Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC 20240704

Of the israel gaza war. Iam in i am in North Yorkshire, where police say they were staggered to find an 11 year old boy behind the wheel of a car towing a suspected stolen caravan. And get me to the train on time one couples rather unusual wedding day. And coming up in sportsday later in the hour on bbc news. It could be a championship Winning Weekend for unbeaten ireland. We will be at twickenham ahead of their six nations match against england. Good evening. His actions cost more lives than they saved thats the conclusion of a report into a british spy who operated at the highest levels of the ira during Northern Irelands troubles. Violent conflict lasted for 30 years between loyalists, who wanted to remain part of the uk, and republicans, who wanted a united ireland. The ira killed people suspected of Leaking Secrets to the security forces. The troubles ended with the good friday agreement in 1998. Todays report is about Freddie Scappaticci codenamed Stakeknife Who worked inside an ira unit tasked with identifying british agents, like he was. He was reputed to have prevented hundreds of deaths, but todays findings put the figure far lower and link him to the murder of at least 14 people. Mr scappaticci, who died last year, always denied he was stakeknife. Our correspondent sara girvin is in belfast tonight. Sara. Well, for decades, the agent known as stakeknife was described as the golden egg of army intelligence, but today the Operation Kenova Report said that claim was based in fable and fairy tales and that actually he cost more lives than he saved. The report also found that state forces at times failed to prevent murder in an attempt to protect their agents within the ira. Dont take any more photos of this house, im telling you now because if you, ill come out and ill do you this is Freddie Scappaticci. His double life personified the so called dirty war between the ira and the British State during the troubles in Northern Ireland. He was the iras chief interrogator, tasked with identifying informers inside the group. That role that saw him linked to numerous murders. But, incredibly, he himself was a british agent, codename stakeknife. Findings from an interim report into his actions were revealed today. Claims that he was responsible for saving countless or hundreds of lives are hugely exaggerated. Most importantly, these claims belie the fact that stakeknife was himself involved in very serious and wholly unjustifiable criminality whilst operating as an agent including murders. 32 people were considered for prosecution in connection with the agent stakeknife case, but no charges have been brought due to whats described as insufficient evidence. That decision has caused frustration. Freddie scappaticci should have been prosecuted for offences, and he was not prosecuted. And in my view, that is something that for ever victims, certain victims, will be regretful about. Todays report had ten recommendations. Two called for apologies to be made, from the government for failing to stop preventable deaths and from the Republican Leadership for the iras abduction, torture and murder of those it suspected of being informers. Sinn fein was the political wing of the ira throughout the troubles. I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict, without exception. Regrettably, the past cannot be changed or cannot be undone. Neither can the suffering, the hurt or the Political Violence of conflict be disowned by republicans or indeed by any other party to the conflict. The Northern Ireland secretary, chris heaton harris, said it wouldnt be right for the government to comment at this time. Families whose loved ones were murdered by the ira because they were suspected informers didnt want to appear on camera. A Solicitor Acting for several of them explained why. The stigma for the tout or informant runs very deep in irish history. That stigma extends to the next of kin and the next generation. Indeed, if proof were needed of that, we need only look around this room today. There arent any families. Questions around State Involvement in troubles deaths have haunted the government for decades. Operation kenova investigated one of the murkiest periods of time in Northern Irelands history, but its a time that may never truly see the light. Sara girvin, bbc news. The Police Officer accused of shooting dead chris kaba in streatham in south london has been named publicly. Martyn blake has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 24 year old following a police stop of the car he was driving in september 2022. Our Home Affairs Correspondent tom symonds has this report. In september 2022, a car driven by a 24 year old man was followed and surrounded by police vehicles. Seconds later, a shot was fired. Chris kaba, at the wheel, was hit in the head and killed. As is normal, the Police Watchdog began investigating, and then a Firearms Officer involved in the incident was charged with murder. Hes appeared in court several times but has never been named until today. Martyn blake, a ao Year Old Police Firearms Officer, stood in the dock and confirmed the name that has until now been restricted information. He entered a plea of not guilty to murder. Thejudge has previously considered intelligence suggesting a threat to the offices safety, but he decided that publishing his name