25/09/2012 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today with Dominic Heale and me, Anne Davies.

Our top story tonight: A senior councillor is sacked for

joking about the murder of two policewomen.

David Stephenson made the remarks following last week's shootings in

Manchester. What I did was a poor joke. Perhaps I should have been

more careful to whom I said it. Plus, we love Lucy.

Leicestershire's new cycling star is life in our studio. And you

could say I have reached the summit in student accommodation. Luxury

apartments, but how do they afford Good evening. Welcome to the

programme. First tonight: The joke that got a Conservative councillor

sacked. David Stephenson made an off-the-cuff remark about the

shooting of two policewomen in Manchester last week. The

councillor, a senior cabinet member from the Erewash area of Derbyshire,

says it was meant as a joke. But the Conservative Party says it was

offensive and unnecessary. Our Political Editor John Hess has the

For David Stephenson, there was little to joke about and the

headlines today. The senior Tory now regrets the remarks that caused

offence. Would the benefit of hindsight, if I could turn the

clock back, I would not do it. started outside these council

offices. He made a remark about the smoking habits of the county

colours -- solicitor and said if you get 100 points for shooting one

police woman and 200 points for shooting to please women, how many.

You get for shooting a lawyer? He thought it was a joker, but the

woman Polly -- complained to her husband he was a member of the

Police Federation and they complained to the Conservative

Party. I am well aware of the hurt that the police officers are

feeling at the moment. They it follows the row over remarks about

the police made by Andrew Mitchell, the government's Chief Whip. David

Stephenson believes that his political sacking as a direct

consequence. It seems to me very severe. A look at the firestorm

that is taking place in London for a man who used a language that I

were not using any circumstances. I do not think it makes the

Conservative Party looks sensible and I do not think it is good

because I am foolish enough to think I am a bible member of the

frontline team. These comments could bring him under even other -

a growth a valuable member of the frontline team. -- a valuable

member of the frontline team. These comments could bring him under even

more fire. He is sagging is an attempt to damage the Met estate --

limitation by the Conservatives locally. What is uncertainty --

uncertain is whether David Stephenson will let it rest there.

A new report reveals that bed shortages were partly to blame for

the crisis of cancelled NHS operations in Nottingham. Over

1,500 procedures were postponed in the first three months of the year.

Some days they were ten times the accepted levels in the NHS. The

main reason? A shortage of beds. Tonight hospital managers have

insisted the same thing won't happen again this winter. Live now

to our health correspondent Rob Sissons.

There had been families and patients caught up in this saga,

and the reason for it are many, according to today's report, but

the fact that they cut 96 beds have read one hospital the year before,

and there was a shortage of beds, Medical Emergency Beds, here at

Queen's Medical Centre as the problems unfold it. As the images

is kept coming, the hospitals struggled to cope. At the height of

the problems, day after day, we featured stories about the

inconvenience, disappointment and pain. You know you're going to have

it done and then you just drop. Obviously you are nervous about the

operation and then it all dyes are you so you're just lost. I am happy

it has been done. They should have been done a lot longer before a.

The external report said there were not enough beds at the Queen's

Medical Centre, and the timing of the transfer of services from one

site to another was wrong. One report reveals from an independent

expert and authority that we got a number of things right with regard

to emergency services at Queen's Medical Centre. It also highlights

things we could have done differently and better. Brotherly

love is why this man says he fought so loved -- hard for his sister

Jilian. Her life-saving surgery was cancelled three times, but he says

he should never have had to battle so hard. I should not have to fight

to see Andrew Lansley in London and go through this. In my eyes, there

are too many cheats and -- chiefs and there are not enough Indians.

There are not enough for people on the shop floor. The report cost

77,000 apparent. It says there was no single cause for the problems. -

- the report cost �77,000. could go in and say to the people,

right, sort it out, let we schedule things. There will be about 18

worked NHS beds in this hospital over the winter, enough, bosses say,

to cope. We just heard about the concern about the cost of buying

this report. What have the NHS bodgers -- boss has said about

that? I think they feel a little bit like, damned if you do and

damned if you do not, because they wanted to shine a torch on this and

have an external consultancy firm, end but it cost �77,000. I put this

concern to the one that the chiefs of the hospital trust, and this is

what he had to say. We promised that be would publish these reports

so that everyone concerned could read what happened and what we got

right and do not get right and it then gives us a very good set of

tests to make sure that our services, including this coming

winter and beyond, are at a good standard. A one of the reasons they

wanted to bring in a consultant was to satisfy the concerns of many of

the patients. You can see that You can see the details they're off

what they actually found out. A new system for bugging operations has

been brought in at Nottingham's to hospital, and they are measuring

cancellations now, not just the ones are made on the day. They are

the 5th trust in England to do that. Still to come:

The students who are quite literally living the high life. And

why the times are changing for this historic wallpaper company.

