25/10/2013 BBC London News

website. That is all from the BBC

Tonight on BBC London News. The emergency evacuation on the Central

line. Investigators say passengers could have been injured. A tube

union says cuts are to blame. You need staff on these platforms

keeping it safe, stopping people climbing through these gaps. There

is no short cut. But Transport for London says the tube has a

consistently good safety record. Also tonight. Attacked on her

doorstep with acid. A teenager is jailed.

Plus how the Palladium's new production of The Nutcracker On Ice

sees the venue return to a bygone era. After a windy weekend, it still

looks set to be a stormy start to next week. I will have the latest

warning along with a full forecast for you later in the programme.

Good evening and welcome to the programme. It was an emergency

evacuation of a tube carriage in which some passengers thought they

were going to die. Now investigators examining how people got trapped on

a train filled with smoke, say there was 'potential for injury'. It

happened on the central line at Holland Park in August. The Rail

Accident Investigation Branch is calling for more witnesses to come

forward, as Marc Ashdown reports. Chaotic scenes on the Central line

as passengers scrambled to safety. This was Holland Park station in

August after the Notting Hill Carnival, smoke filling the

carriages as people are trapped inside. Afterwards, one witness told

us how she feared for her life. The door would not open wide enough so I

had my knee wedged in the door, so I could get some air because I suffer

from panic attacks. There was no indication of what was going on no

one helping us to get off the train, nobody keeping us calm. The Rail

Accident Investigation Branch is looking into the matter and today

gave an update. A full investigation will follow.

One area of focus will be the barriers, the black screens between

carriages. They are supposed to stop passengers from falling between

carriages but there was controversy when they were installed. We

understand London Underground was warned there were concerns over

safety implications if passengers had to be evacuated. Basically, you

can't replace the people. You need staff on the platforms keeping it

safe, stopping people climbing through these gaps. There is no

short cut. And it is a cheap solution to the fact that everybody

prefers a much more high profile staff presence on platforms. London

Underground have apologised but said such incidents are rare.

Investigators want to hear from witnesses as they build a picture of

how this happened. Lots more to come. Transport bosses reveal the

new train tunnel which will speed up commuter links into central London.

A 16`year`old boy has been jailed for throwing acid in the face of a

woman he didn't know. Tara Quigley from Romford was left with burns

across her face and body in what's been described as an evil attack.

Our reporter, Ayshea Buksh, joins us now from Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Ayshea. Tara Quigley was at home with her family in Romford. The

court was told she'd been waiting for a delivery of cannabis, although

that's not thought to be connected. She answered the door to a man who

asked for Michelle. When she said her name was Tara, he came back soon

afterwards with a bottle of sulphuric acid and threw it in her

face. Tara Quigley is 28 years old and has now been left permanently

scarred by what happened. She was in court earlier with her family. She

was seen leaving court wearing a black tank top. She didn't talk to

the press directly but a victim statement was read out in which she

said I have been left physically and emotionally scarred and I'm in

constant pain and discomfort. My family life has been turned upside

down as we do not feel currently safe returning home. And what do we

know about the boy who carried out this attack? The boy has now been

named as 16`year`old Leon Siddons. He is now 16 but was 15 when it

happened. He led a chaotic lifestyle, being the different

foster parents, using illegal drugs. In sentencing, the judge said this

was a truly wicked connects on an innocent lady who had no connection

with him. His motive was never made clear. He never said why he did

this. The judge said possibly he'd been involved with older criminals

and also speculated he had been paid to carry out the attack. Thank you.

