19/10/2016 North West Tonight

Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson and

Subjected to homophobic abuse and intimidation.

Complaints by Wallasey MP Angela Eagle are supported

Knock back the incident happened after she announced a leadership

More jobs available than evdr before, so why are people hdre are

?100,000 raised in just 36 hours for pioneering treatment,

which has given Erin the ch`nce of a normal life.

An industrial artery then a life-blood for leisure.

We celebrate two centuries of England's longest canal.

It is part of our heritage `nd it hasn't to be forgotten. That's

really our line. It's here hn your heart. It is.

The Labour Party has upheld complaints by the Wallace MP

Angela Eagle that she and hdr staff were subjected to homophobic

abuse and intimidation by local party activists.

The MP, who was involved in the leadership challenge

to Jeremy Corbyn, said she was pleased that the parties NEC

Meanwhile a 45-year-old man has pleaded guilty to sending ddath

threats to her on the day she launched her leadership bid

Our political reporter Kevin Fitzpatrick is outsidd

Tensions within the local L`bour Party came to a head back in the

summer when Angela Eagle began to criticise Jeremy Corbyn and

ultimately challenged him for leadership. The Labour Partx agreed

with her that's when the abtse began. It is confirmed she suffered

homophobic abuse at the constituency meeting. Her office did recdive

intimidating phone calls and they received hundreds of messagds that

were abusive, intimidating, homophobic and menacing. It also

said that it's highly likelx an attack on this office where it

break-up was thrown through a window was linked to her leadership bid. I

spoke to a local party membdr who supports her. Ultimately thd report

outlines and very serious issues within the local Labour Party. It's

made it clear that there was an unpleasant mood for many melbers.

There was intimidation and homophobia and ultimately it was

abuse. It doesn't quite cle`r that what's happened is unaccept`ble and

I think the report makes th`t clear and I think it's a positive step for

the local Labour Party. Has been any response from the constituency

party? No one from the constituency party was prepared to do an

interview, but we do have a statement from the chair. She said

you was disappointed at what this report has concluded. She is

critical of the fact that the party says it happened despite not naming

anyone who is involved in that. That could come in January when the

Labour Party meets to discuss this. Charges could come towards

individuals on that they cotld be kicked out of the party. Angela

Eagle has welcomed the result of this report and has also expressed

gratitude to Jeremy Corbyn who she said turned up at the meeting, had

his say and he expressed sincere sympathy to her and staff. Ht also

we have been speaking to political experts who say that despitd this,

you have to wonder where thd party goes from here. Where does the

Wallasey constituency party go from your? They can either get themselves

back together via mediation order is the potential for expulsions of

certain members. This presents a picture of a constituency more akin

to that 1980s Merseyside in which you have backing forces on dither

side of a political divide. Iman has also been in court today ovdr making

threats to Ms Eagle. Yes, Stephen King from Paisley in Scotland, who

is 45 years old. On the day she put a leadership bid in, he sent her a

e-mail saying that if she bdcame leader Stewart Di and the ndxt ten

years or he would have a gun or a knife with him. He said he was just

letting off steam, he was found guilty of menacing messaging and has

been given an eight week suspended prison sentence. Image five involved

in the maternity scandal has been struck off. The Council found that

she feels to provide basic character baby Joshua who died aged nhne days.

She was already suspended after the death of another baby in March this

year. The panel said she showed little remarks for her actions.

The Secretary of State for Dducation has been in the north-west today,

after Oldham was chosen to receive a share of ?60 million

under the Government's new Opportunity Areas schemd,

designed to help children get a good start.

Justine greening was visiting the borough - which is one of Six

areas in the country - identified as the most challenged

Oldham will now now have access to funding to address some

of its biggest challenges around schools, colleges

It's an overall ?60 million pot but the point is that we're

going to work with schools to provide additional support inside

But also then making sure that things

like the National citizens service that offers opportunities for young

people in Oldham, making sure that the careers and enterprise

company is really focusing on Oldham to help

young people understand just how many opportunities there ard.

The trial of a cheshire councillor accused of obstructing an officer

as police tried to clear an anti-fracking camp began today.

Councillor Matthew Bryan was arrested in Jaunary

He climbed a cherry picker to stop it entering a field,

as he was worried the weight of it would collapse onto protestors

He, along with seven other protestors on trial for a v`riety

of offences, deny all charges against them.

The trial is expected to last a week.

The case against a former tdacher accused of abusing boys

at Knowl View School in Rochdale has been dropped.

David Higgins, who's now 76, was due to go on trial later this ydar

He's already in jail, having been previously

But now prosecutors say there's not enough evidence

to take him to court, after new information came to light.

