31/03/2017 Reporting Scotland

The First Minister formally requests the power to hold a second

independence referendum, arguing there's "no rational reason"

The bin lorry driver that crashed in Glasgow, killing six

people, walks away with a three year ban for a separate offence.

These foster parents say they deserve the same protections

We are getting involved, we are trying our best, we are doing

everything on our own. Why are local authorities scared to give us

employee rights? Also on the programme,

Celtic could clinch the Premiership title tonight

without kicking a ball, if Aberdeen lose

away to Dundee. And how the beekeeping boom

could be putting the future The First Minister has formally

requested the transfer of powers from Westminster to hold

an independence referendum. In a letter to the Prime Minister,

Nicola Sturgeon says there is "no rational reason" why this request

should be declined. But Downing Street says it

would be wrong to hold talks while the details

of Brexit remain uncertain. And the Scottish Tories

accused the First Minister On a sofa, the image of shoes off

relaxation, the First Minister signs a letter urging an Independence

Referendum, an obvious contrast with the Prime Minister, signing goodbye

to the EU at a desk below a portrait of Britain's first Prime Minister.

One I sit around the day goes shipping table... Nicola Sturgeon

One I sit around the day goes says she wishes Theresa May every

success in Brexit talks, promising full and constructive support. The

motion is agreed. But she reminds the Prime Minister that the Scottish

Parliament has now voted for an Independence Referendum to coincide

with the inclusion of those Brexit negotiations. The First Minister

adds that there appears to be no rational reason for you to stand in

the way of the will of the Scottish Parliament, and I hope you will not

do so. I asked the First Minister why now, when she knew the Prime

Minister had already said no. I'm writing to the Prime Minister today,

to set out the rational case for the will of the Scottish Parliament. But

you know the answer. She has said no. Let me finish. I'm writing to

her to formally request that she respects the view of the Scottish

parliament. What we're dealing with his natural gas me or the SNP, this

is the will of Scottish Parliament. If she refuses to enter into these

discussions, what I said very clearly is this. In my view the will

of the Scottish parliament must be respected. It is a question not of

if it is respected, but how. Spokesman for the Prime Minister

confirmed she would not enter any talks now about independence. The

Scottish Tories say the focus should be on Brexit. It is a highly

theatrical gesture we have all been anticipating. This is a request for

a referendum which the people of Scotland don't want, and the Prime

Minister has made it clear she does not believe now is the time. In many

respects this is pure theatrical politics. It will not serve any

meaningful purpose and we will not be having a referendum in the

immediate future until our future outside of the European Union is

clear. Nicola Sturgeon insists Scotland must be given a choice. For

now, stalemate. And Brian is in the Scottish

Parliament for us this evening. Holyrood is now in recess. Nicola

Sturgeon says she will return after the fortnight's resellers -- recess,

fairly early in the new term, and set out the options and what she

intends to do to implemented. She has a mandate for a referendum. The

more radical options would include obliging able -- an election here in

Holyrood, resigning and mass and forcing by-elections. Another could

be noncompliance with the Brexit procedure. Nicola Sturgeon says she

will set out the details as and when she returns to Parliament here. In

the meantime, she is waiting for the formal response from the Prime

Minister. We don't have that yet. We will get that in due course. She

didn't agonise, she didn't fret. It will be a no.

The driver of a bin lorry which crashed in Glasgow, killing six

people in December 2014, has been banned from driving

for three years and will have to wear an electronic tag

Arriving at the sheriff court knowing he could face a custodial

sentence. Last month, Harry Clarke, on the right, pleaded guilty to

culpable and reckless driving. His licence was taken away after he lost

consciousness at the wheel of a bin lorry which crashed in Glasgow city

centre in December 20 14. Six people were killed. Many others were

injured. But just nine months after the crash, he was seen back behind

the wheel on a public road. Harry Clarke admitted driving on this road

in the East End of Glasgow. Neighbours had seen him from a

window getting into his car in the private car park near his home,

turning on the headlights and driving onto the road. His car was

back two hours later. In his defence, Harry Clarke's lawyer said

he had driven the car 30 yards from the car park to the front door and

returned it a couple of hours later. In court last month, Harry Clarke

admitted or should have known he was unfit to drive following the bin

lorry tragedy, and an episode more than four years earlier when he

worked as a bus driver for first bus. But a fatal accident enquiry

also held here heard he had a history of fainting and blackouts

over 30 years, and had been to the doctor 300 times in that period. The

enquiry found he had lied on forms to get jobs and keep his license.

