30/10/2017

0:00:05 > 0:00:07Hello, it's Monday, it's 9am.

0:00:07 > 0:00:10I'm Victoria Derbyshire, welcome to the programme.

0:00:10 > 0:00:13Our top story today - Kevin Spacey apologises

0:00:13 > 0:00:15after being accused of making a sexual advance

0:00:15 > 0:00:16toward a child actor.

0:00:16 > 0:00:19And sexual harassment claims at Westminster spiral,

0:00:19 > 0:00:25with reports of 36 MPs being accused of misconduct.

0:00:25 > 0:00:27So these young people, especially as some of them,

0:00:27 > 0:00:31it might be their first job in politics, they have been

0:00:31 > 0:00:34desperate to get it and might have applied amongst 400 people to get

0:00:34 > 0:00:37the job, and they get the job, and then they find this MP

0:00:37 > 0:00:39has wandering hands and says inappropriate things

0:00:39 > 0:00:41and they feel slightly frightened or threatened by them.

0:00:41 > 0:00:43Where do you go to make that complaint?

0:00:43 > 0:00:44Who do you speak to?

0:00:44 > 0:00:46At the moment it's not clear at all,

0:00:46 > 0:00:48and, of course, no-one really has teeth.

0:00:48 > 0:00:51There is no body that can slap the MP down

0:00:51 > 0:00:53and say that behaviour in this place is no longer acceptable.

0:00:53 > 0:00:56In around half an hour's time, we'll hear from TV presenter

0:00:56 > 0:00:59Anne Robinson, who says women really should know better than to share

0:00:59 > 0:01:02a cab or go to a hotel room with someone they don't trust.

0:01:02 > 0:01:05Also on the programme - an exclusive report looking at

0:01:05 > 0:01:09the reality for some parents of living with autistic children.

0:01:09 > 0:01:12It was really upsetting.

0:01:12 > 0:01:16It's horrible because I love him so much.

0:01:16 > 0:01:18And yeah, I don't want people to be scared of him,

0:01:18 > 0:01:23because he's, you know, his nature is gentle and he doesn't...

0:01:23 > 0:01:31he is not meaning to be the way he is at all.

0:01:31 > 0:01:35The National Autistic Society tell us that parents are being let down

0:01:35 > 0:01:42by lack of support - really keen to hear your experiences this morning.

0:01:42 > 0:01:44And the greatest of all time.

0:01:44 > 0:01:46Lewis Hamilton has become Britain's most successful

0:01:46 > 0:01:47Formula One driver ever

0:01:47 > 0:01:53and could still continue to break records.

0:02:00 > 0:02:04Hello, welcome to the programme, we're live until 11 this morning.

0:02:04 > 0:02:08Do get in touch on all the stories we're talking about this morning -

0:02:08 > 0:02:09use #VictoriaLive.

0:02:09 > 0:02:11If you text, you will be charged at the standard network rate.

0:02:11 > 0:02:13Our top story today:

0:02:13 > 0:02:15More stories of alleged abuse and lewd conduct in Hollywood.

0:02:15 > 0:02:18This morning, the spotlight is on the actor Kevin Spacey.

0:02:18 > 0:02:20He's accused of making a sexual advance towards a child actor

0:02:20 > 0:02:23more than 30 years ago.

0:02:23 > 0:02:28The claim has been made by the Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp,

0:02:28 > 0:02:31who said Mr Spacey had placed him on a bed

0:02:31 > 0:02:34and climbed on top of him when he was 14.

0:02:34 > 0:02:36Kevin Spacey has responded on Twitter, saying he does not

0:02:36 > 0:02:40remember the incident but, if it had happened, it would have

0:02:40 > 0:02:42been "deeply inappropriate" and drunken behaviour.

0:02:42 > 0:02:47The House Of Cards actor also said that he was now living as a gay man.

0:02:47 > 0:02:50But some in Hollywood have criticised Mr Spacey

0:02:50 > 0:02:53for what they say is using his sexuality as an excuse

0:02:53 > 0:02:56for his actions, as our correspondent James Cook reports.

0:02:56 > 0:02:59Let's just set out first of all what is alleged to have happened.

0:02:59 > 0:03:03Anthony Rapp spoke to Buzzfeed News and set out what he said happened

0:03:03 > 0:03:07back in 1986 when he was a child actor on Broadway.

0:03:07 > 0:03:08He was 14 at the time,

0:03:08 > 0:03:11and Kevin Spacey was also acting on Broadway as well.

0:03:11 > 0:03:14He said he was invited back to a party

0:03:14 > 0:03:18by Kevin Spacey at his house.

0:03:18 > 0:03:21At the end of the night, when everyone else had left,

0:03:21 > 0:03:25he said that he found himself alone in the house, he was in the bedroom,

0:03:25 > 0:03:29Kevin Spacey came in and basically climbed on top of him and

0:03:29 > 0:03:33made a sexual advance towards him, which he then rebuffed, essentially.

0:03:33 > 0:03:34Now, Kevin Spacey says, as you say,

0:03:34 > 0:03:39that he does not remember this incident.

0:03:39 > 0:03:41He says if, "I did behave as he describes,

0:03:41 > 0:03:43I owe him the sincerest apology."

0:03:43 > 0:03:45"This would have been deeply inappropriate, drunken behaviour."

0:03:45 > 0:03:47He also goes on to say that he knows

0:03:47 > 0:03:52there are "other stories out there about me".

0:03:52 > 0:03:54Also in the statement, he comes out as gay,

0:03:54 > 0:03:57he says he is living now as a gay man.

0:03:57 > 0:03:59That has prompted, in terms of the reaction, some considerable

0:03:59 > 0:04:02criticism from people in Hollywood.

0:04:02 > 0:04:05Is the

0:04:05 > 0:04:06Various writers and producers, on social media, saying

0:04:08 > 0:04:10why is he trying to conflate these two things?

0:04:10 > 0:04:14That just because he's gay or has decided now to come out as gay,

0:04:14 > 0:04:17what does that have to do with fact that he might be alleged

0:04:17 > 0:04:19as a predator of a young person -

0:04:19 > 0:04:24essentially a paedophile potentially?

0:04:24 > 0:04:25He denies remembering anything about this incident

0:04:25 > 0:04:30and, of course, I am sure would deny that he is a paedophile.

0:04:30 > 0:04:38But these allegations are very serious.

0:04:38 > 0:04:42Later we will be speaking to the journalist who first broke the story

0:04:42 > 0:04:43about Kevin Spacey.

0:04:43 > 0:04:44Allegations of sexual harassment

0:04:44 > 0:04:45are also making the headlines at Westminster.

0:04:45 > 0:04:49The Leader of the House of Commons has been asked to make an urgent

0:04:49 > 0:04:51statement in the wake of a series of allegations

0:04:51 > 0:04:52of inappropriate behaviour by MPs.

0:04:52 > 0:04:54Yesterday, Theresa May said the reputation of Parliament

0:04:54 > 0:04:56Let's get the latest on this from Norman Smith,

0:04:56 > 0:04:57who's in our Westminster newsroom.

0:04:57 > 0:04:59What is Theresa May going to do about this?

0:04:59 > 0:05:02Theresa May has come up with her own proposals, but they have already

0:05:02 > 0:05:06been criticised for not going far enough. She is suggesting there

0:05:06 > 0:05:09should be an independent mediation service who the victims of sexual

0:05:09 > 0:05:14harassment at Westminster can complain to, but a lot of MPs are

0:05:14 > 0:05:19saying, well, you know, that really doesn't quite cut it, because that

0:05:19 > 0:05:24would only cover people working for MPs, and bad the most vulnerable

0:05:24 > 0:05:29people at Westminster tend to be in turns, people on work experience who

0:05:29 > 0:05:39are not directly employed. -- in -- interns. They do not necessarily

0:05:39 > 0:05:42have contact at Westminster and would not be covered by this idea.

0:05:42 > 0:05:46There is also a question about the powers this mediation service would

0:05:46 > 0:05:52have, because a lot of MPs say it is not enough for it to be dispute

0:05:52 > 0:05:54resolution, it has to have investigatory powers, be able to

0:05:54 > 0:06:00launch and zoning choir is. That would mean a very different sort of

0:06:00 > 0:06:04staffing skill set, you would want former detectives, it would take on

0:06:04 > 0:06:18a quad judicial role. Basta be able to launch its own inquiries. That in

0:06:18 > 0:06:20the normal water like, if you are found guilty of sexual misconduct at

0:06:20 > 0:06:31work, you will be booted out. -- in normal walks of life. But MPs are

0:06:31 > 0:06:42not, in fact, employed by anyone, how do you sack an MP? May be the

0:06:42 > 0:06:46only sanction would be the shame of going through a grievance procedure,

0:06:46 > 0:06:51and many people think that would not be enough.There is talk of a

0:06:51 > 0:06:56spreadsheet, a list of names of male and female MPs accused of sexual

0:06:56 > 0:07:01misconduct. Does it exist?Well, there is, on Twitter, if you look

0:07:01 > 0:07:04hard enough, a conversation which has been redacted which contains a

0:07:04 > 0:07:10whole list of allegations from predominantly, it seems, young

0:07:10 > 0:07:18researchers, Parliamentary aides, listing MPs to avoid in a taxi, MPs

0:07:18 > 0:07:22not to go for dinner with, don't go to parties with, all that sort of

0:07:22 > 0:07:27thing. I mean, there are a huge number of allegations out there.

0:07:27 > 0:07:33Most of them, it has to be said at the moment, and substantiated, and

0:07:33 > 0:07:40that is one of the difficulties in this whole area, these allegations

0:07:40 > 0:07:44generally sent on two people without witnesses, which makes it much

0:07:44 > 0:07:51harder to investigate and prosecute. Plenty more to come on that through

0:07:51 > 0:08:03the programme Annita McVeigh or has the rest of the days news.

0:08:03 > 0:08:05The parents of autistic children are not being properly supported

0:08:05 > 0:08:07in dealing with violent behaviour, according to a charity.

0:08:07 > 0:08:10This programme has spoken to families who say they're not

0:08:10 > 0:08:12getting enough help from local authorities while they

0:08:12 > 0:08:13face violent outbursts from their children,

0:08:13 > 0:08:14including kicking and head-butting.

0:08:14 > 0:08:17The National Autistic Society says that a special educational needs

0:08:17 > 0:08:19system needs to be put in place to provide the support needed

0:08:19 > 0:08:22to de-escalate violent behaviour.

0:08:22 > 0:08:24An influential economic think-tank says the Chancellor is caught

0:08:24 > 0:08:26between a rock and a hard place as he prepares his

0:08:26 > 0:08:27forthcoming Budget.

0:08:27 > 0:08:30The Institute for Fiscal Studies says Philip Hammond will have

0:08:30 > 0:08:32to abandon his target for getting rid of the deficit,

0:08:32 > 0:08:34if he is to meet demands from Cabinet colleagues

0:08:34 > 0:08:35to increase spending.

0:08:35 > 0:08:38The Treasury has responded by saying it would continue to adopt what it

0:08:38 > 0:08:48called a balanced approach.

0:08:48 > 0:08:50A leading cancer charity has appointed

0:08:50 > 0:08:52what it calls a digital nurse to combat so-called fake

0:08:52 > 0:08:53news about the disease.

0:08:53 > 0:08:55Macmillan Cancer Support says the internet is full of unverified

0:08:55 > 0:08:57statistics and bogus treatment suggestions which mislead often

0:08:57 > 0:08:59frightened patients.

0:08:59 > 0:09:01It says it wants to provide clear advice online

0:09:01 > 0:09:07about diagnosis and treatment.

0:09:07 > 0:09:12Scrapping interest on student loans and extending the time limit

0:09:12 > 0:09:15on paying it back could help to avoid a future debt crisis,

0:09:15 > 0:09:16according to a centre-right think tank.

0:09:16 > 0:09:19UK 2020 says such action would drastically reduce

0:09:19 > 0:09:21the number of loans which have to be written off.

0:09:21 > 0:09:24The Government says it's committed to sustainable university funding

0:09:24 > 0:09:34and will set out further steps in due course.

0:09:36 > 0:09:39The first charges into alleged Russian interference in the US

0:09:39 > 0:09:42presidential election are expected to be announced later today.

0:09:42 > 0:09:47President Trump has denounced the inquiry as a witchhunt and again

0:09:47 > 0:09:50denied any collusion with Russia. Former director of the FBI Robert

0:09:50 > 0:09:54Mueller has been looking into possible links between the Trump

0:09:54 > 0:09:59campaign and Moscow since the president took office in January.

0:09:59 > 0:10:03The Spanish government has today began running Catalonia's

0:10:03 > 0:10:07institutions at the region's deposed leader called for peaceful

0:10:07 > 0:10:11resistance to the imposition of direct rule. He has been threatened

0:10:11 > 0:10:15with imprisonment at the leading a declaration of independence.

0:10:15 > 0:10:17Attention is focused on the headquarters of the Catalan

0:10:17 > 0:10:23government this morning to see if he turns up for work. Storms sweeping

0:10:23 > 0:10:27through northern Europe have left at least six people dead in Germany,

0:10:27 > 0:10:31Poland and the Czech Republic. Four victims in Poland and the Czech

0:10:31 > 0:10:35Republic were killed by falling trees. In Germany, Hamburg has been

0:10:35 > 0:10:39flooded and thousands of homes are without power.

0:10:39 > 0:10:41Saudi Arabia says it will allow women to attend sporting events

0:10:41 > 0:10:44for the first time, but only in three selected stadiums.

0:10:44 > 0:10:46The Saudi government says the stadiums are being prepared

0:10:46 > 0:10:49to accommodate families by early next year.

0:10:49 > 0:10:51Last month, Saudi Arabia overturned its longstanding law

0:10:51 > 0:10:57against women driving from June next year.

0:10:57 > 0:10:58Police are hunting for a lynx

0:10:58 > 0:11:01which has escaped from an animal park in Wales.

0:11:01 > 0:11:03The animal, a Eurasian lynx, which is twice the size

0:11:03 > 0:11:08of a domestic cat, escaped from Borth Wild Animal Kingdom,

0:11:08 > 0:11:10near Aberystwyth five days ago.

0:11:10 > 0:11:14It can travel up to 12 miles per day.

0:11:14 > 0:11:20That's a summary of the latest BBC News, more at 9:30.

0:11:20 > 0:11:24Thank you very much, we are going to bring you a film in the next few

0:11:24 > 0:11:28minutes featuring families with autistic children, and the

0:11:28 > 0:11:32difficulties that mums and dads to experiencing because some of the

0:11:32 > 0:11:35children can be violent. Pamela says on Facebook, I was told by

0:11:35 > 0:11:39professionals that there was no proof my son was hitting me, so I

0:11:39 > 0:11:43photographed my bruises and sent them to every professional involved

0:11:43 > 0:11:48with my son - not a single answer from any of them. As an adopted mum,

0:11:48 > 0:11:52trying to bring up a child with complex health needs, it is

0:11:52 > 0:12:02disgusting how I am treated as an inadequate mum and spoken to. We are

0:12:02 > 0:12:04on a never-ending waiting list and all services seem to be geared up to

0:12:04 > 0:12:07adults domestic abuse and not to child two-parent violence, so we

0:12:07 > 0:12:13don't come under their remit. My son is a Matt Slater two, he is people

0:12:13 > 0:12:23are scared of him. -- my son has a mental age of two. Mark says that

0:12:23 > 0:12:26people need the proper support of local authorities, publicity is

0:12:26 > 0:12:35needed. To get into -- do get in touch, your experiences are

0:12:35 > 0:12:40absolutely pertinent to this. Only one story in sport, Lewis Hamilton

0:12:40 > 0:12:45claiming a fourth world title in Mexico, John Watson is in Brackley,

0:12:45 > 0:12:51not Mexico, he is at the Mercedes headquarters.