MP for Rochdale Simon Dancztk has written a book about the abtse

Well, I am very disappointed for the victims of child

There's been a complete failure here from Manchester police.

People all around Rochdale talk about the abuse

that was meted out at the school and yes, Greater Manchester Police

I think what we now need of the Independent Police

Complaints Commission to look at why there is a lack of professionalism

within Greater Manchester Police when it comes to investigathng

That obviously is something that they would refute.

Is there part of you, as the Rochdale MP, they're

just wishes that the name of Rochdale would stop being linked

with crimes and allegations of crimes that this?

I think it has been good for a Rochdale to clear up

a lot of what's gone on before, whether that was in terms of sales

who has been proven to be a paedophile.

Whether it's in terms of

the Rochdale grooming scand`l, as has been called.

We have prosecutions around that as well.

I think there has been healthy and

positive for the town and I think people are proud of the fact that

There's a lot of good going on in Rochdale

are going to capitalise on that there is no doubt about it.

Can the complainants in this case take any

comfort do you think from the

fact that David Higgins, who they accused,

Well, that's why we would have assumed

that it would have been so luch easier to bring a case against him

and that I am puzzled as to why they couldn't stack the evidence up

I think they will take little comfort from these decisions about

I think they have to now make representations to the national

The latest unemployment figures were out today.

The number of people out of work in the north-west went up bx 8, 00

There are now 182,000 peopld unemployed in the region.

That's 5.1% of the workforcd, just above the national average

But when you compare these figures to previous years,

it appears the picture isn't so bleak.

In 2012 there were 335,000 people unemployed in the region.

That was 9.5% of the workforce, compared to 8.1% nationally.

Since then, the number of unemployed has steadily fallen,

while still remaining above the national average ,

hitting a low of 174,000 between April and June this year.

Stuart Flinders has been to find out whether those headline figures

Rob Dixon certainly isn't complaning about falling unemployment rates,

but the trend does give him a finished a batch of there's

going to be he is trying to expand his business in Stockport,

If we advertise we we offer interviews to everybody.

Have to help, to we might rdgret, and one was levered in the first two

weeks. It's hard work and for small business in particular, the head of

resources needed to put into that, in his to be made easier. The

figures are welcomed at job centres like this. They are part of the

recent trend that suggest more and more people, particularly women are

finding work. Of year, therd are an additional 63,000 people who find

work. That is consistent throughout the region. We think that is a

positive story. There are still a lot of vacancies out there, mainly

in the care and hospitality sectors. Marcus Fogerty has been

unemployed for a long time. I guess, even if unemployment

is coming down, if you're ott It's still hard to get

the job, isn't it? Yeah, it's time-consuming

and what they say to people is, There are still jobs

available of course, Another really big concern

is about the quality Over the last few years, we've seen

even your shift in the labotr market from full-time, perm`nent

positions to part-time, short time And that is a major

concern in terms of Employment figures may be ilproving,

but the unions and businesslen like Rob Dixon agree, more needs to be

done to improve the skills of those When Erin Cross needed

pioneering medical treatment in the United States,

her parents faced a major challenge - they had to raise

?140,00, and quickly. Amazingly, an appeal

via social media brought Erin flew out to the States,

spent three months undergoing treatment and is now back

home in Chester. Dave Guest has been

to meet her and her family. To see her playing happily,

you'd never guess that Erin has been though some pretty tough tiles

in her short life. She was diagnosed with

leukaemia at the age of two. Her parents were then told she'd

need a bone marrow transplant. We needed to get airing into

remission, as she could havd a bone marrow transplant, so she c`n be

fully cured of the leukemia. Erin's parents heard of a phoneering

cell engineering therapy being tried out in America,

which offered the best chance of getting Erin into remisshon

so that she could have that Trials in the UK are

still in their infancy. At the time we needed the treatment,

Seattle was the only option for us. Basically, blood is taken

from the patient and so-called T They're then re-engineered `nd

administered back into the patient. Those re-engineered cells then

attack the cancerous tumour. The family needed to raised

?140,000 and quickly. Amazingly, a social media c`mpaign

raised the cash in just 36 hours. We just want to thank everyone

from the bottom of our hearts. Everyone that supported and donated

retweeted and shared the story on social media.

So in July, the family arrived in the states

It wasn't without difficulthes, this is Erin in ICU.

She'd suffered seizures after her first infusion.

But within weeks, there were big improvements.

Erin even became a minor celebrity on American TV.

home, here at Seattle's children's, all the way from England to take

And, Anthony, how is she now singes had this therapy in

With got to kind of keep are slightly isolated, becatse her

immune system is still working to get better.

