28/04/2014 BBC News at Six

A teacher has been stabbed to death at a school in Leeds. A 15-year-old

pupil has been arrested. Anne McGuire, who was 61 and taught

Spanish, was stabbed in front of pupils.

A 15-year-old male people from the school was detained at the scene by

other members of teaching staff, immediately after the incident

occurred. When it happened we heard screaming and stuff, but we didn't

think anything of it. We just thought it was some kids mucking

about. Then we heard afterwards there was an ambulance being called,

because a teacher had been attacked. The incident happened at Corpus

Christi Catholic College, a state secondary school. We'll bring you

the latest from there. I have been told by my lawyers to say nothing at

all. The publicist Max Clifford is found guilty of a series of sexual

assaults on women and teenage girls. Five members of the same family,

including a nine-week-old baby, die in a house fire in Sheffield.

And an exclusive report inside Syria's biggest city, with those

trapped there bombed by their own government. For one boy, buried in

the rubble, there's a near miraculous escape.

On BBC London: Five days of disruption on the tube. The strike

will go ahead from tonight after talks break down. And anger as a

triple murderer is awarded compensation after his belongings

are lost in prison. Good evening and welcome to the BBC

News at Six. A teacher has died after being repeatedly stabbed at a

school in Leeds. Pupils who witnessed the attack raised the

alarm and a 15-year-old boy was detained by other teachers. He's now

been arrested. Anne McGuire was 61 and taught Spanish and Religious

Education at Corpus Christi Catholic College, a state secondary school.

Our reporter Danny Savage is outside it now. Shocking for everyone at the

school? Fiona, this is a well-regarded church school. Tonight

it is a crime scene, with officers standing guard outside. Detectives

inside are trying to work out how and why a teacher was stabbed to

death, apparently by one of her own pupils. A teacher who had taught

generations of children in this community.

Anne McGuire, stabbed to death in a school classroom shortly before

lunchtime today. She had just celebrated 40 years of teaching and

was hugely popular. She were here, at Corpus Christi Catholic College

in Leeds. The hubbub and chatter of a working day ended when she was

attacked. Pupils said all that could be heard was screaming in the

corridors. We didn't really think anything of it. But the teachers

were called to go upstairs and lend a hand. A science teacher came back

down and said, something has happened, there has been an incident

and it is serious. Was there a lot of commotion in the corridors? On

the top floor there was, but the teachers were trying to keep

everybody calm because we didn't know what was going on. Emergency

services were soon here, but Mrs McGuire died after being taken to

hospital. Police then detained a schoolboy, a teenage pupil at the

college. A 15-year-old male pupil from the school was detained at the

scene by other members of teaching staff, immediately after the

incident occurred. He has been arrested in connection with this

incident, and is currently in custody in Leeds. Anne McGuire

taught Spanish and had been here for years. Pupils, past and present,

paid tribute to a woman who always had time for those that she was

looking after. Fantastic, she could not do enough for people. She never

let people fail. If there was anything wrong with your work, she

would send it back with corrections and he would not be able to leave

until you had done them. She wanted the best for everyone. She told my

mum and me, taught as Spanish and Tigers skiing. You could not ask for

anyone better. Violence in schools is not unheard of, but something

with this terrible is very rare. Special support is being offered to

those who witnessed the attack. Staff and pupils have been left in

deep shock, mourning the death of a teacher and mulling over the arrest

of a pupil suspected of killing her. This is regarded as a good school in

a tough area. There is a strong Catholic community here. The church

next door is already open for people going in to say prayers. The Prime

Minister has described what happened as profoundly shocking and

absolutely appalling. The celebrity publicist Max Clifford

has been found guilty of eight indecent assaults on women and girls

as young as 15. He was cleared of two other charges, while the jury at

Southwark Crown Court failed to reach a verdict on another charge.

Clifford was released on bail and will be sentenced on Friday. Nick

Higham reports. He was Britain's most famous

celebrity publicist, the king of kiss and tell. Today he is a

criminal and uncharacteristically silenced. I've been told by my

lawyers to say nothing at all. He walked from court on bail, convicted

of indecent assaults on girls and young women stretching back decades.

