03/02/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello and welcome to Monday night's Look North. In the headlines.

Flaming row. Why has this carpet fire been allowed to burn for five

months? Why was the chief constable of

Cumbria sacked? We have an exclusive interview with

Stuart Hyde. Dumped by her local party. But what

do the voters feel about the treatment of their MP?

And North East rockers Maximo Park release their fifth album. We take

frontman Paul Smith home to Billingham.

In football ` derby despair and derby delight! Newcastle fans are

left wondering where they go from here as Sunderland celebrate back to

back wins at St James's Park. First tonight, the trial has just

begun of a businessman accused of murdering his wife. Mark Arthur ran

a computer services company with his wife Heather, from their home in the

Newcastle suburb of Gosforth ` where she was found stabbed to death, last

April. Our correspondent, Peter Harris is live at Newcastle Crown

Court. What are the facts of the case, Peter?

She was a slender in a jazz band in a Newcastle pub. `` singer. The

court heard the marriage had been in trouble for some time and she had

told her husband that was over. The prosecution alleges he could not

handle that and took a knife and stabbed her in the heart. From there

he went into the local GP surgery and said, I heart my wife. `` I hurt

my wife.. A senior MP is calling for action as

a fire in Northumberland is still burning after five months and

threatening local residents' water supply. The fire broke out last

September, in a huge mound of old carpet stored on land at Thrunton in

Northumberland. Putting the fire out risked contaminating the nearby

natural water supply, and so it was left to burn. Now the Liberal

Democrat MP for Berwick, Sir Alan Beith, says the Environment Agency

must clean up the site. Julie Smith reports.

This fire has affected daily life here in Thrunton for the last five

months. It's now around 85`90% out. But getting this far is down to the

daily efforts of the landowner. It's not his waste, but his concern is

bigger. He began this effort to protect the natural water supply

that lies beneath the land. And now that water is back under threat.

There is a massive amount of run`off water and this is the kind of stuff

that is coming off. It looks and smells horrific. We are taking

preventative measures but we know it is actually percolating through the

ground. We asked some way off from the fire but this has, through the

depths of this land than the concern is it could percolate deeper into

the aquifer which could pull you the water supply. `` Pollock. The

environment agency test the water on a weekly basis. And three weeks ago

they served an enforcement notice on the site operator Blackwater North

East. They have three weeks left to remove all this waste or store it

securely. The Berwick MP Sir Alan Beith has

engaged the Prime Minister over the fire. And he is calling for a

parliamentary debate. The environment agency were responsible

for regulating it and it is really their job now to deal with the

consequences, of what I feel was a mistaken decision in the first

place. The volume of water we have here is going to sink into the

aquifer and will affect our water supply. We would then have no water

at all and would then have to find ways of bringing a supply into the

hamlet. No one knows what the long`term environmental impact will

be. Well, earlier I spoke to the man

leading the clean`up operation for the Environment Agency. And I put it

to him that leaving the carpet fire to burn for five months was a lot to

ask of local residents. We would have liked to get the fire

out sooner but had we done so, I honestly believe we would have

created more problems for local residents and engage the water

supply, so the strategy we have in place I believe to be the correct

one, although I do concede it has taken a long time to get to this

particular point. It seems as though the landowner has finally got things

moving, why did he have to do it on his own? There is a waste operator

that is responsible for that waste. We have served notice on the

operator. The landowner has taken on the role of doing that. The fire

service will fight a fire when there's an immediate danger to and

property, and once that danger has been removed, as happened in the

early stages, any continued activity has been volunteered by the

landowner. Could you not have seen this coming two are you now thinking

you should not have given permission in the first place? We had been

regulating the site effectively and we were prepared to take the

appropriate action. We totally sympathise and it must have been

very frustrating but I will say we have tried very hard. We have done

an awful lot of monitoring and testing to make sure we weren't

getting the right sort of advice. We would have got the fire out sooner

if it had been at all possible to do so.

The two soldiers who died when their car hit a tree in North Yorkshire

have been named. Trooper Mark McKeen, who was driving the car, was

23 and from Northern Ireland. His passenger, Private Codie Richardson,

was 20 and from Stockton. They were killed when their car left the road

in Catterick Garrison just after eight o'clock on Saturday night.

