02/11/2011 BBC London News

Tonight on BBC London News... The latest plan for a new airport in

the Thames. Pie-in-the-sky? Absolutely not. Down to work. --

earth. We'll be assessing just how likely the plans are to get off the

ground. Also tonight... Six Met police officers found guilty of

misconduct, but keep their jobs. Calls grow for their dismissal. The

London borough that wants to ban lapdancing. They're asking

questions, what is this? It is very scary. And TV how it used to be -

75 years of broadcasting in London. First tonight... The big idea that

just won't go away. Even though David Cameron has tried to scotch

talk of building a new airport in the Thames Estuary, one of the

world's leading architects today put forward his vision. Lord

Foster's idea is to relieve the pressure on Heathrow by creating a

four runway airport near the Isle of Grain in Kent. It's not the only

proposal for the area. There's also the so-called Boris Island, backed

by the Mayor. So what are the chances of either of them actually

being built? Our Transport Correspondent Tom Edwards has been

finding out. A huge idea from an architectural

grandee, The Thames Hub is an airport, a hydro electric barrier

and Rail and shipping terminals. Lord Foster's altruistic vision is

meant to keep the capacity competitive, also solving a lack of

aviation capacity in the future. These issues have to be confronted

so even if the decision is to do nothing, then at least the

consequences of that, particularly in terms of future generations, and

Trade and new markets, so we can consciously opt out of that. But to

make any decision you need a basis of knowledge. It'd be built here on

the Isle of Grain in Kent. It'd cost at least �50 billion. There

would be fierce opposition from environmentalists and residents.

Already, similar plans have been defeated at Cliffe on the same Hoo

peninsula. It might give people jobs but it won't give people like

us anything. It is too close, there will not be a village. It is

sustainable employment we are bringing to the area now. We do not

want some pie-in-the-sky scheme which will suggest it will come in

50 years. But The Government's currently grappling with how to

provide more capacity for aviation in the South East - without it,

it's claimed our economy will be left behind. It's ruled out more

runways at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted but hasn't ruled out

expansion elsewhere. The Thames Hub is just the latest being proposed.

A few miles away, the Mayor of London's keen on an airport in the

estuary. Other ideas include joining Gatwick and Heathrow with a

high speed rail link. The government has said this idea is

"interesting" although the aviation industry won't like it.

Commentators say the government will have to help potential

investors. The idea the government would pay for a multi-billion-pound

airport project is romantic. So the question then will be how a car --

FA Cup the government clear planning obstacles and make it easy

for a planner, a master plan and an airport builder and the fund has to

build their airport and get their money back? That requires the

government to take firm action. Pie-in-the-sky? Down to earth.

this is realistic? This is a realistic proposal, believe me.

This idea and others, including the Mayor's for an estuary airport,

have been submitted to the government's aviaiton consultation.

It'll make a decision on that next year but a growing number of

influential people think the solution could be to the East.

is the theory, what is the reality likely to be? I think the debate

has moved, even comparing to a couple of years ago when it was

widely ridiculed, this idea. But is there the political will from the

government to make this happen? The government is also facing criticism

for the high-speed rail link to the north, I think it will increase the

pressure on government to tackle this problem. The problem of

aviation capacity in the area. Thank you. Coming up later...

have them all laid out. protesters are organising life in

London's "other" anti-capitalist Six Metropolitan police officers

have been disciplined for smashing the window of a suspected stolen

car with baseball bats and a pick axe handle. The officers were found

guilty of discreditable conduct but tonight there are calls for them to

be sacked. Alex Bushill is outside New Scotland Yard. Baseball bats

and even a pick axe handle, that is what these offices used to stop and

detain a driver backing 2008 in Edmonton. This footage obtained by

at the Sun newspaper, which we believe was filmed by police

themselves, shows how they went about making that a rest. Attack.

Get out of the car! As you can see, a number of windows are smashed by

those officers. They should have been using a standard issue

metropolitan implement, and extendable baton, instead they used

to a baseball bat and pick axe handle. The suspect himself puts up

no resistance, he is detained quickly and effectively, then

arrested. But the internal disciplinary panel said today their

behaviour was disproportionate and overly aggressive. They were all

formally reprimanded. Tonight, questions have been raised over how

appropriate the punishment is. were all formally reprimanded, the

officer in charge has been demoted to defect -- to Detective Constable.