He'd promised them jobs or fame. Instead, he made them his sexual

playthings. Four of the charges related to just one woman, who said

she'd been assaulted several times in Max Clifford's yellow Jaguar, in

the streets around her South London home. She was 15, and he told her

she could be a model or the next Jodie Foster. Afterwards, she told

the court she'd felt used and dirty. Today she told the BBC her faith in

the justice system had been restored. He saw a vulnerable person

and took advantage of somebody who was a child. It was awful. It was a

nightmare. And it had huge implications for me as a young

person. Many of the assaults took place in Max Clifford's office in

London's Bond Street. He treated it, said the prosecution, as his own

sexual fiefdom. A board held photographs of celebrities. The jury

was told he used his showbusiness links to impress his victims. 13

women in all testified against Max Clifford. He said he had exposed

himself to them, forced them to commit sex acts and attacked them in

toilets. Some assaults took place behind the windows of his office. In

court, Max Clifford dismissed his accusers as fantasists and

opportunists, out to make money. He admitted to a succession of affairs

while married to his first wife. I was greedy, he said. I think it

shows his callous disregard for the victims. He abused them once, when

the crimes took place, and he chose to abuse them again by making them

testify in court. Max Clifford was the man who helped end the political

career of Cabinet Minister David Mellor, revealing he had had an

affair with an actress, Antonia de Sancha. He advised Faria Alam, who

had an affair with Sven-Goran Eriksson, the England manager.

Today, Max Clifford's own reputation is in shreds. One tabloid journalist

who dealt with him for 30 years called him brilliant, but

manipulative. Max Clifford was a great white shark. He had absolutely

no conscience. The only thing that mattered was what Max wanted, when

he wanted it. Max Clifford is the first person to be convicted under

Operation Yewtree, the police investigation launched following the

Jimmy Savile scandal. Today, prosecutors said it showed that

victims of sexual abuse, whenever it took place, will be listened to.

Five members of the same family, including a nine-week-old baby, have

died in a fire in Sheffield. An investigation has started into the

cause of the blaze at a house in Sharrow. A relative of those who

died said it had been a tragedy beyond description. Ed Thomas is

outside the house. Yes, there were no survivors here.

The only person who briefly escaped was the children's grandmother, but

she ran back into the house to try and save her family, a decision that

cost her her life. Police say they are keeping an open mind as to what

caused the fire. Three generations of the same family

lost their lives in this fire. The blaze ripped through their terraced

home, killing two women and three young children and investigators

still don't know why. The oldest to die here was Shabbina Begum, a

grandmother in her 50s. She died trying to save her daughter and

three grandchildren. Brothers Anum and Adhyan, who were nine and seven

died in the blaze, along with their baby sister, who was just nine weeks

old. The mother is saying, my children, they haven't died, they

are still here. You know, take me into the house, they're upstairs.

Ishfaq Hussain Kayani is a cousin of the family and said the children's

mother and father cannot comprehend what has happened. The mother, she's

in a state of shock. She hasn't stopped crying since the early hours

of this morning. The father, the children's father, he's in a state

of shock. He's just hardly utters a word. He's just gone into a huge

silence. This picture was taken minutes after the fire. Neighbours

were kept back as some tried to get into the house to help. Today,

forensic teams looked for clues while police officers searched

alleyways, as investigators try to find out what started the blaze and

left so much devastation. US drug giant comfy mattress trying

to take over AstraZeneca, in a move that would create one of the biggest

companies in the world. AstraZeneca invoice 7000 people in the UK. This

would be a very significant move, is it likely to happen? I think it

probably is. It is not so much David and a liar, it is Goliath.

AstraZeneca is huge, and Pfizer was even bigger. If these two companies

came together, it would probably be one of the top ten companies in the

world. It means they are battling over the drugs that millions of us

use, from cancer treatments to headache pills. Now, Pfizer is

saying they will move the company to the UK, which helps in tax purposes

in America. I think AstraZeneca shareholders, who own the company

would, will think, this is about getting money on the table, rather

than waiting for our very good cancer drugs coming down the track,

waiting for those to come onto the market. Let's take the jam today,

rather than waiting until tomorrow. Our top story this evening: A

teacher has been stabbed to death at a school in Leeds. A 15-year-old boy

has been arrested. Still to come: Salt and vinegar? A taste test for

voters. Are they feeling the recovery ahead of the coming

elections? On BBC London, killed in a crash for

cash scam. Her family say they are still coming to terms with her

death. And is this Hertfordshire town to posh for a budget

supermarket? The campaign to stop Lidl from opening.

It was once a thriving city in Syria's economic heartland. Now it

is a ghost town. The few residents trapped there never know when or

where the next bomb will fall, only that it will come and it will be

dropped by their own government. It's more than three years since the

Civil War began. At least 150,000 people have been killed. According

to the United Nations, more than 9 million have been displaced from

their homes, either staying in Syria or fleeing over the border. Ian

Pannell and Darren Conway have spent four days in Aleppo, and they are

the only Western broadcasters to risk visiting the rebel held area

since last year. You may find parts of this report upsetting.

