09/09/2014 BBC London News

Thank you very much indeed. That is it from Edinburgh we will bd back at

10.00pm. Now it's time for the news where you are.

How safety warnings were ignored before a helicopter crash khlled two

` there are renewed calls for stricter flying measures.

We'll have more on what's bding done to improve safety

There are so many tall buildings over London and the authorities

across the board have not kdpt up with those changes.

The vicar on trial, accused of carrying out hundreds

Reverend Nathan Ntege is accused of conducting services, up to nine fake

marriages per day. Starting school this week `

the boy whose parents were told to switch off his life support machine

when he was just four weeks old Plus: French without Saunders ` we

speak to the comedian, ahead of her first ever solo show,

which goes on tour tonight. Welcome to BBC London News with me,

Riz Lateef. Safety warnings made four ydars

before a helicopter crash khlled two people in central London were

ignored, that's according to air investigators who today published

their report Pilot Pete Barnes was killed

when he clipped a high`rise crane in Vauxhall and smashed

into a road during rush`hour. A pedestrian was killed

and a dozen others injured. The local MP has described

the crash as a wake`up call and wants stricter safety mdasures

for helicopters using the Thames. Here's our Transport correspondent,

Tom Edwards. The streets of Vauxhall momdnts

after the helicopter hit a crane. Two died including the pilot, 1

were injured, as parts from the helicopter showered a wide `rea The

helicopter has just come down on the route I was about to walk to work.

Paul Thomas saw the impact `nd was one of those caught in the debris. I

was standing in the middle of the Road and I saw the helicoptdr blades

hitting the scaffolding towdr, and just watched it collapse as the

remains of the helicopter flew on. I crouched down and picked up a road

sign to shelter from the debris that was falling, and very soon `fter I

heard the explosion behind le as it hit a car. Today the offici`l report

found the experienced pilot Pete Barnes broke flying rules as he was

probably unable to remain continuously clear of cloud as the

helicopter approached Vauxh`ll Bridge. The report also shows how

concerns were raised in 2008 about the St George 's wharf development

and its effect on helicopter flight. Pilots are meant to keep 500 feet

away from tall buildings and this is the main thoroughfare for

helicopters through central London. The development would mean `dhering

to that 500 feet rule would be much more difficult. The report says this

does not appear to have led to further discussion or action. The

report shows gaps in planning. The aviation authorities don't have a

say on new high`rise buildings, and councils don't have to tell the

aviation bodies if a tall btilding is given the go`ahead. The report

says planning permission should take helicopters into account. Is there

enough information between construction companies, the constant

change of constructions and the cranes along a very busy helicopter

route over the Thames, that I think is also a contributing factor and

will be discussed as the report requests. Local politicians say the

incident is a wake`up call. It has clearly been a rather laissdz faire

approach to this and everyone has assumed everybody else was doing

something. This has shown that hasn't happened and that accidents

are waiting to happen unless we get this tightening up. There are so

many more tall buildings now in London, the skyline has changed

enormously and the authorithes across the board have not kdpt up

with those changes. The Dep`rtment for Transport says it is looking at

the recommendations of the report, but there is now increasing scrutiny

on helicopters and high`risd buildings in the capital, and

pressure on the authorities to revise planning procedures for tall

buildings. The Invicta 's games are ne`rly upon

us, with athletes arriving `head of tomorrow night's glitzy opening

ceremony. A court has heard how

a parish priest presided ovdr a conveyor belt of sham marriages

at a church in Croydon. Reverend Nathan Ntege is accused

of carrying out up to 500 unlawful Sonja Jessup is outside

court with more details. Yesterday the court heard that

before 2006 there were around six marriages per year carried out at

the church of Saint Jude with Saint Aidan. On the reverend Nath`n Ntege

they say that shot up to around six per day, and of the nearly 400

marriages he presided over, the jury were told some of them would have

been perfectly legitimate btt many were a sham, it is claimed purely to

carry out an industrial scale abuse of the system of immigration control

and to allow foreign nation`ls to stay in the UK. The jury was told

that the marriage ceremonies themselves were something of a

farce. The brides would quete up at the back of the Church, somdtimes

sharing the same toilets. There were often very few guests, and they say

this was a matrimonial convdyor belt. They claim the reverend knew

these were bogus ceremonies and he defrauded the Church of England

personally profiting from the ceremonies. He was supposed to pay

?70,000 in fees, and only p`id 000. And he wasn't the only one on trial

in this sham marriage case? That's right, the prosecution

alleges he had a team supporting him, including Brian Miller. The

church secretary as well, and another lady accused of being a

wedding fixer. The defendants, seven of them in total, all deny the

charges against them and thd trial continues.

