25/02/2014 Midlands Today

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines tonight: Former

Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg amongst four people arrested in

Birmingham on suspicion of terrorism offences. The vehicles seem to be

blocking the road and were seven people at the front door. We're live

outside Moazzam Begg's house in Hall Green. Also tonight, hopes tonight

that there will be a daily train service from Shrewsbury to London

later this year. It's important for us to have the direct link with

London so overseas customers have easy access. Why the boss of this

new store says it will help regenerate a forgotten corner of

Birmingham. # It's a long way to Tipperary. # One of the best`known

songs from the First World War. Did you know it was co`written by a man

from here in the Midlands? And we can only hope that days like today

are a thing of the immediate future. But unfortunately, it's not as

straightforward as that. Rain and winds still feature this week. All

the details of which I'll have for you later.

Good evening. The former Guantanamo Bay prisoner Moazzam Begg is under

arrest tonight on suspicion of terrorism offences in Syria. He was

one of four people detained this morning in Birmingham and Solihull

as part of an operation by Counter Terrorism Officers from West

Midlands Police. In a moment we'll have the latest live, but first, our

special correspondent Peter Wilson has been following the day's

developments. Police search teams throughout the

day continued to comb through the large semidetached house in Hall

Green...the raids carried out by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism

Unit: lady opposite tells me that two children have gone. You do not

expect that to happen next door to you. This was just one of several

separate addresses in Shirley and Sparkhill. Four people were arrested

but only one person named ` Moazzam Begg ` the human face of the

Guantanamo Bay detainees and a fierce critic of the government and

the security services: West Midlands Police do not often choose to reveal

the identity of a suspect but they say because of the public interest

in the case they are doing so. They also say this should not imply any

guilt on the part of Moazzam Begg. Moazzam Begg is a former Birmingham

book shop owner and was arrested in Pakistan by the Americans. He was

held for nearly three years in Guantanamo in Cuba but never charged

with any offences. I've spoken to him many times ` a devout man, a

proud husband and father and fierce campaigner for human rights. Did the

Americans talk to you? They tied my hands behind my back and I was

punched and beaten and dragged around. In recent years, Moazzam

Begg has been the director of Cage which represents prisoners around

the world. Today they claimed his arrest had been politically

motivated and his friends were shocked. He has never been charged

with anything. Police arrest people lots of times and it does not mean

that charges will be brought. Syria is still embroiled in a bitter civil

war....scores of radicalised young people from Britain are said to have

travelled to fight in Syria. One security expert says Al Qaida has a

strong influence there. The imposed extremely harsh version of the law.

Officers attended three addresses and arrested four people. All four

people are currently in custody. Moazzam Begg has rarely been out of

the news tonight rather than campaigning for prisoners.....he's

under arrest and being held at a West Midlands Police station. Peter

Wilson is outside Moazzam Begg's home in Hall Green in Birmingham

this evening. Peter, what's the latest you can tell us about this

investigation? The lights are still on the house and the police are

still inside. It is more than 12 hours since they arrived here.

Computer equipment has been taken away. Police say that all four of

the arrests were coordinated and it was an intelligence led operation

with no risk or danger to the public.

Has there been any further reaction tonight to Moazzam Begg's arrest?

The organisation that he is a director of, Cage, are outraged by

the arrest which they say is politically motivated. They say he

did go to Syria for legitimate purposes and that MI5 were well

aware of that visit. They also say that his passport was seized in

December 2012 and they are wondering why this arrest is happening now.

