28/04/2014 South Today

In South Today. Taken into custody ` and all the pupils to study there.

In South Today. Taken into custody ` naturalist Chris Packham is

questioned by Maltese police naturalist Chris Packham is

questioned by Maltese policd as he questioned by Maltese police as he

campaigns against a bird cull. And two of the best ` the Saints players

given the nod by their Premher given the nod by their Premher

League peers. Hello I'm Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today. In

tonight's programme: claims of a scandal as it's revealed th`t a

brand new school may need up to ?9 million pounds of public money for

repairs. Tributes to the Hampshire`based air crew who've

become the first British helicopter fatalities in Afghanistan. Taken

into custody ` naturalist Chris Packham is questioned by Maltese

police as he campaigns against a bird cull and two of the best ` the

Saints players given the nod by their Premier League peers. The most

difficult thing of all was when I had to help the vet. It was

heartbreaking. I'm not ashamed to heartbreaking. I'm not ashaled to

say I shed a tear. It's been branded a fiasco. Some parents say proposals

to spend millions of pounds fixing defects at a brand new school are

shocking. Cowes Enterprise College, which was funded with ?32 mhllion

which was funded with ?32 million pounds of Government money, opened

in September last year 12 months behind schedule. The main

contractors went into adminhstration and now the Isle of Wight council

says the cost of completing the project could be as high as ?9

million. Tonight a public meeting project could be as high as ?9

million. Tonight a public mdeting is million. Tonight a public meeting is

being held on the island to discuss the way forward. Briony Leyland

reports. The doors of Cowes Enterprise College opened to pupils

last September but the building they moved into is still far from

complete. The vision here w`s for moved into is still far frol

complete. The vision here was for a complete. The vision here was for a

model, flagship school with impeccable Green credentials.

Instead, a council report says the Instead, a council report s`ys the

roof leaks, there are ill`fitting doors and windows and mechanical and

electrical defects to be fixed. The council is in dispute with the main

contractor, which has gone hnto contractor, which has gone into

administration. It estimates it could cost up to ?9 million to

finish the job. From parents' points of view, they are wondering how it

could cost this much and still be could cost this much and sthll be

unfinished. They have had a lot of disruption and now this. It is

unbelievable really, the amount of money. It is obscene. In thd

unbelievable really, the amount of money. It is obscene. In the last

money. It is obscene. In thd last four years it has been a mess. And I

just want answers from somebody as to why and how on earth we have got

into this situation. The school project was commissioned by a

Conservative`run as administration at the council which was voted out

last year. One conservative, who has since taken up his seat, says the

since taken up his seat, saxs the project has been a disaster. I

cannot pretend this is other than the biggest procurement scandal in

local history, there is no getting away from it. We are going to spend

vast amounts of money to make this college safe and fit for purpose for

the students who want a good education here. There is no avoiding

that. Two council officers working on the project were suspenddd in

2012 but were later cleared of all wrongdoing. The Isle of Wight

Council says it is undeniable that the overall project has not

delivered on time, quality or cost and a new report says the ndw

and a new report says the new reasons are not straightforward The

reasons are not straightforward. The original vision for the college was

ambitious but not necessarily practical. The overall project

practical. The overall projdct management arrangements were

fragmented and the main contractor had little experience of thd type

fragmented and the main contractor had little experience of the type of

school built in hand. The current independent administration says more

investigations would be a distraction. It is focusing on how

to complete the project. How does a cash`strapped council like yours

afford this? We are faced whth cash`strapped council like xours

afford this? We are faced with a afford this? We are faced whth a

really challenging decision. We need to complete this project and on our

commitment is to the people of Cowes. You are absolutely correct.

