Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News At Six 20171215

Captain steve smith nears a ton as he leads the australian fightback on the second day of the vital third ashes test in perth. Good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. Relatives of the four children who died in a house fire in salford have said they dont know how they will be able to tell the childrens mother, who is in a medically induced coma and likely to remain that way for several weeks. 15 year old demi pearson, brandon, aged eight, lacey, aged seven, and three year old lia died following the fire on monday, which police are calling a targeted attack. The child rens grandfather says the family had been harrassed before and the police had been called on sunday night but left. The house was set alight a few hours later. Three people have been charged with murder. Judith moritz has been speaking to the family. This is the most harrowing of cases. Yes. Its impossible to some it up. I spent an hour this afternoon with the pearson family, with mike pearson, whose grandchildren have died, and whose daughter, michelle, is badly burned and fighting for her life in a coma, and with michelles brother and sister, chris and clare. The pain was obvious, looking at them, talking to them, but they said they wanted to do this interview because they want the public to understand the scale of what they have lost. They were running up and down the street, so happy that it was snowing. Brother and sister playing in the snow last week, brandon and Lacey Pearson were inseparable. Leo was the baby of the family. Everyone doted on her. She melted your heart. You could not have a serious face with that child. She brought so much happiness. Their teenage sister looked out for them all. She mothered them like they were her own. They were best friends. Four young lives, take. Their mother, michelle, is badly burned and in a coma. She does not know her children have died. How can i turn round and say they have gone . All her young ones, all her babies have gone. She will say, why have you brought me back . Wide into you just let me go . Why didnt you just let me go . This is the first time the family have spoken of their pain, their loss and the night they saw fire engulfing the house where the children and their mother were asleep. There are not words to describe what you see. You cant describe what you see. You cant describe what you see. You cant describe what you see. I remember going down the street and being surrounded by Police Officers, and screaming at them, screaming at them, calling them all sorts of names. You just wanted to go in and help, and you couldnt. Little lias life hung in the balance for two days. Her auntie comforted her. Life hung in the balance for two days. Herauntie comforted her. Did you speak to her . I spoke to her, i sang to her. That must have been so difficult. It broke me, it did. I did not want that little girl gone. The police say the house was targeted. The family say that michelle complained of being unsafe. She said she had actually been to the housing that week and begged them to move her to a safe house, or get her out of the area. Michelle has been unsafe in that property for months, and the police were aware of this, the council were aware of this. Im sorry to say this, but they have let her down and my sister and her kids would have a chance of survival if they did theirjobs properly. The family is broken, their pain is raw, and the loss is immeasurable. Judith moritz, bbc news, manchester. Eu leaders have agreed to move brexit talks on to the next phase, which will deal with the future relationship between britain and the eu once britain leaves. Theresa may has called it an important step on the road to a smooth and orderly brexit. But the president of the european council, donald tusk, has warned it will be dramatically difficult to reach a final deal by march 2019. Heres our political editor, laura kuenssberg. The men with the message. Part one is done. The European Union is ready to grant the Prime Ministers wish and move on. She was a tough, smart, polite and friendly negotiator. And so we were able to conclude that sufficient progress has been made. To get this far on brexit, there has been some conflict and a lot of compromise. What is needed to get to the end of the next phase, and is theresa mays goal of a full agreement by march 2019 realistic . Still realistic and, of course, dramatically difficult. The real negotiations on the second phase will start in march next year. I cannot say when these negotiations will be concluded. But i dont hope that i will have to have as Early Morning meeting with the british Prime Minister than the one i had last week. Hopefully, with fewer last minute trips to brussels in the middle of the night, the negotiations step up. It has been a slog to get this far, but their words this morning are part of our history now, the official end of the beginning of our departure from the European Union. Its taken time, but at last the governments negotiating team can crack on with initial talks about how we do business in future, and vitally the transition a couple of years after brexit itself. The uk and the eu have shown what can be achieved by commitment and perseverance on both sides. Im pleased that its