28/02/2017 London News

On the programme tonight: The tables are turned as the police watchdog

itself is investigated over allegations it withheld evidence

The tower block fire in which six people died.

Eight years on, Southwark council is ordered to pay over ?500,000.

I think it's not enough. No. A baby died in that fire.

The beautiful game at a leisurely pace.

How walking football is growing in popularity.

Who's with me? We can make it. You are right we can make it.

We catch up with the stars at tonight's premiere

Welcome to BBC London News with me, Riz Lateef.

The Police Watchdog which is responsible for looking

into wrong-doing is tonight itself at the centre of an investigation.

It's after allegations one of its commissioners withheld

PC Mark Gatland was dealing with a disturbance in

Harrow when he tasered a black off-duty fireman.

It's thought this is the first time the regulator has been investigated.

Alex Bushill has this exclusive report.

It is a little before three in the morning on what was a violent night

in Harrow. A phone camera clearly records the noise of a Kayser. --

taser. Five years on, Mark Gatlin has returned to where he fired the

taser. Police were called after a party went out of control and

spilled out of -- onto the streets. Mark Gatlin and haze of this man, an

off-duty fireman who was raised for. They were paid substantial damages.

In the fallout Gatland was accused of racism, but the misconduct

hearing collapsed when the IPCC failed to provide any evidence

against him. The commissioner in charge of his case at the regulator

faces allegations that she suppressed crucial evidence

supporting Mark Gatland, which today resulted in a police investigation

being launched. It's almost eight months now and I'm disappointed it

has taken this long because as a member of the public I expect prompt

and effective investigation. It was fighting against an army on my own.

There didn't appear to be any support and there was not the

political will to back me up. This has been passed on to Belize

Scotland because they are not -- police Scotland. Removing any

possible conflict of interest they might have faced. But it does

represent a truly exceptional situation where the police

regulator, the IPCC is subject to an investigation by a police force. The

Commissioner at the IPCC who is now being investigated. Mark Gatland

wants to know why she has not been suspended from a action active duty

as he has. If an allegation of this strength is made against a police

officer, their feet don't touch the ground, but she is still imposed

affecting the careers are police officers. The tables have been

turned. Where once Mark Gatland had to explain his actions, now the

police regulator will have to explain this. -- explain that there

is. And Alex you've been in contact

with the IPCC today? They have given a formal response is

a statement, saying that they are aware that the police start an

investigation at the request of the Metropolitan Police and we are

awaiting further details and we will co-operate fully. What about the

Commissioner at the heart of this? She was unavailable or unwilling to

comment today. We did try. When the first allegations surfaced and were

revealed in some detail by this programme, she said that they were

without foundation and a comment further would not be appropriate

while this was ongoing. The IPCC has already asked an in-depth review to

be carried out as an internal report by the ombudsman for Northern

Ireland police, but to be frank, that will now be completely

superseded by the fact there is the news tonight that police Scotland is

carrying out its own investigation. Alex, thank you very much.

Coming up later in the programme - life imitates art.

The two women from Dagenham doing good deeds for others,

inspired by the Hollywood film, "Pay It Forward".

The trust behind plans for the controversial Garden Bridge

across the River Thames has been cleared of

financial irregularities by the Charity Commission.

An investigation found sound financial processes,

Claudia-Liza Armah is down by the river with more on this.

Now, it was all over a complaint made by Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey

who had serious concerns about spending.

individuals or companies donating money towards the construction

of the bridge were also being awarded contracts.

However the regulator ruled that those accusations

That outcome has been welcomed by the Garden Bridge Trust.

Does it mean we're closer to getting this Bridge?

Speaking to the Trust, they've told me

to determine whether it provides value for money.

that will ensure his office will pay for it's upkeep, if money can't be

The problem is ?36 million of tax payers'

money has already been invested in this bridge.

If it doesn't go ahead that money will be lost.

And that is something the mayor will have to take into consideration

So The Trust has won the war but is still far

It was the worst tower block fire in the UK.

Six people, including three children died when flames ripped

through a block of flats on a hot summer's day in Camberwell in 2009.

Today Southwark Council was ordered to pay more than ?500,000

for failing to maintain fire safety measures at Lakanal House.

Dan Freedman has been following developments.