Ghurkas say they are prepared to go on hunger strike to secure equal

pension rights in line with the rest of the military. Around 100 veterans

from Reading held a protest at Downing street today calling for

fair treatment. But the Ministry of Defence says the Nepalese fighters

have always been treated fairly. Nick Beake reports. They have served

the British army across the world but today they took their fight to

the heart of the British government. Their cause, justice and equality

for veterans pensions, they say. We for veterans pensions, they say. We

have been fighting alongside the British soldiers for 200 years and

we have defended your nation and freedom. Why don't we have equal

pensions? We found this manner. He joined the British Army that in 1966

and served for 18 years. The Falkland Islands. Long service. He

is now 65 and like other Gurkhas who retired before 1997, the only gets a

third of the pension his British comrades received. In the latest

effort to change that, today these three began the first of a series of

24 hour fasts, which will become a full`blown hunger strike. The

government does not understand, not only me, that there will be mass

hunger strikes from the 7th of November until we get our rights

until we die. They are hoping for a repeat of this, victory assisted by

actress Joanna Lumley which meant a Gurkhas who retired before 1997

could settle in the UK. This time, they want the same group to benefit

from better pensions. The government has said today that Gurkhas have

served this country with great loyalty and distinction however it

doesn't recognise claims that they have been discriminated against

during their service. The Ministry of Defence says their pensions

reflected the environment they were in and have improved over time and

the case has been thrown out by a succession of senior judges over the

past decade. But these are Nepalese fighters whose motto is better to

die than be a coward. Over the next month, we may find at the lengths

they will go to to gain victory A 20`year`old man has been charged in

connection with a bottle attack on a student in east London. Francesco

Hounye was left permanently scarred after being assaulted by a gang of

men on Commercial Road in June. He had only arrived in the country from

America three days before. Police are still searching for the others

involved in the attack. A London university student has fallen 70

university student has fallen 7 feet to his death from the window of

a halls of residence. Paramedics were called to the Brunel University

Uxbridge campus but the man was found dead. Police say they are not

treating the death as suspicious and his family have been informed. Next,

they are dismissed by their critics as fake grass roots campaigners

funded by the aviation industry. But funded by the aviation industry But

a new lobby group called Back Heathrow has started trying to

gather support in west London. They say they believe a bigger airport

there is what most Londoners want. Here's our Transport Correspondent,

Tom Edwards. In most communities around an airport, there is a split

in what people want. Should the airport expand or not? ?6 22. This

is Hounslow Post Office. Its owner wants an expanded Heathrow. If

Heathrow is not expanded, it will go somewhere to Europe. If there was a

fourth runway, I will support that. One in five people who live in this

area depend on the airport for their jobs. So there is support for the

airport. But others say the airport is already too noisy and too

polluting. Into that mix comes this pro`Heathrow campaign. To their

critics, they are known as Astroturfers, fake grassroots, as

they are funded by the aviation industry. It is launched with

initial funding from Heathrow but will only work with the support of

significant numbers of residents, local businesses, employers. These

are the people who are going to build up this coalition of support.

We know there is a silent majority there and we want to provide a voice

for the majority. The commission is currently looking at aviation for

the government. It's trying to find a way through the different campaign

routes and the split opinions. Whatever their recommendations, not

everyone is going to be happy. Seasoned anti`expansion campaigners,

though, say they are not worried. The issues around expansion haven't

changed. Do you think they have credibility? I don't think Heathrow

has the capability because it's not a grass roots organisation. They are

formed by Heathrow Airport who are trying desperately to find

grassroots organisations. That's the wrong way round and not the way to

gain credibility. Nonetheless, there is another voice now in the debate

over Heathrow expansion. Any decision from the government is at

least two years away. Harrods has changed its suppliers of a

controversial coffee following a BBC London investigation. Kopi Luwak

coffee is marketed as the world s rarest from beans excreted by wild

palm civet cats. But an investigation by this programme

found animals sometimes kept in battery style cages elsewhere. Now

Harrods is calling for stronger regulation of the product, as Guy

Lynn reports. It is sold to London customers as the world 's most

expensive coffee. From palm civet cats in Indonesia, they excrete

beans which aren't grown free in the wild. The reality the BBC uncovered

was battery cages with animals in terrible conditions. It's really

hideous. It's hideous to see. The most famous vendor of Kopi Luwak is

Harrods. With no link to the cruelty pictures you just saw, but still

there were questions. Harrods' Indonesian supplier told undercover

BBC researchers that these animals roamed freely. There's never any

kind of enclosure? They're in the jungle? Yes, they come out in the

night`time. But when on their estate, these pictures told a

different story. Animals in cages. The firm later said they were for

scientific research with no produce sold. But Harrods has told BBC

London it has taken action. It still sells wild coffee but has changed

supplier and is now calling for urgent industry`wide change. We

always have sold wild Kopi Luwak. We did before the BBC investigation and

we do now. What has been highlighted is that there is clearly confusion,

so we would like to push for certification for that product, for

wild Kopi Luwak, which would benefit retailers. Harrods has linked up

with an animal welfare charity to push for ratification for retailers

to sign up to, confirming humane conditions. And the fact Harrods has

done this is significant. They recognise the industry have a real

problem. One that means consumers around the world still can't be 100%

sure that what they are buying is what says on the tin.