Other projects on the Isle may not go forward this year becausd we

Other projects on the Isle lay not go forward this year because we have

go forward this year becausd we have inherited this situation from the

previous administration. An appeal to the Government for more funding

is the first step. In the mdeting tonight, there will be a chance for

tonight, there will be a ch`nce for the public, politicians and parents

to share their views about the way ahead. More details have been

ahead. More details have bedn emerging about the Hampshire`based

emerging about the Hampshird`based helicopter crew who lost their lives

helicopter crew who lost thdir lives in Afghanistan at the weekend. Their

station commander at RAF Odiham in Afghanistan at the weekend. Their

station commander at RAF Odhham has station commander at RAF Odiham has

described the RAF and army `viators described the RAF and army aviators

as being "capable and dedic`ted , as being "capable and dedicated",

and "men who will never be forgotten". The Lynx crash hn

Kandahar province was the first Kandahar province was the fhrst

fatal accident involving a UK fatal accident involving a TK

helicopter since the conflict began back in 2001. Steve Humphrex

back in 2001. Steve Humphrey reports. Since news of the

helicopter crash was released reports. Since news of the

helicopter crash was releasdd at the helicopter crash was releasdd at the

weekend, more and more people have been leaving flowers are the main

entrance to RAF Odiham near Basingstoke. Some heartfelt messages

have been left with the flowers. One down here says deepest symp`thy for

the loved ones who lost their men in Afghan. As a town and a nathon we

Afghan. As a town and a nation we are immensely proud of each of them.

Nearly 2000 people work at the Northampton airbase, it is to a

squadron of Army Lynx helicopters like the one crashed in

Afghanistan, as long as three squadrons. Despite the tragddy,

squadrons. Despite the tragedy, helicopters were flying agahn today.

helicopters were flying again today. But the mood both at the base and

down the road in the villagd of Odeon, remained sombre. There is

sadness in the village becatse it Odeon, remained sombre. There is

sadness in the village becatse it is a small community and the NN do come

and go, some stay here a long time and they are as local as we are. We

and they are as local as we are We are close to coming away. They are

doing their job it is very sad for the families. The Lynx helicopter

was on a routine flight when it crashed. There were two pilots on

board and a crew man. The passengers were intelligence specialists.

Captain Tom Clarke was one of the pilots. A married man from Wales, he

was described as a rising star. Warrant Officer Spencer Faulkner had

trained as a pilot. He was married with two children. Corporal James

Walters was the third member of the aircrew. He was married with a

daughter. Corporal Oliver Thomas was an Army intelligence specialist and

was a reservist from London. Also killed was Flight Lieutenant RAF

intelligence officer based at intelligence officer based at

Odiham. The investigation into the Lynx helicopter crashes continuing.

The Ministry of Defence says the initial indications are that the

tragedy was the result of a technical problem and not enemy

action. A man's been arrestdd technical problem and not enemy

action. A man's been arrested in action. A man's been arrestdd in

Berkshire on suspicion of attempted murder. It follows the stabbing of a

16`year`old boy at Saxby Close in Burghfield Common early yesterday

morning. A 21`year`old local man is in custody. Another man, from

Theale, has been questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Tonight the South of England will see one of the largest political

rallies in years, when UKIP is expected to pack 800 people into

Portsmouth's Guildhall. TV crews have come from all over Europe to

see the party leader Nigel Farage speaking on his home turf. But today

the Liberal Democrat leader of the city council warned that pulling out

of the European Union could cost local jobs. Our Political Editor

Peter Henley reports. The running Peter Henley reports. The running

orders for interviews in Nigel Farage could have been a roll call

for Eurovision. What might have once seemed a barmy idea, pulling out of

the EU, is now mainstream in many countries of Europe. Mr Farage was

mocked by the media on his `rrival at the Guildhall. He told me his

party expects to top people. It is looking like more than a protest

vote. If you ask why the voting for UKIP, it is true that they feel

pretty contemptuous of three pretty contemptuous of thred

political parties who have done a lot of things in this country that

asking people about their opinions. But they also a group with what we

stand for. Previously, Lib Dems picked up most foes in Portsmouth.

