23/02/2012 North West Tonight

Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson and Annabel Tiffin.

Our top story: A doctor is suspended amid claims she illegally

arranged sex selection abortions at this private clinic in Manchester.

The clinic involved has stopped all further abortions. Also tonight:

this region desperately-needed so jobs but we ask tonight if

government money is taking too long to arrive.

Security personnel are on their way. Leave now. Thou shalt not steal. A

warning from the church to deter metal thieves. A Liverpudlian is an

Irishman who can swim! It's quieter down here now. God help them up

there! Frank Carson's family lead the tributes to the comedian who's

died at his Blackpool home. can't think about Frank without

smiling because he gave you a feel- good factor.

And, Princess Anne opens probably the most famous garden on

Can Manchester United to make it into the last 16 of the Europa

League. I saw the visitors in the competition that no doubt would

have been at the top of Sir Alex Ferguson's list -- would not have

been. I shall be live later. Thank you. A doctor has been

suspended by a private medical clinic in Manchester following

allegations she was willing to carry out an illegal abortion

purely based on the sex of the unborn child.

Because of the allegations made in a national newspaper, the

Department of Health has launched an investigation. It is believed

the case has now been reported to the General Medical Council and the

Police. Nina Warhurst reports. A woman with an undercover reporter

walks into a Manchester clinic and tells her doctor she wishes to

terminate her pregnancy. His wife. There's a chance we are having a

girl and it is not appropriate for us now. The doctor asks for dock --

documents but the patient does not have any. I don't ask questions. If

you want a termination, you want a termination. Those are my reasons.

I don't ask questions. Today, the Health Secretary said it was not

just immoral but illegal. The Daily Telegraph claims that undercover

reporters took nine pregnant women in to clinics and in three cases,

doctors agreed to arrange terminations purely on the sex of

the unborn child. The doctor has been suspended. The Medical Defence

Union, speaking on her behalf, says she can't comment because of

patient confidentiality. Deliberately falsifying reports

accompanying it at termination is a shocking thing to have happened and

we will follow it up urgently. surgery where she works stresses

the allegation refers to the individual doctor and not be clinic

A the doctor is also believed to work at North Manchester General

Hospital but today they said her work in this case is at a private

clinic. The right of a woman to abort an unborn child remains one

of society's most divisive issues and these developments are sure to

The figures are impressive. Thirty- five firms awarded cash to create

55,000 much needed jobs right here in the North West. In fact, only a

fraction of those jobs are a reality.

That's because out of those 35 firms promised Regional Growth Fund

investment to date, only four have received the cash. Good enough?

Here's our Economics Correspondent, The North West needs jobs. The

region with the biggest rise in unemployment last year. The answer?

The Regional Growth Fund. Today they were keen to shout about the

latest round of funding in Bristol. They defy projects have been

promised cash since last April to create 55,000 jobs. But any Ford

projects have been paid. Instead of boasting about a new set of money,

they ought to get the money that was promised 10 months ago. This is

one company still making -- waiting. Their bit has just gone to due

diligence where the auditors make think - make makes sure the whole

thing stacks up. We want to create new jobs but if they are not

created here in the UK they will go potentially abroad. We could get

$35,000 per job created in America. Understandably, many companies do

not want to share their concerns on the record at a crucial time as

this, but off the record, here is a To be fair, the companies have to

do a lot of paperwork and legal stuff and it doesn't happen in a

millisecond. Next month, the North West Development Agency closes its

dog -- doors for good. Its replacement is a cash machine that

has so far not turned out the cash. Elsewhere today: Unions have

welcomed an employment tribunal decision to overturn a decision by

a a trust to cut the pay of staff who took time off sick. The

decision was challenged that any employee on four or more occasions

in a year or for more than 18 days a year would lose their incremental

pay rise. Unions had launched tribunal cases on behalf of scores

of staff who did not get their pay rise and today they heard they had

won. A Thames side MP is edging the

government to step in to stop an English defence leak March taking

place. It follows an attack on two white teenagers in the town. This

Saturday, members of the English Defence League intend to hold an

March despite the fact they have no connection to the cup -- issues

they are purporting to march in support of. Should not decent law-

abiding citizens be protected from this and necessary and unwanted

activity? A railway guard has appeared in

court charged with manslaughter of the teenager in Wirral who died

when she fell under a train. Torch mac Bashar Al-Assad Georgia Varley

was 16 when she fell under the Our reporter was in court.

