17/05/2017 Reporting Scotland

The Labour group on Aberdeen council is suspended from the party

after forming a coalition with the Conservatives against

This isn't about positions, this is about the job Labour councillors are

elected to do protect public service, to invest and defend public

We'll be live in Aberdeen with the latest.

As unemployment falls again in Scotland, we take a look at how

the so-called gig economy is changing the world of work.

The frightening moment a schoolgirl's tongue got trapped

It took hospital staff more than four hours to free her.

Why this multiple sclerosis sufferer is rethinking his plans

And, after another early defeat for Andy Murray,

can the world number one recover his form

Scottish Labour has suspended all nine members of the Labour group

of councillors in Aberdeen for breaching party rules

and forming a coalition to run the City Council with the Tories.

Fiona Stalker's there for us this evening.

Fiona, talk us through what's been going on there today.

Well, they say a week is a long time in politics, how about a few hours?

It has been a day of deal, resignation, and suspensions but a

coalition of, are now running Aberdeen but not even is happy.

Labour's 5.00 deadline came and went. Kezia Dugdale demanding the

nine Labour councillors remove themselves from a coalition with the

Tories are. They refused. Your reaction your suspension? I am

disappointed because I have been a member of the Labour Party for a

long time or group took the decision we wanted to go into coalition

because we feel it is best thing for the people of Aberdeen, we feel that

we have negotiated a good deal with our partners which means that we

have anti-austerity means within the programme that will be brought

forward. The controversial development seen by many as the

reason Labour got a thumping at the local elections but tonight they are

back in power. The deal don with the Tories. A Labour Lord Provost was

elected, nominated by Conservatives. The SNP, the biggest party left in

opposition What have seen is a dark day for democracy s they are the

three headed hound of hell. It it was a day of comes and goings, the

Tories giving up council leader hip to Labour, despite being the bigger

party. Has democracy I been done today? It is not the party with the

most councillor that formed the coalition, but the group is coming

together to have a storm partnership, so with 23 members I

think it is fantastic for the city. Amid the turmoil the Liberal

Democrats lost a councillor when one of theirs crossed the chamber to

join the independents. I think there will be anger among a large

proportion of the population in Aberdeen. They will be angry there

is no change. I am shocked at the behaviour of the Conservative Party

and Labour. One member of the public has made their feelings known about

the new coalition. What happens next? The nine councillors have been

suspended from Scottish Labour pending an investigation, they are

calling themselves Aberdeen Labour and they say they will continue to

campaign alongside the Scottish Labour colleague, for the up coming

Labour colleague, for the up coming general election.

Well, in the last half an hour, Scottish Labour Leader Kezia Dugdale

This isn't about position or golds round the necks of councillor, this

is about the job they are elected to do to protect public service and

defend thenment the deal coming from Aberdeen didn't pass that test, that

is why it was rejected by the democratic body of the Labour Party,

why that must be respected and why we have moved to suspend the

we have moved to suspend the councillors.

And with me now is our political editor Brian Taylor -

Brian, how damaging is this to the Scottish Labour

I certainly think the general election is concentrating minds that

it is what this row is about. Let us reremember a couple of facts in the

previous set of council, both Labour and the SNP in various guises,

whether in coalition or partnership with the Conservative, the SNP ruled

out a deal with the Tory, Labour ruled out not a deal with the

Tories, but any deal they said would increase austerity for communities

but to be fair to Labour, in advance of the agreement in Aberdeen, a

panel of the Scottish executive committee said they went happy with

the deal, they thought it was the wrong thing to do and they said it

should not happen, the councillors wept ahead regardless. How does this

affect Labour? There will be some voters in Scotland who will discount

this, they will pay no attention to it, they will pay no heed, they will

vote as they are going to vote regardless. Some will be impressed

at dug danger taking what is seemingly a tough stand, frankly

against member of her own party, but there another prospective. People

tend not to vote for parties that are pay tenially divided. It tends

to deter the voters. Earlier Kezia Dugdale was asked on our sister

programme on BBC Radio Scotland how she would rank her campaign and

Labour's campaign from one o ten, she gave it six or seven with three

weeks to go. I am not sure tonight she will be increasing that score

all that much. Thank you for that. And speaking of the general

election, the Liberal Democrats have published their UK election

manifesto and reaffirmed the party's opposition to Scottish independence

and a second indy referendum. But it's Brexit that's

at the heart of their campaign. Here's our political

correspondent, David Porter. Elections, battle buses and

manifestos go together. The Liberal Democrats key is Brexit is not cut

and dry. Do you have people based in markets to do the face to face...