0:12:51 > 0:12:55Good morning, Victoria, yes, sadly, not Mexico, Brackley, but the best

0:12:55 > 0:12:59place if you can't get all the way out to Mexico, and in Venice at

0:12:59 > 0:13:03Mercedes HQ, well, look at this, this is what success looks like, all

0:13:03 > 0:13:12of the trophies that have been won by Mercedes this season. -- and in

0:13:12 > 0:13:17fairness. Four world titles, and it started many years ago Paul Lewis

0:13:17 > 0:13:24Hamilton, after his success in karting, the relationship with his

0:13:24 > 0:13:29dad, who masterminded his success in karting, a freshfaced young

0:13:29 > 0:13:33Hamilton, paving the way to join McLaren, and then Mercedes, where he

0:13:33 > 0:13:40has no-one his fourth world title. He won is first in 2008. But it was

0:13:40 > 0:13:43not straight forward last night, Hamilton suffered a collision with

0:13:43 > 0:13:48Sebastian Vettel on the opening lap, which forced him to pick up a

0:13:48 > 0:13:52puncture. He was way down the field, but he only needed to finish 50

0:13:52 > 0:13:57secure the title. In fairness, he managed to finish in ninth, so

0:13:57 > 0:14:00Sebastian Vettel needed to finish second or higher, and he couldn't

0:14:00 > 0:14:07did that last night. So Lewis Hamilton is four time champion, four

0:14:07 > 0:14:13world titles, he stands alone, as far as British drivers go, and I am

0:14:13 > 0:14:21joined by Geoff Willis, one of the Jeep -- one of the chief engineers,

0:14:21 > 0:14:26keeping a spot warm here.Yes, the constructors and drivers trophy,

0:14:26 > 0:14:30again winning both championships, that is what we planned to do two

0:14:30 > 0:14:34years ago, we wanted to win both in 2016 and 2017, after the big rule

0:14:34 > 0:14:39change, and we have finally done it, it has been tough.And you know what

0:14:39 > 0:14:44it is like to stand on the podium, you managed to be awarded one of

0:14:44 > 0:14:48these yourself.I was very privileged to receive a constructors

0:14:48 > 0:14:54trophy at Monza back in 2015, a fantastic experience, for once in my

0:14:54 > 0:14:57life on the podium, so what it is like for lose all those times I

0:14:57 > 0:15:03don't know, but it must be fantastic.Amazing for you and the

0:15:03 > 0:15:07team, these are the days you live for in this board.Absolutely, it is

0:15:07 > 0:15:15a tough business, it is a beautiful

0:15:15 > 0:15:16for in this board.Absolutely, it is a tough business, it is a beautiful,

0:15:16 > 0:15:20and now we want to go and do it again. It gets harder every year,

0:15:20 > 0:15:25but that is what we are here for. What is it about Lewis Hamilton that

0:15:25 > 0:15:30has paved the way for his success? What is it about him and the work he

0:15:30 > 0:15:36has done on the track?Lewis is clearly an exceptional driver, right

0:15:36 > 0:15:41up in the pantheon of grapes. I think is real skill is about the

0:15:41 > 0:15:59sensitivity with the car. -- the pantheon of greats.

0:15:59 > 0:16:02Lewis has a magicical ability to feel what the tyres are doing. He

0:16:02 > 0:16:07saves the tyres and you can see that in qualifying where he can prepare

0:16:07 > 0:16:12the car perfectly for that one lap. It's really, really impressive and

0:16:12 > 0:16:15Lewis himself has been in a fantastic position this year. He is

0:16:15 > 0:16:20at the top of his game and he has brought the team with him.We wait

0:16:20 > 0:16:27for the trophy cabinets to be filled when Lewis Hamilton returns to the

0:16:27 > 0:16:31factory. There is a certain record that he is chasing down, Michael

0:16:31 > 0:16:35Schumacher who has seven and with the success and the cars that

0:16:35 > 0:16:41Mercedes are producing, you wouldn't bet against Lewis Hamilton matching

0:16:41 > 0:16:45that down the line.

0:16:45 > 0:16:51On the programme this morning, strangled, head-butted, kicked,

0:16:51 > 0:16:53the violence faced by some parents attacked by their own autistic

0:16:53 > 0:16:57children and teenagers.

0:16:57 > 0:17:00The National Autistic Society tells this programme that parents are not

0:17:00 > 0:17:01being properly supported by their local authorities,

0:17:01 > 0:17:03leaving families and their children in dire need.

0:17:03 > 0:17:06And it's not just parents who are at risk from violent autistic children,

0:17:06 > 0:17:08so are their other siblings.

0:17:08 > 0:17:17Our reporter Noel Philips has this exclusive report.

0:17:17 > 0:17:19There are families up and down the country struggling to cope

0:17:19 > 0:17:20with their violent autistic children.

0:17:20 > 0:17:23Cam, shall I go and get your chocolate biscuits?

0:17:23 > 0:17:24Stop that noise!

0:17:24 > 0:17:25Are they in your room?

0:17:25 > 0:17:27Stop that noise!

0:17:27 > 0:17:30Autism is often a hidden disability, which affects around 120,000

0:17:30 > 0:17:36young people in England.

0:17:36 > 0:17:40I'm scared of him, because you live on a knife edge because you don't

0:17:40 > 0:17:42know what's coming next, and that level of sort

0:17:42 > 0:17:43of heightened adrenaline...

0:17:43 > 0:17:47Definitely experienced split lips, bruising all over.

0:17:47 > 0:17:51We go inside the homes of two families struggling to cope

0:17:51 > 0:17:54with their disabled children, for a glimpse of what life is like

0:17:54 > 0:17:58and the challenges they face.

0:17:58 > 0:18:01Very rarely the day goes by where either myself, my wife,

0:18:01 > 0:18:05or one of our children isn't hurt in some way by Elliot, our son.

0:18:05 > 0:18:08OK, Cam!

0:18:08 > 0:18:11And rarely do we see or hear from parents about the realities

0:18:11 > 0:18:14of life for them and their children, but these families have invited us

0:18:14 > 0:18:17into their homes in the hope of raising awareness about a lack

0:18:17 > 0:18:24of help and support.

0:18:24 > 0:18:26Excuse me, Mum. ...that he is, he's obviously...

0:18:26 > 0:18:29Excuse me, Mum!

0:18:29 > 0:18:31Excuse me! ...very hard to deal with.

0:18:31 > 0:18:34Campaigners say some local authorities are failing to provide

0:18:34 > 0:18:36services that meet the needs of families and their children.

0:18:36 > 0:18:40The system is not working at the moment for all autistic

0:18:40 > 0:18:45children, and that's an issue.

0:18:55 > 0:19:00It's terrifying, really, sometimes, because if it comes out of nowhere,

0:19:00 > 0:19:04there's always that bit of you that can't quite believe it's actually

0:19:04 > 0:19:09happening, so it's just a case of desperately trying to extricate

0:19:09 > 0:19:11yourself from that situation that you're in, which is easier said

0:19:11 > 0:19:15than done, particularly if he's got me by the neck,

0:19:15 > 0:19:20which he often does.

0:19:20 > 0:19:23Every day is a challenge for Ian and Lucy.

0:19:23 > 0:19:26Their eldest son, Elliott, has severe autism and

0:19:26 > 0:19:29learning difficulties.

0:19:29 > 0:19:31Social interaction and communicating is difficult, and they say

0:19:31 > 0:19:33dealing with his condition, which requires constant care,

0:19:33 > 0:19:40is pushing them to breaking point.

0:19:40 > 0:19:43He's the size of a very large, very strong 12-year-old,

0:19:43 > 0:19:46and that's the difference.

0:19:46 > 0:19:49If it was a toddler having a huge tantrum and flailing around and,

0:19:49 > 0:19:53you know, scratching you and kicking you, you can manage it better simply

0:19:53 > 0:19:57because they're so much smaller.

0:19:57 > 0:20:02Whereas, if you think of when Elliott does it,

0:20:02 > 0:20:12it's basically like a small man suddenly attacking you.

0:20:18 > 0:20:21Not everyone with autism is violent, though.

0:20:21 > 0:20:25A US study of nearly 1400 children on the autistic spectrum found more

0:20:25 > 0:20:32than half were aggressive or violent towards their families.

0:20:32 > 0:20:34Elliott is 12 and has the strength of an adult,

0:20:34 > 0:20:36but thinks like a two-year old.

0:20:36 > 0:20:39His parents say a lack of specialist help from their local council has

0:20:39 > 0:20:45caused his behaviour to become increasingly difficult to deal with.

0:20:45 > 0:20:49We've been living with Elliott being violent and aggressive most

0:20:49 > 0:20:53of his life, you know.

0:20:53 > 0:20:55Probably first started encountering things like that

0:20:55 > 0:20:58when he was about five or six or so, we probably started.

0:20:58 > 0:21:02And the difficulty has been, as he's got older and as he's got

0:21:02 > 0:21:04bigger and he's got stronger, he's still only violent maybe 5%

0:21:04 > 0:21:07of the time but the consequences of that violence are getting

0:21:07 > 0:21:10worse and worse.

0:21:10 > 0:21:13And whilst he's only 12 years old, he's the size of a 15-year-old.

0:21:13 > 0:21:15It's the law of averages that one day one of us

0:21:15 > 0:21:20is going to get really badly hurt.

0:21:20 > 0:21:23These scars are just a glimpse of what Ian and Lucy have had

0:21:23 > 0:21:30to endure when Elliott has a violent episode.

0:21:30 > 0:21:34Definitely experienced split lips, bruising all over.

0:21:34 > 0:21:36Ian's had a scratched cornea from a punch.

0:21:36 > 0:21:40He's knocked me down the stairs before and I've just managed to hang

0:21:40 > 0:21:43on to the banister rail so that I've not gone the whole way down

0:21:43 > 0:21:46the stairs, but there's a severe injury waiting to happen,

0:21:46 > 0:21:49we know that, and the problem is that the help available to you is

0:21:49 > 0:21:53reactive rather than proactive.

0:21:53 > 0:21:55You have to get to absolute crisis point when one

0:21:55 > 0:22:00of you is hospitalised or you've had to call the police out.

0:22:00 > 0:22:02This is why Ian and Lucy have spoken out.

0:22:02 > 0:22:04They say they are living in an almost permanent state

0:22:04 > 0:22:07of worry, so much so they've had to take measures to protect not

0:22:07 > 0:22:12just Elliott but also their other children.

0:22:12 > 0:22:15So this is Elliott's room, and you can see it's not like a room

0:22:15 > 0:22:17that most 12-year-olds would have, that we've made quite

0:22:17 > 0:22:21a few adjustments - the most obvious are the bars

0:22:21 > 0:22:25that we have to have across the windows.

0:22:25 > 0:22:29You kind of get used to that, you know, your child's bedroom looks

0:22:29 > 0:22:32more like a cell of some kind, and it's only when you stop

0:22:32 > 0:22:35and step back and really reflect on it and you go,

0:22:35 > 0:22:41"What a symbol of just how different our life is."

0:22:41 > 0:22:43Most people do not have to set their child's bedroom up

0:22:43 > 0:22:46with locks on the doors and bars across the window,

0:22:46 > 0:22:48but there are times when, in order to keep Elliott safe

0:22:48 > 0:22:51and in order to keep the rest of the family said,

0:22:51 > 0:22:54that's what we have to set up.

0:22:54 > 0:22:58Now, this family's story is not a one-off.

0:22:58 > 0:23:03We've been speaking to many parents across the country

0:23:03 > 0:23:05and they repeatedly tell us that there is simply not

0:23:05 > 0:23:07enough support available for their children, some

0:23:07 > 0:23:13of whom are also very violent.

0:23:22 > 0:23:2419-year-old Cameron is one of 700,000 people in the UK

0:23:24 > 0:23:29on the autism spectrum.

0:23:29 > 0:23:33He was diagnosed with the condition at the age of three.

0:23:33 > 0:23:36I'm going to go and do your telly.

0:23:36 > 0:23:37I'm just talking to Noel.

0:23:37 > 0:23:38HE SCREAMS.

0:23:38 > 0:23:39Move, please!

0:23:39 > 0:23:42Cam, stop.

0:23:42 > 0:23:46It scares me.

0:23:46 > 0:23:49It can be quite dangerous for you being on your own with Cameron?

0:23:49 > 0:23:50Well, yeah. Go up!

0:23:50 > 0:23:53If you weren't here, obviously I would just go and do it,

0:23:53 > 0:23:56and if the girls were here I would do it, because...

0:23:56 > 0:23:57Go up, go up, go up!

0:23:57 > 0:23:59...to stop this, because it's not nice for

0:23:59 > 0:24:02the girls to see and it will probably escalate into more.

0:24:02 > 0:24:03Cam, stop.

0:24:03 > 0:24:04Go up, please. I will.

0:24:04 > 0:24:05Go up now. OK.

0:24:05 > 0:24:06Don't speak to them. Stop.

0:24:06 > 0:24:07Don't speak to them.

0:24:07 > 0:24:08OK. Go on, Mum.

0:24:08 > 0:24:12As you can see, he's edging towards me.

0:24:12 > 0:24:15Hannah and Doug have devoted their lives

0:24:15 > 0:24:18to caring for Cameron, but, due to his condition,

0:24:18 > 0:24:21his needs have become increasingly challenging,

0:24:21 > 0:24:23and his anxiety and stress can sometimes lead to

0:24:23 > 0:24:25full-scale tantrums.

0:24:25 > 0:24:27It's really upsetting.

0:24:27 > 0:24:29This is horrible.

0:24:29 > 0:24:32Because I love him so much...

0:24:32 > 0:24:36And, yeah, I don't want people to be scared of him,

0:24:36 > 0:24:42because he's, you know, his nature is gentle,

0:24:42 > 0:24:48he's not meaning to be the way he is at all.

0:24:48 > 0:24:50I feel sorry for him, because he's frustrated,

0:24:50 > 0:24:56and he can't tell me why or tell other people why, so it's horrible.

0:24:56 > 0:24:59It is, it's sad, really sad.

0:24:59 > 0:25:02How much longer do you think you can continue to cope

0:25:02 > 0:25:03with Cameron's behaviour?

0:25:03 > 0:25:06We'll do it for as long as we have do, but it's going to become...

0:25:06 > 0:25:11Well, it already is unmanageable sometimes, but, I don't know,

0:25:11 > 0:25:13because I don't know how he'll become as he turns,

0:25:13 > 0:25:19as he gets into his early 20s.

0:25:19 > 0:25:24It could become worse, but really we need to be, well,

0:25:24 > 0:25:26we are thinking about him...

0:25:26 > 0:25:34living elsewhere, because we can't manage his behaviour,

0:25:34 > 0:25:38because it is unpredictable and, you know, physically,

0:25:38 > 0:25:44I can't manage him by myself.

0:25:44 > 0:25:47I mean, as you can see, he's tall, facial hair.

0:25:47 > 0:25:51He's like a man, but he's like a baby, really.

0:25:51 > 0:25:54OK, Cam. Not doing that again!

0:25:54 > 0:25:55He doesn't have the understanding, he doesn't

0:25:55 > 0:25:58understand why you guys are here, and also it's out of his routine,

0:25:58 > 0:25:59isn't it?

0:25:59 > 0:26:01Excuse me!

0:26:01 > 0:26:02Yes, Cam?

0:26:02 > 0:26:05Who's that? Noel.

0:26:05 > 0:26:07Almost anything can trigger an outburst from Cameron.

0:26:07 > 0:26:10Surrey Council, who are responsible for his care, have told us

0:26:10 > 0:26:12they are working hard with his family to provide

0:26:12 > 0:26:17additional respite and they support.

0:26:17 > 0:26:20I don't want him to go anywhere that I'm not happy about,

0:26:20 > 0:26:25so I don't know how long that will take.

0:26:25 > 0:26:26But if he carries on...

0:26:26 > 0:26:28Excuse me, Mum!

0:26:28 > 0:26:30...in the way that he is, he's obviously...

0:26:30 > 0:26:33Excuse me, excuse me!

0:26:33 > 0:26:34Eye

0:26:34 > 0:26:36...very hard to deal with, it's going to be really difficult.