been agreed we should make rapid progress on an implementation period, which will give certainty to businesses and individuals. The eus brokers believe the cabinet at home must bury their differences, though, to give a clearer picture of how they want the future to look, before getting a decent hearing. The divide within the conservative party is going to make it very difficult for us to negotiate a way through as a country. And theresa may, ultimately, has to be able to deliver for business here. Business need that certainty now. The 27 we are leaving behind dont agree with much of what the uk has already put on the table, especially during the transition period. They want the European Court to be in charge during that whole time, for the uk to accept any changes without a say, and for immigration to stay the same. This is a big junction. Phase two will be even tougher, she warned. We would like it to look as much like the current relationship as possible, but that wouldnt necessarily be the view of everyone. Its a marathon race. We have just finished the first mile. Given how far apart the two sides were, and the distance between the different wings of the tory party, the Prime Minister might feel entitled tonight to take a pause for breath, a moment to savour having reached this junction. But with clashes in the commons to come, in the cabinet, and contradictions between the European Union and the uk, still, she has little time or energy to waste on celebration. And to reach this point, not even halfway, shes already had to yield so much. Indeed, at times it felt like the Prime Minister simply might not make it even this far. It is a very long way still until the end of this whole journey. Laura kuenssberg, bbc news, brussels. So with the first phase of brexit talks finished whats on the table for the second round of negotiations . Chris morris from the bbcs Reality Check Team looks ahead to what the next phase of talks will be about. Nearly 18 months after the referendum, the eu and the uk are finally going to Start Talking about the future. Negotiations will focus initially on a transition period of roughly two years after brexit, with the aim of giving businesses extra certainty. This transition will take place under existing eu rules and regulations, where things mostly stay the same, except the uk no longer has a seat at the Decision Making table. For example, the eu says the uk will have to follow all eu rules and regulations, including new ones approved during the transition. Thejurisdiction of the European Court ofjustice will still apply in full, and Free Movement of people will continue, too. The eu says that means the uk staying in the Single Market and customs union. The British Government doesnt agree and says we will leave both of these on the 29th of march, 2019. It could become a dispute over a form of words, but politically it is important. So lots to negotiate, but time is short. If all goes to plan, more eu guidelines will be issued next march, allowing talks on the future relationship to start, on things like security, foreign policy, and of course, trade. The eu says formal trade negotiations cannot begin, legally, until after the uk has left in 2019. But by october next year there could be a paper setting out broad political ambitions for future trade, perhaps 50 pages long. Contrast that with the eus Free Trade Agreement with canada, a potentialfuture model, which is more than 1500 pages. The government wants to be more ambitious and finish trade talks as quickly as possible, but realistically, says the eu, they will continue long after brexit has actually happened. Chris morris, bbc news. The date of prince harry and Meghan Markles wedding has been announced. It will be on saturday 19th of may next year. The couple confirmed their engagement last month and said the ceremony will take place at windsor castle. 0ur royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell is at buckingham palace. So now we have a date. Yes, and it is a saturday, which is unusual but not unprecedented. There was a Royal Wedding on saturday in 1999. Part of the calculation will have been that because there is no bank holiday for the wedding, having it on bank holiday for the wedding, having itona bank holiday for the wedding, having it on a saturday will give people an opportunity to go to windsor and be pa rt opportunity to go to windsor and be part of the celebration. The other interesting thing about saturday the 19th of may is that it is the date of the fa cup final. William is president of the fa and would normally be at wembley. If he chooses to, he could still make it. Best man, or supporter to his brother at windsor in the morning, for a late kick off at wembley in the afternoon. Somehow, i think they will be too busy celebrating. The afternoon. Somehow, i think they will be too busy celebratinglj think so. Thank you. Ajudge has called for an inquiry after a University Student was cleared of rape because police failed to disclose evidence casting doubt on the case. 22 year old liam allan spent two years on bail, before his trial at Croydon Crown court was halted, when it was revealed his accuser had sent him thousands of text messages. Clive coleman has the story. The day after the case against him was dropped, liam allan is coming to