Around 1,300 jobs were on offer in Nottingham today. All up for grabs

at the city's annual jobs fair. Around 70% were full-time, 30%

part-time. But some older jobseekers thought there wasn't

much there for them. The organisers say they'll listen to the comments

when they plan future events. This They want to work. Nearly 4,500

people turned out for the third Nottingham Jobs Fair at the Capital

FM arena. 60 employers, advice teams, 1,300 vacancies, including

apprenticeships. There were not any teaching or nursing jobs. I am

looking for apprenticeships and I wanted to just see what was out

there. Nottingham, like everywhere else, these jobs. Nearly 14,000

people here are claiming the dole, that is up by nearly 361 this time

last year, but it has been falling over the last three months. For we

are hoping that we are living in the right direction. We cannot

create these more -- apprenticeships on our own.

these three friends felt the jobs they did not do enough for people

who were over 50. It is more about apprenticeships than it is about

the older people. We might as well be on the scrapheap. I am 54.

of the vacancies are part time. Christmas temporary workers are

needed. One man was angry with that. He felt that businesses should be

offering more hours. It is hard wrenching to see that sort of

response. The organisers say they will take on board comments made by

people who come to the jobs there. -- jobs fair.

An independent review's been ordered into the protection of

vulnerable children in Derby after eight men were jailed for sex

offences. One was filmed checking two teenage girls into a city hotel.

The men were arrested in a crackdown on kerb crawlers who

targeted children. The Derby Safeguarding Children Board says

it's reviewing the case so that Eight stowaways have been

discovered in the back of a lorry that was bound for Nottingham's

Colwick Industrial Estate. The men, from Afghanistan and Iran, were

found at Calais, hiding in a consignment of soap. They were

detected by a sniffer dog working with British immigration officers.

The men have been handed over to French police as suspected illegal

immigrants. Next tonight, how a new 3D scanner

is helping police in Leicestershire take measurements at the scene of

serious road accidents. The idea is to reduce the length of time roads

have to be closed following a collision, saving time and money.

Angelina Socci explains. The aftermath at an accident, then the

painstaking job for the police are to record what happened and take

detailed measurements at the scene, a task that can group -- lead to a

road being closed for up to six hours. But now, a 3 D scanner is

being used to take images of accident site. The unit houses a

laser in this part here, and it is directed at the glass area. The

unit spins around at a relatively low-speed. Once it has captured the

image, it will take a series of photographs, which we will then put

together to make a 3 D image of the scene. The this is the result, a

360 degree map of the location. can look at it as an overview. We

can walk through and see part of the scene in detail. We only have a

certain amount of time where we can keep the roads closed. We only have

won a chance to create -- conduct the Virchow investigation.

scanner will be used to cut the length of time that a road has to

be closed by 30 minutes. The government estimates that the cost

to UK trade and industry every time a main roast -- road is closed can

be up to �1 million per hour. It is hoped that not only will this

device provide accurate measurements, but also save time

and money. Luxury isn't a word you'd normally

associate with student life, but in these times of higher fees that's

what some undergraduates now expect. A new 21 storey tower has just

opened in Leicester and every apartment has been snapped up.

They're so sought-after that students at London Universities are

considering moving in and commuting to the capital. Quentin Rayner

Students land used to be about streets of small terraced houses,

often in need of a little TLC, and cheap. But many students are now

setting their sights much power. -- higher. And Leicester, they block

of apartments have opened, and all of them have been snapped up. This

student is one of those enjoying a flat with its M Kitchen, double bed,

bathroom, flat-screen television, and spectacular views of the city.