They have all kept their jobs. staggered these officers have not

been sacked. In London we need a professional force, that means

police to do not turn up to work with Perrone weapons. It is

astonishing that they have their jobs. -- their own weapons. Tonight

the Met Police have issued a statement defending their position,

pointing to the independent nature of the disciplinary panel. The

suspect was convicted of handling stolen goods and driving while

disqualified. We have learnt that at least one

third of London boroughs are trying to prevent lap-dancing clubs

opening, or ban them. It is led by Tower Hamlets who say they are

withdrawing licences from venues offering adult entertainment at the

request of local people. Insiders warn a ban could drive lap-dancing

underground. Harmless titillation, or the sexual exploitation of

women? Lap-dancing clubs have cricket's -- critics and fans. But

last year the law was changed, anywhere that had lap-dancing,

striptease, or poll dancing should be licensed as a sex encounter a

venue, meaning local councils could limit the number of clubs they felt

appropriate, but more importantly, the legislation gave local

residents more power. Tower Hamlets council has finished consulting

with its residents over whether any of its clubs should be allowed to

exist at all. You see a lot of the City workers coming into Tower

Hamlets because it is on the city borders, so it is unfair on the

rest of us that they have to experience noise, nuisance, drunken

disorderly behaviour and in some cases propositions of arresting

women. Her constituents say they have also felt harassed by living

next door to this licensed lap- dancing club. I do not think it is

safe, especially with the posters around. My children are looking at

them and asking questions, what is this, what is a lap dancer? What

are they looking at? These are the questions. They have just seen the

show, now I have my young friend's sister, or daughter walking past

and what are they looking at? At her. I was told there has not been

pole dancing for some time in the pub and was even shown where the

poll used to be. The landlord did not want to appear, so I spoke to

one of the regulars. People have to make a living, so you try things.

No sex, just people dancing. The is also funded her degree through lap-

dancing but is now against what the club stands for but is cautious

about a ban. My vision would be for the UK to have no lap-dancing clubs,

but I would be careful about banning. What will happen then is

that disrespect to women and objectification of them will

manifest in another form. These local club owners say between them

they employ hundreds of people, including bouncers and bar staff

and they are preparing to dig the council to court if necessary.

Everybody has their own morals, so if people don't want to go to these

venues they will not go. The is stripper has worked locally for 10

years and fears any ban would push the industry underground. I have

always been lucky and worked in really good venues, really well run,

security on hand, CCTV to make sure nothing goes on that should not go

on. It is better if this thing is overground and controlled. So while

the council collects local responses what happens it will be

The family of a man who was murdered while out celebrating his

birthday in London has appealed for witnesses. Paul Gunner was punched

outside a kebab shop in Bexley last month whilst he was out celebrating

his 32nd birthday. His brother Ray The Chav, we used to enjoy football,

golf, working together -- the chat. He was a very nice but. I am going

to miss him, I think a lot of people will. The protestors outside

St Paul's Cathedral say they have renewed enthusiasm following the

sympathetic remarks from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Some have

told BBC London they may yet occupy another London square, as even with

their second camp in Finsbury Square, they're running out of

space. Gareth Furby reports. So the camp is staying outside St

Paul's and today there was talk of setting up yet another one, again

in the city. We have no room, so we have to get more in. If we move out

of the city the message is lost. is easy if we expand. There is one

other site close by, in Finsbury Square, but if the protesters are

to be relieved, two was not enough. Today we have two free tense. --

tents. This site and the one as St Paul's is close to capacity.

unoccupied half is now close to the public, the atmosphere at lunchtime,

different to usual. A restaurant in the middle of this is losing

business, about 40 per cent down, according to the owner. He did not

want to be interviewed on camera. We have been liaising with the

bistro and since we arrived we have also been publicising the fact it

is still open as usual. We are doing our best to work with him.

the moment Islington council will only say it is monitoring this camp,

so it could be here for quite a while. A curiosity for City workers

who have mixed views. They seem to be having a good laugh. I am not

against it. It is important to have those people around, to say hey,

think in another way, in another spirit. It is good. They are not

disturbing anyone. They are doing it peacefully, they are kind.

tonight the two camps continue and there may be yet an attempt to set

up the third. -- a third. This is the Croydon

businessman at the heart of the cricket match-fixing scandal.

Mazhar Majeed is the man who orchestrated the betting scam with

three Pakistani cricketers to fix a Test match at Lords last summer.