terms with the end of a two year nightmare. I was relieved, notjust for myself, but for everyone whos been with me for every step of the way. And everyone it has impacted. It wasjust a huge, huge relief. You sort of get your life back. You dont realise that youve lost parts of your life until you have it completely done. The trial may be over, but the strain it caused remains vivid. Ill be honest, i did start to suffer from panic attacks, a couple of weeks before court, which is why i said it was probably my worst time. Because you just, you have to have your own reaction, panic attacks are an internal reaction that you cant help yourself. But it is to be expected, you cant not go through this and not panic and not fear and remain strong through the whole thing. It could bring the strongest person in the world to their knees. Liam went on trial charged with six rapes and six sexual assaults. His lawyers were repeatedly refused access to his alleged victims phone records. They were finally handed over at the start of the trial. 40,000 phone messages, included details which clearly suggested he was innocent. His trial at Croydon Crown court collapsed yesterday. She said she didnt like sex with him. Text messages to say she loves sex with him. There were rape fantasies, there was sex in the open air. This was a 12 count indictment. If the defence hadnt got that, that man would have been convicted, that man would have got 12 years, that man would have had his life trashed and on the Sexual Offences register for ever. It is a fundamental principle of our system that the prosecution must hand over any evidence that it holds that could help the person on trial. Lawyers tell me that liam allans experience is farfrom a one off and that theres a widespread problem. The metropolitan police are carrying out an urgent assessment the case. But for liam, sorry just wont do it. An apologyjust doesnt feel like enough. The length of time i faced, the fact that the person remains anonymous and i am everywhere and got dragged through hell for the last two years, apology doesnt even slightly cut it at all. Liams case adds to mounting concerns that the system for ensuring that those on trial receive all of the evidence that could help their defence, is failing far too often. Clive coleman, bbc news. The time is 6 16 pm. Our top story this evening the family of four children killed in a house fire speak of the pain of losing them. And still to come, will ryanairs offer to its pilots avert strike action in the run up to christmas . Coming up in sportsday on bbc news british number two aljaz bedene decides to switche his allegiance back to his native slovenia, finally admitting defeat in his battle with the International Tennis federation. Six months ago we brought you the story of ian shaw, who has learning disabilities, autism and epilepsy. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer and in january was sent home to die. But after watching our report, a psychiatrist got in touch suggesting ians case should be looked at again. It was and ian is now responding well to treatment. Charities say it raises questions about the care given to some people with learning disabilities, as our social Affairs Correspondent alison holt reports. September, and its an important moment in the shaw household. 34 year old ian will soon be on his way to hospital. Going out for a drive, ian, in the ambulance . Yeah, please. Ian has learning disabilities, autism, epilepsy and cant speak for himself. Morning, everyone. Hello. He also has testicular cancer. Hes being taken for his second round of chemotherapy, and thats a major change. Injanuary, his family was told he was terminally ill and had three months to live. He spent a long time in bed, especially when i thought there was no treatment and no cure, ijust thought. Just a waiting game, but now, its like there is hope. I first met ian back in april, because his family wanted others to understand how people with learning disabilities are too often failed by the system. None of us realised then the full extent of what that meant in his case. Turn the clock back to our report, broadcast injuly, and ian was clearly ill. Difficult for his parents, who believed his cancer should have been spotted sooner. Hed spent nine years in secure health units because of his challenging behaviour, and they felt hed been overmedicated and his health neglected. I was told there was no treatment. Because hed been there a long time and they couldnt treat it because it would be too much. It just wouldnt work, its gone too far. Watching that report was drjustin wilson, a psychiatrist who had researched Cancer Treatments in people with learning disabilities. Knowing that testicular cancer is one of the most treatable cancers that there is, i was surprised that a decision had been made not to provide treatment. I wanted to understand what that was about. We put him in touch with the family. He suggested getting a second opinion, which led to ian having chemo at the Royal Marsden hospital. My concern was that perhaps judgments are made about the quality of life that he has, because of his severe learning disabilities and because of the physical impact of how the cancer had spread. Im also clearly aware that providing Cancer Treatment for somebody with the problems that ian has is a real challenge, but my view is that those challenges can be overcome. Give me your hands. It is now november and another big day for ian. Hes being moved to a wheelchair because the doctors want him up and about. The cancer has affected his spine, so he cant walk, but hes doing really well. Do you like it, ian . After ten months stuck in a bed, hes had enough of people talking. Hes desperate to have a chair, isnt he . 