And the crash could have been avoided had he told the truth about

his medical history. Harry Clarke's lawyer said nothing he said today in

mitigation is intended in any wait to diminish the events of December

2000 and 14. Sentencing Harry Clarke today for driving again, the sheriff

told him the decision he had taken to drive on the road, even for a

short distance, was wholly irresponsible and reprehensible, and

placed the safety of the public at risk. He said, you must have been

acutely aware of the possible consequences of you losing

consciousness while driving. Harry Clarke has been banned from driving

for three years, although his license had already been revoked

indefinitely on medical grounds. He will be supervised for a year, is

tagged and on a curfew between 7pm and 7am for four months. He has to

do on paid work. If he breaches this, the consequences could be

extremely serious, said the sheriff. An employment tribunal case taken

by two foster carers in Glasgow, could have wide ranging implications

for the future status of foster The case will consider

whether these carers should be treated as an employee

by local authorities, with all Just tea for two these days. The

Johnsons have been fostering youngsters, including some with

behaviour issues, since 2011. But they say they haven't had a child to

look after for almost a year. They want to take Glasgow City Council to

an employment tribunal, citing unlawful deduction of wages

following a whistle-blowing incident. To do that they need to be

regarded as employees. But that is not the kind of arrangement local

authorities currently believe they have with foster carers. We work

with vulnerable young people, we are helping, we're not walking by. We're

getting involved, we are trying our best. We are doing everything in our

home. Why local authorities kicks -- scared to give us employee rights or

workers' rights? The Johnson is also believe that if they were recognised

as employees, then the council in this city and councils elsewhere,

would have a clear duty of care towards foster carers and not just

the children they look after. Many foster carers do work with local

authorities are independent fostering agencies. They have a

written agreement that says what they have to do, they get paid. They

are often trained. Sometimes expensively. Yet they have no

employment rights whatsoever. Glasgow City Council did not wish to

comment but said they provide combines of support to foster

carers. carers.

-- comprehensive support. It expected the tribunal will sit

early in the summer. And its determination as to whether foster

carers are actually employees full employment rights, or it should be

termed as workers, but still brings some rights, or should stay on the

same arrangement at the moment without those benefits. That will be

of huge importance not just to foster carers themselves, but to

local authorities throughout the country.

Aileen Clarke. The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has

called for people who wish to appear during its first public

hearings, to come forward. The hearings will begin at the end

of May, and will hear evidence from survivor groups and large care

providers, as well as The inquiry says evidence

is continuing to be taken Production has been partly shut down

on a North Sea installation Dana Petroleum says there was no

safety risk from the release, which was discovered when bubbles

appeared on the surface near its The Health and Safety Executive

is investigating. Celtic could secure

the Premiership title this weekend If Aberdeen lose to Dundee tonight,

or the Parkhead club beat Hearts on Sunday,

they'll secure six league So what does all of that

say about the standard Here's our Senior Football Reporter,

Chris McLaughlin. Once again it has been Celtic's

season. Unstoppable, at times unplayable. There is every chance

the spoils will come to be victors this weekend. And when they do, this

is the man who will be held above all others. Brendan Rodgers, Celtic

manager and architect of recent success. What he has brought to

Celtic has meant they have moved forward massively quickly. This is

by far is the best title because they are so far ahead. And they are

playing some great football as well. Grid Portal -- football but a

predictable outcome. Success has led to questions about the lack of

competition. Juventus are on the verge of winning their sixth

consecutive title. Other teams, PSG, the challenge of Monaco this season,

you look to Germany, iron have won it hundreds of times that make many

times. The club can do much no more. We want to keep pushing on the

field. Who will push back? This was the last time another team won the

league, Rangers in 2011. Can they are anybody else stop Celtic in the

near future due We simply do not know. There has been so much

instability about the Ibrox club that you cannot say with any

assuredness that even next season or the season after that, they will

mount that traditional challenge. This area in front of Celtic Park

has become known as the Celtic way. Celtic's away on Brendan Rodgers has

been win and win in some style. But the former Liverpool manager has

brought more. A hunger, a ruthless efficiency. The League Cup is

already in the bag and the title will soon join it. All that is left

is the Scottish cup to complete a clean sweep, the domestic trouble.

Where once there was hope, now there is expectation.

Scotland captain Scott Brown will declare himself

available to play for his country in June's World Cup qualifier

The BBC has learned the midfielder will be given some time off once

Celtic win the Premiership title, which could be as soon

Brown has been available for Scotland on a game-by-game basis

since reversing his international retirement decision last November.

You're watching BBC Reporting Scotland.

The First Minister has sent a letter, formally asking

the Prime Minister for the power to hold another

And in rugby, both Glasgow and Edinburgh are aiming

to reach the semifinals in European competitions.