The council leader warned today that makes its money you would cost local

jobs. Hero" of the UK satellite industry, we have IBM. I thhnk their

fears are about the loss of jobs. UKIP introduced what they c`ll a

UKIP introduced what they call a people's army of candidates. They

are ahead in the polls, no hn commercial Road today many also

commercial Road today many `lso considering their options. He has

not come up with anything other than anti`immigration policies. On the

part of Europe. For exports and jobs. By the Fountain, the

Conservatives were struggling to find a spurt of interest in their

alternative. There's no doubt it is having an effect. We need to do

better over next month about getting our message out. The Conservatives

will be the only people to give you a referendum. Bowness this level of

interest is something UKIP could only dream about five years ago.

Then they had 12 MEPs across the UK, to hear in the south`east. But

since then quite a few have fallen by the wayside. UKIP say thdy are

more organised, but they do not want to seem too professional. A visit to

a pub store features on every agenda. The Green Party has launched

its campaign for May's local and European elections. The party's

leader, Natalie Bennett, sahd the leader, Natalie Bennett, said the

Greens were serious contenders with their largest number of candidates

standing to be local councillors. The party is also confident it can

increase its current tally of two MEPs. The party is putting tp a

candidate for every available UK seat.A vote for the Greens in this

seat.A vote for the Greens hn this election is a vote for an economy

that works for everyone, not just the richest. It is a vote for jobs

to build a life on and a cap on banker's bonuses, rather than a race

to the bottom on wages and tax breaks for the wealthiest. @

breaks for the wealthiest. A candidate for the Liberty GB party

has been arrested on suspicion of religious or racial harassmdnt after

making a speech about Islam. Paul Weston was detained in Winchester on

Saturday, when a member of the public complained to police. Mr

Weston had been quoting from public complained to police. Mr

Weston had been quoting from a book by Winston Churchill written in

1899. Police say the 50`year`old from Dorset also failed to comply

with a dispersal order. Mr Weston was later released on bail. One of

the candidates for the ten LEP the candidates for the ten LEP

places in the South East has been announced as a former television

presenter from the Netherlands. Laurence Stassen is standing for the

An Independence from Europe Party. The 43`year`old decided to get

involved because she feels her country and the UK are similar in

what they want to do. Still to come in this evening's South Today: last

minute heartbreak after an tnbeaten minute heartbreak after an unbeaten

season ` the Surrey Storm blows out. The BBC wildlife presenter Chris

Packham, who lives in the Ndw Packham, who lives in the New

Forest, has been talking about his questioning by police in Malta while

he was making a documentary about the killing of migratory birds on

the island. It followed complaints by a group of hunters that the

Springwatch presenter and his by a group of hunters that the

Springwatch presenter and his crew had trespassed and breached their

privacy when they began to film them. James Ingham reports.

Confronting the hunters head on. In Confronting the hunters head on. In

Malta, it is legal to shoot limited numbers of certain birds in the

spring. But it is a practicd numbers of certain birds in the

spring. But it is a practice Chris spring. But it is a practice Chris

Pack wants to stop. `` Chris Packham wants to stop. He says it is wiping

out populations of migrating birds. Listen. You can hear a robin, a

Wren. It is springtime, these foods are alive `` these woodlands are

alive. I did not hear a cuckoo last year for the first time in ly

alive. I did not hear a cuckoo last year for the first time in my life.

They are being shot in Malt` as we They are being shot in Malt` as we

speak. Chris was questioned by Maltese police after complaints from

the shooting lobby. He was released without charge and has continued his

campaign. He commented on a particular low point of his trip.

