03/02/2012 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. Tonight's top story:

Questions over the relationship between Labour and Naz Malik, the

head of a ethnic minority charity under investigation for alleged

financial irregularities and Tonight's other headlines.

Reginald Gill falsely told women they had cancer and that he could

cure them. He's been found guilty of sexual assault and fraud.

A multi-million pound revamp for this listed town hall, but a row's

blown up over the disabled access. Pedal power - hopes that plans to

create Britain's first velorail track will boost tourism.

In tonight's sport: Gatland's gamble pays off -

Priestland and Roberts will start against Ireland and the Welsh fans

are descending on Dublin. I think we are going to lose but I

think we will get very close. Good evening. There are questions

tonight over the links between the Welsh Labour Party and the chief

executive of a charity currently under investigation by the Welsh

Government. The All-Wales Ethnic Minority Association, or AWEMA is

being investigated over claims of bullying and financial

mismanagement. Here's our Political Correspondent, Tomos Livingstone.

Naz Malik - the charity chief executive at the centre of a

growing list of allegations. The boss of AWEMA faces claims of

bullying and financial mismanagement. This is Mr Malik's

son, a former Labour candidate campaigning with the First Minister

- a photo taken by Naz Malik, himself a party activist. The Welsh

Government says it's investigating and says the charity should have

been marked as "high risk" in the past. But is the investigation

thorough enough? I think there is very real concern because it is the

Labour government in Wales that has been asked to look at the

allegations around the organisation and we need to make sure that this

is not Labour looking after one of their own. The allegations are very

serious and it has trouble me greatly that the independent report

that was commissioned, the editor has not been asked for his

conclusions from the Welsh Government's own investigation.

independent report said Mr Malik should be suspended. That didn't

happen. According to the charity's chair, Rita Austin, for cost

reasons. It would have incurred the charity an enormous extra expense

that I could not justify on the very strong grounds that I already

had, as had the trustees, a clear admission. A clear admission or not,

some of those at the centre of the story are puzzled that no-one from

the Welsh Government or the police has been in touch. They include

staff who claim they were bullied by Mr Malik. And they also include

Paul Dunn, the author of the independent report who conducted a

lengthy taped interview with Mr Malik. One of the things I have

that evidence is not only statement from staff but statement and a

recording of my interview with the chief executive in which he makes a

whole series of comments and admissions. I think that counts as

evidence. The police say they're waiting for the Welsh Government to

finish their investigation. Mr Malik is still in his post and says

it would be inappropriate for him to comment.

Welsh Labour have told us that investigations are ongoing. They

claim Andrew RT Davies attempt to muddy the waters with Syria and

innuendo is motivated by a desire for a quick headline.

He falsely told two women they had cancer and that he could cure them.

Today, 77-year-old Reg Gill, from Carmarthenshire, was found guilty

of sexual assault and fraud. It follows an undercover investigation

by BBC Wales' X-Ray programme. Jenny Rees reports from Swansea

Crown Court. Leaving court today a guilty man.

Reg Gill was still making no apology to his victims.

Do you have any comments to your victims? Would you like to say

anything? This wasn't the first time he'd

been in court. Eight years ago, he was sentenced to 12 months in

prison for selling a machine like this - it's an Ifas, or High

Frequency Therapy machine. It's not licensed for any medical treatment.

He sold it to Stephen Hall, from Flintshire. He'd been diagnosed

with incurable pancreatic cancer and was told the machine could

treat it. Mr Gill also advised him to stop taking his morphine. He

died some weeks later. Last year, a team from BBC Wales's X-Ray

programme went to Reg Gill's home in Cwmduad, in Carmarthenshire,

after hearing he was still offering A few weeks later, Dyfed-Powys

Police arrested Gill after being contacted by two women.

Mr Gill used a probe to sexually assault two female clients at the

treatment room in his home. He told both that they had cancer. One of

the victims, who can't be named, said she was told the cancer had

migrated through her body to both her breasts and her larynx. She

said she felt as though her world had fallen away. Then Mr Gill said,

"Don't worry, I can fix that". Today, 77-year-old Gill was

convicted of nine sex offences and two fraud charges. His wife Leila

was found guilty of one charge of sexual assault and fraud. Both

victims have shown a lot of courage in coming forward and report in

this matter to the police because they have exposed them as the

fraudulent practitioners of alternative therapy that they are.

