30/04/2014 Reporting Scotland

rain. A reminder of

On tonight's Reporting Scotland: A damning verdict of mistakes, lies

and institutionalised failure. A report into this council-run

crematorium in Edinburgh finds parents of babies whose ashes were

discarded will never know their child's final resting place.

I never expected to be sitting here. I loved that baby. I still love him.

And they have done me wrong. Some baby ashes were left and mixed

with adult remains the next day, others were dumped by a skip. We'll

have a full extended report. Also tonight: The SNP's policy to

tackle anti-social behaviour by increasing the price of drink is

delayed up to two years by Europe. The ability of primary school

children to count has dropped significantly in just three years.

And the full story of why black grouse are thriving in the

Trossachs. Good evening. The parents of babies

whose ashes were disposed of by staff at the Mortonhall crematorium

will face a 'lifetime of uncertainty'' about their child's

final resting place. That's one of the conclusions of a highly critical

report into the scandal. The inquiry found staff lied to bereaved parents

for years thinking they'd be ''too distressed'' if they knew the truth.

They scattered the ashes of more than 250 babies without telling

families. Some may even have been dumped by a skip.

Some have waited decades for answers.

He was born alive, the most beautiful boy.

Fraser lived for five minutes. I loved that baby, I still love him.

And they have done me wrong. His parents, like hundreds of

others, were told there would be no ashes from babies so small. That was

a lie. In fact, staff at the council-run Mortonhall crematorium

dumped some ashes by a skip. The report said staff felt it would be

to distressing to tell parents what had happened. The investigation

found ashes were mixed with those from adults.

I just think babies have been treated so differently from adults

and why? Things have changed, they have moved forward, why did someone

not say no, we have to do this differently because this has caused

so much distress to families. Edinburgh Council which runs

Mortonhall accepts it is to blame and has repeated its apology.

Parents were not told the truth and were given false suits about the

remains of their babies. That is completely unacceptable. It is

appalling for parents to have to revisit the distress of losing a

child. The council does not in any circumstance condone that behaviour

and will not accept it in the future.

The report concludes huge reform is needed, not just at the crematorium

but it NHS funeral directors as well. There are cases in Glasgow,

Aberdeen and five. Many hundreds more bereaved families might not

know what happens to their bereaved families.

One of the parents, Madelaine Cave, had wanted to scatter her daughter's

ashes in the hills but now she thinks she'll never know where her

remains were disposed. I help my baby and I kissed her and

I stroked her here. And I held her hands and I told her how much I

loved her. I cared for her and my family cared for her until the very

last second that we could. And then we passed her into the care of

Mortonhall. I will never ever know what happens to my baby's ashes. I

will never know her final resting place.

She died suddenly at 15 days old. She had a bad heart defect. It is

cruel that there is nothing left. We asked why that was and

cruel that there is nothing left. We that with a baby as young as Megan

was, there are no ashes. You hand your child over to them to take care

of and to respect your wishes and to respect your child and Mortonhall

did neither. They didn't respect are wishes, they lied to us.

And now there is an additional pain of having to live the rest of my

life without my child but also not knowing what happened to her

remains. Well, Morag Kinniburgh is at

Mortonhall crematorium tonight. A deeply emotional day for the

families. What will happen now, Morag?

The families still want a public inquiry and for the police to reopen

their investigation. Some are chasing compensation. No charges

have been brought against anyone in connection with what has happened,

no one has resigned, no crematorium has shut down, although the report

says any crematorium still operating that says ashes cannot begin to

bereaved parents is not allowed to do this. There will be a report in

the next few weeks and the tougher guidelines that will come out of

this once just apply to crematorium staff here at around the country and

to midwives and funeral directors in the hope that babies and their

families will be treated with more respect in future. It could be

almost two years until the SNP's proposals for minimum prices for

alcohol can be implemented. That's because Scottish judges have

now referred the matter to a court in Luxembourg to rule on whether it

complies with European Union law. Our Home Affairs Correspondent,

Reevel Alderson reports. An international symbol of Scotland

and one of our most important industries with annual experts of 4

billion. The government wants to increase the price of these products

to register drink fuelled violence, disorder and alcohol-related

illness. But as this policy passed by Holyrood only two years ago legal

under EU law? Is caught in Luxembourg is being asked to decide

whether the Scottish Government can bring in minimum alcohol pricing.

We do recognise this will take another 16 months before we get the

opinion from Luxembourg and then it will go back to the Court of Session

and they will make a final decision but at least that decision will be

made in Scotland on the basis of the opinion received from Luxembourg.

The government has accused fodder who brought the court case is trying

to block a democratic society 's and -- a democratic decision.

We always said it would be found illegal under EU law and we are

delighted the day in court now has the opportunity to take a view on

that. Scotland continues to have it

damaging relationship with drink. Campaigners say further delays will

mean for the people will suffer until the changes implemented. The

bottom line is that good alcohol policy saves lives and bad policy

kills Scottish people. Many people are being admitted to

hospital on a daily basis due to alcohol and this policy would save

lives. But the government says it is

important that a definitive ruling is made as several other European

countries are waiting to introduce their own pricing controls.