Christopher James McGee made a brief appearance at Liverpool

magistrates' court this morning. He spoke only to confirm his name, his

address and date of birth. He is charged with manslaughter through

gross negligence of Georgia Varley in October last year. Also from

Wallasey, she was 16 when she died in an instant at Dame Street

station in Liverpool. It is thought she and a group of friends were

travelling to Liverpool when she fell between the platform and a

carriage. Mr McGee did not enter a plea but his lawyer said he will

contest the case fully. The lawyer also said that, as this is the

first public hearing, Mr McGee wanted to it sincerely express his

condolences to the parents, family and friends for the loss of their

daughter and friend. Mr McGee was bailed to appear at the Crown Court

on March 8th. It is one of the biggest problems

facing churches across our region. Over the last five years, metal

theft has cost Manchester churches �1 million.

Today, a high-tech solution was unveiled. Our reporter is at

Manchester Cathedral. It is interesting that the cathedral was

thick -- hit only last month, wasn't it? That's right. It has

been a place of worship dating back to medieval times, but last month,

thieves stole a 2 ft silver cross which had been bolted down. Little

wonder that church as a whole is turning to technology to protect

Flashing, pipe works and memorial plaques. It is little other --

wonder they are at the end of their tether. Here, they have had to

spell it out to thieves. The sign says there is no lead left. Adding,

of course, got bless. Over at St Peter's Church in Blakeley they are

trying something more hi-tech. One of these alarms has been fitted and

motion sensors issue this morning. Security personnel are on their way.

The roof has been stripped of lead six times in three years. Damage

caused a huge piece of masonry to fall inside the church. The alarm

is a last resort. It was a choice between the boiler or an alarm.

That is how important it was? Absolutely. We needed to secure the

building. It has cost Manchester churches �1 million in the last

five years. In 2010, the Manchester diocese was the worst hit in the

country. Claims are so common that church insurance companies have

introduced a cat. Manchester Cathedral has been told it has

exhausted its claims. We have to bear the costs ourselves all the

congregation or the people who give us �1. But church funds can only

goes so far so now churches are looking to the skyline for help.

These alarms are expensive. You heard the vicar at St Peter's

saying they had to choose between heating and an alarm. For many

churches, it is a prize they say they have to pay.

Thank you. Still to come: Kicking off - how

these flat mates could have to fight each other for a place at the

Olympics. The royal seal of approval -

Princess and opens probably the People of Blackpool have been

paying tribute to one of their famous adopted sons. The resort was

home to comedian Frank Carson for many years. Yesterday, he lost a

battle with cancer and his passing is being mourned by many in the

Lancashire town. Our chief reporter Was it something I said? Frank

Carson was a comedian's comedian. He will not be forgotten. All of

the comedians love Thames. His fans thought equally highly of him.

Everyone felt they knew him even though they had probably never met

him. This man worked with Frank many times but also knew him as a

friend. I have travelled thousands of miles with him and I never saw

him down. When you retired, he lifted you up. He had so much

energy. -- when you were tired. Frank Carson was born in Northern

Ireland but Blackpool was more than happy to consider him an adopted

son. He made his home in the resort for many years. He is remembered

from this new comedy carpet on the promenade. It features some of his

best-known catchphrases including... This lady used to answer telephone

inquiry calls at the Blackpool telephone exchange. She said that

Frank Carson was one of her regular callers. He would say something

funny right away so you knew it was him. He would make you laugh. You

could hardly do your job! Frank had a spiritual side too. This is the

Bank -- bench where Frank and his wife used to sit... He worshipped

at this church for many years. The Father was with him in his final

days. He was trying to keep his spirits up. He passed away while we

were have a mass here on Wednesday morning. I went round just

afterwards to bless the body and say prayers with the family who

were gathered round. Frank Carson will be missed by his many fans and

by the people of his adopted home town full -- his adopted home town.

Lovely tributes. Real warmth and fondness.

