02/04/2014 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today, I'm outlook is mixed. Thank you.

Welcome to South East Today, I'm Polly Evans. And I'm Rob Smhth.

Tonight's top stories. Could it be terminal news for

Manston ` as an offer to bux the troubled airport is withdrawn? The

offer was withdrawn at 7am. After six people die in recent wedks

trying to smuggle themselves into the UK, pressure grows on

politicians in France to cr`ck down on the situation. We'll havd the

latest on the situation, live. Also in tonight's programme: The

Kent Police worker with an hncurable condition who says she was sacked

because of ill health, but denied a pension in case she recovers. Record

breaking quadraplegic sailor Hilary Lister joins us to celebratd her

latest historic achievement ` crossing the Indian Ocean. @nd she

didn't know she was pregnant; the Kent woman who went in to hospital

with back pain and went homd with a baby boy. I drank and smoked

everyday. I ate all of the wrong foods.

Good evening. Hopes of keephng Manston Airport open have bden dealt

a severe blow, after an offdr to buy it as a going concern was whthdrawn.

It means up to 150 jobs rem`in at risk after the owners announced it

was "financially unviable". Last week a letter was sent to its owner

Ann Gloag, who co`founded the Stagecoach Group, offering to buy

the airport. But this morning staff were told that the unnamed potential

buyer had withdrawn their offer There are no more passenger flights

scheduled after the 9th of @pril. Simon Jones reports.

Workers told this morning a potential deal to save Manston had

been withdrawn. Very disappointed. Because, of course, that always

gives hope. The offer was whthdrawn at 7am. We have been in a

consultation meeting, and the issue has been raised. We have bedn

talking about a number of options. We have a further meeting ndxt

Thursday. This lunchtime, representatives for the current

owner cancelled a planned mdeting with the local MP, who is at

fighting to keep Manston opdn. I am saddened that the company does not

feel they are able to meet with this. `` with us. In politics, you

continually have to fight things which superficially by feel like

lost causes. I am not a quitter I do not believe in throwing hn the

towel. There may come a timd where if it closes, we have to look at the

plan B, and that is water under the bridge. Until that time comds, I

remain hopeful. The 45 day consultation into the airport's

possible closure started last month. The offered to buy Manston was

tabled last week, but today, many feel hope is lost. In your opinion,

is this the end for Manston is unable? `` as an airport? It

certainly looks like it. All of the speculation has been damaging for

staff. I think with the frehght operators that they would bd pulling

out, KLM pulling out, I think this is possibly the end. This couple but

in a flight in June, and cale to the airport looking for answers, but

found only uncertainty. It hs disappointing. If it all falls flat.

A packed public meeting at the weekend showed the strength of

feeling. Some feel there is still a hope. A lot of people have different

ideas about multimillionaird owners. Sometimes, they are eccentrhc

people, they are sometimes very particular, in what they like and

what they don't like. Somethmes it is not a financial argument. It

might be whim. I think Manston can attract eight serious contender Is

it possible? We shall wait `nd see. Tonight, time is running out to stop

the sun setting on Manston. Simon is light at Manston now. Some gloomy

predictions some optimism. Hs this the end? The harsh reality hs that

tonight, there are no firm offers on the table, but the big situ`tion

under consideration is why things have gone wrong. I understand there

was a big difference in the amount of money offered, and the v`lue

being put on the airport by the current owners. Tonight, we have a

bizarre situation where it `ppears that the owners are no longdr

prepared to speak to the MP trying to broken the deal. He thinks that

they are continuing his interventions to be tiresomd. For

politicians, this is a diffhcult situation. Today plough on, or do

they simply accept defeat and turn their attention to what happens to

the airfield here in the future Talk of houses, but also much

opposition against that. Wotld`be illegal migrants will continue to

risk their lives trying to dnter Dover unless the French authorities

in Calais tighten their sectrity. That's the message tonight from Mark

Reckless MP, a member of thd Commons Home Select Committee. His get tough

message comes as the Deputy Mayor of Calais is reported to be prdparing

to launch a major crackdown on migrants attempting to enter Britain

illegally. Last week we exclusively highlighted how a number of migrants

had died as they made desperate attempts to enter the port of Dover.

Peter Whittlesea reports from Calais.

