21/12/2015 BBC News at Six

Banned for eight years - the two most powerful figures

For Fifa president Sepp Blatter, it's a dramatic fall from grace,

Suspended eight years, but I will fight.

I will fight for me and I will fight for Fifa.

Michel Platini - a Fifa vice president -

Also tonight: Murdered in a vigilante attack -

a police officer is convicted of misconduct after failing

to take his calls for help seriously.

Further evidence of deaths in the NHS that weren't

investigated, as more families come forward to call for action.

A sharp rise in the number of children being educated at home -

we look at why more are being kept out of the classroom.

And we hear from the eight-year-old with cerebral palsy who completed

a triathlon and then stole the show at the BBC's

The controversial ?800 million power line running

down the spine of Scotland comes on stream.

And the call for fixed-odds betting machines like these to be

Good evening and welcome to the BBC News at Six.

The two most powerful men in world football have been banned from any

involvement in the game for eight years.

The Fifa President, Sepp Blatter, and a Fifa vice president

were both found guilty of ethics code breaches surrounding

Both men continue to deny wrongdoing and say they'll appeal.

From Zurich our sports editor Dan Roan sent this report,

The game was up, his downfall complete.

Just minutes after being kicked out of football in disgrace,

a visibly aged and dishevelled Sepp Blatter arrived at Fifa's

Wearing a plaster on his face following a minor operation,

recent events appear to have caught up with the former president,

but anyone hoping for some contrition should have known better.

I am sorry that I am still somewhere a punching ball,

but I'm sorry that I am as president of Fifa this punching ball,

I'm sorry, but I'm also sorry about me, how I'm treated

He vowed to appeal and said he is prepared to take his case

to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Suspended eight years, but I will fight.

I will fight for me and I will fight for Fifa.

Also banned today was Michel Platini, the man who'd been

In September Swiss prosecutors opened a criminal investigation over

an alleged disloyal payment of ?1.3 million between the two men in 2011.

Platini said it was for work he had performed as an adviser to Fifa nine

years earlier, but with no written contract the two most powerful men

in football were suspended and today Fifa banished them both

I am a man of principles and these principles are,

and still go on, that never take money have not earned.

But now they are telling me that I tried - I tried -

to buy, through Michel Platini, votes for the 2011 elections. No.

Blatter has ridden out countless controversies but in May Fifa was

plunged into crisis. A host of senior Fifa officials were arrested

after decades of systematic alleged corruption. Despite that he was

re-elected for a fifth term but under pressure announced he would

step down next year. European football chief Platini seemed set to

take advantage but now about -- both are gone. The game hasn't been

affected by that because it's too powerful to be affected by certain

individuals, but what has been affected is the fact that people are

talking about the corruption and about the football and about the

game in the same sentence. The sport is now desperate to move on, with a

replacement for Blatter set to be elected in February but he remains

as defiant as ever. I am still the president, even suspended I am the

president. The president must be relieved of his duties, otherwise

you cannot elect another president. I'm not ashamed. I regret but I am

not ashamed. I am ashamed if you go in depth what has been presented and

how this has been done. It would appear football has not seen the end

of Blatter yet. I will be back. And that is the problem for the sport,

he may have been shown the door but his reign will continue to cast a

shadow. Our correspondent is outside Fifa headquarters. What now for

Fifa? There is no doubt Sepp Blatter had come to define the culture of

corruption that had taken grip here at Fifa over recent years. He has

presided over so many controversies and scandals it has become almost

impossible to imagine the governing body without him. Many in football

will be relieved tonight to finally see the back of him, they will see

it as an opportunity for the game to move on. Fifa planned new elections

in February, the new leader will drive down the road behind me and

tried to restore trust. There's new measures, new reforms planned to be

implemented. The problem is those criminal investigations both in the

States and in Switzerland will continue. With lawyers effectively

in charge of the day-to-day running of Fifa, many believe that with so

many former leaders now banned or indicted, the time has come for this

organisation to be wound down for the Swiss government to take it into

receivership, and a new body to replace it. Sepp Blatter may be

gone, but the crisis in football certainly isn't. Thank you.