Cumbria's former Chief Constable has broken his silence about his

year`long suspension from the force, in an exclusive interview with the

BBC. Stuart Hyde was investigated after allegations of misconduct `

but was cleared of all charges. He's now retired from the force and has

been talking to BBC Inside Out's Chris Jackson.

For the last year Cumbria's ex`Chief Constable has spent his time walking

the fells after an unexpected break. Six o'clock in the evening I

received a phone call to say could I go to immediately committee room two

and see the chairman of the Authority. Just before midnight at

Police headquarters in Penrith he was handed a letter. I was

absolutely devastated, they suspended me. I felt as if the world

had just dropped out of my life basically.Mr Hyde says no`one told

him precisely why he had been suspended. He says he was only ever

questioned about one allegation ` using air miles to go on holiday

which he had acquired on work business. Mr Hyde said he only

discovered what the other allegations were after a report from

South Wales police was published. They included spending too much time

out of the force area, holding meetings with private contractors,

favouring his local pub for meetings and misuse of social media including

tweeting this picture of a pie. Nobody has come to me and said,

Stuart, we don't like the fact that you have posted a picture of a pie.

If they did I would probably have done something about it and if it

caused offence I would have removed it. The report concluded there was

no evidence of misconduct and made management recommendations for

Cumbria Police and Mr Hyde to follow. Maybe, yes, there are things

I could have done differently. As the report says there is no evidence

of misconduct by me or anyone else. But Richard Rhodes, Cumbria's Police

and Crime Commissioner, disagreed with some of the report findings and

re`suspended Stuart Hyde. The commissioner wanted me to resign or

retire at that point. What sort of signal would that have sent out? An

appalling one. I think it would have said, they looked, they searched, we

didn't find everything, you were guilty of something and you ran

away. Does this process feel like a fair, just system? Absolutely not.

No, it doesn't feel like a fair process at all. What it feels like

is a one`sided view. People that made allegations, their information

and allegations were treated as correct without any opportunity for

me to address them and I don't think that is what justice is about.

Cumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes told us

he'd given detailed interviews about Mr Hyde back in August and did not

want to be interviewed again. He gave me a statement saying. ..

Mr Hyde says he is proud of the policing work he's done in Cumbria.

He's now considering whether to bring further action as a result of

the process which he says has taken a terrible toll on his whole family.

And you can see Stuart Hyde's exclusive interview with Chris here

on BBC One at 7.30. She is the only female Tory MP in

the region. The decision to deselect one of our local politicians to

stand at the next general election has proved to be controversial.