How Brexit pans out will affect everyone, including this start up

company in Glasgow. It provides loyalty cards for the small business

sector. That deal ultimately will have to be signed off and the

question is who should do that? Who should have that choice about

whether that deal is good enough? I don't think it should up to the

Government or to Parliament, I think it should be the people that have

that final say, and the option to remain in the EU if it a bad deal

that Theresa May brings back from the negotiations.

Out on the stump the SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon. She is keen to

frame Brexit debate from the nationalist perspective. The key

choice for people is whether we are going to give the Tories a free

hand, not just to pursue Brexit but to pursue an extreme form of Brexit.

An extreme Brexit could put 80,000 Scottish jobs on the line, my

message in this election is if you vote for the SNP, you are giving me

a mandate to demand that Scotland's interests around that negotiateling

table. Rights answer if you are a Tory, at

this nursery in Thornley bank the focus on early years education, but

Brexit is never far away. Once you have asked that question, I think

our experience in Scotland shows we shouldn't have to be dragged back

and reasked us until the side that lost get what they want out of the

end of it. We made the decision, we are leaving the European Union, the

idea now is who is going to get the best deal, Jeremy Corbyn or Theresa

May? I trust Theresa May, to get a much better deal than I would trust

Jeremy Corbyn. Labour's leader also clear of the

challenges ahead. I think the result of the EU

referendum should be respected and even has to work hard to get the

best possible deal from Brexit. That involves rejecting the Tories's hard

right-wing approach to Brexit, the way do that is to vote for a Labour

Government on 8th June. At Holyrood a different tone from the election.

A visit from Brendan cox whose wife Jo Cox was murdered last year. I

think it is more important during times where we disagree to remember

the things that are more fundamental to say of course we can disagree

with each other but there is no space for hatred within that debate.

The Scottish party leaders took time out from the cut and thrust of the

campaign, to sit down together for tea with Brendan cox. All agrees

some things are just more important. All agrees some things

are just more important. Unemployment in Scotland has fallen

by 14,000 in the last But the world of work is changing,

with more people now earning money through the so-called "gig economy"

- where one-off services - like taxi rides and takeaway meals -

are arranged by mobile phones. While some enjoy the freedom

of life off the payroll, there's concern about the level

of rights and benefits these workers are entitled to,

as our political correspondent, And relax. This mass Sergeant

therapist is enjoying her new career after being made redundant. Being

self-employed, Elizabeth is her own boss. She doesn't receive sick pay

or paid holidays but there is a Huang. A of freedom I am in charge

of everything. I think if I sat down with somebody, and spoke about the

plus points and also the challenges of being self-employed, to being on

a payroll we could probably come up we the same amount of items on each

list albeit they would be very different. There has been a rise in

traditional self employment like this since the recession. But the

world of work is changing. At the swipe of a screen, with the new gig

economy. Big companies link workers to customers for a one officer

advice, and take a cut. It's sold as giving workers more control but the

reality for in uber-driver is different. Deisn't set our own fare,

we are to in control of our own earnings, we have to do it the

uber-way or the high way. But on the high ways of Glasgow, uber-put us in

touch with one driver who sees the benefits of working for himself and

the company. You press a button you are working, you press a button you

stop working, nobody is there telling you what to do. That is the

foundation of flexible working as far as I'm concerned. There is

currently an independent review into the gig economy. In this election

the parties are making various promises round increasing works'

right and better pay. Budding Chancellors will want to make sure

they don't miss out of tax revenue as self employment increases. If the

next UK Government tries to address some of these issues round

differences in tax treatment, between the self-employed and

employees that has to go alongside changes in the employment rights of

people working in the self employment sector. So as office

staff enjoy a lunchtime rest in George Square politicians in this

general election campaign are working hard, to try to adapt to

this changing world of employment. Yesterday, we brought you

news of the longest running criminal A husband and wife were convicted

of fraud and money laundering, with victims finding out they no

longer owned their homes. The court proceedings

cost around ?7.5 milion. But the case raises questions

about the future of these trials. This trial has been

remarkable in many ways - it was originally scheduled

to take 4-6 months. It lasted more than

a year and a half. In that time, the judge officially

retired, but had to be kept on, a juror got married,

and a lawyer's baby was born. But can you imagine being called

for jury duty and finding, that your normal working life had

to be suspended for more Jurors do get paid, but if you're

in a higher paid job But this case also raises questions

about the legal system itself. The whole trial was on edge when

the number of jurors fell to 12 - the minimum number required

to reach a verdict. If another juror had

been unable to continue, So, are jury trials the best way

to achieve justice in long In terms of very very serious case,

involving very complicated financial concepts and influents the ordinary

person might not be familiar with you might well ask is this value for

money and is it good justice, the best way to deliver justice? I am

not sure on either test whether with are delivering that in Scotland

are delivering that in Scotland today.