was justified. Chris kabas family were at court today. A Statement Read by a campaigner whos supporting them. In any other murder trial, the accused be publicly named. This case should be no different. In 2005, police followed, stopped and shot dead another man in london, azelle rodney. A Police Officer was also charged with murder, also named in court, but eventually cleared. But since then, attitudes have hardened among Police Officers who volunteer for this sort of training and to carry guns. There are some very, very good, honest, High Integrity Police Officers out there who do not feel they are getting the backing, who are being hung out to dry by the system, whoever that system is, and theyve had enough. The money is not good enough, its not worth the risk, for their families or themselves, and a lot of them are just getting out, and they cant wait. The risk of the police running short of armed officers is real, and the government is currently reviewing the accountability they face on the extremely rare occasions when they have to pull the trigger. Martyn blake, who is on bail, will go on trial this october. Tom symonds, bbc news, the old bailey. Coroners in england and wales wrote more than a hundred warnings to Health Bodies and the government last year linked to pressures on the nhs. These letters are written when a coroner believes action is needed to protect lives twice as many warnings were issued last year as before the pandemic, bbc research shows. They highlighted issues including long Waiting Times and staff shortages. Our Health Correspondent jim reed has the details. The only way to describe it, ive worked in elderly care since i was 16, i know what a heart attack looks like. Just over a year ago, karens husband was taken to hospital with chest pains. Sean had to wait, first in Doncaster A E and then for three hours for an ambulance to transfer him to sheffield. He died that same day. My exact words were to the coroner, i could have got him there faster in the car. And she said, well, no, cos he needed an ambulance. Well, if he needed the ambulance, why wasnt the ambulance there . I got him to the hospital in time. After his inquest, nhs West Yorkshire icb said it was investing in more ambulances and more staff. Seans case later became the subject of a prevention of future death report. These are effectively warning letters sent by a coroner to the government or the Health Authorities after an inquest to try to prevent a similar death in the future. We identified more than 100 written last year which referred to a long wait for nhs treatment, a shortage of staff, or a lack of nhs resources. Thats double the number compared to the two years before the pandemic and includes the case of william gray, who died in 2021 after an asthma attack. At his inquest, the coroner warned about low Staffing Levels in the childrens Asthma Service in south east essex. To leave a parentjust with no help or support is just. Its very hard, having to do that all by yourself and panicking. I dont think no mother should be left feeling that way. You know, when youve watched your child stop breathing and having to give them, you know, cpr at home, its just not good enough. Since his death, williams nhs trust said it has recruited three more asthma nurses. These documents all Paint A Picture of lives lost and chances missed as the Health Service has come under growing pressure. The government says it learns from all of these reports and cutting Waiting Times is one of its top priorities. Jim reed, bbc news. President biden has said donald trump represents the biggest threat to the american peoples freedom since the 19th century. In his last state of the Union Address before novembers election, mr biden suggested his probable republican opponent would bow down to russia and again infered he incited the capitol hill riot. Heres our north america editor, sarah smith. Good evening if i were smart, id go home now the smart move was to deliver a punchy, powerful performance, laying into donald trump without ever actually his name. Now my predecessor, a former republican president , tells putin, quote, do whatever the hell you want. Bowing down to a russian leader, i think its outrageous, its dangerous, and its unacceptable. Casting mrtrump, and his claims of electoral fraud, as a threat to democracy is a major theme of his re election campaign. This is a moment to speak the truth and to bury the lies. Heres the simple truth. You cant love your country only when you win Protesters Disrupting the president s route to congress will have been disappointed he didnt call for a permanent ceasefire in gaza. He did have this message for the israeli government. To the leadership of israel, i say this humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration, or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be priority. Mr biden waded straight into the contentious immigration crisis, blaming republicans for killing a bill that would have strengthened border security. Oh, you dont like that bill, huh . that conservatives got together and said was a good bill . Ill be darned, thats amazing and he couldnt ignore the concerns about his age. I know i may not look like it, but ive been around a while. The issue facing our nation isnt how old are, its how old our ideas. Hate, anger, revenge, retribution are the oldest of ideas. But you cant lead america with