0nce moving, he doesnt want to stop. The look on his face. Theres still a long way to go for ian, but the change is staggering since i first met him, and since his family was told there was no hope at the luton and Dunstable Hospital injanuary. In a statement the hospital says, a number of experts were consulted about ians case. It was agreed that mr shaw was too ill to undergo chemotherapy. It concludes his learning difficulties were not a factor in the decision to move to a Palliative Care pathway. First time in the chair . For ages. Hes over moon. Dr wilson and bernadette adams, the familys advocate, havent seen ian for a couple of months. Hello, how are you . I think we need to know that people with autism and learning disabilities have the same right as anyone else, and there and there doesnt need to be a barrier, we can make adjustments so that they get the right treatment, at the right time. Nhs england says its working to reduce the Health Inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities, but it didnt want to comment on ians case. The latest scan has shown that his is shrinking. His cancer is shrinking. Give us a kiss alison holt, bbc news. In california 8,000 firefighters are still battling a huge wildfire which has been burning for 11 days. The blaze has now destroyed an area larger than new york city and paris combined, and is on track to become the largest wildfire in the states history. A mounted Police Officer and a farrier working for the police who claimed liverpool fans burned a horse with cigarettes during the hillsborough disaster, will not face criminal charges. The former South Yorkshire police policeman and the civilian farrier were accused of making up the story. Both men were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police watchdog. Ryanair has agreed to recognise pilots unions for the first time, to try to avert strike action in the run up to christmas. Its urging its staff to call off industrial action which is planned for next wednesday. 0ur transport correspondent Richard Westcott is at stansted airport, and richard, the head of ryanair, michael 0leary reportedly once said hed rather cut off his own hand than recognise unions so this is a bit of a turnaround. Yes, he doesnt mince his words, the boss of rya nair, yes, he doesnt mince his words, the boss of ryanair, michael 0leary. I think it is a staggering turnaround, for someone who is always known as one of the real tough guys of the business world. For years, one of the real tough guys of the business world. Foryears, michael 0leary said he would not basically recognise unions, wont let pilots negotiate through unions. He was saying it only on tuesday when a press release came out from the company saying, we will not recognise unions. This morning out of the blue they basically did an about turn and said we have changed our mind, we will recognise unions under some circumstances. Why have they dot mac . They are facing industrial action from pilots, a strike in ireland and portugal next week. You may remember they have had problems with pilots before, ryanair. It wasnt long ago when i was standing right here telling you about the 20,000 flights they had to cancel all across the winter because they messed up their pilot roster. That affected 700,000 passengers, people who had to rebook flights or make other plans. So what about that strike next week on wednesday question that there is a bit of a twist tonight with that. The union has said that they are happy to call off the strike but they want to meet ryanair first. They are off the strike but they want to meet ryanairfirst. They are not off the strike but they want to meet ryanair first. They are not going to call off the strike until they can meet ryanairface call off the strike until they can meet ryanair face to face. Ryanair says it can only meet on wednesday, strike date, too late. At the moment neither side is moving. We will have to see how it plays out. As it stands at the moment, that strike in ireland next wednesday still going ahead. We shall see, richard at sta nsted, thank you. Cricket, and england failed to capitalise on centuries from Jonny Bairstow and davvid malan on the second day of the third ashes test against australia. They were bowled out for 403, after losing their last six wickets for just 35 runs. Australia, in reply, are 203 3. England need at least a draw to avoid losing the series, as andy swiss reports. The waca is traditionally where australian heroes are made, but would this be another day for english ones . Well, it seemed so at first, as dawid malan and Jonny Bairstow picked up their marathon partnership where theyd left. Bairstow completing a superb century. After his now infamous incident in a perth bar, he celebrated by head butting his helmet. England were enjoying themselves. But out of nowhere, guess what . Malan went