09/12/2013 BBC News at One

One of the men accused of murdering a British soldier on the streets of

London describes the moment he chose his victim. Michael Adebolajo tells

the old Bailey he targeted British soldier Lee Rigby because of the

UK's foreign policy, claiming his actions would save other lives.

We'll have the latest from the Old Bailey.

Also this lunchtime: Queuing to be admitted to A

How some patients are being forced to wait for hours in ambulances

outside hospital. Three people have died in a house

fire in Bolton. An investigation is underway.

Soul searching down under, after another crushing defeat for England

in the Ashes. Preparations ahead of Nelson

Mandela's official memorial ceremony tomorrow, as his daughter tells the

BBC his family were with him until the end.

The children were there, the grandchildren were there. Graca

Machel was there. Even at the last moment, we were sitting with him.

On BBC London: Two of the capital's top trauma surgeons speak out,

saying cycle super highways are "unfit for purpose".

But the Mayor says casualty figures are falling, as he outlines his

plans for safer cycling. Good afternoon, and welcome to the

BBC News at One. One of the men accused of murdering

Fusilier Lee Rigby outside Woolwich barracks in London has been giving

evidence at the Old Bailey for the first time. Michael Adebolajo, a

father of six from Essex, described the moment he targeted the British

soldier, and told the court he prayed he had the right victim. The

28-year-old Muslim convert said he loved al-Qaeda, and blamed Lee

Rigby's death on the Uk's foreign policy. Our home affairs

correspondent June Kelly is outside the Old Bailey now.

He has been giving more details surrounding the death.

I am a soldier and this is war, the words of Michael Adebolajo from the

witness box. There was intense security as he was moved to the

witness box. He said he loved Al-Qaeda like his brothers, and said

he targeted Lee Rigby that day, he set out to target a British soldier.

They picked on him because he was carrying a military rucksack. He

said, after the actual killing, and his barrister did not go into detail

because the jury has already heard the details of the death, he said he

was mindful of the family were in court, Adebolajo said he asked

members of the public to record his thoughts and message because he did

not want people to be brainwashed by the BBC. He said he waited for the

military to arrive. The police arrived, and he was shot when he ran

at them wielding a meat cleaver. He said he wished the police had shot

him in our head. He said he wanted to die. He described being taken to

hospital and said the nurses were the best on the planet.

Adebolajo was giving details of his childhood in Essex and his decision

to convert to Islam. He converted in his first year at

university. He said he had been brought up in a Christian family.

His parents believed the way to success was getting a degree. He

decided it was by getting to Paradise. He said he became

increasingly infuriated by British foreign policy, particularly the war

in Iraq, and he said that motivated him that day to go and kill a

British soldier. He will continue his evidence this afternoon.

Some patients taken by ambulance to NHS hospitals in England, Wales and

Scotland are having to wait outside A departments in an ambulance for

far longer than they should. The recommended time is 15 minutes. But

data released to the BBC under the Freedom Of Information Act reveals,

that in the worst case, a patient in Wales was kept waiting for more than

six hours. NHS England says it is trying to minimise any delays, and

most people are transferred within 30 minutes. Our health correspondent

Dominic Hughes reports. Ambulance crews work hard to get

patients to hospital as quickly as possible. Once there, they hit

delays which can stop them getting to the next job, and it is bad for

patient safety. The figures obtained showed there have been serious

delays. A symptom of an entire system under pressure. The reason we

have got to this point is delayed discharges. Secondly, huge cutbacks

in social care. Thirdly, inappropriate presentations to A

departments. And 25% of walk-in centres being closed over two

years. The figures obtained by the BBC for ambulance handovers at A

revealed that Wales have some of the worst delays. Overall, England was

better but had if you long delays up to five hours and 51 minutes.

Scotland had the longest under two hours. Northern Ireland failed to

respond to the Freedom of information request. But the average

weight was around 40 minutes and 40 seconds. In England, their financial

penalties for long handover delays. The situation has improved slightly

since they were introduced but doctors say the pressures reflect

what is going on in the health system.

Our hospitals are to fall. The two patient groups are being admitted at

the same time and we need a system where these hospitals are not

penalised for delaying routine surgery at times of peak demand. In

Wales, officials say the longest delays are exceptional and the NHS

has halved the number of patients waiting more than an hour. NHS

England says waiting times are improving as the number of delays

over 30 minutes is falling. As part of the BBC's NHS Winter

Project, we're launching a website which lets you see the latest weekly

statistics for every major A department in England. Go to:

bbc.co.uk/nhswinter, and enter your postcode to find out how your local

hospital is coping. MPs are to examine problems

hampering the implementation of a central pillar of government changes

to the welfare system. The Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith

will be asked to explain why the new universal credit will not be paid to

about 700,000 people until after a planned 2017 deadline. Our political

correspondent Chris Mason reports. It is a whopper of a shake up,

merging six benefits into one, trying to make sure it pays to

work. The man in charge has repeatedly said it was on-time and

on budget. Listen to him now. Yes, I do accept that this plan is

different. We are going to set a system so the system works first, we

test the people going on to it. When we know how it works, we roll the

numbers in as we understand how the system behaves. Isn't that the best

way to do it? This will mean three quarters of a million of the most

vulnerable will not be transferred until after 2017. The deadline has

slipped massively elsewhere. The latest published figure shows 2150

people were claiming universal credit in September. Two years ago,

he set a target of more than 1 million claiming it by April next

year. That offers an insight into the timetable. What about the

budget? Expect Iain Duncan Smith to be pressed on how much money has

been written off on IT. Labour in principle that universal credit but

one can detect a whiff of delay in implementation.

The public come out -- be Public Accounts Committee and others have

said this project has been off track for months now. And Iain Duncan

Smith failed to get a grip. This is about his leadership. He has staked

his reputation on it. We know that flagship policy is in tatters. Iain

Duncan Smith is defined. Delivering universal credit safely is more

important than deadlines, he says. But 7 million people will eventually

be reliant on it so plenty are asking him the question -- these

simple questions. Three people have been killed after

a fire broke out in a house in Greater Manchester in the early

hours of this morning. A woman, who was rescued from the flames, died in

hospital. Two more bodies were discovered in the house in Bolton.

Our correspondent, Ed Thomas is at the scene.

This is the Heaton area, on the edge of Bolton. A leafy suburb with

large, detached houses. What neighbours have told us is at 2am

this morning, they heard an explosion. They came outside to see

this house engulfed with flames. Fire fighters were soon here and

pulled one body from the house. A woman who later died in hospital. A

search was carried out and to further bodies were found. One

neighbour said, when they came out, this place was full of smoke and

what they thought was fog. We heard the sound of the fire

engines. And we heard some banging noises which by the firemen tried to

break open the door to gain entry. When I looked out the window, we saw

a scene we thought we'd only see in a film, not on your doorstep. It was

a fire in the kitchen which looked like it had taken hold. Lots of

big, black smoke. Police and fire fighters are taking

this extremely seriously. There is an investigation going on now. What

they want to find out is how this fire started, and the identity of

the people who died. The Prime Minister of Thailand has

dissolved parliament, and is promising to hold fresh elections in

the face of growing anti-government protests. An estimated 100,000

people have continued to demonstrate in the capital, Bangkok, despite the

announcement. Protest leaders say they don't want new elections

because the entire democratic system needs to be changed.

They promised a day of judgement. A mass assault to bring down the

government. They have certainly got a huge crowd. The news the Prime

Minister was offering an election softened the mood. The opposition

show of strength became more like a giant street party. The leaders of

this protest note they have an impressive turnout. You can see the

streets are filled with people. It has certainly made an impression on

the government. What you do not see are the government supporters. You

have to ask whether they have enough people to be able to beat the

government in an election. There was some confusion among

participants. Had they won? Was an election a big enough concession? If

it was me, I would accept it. Even if this government wins another

election? For me, yes. I'm not sure about other people. What is wrong

with an election? She will have her way to come back. And also her team.

Even the main opposition party whose MPs have joined these IDs seemed

unclear. Its leader has been demanding an election for days, yet

was suddenly unsure whether he would even contest it. You will have two

asked the party. So, an announcement that should have cleared the air had

cleared up nothing. An election will be held in less than two months. How

it will go, whether its results will be respected, is anyone's guests.

Health ministers from the G8 nations will meet in London this week, to

discuss the urgent challenge posed by dementia. 44 million people are

already living with the condition around the world - and that figure's

predicted to soar to 76 million by 2030. Every day this week, we'll be

taking a look at what life is like for those who have dementia, and for

the people who support them. Today we're hearing from Viv Galley, whose

husband Bill has advanced Alzheimer's.

What do I think of Alzheimer's? It's a horrible, horrible illness. It

tears your life apart. Hello. Cup of tea's ready.

This has taken over our lives. Bill can't do anything for himself.

It took us a year until somebody finally said, yes, definitely

Alzheimer's. It just hits you in the gut. From stating that diagnosis, it

has progressed so rapidly. His speech has gone, he can't have a

conversation. It's just horrible. She's brilliant. She's so good with

him. He can get stroppy, nasty

sometimes. This illness has done that. He used to lash out and punch

me on my arms. He's really, like he was fighting with a man, it wasn't

as if he knew I was a woman and shouldn't do that.

When you start to go to these groups and to meet other people in the same

situation, it's so good. They know what you are going through. And you

know what they are going through. I met Bill 21 years ago. It was in

the summer. He was such good company. He was

lovely. I love him to bits. Sorry, I am getting upset now.