After Southwark Council pleaded guilty last week to the four

charges against them, today was about finding out

The judge decided it should be fine for the charges against them and it

would have been more had they not pleaded guilty. Add to that legal

costs ?300,000 in the total that Southwark Council has to play is

more than half ?1 million. So what happened? In July 2009 a small

electrical fire broke out here on the ninth floor. It should have been

contained but it spread quickly to the floors above and below. The

flats had only been renovated three years earlier but there were no

seals on the fire doors, they had poorly boxed in wooden stairs and

what is more, there were no petitions in suspended ceilings.

This is why the fire spread. -- partitions. Southwark council

admitted they had failed to adequately protect their residents.

I think it was there, taking into account as the judge did, the

mitigating factors we put forward, particularly the close working

relationship with London Fire Brigade since the incident and the

money we have spent on putting right the issues that were identified as

the problem in this fire. Part of the problems were that victims were

wrongly advised by the fire brigade to stay in their flats. Three people

died, including three children. Maria Fernanda lived

below, on level 5. We spoke to her after

the sentencing today. I think it's not enough. No, baby. A

baby died in that fire. Well next month it will reopen once

again after an 11 million Southwark residents will once

again call this 14 storey Well, let's talk to a man who's

spent 25 years keeping buildings safe from fire hazards,

Geoff Wilkinson, joins us. For anyone watching from a tower

block tonight, what's changed? There have been quite a few changes

in their as part of the inquest and the coroner has made a series of

recommendations. There are three core recommendations that are worth

mentioning. The first is that the Fire Service needed to be more aware

of the particular and unusual circumstances relating to these

blocks. It's worth mentioning that the design of 1960s tower blocks is

different to most buildings and requires that the building is

divided up into fire tight cells and it's important the information is

got across. What happened was that the Fire Service had lots of

different people involved and it was vitally important that they improved

to those communications. Those communications are about familiarity

with the buildings and they have improved. They have looked at those

things. The second key recommendation was that when the

building is altered, it's vital that the control inspections are carried

out and that people make sure that those fire tight cells are kept in

the correct condition. Even a small hole being drilled by some cabling

or something of that kind can undermine the fire safety so it's

vital that those building control inspections are carried out. The

third thing was that the guidance documents that were produced were

very difficult for people to understand, so we know that these

documents have now been updated and that people are more familiar with

the particular issues that they might find in the buildings. That

incident in 2009 was not only tragic but it shook people's confidence in

tower blocks. Their homes, where they should feel safe. You mention

the recommendations in detail. In your view, have lessons being

learned? I think so, absolutely. There has been a lot of investment

in making sure that the people who undertake the fire risk assessments

are competent and understand the nature of these buildings, because

they are not the same everywhere. You cannot get a fire risk assessor

dealing with office blocks and putting him in those blocks. That

has happened. We convince those things have happened. That's not the

end of it, because it has to be an ongoing plan. It's not good getting

it right today. You have to continue the investment in the longer term.

Jeff, thank you for coming in. Lifeguards are to be stationed

this summer on a beach in East Sussex where five men

from South East London The local council has agreed

to bring in seasonal They'll be on duty from the late May

bank holiday until the end This year marks the 50th anniversary

of the decriminalisation of homosexuality -

but campaigners say more still needs to be done to improve

equality for people living Thomas Magill has been hearing one

man's story reflecting on how things have changed over the years

for the gay community in London. A momentous day for the capital,

its first Gay Pride in 1972, but it took five years

after the legalisation Thought by some as a radical move,

welcomed by others. There was a great feeling

in these clubs that we were Men like Stuart were forced to come

out in the 50s, at the age of 16, at a period when he says being gay

brought shame as well as risks. I was met with cheers, shouting,

general pandemonium. That was my coming out moment. I decided after a

bit that I had had enough, and I sort of found a job in an office,

because I thought that would be a safer place. Safer than a factory.

Like many young, gay men, Stuart was attracted to London,

and today he's returning to some of his old haunts.

Quite a discreet little Soho alleyway.

Despite it being illegal, London had secret underground gay cafes,

scattered all over the city, long before the Act was introduced.

As attitudes changed, so the scene grew, and within course the rights

and acceptance. We were saying it wasn't

preferential treatment, So Stonewall came directly out

of this homophobia, this hatred. Much has changed since Stuart first

came to London and today is an opportunity to return to a spot that

holds a special memory. I spent my 21st birthday in there, actually. It

was a lovely time. Lots of young queens there. The club has now gone

but the memories have not and despite 50 years of change, Stewart

and Michael agree that there is still more to be achieved.