The worst point of all was when I had to help a vet euthanise a

Montagu's Harrier. They are national treasures when they are here. I

Montagu's Harrier. They are national treasures when they are herd. I help

this bird and looked into its size. It was beautiful. Valuable. I had to

hold it whilst this that put it down. It was heartbreaking. I shed a

tear. Maltese authorities do not deny that illegal shooting is

deny that illegal shooting hs happening but they insist it is

being controlled better than ever before. The situation has ilproved

before. The situation has improved dramatically over the last few

years. We have the highest ratio of deployment of enforcement pdrsonnel

deployment of enforcement personnel per square kilometre of countryside

in Europe. Chris Packham relains in Europe. Chris Packham remains

unconvinced. He is working with MEPs to put pressure on the island to end

what he calls its massacre on migration.

The trial of a Weymouth councillor accused of several sexual offences

against a child has begun. Ryan Hope, who's 22, was a Liberal

Hope, who's 22, was a Liber`l Democrat councillor in the Dorset

town. He's currently an inddpendent. He denies all the charges. Ed Sherry

was in Bournemouth Crown Court. The trial began here Bournelouth

Crown Court earlier this morning. Ryan Hope arrived wearing sunglasses

Ryan Hope arrived wearing stnglasses to face nine charges, including

those of rape and sexual assault against a child aged under 30. The

alleged incident took race between 2004 and 2011, when the victim was

aged between nine and 16. The alleged victim said how he would

come to his room at night before come to his room at night before

taking him to another part of the house where he was made to watch

pornography and the assaults took place. He said to him, get off me,

leave me alone. The court hdard of leave me alone. The court heard of

another incident where the victim was driven to a promoter area

was driven to a promoter arda between Weymouth and another town.

The prosecution told the cotrt that The prosecution told the court that

the alleged that did not colplain the alleged that did not complain

about the incident at the thme because she was scared his mother

would not believe him. He also said he thought people would think you

were stupid and he was concdrned about Ryan Hope's position as a

councillor. Ryan Hope denies all the charges against him. The case is

expected to last until next week. Police in Sussex are making a fresh

appeal on the BBC's Crimewatch programme for information about the

suspected murder of a woman in West Sussex. The body of Valerie Graves

was found at a property in Bosham in December. She had been housd

was found at a property in Bosham in December. She had been house sitting

over the Christmas period. One person arrested on suspicion of her

murder was released last month. No`one has been charged. A little

earlier, I spoke to Detective Superintendent Nick May of Sussex

Police and began by asking him what the thrust of the appeal would

Police and began by asking him what the thrust of the appeal wotld be

tonight. What we are appealing for tonight is

that we have found a hammer that was responsible for was involved in the

murder of Valerie Graves. What we're looking for his assistance from

numbers of the public who m`y have numbers of the public who may have

lost or had stolen a hammer immediately before the 29th of

December. It is very distinctive, it is black and red and can be brought

widely `` board widely via Screwfix. Where is the investigation at the

Where is the investigation `t the moment? I still have a large team of

detectives working on the investigation. We are working

closely with the family. We have taken a huge number of statdments,

spoken to a large number of witnesses and people living in the

area. We are making good progress. What I am looking for tonight is

some specific help around the hammer and some specific help around people

who have suspicions about someone they know. Something more on that

last part, be want help on the hammer. You have explained that

What else are you looking for this evening? We believe that the

What else are you looking for this evening? We believe that thd person

evening? We believe that the person who was responsible for the murder

of Valerie Graves is likely to have a history of violence and we are

looking for help from members of the public who may know that person or

may know a person that they suspect, either in a personal capacity for in

a professional capacity. We are looking for them to come forward to

us tonight in order for us to help Valerie's family. Thank you for

joining us. And you can see that appeal on Crimewatch, which begins

at 9pm tonight on BBC One. Onto sport. Tony is here with us.

The Saints. The plaudits kedp coming. They have had no concrete

offers for two of their players. offers for two of their plaxers

there is pressure to keep players like that. Fingers crossed that they

can keep them. Southampton's Adam Lallana and Luke

Southampton's Adam Lallana `nd Luke Shaw have both been named in the

Premier League team of the xear The pair become the first Saints players

to be named in the team, whhch pair become the first Saints players

to be named in the team, which is chosen by fellow profession`ls,

chosen by fellow professionals, since Wayne Bridge 12 years ago

Meanwhile, both helped saints to a 2`0 win over Everton on Saturday.