Yes, we had a good life. We had a good 17/18 years of happiness.

Bill, what's my name? I'm not mum, I'm your wife. Eventually it will

take me away from him because he's not going to know who I am.

That's heartbreaking. That is heartbreaking. See you in the

morning. I love him with all my heart.

He's still there. He's still my Bill. Viv Galley, describing her

experiences of dealing with Alzheimer's. The time is just after

1. 15pm. Michael Adebowale tells the Old Bailey he targeted Lee Rigby

because of the UK's foreign policy, claiming his actions would save

other lives. Still to come - caught out Down Under, England's batsmen

fail to deliver in the second Test in Adelaide. Later on BBC London:

We will be live with a Lewisham hospital as they aim for a Christmas

number one. Final preparations are being made

for tomorrow's national memorial service in South Africa to celebrate

the life of Nelson Mandela. Four British Prime Ministers, past and

present, will be among leaders who will join the tens of thousands of

people expected to pack into the soccer stadium in Soweto.

The funeral will take place on Sunday.

Yes, the memorial service is due to last around four hours. It is sure

to be charged with immense joy at the success of a man who is revered

at home and right around the world. Of course, naturally sadness and for

some people utter desolation that he's no longer here. Well, leaders

from around the world, including President Obama and David Cameron,

will join tens of thousands of ordinary South Africans for that

memorial service in the FNB Soccer stadium in Soweto. Millions more

will watch live on television. Well, this morning, one of Nelson

Mandela's daughter's gave her first television interview since her

father's death. She has been describing his final moments.

Every day, for the past months I would say, I love you. I am coming

to see you tomorrow. And then maybe he would open his

eyes for just a second and close those eyes.

So, for me I think until the last moment had us, you know and the

children were there, the grand children were there.

Graca was there. We were always around. The last moment, we were

sitting with him and when the doctors told us, I think the morning

they warned us before there were signs. But when they told us there

was nothing they could do, and said to me might you call everybody that

is here that wants to see him and say goodbye. It was the most

wonderful day for us. Because the grandchildren were there. We were

there. I don't think my father fought just

for political freedom. He also fought for spiritual freedom, to

free yourself spiritually. He talks about the thing that it takes

courage to forgive. Forgiveness is a difficult thing. Wake up one morning

and say, I forgive those who incarcerated me. I think he knew

that if you didn't forgive he would be forever in prison, himself spirit

ally. And if you are not free, you cannot be free, definitely here. And

so, for me, the lesson is to have the lesson you can takeaway from his

life is to have the courage to forgive other people. Your own

husband, if you are married, your own children, your own neighbours.

Your own community. If we have the courage to forgive as human beings

there would be no wars that we see around us. There would be no crime,

no violence, no conflict. And for me, that's the greatest gift that

Tata has given to the world. Nelson Mandela's daughter there.

Well, his time spent as a political prisoner on that desolate rock,

called Robben Island helped to shape the man and define his political

idles. He was in total there for 18 years. Prisoner 46664.

Yes, just behind me the stark entrance way to Robin island. Very

much a reflect -- Robben Island. Very much a reflective mood. This is

where Nelson Mandela arrived, in his mid-40s. He spent 18 of his 27 years

in jail here. I went earlier on in his prison cell. There a single

candle burns bright. The staff here at Robben Island and some of the

political prisoner prisoners expect to come back tomorrow. They will

participate in their own private memorial service here. Much has been

made of the friendships that Nelson Mandela forged with some of the

prison guards. They were friendships that were born out of a sense of

mutual respect. One of those that stands out among all the others is

the friendship he had with Christo Brand. In 1978 a young African that

prison guard arrived. His name was Christo Brand.

Which was Mandela's cell? Just here. You can see two mats. By then Nelson

Mandela was halfway through his 27 years in jail.

You know, when I came here, immediately I felt I hate them. A

few months later, he gets visits. He gets visitors. I thought what was

they in for. We were told they were the biggest criminals. On the name

was the name. He said, no that is not - these people will handle you

with respect. These people will not steal from you, if you leave food on

our table. If you leave a newspaper they will steal it because he was

hungry for news. The two men would form an unlikely friendship. He

means to me quite a lot. He was like a father to me. He always believed

we are human beings, not black and white. I ask Mandela if he hate the

white people who put him in prison. He said, Mr Brand I cannot hate

white people. I can hate the system. All hi friends were white before he

came to prison. He had a lot of white friends. Today Christo Brand

is back, working on Robben Island. I think Mandela figures we mustn't

never repeat the past. We must look forward.

Many of those ex-prisoners feel very much like ambassadors for Nelson

Mandela now. And they have even more of a desire to tell his story to

future generations. One told me, it is like handing the spear from one

generation to the next. It feels like South Africa today has a lot to

live up to. Many thanks. So, the scene is set

for tomorrow's special memorial service. Nelson Mandela's body will

lay in state in the capital, Pretoria, before making its final

journey to the eastern cape for a private burial service on Sunday.