0:26:36 > 0:26:39Excuse me! Stop.

0:26:39 > 0:26:41Excuse me! Yes, Cam?

0:26:41 > 0:26:43No.

0:26:43 > 0:26:45It's important to get the point across that...

0:26:45 > 0:26:49I can't see you!

0:26:49 > 0:26:51...this is not Cameron being unruly, this is his condition,

0:26:51 > 0:26:53this is what it does to him, this is autism.

0:26:53 > 0:26:56Oh, absolutely, yes, this is autism.

0:26:56 > 0:27:01Sometimes it seems like there's no light at the end of the tunnel

0:27:01 > 0:27:04with regards to the support and direction of where we're

0:27:04 > 0:27:08going to go, because we don't, it's hard for us when we don't know

0:27:08 > 0:27:10how Cameron's going to be, we don't know how the children

0:27:10 > 0:27:12are going to be, we don't know...

0:27:12 > 0:27:15Planning for the future, planning for what's going to

0:27:15 > 0:27:16happen has just been...

0:27:16 > 0:27:26I mean, the last six years, seven years, just no direction at all.

0:27:28 > 0:27:32This woman, who we are calling Sam, knows just how Hannah and Doug feel.

0:27:32 > 0:27:35He hit me over the head with a plastic object,

0:27:35 > 0:27:38and I had to have my head glued, and I thought at that point

0:27:38 > 0:27:41it would be a turning point, but it wasn't.

0:27:41 > 0:27:45I thought I'd get help, but it didn't really happen.

0:27:45 > 0:27:49We've agreed not to identify her in order to protect her teenage son,

0:27:49 > 0:27:53who is now in the care of social services.

0:27:53 > 0:27:57First I got a bit of help, but then it went monthly,

0:27:57 > 0:28:00then it was, "Right, OK, we'll wash our hands of you,

0:28:00 > 0:28:06you can have 48 hours a year respite from a charity."

0:28:06 > 0:28:08And 48 hours a year doesn't add up to much, does it?

0:28:08 > 0:28:11Her son was taken into care following a violent incident

0:28:11 > 0:28:13in the family home in 2011.

0:28:13 > 0:28:17Documents we've seen appear to back up her claims that she had asked

0:28:17 > 0:28:20for help on a number of occasions.

0:28:20 > 0:28:22This letter from her GP to Children's Services reads,

0:28:22 > 0:28:26"Family struggling to cope with child's behaviour."

0:28:26 > 0:28:31He goes on to say, "Mother desperate for help."

0:28:31 > 0:28:32I have cried and cried for help.

0:28:32 > 0:28:33I was absolutely exhausted.

0:28:33 > 0:28:36But, more so, my family was failed, you know, my children,

0:28:36 > 0:28:38my other children didn't get attention, or I tried

0:28:38 > 0:28:43to give them attention, but there's a limit to what you can

0:28:43 > 0:28:46do, and my son was certainly failed.

0:28:46 > 0:28:48Absolutely.

0:28:48 > 0:28:51So why are parents like Sam and other families not

0:28:51 > 0:28:56getting the crucial support and services they need?

0:28:56 > 0:29:00I've come to the National Autistic Society, which helps thousands

0:29:00 > 0:29:04of people with autism across the country.

0:29:04 > 0:29:07If children are not having their needs met,

0:29:07 > 0:29:10then they are being failed, and we have to try and work

0:29:10 > 0:29:13to change that system.

0:29:13 > 0:29:16We need a special educational needs and disability

0:29:16 > 0:29:19system that identifies all the needs of autistic children that are out

0:29:19 > 0:29:21there and then puts in place the support and the services

0:29:21 > 0:29:24to allow them to live the life that they and their

0:29:24 > 0:29:26families want to live.

0:29:26 > 0:29:28In a recent report, the charity found families of autistic people

0:29:28 > 0:29:31in inpatient and residential care being failed due to

0:29:31 > 0:29:34a lack of trained staff.

0:29:34 > 0:29:38We interviewed 13 families who had experiences of having relatives

0:29:38 > 0:29:41who were in inpatient care across both children,

0:29:41 > 0:29:44young people and adults, and basically we've incorporated

0:29:44 > 0:29:46what we found from them and the lessons that could be

0:29:46 > 0:29:48learned from that in this report.

0:29:48 > 0:29:51And what it's really painted is a really stark picture

0:29:51 > 0:29:57of the fact that the system just isn't working at the moment.

0:30:07 > 0:30:10Cameron has recently started at a specialist day centre,

0:30:10 > 0:30:17but mum Hannah tells me she's worried about the future.

0:30:17 > 0:30:20I do feel guilty all the time - I feel guilty to Cameron,

0:30:20 > 0:30:24I feel guilty to my daughters.

0:30:24 > 0:30:27Yeah, I do sometimes feel like I'm not equipped for all of it.

0:30:27 > 0:30:31But I don't really have a choice, I have to do it.

0:30:31 > 0:30:33But, yeah, guilt plays a massive part of every day,

0:30:33 > 0:30:48coping with, you know, a child with disabilities, I think.

0:30:48 > 0:30:52For Ian and Lucy, they are determined not to give up.

0:30:52 > 0:30:56I've returned to find out how they are coping with Elliot.

0:30:56 > 0:31:01We've definitely had moments when, you know, we've gone to bed sobbing

0:31:01 > 0:31:05and just despairing at, you know, how is this our life?

0:31:05 > 0:31:08But you can't wallow in it too long because you've got exactly

0:31:08 > 0:31:11the same life the next day, and you've got to be up

0:31:11 > 0:31:12and you've got to be...

0:31:12 > 0:31:15And it's difficult, because there's no blame you can attach to Elliott,

0:31:15 > 0:31:18there's nothing fundamentally different you can do,

0:31:18 > 0:31:21so you're just carrying on and hoping to try

0:31:21 > 0:31:23and learn the lessons from whatever precipitated that particular bout

0:31:23 > 0:31:31of aggression to try and reduce it or avoid it next time.

0:31:31 > 0:31:33The Autism Act, which was introduced in 2009,

0:31:33 > 0:31:38is currently being reviewed by politicians.

0:31:38 > 0:31:41But laws on their own only form a part of the solution.

0:31:41 > 0:31:46As for Cameron and Elliott, their parents are their real lifeline.

0:31:46 > 0:31:48They may face abuse daily,

0:31:48 > 0:31:51but they don't want their children to be misunderstood.

0:31:51 > 0:32:00All they're asking for is more support.

0:32:00 > 0:32:04Thank you for your messages, this text says, I am grateful for your

0:32:04 > 0:32:09report about autistic children, I can confirm all these experiences,

0:32:09 > 0:32:13my son is a gentle and sensitive soul, which makes it even more

0:32:13 > 0:32:18difficult when he has violent outbursts. No support from

0:32:18 > 0:32:24professionals, you look that as an inadequate parent. This text, my

0:32:24 > 0:32:27severely learning-disabled autistic daughter is being failed by my local

0:32:27 > 0:32:32authority. She cannot speak, she has no self-care skills, and no

0:32:32 > 0:32:37awareness of the wider world. We have been fighting for support for

0:32:37 > 0:32:40three years. In March, I tried to take my whole life because I

0:32:40 > 0:32:45couldn't cope with my daughter. I was provided with two weeks'

0:32:45 > 0:32:50additional support, and now we are back in the same boat. I need to put

0:32:50 > 0:32:55my daughter in care so she can have her needs met. That is going to cost

0:32:55 > 0:33:00the local authority £300,000 a year. It would be far cheaper just to

0:33:00 > 0:33:04provide the behavioural support instead. And on Facebook, Stephen

0:33:04 > 0:33:09says, I have two sons with autism, kids with autism are like a light

0:33:09 > 0:33:13switch, one minute so lovable, then they can attack you. They don't mean

0:33:13 > 0:33:17to hurt you, though, it is not their fault. We are going to talk more

0:33:17 > 0:33:22about this after ten o'clock.

0:33:22 > 0:33:25NHS England told us it has set out a clear programme for those

0:33:25 > 0:33:27with learning difficulties and autism to enable more people

0:33:27 > 0:33:28to live in the community.

0:33:28 > 0:33:31And the Local Government Association told us, "Councils are working hard

0:33:31 > 0:33:34to make sure children with autism and other special needs get access

0:33:34 > 0:33:35to the support they need."

0:33:35 > 0:33:37"However, they have been put in an impossible situation

0:33:37 > 0:33:47due to increasing demand and historic underfunding."

0:33:47 > 0:33:50Still to come -

0:33:50 > 0:33:54We will talk to the broadcaster and journalist Ann Robinson, who says

0:33:54 > 0:33:59women should know better than to go to a hotel with somebody they don't

0:33:59 > 0:34:00trust.

0:34:00 > 0:34:02An exclusive report into the university student

0:34:02 > 0:34:05from Bristol on trial after police found a copy of the terrorism manual

0:34:05 > 0:34:07The Anarchist Cookbook underneath his bed.

0:34:07 > 0:34:14He has now been cleared, and we followed him through the trial.

0:34:14 > 0:34:19Time for the latest news, here's Annita McVeigh.

0:34:19 > 0:34:22The Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has been accused of making

0:34:22 > 0:34:25a sexual advance towards a child actor more than 30 years ago.

0:34:25 > 0:34:30The Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp said Mr Spacey had placed him

0:34:30 > 0:34:34on a bed and climbed on top of him when he was 14.

0:34:34 > 0:34:37Kevin Spacey has responded on Twitter, saying he does not

0:34:37 > 0:34:39remember the incident but if it had happened, it would have

0:34:39 > 0:34:45been deeply inappropriate and drunken behaviour.

0:34:45 > 0:34:47The Leader of the House of Commons

0:34:47 > 0:34:49is being asked to make an urgent statement,

0:34:49 > 0:34:50amid allegations of widespread

0:34:50 > 0:34:51inappropriate sexual behaviour in Westminster.

0:34:51 > 0:34:53Yesterday the Prime Minister proposed a new system for dealing

0:34:53 > 0:34:56with claims of harassment, saying the reputation of Parliament

0:34:56 > 0:34:58had to be protected.

0:34:58 > 0:35:00Unverified lists of MPs accused of misconduct

0:35:00 > 0:35:07are reportedly circulating in Westminster.

0:35:07 > 0:35:10The parents of autistic children are not being properly supported

0:35:10 > 0:35:13in dealing with violent behaviour, according to a charity.

0:35:13 > 0:35:15This programme has spoken to families who say they're not

0:35:15 > 0:35:17getting enough help from local authorities,

0:35:17 > 0:35:19while they face violent outbursts from their children,

0:35:19 > 0:35:22including kicking and headbutting.

0:35:22 > 0:35:25The National Autistic Society says that a special educational needs

0:35:25 > 0:35:28system needs to be put in place to provide the support needed

0:35:28 > 0:35:32to de-escalate violent behaviour.

0:35:32 > 0:35:34An influential economic think-tank says the Chancellor

0:35:34 > 0:35:36is caught between a rock and a hard place

0:35:36 > 0:35:37as he prepares his forthcoming Budget.

0:35:37 > 0:35:40The Institute for Fiscal Studies says Philip Hammond

0:35:40 > 0:35:45will have to abandon his target for getting rid of the deficit

0:35:45 > 0:35:47if he is to meet demands from Cabinet colleagues

0:35:47 > 0:35:49to increase spending.

0:35:49 > 0:35:52The Treasury has responded by saying it would continue to adopt what

0:35:52 > 0:36:00it called a balanced approach.

0:36:00 > 0:36:05That is a summary of the latest BBC News. All the sports now with John

0:36:05 > 0:36:13Watson, who is at Mercedes HQ in Brackley. Yes, a warm comeback to

0:36:13 > 0:36:19Mercedes HQ, this is last season's car, a successful night for Lewis

0:36:19 > 0:36:21Hamilton, becoming the most successful British driver in Formula

0:36:21 > 0:36:25One history, he now holds four world titles after picking it up at the

0:36:25 > 0:36:31Mexico Grand Prix. He could only finish ninth following a collision

0:36:31 > 0:36:34with Sebastian Vettel on the first lap, but that was enough to see him

0:36:34 > 0:36:48win the title with two racers despair. -- two races to spare.

0:36:48 > 0:36:50Claude Puell's first game in charge of Leicester City saw

0:36:50 > 0:36:51them beat Everton at home.

0:36:51 > 0:36:54Jamie Vardy scored their first in a 2-0 win.

0:36:54 > 0:36:55Everton remain in the relagation zone.

0:36:55 > 0:36:57Elsewhere in the Prmier League, Brighton against

0:36:57 > 0:36:58Southampton was 1-1.

0:36:58 > 0:36:59Caroline Wozniacki has won

0:36:59 > 0:37:00the biggest tournament of her career.

0:37:00 > 0:37:03The Dane beat Venus Williams to claim the WTA Finals

0:37:03 > 0:37:05trophy in Singapore.

0:37:05 > 0:37:08Welshman Elfyn Evans won the season-ending Wales Rally GB,

0:37:08 > 0:37:13the first British winner of the event in 17 years.

0:37:13 > 0:37:18He is a local lad with plenty of local knowledge, which perhaps

0:37:18 > 0:37:23helped him without success. He is the first British winner since Burns

0:37:23 > 0:37:24in 2000.

0:37:24 > 0:37:27But Frenchman Sebastien Ogier came third to claim his fifth

0:37:27 > 0:37:29consecutive World Championship.

0:37:29 > 0:37:33Lots of people winning world titles at the moment, Victoria, not least

0:37:33 > 0:37:37Lewis Hamilton, a lot of people wondering whether he can emulate the

0:37:37 > 0:37:40achievements of Michael Schumacher, who has the record of seven world

0:37:40 > 0:37:45titles. The cars that Mercedes are producing and the talents that Lewis

0:37:45 > 0:37:48Hamilton has, you would not bet against him doing it in the years to

0:37:48 > 0:37:52come. Absolutely not! We will talk to some

0:37:52 > 0:37:58of his fans before ten o'clock.

0:37:58 > 0:38:01Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has made an apology after being accused

0:38:01 > 0:38:03of making a sexual advance toward a child actor.

0:38:03 > 0:38:06Anthony Rapp, who was 14 at the time, says Spacey invited him

0:38:06 > 0:38:09to a party and seemed drunk when the alleged incident happened.

0:38:09 > 0:38:14Adan Vary is the journalist at Buzzfeed News who broke the story.

0:38:14 > 0:38:19Anthony Rapp is alleging that when he was 14 in 1986, he was prevented

0:38:19 > 0:38:25by Kevin Spacey, who was performing on Broadway, as was Anthony. He was

0:38:25 > 0:38:30invited to a party at Kevin Spacey's house late at night, he went, he was

0:38:30 > 0:38:33very used to being in the company of adults as a child actor, so he

0:38:33 > 0:38:37didn't think there was anything out of the ordinary. Even when he

0:38:37 > 0:38:41arrived at the party and realised he was the only non-adults there come

0:38:41 > 0:38:47he didn't think it unusual, but he got bored, he said, pretty quickly,

0:38:47 > 0:38:52ended up in the bedroom watching late-night TV. And then at some

0:38:52 > 0:38:57point, he says that he realised that everyone else had left, and he was

0:38:57 > 0:39:01alone with Kevin Spacey. Kevin Spacey appeared at the bedroom door

0:39:01 > 0:39:08and what Anthony Rapp says there was a clumsy motion, Spacey stepped into

0:39:08 > 0:39:14the bedroom, picked him up like a bride would pick up a groom, placed

0:39:14 > 0:39:21him on the bed, basically landed on top of him, at which point Anthony

0:39:21 > 0:39:27says that he felt Spacey pressing into his body, and then Anthony was

0:39:27 > 0:39:30able to squirm away and says that he stepped into the bathroom very

0:39:30 > 0:39:35quickly to just sort of composing self, and then once he was composed,

0:39:35 > 0:39:40he stepped out, told Kevin Spacey he was going to be leaving, and the

0:39:40 > 0:39:47Spacey followed him to the front door and ask them, are you sure you

0:39:47 > 0:39:51want to leave? According to Anthony. And then he said, yes, and he left.