Balancing on the axle of a lorry. The desperate measures taken were

filled by BBC south`east. Kdnt MP is now calling on the French

authorities to take action before more lives are lost. We need to

secure the border, because the worst thing to do is to let down our

guard, because if it was possible for these refugees or asylul seekers

to come through more easily, that would attract more, including to put

more lives at risk. When thd Prime Minister saw the footage, hd said

the government was cutting down on illegal migration. Whether ht is

putting the cap on migrants, whether we police the ports properlx, we are

taking all the steps. It is a major concern for me. In Calais, they

claim migrants take greater risks because this centre is closhng. The

only way to go to Britain is to board a lorry or a boat in Calais,

or a train. If they do it in a hurry, there is no preparathon. It

is a risk. Off`camera, one ligrant told me he was caught by a sniffer

dog. He says he tries to eat stowaway. A harder line tow`rds the

encampments might be. The French authorities have allowed Syrians to

camp here because they are fleeing a war`torn country. Many are viewed as

economic migrants, and so they have no problems pulling down thdir

camps. That would be welcomdd by some in Calais. It does not add

anything to Calais, and we travel a little bit further on, and we saw

more encampments, so it is not so good. I do not like immigrants. This

video was filmed. Politicians are being asked to tackle the ctrrent

situation in France. It was our exclusive footagd of

migrants riding on the axles of UK bound trucks and chasing after

vehicles that reignited concerns and debate over illegal immigration from

Calais. According to the authorities in the French city, at least 10

migrants a week are reaching the UK by concealing themselves on trucks.

One French charity says since 2 02, there have been two hundred migrants

killed trying to get to the UK. And the BBC has discovered five migrants

have been killed in the last two months alone.

It is shocking footage you have been showing on the programme, btt it

shows the incentives that pdople have to come to the UK, and it shows

that there is a huge economx in the UK where you can find work

illegally. There are family ties. It shows that the UK is a huge blow for

people round the world to come here. Our Special Correspondent Colin

Campbell joins us live from Dover. There's been quite a reaction to

your reports. David Cameron has of course commented on the det`ils of

our investigation, an attempt to defend the policy to deter hllegal

immigration into the UK. Thd transport minister has met with some

hauliers who is disappointed that who are disappointed with what is

going on. It has ended up on the front page one national newspaper.

We do not know if any conversations are taking place between thd British

government and the French authorities. We have had thd

opportunity to speak to the deputy mayor of Calais. The local

authorities in Calais were dlected, and now they are keen to do sunny to

prevent the migrants talk `` jumping up on the tracks in the town. `` the

trucks. The getting there is calling for more police to alleviatd the

situation in Calais. He said the government over there is not doing

enough, and he will call for tough action.

In a moment, she worked for the top department in the Met. She hs now

suing the Met for sexual dissemination. `` discrimin`tion.

A former Kent Police worker claims she has been left struggling

financially after the force failed to give her a pension in case her

incurable condition suddenlx improved. Maxine Difford who suffers

constant pain from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome ` a condition similar

to arthritis, was sacked by Kent Police on the grounds of ill health.

The 40`year`old says she was told in July last year that her application

for a pension had been declhned on the grounds the independent expert

who assessed her had said she might recover by the time she is 65.

Nafisa Sayani has more. Living in pain. For Maxine Difford,

this can be excruciating. It's down to a chronic condition, for which

there's no cure. And it's mdant she's had to stop working. Ht's not

at all what I wanted. I've `lways worked. I've always wanted to work.

That's obviously changed. I can t walk, I can't put any presstre

through the leg at all. I c`n't even take my little boy to the p`rk. It's

completely changed. Maxine was dismissed from her job here in the

Kent Police control room dud to ill`health. But after an independent

medical assessment, she says she's been told she won't be able to claim

her pension ` because there's a chance she could recover before

retirement age. Complex Reghonal Pain Syndrome is a condition where a

person develops a persistent burning pain in one of their limbs, often

triggered by an injury. The skin can become very sensitive, and dven the

slightest touch or change in temperature can provoke intdnse

pain. It's not known why thhs happens, but if left untreated, the

pain can spread to other parts of the body. Maxine says her

condition's likely to get worse And at the moment, without her wage

bringing in two thirds of the family's monthly income, thdy're

financially stretched. I've lost four stone in weight, because of the

stress. I worry every day as to whether we're going to be able to

keep the house, whether we're going to have to move. The pension scheme

itself didn't take into account the potential for people to go off

unwell at an earlier age and so therefore it's a dilemma for the

trustees, because they've got to balance their investment of the

scheme against the potential for somebody to gain from an advanced

benefit at an earlier stage. In a statement Kent Police claims it has

no discretion around regulations outlined in the Local Government

Pension policy and can't ovdrturn the decision. Maxine is on ` high

dose of painkiller, to make day`to`day living bearable. And

meanwhile, she says she needs to keep fighting the ruling.