The couple have been bailed and will be sentenced at a later date.

The Chief Medical Officer has today issued advice on how to stay safe

and warm, with the Met Office predicting the big freeze is set to

stay until the weekend. Temperatures last night fell to -11

centigrade in parts of Powys, making it the coldest night of the

winter so far. Forecasters are also warning of snow tomorrow, although

it's expected to turn to sleet and rain later in the day. And, of

course, we'll have a full forecast for you later in the programme.

The boyfriend of a pregnant teenager who was murdered at her

flat in Newport has told the jury that the man accused of killing her

was like a brother to him. 18-year- old Ryan Mayes, who was the father

of Nikitta Grender's unborn baby, also denied that he'd invited Karl

Whant to have sex with Nikitta. Mr Whant had claimed he had consensual

sex with her hours before she died. He denies murder.

A new woodland has been planted in the Upper Vyrnwy valley - the

largest in Wales for 20 years. The 140 hectare Cyffin Woodland will

have oak, ash and cherry trees, and will count towards the Welsh

Government's target of creating 100,000 hectares of new woods over

the next 20 years. It's a row over whether people with

disabilities should be able to use the front door of Merthyr's old

town hall, even if that means what planners fear will be an unsightly

ramp outside a historic listed building. Today, local councillors

held a site visit as they weigh up options for a multi-million pound

scheme to revamp the hall. Caroline Evans has more.

There is no doubting the historic importance of the old town hall in

Merthyr Tydfil. For 90 years, it was the focal point for royal

visits, parades and elections in the town. This man stood here to

address the people when he was elected the first Labour MP in

Wales in 1,900. Now, after years of disrepair, it is about to be

restored to its former glory. But now, councillors must decide

whether to keep the building exactly as it was built or install

a ramp at the front so that everyone can coming through the

main door. Opinion is divided. think it is essential. I don't

think it makes any difference to the face of the lovely town hall. I

don't think it would the face it in any way. I would leave it as it is.

The alternative would be to put Iran at the side entrance but that

is not acceptable say disability rights campaigners. You consider

the history of the building and its role in equality, in the

emancipation of women, we are talking in the 21st century about a

simple solution we disabled people can go through the front door like

everyone else. Today, councillors paid a site visit to make up their

minds. It is a big decision. Members to take notice of the

rights of professional officers but members also use commonsense and

look at things themselves. When this building was opened in 1898,

it's proved so popular that officials had to request locks be

put on the doors to stop people coming in. It has held a special

place in the heart of the town ever since. What happens to the outside

of it now should be decided in the next few weeks.

Still ahead: Priestland and Roberts are fit to

play - we look ahead to Wales' Six Nations opener.

And it's been used as a cowshed but could this, in fact, be the oldest

Could using pedal-power on disused railways be a way of boosting

tourism? Velo-Rails are pedalo-type vehicles which allow small groups

to make their way through picturesque areas. A project is now

up and running to turn part of a disused track between Blaenau

Ffestiniog and Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd into Britain's first Velo-

Rail track. Its backers say it's clean, healthy

and will provide a boost to tourism. Velo-Rails can already be found in

France and other parts of mainland Europe and the hope is that it will

soon be a feature of a small part of Gwynedd. We hope that this

project will attract more visitors to the area and keep them in the

town long enough to explore and relax and hopefully spend a little

bit of money. This scheme should tie in perfectly with the other

projects we have ongoing. The one thing that is missing is something

for families to do for the day. plans to bring them to this line

between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Trawsfynydd have involved a number

of local organisations. School children have got involved to clear

the route. And today came a test- run of what is hoped will become

Britain's first Velo-Rail track. Fantastic views, a bit hard work on

the thighs, but it was my workout for the day. It is only a short

journey but I think it is a fascinating project. It is easy on

the way down, a bit more difficult on the way back up. The project is

part of a �4 million investment with money from Gwynedd Council and

the Welsh Government. It will also see improvements to facilities for

other activities such as mountain biking. The old track bed has got

to stay here for a while so we want to protect it for the future. This

is a low-impact way of making use of that asset. There is still a lot

to be worked through with the community. No firm start date has

been set for the Velo-Rail but those involved in the project hope

they are on track to be up and running by September.