Stroke patients are helping scientists at Edinburgh University

understand what might cause bleeding in the brain.

A new powerful combined scanner is being used to detect a build up

of abnormal proteins in people's brains.

Our health correspondent, Lisa Summers reports.

It is a high-tech and powerful device which could hold the key to

causes of bleeding in the brain. Mick Burns is one of the first

patients to be involved in this new research. He had a stroke last May.

I went to work and I realised something was going wrong. I wasn't

able to sign in. I knew something was telling me I need to do

something about this. I contacted my GP at the time. And he suggested I

get to hospital as quickly as possible. His recovery has been good

but he doesn't know what caused his stroke. That is why he signed up to

this study. The sophisticated scanner combines MRI scanning that

shows structural details, with PET scanning, that follows things like

brain activity. The scientists are tracking the build-up of an abnormal

protein. They hope it will lead to a better understanding of what

triggers conditions like a stroke. At the moment it is difficult to do

it. You need not opted to it. That is obviously difficult to perform.

What we are trying to do is almost use the scanner to look at the level

of the protein in real life to see if we can identify patients whose

stroke was due to this. The technology will be eventually used

to investigate other diseases, particularly dementia. It is part of

a huge project tracking patients across the UK. You can have lots of

small strokes, one can of dementia. Other people have Alzheimer's

disease. That is a build-up of abnormal protein in the brain,

causing the connections in the brain to fail. That is when patients

develop Alzheimer's. It is hoped a clearer picture of what causes

conditions like dementia and strokes will lead to better diagnosis and

ultimately better treatments. East Kilbride, Scotland's first

new town is celebrating its 70th East Kilbride has grown into one

of Scotland's largest towns. Its continued expansion is not

without its critics. It may not look like it, but this

was a vision of the future. The first of many roundabouts which

directed family is flowing out of nearby Glasgow and into what was to

become Scotland's most successful new town. All housing development

areas have main roads and bus routes going round them. The original plan

was to accommodate 45,000 people. Families moved here for better

housing, jobs and more opportunities. There was a great

sense of optimism. This is a place where people choose to live and

raise a family. A place where people can make a good life and enjoy

themselves. East Kilbride was a traditional rural village until the

new town was built. The old Parish Church, I met up with some of the

early residents. The concept was a relatively small new town, and now

they tell us its 70 5000. I think they must have forgotten 25,000

people, I don't know where they are. Now the village is swamped by new

housing. It's lovely to see new people getting housing, but it's

swamped. It has changed tremendously. Do you think a new

term has ever got as big as this? No, that wasn't the original

concept. Up to 50,000, there was still to some extent a village

tradition and village life. There was a spirit. But as we have moved

on since that stage, it's lost its way to some extent. The green belt

surrounding the town brought ample opportunity for recreation and fresh

air. East Kilbride has grown way beyond that original plan with a

air. East Kilbride has grown way population today of 70 5000. And

air. East Kilbride has grown way that growth is threatening to

swallow up nearby villages. Much to the alarm of locals. There is a

disappearance of the community that was here when I first moved here in

1989. The town of East Kilbride is indeed getting closer. The green

belt spaces are disappearing. If you look at the amount of green farmland

left between East Kilbride, Jackson and Eagleson, is diminishing very

rapidly. These young people of East Kilbride will now be retired. 70

years on, I wonder if they feel whether that sense of optimism is

justified? A leading biologist says

Scotland's native honey bees are being threatened by imports

brought in because of the hobby's A new group has been formed to help

protect the indigenous species and convince more

keepers to convert. Our environment correspondent

Kevin Keane reports. They are Scotland's only native

honeybee and now there are fears this buzzing insect is at risk.

There is honey or syrup they have converted into the equivalent of

honey. That's their winter food. The threat is not from population is

dying out, but new species been brought in from across Europe. They

are arriving to meet the growth in popularity of beekeeping and

crossbreeding with the natives. We are concerned that they are on their

way out if we don't do something to ensure that there's going to be

these Bees in the future. It's a case of no real focus to date from

the keepers of interest. There are about 3000 bee keepers in Scotland.