But for Rebecca and her Pat, it comes at a price, �125 per week, or

a birdie �2,000 per year. But that includes bills as well. -- core

�32,000 per year. I am lucky that my parents could help but I also

have jobs during the holidays. is a long way from traditional

student accommodation. This young man lives in a house that has just

been done up. For �65 a week, plus bill, his friends and himself share

accommodations. He it is a choice of how you want to live. If you

want to live in a student house with your mates, that is great, but

if you want to have more privacy, that is great, but it will cost you

more. Students are prepared to splash out on luxury. These types

of places are let out very quickly. The quality of the housing goes.

There is the old stereotypical view of poor quality housing, but that

is gone. Word has spread about the stub it will -- summit. A have

friends from London who were seriously considered -- I have

friends from London who were seriously considering moving here

and commuting. A baguette and her pet will continue the struggle

Rebecca and her pet will continue to rent -- Rebecca and her pet will

continue to rent into the next year. The man who discovered DNA

fingerprinting in the 1980s is to retire from the University of

Leicester. Sir Alec Jeffreys joined the Department of Genetics 35 years

ago. After discovering genetic fingerprinting in 1984, he went on

to show how it could be used in criminal investigations. In 2009 he

was awarded a Distinguished Honorary Fellowship. He'll now

become an Emeritus Professor retaining his links with the

university. Two men have appeared in court

charged with the murder of Neil Corby. The body of the 42-year-old

was discovered in his flat on Gaol Street in Oakham last Thursday.

Jamie North and Adam Barker, who are both 33, appeared at Leicester

Crown Court this morning. They're due back in court next month. Two

other men arrested in connection with his death, have been released

without charge. Still to come:

The weather divides our region. But where was the dividing line?

Yes, a delusion Derbyshire, not so much in knots, and even less in

Leicestershire. More details later Next tonight, the letters which

arrived nearly a decade late.and caused a family fall-out. -- late

and caused a family fall-out. Marianne Biddle should have

received the post, which included a �100 cheque for her disabled

brother, in 2003. It finally arrived at her home in South

Derbyshire a few days ago, nine years late. Today, the Royal Mail

said the letters have only just been found in a disused locker and

a postman has been dismissed for withholding mail. Jo Healey reports.

Here they are, posted in 2003, delivered just a few days ago in

2012. But among them was a cheque for �100. This was a winter fuel

payment for Mary and's brother, who is a double amputee. Because he was

so ill, she ended all of his paperwork, then, nine years ago, a

heating payment never arrived in the post. The this caused friction,

not with my brother, but with his wife, because they needed the money.

That was the winter fuel payment. I cannot produce it. There was a bit

of a rift and it was very upsetting for me because I had don't so much

for him. Then, just days ago, the payment finally arrived, nearly a

decade late. I could have burst into tears. There was the cheque

that caused the pain. The Royal Mail told me they recently found

300 items in a dispute -- disused locker and this delivering Office.

A post and has since been dismissed for withholding male and they have

written to all of the customers to apologise. And nobody has

telephoned or send me a personal letter to say that they were so

sorry and that this was obviously painful for me. I need something

like that. I need somebody to acknowledge that this hurts. Thus

appearing now hurts me. -- this I do not know if a better light

than ever works here. But if it is in the post it will get there

eventually. -- I do not know if a better late than never. And now for

the sport. Meet Leicestershire's Lucy Garner

everyone. It should be obvious she's a cyclist. What you may have

missed is quite how brilliant she is. On Friday Lucy became only the

second woman ever to retain the World Junior Road Race title.

There's the famous rainbow jersey to prove it. She's exploded onto

18 months ago, we got her riding alongside her sister, for once.

do not really train with her because we argue about directions

and things. Then a year ago, the A schoolgirl sensation. I watched

her on television and when I saw It was just a great experience for

The final shot there from your second road race victory. Have you

come down from Cloud Nine yet? Know, I have not. This type of

course, I was not expecting to win it this year. Le take a couple of

shots -- leads to take a look at a couple of shots of the finish. You

can see Mark Cavendish, he has the whole team around him making sure

that they get to the finish, and that is exactly what Allen or

Barker did for me. How does it feel to have a team like that? It is

amazing. Alan are just one a-share bid should as well so I could not

have asked for a better person to have led me out. There were Hills

on the course and things that you thought would break the group and

leave you behind. What happened? had obviously trained for this type

of course, but it was totally out of my cupboards and, really. I went

around the course the day before and I did like it and I think that

is when I thought that I might have a chance again. The course did and

-- end up splitting but I managed to stay there. As it now this is

the aftermath of the race. You really let your emotions out. This

is just tears of utter joy. It was total joy. I was so nervous before

it the race and it all came out. Just having the whole team around

me and celebrating with the team was so emotional. Then there was

the moment with the national anthem. That was quite something.