The Scottish Government is planning to look at the work of juries -

it will be at least two years before we find out more.

Another question raised by the case is who is prosecuted.

Lawyers who carried out the property transactions which turned

out to be fraudulent, were not put on trial.

Some of the families I spoke to who lost their home in the scam

say the professionals involved should be tried too.

Every single home report, surveyor should be held account, in my eyes

Yet, because they gave evidence for the Crown they effectively have

immunity from prosecution in the criminal court

The BBC has discovered that two of the lawyers involved have been

struck off by their regulator and two have previously

been disciplined - all for other matters.

Other lawyers take these matters very very seriously, it is a

privilege to an extent to be able to handle money, and that being so,

there is a zero tolerance of mortgage fraud within the profession

The Law Society of Scotland, who regulate lawyers,

have said they will wait for papers from court before they decide

whether they will look at the actions of the solicitors

involved - but what's certain is there are problems with them

There is also, separately, an independent review under way

into whether lawyers need to be better regulated.

So there is plenty to look out for after what is now a historic case.

A child's travel mug has been withdrawn from sale across Europe

by The Disney Store after a school girl from Kirkintilloch

Hospital staff had to use bolt cutters, a hacksaw and drill

to remove the screw-top cup from the seven-year-old's mouth.

The company said it was an unfortunate incident

that they had taken seriously by immediately stopping sales

A day out in the park is the best way for a little girl to get over

her ordeal. Because this time last week the

seven-year-old spent hours in hospital with her tongue stuck

firmly in the lid of her drinking bottle They tried various tool,

scissor, bolt cut evers, eventually a hack saw. That was what worked the

best, they tried to use some local anaesthetic in her tongue which was

painful. She was screaming at that point. I had to held her down. The

mark on her tongue is healing nicely. Fortunately she doesn't

remember much about what happened in hospital, but her injury did make a

few things difficult. Talking and eating. I couldn't eat. It turns out

what happened to Megan wasn't an isolated incident. Another mother

from Midlothian has been in touch with this family, to say that her

nine-year-old son's tongue got stuck in a similar travel mug. The main

difference is her child didn't end up in hospital. It was a Disney cup

like this which caused the problems. In a

Three other mugs have also been withdrawn from sale, while there for

plans for a full recall, customers can return the mugs for a refund.

Komi An Inverness man who planned

suicide clinic next month is to defer the visit.

Colin Campbell, who's been encouraged to seek support

by a fellow sufferer, has called for more help for others

NHS Highland says support for MS patients is tailored to suit

individual needs and is very much driven by them.

how people should be looking at this is Colin is worn out with having had

this illness and his death will give him release. Colin Campbell speaking

earlier this month about his plan to end his life in Switzerland after

being unable to face another winter stuck in a second-floor flat with

multiple sclerosis. Isn't as nice? This is better than sitting indoors,

isn't it? Now his life has taken a different turn after being contacted

by a fellow MS sufferer who is encouraging him to access better

support for his progressive illness. I had to fight very hard to get my

help and I found lots of barriers. I now have carers, promote abilities

Cooter, and a great life now, but a few years ago, my story was very

different and I can see Colin the way I used to be. What did you think

of that, Colin, going on your scooter for the first time? I think

was excellent. I enjoyed it and I agree it's totally liberating. The

56 inroad has now decided to defer his visit to the Swiss clinic while

he seeks more help and treatment. My situation was extremely bleak. This

has given me some kind of optimism which I definitely didn't have, so I

owe that to her. There's a lot of people forgotten, who needs a lot of

help and are unaware there is help and that's why people like me go to

Switzerland. So a new direction and new hope for someone who felt he had

nowhere left to turn. You won't ever want to be slower game. It's boring

being slow. Jackie O'Brien, Inverness.

Andy Murray says he's still in with a chance of winning

the French Open tennis despite his recent slump in form.