This police operation is ongoing tonight but that investigation is

under close scrutiny. Good to have you with us this evening on Midlands

Today, coming up later: The floods that caused so much heartache in

town and country. Today, the farmers found out where government emergency

cash will be spent. The re`introduction of a daily train

service between Shrewsbury and London has moved a step closer

tonight. Virgin Trains hopes to run two

services a day to Euston from the end of this year. The details still

have to be approved by the Office of Rail Regulation, but the MP for

Shrewsbury and Atcham told us he was confident the plans would get the go

ahead. This has been a top priority for all the MPs in Shropshire and

all of us have understood the absolute urgency and need of the

service for our county town. It is the number`1 income generator for

tourists and choose Billy and we want to secure more tourism and more

business investment. So, what'll it mean for people in Shropshire who've

been calling for a new daily train service ever since the last one was

scrapped three years ago? Joanne Writtle has been talking to two

businesses that stand to benefit. This family`run metal pressings firm

has been pushing for a rail link to the capital. Foreign customers often

travel from London to Salop Design and Engineering, and the lack of a

train service has been problematic. We have to manage our customers when

they are coming over to the extent that it is sometimes easier to send

a car to pick them up and using the infrastructure which is they are and

should be used. Workers here say links to the capital are crucial. We

will get job security which is a big thing. As a company, it will be

ideal because we will get more work coming to the company. A rail link

to the capital would go some way to helping increasing revenue. This

small business helps Chinese customers with marketing. When

clients come to London, the need to be there. You can only do that by

sitting round a table or even going out to dinner. It is important to

businesses in China. Shrewsbury lost its direct link to London three

years ago, and Midlands Today filmed the last journey. Since then,

Shrewsbury's become the country's only county town without a service

to the capital. Tonight, Virgin Trains said it wouldn't be giving

any details before further talks with the Office of Rail Regulation.

MPs, though, are hopeful the service will return by December. Joanne

Writtle, BBC Midlands Today, Shrewsbury.

A teenager has pleaded guilty to murdering a 16`year`old student

after an argument on a bus in Birmingham. Azim Azam, who was on

his way to a first day at college, was stabbed in the chest as he

stepped off the bus. Today, 18`year`old Azeem Akhtar, who was 17

at the time, was told he'll be sentenced next month and faces a

life's detention. That is too young lives wasted. This highlights the

futility and stupidity of carrying knives. If people carrying knives

they will lose their life or inflict injury on people and spend serious

time in prison. A teenager who died in a crash in the Black Country

yesterday morning has been named as Natasha Whale from Pelsall. The

13`year`old was pronounced dead at the scene in Bloxwich. Her mother,

Shelley, remains in a critical condition after the car they were in

collided with a school bus. Her 17`year`old brother, Callum, has now

been discharged after being treated for minor injuries. A 43`year`old

man from Stoke`on`Trent has been charged following an attack on the

websites of both the Home Office and Home Secretary, Theresa May. Mark

Lynden Johnson was arrested in connection with the attacks which

took place in June 2012. Both websites were forced offline and

prevented visitors accessing them. He'll appear in court next month.

It'll breathe new life into a forgotten corner of Birmingham `

that's the message from the head of John Lewis ahead of the opening of a

new store in the city centre. But some independent retailers are

worried about the potential impact. Here's our Business Correspondent,

Peter Plisner. A first look around what will be a flagship store in a

location that according to the Lewis boss is breaking new ground. The

unique thing is the connection to the station. This has not been done

department store anywhere in the country. It the ease of access.

Today the construction phase was completed ` now John Lewis will

begin fitting the building out. But Andy Street maintains that there's

more to it than just another store opening. We are not just coming to

bring a shop. We want to be the catalyst for the regeneration of

this quarter of the city. I think this will happen pretty quickly. And

this is what it will look like when it's finished next year ` above the

new New Street station it'll become part of the Grand Central

development boasting a host of new stores. New shopping centres are

good news for consumers but it is not the same for independent

retailers such as these. This footwear retailer has worries about

the impact Grand Central and John Lewis will have on the rest of

Birmingham. It is a big concern but it is a city so we should have

another offer rather than just a shopping centre. Areas to the north

will find it challenging but Birmingham as a whole will benefit

from this as it competes and becomes one of the top retail destinations

in this country. And there could be a further boost. There are still

strong rumours that the clothing chain Primark, wants to turned the

city's Pavilions centre into its biggest UK store. Peter Plisner, BBC

Midlands Today. Coventry City Council's been debating plans to

save ?19 million on its budget for next year. Jobs and services are

under threat although the Council says it'll protect children's

services and social services. Councillors claim that, if cuts

continue at their current rate, then the Council won't be able to operate

by 2025. Joan Cummins joins me now from our Coventry studio. So what

services are likely to be under threat from this, Joan? Adult social

services will be hardest hit. These other services that help the elderly

in the community and adults with learning difficulties and carers.