A young boy whose parents wdre told by doctors to switch

off his life support machind when he was just four`weeks`old

is despite all the odds going to start school this week.

Harrison Grahame, who's from Wickford in Essex, devdloped

meningitis and it was feared he d be severely brain damaged.

Like any four`year`old, Harrison Grahame is full of energy, `nd like

any parent his mother is anxious about him starting school. Her

trepidation is mixed with pride because things could have bden so

different. When he was a baby, Harrison developed group brdeds

streptococcus and meningitis and within weeks they faced a tdrrible

decision. `` group B. When xou hear the word meningitis you going to

complete panic. He had wires coming out of his head with a little

heart. The doctors told us that in their experience a child having that

amount of medication would not be able to see and hear, or walk, he

would be trapped in his bodx. At the hospital, doctors advised to switch

off his life`support machind. They cried a lot, talked a lot, saw a

psychologist and told their family but the day they were to sax

goodbye, Harrison started breathing for himself. It was Harrison, our

little boy who was a fighter and a miracle, and he did it by hhmself.

For years on, Harrison is jtst like any other child. He looks up to his

big brother and copies everxthing he does. His family cannot belheve how

lucky they are. It is a hugd transition for me, but an alazing

one that we are so proud of reaching. I don't think he will ever

recover completely but he rdcovered more than I thought. Someond to play

with and argue with! Harrison's favourite thing is his new toy

tractor and spending time whth his brother. They may argue occ`sionally

but even that is something the family is grateful for.

A 25`year`old man arrested on suspicion of the murder of

Alice Gross has been releasdd and bailed until mid`September.

A 51`year`old man, who was also arrested, was released

Officers are treating the teenager's disappearancd

She was last seen on a towp`th near her home on the 28th of Augtst.

An elderly woman from Banstdad in Surrey, who was left without food

or medication for nine days, died from natural causes

which was worsened because of neglect, an inquest has found.

Gloria Foster, who was 81, died last year when the agency providhng her

care shut down following a raid by border agency officials.

Her body wasn't discovered for nine days as a result.

She died in hospital two weeks later.

An inquest has ruled that a mini cab driver who died when masonrx fell

and crushed her cab during storms in February was killed accidentally.

Mother`of`three Julie Sillitoe was killed almost instantly

Her husband has now called for greater safety laws

for old buildings. Rebecca Williams reports.

Julie Sillitoe was crushed to death when part of the building fdll on

the capture was driving. Thhs is what was left of it. Today ` jury

decided her death had been accidental, but her family hnsist

that doesn't provide any closure. It has completely shattered my life. We

have so many dreams and asphrations for the future, and on the 04th of

February, they all ended. I cannot even think beyond tomorrow. Julie

Sillitoe had been driving a couple home after a night out. As they

passed high Holborn and massive chunk of masonry fell from `n

adjacent building. Julie suffered a severe head injury and died at the

scene. The young couple havd been giving evidence in this tri`l and

they are still visibly shakdn. The man has only just stopped using

crutches. He described seeing a building falling from the sky on the

night of the incident, and his girlfriend broke down in te`rs as

she recalled seeing Julie Shllitoe in front of her completely

motionless. The that night the weather had been bad and Julie's

husband said he had been trxing to convince her not to go to work. I

said to her, why don't you take tonight off? Being Valentind's Day

as well. And she laughed, she said I have got to go to work, I h`ve got

to buy you a present. We latghed and kissed and that was the last time I

ever saw her. In court it elerged the building had not had a full

structural survey when it w`s purchased in 2007. Julie 's family

want to see the law changed so that owners of old properties have to do

building checks and they ard being supported by their local MP. We need

to make sure that the regul`tions, the system for building control is

fit for purpose. London has lots of wonderful buildings and we need to

make sure they are safe. Thd family say Julie's 's death has left a

massive hole and they struggle to see a future without her.

Every child at a state school between the ages

of three and seven is now eligible to receive a free school me`l.

It's a major policy for the Coalition Government,

but has attracted criticism over how it's funded.

But four London boroughs have gone a step further and will provide

a meal for every primary agdd pupil up to the age of 11.

So, could that work on a wider scale?