It is King Kong, but not as we know it. I am at the premiere of Kong:

Skull Island, and I will be speaking to the stars.

Before that though - we're going to slow

Well, when it comes to football anyway.

Because 'walking football' is growing in popularity,

and the work that Fulham are doing has even won an award.

It's pretty hard to play football without breaking into a run, but in

walking football, that is what you have to try to do. This is the

official full walking football team for the over 50s. Today, the players

were taking inspiration from someone around half of their age -- Fulham.

That was the first team midfielder Tom Cairney. The first time you have

seen walking football, what do you make of it? I like it. I think it

would suit me. I walk around a bit on Saturday. It is good to see. It's

still good football, so it's great to see them play. The team was

founded by the charitable arm, the Fulham Foundation, which has won the

London community club of the year award. Often, as people age, we talk

about health and well-being, but the social side of things, not being

isolated, having things to do during your week with like-minded people is

a really important thing. Lots of the guys here have had cancer

treatment in the last year, heart bypasses, some have diabetes. All

sorts. It's an enormous incentive, I think, for all of us. I had a bad

knee injury when I was 19 and I had to stop playing. It was not until

this came along but I thought, I'd love to put the boot son again. --

the books on again. Tom Cairney could also be up for an award as he

is up for the London football league Player of the Year award. London is

a big place and to be nominated on the short list is fantastic. I'm

really proud of it, my family are proud of it, and if I won it, even

better. Another man on the short list is one of your team-mates.

Aluko. What would you say to people about voting for you instead of him?

I've been here longer, I have played for Fulham longer. And if he is

still here when he is 50, at least he knows there will always be a team

for him. Now, if you've ever

wished life could be more like it is in the movies,

two women in Dagenham have decided that it should be,

inspired by the Hollywood film They've set about doing good

deeds for local people and discovered there are many

Londoners who say That's three people,

and I'm going to help them. They do it for three people,

and they do it for three more. What would you do

to change the world? It was a challenge set to schoolboy

Trevor in the film Pay It Forward. Inspired by the Hollywood storyline,

two friends in Dagenham, Tracy and Toni, who set up

a Facebook page where people can donate things they no longer need

to others who are desperate. Somebody will message us and say

they are in desperate need. They have either just got a flat,

they have come out of a baby unit. In some cases, we have kids that

have come out of care They message us to ask us if we can

help with furnishings. Melly, a young mum with

a three-year-old son had almost nothing when she turned

to Tracey for help. They literally picked me up

and said, we are here to help you. Not only have they helped

to get me stuff, emotionally Tracy admits not everyone

is as grateful as Melly. She says she has strict rules

and checks people really do need Tracey says she receives around

three requests for help from people living here in Barking

and Dagenham every week. A recent report from

the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that almost a third of households

in London could be struggling to get by, living on what's considered

to be an inadequate income. The government has promised more

help for the just-about-managing. It's frustrating they are not

getting the help elsewhere, but at the same time it shows that the

community have come together. It's a great community that are willing to

help and are sharing and caring. Tracey and Toni are running out

of room to store the donations. Real life may not always come

with a Hollywood ending, but they hope to help people

with a fresh start. And talking of movies,

it's one of Hollywood's classic tales, a giant gorilla is captured

in the wild and taken to America King Kong has been re-imagined

for audiences over generations. And the latest incarnation,

starring Tom Hiddleston and Samuel L Jackson, premieres

tonight in Leicester Square where Alice Bhandhukravi

caught up with them. First though, let's take

a quick look at the film The fans are here, the stars are

here and we are ready for Kong: Skull Island. Welcome to the

programme. Samuel L Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, did you enjoy making the