They will be hard hit by the Scout but children will have their

services ring fenced. The council are awaiting their report on the

structural changes to services for children. How many jobs could go?

The council would not be drawn on how many jobs could go in the next

few years but the man in charge of balancing the books said that if

cuts from central government continued, the future of the council

was less than rosy. The situation, if things stay as they are, will be

very bleak. There will be no library service or bin collections each week

and no budget for maintenance and cleaning the streets. Will not have

the money. There was a meeting in Warwickshire today. One of the

solutions they have come up with is to create a unitary authority to run

Warwickshire in future rather than the current system of county and

district councils. This is our top story tonight: Former Guantanamo

detainee Moazzam Begg among four people arrested in Birmingham on

suspicion of terrorism offences. Shefali's standing by with the

weather for the West Midlands. Also ahead: She set her latest novel in

the Potteries, now Joanna Trollope will star at Stoke`on`Trent's first

literary festival. And a world`famous song that rallied the

troops in the Great War, co`written by a musician from the Midlands. The

National Farmers' Union annual conference has begun in Birmingham.

Top of the agenda ` ways to help farmers affected by flooding, and

the future of the badger cull. Our Rural Affairs Correspondent David

Gregory`Kumar is there. David, I gather we've heard more details

about government cash for farmers to help them get over the flooding? It

is not a new announcement about cash but we have been hearing about what

farmers can apply and what they can use it for. Just like a flooded

house farmland needs time to recover and this money will help pay for

things like uninsured damage to land. It is welcome to the farming

industry and we need to assess whether Nader 's and make sure the

right people get the help they need. Once we have a better picture of the

damage, we will assess the upper limit and ensure that we are

targeted in meeting the needs. I think you also get a sense from this

announcement that this is a long term process, that it can be

revisited once the flood waters do drop and the extent of damage to

farmland has been revealed. And what about the future of the badger cull?

Well, of course, on the eve of the conference this weekend we had a

sizeable march of about 1000 people protesting the cull. We are hoping

to hear from a local MP. Owen Patterson was expected to talk here

but he is recovering from an operation at the moment. But the

outgoing president of the NFU Peter Kendall has praised the 32 new areas

that have so far come forward to express their interest in rolling

out the badger cull on a wider scale after the pilot here in the

Midlands. `` in Somerset and Gloucestershire. But we'll know more

about the future of the cull once the independent report into the cull

is published later in the spring. It was the home of the famous author

Arnold Bennett, but until now Stoke`on`Trent has never had its own

literary festival. All that will change this summer, though, when

best`selling novelist Joanna Trollope will be among the stars at

a new event for book`lovers in the city. Liz Copper reports. The girls

cutting the sponge ships. `` shapes. Words from the opening chapters of

Joanna Trollope's latest novel ` based on a family`run pottery firm.