0:39:51 > 0:39:57And that is the last time that Anthony Rapp ever spoke to Kevin

0:39:57 > 0:40:02Spacey. He has never spoken with him since, although he has seen him a

0:40:02 > 0:40:09few times in his life, but they have never spoken.Just to confirm, at

0:40:09 > 0:40:15the point of this alleged incident, Anthony Rapp was 14, and Kevin

0:40:15 > 0:40:21Spacey was 26.According to public records, Kevin Spacey was 26, yeah.

0:40:21 > 0:40:27So why has Anthony Rapp decided to speak out now?He was really moved

0:40:27 > 0:40:32by the sheer number of women who were coming forward and sharing

0:40:32 > 0:40:39allegations of sexual harassment and assault by Harvey Weinstein. It has

0:40:39 > 0:40:43really become a turning point moment, both in the entertainment

0:40:43 > 0:40:47industry and in society at large, about how we talk about sexual

0:40:47 > 0:40:53harassment and sexual misconduct, and how we treat victims. And

0:40:53 > 0:40:57Anthony felt very much, as he says, awake to that moment and felt that

0:40:57 > 0:41:01this was the right time for him to come forward and tell his story.

0:41:01 > 0:41:05Kevin Spacey has given a statement in response to this allegation, and

0:41:05 > 0:41:11I know you are going to read that for us, Adam.Yes, before I do, I

0:41:11 > 0:41:17want to stress that BuzzFeed News reached out to Kevin Spacey's

0:41:17 > 0:41:19representatives multiple times and send a detailed letter with all the

0:41:19 > 0:41:26allegations in our storage and heard nothing from his representation

0:41:26 > 0:41:30until Kevin Spacey tweeted this statement out. And the statement is:

0:41:30 > 0:41:34I have a lot of respect and admiration for Anthony Rapp as an

0:41:34 > 0:41:38actor, I am beyond horrified to hear his story. I honestly do not member

0:41:38 > 0:41:41the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But divided

0:41:41 > 0:41:46behaviour then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for

0:41:46 > 0:41:49what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour, and

0:41:49 > 0:41:52I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him

0:41:52 > 0:41:57all of these years. This story has encouraged me to address the other

0:41:57 > 0:42:02things about my life. I know that there are stories at there about me

0:42:02 > 0:42:07that some have been fuelled by, sorry, and that some have been

0:42:07 > 0:42:12fuelled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy. As

0:42:12 > 0:42:16those closest to me know, in my life I have had romantic relationships

0:42:16 > 0:42:22with both men and women, excuse me, and I have loved and had romantic

0:42:22 > 0:42:26encounters with men throughout my life. And I choose now to live as a

0:42:26 > 0:42:30gay man. I want to deal with this honestly and openly, and that start

0:42:30 > 0:42:37with examining my own behaviour.And how has that statement been greeted?

0:42:37 > 0:42:45Not well. I think the idea that he is using the allegation that he made

0:42:45 > 0:42:49a sexual advance on a 14-year-old boy as an opportunity to come out is

0:42:49 > 0:42:58striking many as sort of missing the point, and he in no way at knowledge

0:42:58 > 0:43:05is Anthony's age at the time in a statement, speaking to what he wants

0:43:05 > 0:43:10our reach to be, which is that he is now coming out as a gay man. I think

0:43:10 > 0:43:16you can see a lot of headlines, in fact, focusing on that part of the

0:43:16 > 0:43:20story and missing entirely the allegations against him.That was

0:43:20 > 0:43:24Adam Vary, the journalist that BuzzFeed News who broke the Kevin

0:43:24 > 0:43:26Spacey story.

0:43:26 > 0:43:31Of course, sexual harassment is a serious problem in all walks

0:43:31 > 0:43:34of life, with over 50% of women saying they've been affected by it.

0:43:34 > 0:43:37This morning the spotlight has turned on politics with claims

0:43:37 > 0:43:38that lists of 36 MPs accused of misconduct

0:43:38 > 0:43:39are circulating in Westminster.

0:43:39 > 0:43:42Theresa May is proposing a new system for dealing

0:43:42 > 0:43:43with claims of harassment,

0:43:43 > 0:43:45saying the reputation of Parliament had to be protected.

0:43:45 > 0:43:48Over the weekend it was revealed that a government minister,

0:43:48 > 0:43:51Mark Garnier, sent a junior member of staff to buy vibrators for him

0:43:51 > 0:44:00and used sexually offensive terms to describe her breasts.

0:44:00 > 0:44:03And a former government minister, Stephen Crabb, was accusing

0:44:03 > 0:44:05of sending sexually explicit texts to a 19-year-old

0:44:05 > 0:44:07who applied for a job in his office.

0:44:07 > 0:44:09All these revelations have come to light since allegations

0:44:09 > 0:44:12against Harvey Weinstein were exposed just over three weeks ago.

0:44:12 > 0:44:15So last week the New York Times published this massive article

0:44:15 > 0:44:19detailing allegations of about three decades' worth of accusations

0:44:19 > 0:44:26of sexual harassment from Harvey Weinstein against female employees.

0:44:30 > 0:44:32After about 30 minutes, he asked to excuse himself

0:44:32 > 0:44:36and go to the bathroom.

0:44:36 > 0:44:40He returned in nothing but a robe with the front open

0:44:40 > 0:44:42and he was buck naked.

0:44:42 > 0:44:47The actresses Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have joined

0:44:47 > 0:44:50the growing number of women who have claimed they were

0:44:50 > 0:44:51sexually harassed by him.

0:44:51 > 0:44:54He said that he wanted a massage, could I give him a massage?

0:44:54 > 0:44:55I said no.

0:44:55 > 0:44:58Together, the claims build up a picture of one of the most

0:44:58 > 0:45:02powerful men in the industry exerting pressure on younger women

0:45:02 > 0:45:05at the start of their careers, often in hotel rooms or offices.

0:45:05 > 0:45:07The suggestions, spoken or unspoken, were that he could advance

0:45:07 > 0:45:10their careers if they went along with him, or he could do serious

0:45:10 > 0:45:12damage to the dreams if they didn't.

0:45:12 > 0:45:14I didn't know about these things, but they don't surprise me

0:45:14 > 0:45:19at all, and they are endemic to the system anyway.

0:45:19 > 0:45:29Lots of these women were in their 20s when it happened,

0:45:29 > 0:45:32vulnerable, afraid that if they say anything or do anything that it

0:45:32 > 0:45:33will ruin their career.

0:45:33 > 0:45:35I was shocked and appalled, because I've known him

0:45:35 > 0:45:37through politics, as many Democrats have.

0:45:37 > 0:45:39Police investigations into sexual assault and rape politicians

0:45:39 > 0:45:40against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein

0:45:40 > 0:45:41continue this morning.

0:45:41 > 0:45:45Over 30 women, including Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow

0:45:45 > 0:45:49and Rose McGowan have made a number of allegations against her.

0:45:58 > 0:46:00Members of the European Parliament have been debating sexual

0:46:00 > 0:46:02harassment in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

0:46:02 > 0:46:04Some MEPs complained they themselves have experienced harassment.

0:46:04 > 0:46:06Some lawmakers sat behind placards with the hashtag #MeToo.

0:46:06 > 0:46:08Downing Street has said any allegations of sexual harassment

0:46:08 > 0:46:10and abuse at Westminster are deeply concerning.

0:46:10 > 0:46:12Allegations made will be taken very seriously.

0:46:12 > 0:46:18These stories, if they are true, are obviously totally unacceptable.

0:46:18 > 0:46:24Jeremy Corbyn has called for MPs who are guilty of sexual harassment

0:46:24 > 0:46:26or abuse to be held to account.

0:46:26 > 0:46:29The Labour leader warned that a warped and degrading culture

0:46:29 > 0:46:30was thriving in Westminster.

0:46:30 > 0:46:31Complaints of inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment

0:46:31 > 0:46:34by MPs have now led to a government minister being placed

0:46:34 > 0:46:35under investigation.

0:46:35 > 0:46:37There is recognition that a change in culture is needed.

0:46:37 > 0:46:38It was worse.

0:46:38 > 0:46:41It's a little bit better now, but there's a long way to go.

0:46:41 > 0:46:44Cat Smith is a Labour MP and at just 32, is a member

0:46:44 > 0:46:50of the Shadow Cabinet.

0:46:50 > 0:46:55Have you experienced sexual harassment?Not in Westminster, but

0:46:55 > 0:46:58I have experienced sexual harassment in politics. It was quite a long

0:46:58 > 0:47:04time ago now, but when I was active campaigning for the Labour Party in

0:47:04 > 0:47:09an area, there was a senior person from the Labour group on the

0:47:09 > 0:47:13council, who had a bit of a reputation and on one occasion when

0:47:13 > 0:47:20I was at a party, and he was there and I was leaving, he chose to leave

0:47:20 > 0:47:23the party at the same time as me under the guise of wanting to walk

0:47:23 > 0:47:30me to the nearest station so I got home safely. I insisted that I was

0:47:30 > 0:47:34fine walking on my own and I didn't feel the need to be accompanied and

0:47:34 > 0:47:39he tried to hold my hand on that walk and I resisted, but I let him,

0:47:39 > 0:47:44but once we got to the station he delved in for a kiss that was not

0:47:44 > 0:47:49invited and I pushed him away and basically ran away interest him.

0:47:49 > 0:47:53Now, I did report that and along with other young female colleagues

0:47:53 > 0:47:57who were active campaigning for the Labour Party at that time, we

0:47:57 > 0:48:00actually did manage to go through our party's procedures and as far as

0:48:00 > 0:48:05I am aware he no longer behaves like that.He was dealt with.He was

0:48:05 > 0:48:08dealt with basically and I am glaed that we spoke out and did and I'm

0:48:08 > 0:48:11glad that we're having this debate today about the fact that for many

0:48:11 > 0:48:15women this is still a massive problem that is not being dealt

0:48:15 > 0:48:20with.You know what Theresa May has suggested, some kind of independent

0:48:20 > 0:48:24mediation system. What do you think of that idea?I think it can't be

0:48:24 > 0:48:30that on its own. I think every political party has a responsibility

0:48:30 > 0:48:34to deal with sexual harassment in their own parties. There needs to be

0:48:34 > 0:48:39a space for MPs staff and also for MPs, interns and work experience as

0:48:39 > 0:48:43well...When you say a space, what do you mean? If you work for an MP,

0:48:43 > 0:48:49if you are a researcher or intern and that MP happens to sexually

0:48:49 > 0:48:55harass you, you can't go to them. Certainly, it varies party by party

0:48:55 > 0:48:59and that's part of my concern. There is a lot of inconsistency here. In

0:48:59 > 0:49:08my party there is a route that you can go down in order to address

0:49:08 > 0:49:11sexual harassment, but it is not the same in every political party and

0:49:11 > 0:49:14someone might work for a politician who is not party alined and there

0:49:14 > 0:49:20needs to be something in place for people like that. My worry is also

0:49:20 > 0:49:23for people who intern and do work experience in MPs offices because

0:49:23 > 0:49:26when you don't have the formal employer, employee relationship

0:49:26 > 0:49:30there needs to be something in place for them and maybe there is a space

0:49:30 > 0:49:32for the House of Commons to have have a process in place which maybe

0:49:32 > 0:49:38could be led by the Speaker, but it cannot just be that, it needs to be

0:49:38 > 0:49:43parties for situations like the one I mentioned where I was a party

0:49:43 > 0:49:47activist.Have you seen this apparent lis, this dossier, this

0:49:47 > 0:49:51spread sheet of 36 MPs?I haven't seen it, but I have no reason to

0:49:51 > 0:49:56doubt that it exists. I think that what we have learnt over the past

0:49:56 > 0:49:59few days is this behaviour is happening in Westminster and I'm

0:49:59 > 0:50:02glad that we are speaking about it and it is out in the open because

0:50:02 > 0:50:05that will be the first step in the way of making people change their

0:50:05 > 0:50:08behaviour.Why do you think it is happening?It is happening because

0:50:08 > 0:50:14of the power relationship. It's always amazed me in Westminster how

0:50:14 > 0:50:17many unattractive perhaps middle-aged men seem to end up, you

0:50:17 > 0:50:21know, with very young, very good looking girlfriends. And I think so

0:50:21 > 0:50:26much of it is about that power relationship. Be it gender, but that

0:50:26 > 0:50:29power relationship between an employer and an employee and

0:50:29 > 0:50:33politics is competitive. If somebody wants to have a career in politics,

0:50:33 > 0:50:38you know, they realise it is a competitive industry and they don't

0:50:38 > 0:50:43want to upset anyone along the way, turning down unwanted sexual

0:50:43 > 0:50:48advances might for some women they might certificate receive that as

0:50:48 > 0:50:52upset be people and damage their career. I would say to women, don't

0:50:52 > 0:50:56see it in that way, report it, because theme their attitudes

0:50:56 > 0:51:01towards women and politics is not welcome in our Parliament.

0:51:01 > 0:51:06Has Labour got its house in order. There are reports that Jeremy Corbyn

0:51:06 > 0:51:11refused to meet Labour MP Sarah Champion when she raised the issue?

0:51:11 > 0:51:18I believe that Sarah and Jeremy have spoken and he did a speech at the

0:51:18 > 0:51:23weekend setting out how seriously he is taking this. He has a zer ATOL

0:51:23 > 0:51:28rans approach. I have known Jeremy for a number of years. I always knew

0:51:28 > 0:51:31he took the allegations seriously and he is appalled as the rest of us

0:51:31 > 0:51:35about it.How do you respond to the accusation that the party was slow

0:51:35 > 0:51:43when it came to dealing with person in terms of his foam phobic

0:51:43 > 0:51:48comments?It the comments that were made by him are indefensible.The

0:51:48 > 0:51:51criticism was that you were...He has been suspended from the Labour

0:51:51 > 0:51:56Party.Was it too slow?It would be very difficult for me to comment on

0:51:56 > 0:52:02it.You must have an opinion on whether it was slow or not?I think

0:52:02 > 0:52:07that, obviously the allegations were released very slowly and it was

0:52:07 > 0:52:10drip, drip, drip approach, but I think that certainly by Wednesday it

0:52:10 > 0:52:14was right that the whip was removed and he is not sitting as a Labour

0:52:14 > 0:52:19MP.What should happen to a minister who asks his secretary to buy

0:52:19 > 0:52:25vibrators for him and then calls her a demeaning phrase?Well, I think

0:52:25 > 0:52:29certainly, the allegation that you're talking about was made before

0:52:29 > 0:52:33this person was a minister. So I don't think the Ministerial Code is

0:52:33 > 0:52:38an adequate way to go addressing that particular allegation. Because

0:52:38 > 0:52:41that relationship was in his capacity as a member of Parliament u

0:52:41 > 0:52:46not as a minister. I think that every party needs to get their house

0:52:46 > 0:52:50in order on this issue.OK. Thank you very much.Thank you.Thank you

0:52:50 > 0:52:56for coming on the programme, Kat Smith, Labour MP.

0:52:56 > 0:52:59Coming up, we'll be hearing from parents of autistic children

0:52:59 > 0:53:01who've told us they face violence at home regularly and don't

0:53:01 > 0:53:06have the support they need.

0:53:08 > 0:53:10Lewis Hamilton clinched his fourth world title

0:53:10 > 0:53:13at the Mexican Grand Prix despite finishing only

0:53:13 > 0:53:16ninth after a clash with rival Sebastian Vettel.

0:53:16 > 0:53:19His achievement makes him unquestionably the most successful

0:53:19 > 0:53:21British Formula One driver in history, moving him

0:53:21 > 0:53:22one championship clear of Sir Jackie Stewart.

0:53:22 > 0:53:26He's certainly come a long way from this.

0:53:27 > 0:53:33Winner of the Yamahas, Lewis Hamilton.

0:53:35 > 0:53:43Recognise me now? I'm Lewis Hamilton.

