09/04/2014 BBC News at One

I take full responsibility for my desire to resign. I want to remove

and an helpful and difficult distraction.

During Prime Minister's Questions Labour said it was David Cameron's

handling of the situation that is the real issue. He said six days ago

she had done right thing and we should leave it at that. Does he now

recognise this was a terrible error of judgement? It was right to allow

her the chance to get on with her job. There is one weakness in his

argument, if he thinks this was the case, why didn't he: Her to resign?

We'll be speaking to our political editor Nick Robinson. Also this

lunchtime: Oscar Pistorius breaks down again as he faces fierce

prosecution questioning about the night he shot his girlfriend.

I have taken responsibility but I will not look at a picture where I

am tormented by what I felt. My fingers touched her head. I

remember, I don't have to look at a picture, I was there.

New hope of finding the missing Malaysian plane as search teams

re-acquire a signal which could come from its black box.

And a Royal crawl-about - as Prince George meets other eight-month olds

during his parent's tour of New Zealand.

Later on BBC London. The Government reveals its

compensation package for the thousands living on the route of

HS2. And the Met is criticised for how it

records crime. The Home Office is told it should take more

responsibility. Good afternoon, and welcome to the

BBC News at One. The Prime Minister has said he is

saddened by the resignation of Maria Miller as Culture Secretary, but

defended his handling of the row over her expenses. After days of

damaging headlines she announced she was stepping down, but insisted she

was cleared of the main allegation against her. She felt she had to

resign, because the argument about her had become a distraction for the

government. Labour says Mr Cameron's judgement has become the

issue. A week of bad headlines has finally

led to the story many of the papers wanted, Maria Miller's resignation.

I hoped that I could stay, but it has become clear to me over the last

few days this has become an enormous distraction and it is not right that

I am distracting from the incredible achievements of this government. But

it is a political harassment for David Cameron who had offered her

strong support into the report into her expenses was published last

week. She shall make a full apology and people will leave it at that.

She apologised unreservedly for. We should leave it there. She should

get on with the job of being Culture Secretary. It was hardly surprising

that the Prime Minister's judgement was called into question by Ed

Miliband. He said six days ago she had done the right thing and we

should leave it at that. Does he now recognise this was a terrible error

of judgement? The Prime Minister then called into question Ed

Miliband's judgement. He seems to be the first leader of the opposition,

probably in history, to come to this house, and make the first suggestion

that somebody should resign, after they have already resigned. He needs

to learn profound lessons about how he runs his government. The Culture

Secretary went, not because of her bad conduct, but because of her bad

press. David Cameron said it was time for party leaders to get

together to discuss further reforms in the expenses system. Let us do

more to reassure the public about the scandal of expenses and how we

are dealing with it. Many conservative colleagues were

concerned about putting the toxic issue of expenses back on the agenda

ahead of elections. At a meeting to be held tonight some backbenchers

were prepared to grill David Cameron for why he had decided to hold onto

and the damage she was doing to the Conservative party. What did she do

wrong? Is 16 month parliamentary investigation looked into

allegations she funded this home in limbo -- Wimbledon where her parents

lived at the taxpayers expense. She was cleared of wrongdoing. The

commissioner said she should pay back ?45,800 but the standards

committee consisting mainly of MPs asked her to pave just over ?5,000.

The committee has recommended... That apology last week was condemned

as graceless by some of her colleagues and the man who lodged

the initial complaint against said she should have resigned soon. He

should have happened 60 days ago, it is astonishing that the Prime

Minister didn't get what the rest of the country got, her behaviour was

unacceptable. The Prime Minister acknowledged she had powerful

enemies in her party under press, handling two of the most

controversial issues in government, it gay marriage and press

regulation. Maria Miller is clearly leaving office reluctantly. I can

move on. In a moment we will get the thoughts

of our correspondent in her constituency base in Basingstoke.

Let's hear from Nick Robinson in Westminster. The Prime Minister

spent the week backing her, where does this leave him?

