:00:00. > :00:14.We'll have more tomorrow on what promises to be
:00:15. > :00:17.And now, with the news for the East Midlands, I'm Anne Davies.
:00:18. > :00:21.First tonight, an inquest into how a four`year`old girl was killed by the
:00:22. > :00:26.family dog in Leicester has prompted calls for national guidelines to be
:00:27. > :00:33.Today, the coroner recorded that Lexi Branson died as a result of
:00:34. > :00:41.Lexi Branson died from facial injuries and from being
:00:42. > :00:44.unable to breathe during the attack by the pet dog they had taken
:00:45. > :00:49.Today, her mother, Jodi Hudson, released this statement through
:00:50. > :00:57.She was a bubbly girl who always had a smile and brought happiness
:00:58. > :01:01.We still think about her everyday and she lives
:01:02. > :01:06.on in our hearts, as we have such wonderful memories of her.
:01:07. > :01:10.Jodi Hudson, seen here in the black blouse, had bought the dog for ?50
:01:11. > :01:16.from a kennel that re`homes stray dogs for Leicester City Council.
:01:17. > :01:19.The inquest heard that it was Jodi Hudson's decision to take the
:01:20. > :01:22.dog, even though it was advertised as better suited to a home without
:01:23. > :01:28.Staff described the dog's temperament as very friendly,
:01:29. > :01:33.but the police later found out it had had seven previous owners and
:01:34. > :01:38.Today Lexi's grandfather said he was pleased the corner said there should
:01:39. > :01:42.be some sort of legislation that kennels have to abide by `
:01:43. > :01:47.some sort of strict rules with regard to re`homing stray dogs.
:01:48. > :01:49.He added, we were very surprised to hear there
:01:50. > :01:54.were no guidelines and I strongly call for them to be implemented.
:01:55. > :01:57.The inquest heard that no home visit had been made, even though
:01:58. > :02:02.the bulldog was going to a flat without a secure garden and where
:02:03. > :02:07.There was no statutory requirement for the kennels to make such
:02:08. > :02:14.Following the tragic death of Lexi Branson in November 2013,
:02:15. > :02:17.Leicestershire Police carried out a full investigation into
:02:18. > :02:20.the circumstances surrounding her death and no criminal offences were
:02:21. > :02:25.Recording a narrative verdict, the coroner said he would be making
:02:26. > :02:30.recommendations to the appropriate authorities to
:02:31. > :02:37.He added that the death of Lexi was among the most harrowing of deaths
:02:38. > :02:45.Victoria Hicks, BBC East Midlands Today, East Midlands.
:02:46. > :02:48.A Nottinghamshire clergyman, who lost a promotion because he is in
:02:49. > :02:53.a same`sex marriage, is taking the Church to an employment tribunal.
:02:54. > :02:56.Canon Jeremy Pemberton claims he is being punished
:02:57. > :03:01.and discriminated against, after he was refused a licence to work as
:03:02. > :03:06.The acting bishop of Southwell and Nottingham said
:03:07. > :03:09.the marriage is against the teachings of the Church of England.
:03:10. > :03:11.The canon, from Southwell, says he felt he had no choice
:03:12. > :03:18.Victims of hate crime in Leicester say they feel isolated,
:03:19. > :03:24.Researchers at the University of Leicester found many people were
:03:25. > :03:27.suffering from physical and psychological abuse
:03:28. > :03:32.on a daily basis, but many did not feel they could turn to the police.
:03:33. > :03:36.Earlier, I spoke to Detective Superintendent David
:03:37. > :03:40.Sandall, from Leicestershire Police, about the report's findings.
:03:41. > :03:43.We think it is very important and see the report as
:03:44. > :03:47.an exciting opportunity to make sure that we're working with victims,
:03:48. > :03:52.We want people to come forward, because if we do not know
:03:53. > :03:54.about the problem we cannot put in problem`solving measures,
:03:55. > :03:57.bring in the support, or bring the perpetrators to justice.
:03:58. > :04:01.We want victims to tell us about the crimes.
:04:02. > :04:05.What can you offer to victims, who very often say that they feel
:04:06. > :04:09.they will not be believed or if they do come followed then their lives
:04:10. > :04:18.Hate crime is a priority for Leicestershire Police `
:04:19. > :04:23.We make sure that a supervisor reviews every crime, regular updates
:04:24. > :04:26.are put in place, and that the investigation is detailed.
:04:27. > :04:29.We even have an independent scrutiny panel for community members,
:04:30. > :04:33.victims, and organisations who come together to review our practices.
:04:34. > :04:39.You do take them seriously and you do look after them afterwards?
:04:40. > :04:42.Yes, we take the victims very seriously and we do look after them.
:04:43. > :04:45.I encourage anyone to report hate crime to Leicestershire Police,
:04:46. > :04:50.The flag of Scotland is flying over Derby tonight.
:04:51. > :04:54.It is in answer to a plea to English towns and cities to send the Scots
:04:55. > :04:59.But flying the Saltire did not go down all that well with some people
:05:00. > :05:05.Derby has long celebrated its links with Bonnie Prince Charlie
:05:06. > :05:08.` the Scot who wanted to rule all of Britain
:05:09. > :05:14.Now the current big debate north of the border has seen
:05:15. > :05:18.Derby City Council back a call from Labour Leader Ed Miliband to show
:05:19. > :05:24.their colours and send a message to Scotland ` please stay with us.
:05:25. > :05:28.This is a Saltire and we will get it back in due course.
:05:29. > :05:31.In a slightly confusing show of support for the union,
:05:32. > :05:36.the union flag above the Council House was this afternoon
:05:37. > :05:39.taken down and replaced with the Saltire ` supplied by members
:05:40. > :05:49.I'm very proud to be Scottish, but I'm equally proud to be British `
:05:50. > :05:55.hence, my own personal view that the no campaign hopefully will prevail.
:05:56. > :05:57.I do not think we should be flying it.
:05:58. > :05:59.If they want out, they can have out, can't they?
:06:00. > :06:04.It is the support that some people in that building obviously share
:06:05. > :06:07.and feel but not one that I think everyone on the ground level feels.
:06:08. > :06:10.Not one that is actually been spoken about enough to make
:06:11. > :06:18.The Saltire will soon also be flying over Ripley and the headquarters
:06:19. > :06:24.But the only opinions that really matter will be counted up
:06:25. > :06:31.Simon Hare, BBC East Midlands Today, Derby.
:06:32. > :06:34.That is your news and, if you have a look at our Facebook page, you
:06:35. > :06:46.will see a beautiful picture of what I think was a harvest moon tonight.
:06:47. > :06:56.We could see the big moon because of the weather we have just now. We
:06:57. > :07:00.will see some more cloud later this week, but in the meantime it today
:07:01. > :07:12.was a beautiful day. Although it has warned today, it will be cooler
:07:13. > :07:20.tonight. Temperatures will stay at around 10`11 Celsius in towns and
:07:21. > :07:24.cities. Tomorrow it will be quite a cold start, but then the nest will
:07:25. > :07:28.clear and revealed the sunshine. It will stay dry and bright.
:07:29. > :08:12.Temperatures of 19`20 Celsius. It was a lovely day across the
:08:13. > :08:17.country. There was hazy sunshine and notice the cloud was that bit
:08:18. > :08:20.thicker up to the