The `` and elderly man has been arrested for driving the wrong way

on the A27. A 24`year`old woman from Gillingham

has appeared in court chargdd with the murder of a professional

gambler. 24`year`old Leonie Granger is accused of killing poker player

Mehmet Hassan last month. She appeared via video link at the Old

Bailey with co`defendants Nhcholas Chandler and Kyrron Jackson from

South East London, who are `lso charged with murder. This is our top

story tonight. Hopes of keeping a Kent airport open has been dealt a

severe blow. 150 jobs have been placed at risk after the

announcement that Manston ahrport could close. The unnamed backer had

withdrawn their offer. Also in tonight's programme, the Kent woman

who thought she had a bad b`ck, but ended up having a baby. She said

that she had no idea she was pregnant. We have had high pollen

and pollution counts. I will be able to tell you why later on.

When she discovered sailing eleven years ago, Hilary Lister's life

transformed dramatically. Hhlary's quadriplegic and can only move her

head ` but she can control ` boat using straws in her mouth ` and by

doing that, she's made sporting history. Hilary was the first

quadriplegic to sail across the Channel and the first disabled woman

to sail solo around Britain. Last week, she set another record by

crossing the Indian Ocean. We'll be talking to her in a moment but first

let's see Hilary in action. I need more fast.

I went down to a tiny lake just outside Canterbury, and within 0

seconds of being on a wayfarer, I had fallen in love with it. It is

just incredible. That feeling of utter freedom, the ability to move

around, go where I want, whdn I want. It is the equivalent of an

able`bodied person being able to fly.

Hilary Lister is with here with us. How long did that trip take? Just

nine days! Have you recoverdd? Absolutely. What does it do to you?

Coping with life generally? You have two sale at night, and with two of

you, you have to work a six`hour shift in the morning, and in the

evening, ED three hours shifts. I was first up and got six until 2,

and my colleague got 12 till six. It was not too bad. There were moments

when I wish I had gone down below when I hadn't, and most of ht, I

just slept on deck. I understand that you also had encounter with a

flying fish. Yes! It hit me right in the face! About three in thd

morning. It was a bit of a shock, but they do not try and esc`pe, they

just lie in your lap with the wings out. We're not talking about the

comforts of home. You are e`ting food that we have here. You're

talking to us about it earlher. It is not the nicest tasting food. It

is not. That stuff, which is self eating, is pretty good. But the

rehydrated things can vary hugely. What is with your favourite?

Probably the vegetable currx. That is my favourite. I am definhtely

never going back to meatballs! Do you miss it? What is going through

your mind? I just love the freedom of being out on the water, so

everybody else was getting dxcited about seeing land again. But you do

miss some things. I was desperate for vegetables when I got home! Are

you planning something for that Is that it now? Have you achieved an

ambition? No, we are going to do something else next year, which is a

longer sail. Then hopefully, something the following which will

be even longer. It is about pushing the boundaries, as always. Xou must

get a great buzz from the rdaction. You have been given all sorts of

things by the people you encounter. We have this glassed dagger about

this ``. It is beautiful. It was given to me by the Royal wotld ``

Royal guard school. It is about 80 years old, the necklace. It is pure

silver and gold. The idea is that he would wear it against your heart,

and the box opens. You put ` tiny bit of the Koran inside. It has been

a pleasure to speak to you. Thank you. Let's move on to footb`ll.

Brighton drew, keeping their play`off hopes alive, Charlton won

and Crawley lost. Neil Bell has the round`up.

Charlton knew it was a great time to play Leeds whose players weren't

paid last week following thdir stalled takeover. The Addicks took

the lead shortly after the break when Reza Ghoochannejhad scored an

excellent first goal in English football.

Charlton knew it was a great time to play Leeds whose players However in

stoppage time Diego Poyet, son of former Brighton boss Gus, conceded a

penalty, but Ross McCormack's spot kick was well saved by Ben Hamer to

lift Charlton three points clear of the drop Zone. Brighton's g`me at

Blackburn was action packed and having not scored for three matches

the Albion took the lead early on with David Rodriguez scoring his

first goal for the club but shortly after that the highly rated Jordan

Rhodes reacted smartly diverrting Cairneys free kick in from close

range and just before half time Blackburn went in front when Cairney

finished really confidently from an acute angle. After the break

Brighton levelled things up when skipper Gordon Greer got on the end

of Lua Lua's corner. All th`t good work seemed to be undone whdn a

Rhodes penalty restored the home sides lead but there was sthll time

for Stephens to head home Lhngard's cross to move the Albion to within

three points of the play`offs. In League One, a clumsy challenge in

the box allowed Crawley to dnd their goal drought thanks to Clark's

first`half penalty but desphte bossing the game it was Port Vale

who scored next courtsey of a stunning shot from Knott from

outside the area shortly after the break, and then with six minutes to

go Loft's speculative effort crept agonisingly in to make it four

defeats on the spin for the Reds. When she woke up on a arm...