Clearly it leaves him under attack from Ed Miliband, others, from

newspapers tomorrow, who will say he took the wrong decision. I thought

what was striking about prime ministers questions is he was

totally unapologetic for that, he said it was not leadership to push

somebody out of a job at the first whiff of gunfire, that he thought it

was right, given his minister had been cleared on the original charge,

a charge she had funded a home for her parents at the taxpayers

expense, that it was right to let her apologise, to do that and let

her try to get on with her job. He will face criticism but I thought it

was striking that he is not only not attacking her, but he went further

and actually described Parliament as a good and honest parliament. He

didn't not once but twice. It is a phrase that may stick in the call

for many voters who are still angry about the expenses system, it will

mean that phrase is tested against the evidence, but that is what he

has chosen to do. This issue has shown how toxic the

issue of expenses is. Where do we go with that for now?

David Cameron did not feel the need to promise any great further reform.

His argument essentially was this is a case about the past and it was

about expenses that would not be allowed under the current rules and

a system of enquiry that wouldn't happen under current rules. What he

is 20 Zeta voters is that was them, now is different, the system is

better -- that is what he is trying to say to voters. He is hoping to

surf the wave of public anger, as will other politicians, Nigel Farage

heading to that sees of Basingstoke -- seat of Basingstoke tonight. The

hope is now people will focus on other matters they care about more,

however angry they might be for a day or two.

Let's code to our correspondent in Basingstoke.

What has the reaction there been? It is very interesting. I am

standing outside her house, no sign of her here today. It is interesting

what Nick was saying, something changed in Westminster yesterday

that brings focus here, something that the MPs had not been said

before, they were starting to talk about the reaction of the Elektra,

telling Number ten this is killing us on the doorstep. On her road

doorstep spoke to a Tory councillor who said not only should she have

not have resigned, it is a misunderstanding, she is a truly

popular and has local party support. You talk to the electorate, voters,

what is interesting is they will acknowledge she is a good local MP,

she had a healthy majority up the last election, but not only do they

think she should have resigned, but she should have resigned sooner and

this would have saved a whole lot of embarrassment for her and the

constituency, and that is quite powerful. The fact is as Nick

mentioned, Nigel Farage is coming down here tonight to speak, and all

the parties that are going to challenge it will want to make use

of that idea of a disconnect between Westminster and the wider world, and

that huge sum of money, ?45,000, coming down to ?5,000, people don't

understand it and they think if you can save the embarrassment by going

sooner, if she wants to rehabilitate herself that will have to stop right

here now. Oscar Pistorius has faced tough

questioning from the prosecution about his version of events on the

night he shot and killed his girlfriend. Asked repeatedly whether

he took was Bob 's ability for his actions he first said he had made a

mistake but later said he had killed her. He faces life in prison if

convicted of the murder. That dramatic change of tone here to

day in court. Oscar Pistorius being confronted and voracious

cross-examination with graphic details of what he had done to Reeva

Steenkamp. The prosecution team to show the court she is the victim

here, not him. You may find some details in this report upsetting.

Yesterday we heard a lot about Oscar Pistorius's fragile emotional state.

Today the prosecution sought an abrupt change of tone.

Cross-examining the athlete, they went straight on the attack, no

images of him giving evidence can be shown. What was your mistake? My

mistake was that I took her life. You killed her, you shot and killed

her. Will you not take responsibility for that? Say yes. I

shot and killed Reeva Steenkamp. I did, my lady. That was just the

start. Next up amateur video footage of Oscar Pistorius with friends at a

firing range. What we can see their is the effect the ammunition had on

a watermelon. It exploded. The prosecutor compared that with the

headwinds sustained by Reeva Steenkamp, a photo of her injury was

shown to the court. The athlete's relatives reacted. Reeva

Steenkamp's mother Jean bowed her head. Pistorius himself was

challenged when he refused to look at the image. I will not look at a

page where I am commended by what I saw and felt that night. I remember,

I don't have to look at the picture, I was there. As his lawyer objected.

It is uncalled for. The athlete broke down sobbing and the court was

briefly adjourned. A highly controversial and confrontational

start to this cross-examination, but there have been some other

interesting developments here this morning, with the defence saying

some of his closest neighbours will contradict state witnesses who

claimed they heard a woman screaming that might be for gunshots.