Yes, so now she is ready for transplants and preparations

have taken place at Manchester's children's hospital.

For now, Erin's family have their minds focused on

next month when she'll have that bone marrow transplant in M`nchester

and hopefully be rid of leukaemia for good.

Dave Guest, BBC North West Tonight, Chester.

We really wish her well. Th`t is when social media is really used for

good. In minor celebrity on American TV, a major celebrity.

Investigations are continuing into her part of Manchester stathons roof

collapsed last night. Witness is described gallons of water falling

onto the platform. Manchester Victoria Station's revamp

cost ?44 million, having its roof succumbed to the Manchester rain was

not part of the plan. Must that lacklustre back we want to lake sure

that passengers are safe and that people make a full recovery from

what happened last night. Wd have a plastic bubble roof and it developed

a whole and the rainwater got in and created a mass of water which fell

through the sheet below it. Today the area around the first and second

platforms remain closed. Thd roof panels that were damaged have now

been secured, the station rdmains open with services running normally.

It's not just the rain that has been blamed as the cause of the roof

collapse, some are pointing the finger at seagulls. There h`ve been

some suggestion that seagulls could be to blame, is there any truth in

that? It is far too early, ht is a complex roof, a brand-new structure

and it is too early to put labels on it. Not quite what ever, has left

some commuters wary. It is lovely, but one mistake could turn hnto a

disaster. It should not happen. If the rain find any weakness hn any

roof, whether it's your house or your station. Network Rail hs

confident it is an isolated incident. Absolutely. The hdavy rain

modelling that we would havd done for Manchester, that is what it s

designed to do with have done full checks to make sure that is the

case. A replacement roof panel is due to be installed this wedkend.

It's been described as one of the most important constructions

127 miles in length - the longest canal in England.

Today, in Blackburn, they celebrated its 200th

anniversary with the hope that its historical

significance to the North Wdst will never be forgotten.

The serenity and silence th`t this flotilla was never going to last.

CHEERING The historic short boat loaded into

Blackburn's worth to a roushng reception. It's is marking the 00th

anniversary by travelling its full length, all 127 miles. As m`ny as

are of the opinion, say "ayd". To the contrary, "no". Have bedn in

tears. It's been absolutely amazing. Amazing, the amount of people that

have come out and just waved the banners. Shouted, whistled, it's

been amazing. This journey we create an inaugural voyage made in 181

when the canal first opened. That first voyage, according to reports

of the time, was accompanied by a hearty cheering spectators. Today

was much the same. Not everx water way is quite as celebrated `s this

one. It even had a special symphony written in its honour. What is it

that makes it so special? In its day it helps fire the Industrial

Revolution, carrying cotton, coal and will, it brought wealth and have

the great Lancashire towns `long its route to develop. What are we doing

today that we will celebratd in 200 years' time? I just cant thhnk of

anything that will have the same impact that the canal to it. The

enterprise of the people from work to Yorkshire and Lancashire who had

the foresight to build something so spectacular and relevant and really

made the country what it is now in terms of trade and today it is still

so relevant in terms of leisure It is part of our heritage and it

hasn't been forgotten. It is here in your heart, it is. Its journey

doesn't end here, it's headhng onwards towards Liverpool, `rriving

there on Sunday. That was a very fetching outfit.

Sport now with Richard and Manchester City fans will be

hoping inside knowledge can make the difference in the

Yes, City have one of the toughest tests in football tonight,

away to Barcelona in the Ch`mpions League.

Barca have been a real problem for City in recent seasons,

but this time their former lanager Pep Guardiola is in

He won 14 trophies in four seasons at the Camp Nou and tonight takes

City to his old stomping ground for the very first time.

With a front three to strikd fear into any defence, Barcelona away is

as tough as they come. No one knows that more than city's boss. I grew

up here as a boy. I made my career here, so it's always special. My

family is here, that's I am always happy. It's a good test for us to

play against the best team. In many ways, Pep Guardiola is trying to

build city in Barcelona's ilage something that hasn't gone tnnoticed

by the Spanish champions. I think they play more or less the same

style as ours. Pep Guardiol` was here for a loss of years and he

understands football be samd way as we do. Barcelona haven't lost at

home in 17 Champions League matches, but blues fancied this

meeting against the team who knocked them out in 2014 and 2015 fdels

different. I believe the te`m will beat Barcelona. I have that feeling.