0:53:43 > 0:53:45My ambition is to get Formula One, definitely.

0:53:45 > 0:53:46I enjoy the speed.

0:53:46 > 0:53:50I like to be with all the big guys and I'd like to be

0:53:50 > 0:53:50making lots of money.

0:53:51 > 0:53:53It's just great feeling when you wake up and you think

0:53:53 > 0:53:58to yourself how did yesterday go?

0:53:58 > 0:54:00And you say I'm world champion and it's it

0:54:00 > 0:54:03the coolest thing to be able to say world champion.

0:54:03 > 0:54:06COMMENTATOR: Lewis Hamilton is the 2014 world champion.

0:54:06 > 0:54:13Oh my god. I can't believe it.

0:54:15 > 0:54:17I can't really explain how much this means.

0:54:17 > 0:54:19It means even more than the first one.

0:54:19 > 0:54:23It feels like it's the first time and I'm just, I feel so blessed.

0:54:23 > 0:54:27COMMENTATOR: Lewis Hamilton wins the US Grand Prix in Austin.

0:54:27 > 0:54:30It's the greatest moment of my life.

0:54:30 > 0:54:34I can't really find the right words right this second to tell you how

0:54:34 > 0:54:38amazing this feels and just that I couldn't have done it without this

0:54:38 > 0:54:45team who have empowered me for the last three years and really

0:54:45 > 0:54:47taken me on board and really helped nurture me with the consider

0:54:47 > 0:54:49and just faultless.

0:54:49 > 0:54:52So I love you guys, thank you very much for everything you do for me.

0:54:52 > 0:54:55I feel like I conquered any demons, that if I may have had any,

0:54:55 > 0:54:59I don't think I did really, but if I had any demons or anything

0:54:59 > 0:55:02standing in my way I feel I conquered it with great strength.

0:55:02 > 0:55:04COMMENTATOR: Hamilton's got problems.

0:55:04 > 0:55:06Hamilton' got a puncture on his right rear tyre.

0:55:06 > 0:55:10Hamilton does it in 2017.

0:55:10 > 0:55:18Hamilton is world champion in 2017.

0:55:18 > 0:55:21I was always grateful after my first and then the second came and then

0:55:21 > 0:55:25the third came and then this sheer will, how I still had

0:55:25 > 0:55:28this will and willpower to continue after a lot

0:55:28 > 0:55:29of the success we've had.

0:55:29 > 0:55:32I felt even a bigger burning desire this year to win the championship

0:55:32 > 0:55:34particularly as we're fighting another team and I had

0:55:34 > 0:55:35a difficult year last year.

0:55:35 > 0:55:40So, I was adamant I was going to better myself mentally,

0:55:40 > 0:55:42physically and with my attitude and how I work with everyone

0:55:42 > 0:55:47so that I could put myself in the position I'm in today.

0:55:49 > 0:55:54We can speak now to David Brabham, the son of the former racing world

0:55:54 > 0:55:56champion Sir Jack Brabham, and Lewis Hamilton

0:55:56 > 0:55:59super-fan Donna James.

0:55:59 > 0:56:03Welcome both. David, how do you assess this achievement?It's pretty

0:56:03 > 0:56:07incredible really. To win one World Championship is hard enough, but to

0:56:07 > 0:56:11win four in the way that he has done it as well. This year the

0:56:11 > 0:56:18championship was going either way Ferrari or Mercedes or Vettel or

0:56:18 > 0:56:22Hamilton and over the break in August, Lewis has gone up a gear. He

0:56:22 > 0:56:27is driving jut standingingly.What sort of a driver is he?He's very

0:56:27 > 0:56:33natural.What does that mean for us lay people?Just comes easy to him

0:56:33 > 0:56:37in a way, but he's not lazy with it. He works incredibly hard to keep

0:56:37 > 0:56:42improving himself and I was watching yesterday and Niki Lauda said from

0:56:42 > 0:56:45last year to this year a big improvement and over that break he

0:56:45 > 0:56:49has improved again. He just keeps wanting to improve and improve again

0:56:49 > 0:56:54and with the right car, right team around him, slightly untouchable at

0:56:54 > 0:56:58the moment.Donna, would you agree, untouchable at the moment?Oh

0:56:58 > 0:57:03definitely, yes, without a doubt. He has been amazing this season.And

0:57:03 > 0:57:08what is it that you love about Lewis Hamilton?Oh, I have loved Formula

0:57:08 > 0:57:13One for so long now, but when Lewis started, I followed him right from

0:57:13 > 0:57:18the start. He is a really natural driver. But he's also a racer and

0:57:18 > 0:57:22that's what we want to see more in Formula One. You know, good racing

0:57:22 > 0:57:29really.Do you think it's right that appeals not only to what you might

0:57:29 > 0:57:33call the petrol heads, but he loves music and he has amazing personality

0:57:33 > 0:57:38and he loves fashion. Does he bring more people into Formula One?Oh

0:57:38 > 0:57:42yeah, definitely. He is treated more like a rock star. We recently went

0:57:42 > 0:57:48to Sepang to see the Formula One there and it is just a different

0:57:48 > 0:57:54feeling when he's around, you know, he gets the crowds going. No other

0:57:54 > 0:57:58Formula One driver, I don't think, is treated the way he is. I mean he

0:57:58 > 0:58:02is just treated like a rock star really.And David, what about what

0:58:02 > 0:58:06Hamilton can do in the rest of his career, can he beat Michael

0:58:06 > 0:58:10Schumacher's record?Well, I think we're starting to see Lewis in his

0:58:10 > 0:58:14prime. And probably just at the beginning of it. He just seems to be

0:58:14 > 0:58:18in a really good place at the moment. He is happy about his life,

0:58:18 > 0:58:21where he's A I think he is comfortable with who he is, he

0:58:21 > 0:58:25struggled with this the past which may have got in the way. He has got

0:58:25 > 0:58:31a fantastic team around him. You would say have to say that Michael

0:58:31 > 0:58:34Schumacher's achievements of seven World Championships kind of looks

0:58:34 > 0:58:37like it's possible.Thank you very much. Thank you for coming into the

0:58:37 > 0:58:45studio. Thank you Donna. Thank you for talk to us, I appreciate it.

0:58:45 > 0:58:48Let's get the latest weather update with Carol.

0:58:48 > 0:58:54How are you?Very well, thank you. It's freezing. Winter is here.It

0:58:54 > 0:58:59has been a really cold start. The lowest temperature was minus five

0:58:59 > 0:59:02Celsius in the Highlandsment the last film we saw a temperature of

0:59:02 > 0:59:08minus 5.1 Celsius was on 9th May in Shap and that was high. You are not

0:59:08 > 0:59:10wrong as usual!

0:59:10 > 0:59:11Shap and that was high. You are not wrong as usual!

0:59:11 > 0:59:18Isn't it gorgeous? A lovely Weather Watcher picture showing we had clear

0:59:18 > 0:59:22skies, but it was frosty. Another gorgeous one. You can see the frost

0:59:22 > 0:59:26on the flowers and the dew as well and we have got another one if my

0:59:26 > 0:59:33clicker will move on, from Perth in Kinross, a frosty scene. We are

0:59:33 > 0:59:37always talking about your central heating...It's on.You might want

0:59:37 > 0:59:41to switch it off because the temperatures are up and down like a

0:59:41 > 0:59:44yo-yo. What we have got is after today, there is a cold start. This

0:59:44 > 0:59:49is alluding to there with Victoria, we will see more cloud building from

0:59:49 > 0:59:53tomorrow and through the midweek period. It will turn milder. There

0:59:53 > 0:59:57is little rain in the forecast this week. Welds some in the north and

0:59:57 > 1:00:01the west, but many of us will stay dry and it is next weekend it turns

1:00:01 > 1:00:04colder and showery. Talking of showers, we have got showers

1:00:04 > 1:00:08flirting with the North Sea Coast line. We have got two weather fronts

1:00:08 > 1:00:12crossing us from the west, both heading eastwards and in between a

1:00:12 > 1:00:17lot of dry weather. This afternoon a cold afternoon when you compare it

1:00:17 > 1:00:18to yesterday across northern England, temperatures staying in

1:00:18 > 1:00:22single figures. Still a few showers particularly in East Anglia through

1:00:22 > 1:00:26the afternoon. But from the Midlands heading towards Kent and the Isle of

1:00:26 > 1:00:29Wight, we have got a lot of sunshine. A lot of sun shy across

1:00:29 > 1:00:32south-west England and the Isles of Scilly and the Channel Islands for

1:00:32 > 1:00:37that matter and as we head into Wales, again, you are looking at a

1:00:37 > 1:00:39brighter, sunnier afternoon too, temperatures lower than they were

1:00:39 > 1:00:42this time yesterday. For Northern Ireland, the cloud will be starting

1:00:42 > 1:00:46to build, courtesy of our weather front coming in from the west. It

1:00:46 > 1:00:49will introduce splashes of rain and drizzle as it will do across western

1:00:49 > 1:00:53parts of Scotland, but move away from that, we are in brighter skies,

1:00:53 > 1:00:55except for in the north-east where we have got our first weather front

1:00:55 > 1:01:00crossing. Now this evening it will turning chilly quickly in the South

1:01:00 > 1:01:03East. We could have a touch of frost for a time, but as the cloud comes

1:01:03 > 1:01:07in from the west, bringing this rain with it, and murky conditions, the

1:01:07 > 1:01:10temperatures will actually go up in the South East. And we are looking

1:01:10 > 1:01:14at heavy rain across the western Highlands and we will have the heavy

1:01:14 > 1:01:21rain tomorrow. So we will be starting to see especially with

1:01:21 > 1:01:25height the accumulations building. Tomorrow, as the rain rattles from

1:01:25 > 1:01:29the west to the east, we will see showers coming in across Northern

1:01:29 > 1:01:31Ireland and into Wales and north-west England and around the

1:01:31 > 1:01:36Isle of Man, we are looking at showers and drizzle, but push down

1:01:36 > 1:01:41towards the South East, better back in brighter skies and sunshine. Look

1:01:41 > 1:01:45at the difference in the temperatures. Today, single figures

1:01:45 > 1:01:49and tomorrow we are back into double figures. Moving from Tuesday and

1:01:49 > 1:01:53into Wednesday, we have got this weather front and it is wiggling

1:01:53 > 1:01:56northwards and southwards, not covering huge distances as it does

1:01:56 > 1:02:00so, but it means that it is bringing in cloud and rain. Quite a breezy

1:02:00 > 1:02:05day, but the wind coming from a mild south-westerly direction. Again,

1:02:05 > 1:02:09windward coast seeing more cloud at times, push down towards the south

1:02:09 > 1:02:14and the east and we are back into the sunshine, highs of 15 Celsius,

1:02:14 > 1:02:19still we are looking at 12s and 13s in the north.

1:02:19 > 1:02:20Hello, it's Monday, it's 10am.

1:02:20 > 1:02:22I'm Victoria Derbyshire, welcome to the programme.

1:02:22 > 1:02:26Our top story today - Kevin Spacey apologises

1:02:26 > 1:02:28after being accused of making a sexual advance

1:02:28 > 1:02:31toward a child actor.

1:02:31 > 1:02:36And sexual harassment claims at Westminster spiral,

1:02:36 > 1:02:38with reports of 36 MPs being accused of misconduct.

1:02:38 > 1:02:40These young people, especially as some of them,

1:02:40 > 1:02:43it might be their first job in politics, they have been

1:02:43 > 1:02:46desperate to get it and might have applied amongst 400 people to get

1:02:46 > 1:02:49the job, and they get the job, and then they find this MP

1:02:49 > 1:02:51has wandering hands and says inappropriate things

1:02:51 > 1:02:53and they feel slightly frightened or threatened by them.

1:02:53 > 1:02:55Where do you go to make that complaint?

1:02:55 > 1:02:57Who do you speak to?

1:02:57 > 1:02:59At the moment it's not clear at all,

1:02:59 > 1:03:02and, of course, no-one really has teeth.

1:03:02 > 1:03:09There is no body that can slap the MP down.

1:03:09 > 1:03:11We'll hear from TV presenter

1:03:11 > 1:03:14Anne Robinson, who says women really should know better than to share

1:03:14 > 1:03:17a cab or go to a hotel room with someone they don't trust.

1:03:17 > 1:03:19Also on the programme - an exclusive report looking

1:03:19 > 1:03:21at the reality for some parents of living with autistic children.

1:03:21 > 1:03:22It was really upsetting.

1:03:22 > 1:03:28It's horrible, because I love him so much.

1:03:28 > 1:03:30And yeah, I don't want people to be scared of him,

1:03:30 > 1:03:37because he's, you know, his nature is gentle and he doesn't...

1:03:37 > 1:03:45he is not meaning to be the way he is at all.

1:03:45 > 1:03:49Many of you getting in touch to say that you feel totally isolated, you

1:03:49 > 1:03:54find yourself in a similar scenario, totally isolated and failed by your

1:03:54 > 1:04:02local authority. If you want to send us an mail, please do. And there is

1:04:02 > 1:04:07a new suggestion to scrap interest on student loans to help avoid a

1:04:07 > 1:04:11future debt crisis. If you are a student, tell us what you think of

1:04:11 > 1:04:17the idea.

1:04:17 > 1:04:23Time for the latest news, here's Annita McVeigh.

1:04:23 > 1:04:25Thanks, Victoria, good morning.

1:04:25 > 1:04:28The Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has been accused of making

1:04:28 > 1:04:31a sexual advance towards a child actor more than 30 years ago.

1:04:31 > 1:04:33The Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp said Mr Spacey had

1:04:33 > 1:04:39placed him on a bed and climbed on top of him when he was 14.

1:04:39 > 1:04:41Kevin Spacey has responded on Twitter,

1:04:41 > 1:04:44saying he does not remember the incident but if it had happened,

1:04:44 > 1:04:46it would have been deeply inappropriate and drunken behaviour.

1:04:46 > 1:04:48The Leader of the House of Commons

1:04:48 > 1:04:50is being asked to make an urgent statement,

1:04:50 > 1:04:51amid allegations of widespread inappropriate sexual

1:04:51 > 1:04:55behaviour in Westminster.

1:04:55 > 1:04:57Yesterday, the Prime Minister proposed a new system

1:04:57 > 1:05:00for dealing with claims of harassment,

1:05:00 > 1:05:02saying the reputation of Parliament had to be protected.

1:05:02 > 1:05:04Unverified lists of MPs accused of misconduct

1:05:04 > 1:05:08are reportedly circulating in Westminster.

1:05:08 > 1:05:11Earlier, Kat Smith told the Victoria of her experience of harassment in

1:05:11 > 1:05:16politics.Once we got to the station, he delved in for a case

1:05:16 > 1:05:20that was definitely not invited, and I pushed him away and basically ran

1:05:20 > 1:05:27away from him. Now, I did report that, along with other young female

1:05:27 > 1:05:30colleagues who were actively campaigning for the Labour Party at

1:05:30 > 1:05:34that time. We did manage to go through our party procedures and, as

1:05:34 > 1:05:38far as I am aware, he no longer behaves like that.

1:05:38 > 1:05:40The parents of autistic children are not being properly supported

1:05:40 > 1:05:43in dealing with violent behaviour, according to a charity.

1:05:43 > 1:05:44This programme has spoken to families who say

1:05:44 > 1:05:46they're not getting enough help from local authorities,

1:05:46 > 1:05:48while they face violent outbursts from their children,

1:05:48 > 1:05:49including kicking and headbutting.

1:05:49 > 1:05:52The National Autistic Society says that a special educational needs

1:05:52 > 1:05:55system needs to be put in place to provide the support needed

1:05:55 > 1:05:59to de-escalate violent behaviour.

1:05:59 > 1:06:02An influential economic think-tank says the Chancellor

1:06:02 > 1:06:04is caught between a rock and a hard place

1:06:04 > 1:06:06as he prepares his forthcoming Budget.