-- that night before gunshots. There will be highlights throughout the

day plus a special programme each evening with the key moments of the

day at 7:30pm. Teams searching for the missing

flight MH370 said a ship has detected two more signals which

could have come from the plane's flight recorders. The size of the

search area is being reduced and a submersible is on stand-by ready to

be deployed to check the sea bed. Deep beneath the Indian Ocean and

Australian Navy ship has again made what could be a critical

breakthrough. The Ocean Shield has heard two more acoustic noises, in

the same board area where other stronger transmissions were recorded

over the weekend. Engineers say the early signals were consistent with

those from an aircraft black box flight recorder. They 33 of the hunt

for the lost Malaysian jet and Australia believes it is getting

closer to finding its resting place -- day 33.

I am optimistic we will find the aircraft, or what is left of the

aircraft, in the not too distant future. Earlier this week recovery

teams was carrying a stretch of ocean almost twice the size of Great

Britain. The new target zone is about two thirds smaller. The

challenge for investigators is to re-establish contact with those

signals, far of Australia's West Coast. If and when the location of

those unknown pulses is sufficiently narrowed it down will deep sea drone

be deployed. Only then will the underwater search for wreckage

began. Australian authorities to warn, however, more days of slow and

painstaking work are still to come. 239 passengers and crew were on

board the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Most were from China.

Some of their families believe there has been a cover-up by Malaysian

authorities. Our search for the truth is not just for ourselves,

said a representative of the Chinese families. But also so that this kind

of disaster can be avoided in the future. The mood within the

Australian led recovery mission has never been more positive, but the

batteries from flight MH370 rack boxes are almost certainly starting

to fail, if they haven't already. Far out to seek the search continues

for any trace of the brain that simply vanished stop Bacharach.

Toyota is recalling more than 35,000 cars in Britain after faults were

discovered. The problems could deactivate airbags, cause seats to

move while driving and break steering columns. Six 6.5 million

vehicles are being recalled around the world.

Kent Police say a postmortem examination on Peaches Geldof has

proved inconclusive pending the results of toxicology tests. The

25-year-old daughter of Bob Geldof and Paula Yates was found dead at

her home in Wrotham in Kent on Monday. Let's speak to our

correspondent Duncan Kennedy. What happens now? Well, the toxicology

tests take place. We are told by Kent police it could take several

weeks. We are none the wiser as a result of the statement this

morning. It follows a postmortem which has taken place here at the

hospital in Dartford. A few moments ago, the hospital issued this

statement saying simply, a postmortem examination following the

death of Peaches Geldof has proved inconclusive pending the results of

toxicology analysis tests. They said yesterday this was a non-suspicion

-- a non-suspicious unexplained death. They said the police

enquiries are continuing in order to compile a report for the coroner. It

was about 24 hours ago at her home in a place called Wrotham but

Peaches Geldof's body was found yesterday by police. She was

declared dead at the scene. Her body was removed and a postmortem has

been carried out at the hospital this morning. No further details.

One suspects that are not any more details they can give without the

toxicology reports. No more statement from the police. This will

prolong the questions and discomfort for the Geldof family. Statements

from Bob Geldof yesterday and Peaches Geldof's husband telling us

about how distraught they were. Today's statement from the hospital

will not enlighten them any further. Everyone interested in this story

will have to wait until the toxicology reports come through.

That could take a few more weeks. Thank you very much.

Our top story this lunchtime: The Culture Secretary Maria Miller has

resigned after days of damaging headlines over her expense claims.

She denies being forced to stand down and says she resigned to

prevent further damage to her party. And still to come: Bowled over -

England's Charlotte Edwards is named as a Cricketer of the Year.

Later on BBC London: Why London's lost and hidden waterways should be

brought back to prevent homes flooding.