On track for the Six Nations now. Here's Claire with a look ahead to

Sunday. Good evening. Fly-half Rhys

Priestland and centre Jamie Roberts have been passed fit to face

Ireland in Wales' Six Nations opener. They flew to Dublin with

the squad this afternoon ahead of Sunday's match, which is a repeat

of the World Cup quarter-final in Wellington that Wales won 22-10. In

a moment, we'll hear the thoughts of former Ireland captain Simon

Easterby, but first Ashleigh Crowter on Warren Gatland's first

The knee looked in good nick today. The Scarlets Number 10 was a key

man in the World Cup alongside Jamie Roberts. He has also been

given the all-clear after missing the last six weeks. The first parts

of last week in Poland was more rehabilitation. I feel refreshed

and am mentally raring to go. For a young player, he has been

told to go out and enjoy himself. Shane had a huge amount of

experience. We are still working on aspects of Alex's game. He is young

Ireland Today suffered a late blow. Keith Earls withdrew from the team

because his newborn daughter is not well. Three of Ireland's provinces

have made the kept this year. That has given them confidence.

brings players into camp in a good form. When you're playing with

teams that have got to the semi- final of the World Cup, you know

you're up against it. It today, there was already a trickle of

support in Dublin. I think they will struggle. We have to get

behind the boys. Wales captain Sam Warburton took a few hours out have

come to answer questions from youth players. They gave him a great

start on his rugby journey. That is what Wales need in the Six Nations.

If we get a win there, we have three home games afterwards. It

puts us in a great position. Wales had to Dublin in confident mood.

They are sure they can beat Ireland Former British Lions, Ireland and

Scarlets flanker Simon Easterby is here to share his thoughts. Warren

Gatland was desperate to hold on as long as he could to select Jamie

Roberts and Rhys Priestland. Ireland are out for revenge

following the World Cup. What is the Mold. They seem incredibly

confident. They do and rightly so. They have three sides in the

European qualifiers. It makes a huge difference. They will go to

camp feeling good about themselves. On the whole, they feel great about

themselves. Going to play in Ireland, it has been a happy

hunting ground in the past. Do you see Sunday's game as a totally

different encounter to the World Cup? I do. They will be things they

want to replicate. Ireland will look to try and counter on the good

things Wales did in that match. Wales were by far the better team

on that day and you cannot argue about that. But the Six Nations is

a different kettle of fish. It brings its own pressures. You know

both camps very well. Give us a prediction. It is very difficult. I

love the Welsh and the fact we have a lot of scarlets boys in there.

Don't forget, Ireland Wales this Sunday on BBC One Wales kick off at

3pm. The Wales Under 20s kick things off tonight. They take on

their Irish counterparts in Athlone, the home side coached by former

Wales Coach Mike Ruddock. You can watch the game on Scrum V Live on

BBC 2 Wales from 7pm. Football. Swansea City travel to

West Brom tomorrow, who are just below them in the table. The Swans

were comfortable 3-0 winners when they met at the Liberty in

September and they're out to try and claim their second away win of

the season. We have to have the fort to the floor in every game to

gain points at this level. Our preparation is always thorough and

we try to make sure we get some points. In the Championship,

Cardiff City welcome Blackpool and ahead of their Carling Cup final at

Wembley are offering a discount on their shirts when Liverpool ones

are traded in! The manager had a bit of a family issue with that one.

By boy had to hand in his Liverpool strip this week. That is life.

The frozen weather is playing its part in disrupting some of the

weekend's fixtures. The Dragons' LV clash with Saracens tonight is off

because of a frozen pitch. Ffos Las Racecourse is poised to offer the

only turf racing in Britain tomorrow, provided the track can

pass a morning inspection. The course is still covered with

protective sheets to try to minimise the frost.