1:06:06 > 1:06:08The Institute for Fiscal Studies says Philip Hammond

1:06:08 > 1:06:11will have to abandon his target for getting rid of the deficit

1:06:11 > 1:06:13if he is to meet demands from Cabinet colleagues

1:06:13 > 1:06:16to increase spending.

1:06:16 > 1:06:19The Treasury has responded by saying it would continue to adopt what

1:06:19 > 1:06:23it called a balanced approach.

1:06:23 > 1:06:27That is a summary of the latest BBC News.

1:06:27 > 1:06:33More from me at half past ten.

1:06:33 > 1:06:37Cheers, thank you very much, just reading your e-mails, many of you

1:06:37 > 1:06:40have autistic children, Michelle says, I have three autistic

1:06:40 > 1:06:44children, two have been extremely violent at times. My eldest child

1:06:44 > 1:06:48pushed my husband down the stairs following my younger son cracking my

1:06:48 > 1:06:54ribs. I was offered workshops and allocated a social worker, when they

1:06:54 > 1:06:57came out, having skimmed through our historical notes, I was told, you

1:06:57 > 1:07:01couldn't cope then, now you are not coping again, and if you can't

1:07:01 > 1:07:05manage, we will have to place your children in care. I was shocked and

1:07:05 > 1:07:09terrified at the same time, I did need support, but I wanted to keep

1:07:09 > 1:07:13my children. I told them I did not need their help, and I will never

1:07:13 > 1:07:21ask for their help again. This e-mail is a story that brings me to

1:07:21 > 1:07:26tears, my son has severe autism, and it has reduced my life to almost

1:07:26 > 1:07:30nonexistent. There is not enough support, I have had to give up my

1:07:30 > 1:07:34job, I have no friends, worst of all family feel I am throwing my life

1:07:34 > 1:07:41away, it is very isolating and the council have failed us. Another

1:07:41 > 1:07:44says, I am crying watching your report, I have two autistic

1:07:44 > 1:07:48children, seven and four, I am a is in your parent with no help, I have

1:07:48 > 1:07:57got no energy. -- I am a single parent with no help. Very

1:07:57 > 1:08:00distressing and moving correspondence from you, we will be

1:08:00 > 1:08:04talking more about this in the next half-hour, and we will try to get

1:08:04 > 1:08:09some advice for you at least. Do get in touch, send an e-mail or message

1:08:09 > 1:08:16us on Twitter. Let's bring you some sport, Olly Foster is with us.

1:08:16 > 1:08:19Hello, Victoria, Lewis Hamilton, as we have been hearing all morning,

1:08:19 > 1:08:23has become the most successful British driver in the history of

1:08:23 > 1:08:28Formula One. He could not make it onto the podium at the Mexican Grand

1:08:28 > 1:08:31Prix, but ninth was good enough to become world champion for a fourth

1:08:31 > 1:08:37time. He collided with title rival Sebastian Vettel on the first lap, a

1:08:37 > 1:08:42puncture on his Mercedes saw him drop to last. Vettel could not

1:08:42 > 1:08:47achieve the top two finish each needed to keep the title race live,

1:08:47 > 1:08:52and Hamilton was champion again with two races to spare. That moves him

1:08:52 > 1:08:57head of the greatest Sir Jackie Stewart, won three titles.He is the

1:08:57 > 1:09:02one, at the moment, who is driving the best car with the best team, and

1:09:02 > 1:09:05he is delivering, driving and winning the World Championship for

1:09:05 > 1:09:10one year is not all that difficult - but doing it as a serial world

1:09:10 > 1:09:15champion is considerably more difficult.Perfect start for Claude

1:09:15 > 1:09:19Puel at Leicester City, he only took over from Craig Shakespeare last

1:09:19 > 1:09:25Wednesday, they beat Everton 2-0 to move up to 11 in the table. Everton

1:09:25 > 1:09:29had caretaker David Unsworth in charge, they remain in the

1:09:29 > 1:09:32relegation zone. Jamie Vardy and Demarai Gray scored the goals for

1:09:32 > 1:09:39the Foxes. Elsewhere, Brighton drew with Southampton. In the Women's

1:09:39 > 1:09:43Super League, Manchester City are joint top of the two injury time

1:09:43 > 1:09:48goals saw them beat Birmingham City Ladies 3-1, Chelsea join them at the

1:09:48 > 1:09:56top, they beat Yeovil 6-0, Arsenal beat Everton. Caroline Wozniacki has

1:09:56 > 1:10:00won the end of season World Tour Finals in Singapore after a straight

1:10:00 > 1:10:03sets victory over Venus Williams, her biggest win of her career. It is

1:10:03 > 1:10:06the first time she has beaten Williams in eight attempts, capping

1:10:06 > 1:10:11a remarkable comeback. She had slipped to number 74 in the world

1:10:11 > 1:10:16after a serious ankle injury last year. Now she is back up to third in

1:10:16 > 1:10:22the rankings. Talking about rolling back the years, Roger Federer beat

1:10:22 > 1:10:26Juan Martin del Potro to win the Swiss Indoor title, a record eighth

1:10:26 > 1:10:31time he has done that in Basel, his seventh title of 2017. But he is

1:10:31 > 1:10:36going to skip next month's Paris Masters, which will almost certainly

1:10:36 > 1:10:42see Rafa Nadal finish as number one this year. That is all the sport for

1:10:42 > 1:10:45now, back with the headlines later in the programme.

1:10:45 > 1:10:46Cheers, Olly

1:10:46 > 1:10:50in the programme. Cheers, Olly, thank you very much.

1:10:50 > 1:10:52Sexual harassment allegations have dominated the news

1:10:52 > 1:10:54over the last three weeks - no walk of life

1:10:54 > 1:10:56is unaffected by it - and hundreds of women -

1:10:56 > 1:10:59and some men - have now felt empowered to speak

1:10:59 > 1:11:00out since allegations about Harvey Weinstein

1:11:00 > 1:11:01first emerged.

1:11:01 > 1:11:04We can speak now to TV presenter and journalist Anne Robinson,

1:11:04 > 1:11:07who says women really should know better than to share a cab

1:11:07 > 1:11:09or go to a hotel room with someone they don't trust.

1:11:09 > 1:11:14Anne Robinson, good morning. Morning, Victoria.Is it as simple

1:11:14 > 1:11:19as that?No, it is not as simple as that, it is very disappointing that

1:11:19 > 1:11:26over the last 50 years the glass ceilings have been broken and rather

1:11:26 > 1:11:29than confidence flowing alongside the fact that there are women in

1:11:29 > 1:11:35power, there is a sort of fragility and inability to speak out. If there

1:11:35 > 1:11:40are former Cabinet ministers now saying, yes, it goes on in the

1:11:40 > 1:11:44Houses of Parliament, why haven't they done anything about it?!If

1:11:44 > 1:11:51there is a fragility amongst women, why is that?I really fail to

1:11:51 > 1:11:56understand it, because you know, 50 years ago, there were very few of

1:11:56 > 1:12:00us, particularly in newspapers, who had a position of power, and we

1:12:00 > 1:12:04seems to be much more robust and then about bending off this sort of

1:12:04 > 1:12:14behaviour. It is women having PhD is and Masters degrees if they have not

1:12:14 > 1:12:21got any common-sense!It is not about education, though, is it? You

1:12:21 > 1:12:24can have a first-class degree from one of the top universities in the

1:12:24 > 1:12:29world still feel vulnerable and intimidated by a man in a more

1:12:29 > 1:12:33senior position than you.Well, I can ask you the same, why do you

1:12:33 > 1:12:40think that is? You have gone silent on me.Yeah, I am just thinking

1:12:40 > 1:12:47about it! It is complex, isn't it?I will tell you what I think should

1:12:47 > 1:12:52happen much more, and I do try, they should be more mentoring of young

1:12:52 > 1:13:00women. So they learn not to have to put up with this behaviour. I mean,

1:13:00 > 1:13:05why if someone is bright enough to be a PA to a Trade Minister not able

1:13:05 > 1:13:10to say to him, I am not going to go to a shop and buy sex toys?Because

1:13:10 > 1:13:13you might feel that your job would be under threat.But there is a

1:13:13 > 1:13:20certain amount of the attitude you have, I can't say I come across much

1:13:20 > 1:13:24of this behaviour, I honestly have not, and I think it is probably

1:13:24 > 1:13:29because I developed a very good don't mess with me attitude to it.

1:13:29 > 1:13:34You know, bullies only operate where they think there is a weakness.Are

1:13:34 > 1:13:40you not blaming victims here?Well, I do think there is a lot more... I

1:13:40 > 1:13:45do sort of feel that women are much more fractured on the wheel of life

1:13:45 > 1:13:51than maybe we were 40 years ago. What about telling men to just stop

1:13:51 > 1:13:57doing it?Well, I certainly think... I do think it is difficult for a

1:13:57 > 1:14:02youngster who has just got her first job to make a farce, but they should

1:14:02 > 1:14:08be a system whereby senior women in any organisation are there to have a

1:14:08 > 1:14:13collective arm around her so that she is not singled out as a

1:14:13 > 1:14:18nuisance, that they listen to her complaints and give those complaints

1:14:18 > 1:14:24some validation.And how should men change?Well, you know, shall we

1:14:24 > 1:14:28tell them one more time and then they will get it, Victoria? Men

1:14:28 > 1:14:33won't change until it is made very, very, very inconvenient for them to

1:14:33 > 1:14:39behave like this. I had no idea this was still going on, I am very

1:14:39 > 1:14:43disappointed in it.But the fact that it is still going on, and to

1:14:43 > 1:14:51such an extent, it would seem, you make of that?Well, I think there is

1:14:51 > 1:14:55collaboration. The Prime Minister has been MP for 20 years, did it not

1:14:55 > 1:15:00occurred to her before this that something horrid was happening?Has

1:15:00 > 1:15:09it happened to you?No! Honestly, I can't think of a dreadful occasion I

1:15:09 > 1:15:17have had working, I really can't, because bullies know better than

1:15:17 > 1:15:24anybody when not to mess with you. They understand no. And we simply

1:15:24 > 1:15:29must start having women believe that they can make a fuss. I don't

1:15:29 > 1:15:35recognise your argument that a clever PA can't say, I am not going

1:15:35 > 1:15:41to go and buy sex toys for you. Look, you have got another former

1:15:41 > 1:15:44Cabinet minister, Justine Greening, saying women should go to the

1:15:44 > 1:15:50police. Can you imagine going to the police station near Westminster and

1:15:50 > 1:15:54saying to the desk sergeant, by the way, I would like to complain that

1:15:54 > 1:15:59my boss ask me to buy sex toys?I am not sure you would go to the police

1:15:59 > 1:16:05about that. The fact that a PA is clever or otherwise seems to be one

1:16:05 > 1:16:10point, but in the end, when you are working for somebody, and they are

1:16:10 > 1:16:14asking you to do something or putting themselves upon you,

1:16:14 > 1:16:18suggesting sexually inappropriate things, you might feel intimidated -

1:16:18 > 1:16:22you might feel your position is under threat if you say no, and that

1:16:22 > 1:16:29is fair enough, isn't it? Do you not have sympathy with those people?

1:16:29 > 1:16:33Well, you could say I find this inappropriate behaviour, you could

1:16:33 > 1:16:37have some sort of mentoring system so you could go and discuss it and

1:16:37 > 1:16:41perhaps some woman more senior in power can help you get through this.

1:16:41 > 1:16:51Thank you.You must agree with me, that, you know, these days there are

1:16:51 > 1:16:55enough women MPs, it is a disgrace that they have allowed it to go on

1:16:55 > 1:17:02happening.Do you wonder that, it's perhaps because of views like yours,

1:17:02 > 1:17:07it stops peopling speaking up?Why would views like mine stop them

1:17:07 > 1:17:10speaking up?It some people it might sound like you are blaming the

1:17:10 > 1:17:17victim?I'm not blaming the victim. I'm being pragmatic. In a perfect

1:17:17 > 1:17:22world men wouldn't behave badly, but they are going to go on behaving

1:17:22 > 1:17:27badly until it is inconvenient for them not to and part of that has to

1:17:27 > 1:17:32be that women who are in powerful positions start helping younger

1:17:32 > 1:17:37women not to put up with it.OK.I don't think that's under reasonable,

1:17:37 > 1:17:41is it?Thank you very much, Anne Robinson, thank you for coming on

1:17:41 > 1:17:46the programme. Thank you.

1:17:48 > 1:17:50This morning we've been hearing from parents of violent autistic

1:17:50 > 1:17:52children who've told us they face being strangled,

1:17:52 > 1:17:53head-butted and kicked.

1:17:53 > 1:17:55Of course not all autistic children are violent,

1:17:55 > 1:17:57but when they are, it can be incredibly

1:17:57 > 1:17:58difficult to manage.

1:17:58 > 1:18:04The National Autistic Society say parents aren't being properly

1:18:04 > 1:18:05supported by their local authorities, leaving

1:18:05 > 1:18:08families and their children in dire need.

1:18:08 > 1:18:10We bought you Noel Philips exclusive report earlier,

1:18:10 > 1:18:19here's a short extract.

1:20:05 > 1:20:08Let's talk to Yvonne Newbold, who has faced violence at the hands

1:20:08 > 1:20:10of her son who is now in residential care.

1:20:10 > 1:20:12Yvonne now writes on how parents can handle challenging children.

1:20:12 > 1:20:13Stephenie Sverna and her son James.

1:20:13 > 1:20:18James is ten and has autism.

1:20:18 > 1:20:20David, step dad is here as well.

1:20:20 > 1:20:23Stephenie is also expecting a second child, and is due

1:20:23 > 1:20:25to give birth next month, so she has concerns

1:20:25 > 1:20:27about keeping her baby safe.

1:20:27 > 1:20:30Richard Sutton has a 14-year-old son called Max who needs a two-to-one

1:20:30 > 1:20:34staff ratio at all times in school to manage his behaviour safely.

1:20:34 > 1:20:37And Labour MP Dr Paul Williams, who is also a GP and a member

1:20:37 > 1:20:39of the Health Select Committee.

1:20:39 > 1:20:41He recently wrote to England's Health Secretary,

1:20:41 > 1:20:46Jeremy Hunt, raising concerns about support for families.

1:20:46 > 1:20:51Welcome all of you. Thank you so much for coming on the programme.

1:20:51 > 1:20:55Yvonne, your son would lash out at you. Tell our audience a little of

1:20:55 > 1:21:01what you experienced.Right, it started when he was about ten and

1:21:01 > 1:21:05we, it was just a complete shock. It came from nowhere. At first I just

1:21:05 > 1:21:08thought, he wasn't very mobile, he was just learning how to walk and at

1:21:08 > 1:21:12first I thought that it was just he was experimenting with moving his

1:21:12 > 1:21:17arms and things, I thought it was an accident. The first time it

1:21:17 > 1:21:22happened, he hit me across the face so hard that my glasses went across

1:21:22 > 1:21:26the room. I thought it was a one-off, by the end of that week it

1:21:26 > 1:21:31was happening seven or eight times a day. It escalated so that it was

1:21:31 > 1:21:34kicking. It was pulling my hair. One of the things he would do would be

1:21:34 > 1:21:40pull my hair, but then kick me in the face where there is no escape.

1:21:40 > 1:21:44Were you frightened?Terrified at times. The times I didn't know how

1:21:44 > 1:21:49we were going to get through the next five minutes. There were times

1:21:49 > 1:21:55when I really didn't think that I would be able to somehow get all of

1:21:55 > 1:22:00us through it alive. Or without a serious injury. I also had two other

1:22:00 > 1:22:04children, Toby was my middle child so it just wasn't me that was

1:22:04 > 1:22:09vulnerable and one of the things was when he came downstairs in the

1:22:09 > 1:22:13morning, somebody had to come because his mobility is so poor,

1:22:13 > 1:22:19somebody has to walk backwards ahead of him. Well, at least once a week I

1:22:19 > 1:22:22was getting kicked down the stairs backwards. It just becomes your

1:22:22 > 1:22:27life. It just becomes normal. Stephanie, you're nodding in

1:22:27 > 1:22:31agreement here. Again, give our audience a little insight into your

1:22:31 > 1:22:36daily life and the challenges.Well, my son John McCain is ten years old.