And on board a tall ship on the Thames - the first river regatta of

its kind in a quarter of a century. Prince George's only official

engagement in New Zealand took place this morning, a royal crawl about

with other babies. The eight-month-old met the babies at

Government House in Wellington. The visit was part of the Duke and

Duchess of Cambridge's tour of the country. Our royal correspondent

Nicholas Witchell sent this report. He was not afraid to assert himself

but that is perfectly normal for an eight-month-old boy. He is crawling

and people watching said there were moments when he seemed to be not far

short of walking. For George, it was something new, a brief but

boisterous start to what will potentially be the a lifetime of

being the centre of attention. He had been brought by his mother to a

specially arranged playgroup at government house. Ten babies of

roughly the same age as him. At first he seemed a little bashful,

more interested in his mother's hair. George tried again with

another child. He spotted a toy he wanted so he reached out and grabbed

it. Once again, mum had to come to the rescue. For an occasion which

was fraught with all kinds of possible pitfalls, it had gone

smoothly. Nobody had any major tantrums and the special guest had

not really misbehave. Witty good for a royal meet and greet. Other

parents were impressed. -- pretty good. He was his own little man. He

went into the middle of the circle of toys. He propped himself up and

owned the place, basically. George at eight months, starting to learn

about the world around him, though still oblivious to what his own

future holds. For now, he seemed happiest playing with his rattle.

Now he has completed his sort of semi-1st public engagement, he can

relax. He will not be seen again in public until he leaves New Zealand

with his mother and father in about a week's time.

The Government's announced plans for more rigorous GCSEs and A-Levels in

England. From 2018, science GCSE students will be expected to learn

about the human genome and nanoparticles. Arts subjects,

including music, drama, art and dance, are to be made more rigorous

and demanding. Our education correspondent Luke Walton reports.

Exam time is always stressful but the government believes key

qualifications are failing to stretch bright students. Today it

unveils its blueprint for what it says will be a more rigorous

system. Among the changes that GCSE, science will include more

cutting-edge topics such as the human genome. In modern languages,

there will be more questions asked in a foreign tongue. History will

require students to study longer periods of time and put more

emphasis on British history. A-level changes include a shift towards more

mathematical content in sciences. More focus on pre-1900 works in

English literature. The Education Secretary says the aim is to instil

greater confidence in the integrity and reliability of our qualification

system. The Government says its reforms will bring schools like this

one into line with others in high performing countries such as China

and South Korea. But critics fear the changes will leave less able

pupils binder may say they are being brought in too fast. The major

concern we have is over the pace of the change and what teachers need is

information early in order to help them prepare. Not only the content

of exams is changing in England, but also the structure with a shift from

modules to end of course exams. But students in Wales and Northern

Ireland will not be affected. Their administrations have chosen not to

adopt the coalition's reforms. At least 18 people have been killed

in an explosion on the outskirts of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. It

happened at a busy fruit and vegetable market early this morning.

Dozens of people were injured. Our correspondent Mike Wooldridge

reports. Whoever carried out the attacks

struck at one of the busiest times in the congested fruit and vegetable

market. From early morning, trucks arrive with produce from areas

surrounding the capital and trading was under way. The blast thought to

be from around five kilograms of explosives left a crater. It was

heard over a wide area. TRANSLATION: Be blast took lace at 8:15am. Five

kilograms of explosive was used. It was hidden in a carton. -- the blast

took place. The deadliest attack in Islamabad since the bombing of the

Marriott hotel in 2008. Security personnel began investigations. The

Pakistani Taliban issued a statement condemning the attack. Attacks in

which innocent people are the sole target is contrary to Islamic laws,

the statement said. Efforts are under way to negotiate an end to the

insurgency. The Prime Minister's office has not yet pointed the

finger of blame at any group. They described it as an effort by

Pakistan's enemies to destabilise the country and the government would

willing resolute in its efforts for peace. -- would remain resolute.

There was an attack in this Court complex last month in which 11

people died. A splinter group of the Taliban admitted responsibility for

it. The deep crater in the market here, the only evidence now of the

bombing. It could hardly have time a more sensitive time -- it could

hardly have come at a more sensitive time. The question is whether that

could now be put in jeopardy and if so who wanted it to happen?