movie question yes, it's always fun to do a childhood fantasy. I've been

practising running away from King Kong all my life and now I've had a

chance to do it. It was filmed over three continents, so plenty of

locations. We filmed in northern Vietnam, which was breathtaking, the

most extraordinary country and such a privilege to go to. Queens land in

Australia and Hawaii. Samuel, you mentioned it was a boyhood dream,

King Kong. We know the story, but this is slightly different. Yes,

another place to be, another origin story of sorts and set in a

different time, a bit more modern. So King Kong is not in New York as

is the traditional phone. No, he's in his natural habitat. -- as is the

traditional film. We are fighting him while he protects where he

lives. Why do you think King Kong has this enduring appeal? I think he

is a myth. These 84 years old this year or something. He is an icon of

the movies. I think he represents the power of nature. la

relationship with the wild and nature. -- la relationship. Is he

the monster or the hero? You will have to wait and see. We shall. The

movie promises to be action packed and is out next week. How cool is Mr

Jackson? Frying pans at the ready -

it's Shrove Tuesday It's the last day before Lent -

a time traditionally used to clear out the cupboards,

but over the decades it's become famous for it's races

and pancake tossing. Gareth Furby has been finding out

how celebrations have changed Londoners have been doing it for

years. This was the Old Kent Road in 1963. Back then, it was a long race,

350 yards. Today the East End, just off Brick Lane, a shorter course,

but more skills required for the compulsory pancake tossing and the

stops in the race. Getting in a bit of prerace practice, Eileen and

Allen from Enfield. Two hands, do the face. You are flipping it with

your wrist rather than an arm action. We are going to do

fantastic. As this was their first time and they had waited more than

60 years for it, let's treat this event with due respect.

They didn't come close to winning but were not bothered. It's a good

excuse to get my apron and had out. And someone else dressed to the

occasion was Henry Osborne, a chef cooking today in Victoria and trying

to bring the pancake day into the 21st century with a new gut busting

recipe. We are trying to elevate the old classic can change things away

from lemon and sugar and make it a bit more modern. Salted Caravelle,

peanut praline, chunks of honeycomb, some soft cookie dough. -- salted

Caravelle. It is covered in chocolate sauce, and it about 2000

calories. Good luck trying to finish it. Trying it today, Neville McCoy

from Battersea almost clearing his plate but there could be a price

today. I've been doing a lot of cycling in the morning. A couple of

times round Battersea Park. No doubt more variations will yet be

invented, but one thing that is unlikely to change is the recipe for

a quick race. Just run fast and keep a good wrist action.

He could have brought some back. Someone else who has been cooking

pancakes this morning is Elisabeth. You are here to tell us the weather.

I didn't save any for you, they were cold. It's not just pancake Day,

Tuesday or the last day of debris, it's also the last day of the

meteorological winter so tomorrow is the start of spring -- last day of

February. A lovely start to today with lots of sunshine through the

morning and then it went downhill and it started to rain and we ended

up with a gloomy end to the second half of the day. It's been rather

gloomy so far in February with the monthly statistics released and it's

been quite mild, particularly so by night, so temperatures up a couple

of degrees from where we would expect them, but quite dull without

as much sunshine and also a bit drier than normal but it won't be

dry tomorrow. The first day of spring and it will rain, but a dry

start on a fairly bright start. A lovely start of this morning with

the radar and satellite picture and you can see the rain sweeping in and

it is still clearing eastern areas as we head through the evening so do

be prepared for a few outbreaks of rain, but overnight, the skies were

clear and we will see temperatures on a par with how they were this

morning so it could turn locally chilly and there could be a touch of

Frost. Temperatures in central London generally holding at around 4

degrees, so a bright start to the date and a promising start. There

will be more high cloud than this morning and we will start to get

outbreaks of rain spreading from the south. Most of this will be light

and patchy but the afternoon will see the rain sticking around for

many of us. The rain will eventually clear but probably still with us on

the rush-hour for Wednesday, and then this will happen on Wednesday

night as we see the isobars tightening and it will turn windy,

so we could be looking at gale force winds across London on Wednesday

night into Thursday. Thursday, the nicest day of the next view and it

should be dry and sunny but it will be quite breezy. Temperatures up to

12 degrees under fairly decent day. It will go downhill again on Friday,

another wet day and not feeling very nice, and the weekend could be a

shocker. Feeling very chilly, staying unsettled and it will be wet

and windy. The start of the meteorological spring but it won't

feel very like spring. Spring, it's a tease.

A reminder of the day's headlines: Relatives of the British victims

of the Tunisia terror attack will sue tour operator TUI.

It comes after a coroner ruled the victims were "unlawfully killed"

by a gunman at a hotel there in 2015.

The pensions regulator has struck a deal with former BHS

The settlement of ?363 million means that 19,000 former BHS workers

will receive the starting pension denied them.

And the police regulator is being investigated for perverting

It is after allegations an officer held evidence back in support of an

officer. I will be back with the latest for you at 10:30 p.m.. Plenty

more on the website and the Facebook page. Until then, whatever you are

up to, including making pancakes, have a lovely evening. Goodbye.

MUSIC: Another Day Of Sun by the La La Land Cast

Another chance to see Peter Kay's BAFTA award-winning Car Share.