Experts are hoping they've discovered what could be Wales'

oldest house. It's been used as a cow shed, but part of its timber

frame is thought to be from the 14th Century. It is hoped the

building in Llanrwst could be older than the current record-holder, a

guest house in the Wye Valley built Ned Scharer and his wife Sophie

already knew their house was old. They run a company which uses

traditional and modern techniques to preserve historic buildings.

They are busy restoring the grade 2 listed Plas Tirion, taking care to

protect its features. But a lowly cow shed nearby could be the much

older building. So they called in experts who've been dating old

Welsh houses to study its unusual timber frame. They knew it was

really early. It is made of a couple of he which trees basically

leaning up against each other. That indicates it is early. It could

indicate it is a crude building. When you look at the timber, you

can see that it has been blackened by the smoke of a fire burning day-

in and day-out. But when? It is indeed. While some parts of Plas

Tirion make it fairly obvious when they were built, others are more

coy about their age. We will have counted the rings on tree-trunks to

see how old they are. Experts have drilled through the beans here to

date the tree and find out where and in what season it was felt. The

results should be known by the end of March, but Ned says whether or

not it clinches the title of Wales' oldest house, the building is

already worth celebrating. This is interesting regardless of that.

Secretly, it would be good to become the oldest dated house in

Wales but reality is it is interesting regardless of that.

historians too, the building has already changed the perception that

this part of Wales had little architectural merit before the 16th

century. Exactly how much before is about to be revealed.

Well staying indoors, the best place this weekend I think. Cold,

Sue, but we're likely to miss the Last night was the coldest night of

winter so far, especially in Powys. Temperatures falling to minus 11

Celsius near Llanwrtyd Wells. Minus 9 in Newbridge on Wye. We could

match that tonight. But there is a big change this weekend. A battle

between cold Arctic air to the east and mild Atlantic air to the west.

That's why we call the dividing line a front, like a battlefront

between the two air masses. Today was the last of the cold bright

days. We start to see changes tonight. Cold and frosty again in

the east, cloud beginning to push in from the west. But it will still

be a very cold night, well below freezing again in mid Wales. So

that cloud brings the milder Atlantic air, a front pushes in,

mostly rain from Anglesey down to Pembrokeshire, turning to snow in

the hills as it pushes eastwards, 2 to 5cm possible in higher

communities nearer the border. Any snow should turn to rain again

later in the day. But don't take the graphics too literally. If the

cold air stays in place longer, the front stalls, bringing a greater

risk of snow. Timing is variable here. A snow warning is in place,

but heavy snow is looking less likely. Some rain Saturday night,

so an ice risk into Sunday morning. But it should turn drier with some

bright spells. And less cold -5 to -8 Celsius. Turning cloudier with

drizzle in the west later the day. It's looking milder in Dublin for

Wales' Six Nations opener, but turning increasingly damp and

drizzly through the day. Live coverage on Radio Wales and Radio

Cymru and you can watch on the BBC big screens in Cardiff and Swansea.

So a very changeable weekend. Cold tomorrow, turning milder on Sunday

with a cloudy and dull start to next week. Finally, Rob Davies from

Llanrwst took this photo this morning. The mountains towards

Snowdonia are covered in snow but the eastern side of the Conwy

valley is clear. More snow likely The main news again from the BBC.

The Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has resigned from the Cabinet after

learning that he and his ex-wife will both face charges of

perverting the course of justice. It's claimed the Liberal Democrat

former minister got his then wife Vicky Pryce to accept penalty

speeding points on his behalf ten years ago to escape a driving ban.

This morning Chris Huhne insisted again that he was innocent.

John Terry has been sacked as captain of the England football

team. He's due to stand trial in July on charges of racial abuse.

The Football Association said it had taken the decision as it didn't

want the case to dominate England's performance in the Euro 2012

Championships. There are questions tonight over

the links between the Welsh Labour Party and the chief executive of a

charity currently under investigation by the Welsh

Government. The All-Wales Ethnic Minority Association, or AWEMA, is

being investigated over claims of bullying and financial

Reginald kill falsely told women he had a cure for cancer.