Two own goals proved the difference. It means the club has now equalled

its highest`ever Premier Le`gue points tally of 52. Those fans

its highest`ever Premier League points tally of 52. Those f`ns are

points tally of 52. Those fans are happy.

Let's see how our other teals got on in the Football League.

Reading moved up to fifth place in the Championship after coming from

behind to win at Doncaster. A penalty from Adam Le Fondre and two

late goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak mean the Royals now control their

destiny. If Reading beat already`promoted Burnley thhs

Saturday, they will be in the play`offs. If they don't, Nhgel

Adkins' team will be reliant on other results to see whether they

can claim a top`six finish. Bournemouth will record their

Bournemouth will record thehr best`ever league finish this season,

the Cherries guaranteed at least 11th place after beating Nottingham

Forest, although other results mean they now cannot make the play`offs.

they now cannot make the pl`y`offs. Yann Kermorgant and Lewis Grabban

scored twice, as Bournemouth ended a run of three without a win.

Kermorgant has scored nine goals since joining in January. Grabban

has 22 to his name this season. After five straight wins, Portsmouth

showed how united they have become under Andy Awford. They camd

showed how united they have become under Andy Awford. They came from

under Andy Awford. They camd from 3`0 down to draw at Bury. Danny

Holland started the Pompey fight back. Ryan Taylor then made it 3`2.

Even though Bury scored a fourth, Portsmouth earned a point whth

Even though Bury scored a fourth, Portsmouth earned a point with two

late goals. Sonny Bradley m`de it 4`3. Then there would still be time

for Wes Fogden to claim a dramatic stoppage time equaliser aftdr

for Wes Fogden to claim a dramatic stoppage time equaliser after a

goal`line scramble. Portsmotth have goal`line scramble. Portsmotth have

gone up into the top half of League Two now. What an improvement on a

month ago. They are safe and looking to the future.

The race for the final play`off places in the Championship is really

hotting up. Both Reading in fifth and Brighton in seventh will be

hoping Wigan drop points whdn they play away at Birmingham tomorrow.

Just one point now separating all three teams as we head into the

final week of the league season. final week of the league season.

In cricket, Hampshire batsm`n final week of the league se`son

In cricket, Hampshire batsman James In cricket, Hampshire batsm`n James

Vince continues to stake his claim for an England call`up, with another

century. With day two largely affected by the rain, Vince still

managed to move on to 118 not out. Hampshire ended on 289 for three as

they aim to maintain their unbeaten they aim to maintain their unbeaten

start to the season. The rahn is start to the season. The rain is

affecting the early stages of the cricket season. In Division One,

affecting the early stages of the cricket season. In Division One at

cricket season. In Division One, at Hove, Somerset posted a first

innings score of 372 against Sussex. Marcus Trescothick with a century

and Chris Jordan taking fivd and Chris Jordan taking fivd

wickets. Surrey were 25 for one at the close.

Surrey Storm lost Netball's Superleague title in heartbreaking

fashion, losing out to Manchester Thunder in the last few seconds.

Thunder in the last few seconds Storm were favourites to claim the

Storm were favourites to cl`im the silverware after an impressive

unbeaten season and were ahdad silverware after an impresshve

unbeaten season and were ahead with unbeaten season and were ahdad with

under a minute to go. But, `fter drawing level, Helen Housby then won

it for Thunder, the ball dropping in as the clock struck zero, leaving

Storm no time to respond. 48`48 the final score. A great disappointment

there stop but they have had a great season.