Engulfed by darkness and fear. The heart of Syria's biggest city. But

life's become so dangerous, drivers must turn off their lights to avoid

attack from above. And even in the dead of night, the war grinds on.

The government insists it is protecting people, targeting

terrorists based in residential areas. But, often, it is civilians

who are hit. Everyone keeps an eye on the sky, looking for helicopters

armed with barrel bombs that are tossed to the ground. They are

indiscriminate and devastating. Whenever they land, it's the civil

defence force which comes to the rescue. Their job is as grim as it

is dangerous. Rushing in, sometimes under fire to free the injured and

recover the dead. Barrel bombs are believed to have

killed hundreds of people in Aleppo this year. Maiming many more.

This video from the Aleppo media centre is extraordinary. The defence

force, desperately digging at debris. A young boy has been buried.

His limbs are freed. It's not clear if he's alive. Suddenly, there's

movement and he is rescued. This was Syria's economic heartland.

Today, it's a decrepit shell of its former self. The bombardment rarely

stops and the emergency team head out again.

TRANSLATION: We are doing this because our people need help and

rescuing. Someone to lend them a hand. Of course I will not leave

this job. I merely want to save civilians.

Driving through a maze of streets, residents shout directions to the

bomb site. Unaware, the team heads straight into a front line position.

No, no, sniper! And a government sniper takes aim. This is perhaps

the most dangerous job in one of the world's most dangerous cities. We

were in Aleppo world's most dangerous cities. We

started. Today, much of this vast, ancient city has been ravaged by a

relentless civil war. Whole districts lie almost abandoned,

scarred by a war which has displaced 40% of the population and killed

what is thought 40% of the population and killed

150,000. In the last few minutes there have been two bomb strikes in

this residential neighbourhood. Much of it has been abandoned and at the

moment the emergency services have just arrived. The men from the Civil

Defence Force have gone into this area to see if there are any

civilians who have been injured or even worse, killed. The barrel bombs

landed on this small street, killing a four-year-old boy and injuring

others. There were no fighters here, just residents cowering from a

helicopter. TRANSLATION: We heard the first

blast and I asked my husband to go and get the kids off the street. And

suddenly it hit us. It was like someone picked me up and threw me

inside. Do you have anywhere to go? I have nowhere to go. I just want my

husband back and nothing else. Tens of thousands have fled Aleppo this

year. Most live in makeshift camps huddled near the border. There are

no signs of an end to this war. Syrians feel shunned by what they

see as the indifference of the outside world. Defenceless in the

face of incessant attacks and with little hope of either respite or

relief. Rochdale Council has announced an

independent review into claims of a cover-up of alleged child abuse by

the town's former Liberal MP, the late Sir Cyril Smith. The claims

focus on a residential school where several former pupils say they were

abused. The police are already investigating events at Knowl View

School in the 1980s and 1990s and say that at least ten new suspects

are being investigated. Eleanor Garnier reports.

Considered by some to be larger-than-life. Do you want a man

to represent you or do you want a party robot? The former Liberal MP

for Rochdale was a prominent politician. It has been suggested

that he used his status to cover up serial child sex abuse. The

allegations focus on this residential school in Lancashire

were several former pupils saving were abused. Others at a hostel

called Cambridge house say that he assaulted boys there too. Greater

Manchester Police are now reviewing evidence of a possible cover-up of

the abuse and is looking at around 11 suspects. We have identified a

number of suspects from our investigation. New victims have come

forward and there are a number of new suspects. There is a wider group

of people we are trying to face that -- trace that we believe may have

information. Rochdale council had started a review of its role in

handling the abuse but today it said the enquiry would be significantly

widened with a new independent QC brought in to lead it. He will seek

to identify whether there was a pattern of such abuse. Whether the

abuse of children was tolerated, facilitated or promoted by the

council or its officers or staff. With a widened independent enquiry,

allegations as far back as the 1960s will now be investigated. The

findings, due back this summer, could finally provide answers for

the victims who say their lives have been ruined. Eddie Shah wreck says

that his life has been an emotional wreck. It would be good to see a

decision reached and a verdict to show that this person, Smith, was

guilty of what he did at the time. Cyril Smith's family says he always

denied the allegations. They will cooperate with any further

investigations. The Green Party has launched its

campaign for May's local and European elections. The party's

leader Natalie Bennett says the Greens are serious contenders with

their largest number of candidates standing to be local councillors. Ms

Bennett also says she is confident that the party will increase their

current tally of two MEPs. The party is putting up a candidate for every

available UK seat. In just over three weeks' time

voters across the country will go to the polls to elect members of the

European Parliament. There'll also be local elections in parts of

England and Northern Ireland. In the first of a series of reports testing

the mood of voters, our Political Editor Nick Robinson has taken his

ballot box to Wrexham in North Wales to see if the people there are

noticing any signs of an economic recovery.