to a brilliant catch by Peter Handscomb for 1110, and the rest crumbled in all too familiarfashion, losing their last six wickets in 48 mind boggling minutes. Theyjust made it to the 400 mark, but it should have been so much better. To be all out by lunchtime here wasnt exactly part of englands plan. That was some batting collapse, even by their standards, and australia are suddenly right back in this. So could englands bowlers repair the damage . Well, they made a decent start craig 0verton removing both openers, but further chances slipped through theirfingers. They were difficult ones, but they proved damaging. Usman khawaja made a half century by the time he was eventually trapped leg before, and there was no budging his skipper. Steve smith still there on 92. If only some of englands earlier batting had shown such stickability. You can look at it and say we let the position slip that ourjob on the position slip that ourjob on the comeback in the morning is a case of right, weve got the capabilities of taking five, six wickets in a session. Weve shown that previously so theres no reason why cant now. A day which belonged to australia, then, but a test which england cant afford to lose is still tantalisingly poised. Andy swiss, bbc news, perth. Time for a look at the weather. Heres darren bett. You said it will get a bit warmer but clearly nothing like australia . Goodness me, no. That would be nice. It would be unusual. It is going to ta ke it would be unusual. It is going to take a while to lift as temperatures this weekend. It is a cold winter sky we have across many areas at the moment. It will be colder tonight thanit moment. It will be colder tonight than it was last night. Still the northerly winds, they will ease down. Showers in Eastern England will retreat back to the coast. A few showers in wales on the south west, and some wetter weather coming into Northern Ireland later. For many away from these areas it will be dry, clear, frost developing widely in rural areas, down 2 50 6 in the north. Cold air to start the weekend but ushering in some warmer airas we change weekend but ushering in some warmer air as we change direction from a northerly to south westerly. But it ta kes northerly to south westerly. But it takes time. A cold start on saturday to stop showers and cloud across Northern Ireland and spilling over the irish sea into england and wales. Further east and north probably largely dry with some sunshine. Another cold day to come across scotland after that frosty start. Northern ireland a little bit mild but certainly more cloud around here. Some showers especially in the morning. Northern england, Eastern England, all the way to east anglia will be cold. It will be bright but it will be cold. The mild air doesnt reach here just yet. Somewhat milder in wales, perhaps north west england, south western parts of england but there will be cloud and some showers. Before it gets milder, it will get cold again tomorrow night across eastern areas but the more significant change probably comes during the second half of the weekend. The weather system moving from the north west, bringing a stronger south westerly wind for the rest of the day, bringing cloud and outbreaks of rain pushing across the uk but lifting temperatures to 9 10. Next the first half of next week at least we wont see much rain at all. It will be mild but that mildness comes with a good deal of cloud. Thank you. A reminder of our main story. The grandfather of four children who died in a suspected arson attack in salford said the family had been harassed before. Eu leaders have given the official go ahead for the brexit talks to proceed to the next stage. Thats all from the bbc news at six, so its goodbye from me, and on bbc one, we nowjoin the bbcs news teams where you are. Hello. This is bbc news. The headlines. Eu leaders meeting in brussels have agreed to move on to the second stage of brexit talks with the uk. This is an important step on the road to delivering the smooth and orderly brexit that people voted for injune of last orderly brexit that people voted for in june of last year. Ajudge has called for an inquiry into the collapse of a rape trial, after it emerged police did not reveal crucial evidence to the defence. Reveal crucial evidence it reveal crucial evidence kind of flips your whole life upside it kind of flips your whole life upside down i suppose is the best way to put it. Everything that you sort of build up for yourself, is can be torn away. Kensington palace says prince harry and megan markle will marry on may the 19th next year. In a moment, it will be time for sportsday. But first, a look at what else is coming up this evening on bbc news. After unions agree to talks with ryanair as the Airline Announces it will recognise them for the first time in its 32 year history, well ask Simon Caulder from the travel show to find out if this will avert potential strikes over the festive period. Well take a look at how seriously we should take a warning that russia could pose a threat to communications and internet cables that run under the sea. And the wait is nearly over for strictly fans but who will lift the glitterball tomorrow night . Well ask a tv critic if the first series without len goodman has been vintage sparkles. Thats all ahead on bbc news