1:22:36 > 1:22:40He's severely autistic and non verbal and still in nappies and

1:22:40 > 1:22:46every day, every moment is different so even now, he's quite unsettled.

1:22:46 > 1:22:52He has a diagnosis of ASD and ADHD so he's very, very active,

1:22:52 > 1:22:57constantly on the move. He will self-harm and he will lash out at us

1:22:57 > 1:23:03if we get too close and it's every day for James is quite challenging

1:23:03 > 1:23:09and quite difficult. So we never really know to what expect and we

1:23:09 > 1:23:13have to hyper vigilant and on edge all the time so it is a big

1:23:13 > 1:23:19challenge.What are your concerns as you prepare to have another baby?I

1:23:19 > 1:23:23am worried about, because for the last ten years, my focus has been

1:23:23 > 1:23:29entirely on James and I'm worried that I wouldn't be able to have that

1:23:29 > 1:23:32focus 100% on James and I'm expecting within the next two weeks

1:23:32 > 1:23:38so it will be a huge life change so I'm quite worried about the impact

1:23:38 > 1:23:41that that's going to have on his behaviour and the challenging

1:23:41 > 1:23:46behaviour.Right. Does that include safety towards your new baby?Yes.

1:23:46 > 1:23:52Yes, I mean I've had even throughout this pregnancy I have had to keep a

1:23:52 > 1:23:57distance, a physical barrier with my son because he doesn't understand

1:23:57 > 1:24:02how he is being around me so I have to kind of protect already,

1:24:02 > 1:24:07safeguard already, my, you know, baby.OK.

1:24:07 > 1:24:17Richard, hello.Hi.Tell us about the issues with your son?Max is 14.

1:24:17 > 1:24:24He has a chromosome deletion. He has autism features. He has behaviour

1:24:24 > 1:24:27that challenges us most days.What does that mean in practical terms?

1:24:27 > 1:24:36That means he can become from being a passive young man to escalating

1:24:36 > 1:24:43into direct violence either to us or to himself and that can last for

1:24:43 > 1:24:49minutes. It can last for hours and I think the overwhelming impact is

1:24:49 > 1:24:56that it leaves you feeling unsure where to go for help. Unsure how to

1:24:56 > 1:25:03manage.OK. And where, Yvonne, where should parents with autistic

1:25:03 > 1:25:07children who are being violent towards them go for help and what

1:25:07 > 1:25:11help should they get?Are you asking what help should they get?What help

1:25:11 > 1:25:15should they get?First of all being believed and understood and accepted

1:25:15 > 1:25:23that this is a thing.Right. Sorry to interrupt, I'm getting messages

1:25:23 > 1:25:27from parents in similar scenarios and they are being told you are an

1:25:27 > 1:25:32inadequate parent...Exactly.Is that a theme?I thought I was a

1:25:32 > 1:25:36failure as a mother for years. It wasn't until years later when I

1:25:36 > 1:25:40began to realise that I wasn't the only one and if anybody is watching

1:25:40 > 1:25:46today, please know that you are not the only one out there. I didn't

1:25:46 > 1:25:50realise actually I was like the tough mother of parents. We have to

1:25:50 > 1:25:56learn on the job. We have to try every possible, off-the-wall quirky,

1:25:56 > 1:25:59strategy, going to just try everything and throw everything at

1:25:59 > 1:26:03it to try and sort it.OK. So what should be available, but what is

1:26:03 > 1:26:09actually happening?What should be available is a robust referral

1:26:09 > 1:26:15system whereby parents can access positive behaviour support from a

1:26:15 > 1:26:17behaviour intervention team.Does that mean someone coming into your

1:26:17 > 1:26:25home?Yes, we got it, but it took seven years.Oh my word.And we

1:26:25 > 1:26:30finally got it after Toby's 17th birthday and because it was a

1:26:30 > 1:26:35children's service, it finished on the day he was 18.OK. Let me bring

1:26:35 > 1:26:40in Paul Williams. The Local Government Association tell us that

1:26:40 > 1:26:44councils aren't getting the funding they need, that's why parents like

1:26:44 > 1:26:49the ones we have here are not getting the help in their home with

1:26:49 > 1:26:52their challenging autistic children? Local councils are having to deal

1:26:52 > 1:26:56with significant cutbacks and sadly the stories that we're hearing today

1:26:56 > 1:26:59show there are too many people that are falling through the net and it's

1:26:59 > 1:27:03a net they fall between and what council is trying to do and what

1:27:03 > 1:27:07schools are trying to do and what Health Services are trying to do.

1:27:07 > 1:27:13How would you make it work?First of all, families need to get a prompt

1:27:13 > 1:27:17diagnosis and I have been doing some work with MPs to try and hold the

1:27:17 > 1:27:20Health Secretary to account for this. The guidance says that a

1:27:20 > 1:27:24diagnosis should start, the process start within three months of

1:27:24 > 1:27:28referral. Some people are waiting four years for that process to

1:27:28 > 1:27:31begin. We need at qat support for families to get the right behaviour

1:27:31 > 1:27:34intervention. It is not about medicines, they don't want

1:27:34 > 1:27:37medication, they want support to look after their children in their

1:27:37 > 1:27:42own homes. And we actually need better support for respite as well

1:27:42 > 1:27:48because you can much better look after your child if you have the

1:27:48 > 1:27:54break.After the support packages that are put in place are not

1:27:54 > 1:28:00fulfilled, whether it is due to lack of staffing or long waiting lists

1:28:00 > 1:28:05and so, what looks good on paper doesn't necessarily come through in

1:28:05 > 1:28:07practise and the families don't necessarily receive the support that

1:28:07 > 1:28:11they should be receiving.So you are promised something, but it doesn't

1:28:11 > 1:28:18materialise?I have had to make formal complaints about my son's

1:28:18 > 1:28:21respite provider because we were going four months without a break

1:28:21 > 1:28:24and hopefully that's been resolved now and things put into place, but

1:28:24 > 1:28:27often families are promised something and that's not fulfilled

1:28:27 > 1:28:36in practise so there is a gap.What help do you want?I think the

1:28:36 > 1:28:43fundamental issue in many, many situations is that the assessment

1:28:43 > 1:28:47process and the provision, the assessment process actually comes

1:28:47 > 1:28:50from the starting point of the individual and the family rather

1:28:50 > 1:28:55than what services do provide and what services can provide. In that

1:28:55 > 1:29:00way you actually start to get - we have been talking about person

1:29:00 > 1:29:03centred care and person centred planning for years, but actually

1:29:03 > 1:29:06making that happen is a challenge to professionals, it is a challenge for

1:29:06 > 1:29:13professionals to start to begin to act and work as your support rather

1:29:13 > 1:29:18than a gatekeeper for services. Let me read you some messages from

1:29:18 > 1:29:27people watch you around the country. This e-mail from Blossom, "Children

1:29:27 > 1:29:30with high functioning autism can also be very violent and exhausting

1:29:30 > 1:29:35to care for. I ended up with an emergency spinal injury following a

1:29:35 > 1:29:38meltdown by our child. Efficients 11. We usually have one or two

1:29:38 > 1:29:42emergency social workers on call for the county of Lincolnshire due to

1:29:42 > 1:29:48cuts. It is no longer an emergency service, we live with frequent

1:29:48 > 1:29:53injury and major damage to our home." This texter says, "Our son is

1:29:53 > 1:29:56six and has very violent episodes especially during the school

1:29:56 > 1:30:00holidays, he is verbal and bright, but lashes out when he's suffering

1:30:00 > 1:30:04extreme anxiety. I am usually covered in bruises. We've been

1:30:04 > 1:30:07offered help, but this was limited and we were discharged after several

1:30:07 > 1:30:11months. None of the support we were offered helped when our son was in

1:30:11 > 1:30:15crisis and lashing out. This is when parents need the support. It's so

1:30:15 > 1:30:21hard. He doesn't mean to hurt, it is a reaction to anxiety. At six, he's

1:30:21 > 1:30:27very strong, but we can just about manage, but I am terrified of the

1:30:27 > 1:30:31consequences as he gets older and becomes stronger." That's a

1:30:31 > 1:30:38despairing scenario for a parent to find themselves in.

1:30:38 > 1:30:43I am a doctor by background, but I wasn't elected to Parliament at the

1:30:43 > 1:30:47last election, and parents often feel they are not being prioritised,

1:30:47 > 1:30:52and I hope, I think that politics has the power to change this, if it

1:30:52 > 1:30:55is prioritised, and we get the systems and structures right. It is

1:30:55 > 1:31:02really important not to stigmatise, this is never the fault of the

1:31:02 > 1:31:08children that are often experiencing great frustration, sometimes the

1:31:08 > 1:31:12expression that we see of violent behaviour is because of how

1:31:12 > 1:31:17sensitive they are to changes in their environment, and so we need to

1:31:17 > 1:31:20support, not stigmatise, and we need to make sure this is given a real

1:31:20 > 1:31:23priority.Thank you all very much, thank you for coming on the

1:31:23 > 1:31:26programme. Thank you.

1:31:26 > 1:31:30In the last half-hour of the programme, we will talk to the

1:31:30 > 1:31:33university student from Bristol who was put on trial after police found

1:31:33 > 1:31:36a copy of the terrorism manual The Anarchist Cookbook underneath his

1:31:36 > 1:31:41bed.

1:31:41 > 1:31:43He's now been cleared of that charge,

1:31:43 > 1:31:47and we followed him throughout the trial.

1:31:47 > 1:31:50And calling all students, should the Government scrap interest on student

1:31:50 > 1:31:55loans to help avoid a future debt crisis? We will talk to some

1:31:55 > 1:32:01undergraduates to get their thoughts in the next half-hour.

1:32:01 > 1:32:05Time for the latest news, here's Annita.

1:32:05 > 1:32:09The headlines on BBC News:

1:32:09 > 1:32:12The Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey has been accused of making

1:32:12 > 1:32:15a sexual advance towards a child actor more than 30 years ago.

1:32:15 > 1:32:18The Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp said Mr Spacey had placed him

1:32:18 > 1:32:21on a bed and climbed on top of him when he was 14.

1:32:21 > 1:32:22Kevin Spacey has responded on Twitter,

1:32:22 > 1:32:24saying he does not remember the incident,

1:32:24 > 1:32:25but if it had happened,

1:32:25 > 1:32:29it would have been deeply inappropriate and drunken behaviour.

1:32:29 > 1:32:31The Leader of the House of Commons

1:32:31 > 1:32:34is being asked to make an urgent statement,

1:32:34 > 1:32:35amid allegations of widespread inappropriate sexual

1:32:35 > 1:32:37behaviour in Westminster.

1:32:37 > 1:32:39Yesterday, the Prime Minister proposed a new system

1:32:39 > 1:32:41for dealing with claims of harassment,

1:32:41 > 1:32:43saying the reputation of Parliament had to be protected.

1:32:43 > 1:32:45Unverified lists of MPs accused of misconduct

1:32:45 > 1:32:48are reportedly circulating in Westminster.

1:32:48 > 1:32:52Earlier, Kat Smith told the Victoria of her

1:32:55 > 1:32:57The parents of autistic children are not being properly supported

1:32:57 > 1:33:00in dealing with violent behaviour, according to a charity.

1:33:00 > 1:33:01This programme has spoken to families who say

1:33:01 > 1:33:03they're not getting enough help from local authorities,

1:33:03 > 1:33:07while they face violent outbursts from their children,

1:33:07 > 1:33:09including kicking and headbutting.

1:33:09 > 1:33:12The National Autistic Society says that a special educational needs

1:33:12 > 1:33:15system needs to be put in place to provide the support needed

1:33:15 > 1:33:23to de-escalate violent behaviour.

1:33:23 > 1:33:25A leading cancer charity has appointed

1:33:25 > 1:33:27what it calls a digital nurse to combat so-called

1:33:27 > 1:33:28fake news about the disease.

1:33:28 > 1:33:32Macmillan Cancer Support says the internet is full of unverified

1:33:32 > 1:33:34statistics and bogus treatment suggestions which mislead

1:33:34 > 1:33:36often frightened patients.

1:33:36 > 1:33:38It says it wants to provide clear advice online

1:33:38 > 1:33:47about diagnosis and treatment.

1:33:47 > 1:33:51That is a summary of the latest BBC News.

1:33:51 > 1:33:55News just in, counterterrorism officers say they have arrested two

1:33:55 > 1:33:5814-year-old boys from North Yorkshire on suspicion of preparing

1:33:58 > 1:34:03for an act of terrorism. Pete boys have been taken to a police station

1:34:03 > 1:34:08in west Yorkshire for questioning. -- the two boys. They say they are

1:34:08 > 1:34:11from Northallerton and the searchers are ongoing at a number of

1:34:11 > 1:34:28properties in North Yorkshire. -- the searches. Police say, quote, we

1:34:28 > 1:34:31understand that people may have concerns as a result of this

1:34:31 > 1:34:35activity, and we are grateful for the patience and understanding of

1:34:35 > 1:34:38the public as these inquiries are carried out. Olly Foster has all the

1:34:38 > 1:34:44sport. Lewis Hamilton has become the most successful British driver in

1:34:44 > 1:34:49Formula One. The only finished ninth in Mexico, but that was enough to

1:34:49 > 1:35:18take the title for a fourth time. Claude Puel's first game in charge

1:36:12 > 1:36:16Feeling the heat - Josh is hard at work as a kitchen hand.

1:36:16 > 1:36:25His life as a university student on hold, while he waits to find out

1:36:26 > 1:36:28what's in store for him.

1:36:28 > 1:36:31In just over a week, Josh is due in court in Birmingham

1:36:31 > 1:36:32to face charges of terrorism.

1:36:32 > 1:36:34We've been given exclusive access to this remarkable ordeal.

1:36:34 > 1:36:37If he's found guilty, he could go to jail for ten years.

1:36:37 > 1:36:41A terrorism charge, that's a big deal.

1:36:41 > 1:36:44If I go to prison over this, well, it would be a ridiculous

1:36:44 > 1:36:52miscarriage of justice.

1:36:52 > 1:36:58EXPLOSION.

1:36:58 > 1:37:01A year ago, Josh was in Syria, against Foreign Office advice,

1:37:01 > 1:37:03having joined Kurdish militia in the fight against

1:37:03 > 1:37:04so-called Islamic State.

1:37:04 > 1:37:07When we met up with him, he'd returned safely home to Bristol

1:37:07 > 1:37:12with an extraordinary story.

1:37:12 > 1:37:16You felt strongly enough to pick up a gun and do something about it.

1:37:16 > 1:37:20But surely that's the same sort of sentiment a terrorist has?

1:37:20 > 1:37:22There's a big difference between those who wish to commit

1:37:22 > 1:37:29genocide and those who wish to stop people from committing genocide.

1:37:29 > 1:37:33But no words really to describe being under aerial bombardment.

1:37:33 > 1:37:40All you can do, essentially, is keep your head down and hope it stops.

1:37:40 > 1:37:45I'm meeting up with Josh in the same cafe where we talked back in March.

1:37:45 > 1:37:48Last time I saw you, you'd recently come back from Syria.

1:37:48 > 1:37:48Now this.

1:37:48 > 1:37:50What happened?

1:37:50 > 1:37:55So, obviously they arrested me when I returned.

1:37:55 > 1:37:59When they went to search my room, they found a partial copy

1:37:59 > 1:38:05of The Anarchist Cookbook, which I had printed off

1:38:05 > 1:38:14about two years ago and I had completely forgotten about.

1:38:14 > 1:38:17And so in the context, obviously, it didn't look the best.

1:38:17 > 1:38:20What the police had found in a drawer under his bed were pages

1:38:20 > 1:38:25of a 46-year-old American publication, The Anarchist Cookbook.

1:38:25 > 1:38:28It was enough for Josh to be charged under Section 58

1:38:28 > 1:38:30of the Terrorism Act for possessing information likely to be

1:38:30 > 1:38:36of use to a terrorist.