There's been outrage among some constituents that Conservative MP

Anne McIntosh will no longer be the Tory Candidate for Thirsk and

Malton. The next election will be an

interesting one. Anne McIntosh has said she will still try to fight for

the seat but she will not be the Conservative candidate. I think it

is very wrong and it feels like they are getting rid of her. Would that

put you off voting Tory in the future? Yes. Would you vote for him

again? Yes, I would. She seemed to spend a lot of time in London. I am

not really sure what she has done so I do not have a lot to say. What was

she like as an MP? I think she was fantastic. I think it is a bad thing

if they get rid of her. The MP in question did not want to be

interviewed today but on Friday she was in fighting mood. I do not

intend to be thrown aside by a small group. It is for my constituents as

a whole to dismiss me if they wish to do so. The chairman of the local

party association has rejected allegations he does not like working

with women. We want to call for an open selection and we will ask for

the best candidate to come forward, male or female. We will just have to

wait and see who the candidate is for the Tories at the next general

election. You're watching Look North. Still to

come, Dawn will join me with a lot to talk about following the

Tyne`Wear Premier League derby. Plus, as North East rockers Maximo

Park release their latest album, we take front man Paul Smith back to

his Teesside roots. January was mild but what will be

start of February hold? Maximo Park release their first

album today. They met at Newcastle University and have been going for

more than a decade. They've sold two million records, have a Mercury

Prize nomination and they even played with the Rolling Stones. And

they're still based in the region. For tonight's Look North Report,

arts reporter Sharuna Sagar has taken lead singer Paul Smith back to

his Teesside roots. And there's even a guest appearance by Boro legend

Bernie Slaven! Paul Smith may well be the first

rock star to come from billing on. He left Teeside for Tyneside 15

years ago. The spiral walkway in the middle of the town centre is still

here. I used to run up and down less. How does it feel to be back

here? It feels good to be back. It feels like a part of me is here and

it is nice to be back and to bump into people I used to know, and

everybody seems very friendly and that is something I associate with

the town. That includes the industrial landscape on the

outskirts going towards Middlesbrough. This inspired him

first as an art student and now as a musician. The things I like songs

about are essentially everyday things I try to elevate into a thing

of beauty, maybe things not seen as beautiful initially. My artistic

life began around here. And so did his other obsession. Football, and

in particular, legendarily slake `` legendarily striker Bernie Slaven. A

lot of my childhood was based around being Bernie Slaven in the

playground and timing on a sixpence. There was a linked with football and

musicians, especially the front man, centre forward. We have a better in

common but obviously he is more talented as we have established. His

posters would eventually be replaced by those of musicians and the rest

is history. With a new record and an international two eminent, life

revolves around the band. I did a cover of a Fall song called

Edinburgh man but we have called Middlesbrough man. The new album is

their most North East and yet. This album emphasises that we have

travelled the world. We do a strange thing for a living but we have roots

in the city. It must heart being called a Geordie band but coming

from Teeside? I was initially dispossessed but at the same time

the band was formed in Newcastle is the band is a Geordie band. Will you

ever leave the Legion? `` region? I think it is probably too late. I

enjoy living there and do not need to be anywhere else.

On to sport now, and on Tyneside and Wearside they're still talking about

that Premier League derby. And I would imagine, no matter which

side you support, they'll be talking about this one for a long time to

come, Dawn? Well, if you're a Newcastle fan, you're wondering if

there's anything left to play for, over the next four months. And if

you're a Sunderland fan, you'll be enjoying life right now, especially

if you've got yourself a Cup final ticket! Yes, they went on sale

today. Perfect timing, after Saturday's thumping 3`0 win at St

James's Park, the first time the Black Cats have done the double over

the Magpies since the 1966`67 season. Before you say it, I know

you weren't born then! I was actually! And the first time they've

won three derbies in a row since 1923. When those Sunderland fans

would have had a long journey home, because the Tyne Bridge hadn't even

been built then! Here are some Sunderland fans who enjoyed this

latest win, though ` from the left, ex`players Jody Craddock, Michael

Proctor and Darren Holloway, all in the away end, and keen to make the

most of their team ending what had been a long period of Newcastle's

derby dominance? Well, Newcastle were on top for a long period,

either side of the Millennium, weren't they? Up until the 3`0

defeat at St James's last season, they had nine wins and nine draws

from 21 Premier League derbies, but Sunderland are now unbeaten in the

last five, and the way Gus Poyet has them playing at the moment they were

far and away the better team on Saturday.

Adam Johnson was double marked but still manages to get the penalty.

The charismatic Italian just laughed at him and this is certainly the way

to take a penalty. The hand biting is meant to signify a life between

the teeth. Adam Johnson again, man of the

moment. They are really working for each other and it ended up being an

absolutely great call from somebody who does not really score that

many, but the celebrations were muted. For Newcastle, the question

was how would they cope without their most influential player Yohan

Cabaye and top scorer Loic Remy who was suspended. And the answer was

not very well, if Saturday was anything to go by. Life after Cabaye

is going to be tough. Just as well they had a good first half of the

season. Plenty of togetherness before kick off but with the injured

Coloccini and Gouffran missing as well it meant they were relying on

their second top Derby scorer Shola Ameobi to shine. He didn't. Only one

goal in the last seven derbies. Cheick Tiote was at least on target

but new loan signing Luuk de Jong could only manage a couple of weak

shots in Mannone's general direction. The frustration started

to show. Tim Krul and Davide Santon in the bottom left of the picture

here having a set`to after Johnson's goal. Not a good sign. Even when

Hatem Ben Arfa was given space he was largely ineffective. Mike Ashley

and Joe Kinnear weren't at the game but got plenty of stick as did

Manager Alan Pardew whose pained expression said it all. Best player

sold, no replacement, one hand tied behind his back. Kinnear hasn't made

a single permanent signing yet! As for the fans, eighth in the league

seems to count for little after a second 3`0 derby defeat running.