ancient ideas that only take us back. To lead america, the land of possibilities, you need a vision for the future and what can and should be done. Amped up, too overtly political, and the white house are delighted, confident there is joe the white house are delighted, confident there isjoe biden can defeat donald trump in november, if you can keep it up all the way to the election. Sarah smith, thank you. An 11 year old boy has been arrested by police in North Yorkshire after being found at the wheel of a car on the mi. Our north of england correspondent danny savage joins us from thirsk. Danny, what more can you tell us . Well, it was mid afternoon yesterday when Police Received reports of a caravan being stolen from a holiday park here in thirsk, it came in quite promptly, and on their Traffic Cameras they soon tries to the vehicle, a black bmw going south down this road behind me towards leeds on the aim. About 45 minutes later, and more than 30 miles away, police pulled that vehicle over towing the caravan on the hard shoulder of the mi near leeds, and they say they were staggered to find an 11 year old boy behind the wheel of the vehicle, alongside a selection of number plates. He was arrested on suspicion of theft, burglary, and motoring offences including dangerous driving. He has been questioned and since been bailed, the police was caravan it was have been told that it has been recovered. But one very experienced Traffic Sergeant with North Yorkshire Police Tweeted this afternoon, even after 23 years of service, you come across things that you struggle to comprehend. The time is 6 15. Our top story this evening a report finds a british army spy in the ira cost more lives than he saved, during Northern Irelands troubles. Still to come aaargh tributes to the man who created some of the most influential Japanese Comic book characters of all time. And on bbc london Coming Up On Sportsday in the next 15 minutes on bbc news. The series is already lost and it is been another tough day for englands cricketers against india in the final test in dharamsala. Violence in the occupied west bank has surged since the start of the conflict last october. According to the united nations, A16 Palestinians have been killed there since then as Israeli Forces search for militants 15 israelis have been killed in that same period. The un says children account for a quarter of the palestinians killed. Our special correspondent fergal keane reports now on the case of ten year old amr najjar, shot dead in the village of burin on monday as he went shopping with his family. You may find his report distressing. They knew him from the beginning. Long before he was made into a symbol of angry times. Ten year old amr najjar, wrapped in the colours of hamas. But he was just a schoolboy killed going shopping with his dad. Because he was killed by israeli troops, the factions celebrated him as a martyr. The plo, the marxist leninists, hamas. All bore him to his grave, enveloped by their flags. This is a story about the killing of a child, not a symbol. Amr najjar was one of three children. A good student. On march 4th, he was being driven by his father, mohammed, with his Younger Brother through burin when they encountered an israeli patrol. They stopped near this shop on the corner. The army had been in burin since earlier in the afternoon. This image was captured by a local at around 3pm. The military said theyd been stoned by youths. A local told us it was quiet when mohammed najjar� s minibus arrived sometime between 4 30 and 5pm. Then, a shot was fired directly through the windscreen, where amr, his father and brother were sitting. All of this was witnessed by amr� s Younger Brother, sitting beside him here. Violence has surged across the west bank since october the 7th. Over 400 palestinians have been killed by Israeli Forces and jewish settlers one quarter of them aged between ten and 17, according to the un. 15 israelis have been killed by palestinians. Burin has long been a flashpoint. Overlooked byjewish settlements, whose residents have been filmed attacking villagers, destroying their property. Bleep in burin, villagers say the army sides with the settlers and fails to protect them. Creating what amr najjar� s mother says is a living nightmare. Human Rights Groups in israel and the west bank accuse the army of disregard for palestinian lives, including children. The Israel Defence force rejects this. They told us theyd faced a surge in Terrorist Attacks since october the 7th. That they do not target non combatants, including children. And that live fire was only used after all other options had been utilised. This Human Rights Lawyer says soldiers will not be held accountable by israel and should be prosecuted by the International Criminal court. There is no accountability. Nobody will hold them accountable. They are protectedm even. So i believe that if there is an International Accountability system in force, im sure they will change their mind. Im not sure that all of them, they will stop, but at least i know that there will be Something Different than now. The family of amr najjar do not expectjustice. And while the Israeli Military says its investigating the circumstances of his death, theres a hunger to fight back. Theyre angry and theyre afraid. A generation trapped. Fergal keane, bbc news, the west bank. A humanitarian air drop in gaza is reported