You are about to get the chance to serve up your verdict on the

political classes. Special delivery, one ballot box. I have escaped the

Westminster village and put on a penny. To find out what is driving

the public mood. Can you feel the economic recovery? You are

hesitating. I am in. I'm going to say that. Why don't really feel it.

What does that line mean? I am unsure. The statistics are clear,

British is -- Britain is growing again. But just as clearly, many are

not feeling it. There's a difference between living like we do, everyday

people, and what they presume everyday people live like. Here in

Wrexham, the talk is beginning to switch from job losses to new

opportunities and new factories opening. This company faced closure

two years ago but no business is moving again. Orders are coming in

faster, but... Lets not kid ourselves, this is a slow recovery.

Six months ago, we doubted whether it would be sustainable at all. But

relatively recently, we have a genuine feeling that the recovery is

beginning to be sustainable. The man in the suit from London is voting

with his investors' money, planning to spend on new machinery to make

fittings and fixtures for cars and planes. He is not yet ready to

promise a pay increase for those on the shop floor. Can you feel the

economic recovery? You have no doubt at all. I cannot afford to have half

a day off. Or I will notice it. I'm waiting for my wages every month.

Straightaway, you said no. It is getting worse. It is a struggle from

one day to the next. The cost of living is going up in my wages, I

have not had a pay rise for six years. The gap between what some

people are being told that their business or the economy is doing and

what they feel is a real problem for the government because if you'll is

a sense of unfairness, a sense that someone else, somewhere else, is

doing a whole lot better than me. The wheels of the economy are

spinning faster in the south-east. But it is not a simple as that. This

cycle club includes many bosses of small businesses. They told me that

some of them, at least, are beginning to enjoy the ride. You are

in the building trade? I am the director of a holding contracting

company. All the companies, we build for them all and the demand is huge

at the moment. And what about you? And would not say it has happened

quick enough but it started in London. There is definitely a

blanket. I can see it happening but it has not happened yet. I can't

keep up! Only a quarter of people think the

recovery is benefiting them and their family according to a new ICM

opinion poll. Over half say that they are not feeling it. Yes, but

fragile. I am in bit nervous. Don't mention interest rates. The don't

knows are growing, which makes the real election so unpredictable.

Happy cycling. The next stop for my ballot box is Yorkshire, where I

will be hearing views on immigration.

And there's more on the European and local elections online, macro --:

Time for the weather with Darren Betts. Differing fortunes today. We

have the warmest day of the year so far in northern Scotland, 22

degrees. But this cloud across southern England and Wales has

produced a number of heavy, thundery showers. We have more of those

showers for the next few hours, but gradually they will fade away. Later

this evening, and overnight, most places will be fine and dry.

Increasing mist and fog. Lows of eight or nine. But a grey and murky

start to tomorrow. Things improving. In many other areas, the cloud will

thin and break as it is warming up. Most of the showers across southern

counties. The shower is possible across western parts of Northern

Ireland but it will feel warmer with more sunshine than today. In

contrast, temperatures lower in northern Scotland because they are

seeing more cloud. In southern Scotland, the sunshine coming

through. Temperatures much the same as today across England and Wales.

Typically, the mid-teens. The bulk of the showers, again, south of the

M4. Some showers inland, possibly heavy and thundery. Hopefully not as

many storms as we have had. For most of Wales, a dry afternoon with

sunshine. Feeling warm in the sunshine. Not too much sunshine

through Wednesday and Thursday. Increasing cloud and increasing

numbers of showers. Longer spells of rain arriving during Thursday with

wet weather across England and Wales. That is due to low pressure

but by the end of the week, the pressure will be higher and it will

be turning drier. Also feeling colder, especially in the wind. If

you wanted a warm weekend, Fiona, you will not get it.

Thanks, Darren. A reminder of our main story. A

teacher has been stabbed to death at a school in Leeds. Short while ago,

the Prime Minister gave his reaction. This is a profoundly

shocking, absolutely appalling incident. All our thoughts are with

the teacher's family and the school and all the pupils to study there.

That is all from