A police officer and a community support officer have been convicted

of misconduct after a disabled man was murdered by his neighbour

in what was described as a vigilante attack.

44-year-old Bijan Ebrahimi was murdered in Bristol two years

ago, amid false claims he was a paedophile.

He'd repeatedly called police for help but was seen as a nuisance.

Disabled, depressed and vulnerable. The court heard that Bijan Ebrahimi

was failed by police. In the summer of 2013, a neighbour, Lee James,

entered his home and wrongly accused him of being a paedophile. Bijan

Ebrahimi filmed his threats and dialled 999, officers attended the

scene. Over the next couple of days he repeatedly dialled 101, saying he

was scared at asking for his local beat manager, PC Kevin Duffy, to

visit. This was his reaction. I have no intention of taking any calls

from Bijan Ebrahimi. Today, a jury found PC Duffy guilty

of misconduct in a public office. He will be sentenced in the New Year.

Police community support officer Andrew Passmore was also found

guilty of misconduct. The jury was told he had made false claims to an

investigation about patrolling the area where Bijan Ebrahimi lived. The

court heard that the 44-year-old, who was born in Iran, would often

call police and the prosecution claimed he was seen as a pest and a

nuisance. After the altercation with Lee James, it was name himself --

Bijan Ebrahimi himself who was arrested. PC Harris admitted her

behaviour had been unprofessional but today's DC Harris was found not

guilty of misconduct. Her colleague, PC winter was also cleared by the

jury. Bijan Ebrahimi's sisters say the evidence they have seen and

heard during the five-week trial has been heartbreaking. They basically

didn't take any notice of him, they dismissed him and let him down and

we are so angry and upset. It is unimaginably painful to hear and see

how the police officers dealt with him in the days he really needed

them. They ignored his cries for help. It is two and a half years

since Bijan Ebrahimi was kicked to death by a neighbour and his body

set on fire. Next year there will be more questions about the way police

handled his case. We understand that at least 18

police officers and other staff face internal disciplinary hearings in

the New Year. Bijan Ebrahimi's family said tonight they understand

some of those will involve investigating allegations of racism.

Avon and Somerset police say they cannot comment on that, they have

got to go through the full legal process, in the meantime PC Duffy

and PC Passmore will be in the dock at the Crown Court in the New Year

to be sentenced. Thank you.

More evidence is emerging of failures to investigate

Last week the government ordered a review of how investigations

are handled after sharp criticism of one of the biggest mental health

Now, more families are coming forward to voice their concern.

Our Social Affairs Correspondent, Michael Buchanan reports.

It was beautiful, amazing, compassionate... Thomas was a son

and brother who happen to have Down's syndrome and autism. He loved

his music, his tomato ketchup, sausage and chips. He just wanted

the simple things in life, he wanted his family and he wanted to be

happy. As Thomas aged however, he was taken into care, where one carer

physically abused him and his parents raised many other complaints

about his treatment. In February he contracted pneumonia and died aged

20, no investigation has taken place into his death. It just feels like

Thomas was ignored and dismissed, especially in the last four years of

his life. They carried on doing that, even though it was blatantly

obvious the care he received was not good enough. For them not to

investigate is unbelievable. The family have been told there is no

medical evidence to suggest Thomas died of anything other than natural

causes, and therefore there won't be an investigation into his death, but

they are not alone it seems in trying to get the NHS to take their

concerns seriously. Figures from two thirds of mental health trusts

suggest that of the nearly 1500 deaths of learning disability in

patients over the last four years, just over 200 up being investigated.