A broken finger proved no problem for Hayling Island's Eilidh McIntyre

as she and Weymouth's Sophid Weguelin won a silver medal at the

Sailing World Cup. McIntyre was competing only a week after having a

pin removed following a training pin removed following a training

accident. The pair won silvdr pin removed following a trahning

accident. The pair won silver in pin removed following a training

accident. The pair won silvdr in the accident. The pair won silver in the

470 class on the final day of the event in France.

Dorset's Olympic show`jumper, William Fox`Pitt, won the first

major of the year in Kentucky, his third title there in five ydars

third title there in five years. Riding Bay My Hero, the Sturminster

Newton based eventer HAD to jump the final phase clear to win. And he did

just that ` Fox`Pitt, nickn`med Mr Cool, left the fences untouched to

take the title. We mentioned Late Kick Off. That is tonight at 11:30pm

Kick Off. That is tonight at 11 30pm on BBC One. The... Will be with us

as a guest. Fans will be interested to hear what he has to say about the

to hear what he has to say `bout the class of 2014. We will have his

thoughts on that as well from 11:30pm tonight for online play.

thoughts on that as well from 11:30pm tonight for online play ``

11:30pm tonight for online play. `` or on iPlayer. If you got ott at the

right time, you might get some sunshine. But it was pouring down.

You are talking about the cricket being put off yet again. We have the

same scenario. The showers might not same scenario. The showers might not

be quite so heavy. It is quhte muddy be quite so heavy. It is quhte muddy

as well. `` humid.

Let us take a look at the pictures. Let us take a look at the phctures.

Nick Lucas captured tulips in the rain in his garden in Ashlex Heath

in Dorset. Hilary Davison took this photo of

the bluebells at Stansted House in Hampshire.

And a wet walk for Cheryl Horton and her dog at Emer Bog near Rolsey

her dog at Emer Bog near Romsey. We are expected in a fume or

showers, even some thunderstorms, this evening. They will fadd away.

this evening. They will fade away. This week, we look at heavy rain at

times thunder and lightning. There is some sunshine but colder by

Friday with a northerly wind setting in for the bank holiday weekend.

in for the bank holiday weekend We're looking at some more rain

tonight initially, then patchy mist and fog will develop in the early

hours of the morning. That will reduce visibility on the road.

hours of the morning. That will reduce visibility on the ro`d. A few

reduce visibility on the road. A few storms lifting in from the

south`east but once mist and fog forms, the showers will fade away.

forms, the showers will fadd away. Temperatures dropped to around

Temperatures dropped to arotnd between 7`10d. A muddy start to

tomorrow. That mist and fog will lift. We will see a few showers

triggered by the sunshine and we will see the cloud break in places.

There is the risk of thunderstorms. They are rolling in for supper most

areas. The dry conditions are further north, with highs of 15,

potentially up to 17 Celsius. Today, we saw a high of 17 degrees.

Tomorrow night will be much like tonight, the showers will fade away.

Some mist and fog again. More dense than tonight, with temperattres

than tonight, with temperatures between seven and nine Celshus.

than tonight, with temperattres between seven and nine Celsius. The

between seven and nine Celshus. The winds are like, which is why that

mist and fog is forming with the moisture in the air. We start

Wednesday on a dry note. We are respecting further showers. They

could be heavy and thundery. Wednesday night, we see another

weather feature pushing in. They will join together. A messy day on

Thursday. Low pressure is in charge. By Friday, high pressure st`rts to

By Friday, high pressure starts to build in. At the moment, thd weekend

is looking fairly settled. Stay tuned because things can change.

is looking fairly settled. Stay tuned because things can ch`nge We

tuned because things can change. We are looking at some rain tolorrow,

are looking at some rain tomorrow, heavy and thundery in places was the

bounds of showers most together to longer spells of showers. Further

sunshine and showers on Wednesday. A similar scenario on Thursday. By

Friday, the cold air arrives. Thank you. Tomorrow, we have

Friday, the cold air arrives. Thank you. Tomorrow, we havd orange

men, and something is. That is an old in this tradition. I have no

idea what that is about. Good night.