Still to come. The London Palladium used to be the site of the National

Skating palace in the late 1800 's, and now it has been turned into an

ice rink once more. And coming to Wembley this weekend, why organisers

believe American football will catch on in the capital.

It's a short train tunnel which transport bosses say will make a

huge difference to commuters. Built as part of the Thameslink upgrade,

it promises to offer an uninterrupted journey from the

capital's commuter belt to central London. As Emma North reports.

Changing trains is never fun. Until now, if he wanted to travel north to

south, your journey is likely to be broken. In a few years, the chains

that reach the end at King's Cross will head down here instead. In

tunnel terms, it's not long, but the effect on the network will be far

reaching. The tunnel will make a huge difference, it will open up

journey options for passengers from Cambridge. Gatwick Airport, the

south coast. East`West connectivity. It will relieve the Northern line,

King's Cross. The potential is endless. Passengers coming from

Cambridge can travel only as far as King's Cross. Then it is another

train to continue. The new tunnel will connect straight to St Pancras

and south towards Gatwick at Brighton. I like what is happening

at King's Cross, this new area is fantastic. If I am travelling

north, connecting with the Eurostar, it makes sense. Trains should be the

priority for transport in the UK. The roads are chock`a`block, I hate

driving. Buses are crowded. Trains are the way forward. The tunnel was

built at the same time as the high`speed line. 40 metres above is

a regenerating King's Cross. Special rubber shock absorbers protect the

residents of new flats from rumbles. At St Pancras, to give you an idea,

over their art to platforms. It will be five years before any trains use

the tunnel. 24 will run through them every hour. Until then, all change,

please! Let's have a round`up of the sport's

news now with Sara Orchard. Thanks, Alice.

Now, with three London teams in the top five of the Premier League,

hopes are high that the title could be heading to the capital in May.

Top of the pile are Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. They have a London derby

with Crystal Palace tomorrow, who are without a manager after Ian

Holloway quit on Wednesday. You focus on your performance. You

don't speculate too much on how they will respond. It is very quick and

very early to separate from Ian Holloway because, for me, he has

exceptional talent to manage a football team.

That fixture at Selhurst Park tomorrow kicks off at 12.45.

On Sunday, second`placed Chelsea face Manchester City, while

Tottenham host Hull. Spurs are considered outsiders by

many, but they are realistic title, contenders according to their

stand`out summer signing Christian Eriksen. Chris Slegg reports.

A two ` zero victory for Tottenham in the Europa League in Moldova last

night and a familiar sight, Christian Eriksen setting up a

goal. The ?30 million midfielder wasn't short of some assistance but

he is happy he chose Spurs. For me, it was about the feeling and

philosophy of the club, and the trainer. For me, it was all in one

package. I settled in really quickly. I still have something to

learn, I've only been here a few weeks. I like it. At 36, his manager

is the youngest in the Premier League. When I talked with him, I

think everyone has the feeling he wants to win. Where I came from,

wants to win. Where I came from training was like a game. People are

focused on the game, English style. Also shining for Spurs and England,

Andros Townsend. He is really good. From what I heard

in the English game, he did really well. In training he has really

impressed me. He always comes through so quickly. Spurs are

chasing a Champions League place. But it is a tilt at the title which

is a possibility. It is realistic. We are at number five. Peter Some,

of course, we have the team to try to become number one. Now that

really would have Spurs fans smiling.

You can see more of that interview with Christian Eriksen on Football

Focus tomorrow at 12.15 on BBC One. The event Eriksen was attending had

been laid on especially to mark this weekend's American football game at

Wembley. Tottenham and the San Francisco 49ers joined forces, in an

initiative to encourage children to play sport. The 49ers face the

Jacksonville Jaguars, as London hosts its second regular season NFL

game this year. Both games sold out in record time, and three games have

already been announced for next season. I went along to see the

49ers in training today. In 2007, London be killed and its

love affair with American football. Seven years and seven games later,

the popularity of NFL is growing and the teams still love coming here. I

love the way people speak, I've learned a few words this week. For

us to be here, we are enjoying it, soaking it in and sightseeing.