Data from a smaller sample indicates that of the 276 deaths classed as

expected, just 100 were investigated. In something happens

in one part of the NHS, it may be equally applicable to another part,

so something in the south-west may be equally applicable in Cumbria. If

there is no systematic collection of that information, there's no way

other health care providers can learn and improve. NHS England say

they have commissioned a study looking at all deaths of people with

learning disabilities. For families who have already lost loved ones,

the fear is what others may be going through. What happened to Thomas was

horrendous. What could be happening to vulnerable people out there who

don't have that family fighting for them, it doesn't bear thinking

about. The killing of minorities

by so-called Islamic State should be recognised as genocide,

that's according to more than 60 politicians who've written

to the Prime Minister. They're urging David Cameron

to use his influence to reach Here's our religious affairs

correspondent Caroline Wyatt. August 2014 and a biblical exodus

began. Iraq's religious minorities tried to escape the onslaught by

Islamic State fighters. The Yazidis were forced to convert to Islam. The

Christians had already been driven out of their ancient homeland. Today

a group of peers and MPs wrote to David Cameron, among them the former

head of MI5, Lord Evans, asking him to put pressure on the UN to

describe as genocide what's happening to religious minorities

there. I feel strongly about this because what's been happening in

Iraq and Syria is in my view genocide. Islamic State or Daesh has

been persecuting the Christian minority as well as the Yazidis

through sexual enslavement and demolition of religious buildings

and the desecration of cemeteries. This is continuing on a systematic

and deliberate basis. The UK Government has a policy of not

determining genocide, preferring to leave that up to international

bodies. But those who want the term to be used to say it is vital to

send a strong message to the Islamic State group that ultimately it will

have to face justice for the atrocities it has carried out. That

is something that this man and his family desperately want as they

prepare for Christmas as refugees in Jordan. They are Iraqi Christians

driven out of their home by Islamic State fighters. They want not just

to return home but to know that one day those who killed, maimed and

tortured so many will face justice and the charge of trying to

exterminate Christians, Yazidis and others from Iraq and Syria.

Our top story this evening: Sepp Blatter has been banned from all

football related activity for eight years.

Still to come, I will be reporting from Carlisle, where Prince Charles

has visited today to see the damage caused by the flooding for himself.

On reporting Scotland, 5 million people ride on Edinburgh's trams in

one year, more than expected but not yet enough to make a profit. Andy

Murray becomes the first Scot to win the BBC's sports personality award

twice. With Christmas fast approaching most

children have broken up from school and are looking forward

to their winter break. But the latest figures suggest

an increasing number of children in the UK aren't actually

going to school - instead In the last six years

the numbers have risen by 65% - according to almost

200 local authorities. There's no legal obligation

to send your children to school, although parents have to provide

a "suitable education" at home. Our Education Editor Branwen

Jeffreys has been talking Christie Lowe's ambition is to be

a professional photographer. A talent her parents encouraged

when she was home educated. Christie struggled at school

and studied at home So my mum has been able

to cater my learning around Because every child learns

in different ways. So she has been able to suit that

to my learning style. And yeah, allow me to pursue

the things I'm really Christie's experience seems to be

shared by a growing number Councils are recording more

children as home educated. Among the reasons given,

difficulties with schooling, not getting a place,

bullying, or special needs. Not enough to make most people step

out of the school system. Christie's parents were able

to afford for her mum to be at home. A small number of state schools work

with home-educated children. Jay spends some of his week

in lessons at school and some days studying at home with

his big sister, Maya. For them this flexi schooling

is all just learning. We particularly like

doing arty things. Filming the school puppet show,

working with home educating families has given this small

Norfolk school a new Unlike many rural schools,

they are oversubscribed. Good at problem solving,

excellent at communication. Having broader experiences then may

be the norm in a small area Learning at home can be

much less structured, which allows children

to follow their own interests. And in turn, that can make them very

independent learners. Maya and Jay's parent hope that

will stand them in good stead. Things like a job

for life has changed. People might have more

than one career that they do I think the need to be

flexible is really important Educating children at home

clearly works for some, but the vast majority still prefer

to leave education to school. BBC Sport has pulled out

of its contract to show Formula 1 racing - three years

early - to save money. The corporation said its financial

position meant some tough Our media correspondent

David Sillito is here. Is this a taste of things to come?