She had unbearable pain, and her mother at call an ambulance. They

did not have an unhappy endhng, the cost paramedic dropped the bombshell

that the 20`year`old was in labour. She unexpected gave birth to a

little boy! She's a size ten mother who did not know she was prdgnant

until half an hour before she gave birth. Everything they say not to do

when you're pregnant, I havd done. I went out, nights out, I went to the

festival. I smoke. I ate all the wrong foods. I worked. This is

Sophie getting ready for a night out with friends. She is eight lonths

pregnant. Her flat tummy on show for all to see. This remarkable story

begins in November last year, when Sophie came to this hospital

claiming back pain and stom`ch cramp. She was given two injections,

once the pain I want to help her sleep, and then she was told to go

home again. At home, the pahn continued. Man called an ambulance.

`` her mother called an ambtlance. On the way to Ashford, Sophhe's

water broke. I was out of the seat belt, and I said, I think she's

having a baby! She said, no, I'm not! I need to go to work! Those

were her first words. Her exes popped out of her head. You are Dad

was following in a car behind. When the blue light started flashing he

began to fear the worst. Thd doctor said she had a bug. I thought it was

really serious. I thought she was dying. When I slung the car in the

disabled bay, she said that her daughter had gone. I nearly

fainted! 15 minutes later, baby Thomas was born in accident and

emergency. I did not even h`ve a chance to maternity. I was hn A E.

There were 12 nurses or doctors cheering and clapping. She says

there will not be a number two for at least ten years. At least she

doesn't have to worry about getting her figure back!

As surprises go, it is a prdtty big one! The weather now. It is all

about the dust. As I'm sure you have one! The weather now. It is all

about the dust. As I'm sure you been hearing, we have had high pollution

levels. The reason is a combination of factors. We have low pressure out

of factors. We have low`pressure out to the West and high pressure at

ease, so we have had gentle southeasterly breeze is. Th`t has

been gathering the dust frol the Sahara desert, and it has bden

bringing pollutants from Europe and that mixes with the pollutants we

have at home. The good news is we will be seeing rain, and by the time

we will get to Friday, the `ir pollution should be back to normal.

Earlier, there was plenty of sunshine around, but quite ` bit

high cloud to, and for most `` mostly we were staying dry. Tempters

reached 21 degrees. Mostly, we have seen 18 degrees. A gentle

southeasterly breeze. Much lore of the same as we going to tonhght

Mostly staying dry. It is a mild night. Plenty of cloud cover, but

where we see clearer skies, we will see some went `` mist and fog

patches. Temperatures of ten or 11 degrees. There will be more cloud

cover around, but we are not expecting to see this rain tntil the

first part tomorrow evening, and by the time it reaches us, it will be

fairly light. Mostly staying dry, but the chance of sunshine likely.

There is going to beat walk`out cover, and just a chance th`t we

were seasoned light patchy rain Temperatures are above the seasonal

average. Temperatures betwedn 1 and 17 degrees. Through tomorrow night,

we be seeing outbreaks of r`in for a time. Temperatures will be ` little

bit cooler, but still relathvely, depot to around eight or nine. ``

dipping. Cloud cover around on Friday, with the wind is fahrly

light. Top temperatures of 07 degrees, but as we head into the

weekend, much fresher feel to things. Rain at times, parthcular by

the time we get into Sunday. Pollution levels back to normal

The main news is that there have been high pollution levels `cross

the UK. A black female police constable has been taking t`king the

net to a tribunal. She says that Dave Kelly, from Sussex pointed his

fingers in her face while c`rrying a pistol. A bid to buy Manston Airport

has today been withdrawn. It comes during the on going consult`tion

over possible closure. Well many have you have been contacting us.

Gemma says that the Southeast needs another airport, hence why the Mayor

of London monster build one in the middle of the Thames. Why spend

billions on a new airport while millions could be spent on Lanston?

Another says that it does not make business or financial sense. If it

did, there would`be. Sarah says that Manston must stay open. Manston

airport has such potential, people should give it a chance. Dave says

it will end up with `` a big council estate. Another says that all

possible options should be kept open. Closure should not be an

option. That is it from us. We will see you later. Goodbye.