1:38:36 > 1:38:39They couldn't prosecute me for going to Syria,

1:38:39 > 1:38:43so they are getting me on this stupid university thing,

1:38:43 > 1:38:48just to cause trouble for those of us who go and help the Kurds.

1:38:48 > 1:38:49Life is undoubtedly stressful with a criminal

1:38:49 > 1:38:52charge hanging over you.

1:38:52 > 1:38:57But at work in Bristol, Josh's colleagues are right behind him.

1:39:20 > 1:39:25I was quite surprised I heard about it.

1:39:25 > 1:39:27You look at Josh and you don't really think

1:39:27 > 1:39:29he looks like a terrorist.

1:39:29 > 1:39:31I was a shocked, really, shocked and surprised

1:39:31 > 1:39:35by what he's going through.

1:39:35 > 1:39:38I want to have a closer look at The Anarchist Cookbook.

1:39:38 > 1:39:40Owning a copy is easy.

1:39:40 > 1:39:45In fact, you can buy it online.

1:39:45 > 1:39:47That's it.

1:39:47 > 1:39:51It's on its way.

1:39:51 > 1:39:53Welcome to passengers who joined the service at Swindon.

1:39:53 > 1:39:56It's now just a few days until the trial.

1:39:56 > 1:40:00And Josh is off to London to meet his lawyer.

1:40:00 > 1:40:04There's a chance things can go wrong, people can think

1:40:04 > 1:40:07all kinds of stupid stuff.

1:40:07 > 1:40:10But I feel like worrying too much is a waste of energy.

1:40:10 > 1:40:19Anyway, it's just more preparation.

1:40:19 > 1:40:21Fortunately for Josh, he's qualifying for Legal Aid,

1:40:21 > 1:40:24which means the state is paying for a top barrister to defend him.

1:40:24 > 1:40:26But is this case a waste of public money?

1:40:26 > 1:40:29If what he did in Syria is worthy of criminal sanction,

1:40:29 > 1:40:32then litigate that.

1:40:32 > 1:40:35But to merely find a book gathering dust in a drawer under his bed,

1:40:35 > 1:40:37in his student room, and to prosecute that under

1:40:37 > 1:40:42terrorist legislation, does strike me as deeply worrying.

1:40:42 > 1:40:44If the Director of Public Prosecutions really thinks this

1:40:44 > 1:40:46book shouldn't exist, shouldn't be accessible,

1:40:46 > 1:40:48why hasn't he gone after Amazon rather than a part-time

1:40:48 > 1:40:51student from Bristol?

1:40:51 > 1:40:54This wouldn't be the first time that someone with a copy

1:40:54 > 1:40:57of The Anarchist Cookbook has been convicted.

1:40:57 > 1:41:00But, in other cases, there was other compelling evidence,

1:41:00 > 1:41:04not just the book on its own.

1:41:04 > 1:41:08Back in Bristol, the post has arrived.

1:41:08 > 1:41:11So, here it is. My copy of The Anarchist Cookbook.

1:41:11 > 1:41:13If I was Josh Walker, just owning this book

1:41:13 > 1:41:17would be enough to land me with terrorism charges.

1:41:17 > 1:41:21So, what's all the fuss about?

1:41:21 > 1:41:23Looking at the contents page, it's not what I thought.

1:41:23 > 1:41:25Chapter one deals with drugs.

1:41:25 > 1:41:27Chapter two electronics, sabotage and surveillance.

1:41:27 > 1:41:31Chapter three, weapons.

1:41:31 > 1:41:36Chapter four - the most useful to a potential terrorist -

1:41:36 > 1:41:41covers explosives and booby-traps.

1:41:41 > 1:41:43Recipes and formulae for making things like nitroglycerin,

1:41:43 > 1:41:46TNT and Molotov cocktails.

1:41:46 > 1:41:50So what on earth was Josh doing with the book?

1:41:50 > 1:41:56In Birmingham, his trial is about to start.

1:41:56 > 1:42:00Outside the court, members of the local Kurdish community

1:42:00 > 1:42:04are here to show support - and Josh's mum.

1:42:04 > 1:42:07How does your mother feel about it?

1:42:07 > 1:42:09She's not incredibly happy with me, I'm pretty sure.

1:42:09 > 1:42:14And of course she's worried.

1:42:14 > 1:42:19Inside the court, Josh confirms he did download large portions

1:42:19 > 1:42:25of The Anarchist Cookbook, but he had a legitimate reason.

1:42:25 > 1:42:27I've been listening to what's going on in there.

1:42:27 > 1:42:29Josh told the court that at university he was involved

1:42:29 > 1:42:31in something called the Crisis Game Society,

1:42:31 > 1:42:33where they re-enacted historical scenarios involving

1:42:33 > 1:42:36terrorism and genocide.

1:42:36 > 1:42:39Josh bought the book, he says, because he wanted to bring

1:42:39 > 1:42:42accuracy to the scenarios.

1:42:42 > 1:42:46When the games ended, rather than dispose of the book,

1:42:46 > 1:42:53he put it in a drawer under his bed, where it was found by the police.

1:43:04 > 1:43:07The next day, Josh takes to the stand.

1:43:07 > 1:43:10Afterwards, he is visibly exhausted.

1:43:10 > 1:43:20Yeah, quite tired. Still got another day to go.

1:43:20 > 1:43:24Well, all the evidence has now been heard and it's up to the jury

1:43:24 > 1:43:26to decide whether that book in the drawer under Josh's bed

1:43:26 > 1:43:29could really be used for terrorism.

1:44:01 > 1:44:06It's verdict day and both Josh's parents are with him.

1:44:06 > 1:44:09The wait is a nervous one.

1:44:09 > 1:44:12It's a waste of taxpayers' money, it's a waste of my time.

1:44:12 > 1:44:15If I go to prison over this, well, you know, it would be

1:44:15 > 1:44:19a ridiculous miscarriage of justice, essentially.

1:44:19 > 1:44:21It's disproportionate, it's not necessary to interfere

1:44:21 > 1:44:24with what, in legal terms, is Josh's right to have,

1:44:24 > 1:44:28share and gather information, unless it would actually do

1:44:28 > 1:44:29something to lessen the risk of terrorism.

1:44:29 > 1:44:38Which, in his case, it obviously doesn't.

1:44:38 > 1:44:44The jury takes less than an hour to decide.

1:44:44 > 1:44:46Josh is not guilty.

1:44:46 > 1:44:53For his mum, huge relief and also anger that it happened at all.

1:44:53 > 1:44:54Really emotional and really stressful.

1:44:54 > 1:44:58The whole experience has been so surreal,

1:44:58 > 1:45:01it's been hard to call what the outcome would be,

1:45:01 > 1:45:04because the fact that we are here in the first place is just

1:45:04 > 1:45:06an absolute waste of taxpayers' money.

1:45:06 > 1:45:07It makes me quite angry.

1:45:07 > 1:45:10It's cost tens of thousands of pounds, but justice has been served.

1:45:10 > 1:45:13Josh is innocent.

1:45:13 > 1:45:15But he doesn't escape a scolding from his mum.

1:45:15 > 1:45:18He has he's got a lot to make up for.

1:45:18 > 1:45:20He's got a lot of grovelling to do, haven't you?

1:45:20 > 1:45:22Yes.

1:45:22 > 1:45:26And he'd better not do anything for the next 20 years that may

1:45:26 > 1:45:28cause me any worry at all.

1:45:28 > 1:45:31That might be a little difficult, but I'll do my best.

1:45:31 > 1:45:34He can do his best.

1:45:40 > 1:45:45You can see more of that report on Inside Out West tonight.

1:45:47 > 1:45:53Scrapping interest on student loans and extending the time

1:45:53 > 1:45:55limit on paying them back could help to avoid

1:45:55 > 1:45:57a future debt crisis.

1:45:57 > 1:46:00That's according to a conservative leaning think tank called UK 2020

1:46:00 > 1:46:02which says such measures would "bring down costs"

1:46:02 > 1:46:07for students and graduates.

1:46:07 > 1:46:14Let's talk to the report's main editor and the editor of the student

1:46:14 > 1:46:22newspaper.

1:46:22 > 1:46:25What's the problem?There is a problem with student loans. 40% will

1:46:25 > 1:46:29have to be written off by the Government over time and students

1:46:29 > 1:46:32don't know how much they have got to pay back. They can't afford the

1:46:32 > 1:46:35interest let alone repaying the capital. We worked out that the

1:46:35 > 1:46:39Government could afford to write off all of the historic student loans of

1:46:39 > 1:46:43£11 billion because they have already provided for that loss in

1:46:43 > 1:46:47their accounts and then charged no future interest on student loans. So

1:46:47 > 1:46:52you are basically reorganising the deal between the country, the State,

1:46:52 > 1:46:57and students so yes, students would still have to repay the capital, so

1:46:57 > 1:47:01they wouldn't have interest on the loans so they would know how much

1:47:01 > 1:47:06interest, but they would have to pay it over a longer period which would

1:47:06 > 1:47:09increase the recovery rates, up to about 80%, and therefore, it would

1:47:09 > 1:47:12be a better deal for the students, the taxpayers and parents if they

1:47:12 > 1:47:23are involved too.

1:47:28 > 1:47:36Cirsy?When they were risen to #6.1%, the IF saismtd it was the

1:47:36 > 1:47:38main reason that students wouldn't be able to repay their loans. I

1:47:38 > 1:47:45don't think that's, I don't think that's a new benefit. In terms of

1:47:45 > 1:47:49increasing the time from 30 years to 50 years, there is positive benefits

1:47:49 > 1:47:53to that will. Positives and negatives, sorry, the negatives are

1:47:53 > 1:47:57that it would increase the time the anxiety is above students heads, it

1:47:57 > 1:48:02makes it longer for them to repay, but the positive is that the

1:48:02 > 1:48:05repayments are smaller so when they are on lower salaries, when they

1:48:05 > 1:48:09just graduate, the monthly repayments are more manageable, but

1:48:09 > 1:48:12I do find it counter-intuitive that you're going to be paying your

1:48:12 > 1:48:16student loan out of your pension pot.

1:48:16 > 1:48:28Let's get more more reaction from UCL You like the current system.I

1:48:28 > 1:48:33like the idea of it increasing to 50.Over 50 years.That makes sense

1:48:33 > 1:48:38unless people are retiring at 50.No one retires at 50 let alone in

1:48:38 > 1:48:43future years.Yes. I see no reason to scrap the interest. All that does

1:48:43 > 1:48:48is decease the value of the loan. Why are you suggesting scrapping the

1:48:48 > 1:48:54interest?40% to 50% of student loans, the capital and the interest

1:48:54 > 1:48:58will not be repaid by students and therefore, the Government and the

1:48:58 > 1:49:02taxpayer is going to have to pick up the bill and the forecast is that by

1:49:02 > 1:49:06the mid-2020s, the Government may have to write off over £100 billion

1:49:06 > 1:49:09of student loans when it becomes clear how few repayments are made.

1:49:09 > 1:49:15That's why.Surely all they have to, they will be writing off more money

1:49:15 > 1:49:22by that system, right?The current system?The amount of money paid is

1:49:22 > 1:49:25still the same and the value of the degree is the same, but you are not

1:49:25 > 1:49:29getting the interest back.Correct. So essentially, the different deal

1:49:29 > 1:49:35would be that the Government is picking up the tab for the interest,

1:49:35 > 1:49:39the student still has to repay the capital, buff a longer period.

1:49:39 > 1:49:46Instead of having to pay it at back at 9%, it could be paid back at 7%

1:49:46 > 1:49:49and inflation will erode the value of the capital of the debt over that

1:49:49 > 1:49:53longer period and make it easier and therefore, it shouldn't affect

1:49:53 > 1:49:57Kirsty's concern about pension pots which is a valid concern.Is the

1:49:57 > 1:49:59Universities Minister listening?We hope that the government will take

1:49:59 > 1:50:02on board the suggestions. They have announced a review, we don't know

1:50:02 > 1:50:05the detail of that review, but these proposals are with the Government.

1:50:05 > 1:50:10With we know they are looking at it and we're hopeful they will take

1:50:10 > 1:50:13serious consideration of them.Thank you. I'm sorry, it was brief. Thank

1:50:13 > 1:50:26you for coming in. We appreciate it and thank you to Kirsty too.

1:50:27 > 1:50:32You have been painting a picture of lack of support for autistic

1:50:32 > 1:50:36children. The Local Government say they have been put in an impossible

1:50:36 > 1:50:40situation due to demand and historic under funding. We're going to talk

1:50:40 > 1:50:45to some of you who got in touch this morning. Tony Hallett whose

1:50:45 > 1:50:48four-year-old daughter is autistic and also violent. Tony is in

1:50:48 > 1:50:54Lancashire. Welcome Tony. Also with us in Surrey is Josephine Larcher

1:50:54 > 1:50:58whose daughter is violent and in Cornwall, Michelle Hook who has

1:50:58 > 1:51:02three autistic children, two of whom can be violent. Thank you for

1:51:02 > 1:51:09talking to us. We really appreciate it. Tony, give us a little insight

1:51:09 > 1:51:16into your daily life.OK. So my daughter is four. She has two

1:51:16 > 1:51:21siblings who are younger than her. She wants to try and hug them, but

1:51:21 > 1:51:25she can be quite violent towards them so it will be a hug around the

1:51:25 > 1:51:33neck and choking them. When she is aggravated, she can bite, drawing

1:51:33 > 1:51:42blood and she can pinch, but they have no ability to stop... The

1:51:42 > 1:51:48pinches can turn into nasty bruises. She is only four and I worry this is

1:51:48 > 1:51:53going to increase, I worry it will get worse.Josephine, hello. You

1:51:53 > 1:51:57have a six-year-old daughter who has been lashing out, I think, since the

1:51:57 > 1:52:01age of about three, is that right? That's right, yes.How tough is it?

1:52:01 > 1:52:09It's very tough. I can echo a lot of what Toni has just said the worry

1:52:09 > 1:52:16for her younger sibling is huge. She hits, kicks, head-butts on a regular

1:52:16 > 1:52:22basis, myself, my husband and our daughter. She has pushed her

1:52:22 > 1:52:27two-year-old sister down the stairs and she has gone to strangle her and

1:52:27 > 1:52:31it is the unpredictability of her behaviour. She might be kissing her

1:52:31 > 1:52:35sister on the hand and the next minute she is biting her.Let me ask

1:52:35 > 1:52:40you and a brief yes or no, Josephine, have you had any help

1:52:40 > 1:52:48from the NHS for example?Very little.OK. Your county council,

1:52:48 > 1:52:55Surrey County Council?No. No, we have gone through the people to get

1:52:55 > 1:52:59the support at school and I asked for a carer's assessment from social

1:52:59 > 1:53:02services and they said they couldn't provide that, but their job is

1:53:02 > 1:53:05safeguarding children, even though it's a safeguarding issue for my

1:53:05 > 1:53:09youngest.It really is.They are not interested in looking at that.

1:53:09 > 1:53:12Michelle, hello, welcome, thank you for talking to me. We really

1:53:12 > 1:53:16appreciate it. You have three children with autism aged 23, 15,

1:53:16 > 1:53:21and 11.Yes.And two of them have been extremely violent. What help

1:53:21 > 1:53:26have you asked for and what help have you received?After my ribs

1:53:26 > 1:53:30were cracked by my son, after just asking him to get in the car, he

1:53:30 > 1:53:36didn't want to sit-in the seat that I asked him to get in, I asked for

1:53:36 > 1:53:42help. I asked the social services to help us. We have dealt with social

1:53:42 > 1:53:45services in the past because we have children with additional needs and

1:53:45 > 1:53:51we have had to ask them for help before.And what was forthcoming?

1:53:51 > 1:53:55Well, essentially I was told if I couldn't cope then and I can't cope

1:53:55 > 1:53:58now because of our family situation that they would have to put our kids

1:53:58 > 1:54:04in care. Wow.It terrifies me and I just