As numbers go, the figures aren't good. An official study of thousands

of Scottish school pupils has found the number of children doing well at

maths has dropped. Here's our Education Correspondent, Jamie

McIvor. Making maths engaging and relevant.

At this school, one thing they do is mix calculation with financial

education. We had to plan a party and decide

what things were the most relevant and we got a budget. One way or

another, everybody needs maths at some point in their life because it

is something you cannot avoid. It is what adults have been brought

in to explain. We have had a pilot, an architect and a banker rotten and

that has made maths relevant and they can see how they can use it in

the future. -- a banker brought in.

76% of primary brought pupils -- primary for pupils reached 76%.

The primary force and primary sevens, two thirds are doing well or

very well against the standard but we do recognise there is a depth in

performance. The figures also show that there is an increasing number

of people doing higher marks. There is to be more government money

but ensuring youngsters do better in maths isn't as straightforward.

The Electoral Commission says it will make sure all those campaigning

in the independence referendum abide by the rules on spending limits. A

number of groups have registered to campaign for a Yes vote and some

within Better Together believe this is being used as a front to boost

the Yes side's spending power. Our Referendum Correspondent Laura

Bicker is here to explain a bit more.

This road is about perceived fairness. Yes Scotland get ?1.5

million to spend. Other groups have registered to campaign. The CBI will

no longer be campaigning for the No vote. But there is also the No

Borders Campaign. These groups are involved in the Yes campaign.

The benefits of all of this is that each group will get ?150,000 to

campaign with. That is allowed and they are even allowed to work

together but what is not allowed is for someone to find multiple

campaigns and Somerton better together they are this may be

happening. Yes Scotland say they are adhering to strict guidelines but

what with all this mean anyway? What difference would it make?

The votes will be determined by the weight of argument or the many

issues, but rather by who spends the most.

The commission has responded and said that his spoken to grips to

make sure they are aware of the rules and they will be watching this

very closely. A look at other stories from the

across the country: Health inspectors have identified numerous

problems with elderly patient care at Glasgow's Southern General

Hospital. They found some patients with cognitive impairment were being

moved from ward to ward, against hospital policy, to help cope with

new admissions. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it was addressing the

concerns highlighted. Fishermen at a small harbour south

of Aberdeen have been given two weeks to remove their boats. The

owner of the Cove shore says he wants to improve the land where the

vessels are moored. A petition organised by the fishermen has so

far received more than 1000 signatures. The land owner has

refused to comment. My grandfather fished here, my

father first year and I fish myself. My grandfather fished here, my

I think it is such a shame. My grandfather fished here, my

going to take this beetle plays away.

-- beta full place. Salmon catches on the River Dee in Aberdeenshire

are significantly down this month because of the mild winter,

according to fisheries managers. The warmer climate confuses the fish

into swimming straight to the middle reaches of the Dee, leaving some

beats with hardly any fish. The owner of a Land Rover is

expected to try and retrieve his vehicle from the sea off Lewis after

causing a major search yesterday evening. The operation on Tolsta

causing a major search yesterday vehicle to get help, but it was

taken out on the high tide. The SNP has launched its campaign

for the European Elections - with a promise to put Scotland's interests

first. At the launch in Edinburgh, the First Minister Alex Salmond said

that independence would enable Scotland to play an active, positive

role in the European Union. This from our Political Editor, Brian

Taylor. They knew is this research Institute

near Edinburgh. It gives Scottish and European funding for its work on

animal welfare. and European funding for its work on

Other than party conference, our political leaders seldom

Other than party conference, our bloodsuckers but Nicola Sturgeon

Other than party conference, our surveyed a parasite. The First

Minister was nominated but declined. I will pass on that, I get queasy on

these things. But he was resolute about the what is facing Scotland.

An independent Scotland would be welcome in Europe at we could be

dragged out against our well unless we take matters into our own hands.

The SNP topped the polls in the last elections in Scotland. They

currently have two MEPs and hope to add another one. We are putting

Scotland's interests first. We have now divided loyalty. That is

what we go for, to speak for, to vote for Scotland's best interests.

No doubt the voters will scrutinise that and competing claims.

Time for the sports news. They'll be defending their

Commonwealth Games Gold medal later this year, but the All Blacks rugby

sevens team are already in Scotland. The New Zealanders are here for the

second last round of the World Series but it seems in one respect

they may have met their match. Jonathan Sutherland reports.

Everybody loves the all Blacks and the all conquering sevens side. And

we are trying to get these kids in love with rugby. There will be

scrums of a different time this weekend as it is the penultimate

round of the World Series. New Zealand top the table and they are

hoping to be smiling after losing out to South Africa last year. If we

hoping to be smiling after losing beat South Africa, in the final it

could be revenge. This usually sends fear into the Hearts of opponents,

but this version was more of a welcome. The all Blacks are back

later in the year and they are always keen to spread the rug the

message. It is a great opportunity to come and bring rug be here. We

are learning a lot about it. When you see a celebrity in your school,

it is autographs. Does it make you want to play rugby? Yes. It is

hoping getting this close to the all Blacks should live long in the

memory and 15,000 supporters will flock to watch the game.