In a word, yes. It is not entirely unexpected. A few weeks ago the BBC

announced ?35 million has been cut from the sport budget. Six Nations

is now being shared. For viewers it remains free to air on Channel 4,

there won't be any adverts so not much of a change but a real sign of

how difficult it will be for the BBC in the years to come. Sports rights

continue to get more and more expensive. This is part of ?150

million worth of cuts for the BBC. More have got to be made in the

months to come. Thank you. Our correspondent Danny Savage

is in Carlisle now. Two weeks after thousands of homes

were flooded by Storm Desmond, Prince Charles has travelled

to Cumbria to see how communities In tears Prince Charles came to see

a lot of this. Saw thousands of homes with belongings outside. He

went out of his way to talk to the ordinary people of Cumbria about

their experiences. A lot has changed. Roads are now used white

cars instead of boats. Now that the water has gone it is time to assess

the damage. People normally make their home is perfect for a royal

visit but that is impossible. Prince Charles spoke to people going

through the most miserable of times and they appreciated it. To

physically take the time to come up here is pretty amazing. Next door,

he stopped to speak to one man and his dog. He did not go in but we

did. This is typical of so many homes in Cumbria. It looks like a

house on the outside but not on the inside. I really do believe the

flood defences need to be looked at. In the short-term, how do you feel?

Shocking. I'm a positive type of person, so I can see the future, my

wife is not so positive and she is upset. His neighbours also met the

Prince today in another home stripped for repairs. We told him

you still need to rip your floorboards out and knock the

plaster off and thought the heating out. They will be taking away

belongings from long time yet. Insurers estimate the cost of the

storm will be over ?500 million. That is a lot more than previous

floods because it was more widespread, reflected in the final

visit of the day to Appleby. Yet another Cumbrian town where people

will be doing well to have their homes back to normal by next

Christmas. There was chaos and huge

embarrassment at the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas last night

when the wrong woman Miss Colombia did not get to enjoy

her moment. I have to apologise. The first runner-up is Colombia. Even

Miss Philippines could not understand what was going on. I have

one? It is my mistake. Please don't hold it against the ladies. We feel

so bad. The ultimate indignity, having your crown removed in front

of millions of people as the rightful winner finally becomes Miss

universe. For most children, completing a

triathlon at the age of eight is an impressive achievement but for this

child come he suffers cerebral palsy and his determination was recognised

when he won not just an award but a standing ovation at the BBC sports

personality of the year. On a night of stars, one personality

really stood out. Eight-year-old triathlete Ilie Matthews. -- Bailey

Matthews. He has cerebral palsy and he can stumble and fall

occasionally. But he did let that stop him. He was given an award to

recognise outstanding achievement in the face of adversity. What a

reception! When the people from sports

personality rang me to let me know that he had won... I did not tell

you, did I? You did not tell me! He has had more hits on the Internet

than any David Beckham... In the whole entire world. It is those

images online of him competing in sports that are inspiring others.

Bailey is fearless. A lady from New Zealand googled me and rang me from

work to say thank you. She had just found out her boy had cerebral

palsy. Even Tyson Fury will not defeat him. For others he has one

simple message. What an amazing little boy. Let's have a look at the

weather. For a change there is a little boy. Let's have a look at the

of a saying in the air, fresher, not for long because the temperatures

will be rising. We have yet more wind and rain on the way. This is

the band of rain that brought the bad weather today. We had rain, now

we've got this slot of clearer skies. The cloud is increasing in

the south-west. This starry sky, we can wave goodbye to it. Here comes

the rain and lots of mild weather. This is tomorrow morning, 14 degrees

at 5am. There will be gale force wind around the coasts. Tomorrow

will be changeable. Take a brolly because there will be some wet

weather at some point. The rainfall can be happy for some time. The

areas that sustained that rainfall could be seeing local flooding. Stay

tuned to your local radio if you are worried about that. Wednesday will

be a window of opportunity. You can go out and do some of that Christmas

shopping. Wednesday night into Thursday, this low pressure will

only just missed us. Not anticipating a name for this storm.

You can see just how mild this weather is. You don't need to be a

meteorologist to figure out that with temperatures of around 12

degrees it is certainly not going to be snowing. The main story this

evening, Sepp Blatter has been