And you can see live coverage of tomorrow's memorial service from

Soweto in a special programme from Soweto in a special programme,

Nelson Mandela: A Nation Remembers. DJ Campbell is among six people

questioned in connection with allegations of sixing in -- fixing

in football matches. He is one of six arrested. They were detained

after the former Portsmouth player, Sam Sodje, told a reporter he could

arrange for players to be booked or sent off in exchange for cash. Let's

speak to our correspondent. What more can you tell us? In the last

hour or so, the National Crime Agency have confirmed five people

arrested yesterday have now been released on bail. A sixth person is

still being questioned by police. Now, among the people arrested

yesterday, we know is DJ Campbell - a striker here at Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn have released a statement, saying they will make no further

comment on what is an on-going legal matter. DJ Campbell is the most high

profile figure to be arrested in connection to these latest

allegations of corruption in football. He is a familiar name to

football fans up and down the country. In fact he's played in the

Premier League with three different clubs. This latest investigation

follows footage released by the Sun on Sunday yesterday, which showed

the former Portsmouth player, Sam Sodje, claiming he got himself

deliberately sent off in exchange for ?70,000. He claimed he could get

other players deliberately to pick up yellow cards. These are

allegations of fixing specific elements within a match. In that

sense, the game of English football is under scrutiny, like never

before. Thank you very much. Australia made quick work of

finishing off England in the second Ashes this morning. The visitors are

two down, with three to play in the series and will need something very

special if they will keep hold of the urn.

It is no good arriving at the fifth day of a Test Match in Australia and

expecting the weather to come to your rescue. Drizzle delayed play

for ten minutes. England lastedless than an -- less

than an hour. The more obvious Australia make the trap the more

determined some England players are to jump into it. So much for Stuart

Broad, out in the first over. Matt Prior at least played himself back

into some form. There wasn't much to try and save here, wasn't there?

Swann lasted half an hour. Batting is the connection of thought process

and technique, so often in Adelaide the English thinking seemed

scrambled. In truth, the cause had been lost days before. Matt Prior

out for 69. Another ball wall lopped into Australian hands. 312 all out

Panesar fell. It begins with the batsman and right at the top with

England's captain. I need to score more runs. We all

do. That first - there are only so many times you can tell the lads. If

you are not delivering, it makes it harder. I am there at the top of the

order as a batter. These last two gamesvy not scored enough runs. --

games I have not scored enough runs. Is England's golden era coming to a

halt? It is all beginning to unravel. We have had three series we

have won comfortably. We'll get stopped in this one. I don't think

the mind is right. I don't think they are there as a team. The next

Test Match starts on Friday - the 13th, in Perth, where England have a

grim record. Sound encouraging! Then the Ashes really will be gone!

Time for a look at the et wither now.

-- weather now. It is quiet out there thanks to high

pressure. The amount of cloud we see from place to place will vary

day-to-day. We are looking at some fog patches over the next few

nights. The best of today's sunshine is across England and Wales. In the

Bay of Biscay we have cloud which will be drawn northwards on the

prevailing winds. That will bring cloudier weather across England and

Wales tomorrow. The main message is, enjoy the best of the sunshine

whilst it is available across southern England. Plenty of sunshine

here throughout the afternoon. There'll be quite a bit of cloud

across the hills of Wales and blowing inland. Mist and low cloud

affecting the Midlands. In Northern Ireland, brightening up. Antrim and

Down looking good with some sunshine. Some of the warmest

weather is around the Murray Firth. Temperatures have reached 13 Celsius

here during the afternoon. Overnight we will see that lump of

cloud I showed you on the satellite moving in across England and Wales.

It will stay cloudy over Northern Ireland and Scotland. Winds touching

gale force in the north and west. For most of us though, this cloud

means it will not get too cold. One exception will be really across East

Anglia and south-east England, where skis are expected to stay clearest

longest. In the countryside, cold enough for a nip of frost.

Down to minus two in Kent and Sussex, maybe into Surrey as well.

Tomorrow, the cloud thickening up for Northern Ireland and western

Scotland. Damp weather working in here. The warmest around the Murray

Firth. Could reach 14 Celsius here during the afternoon. The best of

any sunshine across East Anglia and south-east England. Mist and fog

could develop across southern parts. Some of that mist and fog could

linger into Wednesday, with light winds. This area of high pressure on

the scene. Apart from the mist and fog patches, actually there should

be sunshine across England and Wales. Not a bad looking day across

Northern Ireland. So, the weather will be quiet over

the next few days. The cloud will vary from day-to-day. Across the

other side of the Atlantic though, we have an early season cold blast.

They've had some snowy weather and liquid rain, which has a temperature

below zero.