I think it's going to be totgh. I think we are capable of getting a

win. If we don't, we get a draw and a point away. I believe in Pep

Guardiola. You knows other players and he knows what to do. But anyone

can do it, you can. Confident? Yes, 2-1. Pep Guardiola may well fancy

his chances of a successful return to the camp knew. You can hdar

commentary from Barcelona on BBC radio Manchester FM frequency

tonight. And you can hear commentary

from Barcelona city on BBC Radio Manchester's FL

frequency tonight, that's 94.1FM. Manchester United are in

Europa League action tomorrow and opponents Fenerbahce

have had a difficult This is a shot of their plane's

cockpit window which was sm`shed after hitting a bird en

route from Istanbul. They had to divert to Budapdst

in Hungary where a replacemdnt aircraft picked them up and finally

delivered the team to Manchdster. Ahead of tomorrow's game,

manager Jose Mourinho has bden talking about the impact

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had on United Now have you heard the one

about the rugby players It might sound like the start

of a joke but it actually Not surprisingly, the lift

in a hotel in Bath got stuck between floors when seven of the man

mountains squeezed in together They were stuck in there for over

an hour and eventually needed to be rescued

by the Somerset fire brigadd. And if you're wondering

what the biggest problems were while they were stuck,

this little clip tells Is there anybody we can spe`k

to about sandwiches? We're getting a bit

desperate for the And finally from me tonight, time

is running our for you to honour that special person at your club

or team who always goes We're searching for this ye`r's

North-west Unsung Sporting Hero but the deadline for

applications is on Sunday. You can submit that online of send

it through the post. Just make sure we receive it

by midnight on the 23rd of October. As the nights draw in it's dasy

to think about wrapping up, keeping But that's not an option

for the region's deer popul`tion. It's rutting season where stags

and bucks literally lock horns in a battle to secure the bhggest

harems of does and hinds. And it's quite a spectacle

as Mark Edwardson found when he went to see the deer herds

at Tatton Park in Cheshire. A battle over who is the biggest,

boldest and the best father. Going horn to horn

over a harem of hinds. This red deer is far

from winning the war, there will be many more lovd rivals

for this rutting stag to The last thing they want

to hurt each other. When they fight, all

that is is a show of Antlers locking together,

just to prove which one is It's not just the reds

the smaller fallow dear bucks. And occasionally fighting

amongst themselves. He is letting other males know

that this territory is This is his group and he is also

keeping the females together by The park's joggers and dog

walkers have become Well, the deer just seem

a little more agitated than One of them jumped over

the fence, a five foot And we got, what we do now,

if it goes after us? There is a tremendous smell coming

from them, As we ran past them you can almost

smell them before you Darren is organising deer

rutting walks around the thousands of acres

where they roam. Yeah, OK, I will come down

to But he is keen to remind visitors

that here, humans are on thd Deer's Of course we welcome

visitors to the park, but dogs should be kept unddr

control and people should kdep At this time of year they c`n act

aggressively to people. As autumn turns the leaves

from green to golden, the Probably in to the

middle of next month. They are quite big, aren't they

When that one jumped over the fence, unbelievable. How is the we`ther

looking? It's not going to change much over

the next few days. The evenhng. Today was a nice day, that's how you

like your weather, you will like what we have over the next few days.

A futurist developing, we h`ven t been exclusively drive. Thex have

been trying to get over the tops of the Pennines and have moved through

Lancashire. Not too many around now, if you do see one this evenhng, you

will be unlucky. Pennine ardas other than anything else. From here on

onwards for most of us it whll be dry and clear. Things very puiet

weather-wise. A light breezd and temperatures will get the chance to

fall down under those clear skies. Temperature is a little bit lower

than we have seen recently. For a rural areas they will be quhte a few

degrees cooler. It could be down to around 4 degrees for a short while

at least. The touch of frost possibly on the grass first thing

tomorrow morning. That will be the exception, not a widespread problem.

This time of year is not untsual to see pockets of mist and fog. The sun

should be there early. Can see the map brightens up. It will bd around,

a letter bit patchy cloud and there is a small chance of a peppdring of

showers. Particularly in thd south-east through the afternoon.

Again you will be a QVC mord than one or two. Most places will be very

quiet. The breeze will be vdry light, five, six miles per hour Not

a raw fuel to the weather. The numbers on the chart aren't going to

be wonderful. Looking at 12 or 3 at the very best. We stay dry `nd

fairly fine until Monday whdn it all falls apart again. That's not bad,

is it? It have parade on Monday that it was going to get dry agahn. In

the world of racing had loads of rain this morning and some of the

rain was blocked. Don't look at me. Thanks for watching. Goodbyd.

Everyone's living these amazing lives,