The Scottish Professional Football League is taking no further action

over allegations Kilmarnock falsified a player's signature. The

claims were made by a former employee of the club. The SPFL says

all the relevant documentation has been examined.

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

Neil Lennon may be on the short list to become Norwich to the's new

manager but one Celtic player does not want him to go. We hope he stays

because he has been brilliant to Celtic. Fingers crossed he does

stay. Hearts are appealing against the charge of Miss conduct face by

Jamie Hamill. He is charged with barging into Ross County manager

couple of weeks ago. The last representative of Scotland

at the snooker world championship is out. Alan McManus lost out to Mark

Selby. Megan Dawson has had a shoulder

injury, ligament damage in her arm and a kidney infection. All systems

go now bow. I am hoping that is me with my

problems and I can concentrate on training and racing for The Games.

The final place in the boxing team has gone to Lewis Henson from

Edinburgh. That is him in lieu. And there is lots more on the BBC

sport Scotland website. -- him in blue.

What motivates cyclists when they're half way through a 100-mile training

session? It seems the possibility of competing in a home Commonwealth

Games is up there. Our Games reporter Jane Lewis spent the day

with a couple of cyclists who're hoping it's all worth it.

They are fuelled up and the route is being mapped out. For one cyclist,

the gruelling training will be worth it if it leads to a fourth

Commonwealth games. It is my inspiration to keep going with these

last four years after Delhi. Another has only been competing for three

years and is hoping to make the team for the first time. I am getting

into the sport quite late, but I think it is to my advantage. I am

motivated to train hard. My background is in bike touring. I did

some testing with the Institute of sport which tests your power output

and I passed all of the benchmark figures. I have been riding bikes

since I was a kid. It has given me everything I have got in my life and

now I do it as a job and I get the chance to represent Scotland at our

home, wealth games. Without a doubt it is hard training. It would mean

the world to me to get to the Commonwealth Games and compete for

Scotland. It would mean everything. You have to keep your eyes on the

prize. Before you know it it will be the opening ceremony.

That is all the sports. The rare black grouse is now

thriving in the Trossachs, according to conservationists. The success is

being credited to a huge project to restore woodland in an area the size

of Glasgow. Our environment correspondent, David Miller,

reports. 5am on an April morning. It may be

early but these male, black grouse only have one thing on their minds.

Attract a mate. They are strutting their stuff in front of their rivals

hoping to impress the females. It is an iconic species. It symbolises

amazing things in Scotland. Often in very wild places but it is a good

indicator on how the woodland are doing and the moorland habitat as

well. Black grouse numbers here in the Trossachs are up by 15%. It is

the decision to restore native woodlands across a vast area which

is seen as key to that success. This is a 200 year project, but take a

look at the Hillside behind me. You can see the Trossachs are already

changing. It is huge landscape, 16,500 have those, which is 22,000

football pitches. This was a huge sheep farm only 20 years ago. Today

this project is linking and restoring woodlands here in an area

up to Loch Lomond. Many people think of a forest and they think of a

blanket cover of trees. We are looking to get a complete mosaic of

open woodlands, dense woodland, wet habitats, working together. These

accounts are not complete but the numbers of black grouse are

promising. But it will only be in the years ahead if we discover the

recovery here can be sustained. Time for the weather now and what a

difference a day makes! It was pretty wet across most of the

country and this evening it is staying cloudy and wet. This is the

current rainfall radar. Heavy showers cropping up across Ayrshire.

This is the main body of the rain. Overnight it stays cloudy and wet.

Clearer skies up towards the Northern Isles. Yes, white flecks as

well, some snow but above 500 metres. Potentially sleet overnight.

It will feel cold tomorrow morning. Damp and cold and the breeze will

make it feel like the 1st of March rather than the 1st of May. In the

Northern Isles it will be chilly and in the afternoon, the rain will

fizzle and fade but there is a legacy of cloud. Because we are in

the cold air, temperatures seven, eight degrees so quite chilly

indeed. Further north, some sunshine and light showers. Because it is

colder, the temperature is not responding well. Nine, 10 degrees

but with blue skies it should feel better at least. The rest of the

afternoon, into the evening and overnight, we say goodbye to the

last of the rain and that means a chilly night. It is courtesy of high

building in from the North but with the high comes the cold air mass we

have been talking about. Right across the UK as we head towards

Friday. It will be a chilly day on Friday. They chilly start as well,

potentially frosty. But on Friday, the weather is dry, better, sunnier.

Maybe one or two light showers around as well. For the weekend,

Saturday isn't bad, dry, bright and sunny for most. Still a bit chilly

and clouding over in the West. Sunday will be chillier than

Saturday but Monday will be wet. Now, a reminder of tonight's main

news: The parents of babies whose ashes were disposed of by staff at

Edinburgh's Mortonhall crematorium will face a lifetime of uncertainty

about their child's final resting place. That's one of the conclusions

of a highly-critical report into the scandal involving the scattering of

the ashes of more than 250 babies. And that