20/04/2017 South East Today

That's it from us. They will be continuing coverage throughout the

night Today's main headlines

in the South East... Mr Farage won't stand

in the general election. We're live in Ramsgate

with the details. And the footage released

by a desperate mother who can't cope She says they're being let

down by the system. And it was a frosty start for some

of us, but more clout is building. We learnt tonight that

Nigel Farage won't be standing The South East MEP and former Ukip

leader had suggested he might stand again as a candidate

in the South Thanet constituency - a seat he failed

to win two years ago. He now says won't try to become

a Member of Parliament anywhere - he's going to focus on his role

in Europe instead. Jessica Banham's report contains

some flashing images. It is scenes like these

that we will not be seening When Nigel Farage stood

in South Thanet two years ago, the constituency came under

the spotlight during Tonight on his radio show,

he explained why he would rather focus on his role as an MEP

this time round. I have done it because I genuinely

think I can do more for Brexit leading a group

in the European Parliament than I can as a backbench

MP who probably would Mr Farage has failed to get elected

to Parliament seven times. His first attempt was

in 1994 when he stood It was in 2001 that he was

a candidate for the first time in the South East,

in Bebexhill and Battle. On his second attempt

in South Thanet in 2015, he narrowly lost to the Conservative,

Craig McKinley. Farage made a difference

in the South Thanet last time, and certainly his name recognition

allowed Ukip to run the Tories I think it is going to be

a much more difficult seat for Ukip this time round,

and I think the Conservatives will certainly be much

happier this evening. Mr Farage says he will continue

to support his Ukip colleagues, but the party will now need

to decide who will wear its colours Jessica Banham, BBC

South East Today. Chrissie Reidy is in

Ramsgate for us now. So, what's the reaction

there, Chrissie? Just a few moments ago, one person

here said they think Nigel Farage is far more effective outside

Westminster than in. Others have said they think it is the right

decision. If you does not want to stand, it is wise that he is not

here. But I have to do say that if he had, Ukip would have had a good

chance of winning. I am not surprised at all. I think he has run

his course. I think he thinks so as well. He what he wanted to do was

get the Brexit vote, which he got. Of course, he may not have won here

two years ago, but his presence is guaranteed massive courage. Early

this evening, we spoke to the format you keep -- Ukip leader. It was

right for Nigel Farage to focus on Brussels, he said. Probably worth

mentioning that Nigel Farage will be visiting Thanet, but we understand

it is due early for a social event. Thank you, Chrissie.

The mother of an 11-year-old boy with violent behavioural problems

says her family is in crisis, after his school said

he is too disruptive, and must be taught at home instead.

Holly Batten, from Sedlescombe, says she's desperate for help

with her son Rupert who has Asperger's syndrome.

The family have given us video footage of him when he loses control

to explain how difficult it is for them to cope.

Our education correspondent Bryony Mackenzie has

Rupert's mother Holly has released this footage to show how

children with Asperger's can become anxious and physically violent.

Rupert ended up right on the top gable of the roof and we had

to call the fire brigade round to help him down.

He just had a really bad experience where he was really,

Rupert's behaviour, as a result of his Asperger's,

means he is now not allowed back to his special needs school.

Despite East Sussex County Council funding ?40,000 for his place there,

he is now being offered minimal home tuition.

I do not believe that one hour a day at home is a suitable

Rupert needs to be in a provision that can meet his needs,

and just having one teacher turn up for an hour a day is

The hurry urges get out of control and become monsters in our minds.

Highly intelligent, Rupert himself is aware of his own challenges.

I do not know why, I just felt different.

So you would like to go to a school where you feel happy?

The family want Rupert taken off the school roll and a place,

instead, funded at a school in Hampshire, but it

East Sussex County Council says they always consider a parent's

preferred option for their child, but have to consider how this can be

achieved with efficient use of taxpayers' money.

They say they are consulting with other education providers.

Lots of parents out there are struggling,

and what we are seeing is a lack of provision locally to deal

with the full spectrum of needs that comes with autism.

Tonight, the school says they will give Rupert

2.5-hours-a-day tutoring at home and help find a permanent solution.

We are a family in crisis, definitely.

And at the end of the day, Rupert is the child stuck

in the middle at home with no education.

Bryony Mackenzie, BBC South East Today, Sedlescombe.

The number of rapes reported to Kent and Sussex Police forces last

year have nearly tripled in the last four years.

Figures show that in 2012, just under 1000 reports of rapes

Last year, that number shot up to nearly 25000,

The Kent Police and Crime Commissioner says he still wants

to encourage people to report the crime.

It is a very gruelling process that can take well over a year,

sometimes two years, to get from reporting

through to court, and sometimes, because of that, victims choose not

But my concern is that people are aware that they can come

Brighton and Hove Albion's promotion to the Premier League will be

celebrated with an open-top bus tour through the city.

The council has announced it will take place

The Seagulls' achievement caps a remarkable turnaround

for the club, which almost went out of business 20 years ago

and spent more than a decade without its own ground.

Scenes at the Amex this week when the Seagulls booked their place

Now heads have cleared, the party will soon begin again,

because Brighton and Hove Albion are being honoured with an open-top

It is the tradition for teams winning trophies or getting

promoted, and hopefully the Albion will have the Championship Trophy

to show off, one more win to win the title.

Playing in what is arguably the world's biggest domestic

football competition will bring a cash windfall of around

In Brighton and Hove, people are delighted

the players are being honoured on and off the pitch.

It is wonderful they have been promoted, and I am glad the city

These were the scenes in Brighton when the team won promotion

This was the reception in 2004, and the crowds were just

as big seven years later following promotion

One person who will definitely be at the parade will be Dot Purvis,

who has followed the Albion right around the country.

Yeah, nobody wanted to come, so I went.

At today's press conference at Lancing, I asked Chris Hughton

if he had walked through the city of Brighton since Monday.

My normal routines are very much training ground based and home -

But at some stage I will, but I am very conscious

of the excitement out there and what it means to the city.

So, Chris Hughton and his players will get their chance to say thank

you to the city of Brighton, and the best bit is you have

You have the national weather in a moment. Now for the local weather.

It was very chilly today. But tonight, we are going to see more

cloud around and as that builds, we will see temperatures held up. It

will not be as cold night, and we may see light and scattered showers.

Friday morning, we are looking at eight, nine Celsius. A touch my

older around the coast. Temperatures may stay in double figures. There

will be a fair amount of cloud, but we may see bright spells coming and

going, small chance of an afternoon going, small chance of an afternoon

shower, but most places will miss them and stay dry. Lighter winds

today, so temperatures should reach 14 Celsius, so it should feel

milder. A week weather front is moving its way down and it may bring

more overcast skies on Saturday with patchy and light rain, but for many

places, we would like more than that. It will not be very

significant, it will come and go. Plenty of cloud to the day. Called

north-easterly breeze. To the evening, some will finish on a

brighter note. The clear skies are because our high pressure is

building in, and on Sunday, we will have another school -- cold start to

the day. Take a look at the forecast and the outlook coming you can see

it week for much of the UK and for more

about that and the UK outlook, Helen Willetts.

The sunshine make such a difference this time of year, only 12 or so

degrees under the cloud today but 19 in eastern Scotland not far away

from St Andrews. Also in north-east England, where we had the majority

of the decent sunshine. Even under cloud it was