It continued with last night's second round defeat

at the Italian Open, his fourth early exit recently.

Italy is Fabiola Fellini, sending Andy Murray packing. Getting the

crowd going. The world number 29, the latest player to beat the number

one. I wasn't creating enough chances on my own. Normally during

matches, your opponent might give you a few opportunities with some

errors. So you hope to create a few yourself but that certainly wasn't

the case today. In Indian Wells, it in March, he was knocked out in the

second round. After that, a third round exit at Monte Carlo. Signs of

a revival when he reached the semifinals in Barcelona, but it

proved to be short lived with defeats in Madrid in the third round

and Rome in the second. Often there's a to number one and I

remembered in December, he was beating Novak Djokovic becoming the

greatest player in the world. He's a couple of injuries with shingles, a

debilitating illness and also an elbow injury. The French Open, a

week on Sunday. Murray reach the semifinal in 2015. I have to work

harder these next ten days. Really prepare very well, make the most of

every single day. And then really work my way into the tournament.

This man may help Murray get back to his best comment grand slam coach,

Ivan Lendl, the men ten to three major titles. They will be reunited

in Paris. And the cream of Scottish

athletics is preparing for the World Championships

in London and next year's Commonwealth Games

on the Australian Gold Coast. Scots endurance running

is at an all time high with several Scots training at an elite

British Athletics high Rhona McLeod went to see

them in action and sends Welcome to Northern Arizona which

lies at an altitude of 7000 feet. It makes it absolutely ideal for

distance and middle distance runners to train. It's about fitting what we

take, eight weeks at home, into four weeks or so getting fitter a lot

quicker and also being away in this sort of environment, yeah, it's been

really good so far. Lindsay Sharp shares are trading house with fellow

Scot Andrew Prichard. To get the most from their high altitude

training, there oxygen levels are measured every day. 97 again. Every

morning we do this morning monitoring. We let the doctors know

we slept fine and we feel good in the morning and if there's anything

wrong they can come to us and find out what's happened and why. Mostly

just to check our oxygen levels. I'm happy. They currently tread these

trails along with Lindsay. Are they a new breed of Scott 's performance?

The Scottish teams in the past have enjoyed the trip and the tracksuit

and we saw them getting a lot closer to it in Glasgow where we were much

closer to medals than before. In in during this I have no doubt will

have the medals from the Gold Coast have the medals from the Gold Coast

-- in endurance events. The efforts being made are huge. Punishing

sessions. All planned to deliver a Scottish success at sea-level.

Finally, a shaggy dog story with a happy ending.

Nan the sheepdog has been rescued after falling over

She'd been chasing a rabbit and tumbled more than 100 feet

Nan managed to scramble back onto a ledge and a coastguard

She wasn't hurt, and was glad to be reunited with owners,

And time now to get the weather from Christopher.

Thank you. Good evening. Fairly pleasant conditions for many of us

today. On the satellite picture, the high cloud in the south-east,

showers feeding in across the West with some heavy ones in the

south-west of the moment. If you had the blue skies, very pleasant day.

This evening, though showers fading away and most places becoming dry by

the end of the night. Some clear spells around but temperatures in

towns and cities should hold around 7-8 and in the countryside, chilly,

not far off freezing in the north-east and south-east so

tomorrow a few showers to start the day for the Western Isles and

Glasgow. They moved north and east with through the day. For many,

reasonably dry with reasonably dry and sunny spells but the showers

will be pushing through at times. By mid-afternoon, 4pm, for many central

and southern parts of the country, largely dry and bright and there are

some further showers later. Further east, through parts of Fife,

Aberdeenshire, showers in the afternoon and the further north you

are, the heavier they could be with the odd rumble of hail in the mix.

Shetland likely to stay dry full for the rest of the afternoon into the

evening, heavy shower was arriving for Northern Ireland. Then, as we

head into Thursday night towards Friday, we have low pressure in the

Atlantic which will bring showers across western part of the country

on Friday morning and mainly for the Hebrides but one or two for the West

Coast, as well. And largely fine start to the day but through the

afternoon, the southerly winds delivering showers from down south

and temperatures once again in the mid teens. A quick look to the

weekend. Saturday, low pressure with us. Hello arriving by Sunday. Heavy

rain in the West -- a low arriving. It is one to watch. We will keep you

posted. That is the forecast. Now a reminder of

tonight's main news. I'll be back with the headlines at 8

and an extended late bulletin just Until then, from everyone on the

team, right across the country,