Today it was revealed that he had pleaded guilty for his part in the

affair. Our sports reporter Chris Slegg is here with more. Yes Mazhar

Majeed pleaded guilty at a pre- trial hearing back in September,

but we've not been allowed to report that before today when the

judge lifted reporting restrictions. He was the man at the heart of the

operation filmed accepting �150,000 payment from an undercover News of

the World reporter to arrange for Pakistan players to deliberately

bowl no-balls during the fourth Do what else do we know about him?

As you mentioned, when the scandal came to light he was the owner of

his local football team, Croydon Athletic, a position he's since

relinquished. He's also a successful businessman who owns a

chain of ice cream parlours, and he worked as a sports agent. Before he

arranged to fix this match he told the undercover reporter he had made

masses and masses of money fixing cricket matches. His "in" was that

he managed several of the Pakistan players, including the captain

Salman Butt - one of those who was found guilty yesterday. In court

today Mazhar Majeed said he gave �77,5000 to the players involved,

he says �65,000 of that went to Mohamed Asif because he was worried

he would go and join another betting ring if he didn't get such

a large chunk. It suggests this activity is rife at. What happens

now? Mazhar Majeed now awaits sentencing at Southwark Crown Court,

as do the three players involved. Mohamed Amir, who also pleaded

guilty before the trial, and Salman Butt and Mohamed Asif. Butt and

Asif are facing up to seven years in jail or large fines. Still to

come... It said in the evening papers that night, 20,000 wait for

Beryl. We meet the woman who flicked the switches to bring you

BBC broadcasts from Alexandra Palace. The Prime Minister today

gave his backing to London's bid to host the World Athletics

Championships in 2017. Athletics chiefs will meet in Monaco next

week to vote on the winning city. It's also seen a key opportunity to

secure an athletics legacy after the Olympics next summer. Cast your

mind back to 2010. They were dubbed the three lions. But even the power

of Prince William, David Beckham and the Prime Minister couldn't win

England the right to host the football World Cup. Ladies and

gentlemen, it will be organised in Russia. Some might consider it a

brave decision for David Cameron to publicly support another large-

scale sporting event. But today, Downing Street confirmed that the

Prime Minister will be pre- recording a video message back in

London's bid to host the 2017 World Athletics Championships. It will be

played to athletics chiefs before next week's vote. We've got some

stiff competition against Doha, but the support we had, not just from

David Cameron but some great athletes and great supporters out

there, it really shows we are serious about this and we really

hope we can get it next week. you believe that track is going to

stay? I think it has to. If we don't get it, we'll be trying to

get something else. Whether that is a Grand Prix, the Commonwealths in

the future. It needs to stay. Whilst questions still hang over

what will happen to the stadium after the 2012 games, there is a

packed diary of events which will keep this place pretty busy before

the Olympics starts. Today it was announced that in April the venue

will be handed over to a charity called the Gold Challenge, giving

members of the public a chance to race around the track. It becomes

the fourth confirmed event which will see the stadium put through

its paces. But it is the necessity to settle what was then you will be

used for after 2012 that has seen the Prime Minister put his weight

We can talk to our Olympics Correspondent, Adrian Warner, who's

in Stratford. There is a lot riding on this decision. A huge amount.

This is the third biggest sports event in the world after the World

Cup and the Olympics. If London get it, the people who say there should

be an athletics track there, and in a big stadium, have got a strong

argument. If London don't, plenty of people will say, what's the

point of having the stadium with an athletics track? We can't host the

world championship's, maybe we should not go down and build a

football ground. What are London's chances? Boris Johnson thinks they

are good. His office have told me today that he is definitely going...

Politicians don't go to votes usually when they don't think they

will win. Doha have plenty of money but the thing about these votes, it

is often internal politics playing a role, it's not just technical

things. Remember the big winner out of London getting this will be Lord

Coe, the 2012 chairman, who wants to be President of the World

Athletics Federation. People who are against Lord Coe will say,

maybe we should and vote for London. Like everything in life, sports

politics is never simple. Now, as we head towards Children in Need,

it's an opportunity to thank you for your generosity and hear from

some of the people that your money has helped. Tonight we look at the

work of one London charity that helps vulnerable young people who

secretly harm themselves. The Wish Centre in Harrow runs support

groups - thanks to the money they receive from Children in Need.

Here's Abigail's story. I got a knife from the kitchen and started

trying to cut myself. It started because of my dad. He left home.