And another came from the Liverpool comedian Ken Dodd who worked with

him and was a close friend. I went to Knotty Ash to speak to Ken Dodd

this afternoon. I began by asking him whether Frank was the same off-

stage as he was on it. Exactly the same. Frank Carson was Frank Carson.

They are wonderful, wonderful comedian. And a lovely, warm,

friendly man. He must have lots of happy memories of things you have

done with him? I met him in 1960 at a job we did in North Wales. I had

the pleasure of doing half-a-dozen radio series with him. We used to

more less tell stories, Paul stories. They would name a subject

and Frank was always first on the buzzer. There was this fellow, he

was walking down the road, no, I tell a lie, he was on a bike. He

had a lemon in his ear... He would go on. Fantastic, surreal pictures.

I would say, is there any end to this? He would say, no. A lovely

man. He loved to laugh. He loved life. He loved all of the people in

showbusiness, all of his colleagues. He loved being Frank Carson. You

cannot really think about Frank without smiling. He gave you that

feel-good factor. You knew him very well as a colleague but he had

strong family life as well? lived life to the full. You name it,

he would do it. And always laughing, always with a smile. He loved his

family. He would always tell you about his sons and daughters -- his

son and daughter. And their successors. He was very proud of

them. The one thing people have said listening to the tributes is

the fact that what you saw is what you got. There was no different

side to him. He did not do satire, he did not do politics. He did not

do sexy jokes. He was a great, great comedian. Grade catchphrases

as well. It is the way he tells some! Frank Carson, News at Ten.

had to do that! One of the many tributes paid to Frank Carson who

sadly died in Blackpool. Frank was a regular on the show the Comedians.

And there was some further sad news in the comedy world today. It's

been announced that the Manchester- born comic Ken Goodwin who appeared

on the hit show The Comedians has also died. The comedian, who had

the catch phrase "settle down, settle down", was 78.

I do remember it. My ma -- brother used to say that to my mother!

Football now and it was all about Manchester City in the Europa

League last night. This evening, it's the turn of United to try to

make it through to the last 16 against Ajax. Richard Askam is at

Old Trafford for us. Richard, there was some crowd trouble in Amsterdam

at the first leg, wasn't there? Is there a tense atmosphere?

It all seems pretty relaxed. We have seen some fans walking past

Tear mixing freely with United supporters. A bit of banter but

nothing more than that. If the police are not taking any chances

after what happened in the first leg in Amsterdam. There were more

than 140 arrests, 15 of their Manchester United supporters. They

were given just shy of 4000 tickets for the game tonight. In the run-up

to the match, police have been stressing that by and large

supporters mixed very well in Holland last week. We should talk

about the football, shouldn't we? United are favourites. They have a

two goal advantage from the first leg. No Wayne Rooney, he is not fit

enough to feature. Tom cleverly is expected to feature after his

timely call up to the England squad. He dreamt about that success while

apparently he was dreaming of a certain Ryan Giggs in his back

garden when he was a youngster. remember pretending to be him in

the back garden. Him and Paul Scholes were good for the younger

players to have around and learn from. United -- Manchester City are

through to the last 16 of the Europa League after the 4-0

demolition last night. 6-1 on aggregate so.

United's neighbours City are already through to the last 16 of

the Europa League after last night's 4-0 demolition of Porto. It

meant the Blues went through 6-1 on aggregate. Sergio Aguerro was the

star, scoring the first and then setting up Edin Dzeko for the

second. After David Silva had added a third, David Pizarro put the seal

on it with a well worked fourth. After the match Roberto Mancini

said the controversial striker Carlos Tevez, who's made his peace

with the club and his manager, could be back playing in two to

three weeks. We know him very well. He is a top striker. I think he

would be good. I think you can help us to do a good job in the next two

months. Blackburn Rovers fans, unhappy with

the club's current owners, are planning what they say will be the

largest demonstration in the history of the club. The latest

protest against the Indian company Venkys is scheduled for their next

home match a week on Saturday. It comes after the launch of a

supporters' campaign to try and raise enough money from shares to

buy the club. Now, you all know the competition

to get into the British team for this year's Olympics is fierce, and

never more so than this. Four taekwondo fighters who've been

sharing the same flat in Manchester are battling against each other for

just one place in the GB team. They all want to compete in the under 68

kg category, but three of them are going to be disappointed. Tony

Livesey paid them a visit. When four men living the same house,

there can always be tensions. Who gets a the honour of switching to

North West Tonight? Who is first for the shower? Give us five

minutes, boys. And who washes the Pops? -- pots? These Manchester

lads have their own unique method of sorting things out. We are all

going for one spot. We all know what is at stake -- at stake and we

all wanted. What do you have the most arguments about at home?