Buckingham Palace, Parliament Square. Downing Street. Trafalgar

Square. Wembley hosts its second fixture of the regular season on

Sunday as the Jacksonville Jaguars face the 49ers. Tickets sold out in

record time. Next season, organisers have announced three fixtures in

London. Rumours continued that the NFL wants to base a team here and

despite the travel implications most think it will happen. They want

to grow their brand. They would like a little bit of recognition.

Eventually, it will be. The hardest thing is travelling back and

forward. I would definitely be one of those guys are signing up for

that team. It will be pretty cool. It's not much different from playing

in San Francisco. In the 1980s, American football became very

popular in the UK off the bat of regular TV coverage. Fans enjoyed

the excitement, glamour, the accents. That novelty did wear off.

The three against planned, it could happen again to American football is

big and noisy, making it hard to ignore. Whether it can gain our

interest will be one game at a time. Despite the rotten weather we're

expecting on Sunday, the match between the Jaguars and the 49ers

kicks off at Wembley at five o'clock. Good luck to everyone

taking part. Back to you, Alice. o'clock. Good luck to everyone

taking part. Back to you, Alice It's one of the most famous theatres

in the West End. But, once upon a time, the London Palladium was an

ice rink. Now, it's bringing back the ice for a production of

Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, featuring some of the world's most

accomplished figure skaters. Here's Helen Drew.

Ice skating has returned to the London Palladium for the first time

in years. Olympic, world and national champions have flown

together for this new production of The Nutcracker. Traditionally

performed as a ballet, The Nutcracker tells the story of a girl

called Marie who falls asleep on Christmas Eve and finds herself on

an adventure to a magical land. I am really happy to get to something

like this, theatre on ice. An amazing opportunity. To meet

different people and show the world figure Skating is a different

discipline. Not just a sport. The venue is the London Palladium which

is no stranger to ice. It was the sight of the National Skating palace

in the late 1890s and was hosted the world figure Skating Championships.

It is special to bring ice skating back to this venue as it was

originally an ice skating venue before someone built a theatre in

its place. It is exciting to be building an ice rink in the West

End, something nobody has done. We are very proud to do that. It has

taken 34 hours and 14 tonnes of ice to transform the stage into an ice

rink. During the intervals, they resurfaced the ice with hot water to

keep it as smooth as possible. The performers have 1/250 competition

medals between them. They are joined by a less decorated skater. I got a

phone call from Tony Mercer who actually said, we like your skating

skills! I thought it was a wind`up. The Nutcracker has just opened and

runs until the 3rd of November. A look at the all important weekend

weather, with Peter. A storm is brewing.

Let us concentrate on that first of all. We could get some really nasty

weather to end the weekend and start next week. The Met office has an

early warning in place, because we have a couple of days to get

prepared for this. It is an amber warning, to be prepared. What is

going on, that is the question. And what sort of problems with

forecasting this storm. Let us look at where we think the centre of the

storm is likely to track, this is the most likely chapter it on Sunday

into Monday. There are a couple of other possibilities, further north

or south. If it does either of those things, the winds which will hit us

won't be as strong. At the moment, the most likely is that white arrow

across Wales and the north`east of England. That means the worst of the

weather will be where we are, across southern parts of England and Wales.

An amber warning for that amber area. What does that mean for us on

Sunday and Monday? Some strong winds, up to 80 miles an hour, even

stronger. There is likely to be heavy rain. Up to 20 millimetres of

rain. If you add that all up, it could lead to trees being blown

over, damage to buildings, power lines down, quite a bit of travel

trouble. You might want to make the most of our travel bulletins on TV,

radio and online. And Twitter is so useful. Let us know what is going on

so we can help other people. As far as this evening is concerned, there

are no problems. A breeze blowing, we might get if you light showers

overnight and into tomorrow. It will be another mild night. Tomorrow the

breeze is still there. The cloud will thicken up to bring some

outbreaks of rain. A top temperature of 19 degrees. On to Sunday, it will

be very windy, with sunshine and showers. And then that mess on

Monday, thing is calming down for the rest of next week. `` things.

That's it. I'll be back later during the ten o'clock news but, for now,

from everyone on the team, have a lovely evening.