The family situation got difficult because he would come back and

leave again. Then at school things were getting really difficult with

friends and teachers. I felt really alone. I didn't really know how to

deal with it. The only way I could feel like I could regain control

was to cut myself. Afterwards I would feel like I had control and

there was calm and relief and release of all negative emotions. I

was referred to the charity through my school. It wasn't until I got

there and was surrounded by people who understood and knew what I was

going through... Wood wasn't until then that I really felt I could

move on. We see young people at the Wish Centre who have really

resorted to self-harm as their way of coping. It is a last resort, and

that is often because they are in situations that could be about

family violence, sexual violence, child abuse or neglect. Things that

are happening in their lives, and we teach them other and more

positive ways of coping. At the centre we get together with other

girls and talk about our experiences. It helps knowing that

you are not so alone. Eventually, you find other ways to cope other

than hurting yourself. I am now part of a mentoring group at the

centre. I talk to the younger gold macro and they know I understand.

They tell me stuff they might not feel they can tell anyone else.

Does the writing help you when you feel really down and lead you want

to cut yourself? We meet up every week and provide each other with

support. Just being able to talk to someone who has been there, to

realise that you are not alone. If it wasn't for the centre I might

not be here, the girls I mentor might not be here. It saved me from

that and helped me to focus on the future. For a list of organisations

that can provide help and support on self-harm, you can contact the

75 years ago today, BBC Television started broadcasting to a tiny

select audience from Alexandra Palace in North London. Everything

was live and it was a service that even senior BBC people thought

wouldn't last. Kurt Barling has been talking to some of the

pioneers of early TV. Good afternoon, everybody. Do you

remember me? Here we are after nearly seven years ready to start

again. When BBC Television was turned back on at the end of the

war, Beryl Hockley was the technician who flicked the switch

at Alexandra Palace. It actually said in the evening papers that

night, 20,000 wait for Beryl. am I right to understand that the

announcer was a bit miffed that you ended up being on the front page of

the paper? That was only gossip. I think that had something to do with

the fact he asked me out for lunch the next day! For tonight's

regional news opt-outs, stand by police. Like the rest of television,

BBC London's earliest forerunner in the 1950s was broadcast from the

People's Palace. The first TV cook and mainstay of the programme

remembers it being more like an extended family than a major

corporation. I expect you've got a wooden spoon at home.

It was just like a big family. All the technicians and people like

Michael Aspall, Richard Baker, anybody who was taking part in the

programmes, we all got on well together and ended up in the club

at lunchtime to have a chinwag. I used to love it. By then,

television had moved on from the Cinderella service it had been at

the start, when the BBC founder, Lord Reith, thought it wouldn't

amount to anything. Beryl was one of a band of pioneering women who

broke into a men's world. What about breakfast, did you have an

egg for your breakfast? I didn't. I had cornflakes. Betty Baker was the

Chief Engineer who interviewed me. He looked at me, I was only 20, he

said, I didn't want to have any of you women on my staff, you only

cause trouble with men. I'm telling you now, I voted against it, I

didn't want it. He said, now you are here, you are getting the same

money as the men, you can do the same jobs. So you will be dollying

cameras, operating the brooms, doing this and that. The power of

the small screen is now rivalled by newer technology, but 75 years ago

today television really did change A fantastic look back with Beryl. I

am now joined by Peter for a look I'm feeling slightly underdressed

this evening, but I promise to some rain and that wet weather has

started to arrive. We've got more of that to look forward to this

evening and overnight. It is showing up as light blue on the

weather map, that means it's going to be light rain. The breeze will

Cupid on the move. As we head towards dawn, most of the rain will

peter out. The breeze is important, it will blow the low cloud on to

the tops of the North Downs and Chiltern Hills. The breeze will

keep as fog free and it is going to be very mild compared with last

night. Tomorrow morning should start of pride, a bit of brightness.

But don't leave home without a brolly, because it won't be long

until the cloud thickens up and we get some more rain. Some darker

blue colours mixed in. Later in the day, some of that rain is likely to

turn heavy. A dry macro morning but a rather wet evening. Showers on

Friday. They should fizzle out. You can see in the outlook why I am

suggesting you might want to make Friday Night Bonfire Night, because

over the weekend it is going to be cloudy, rainy and it is also going

The headlines - a strike by public sector workers scheduled to take

place at the end of the month looks set to go ahead after Union leaders

rejected the Government's latest offer. The Archbishop of Canterbury

has praised the idea of a tax on financial transactions. Dr Rowan