Here's our Education Reporter Marc Ashdown

There is always one that wants to show off, you could say Towdr

Hamlets is doing just that. Instead of offering early years puphls a

meal, here all kids up to 10 get one. It was just cold, and not

really feeling. It is more tasty now as well. It was quite expensive last

year but it isn't any more which is a good thing. And you like ht? Yes,

definitely tasty. It is important for children's concentration and

their understanding of what healthy food is, it is setting up a lifetime

patterns. It is not just thd impact here but their pattern of hdalthy

eating for their lifetime, which is important. It is important to the

Coalition too, even if the policy began with in`house disagredments,

and some councils even had to raid their own budgets to top up the

funding. But it is firsts that, could the next really be a wider

roll`out? In Tower Hamlets, they already had a relatively large

number of people on free school meals. Some borrowers have very low

amounts of people on free school meals. It is complicated but Nick

Clegg said his dream is for every primary school pupil to recdive a

free school meals regardless of their background. Of course each

local authority will have to look at their books and decide individually

whether they have the means to do it. We feel it is a prioritx for us.

We have found the money for the next four years. Some predict further

teething problems. This teacher feels the key is to empower children

and staff. My biggest concern is that I wanted to make sure dvery

child gets a meal that they feel they want to eat. I know a huge

amount of change has happendd, but I think we need to try to makd sure

that even though possibly in the past we have deskilled school

caterers, we need to make stre they have the skills they need.

The Grand Slam tennis ace from Uxbridge who's made sporting

I will talk to Dawn about what? My new show 30 Million Minutes. What

else? Sex, drugs and rock`and`roll. Tomorrow marks the start of the

Invictus Games, a Paralympic`style competition for injured soldiers,

championed by Prince Harry. It's based on a similar event he saw

in the US and will take place around the capital with over 40

competitors from 14 countrids. Our sports reporter, Sara Orchard,

spent the day with the visiting teams as they completed

their last training sessions. One again the world is starting to

arrive in East London. This time, it's for the Invictus Games. I am

ahere to compete from Austr`lia I come from Italy. I play whedlchair

rugby. I'm from USA. There `re eight sports in total at the Games. Such

has been the interest and the uptake, some of the preliminary

action is happening here today. The 130`strong GB team are stayhng near

St Paul's. One of them suffdred a brain injury, she has competed at

the Warrior Games in Americ`. The friends I made when I went out to

America with Help for Heroes, I m friendly with them. When I see the

Americans they are like, how are you doing? They come and stay. Xou form

really strong bonds. They are on the hunt out for kit from us because

they like the Help for Herods and Great Britain kit. It was a visit to

the Warrior Games that insphred Prince Harry to launch the Hnvictus

Games. He is a lovely guy. The last time he took the mick out of my

Welsh accent a little bit. Ht's a bit strange. He is a well rounded,

down`to`earth guy. I don't think a day goes by when he is not hnvolved

in some aspect of the Invictus Games. It has been a great

experience for him and the team working with Prince Harry. Hf you

are still undecided... Buy xour ticket and start screaming `nd

shouting. Now, it's been

an incredible year for one Londoner This weekend, Jordanne Whildy from

Uxbridge became the first British Victory

in the four major tournaments. She's just returned from thd States

this morning after winning the US Open Women's Wheelchair Doubles

with Yui Kamiji. Has your victory sunk in yet? Just

about, actually. When we won, I did all these interviews court side

They were like, "you don't look very happy" I was like "I'm knackered" I

don't think it had sunk in. I returned home. I had a chance to

chill How does it out. Feel? You said had you a chance to chhll out.

How does it feel to know yot made British tennis history? I c`n't

believe it, to be honest. To me it feels like a really big achhevement.

It's amazing it's history. No`one can take that away from me. I think

it's going to take a little longer to settle in my mind that h`s

happened. The US Open, the French Open, the Australian Open and of

course Wimbledon which you said was very special because your p`rents

were there when you were pl`ying Wimbledon. They weren't there when

you were at the US Open? I tried to convince my dad to come out he was

like, "no, I'm bad luck" he thinks he is bad luck when he watches me. I

haven't seen them yet. I did ring them when I got off court. H will go

up later this week to see them. Do you remember the moment when you won

the last one, this means yot are a sporting legend? We had a r`in delay

at 44`3 in the final set. It's horrible for all players. Wd came

out and we were on it. We h`d been dancing to Mowtown in the locker

room. As you do! That is my secret. We were on it. I knew we were going

to win it. The pressure that came off my shoulders at that molent was

amazing. Uxbridge must be incredibly proud. Let me ask you, the 2012

athletes, when they were ch`mpions they got gold postboxes how would

you like Uxbridge to mark your victory? I haven't thought `bout it.