The men do the casting of the women do the decorating but there is a

great crossover and a great sense of family there. Once I had started, I

could not stop. I fell in love with all of it. She will be back here in

the summer to talk about the work and take part in the first literary

festival for the city. This popular book group's been running for more

than 30 years. You felt that she wanted to get to the murders? Its

members are delighted they'll have a high`profile festival in the city. I

have travelled to literary festivals all over the country but to have one

here would be wonderful. For readers, the festival, which will be

held in June, will be a chance to meet internationally acclaimed

authors. It will not just be me, there will be masses of modern

writers with connections to the Midlands. It has a literary

heritage. The hope is that this festival will attract literary

enthusiasts from all over the world. As part of our First World War

commemorations, the BBC has teamed up with the Imperial War Museums to

tell the story of the war at home. Most of us know the world`famous

song that helped rouse thousands of troops into battle during the Great

War. But how many of us know the tune "It's a Long, Long Way to

Tipperary" was co`written by a Birmingham musician? Many feel Harry

Williams isn't given the credit he deserves. Bob Hockenhull reports. A

cold winter's night in Warwickshire. The song that became a tonic for the

troops in World War One is echoing down the years at this country pub.

And what better place ` the man who co`wrote it, Harry Williams, lived

here. The pub near Kenilworth is named after his famous song and the

remains of his old piano are still evident. I can feel that Harry was

here. The old piano is still around and for me it is wonderful. The

players from the rugby club come down and sing it and it is a great

song. # It's a long way to Tipperary. # "It's a Long, Long Way

to Tipperary" was originally composed as an Irish ballad by

Birmingham`born Harry and his writing partner, Jack Judge. Their

publisher turned it into a marching tune. At the advent of the First

World War, it was gradually adopted by soldiers everywhere. It is a very

rousing but also very emotional song and it brings tears to my

daughter's guys because you think of those prove soldiers in the

trenches. It even went into Germany. # It's a long way to Tipperary. #.

The song's popularity with soldiers endured on into the Second World

War. But Harry Williams' family feels he hasn't received the

recognition he deserved. Partner, Jack, took a lot of the credit. Many

people got together to make songs and they were music Hall artists and

Jack was a great extrovert while Harry was crippled and he could not

get around some much but he was a great piano player and composer and

poet. At least Harry lived to enjoy the fruits of his labour. His

family, lifelong publicans, started renting the Tipperary, then called

The Plough, in 1900. The success of "It's A Long, Long Way to Tipperary"

meant it could now be bought ` a relief to his family who were

struggling with tough new licensing laws. The number of hours was

limited, they had to shut for a while in the afternoon, that was

very much brought in the First World War and it went on for basically the

next 80 to 90 years. Guilty he'd not been able to fight because he was a

cripple, Harry Williams also gave money to the war effort. In the eyes

of many, he needn't have felt guilty. He helped compose a song

that gave thousands of soldiers some comfort in their most desperate of

hours. Bob Hockenhull, BBC Midlands Today. It has been a fairly decent

day weather`wise. Here's Shefali. There will be a few showers around

and a lot of sunshine in between. The nights are what we have to watch

out for because they could be wet and windy. The two features that

stand out more as this cold front which will head in tomorrow night

and this next feature will run across the southern half of the

country on Thursday night. It is that a deal we really have to keep

an eye on because it to develop into something more and if it moves a

little more north it could affect us. At this stage, it looks as if

Friday could be a deal showers. Tonight is one of those dry notes

although we have the chance of a few showers through the evening but

these will drift off to the east, leaving all parts try and clearer,

particularly rural parts. In Shropshire, temperatures could dip

low enough for frost. The winds will pick up into tomorrow where we are

looking at the odd shower cropping up here and there. Another breezy

day for the South West but probably one of the drive space for the week

`` driest days of the week. This front could bring quite a lot of

rain with it. But like last night it will move along quite quickly and

leave behind a lot of clear sky. There will be lows of around five

degrees are six Celsius. Showers will develop through Thursday and

then we have the potential area of low pressure which could develop

into something more on Friday. It will be unsettled through the

weekend and the temperatures will drop a little bit lower during the

days. Tonight's headlines from the BBC: A

suspected IRA terrorist accused of murdering four British soldiers in

London won't stand trial ` because of what's being cold a 'reckless'

police error. And former Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg amongst four

people arrested in Birmingham on suspicion of terrorism offences.

That was the Midlands Today. I will be back at ten o'clock. By for now.

`` Bye for