need to watch. I do like him and he is a

nice guy. The whole club is a disgrace.

That should not reflect on him. He has done what he can.

Can Ally McCoist turn things around in the game against Dundee United?

They will show people how it is done. Yesterday was a slip-up.

Now, a look at what else is happening across Scottish sport.

The Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been linked with a move to Norwich

City - the Premier League club sacked Chris Hughton yesterday -

Lennon gave his response. It is always flattering to be linked to

jobs. The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world. I

don't want to talk about that. I am in a stable situation with Celtic.

We hope he stays. It will be huge for the club if he stays.

An historic moment for Brora Rangers who've won their first ever Highland

League title. Hundreds of fans made the journey from Sutherland to see

their side defeat Keith 3-0. A tremendous feeling. To cease only

basis. A hard season. And there's live action tonight in

the Scottish Premiership. It's Hibs against Aberdeen. Check out

Sportsound on Radio Scotland 810 medium wave and the BBC Sport

Scotland website. Scotland's top squash players find

out tomorrow if they are selected for the Commonwealth Games. In the

men's team there are three places still up for grabs, but five players

in the mix. As Keir Murray reports, selection for Glasgow 2014 is

testing the best of friendships. Douglas Kensal, Greg Logan and be

Scotland assistant coach, Stuart Crawford. They are vying for the

final few places in Scotland's squash team for Glasgow 2014. Good

friends in competition. It is a strange scenario. We get on

really well. We train together every day. They are almost best friends.

Ultimately, they know that only one or two of them can be successful in

achieving their dream. It sounds harsh, but they will be responsible

for preventing the others from achieving their dreams.

What effect on their friendship? All keen to represent our country. It is

the best thing any of us could ever do. The main aim for us is to get a

medal. Whoever gets that, will be supported by the others.

In our spare time, we spend it together and we are a close-knit

friends. But there are only a limited number of places. When the

Commonwealth Games come we will be supporting everyone.

A window to Glasgow 2014 will open for some of these athletes tomorrow.

Now the weather. A fairly pleasant evening at the

moment. A number of showers working in from the West. Low pressure and

rain moving away to the North. But we can see scattered showers. After

midnight, confined to the north-west. Some clear skies through

parts of rural Aberdeenshire. Elsewhere, towns and cities, four or

five degrees. A breezy start tomorrow. A fresh wind. It will

become air and brighter for many areas although we will see a number

of showers. By afternoon, some decent sunshine around. Temperatures

are around 12 Celsius. Somewhat cooler on the West Coast with the

breeze. Perhaps 13 degrees across Aberdeenshire. A number of showers

across the far north, the Hebrides and Orkney bright and breezy. Some

lovely evening sunshine to come, but then the rain will come back. It

will stay with us through the north-west of the country throughout

the day on Wednesday. Away from that north-west corner, largely drive.

Some showers in the central belt. Most rain in the north-west.

Temperatures around 10 degrees. By Thursday, most rain clears away.

A reminder of the main news: Peaches Geldof has died at the age of 25.

The circumstances are not yet clear. She has been described as funny,

clever and witty. Commonwealth Games organisers are

defending their plans to blow up five of the red Road tower blocks in

Glasgow as part of July's opening ceremony. 6.5 thousand people have

signed an online petition against it. That is all for now. Goodbye.

The hardiest annuals return for another spectacular display.

Who will flourish in the hothouse? Full tournament on Radio 5 Live

with more live TV coverage than ever before.