Without them there would hardly be any bees at all. It's the growth in

popularity of this hobby that's putting these bees at risk. To the

untrained eye, this species looks quite similar to its European

cousin. The imported variety is cheaper to buy but a lot less

resilient. These bees will have involved in environments with damp

conditions, damp winters. -- involved in environments. They can

fly in lower temperatures which are more normal in Scotland. That makes

them more hardy and adapted to the environment. We will need to inspect

all our clients roughly once a week. The beekeepers say their role is

vital for the protection of all bees. They say the risk of disease

is high and colonies need to be managed. That remains the biggest

threat to survival. Beekeepers now need to intervene to treat colonies

and reduced numbers to help these through the winter. This new group

wants to raise awareness of the native bee and lobby the government

for their protection. It's an important weekend

for Scotland's two Glasgow and Edinburgh playing

for places in the semifinals Our sports reporter

David Currie joins us now Certainly is. Good evening. A couple

of weeks after the six Nations, our top rugby players get the chance to

test themselves again, this time against a couple of the best club

teams in Europe. Firstly in the Challenge Cup, the equivalent of

football's Europa League, Edinburgh play this evening at Murrayfield

against French league leaders La Rochelle. With me to talk about that

is the former Scotland international Peter Wright. Edinburgh's form in

the pro 12 lead has been nothing short of dire. They have lost their

last five games but have been superb in Europe. Does that make tonight

difficult to call Costa it does. They have only won four times in the

league, but they have beaten Harlequins home and away in the cup.

We don't know how it will go. They are a team when it comes to cup

rugby. They have good pedigree and were in the cup final couple of

years ago, just losing to Gloucester. I think they've got a

chance. No doubt about the big game of the weekend. Glasgow Warriors in

the Champions Cup, the more prestigious tournament, and they are

away to defending champions Saracens in London on Sunday. I've been along

to watch the Warriors training for what could be the biggest game in

their history. Formed 21 years ago with the aim of

competing with Europe's best, it could be said Glasgow have come of

age. Making ready for their first European Champions Cup quarterfinal.

This is something the club has been working on for a long time. They

know how important work to get it, how the effort and disappointment

we've had in previous seasons in Europe, we have to throw everything

at Saracens. Their opponents can call on talents like England

superstar Owen Farrell and their culture of success at the highest

level. Saracens, after all, our English Premiership champions. And

also the defending European champions. The London side haven't

lost a match in European competition for two years. Probably better than

what we had in the pool stages. We will have to up our game, but that's

why we play footy, to be in this situation. Warriors are winners too.

Regularly reaching the Pro12 league play-offs, beating the best Irish

and Welsh sides to the title two years ago. I think having that

victory in Belfast in the Pro12, the final against Munster, but in terms

of the result, being European champions away from home in our

first quarterfinal, that will be the best result we've had. Reaching the

semifinals isn't the limit of Warriors' ambition. Some are

reaching for the stars. We're not just wanting to stop there. We want

to create even bigger history and go to the final and win that. If we

play well and everything goes to plan on the day, we know we can do

it. You can listen to both matches on

BBC radio Scotland, starting with Edinburgh against La Rochelle

tonight. Now time for the weather. Most of us had rained today but it

has been steadily marching northwards leading to drier and

brighter conditions behind it. Tonight we will hold onto some light

and patchy rain across the Western Isles, the far north-west Highlands

and Shetland. Saubers developing across the far south. Otherwise dry

and fairly cloudy. -- showers developing. Temperatures falling in

Aberdeenshire to just one or two Celsius, but clouding over later. A

mild nights to come for most of us, temperatures widely six to eight

Celsius with the light wind. The beginning of April dawns on a fairly

cloudy note with some outbreaks of rain, particularly across the

north-west. The general theme tomorrow is brightness and sunshine

and also some April showers, initially in the West and becoming

more widespread as we go through the day. By tomorrow afternoon, I think

we will continue to see a scattering of showers across Dumfries and

Galloway, through the Borders and through central and eastern areas.

Some of the showers will be heavy and slow moving. The odd rumble of

thunder isn't out of the question. Some bright or sunny spells in

between the showers and highs of 12 or 14 Celsius, not feeling too bad

with light wind. Showers becoming fewer and further between across the

Western Isles and western coastal areas tomorrow afternoon. For hill

walking and climbing tomorrow, in the more western ranges the same

story. Sunshine and showers. I think the showers will lead to poor

visibility at times, but in the sunshiny visibility will be fairly

good. North-westerly wind around 15 mph. Similar story in the more

eastern ranges. Sunshine and showers, 2-4 C on the tops.

North-westerly winds around 10-15 mph. Tomorrow evening, a ridge of

high pressure essentially killing off the showers so it becomes dry,

clear, fairly chilly, with perhaps a touch of Frost developing in

sheltered rural areas. By Sunday, the ridge of high pressure staying

with us. The better day of the weekend. Dry, bright and plenty of

sunshine and highs of around 13 or 14. By Monday we will have rain

moving into the south-west, especially drier further east and

the rain will be accompanied by strengthening Southwest wind. By

Tuesday, it looks like it will be mostly dry. We might just see some

light rain in the West and it looks fairly breezy.