Tidying up. Dishes. People having music on too loud. Here's the

grandad. He has got his slippers on. He goes to bed at 8pm! Do you

settle things with a quick arm wrestle or flinging each other down

the hallway? How are you all going to cope emotionally when one of the

walks out of the store with an Olympic tracksuit on? And the other

three, looking at what you could have one! How we are going to cope?

I think that for me is going to be the hardest thing. There are still

The European championships come to Manchester in May. Perhaps then we

will know which of these four will finally go for gold.

Never a disappointment. United fans won't be resting too

easily. Basle of course came back from two goals down at half time

here in the Champions League. Fergie has been talking about that

in the run up to the game and you can't really imagine the Reds

making the same mistake again. Full Commentary of course on BBC Radio

Manchester. Kick off is at 8.05pm. It looks like a pleasant evening up

there. It was beautiful weather today. It is probably a bit chilly

air? It is. I am wearing your jacket!

I recognise that. A beautiful day today. We were

going for 17 degrees. That is Tomorrow will not be the same. Do

not expect a repeat performance. Through this seedling and overnight,

it is quiet for many places. Once again for parts of Cumbria and

Lancashire, where they have been plagued by rain today, they did not

get 17 degrees, that will continue through the night, particularly

around hilly areas. Dull damp and drizzly there. For the rest of us,

it is a dry picture. It will also be clear. Temperatures will not

fall too far. Realistically, nine or ten degrees. You will not need

the heating tonight. Tomorrow morning, for Cumbria, Lancashire,

the Isle of Man, the drizzly rain will still be around. In more

southern parts, it should be dry. But it does not stay that way for

long. Rain works its way down across the region. Many places will

see it by lunchtime. It will clear over the Isle of Man and Lancashire

and Cumbria. There will be good clear spells of sunshine afterwards.

Everywhere will look better by around 3pm. But it will mark the

boundary, that weather front, between the mild weather of today

and crawler, fresh air temperatures. -- cooler, Thresher temperatures.

Tonight I am out and about and in the Blue Peter garden. I grew up

with Blue Peter. You probably did as well. But the programme's move

from London to Salford meant it needed a new one. And this

lunchtime, Princess Anne officially opened it here at Media City. She

also planted a tree, part of a drive to plant millions to mark the

Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Annabel has been looking back at more than

Created in 1974 and designed by TV's first celebrity gardener Percy

Thrower. The Blue Peter garden has grown with its viewers. It's seen

some good times and some not so good. More than 20 pets stretched

their legs on its lawns. George the tortoise and two time capsules were

buried there. But it was also damaged three times. On one

occasion in 1983, it was totally wrecked bringing both Percy and the

presenters close to tears. We have got some rather bad news, I'm

afraid. We discovered this morning that vandals had broken into the

Blue Peter garden over the weekend and caused a lot of damage. Today a

new era began. The Princess Royal came to Salford to open a brand new

Blue Peter garden outside the BBC's Media City. And for the first time,

it'll be open to the public. belongs to the Blue Peter viewers,

so come and have a look. It is for people for -- to come and see. For

the first time, the public can come to the Blue Peter garden. Princess

Anne planted a tree on behalf of the Woodland Trust which wants to

plant six million trees to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. This is

really important for us today, to get the message out about planting

trees. We want all of the children across the country involved. I like

all of the flowers and stuff. I think all of the environment is

nice. It is unlikely that George the tortoise made the journey to

the north-west. But the bust of the programme's first ever dog Petra

has pride of place in the new garden. More than 30 years of

horticultural history may have been left in London, but the Blue Peter

garden continues to blossom. It could not be more accessible. It

is right in front of you when you get off the tram. People who came

area for the match at Old Trafford, they came to have a look.