We sell him for 20 million, no investment. Enough is enough. We

have lost a good player and we have a player who scored most of our

goals on the bench and we have to find a back to basics element to our

game to make sure the second half of the season matches the first as best

we can. They came out and dominated the game and to be honest they

deserved to win. There does not seem to be any heart in the team any

more. Get the club sorted and put some money back at the club. The

three points are massive but to when at your rival's on end, it is

massive for us. We are going to go to Wembley and after that we will go

higher up the league, hopefully you rock. `` Europe.

Into the Football League now and if Middlesbrough are going to close in

on the play`off places they're going to have to string a few wins

together, aren't they? Yes, that's after Boro could only manage a

goalless draw at Doncaster leaving them nine points adrift. Aitor

Karanka has watched his side pick up just two points from the last three

games and has threatened to drop players who don't follow his

tactical plan. Curtis Main had one of Boro's few decent chances. But

the home side's Chris Brown wasted surely the best opportunity.

Talking of wasted chances, Dawn, Carlisle travelled to fellow League

One strugglers Bristol City and took a first half lead thanks to Brad

Potts's free`kick. But City sub Marvin Elliott scored two goals in

quick succession to turn the game around.

In League Two, though, a great win for York City against promotion

hopefuls Fleetwood. Conor McLaughlin flicked a corner past his own

goalkeeper to gift the Minstermen the lead just before half`time.

Fleetwood equalised in the second half but just when a draw looked the

likeliest result, Wes Fletcher popped up with a late winner to the

delight of manager Nigel Worthington.

Hartlepool manager Colin Cooper, meanwhile, was pleased with his

side's clean`sheet at home to Scunthorpe, who'd started the day

second. The game swung either way but a solid point for Pools, who'd

sold Jack Baldwin to Peterborough on transfer deadline day.

All Saturday's games were affected by the wind, weren't they, including

the Conference Premier match at Gateshead, who beat Kidderminster

3`1 to keep their promotion hopes very much alive. Do you think he

meant that! Before we leave football, some sad

news to report, with the death of former Newcastle United winger Nigel

Walker, at the age of just 54. He also played briefly for Sunderland

and for Blyth Spartans, who'll hold a minute's applause before

Saturday's home game with Witton Albion.

On to basketball, and a great win for Durham Wildcats in the BBL. They

beat high`flying Leicester for the first time in a 95`79 victory which

dents the Riders' chances of retaining their championship title.

It came after Newcastle Eagles had narrowly beaten the Riders 86`84 on

Friday night to avenge their cup final defeat. In a niggly game the

Eagles staged a late rally to join the Riders in second place in the

table, and there was drama at the final whistle as emotions spilled

over on court, not least with former Eagle turned Riders star Drew

Sullivan. There's not much love lost between two teams.

It will be a little bit quieter tomorrow. Across the region, we're

expecting things to become drier. First thing this evening, clear for

a time in the east with some showers developing and it is the West that

will see the rainfall first. We definitely are not expecting snow at

lower levels with temperatures not even hurting freezing, probably

around four Celsius. Briscoe winds from the south keeping it generally

mild. First thing tomorrow, rain for a time, just a dusting of snow for

the very tops of the Hells but generally and improving picture. ``

hills. Increasingly, just some isolated showers. Top temperatures

around seven Celsius so cooler than it was today, not bad for the time

of year. Brisk winds for the South and West words it should be fine and

dry for the afternoon. This is the big picture and this does not last.

The isobars are tightly wrapped around these weather systems as they

sweep them from the West. The closer and tighter the line is the stronger

the winds. This clears for Thursday and the isobars slacken with lighter

winds as we head towards the end of this week. What does that mean in

detail for the towns, cities and villages by region? Lets look West

first of all. We are expecting it to be a wet day with strong winds from

the South blowing in those spells of rain, falling asleep for a short

time over the tops of the Cumbrian fells. Writer on Thursday with the

risk of some isolated showers. In the north`east, the rain lighter on

Wednesday and perhaps the sunshine and more widespread on Thursday.

That is the way the weather looks for most of this week, try tomorrow

and wet on Wednesday but improving on Thursday. It looks as though

low`pressure stays in charge until the end of the week and staying

unsettled. The late news after 10pm tonight and

slightly different today! We will test you tomorrow!