David Cameron's coming under pressure to change the laws around

pensions for the wives and husbands of dead servicemen and women. Under

the law as it stands, if a soldier dies off duty then his or her spouse

loses the pension if they re-marry or move in with a new partner. Now a

group called Justice for Widows, which is backed by Joanna Lumley,

Kate Adie and Martin Bell, has written an open letter to the Times,

trying to get that overturned. Now, in recent months, the only

England cricket team capable of consistently winning matches has

been the women. They reached the final of the World Twenty20 where

they were beaten by Australia, but England still hold the women's

version of the Ashes. And today there's further recognition for

their captain, Charlotte Edwards. She's been named as one of Wisden's

Cricketers of the Year. Our sports correspondent Joe Wilson reports.

Cricket's long history has generally been told through the achievements

of great men, recorded and pored over in the pages of Wisden. It has

chosen its players of the year since the 19th century. Time waits for no

man and this is a female era with professional women cricketers.

Charlotte Edwards led her happy England to victory in Australia over

the winter. Her award comes after nearly a decade as England's

captain. really shocked. I was not expecting it. Really honoured to

think I am in an illustrious list of players. I never thought I would be

stood here as a professional woman's cricketer. I am proud of how

the game has come along. The irrepressible Enid Bakewell, still

playing at 73, one of England's greatest cricketers from a very

different era. In 1973, came a novelty which attracted royalty, a

cricket World Cup for women. In the final, England won thanks to 100

from Bakewell. I don't run as quickly now! This field was worth

she learnt cricket, cutting the grass with her own scissors. She

raised three children and raise money just to play for England. We

really had quite a fight. It was not until 1976 that Lord's let us have a

televised match there. When we first went there, we did not know whether

we could use the changing rooms and we certainly did not know whether we

could go through the long room. The Australians did not know about the

tradition so they marched through so we followed. The ornately decorated

dimensions of the Long room worth a men only on match days. Now

Charlotte Edwards sits on the mend's benches unencumbered by

history. Some of the history might well reflect that towards a woman

who helped cut the path others have followed.

Time for a look at the weather. No adverse comments from Paul who

obviously was enjoying some of the fine weather many of us have

experienced. This afternoon, sunny spells, mainly dry. There is or is a

but. It is completely different across the western side of Scotland

-- there is always a but. A fair amount of rain. Doors 20

millimetres. -- towards 20 millimetres. There could be more in

that neck of the woods. The other side of Scotland, quite nice. Gusty

winds. 15 degrees on the thermometers. Further south,

high-pressure doing it stuff. Just one or two showers. You will be

really unfortunate to see them. Both in the south-west and across Wales.

Further east, already 16 degrees. We will possibly make 17. More cloud

further north. We have all ready highlighted the problems there

thanks to the weather front across north-western parts of Scotland.

Through the course of the night, it will be fairly quiet. The weather

front eases a little bit further south with time. Not a particularly

cold night. As was the case last night, rural spots might get down to

frost levels. Thursday, the front such as it is easing its way further

south. Bit of rain on the western slopes of the Pennines. Clear skies

behind. The chance of one or two quite hefty showers. Isolated

showers further south. Temperatures on a par with where we are at the

moment. High-pressure the dominant feature across a good part of the

British Isles. Saturday, squeezing the isobars across northern parts of

Scotland. Another weather front affecting the north-western parts.

Gradually easing into Northern Ireland with time. Saturday for

many, a dry and fine day. It will feel very springlike indeed. Then on

into Sunday. Not a great deal of change. Still quite windy across

northern parts. Bits of pieces of rain. The London Marathon of course,

coolish start. I would have thought those conditions would suit many for

a pretty fast time. Now a reminder of our top story this

lunchtime. The Culture Secretary Maria Miller has resigned after days

of damaging headlines over her expense claims. She denies being

forced to stand down and says she resigned to prevent further damage

to her party. And there will be full coverage of the Prime Minister's

reshuffle and more reaction to the resignation of Maria Miller

throughout the afternoon on the BBC News Channel. Now on BBC One it's

time for the news where you