Paint one green for Wimbledon and tennis balls are green. I don't

know. I will work on it. If Uxbridge is listening she would like a green

postbox. What will you do now to relax and celebrate? Going back up

to Birmingham on Thursday to see my family. Chill with them, have a

meal. I don't really have that much time to rest. I'm competing in two

weeks onto the Masters at the end of the year. Tickets are on sale now.

No`one who wants to come and see me. We see you with your Doubles

partner. Are you looking ahdad to Rio, can I ask that? Definitely Rio

is a big goal of mine. I won't be able to play with Yui she is from

Japan. That is the big goal. Thank you for coming in to talk to us

especially as you stepped off a plane this morning. Thank you.

Queens Park Rangers football club have been told they risk behng

refused entry back into the Football League if they refuse to pax an

anticipated fine for breachhng financial fair play rules. Hf the

club is find it would be around ?54 million. The am is in relathon to

the club's losses accumulatdd after spending heavily trying to `void

relegation in 2013. QPR havd indicated they would appeal against

a fine. She's perhaps best known

as one half of French and S`unders Now, comedian Dawn French is going

on tour with her first ever solo show which tells the story of her 56

years in a way that only Dawn can. She spoke to our arts correspondent,

Brenda Emmanus, ahead of thd tour's opening night in Bromley about going

it alone and how she's longhng to How daunting was it the prospects of

going it alone? Pretty scarx. The right kind of scary. It challenges

you. It puts you on your metal. Completely on my tippy toes.

Absolutely terrifying. I am Dawn French. I had a problem catdgorizing

this show. It's not like anx show I've seen. I hope it's funnx. I hope

it is. It has poignant moments. I talk about things that have happened

to me in my life, both the good and the bad, and the scary and the

thrilling. I take the audience directly to those places. Whth the

tour in full swing Dawn has become accustomed to performing solo. As

part of a dynamic comedy duo she felt it was important she and

Jennifer had time apart? Since we worked together we did separate

jobs. She always did Ab Fab and I did Vicar we will do radio together

at Christmas. She came to sde the show a few weeks back. She hs so

supportive. She's like a sister to me. You look dreadful? What do you

look like? Is I look great. If you could give advice to audiences

coming, what would it be? Come with an open mind. Come expecting to

enjoy your evening. It's quhte grownup. Some of the things that go

on are quite grown up. At the other end of the show it's very b`byish.

The show hits the Churchhill Theatre in Bromley until Sunday. And Croydon

until November. Now a check on the weather. We have an open mind with

what is in store. Not too b`d. We don't have to be too stoic when it

comes to the week's weather. It will continue as it has done over the

next couple of days. More cloud and an easterly breeze. Two subtle

changes that I will mention later on. We had a day like this

yesterday. We have more sunshine to enjoy through today. Once again

tonight there will be a lot of clear sky with light winds as well. A

little bit of mistiness and one or two fog patches, isolated though.

Temperature wise, in the urban areas 10`11 degrees. 8`9 to the stburbs.

The cold spots across the Home Counties down to five or six as we

have gone through the last couple of nights we will have similar

temperatures in those spots tonight. Tomorrow, chilly start. We will have

sunshine. Cloud creeping through the Thames Estuary affecting co`stal

parts of Essex and into Kent as well. There will be brightndss even

if you see more cloud around. Temperatures 19 degrees for Surrey.

21 degrees for London itself. Now this is the satellite picture for

today. You can see a schmaltering of cloud. There is cloud to thd North

Sea which will be pushed in as we go through the next few days bdcause of

an easterly breeze that will be increasing. We have high prdssure

set up next to a low pressure system. That is dragging th`t

easterly breeze in towards ts. What it will do is push in perhaps a

little more cloud on Thursd`y. It might feel fresh at times.

Otherwise, we have fine weather through Friday. It looks like that

will be continuing into the weekend as well. Very pleasant. We like the

sound of that. Thank you very much. David Cameron, Ed Miliband `nd

Nick Clegg will travel to Scotland tomorrow to urge voters to stay

in the United Kingdom. Opinion polls suggest the rdsult

of next week's referendum is too A report released by the

Dutch Safety Board says the Malaysian airliner MH`17

crashed after being hit by "objects" that pierced the plane at hhgh

velocity, and there was "no evidence More on the day's stories

on our website and I'll be back with Until then, from all of us here

thanks for watching