Definitely. There were a lot of Great Britain supporters and the

crowd and they were cheering me and that made it more emotional. Can we

just talk about the support that you have had to get to this stage?

Your mother was so excited when I spoke to her on Friday and a

cyclist sister supports you as well. The yes, they have been behind me

the whole way. I would not have been able to get to where I am

today without them following me around the country must weeks. My

coach as well, he has been there next to me and helping me out

baroque all of this experience. It has been great. Do you get a nice

little great -- break from the bike? No, I am racing on the

bellowed from tomorrow. Well, I enjoy that if you possibly can.

That is fantastic. The thank you so much.

Couple of other brief bits of news. Derby County's James Bailey has

been sent to Coventry. The one time Rams Young Player of the Year is

joining them for three months on loan.

And a huge coup for Nottingham Panthers. Players in the top league

in the world, the NHL, have been locked out after failing to reach a

pay deal with the owners. Now one of them, Anthony Stewart, is coming

to the East Midlands to play. The right winger's no bit part player

at the top level. He played 77 games for Carolina Hurricanes last

season. Apparently he stayed in shape this summer by training as a

cage fighter. Just a quick bit of rugby news from

Leicester Tigers before I go. They've confirmed today they've now

signed the South African back row forward Wessel Jooste after sorting

out issues with his visa. That was brilliant. That was so interesting!

And lazy's males match her bike, don't they? -- and Lucy's

fingernails matched her bike, don't they? You would notice something

like that! Now, at a time when many businesses

are struggling to survive, one says it's having its most lucrative year.

Anstey makes wallpapers for some of the best shops and designers.

Managers say a change in style, where people are choosing paper

over paint, means turnover has doubled in six years. From

Loughborough, Kylie Pentelow reports.

This is exactly how it was made a century ago, and for a very special

orders, Dave can still make it the same way today. So this is an

original William Loris. Yes, it is poppy. It is from 1980. -- 1880.

That is the historic way, but with each will costing up to �1,000,

this won't be gracing the walls of every home. Said this is how it is

made today, and the paper they produce is sold in some of the best

stories and to the best designers, like Ralph Lauren. But business has

not always been this good. Wallpaper went through a really

difficult time in the 90s when minimalism was all the vogue and

everyone was painting their walls white or magnolia, but I think

cents, wallpapers have come back into vogue and we have doubled our

sales over the last six or seven years. We are still growing at 15

and 20 % a year and that is letting us have the chance to make better

products for our customers. could this be the future? It is

all-digital, where what Labour can be printed in any shape, size or

colour. -- wallpaper. But it is the hand-made product that attracts

global attention. And a hit at home as well. They recently created this

wallpaper with royal approval, but they cannot tell us where it is

hung. With a pedigree like this, staff at Anstey are hoping that

magnolia stays firmly out of fashion and it is wallpaper that

I just cannot help thinking about a toddler with a load of prions

running around with �1,000 worth of wallpaper! We talked about what

they put all the way through that story. Is the weather are going to

be a work of art? It had been an eventful start to the week. For

tonight, more work rain to come. It comes as no surprise that some of

our river levels are high. One thing we need to know about is that

we still have an amber warning in force for Derbyshire. Derbyshire

had about 10 mm of rain abroad day on top of the 38 mm that they had

on yesterday. -- of rain today on top of the 38 mm that they had

yesterday. There is a flood alert. This is wide. Low-pressure is going

to track its way south borough the next 24 hours and things will

become drier and settled for the end of the week. The rain has

slowed down. It has pushed its way into parts of Nottinghamshire

earlier today, but is starting to track away before it pushes its way

back in and slowly pushes east as we go through the early hours of

Wednesday morning. The best of the dry conditions look to be out

taught Lincolnshire. Where we get the dry conditions you might see

some mist or fog. The rain will start to clear south as we go

through the morning on Wednesday, but the story tomorrow is sunshine

and showers, particularly heavy across the South with a risk of

Banda. Less so into the afternoon. Highs of 40 degrees. -- 14 degrees.

A ridge of high pressure will be moving in and there will be a