to have killed an inquest into a 23 year old who was stabbed to death on a night out in birmingham has found multiple failings by Authorities Led to his death. Jacob billington was killed by Zephaniah Mcleod a paranoid schizophrenic who stabbed seven other people that night in 2020, in a 90 minute rampage. Jacobs Best Friend Michael was left partially paralysed from his injuries. The coroner said mcleod was classed as high risk following his release from prison but hadnt been monitored by authorities. The family spoke after the inquest. This dangerous man, with a severe and enduring mental illness, whose risk to the public was well documented, simply walked out of prison and disappeared. Ijust feel, you know, that the lack of Public Protection is frightening, really. The former Prime Minister theresa may is standing down as an mp at the next election. Making the announcement to her local newspaper, she said she was leaving the commons because she could no longer represent her constituents with the commitment they deserved. Heres our deputy Political Editor vicki young. Some accuse theresa may of being a robotic politician with no flair. But friends always insisted she had a fun side, even though she took herjob very seriously. Forging a career as a conservative female mp in the 90s was no joke. She was determined to stand out in a mans world and as party chairman, wasnt afraid to tell it straight. You know what . Some people call us the nasty party. David cameron made her home secretary, a post she held for longer than anyone else in modern times. Shes got a string of great achievements to her name, championing modern slavery legislation, making sure more women got involved in politics, and of course, serving as Prime Minister as well. She can hold her head high. She became Prime Minister at one of the most turbulent periods in british political history. Brexit means brexit and we are going to make a success of it. A simple slogan, but a promise she couldnt fulfil. Mrs may had gambled on a general election, but lost the conservatives their majority. Attempts to reassert her authority didnt always go according to plan. Her message during this Conference Speech lost amid a catalogue of interruptions, a prankster, a faulty set and persistent cough. She was forced to ask the eu for a delay to brexit, and after months of pressure from her own mps, she decided to step down. I do so with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country i love. I think the country and indeed the conservative party would be in a better place today if it had gone with her deal and we would have had much calmer times. Former Prime Ministers dont usually criticise successors, but mrs may made an exception for borisjohnson� s behaviour during covid lockdowns. I thought my right honourable friend had not read the rules or didnt understand what they meant and others around him, or they didnt think the rules applied to number ten. Which was it . Its no surprise that theresa may chose her local newspaper here in maidenhead to announce that shes standing down. Shes been the mp here for 27 years and colleagues today praised her decency, dedication and sense of public duty. Theresa may will leave the commons for the last time when the general election is called and says shell concentrate on her campaign against modern slavery. Vicki young, bbc news maidenhead. The creator of dragon ball, one of the most influential Japanese Comics of all time, has died aged 68. Akira toriyamas manga art is hugely popular around the world, and is also found in cartoons, films and video games. David sillito looks back at his career. The Japanese Anime Heroes Of Dragon Quest and dragon ball have for millions been part of childhood. Have you ever heard of dragon ball . Of course, my first manga. Dragon ball, of course, my first manga. Dragon ball. Doesnt of course, my first manga. Dragon ball, doesnt mean of course, my first manga. Dragon ball, doesnt mean anything . Of course, my first manga. Dragon ball, doesnt mean anything . It. Ball, doesnt mean anything . It means a lot to me, to be fair. Does means a lot to me, to be fair. Does it means a lot to me, to be fair. Does it mean means a lot to me, to be fair. Does it mean does it mean. Without him, americans. Does it mean. Without him, americans, english does it mean. Without him, americans, english people, j does it mean. Without him, i americans, english people, we does it mean. Without him, americans, english people, we might not know americans, english people, we might not know what americans, english people, we might not know what manga americans, english people, we might not know what manga is americans, english people, we might not know what manga is by americans, english people, we might not know what manga is by now. Americans, english people, we mighti not know what manga is by now. Bikini not know what manga is by now. Akira tori ama not know what manga is by now. Akira toriyama was not know what manga is by now. Akira toriyama was a not know what manga is by now. Toriyama was a publicity shy artist who in the 1980s helped turn Japanese Comic art into a global phenomenon. His Character Goku is everywhere in pop culture and the death of toriyama has been marked by official statements from both the governments ofjapan and china. And that passion has only grown after lockdown spurred a manga boom. It literally exploded into the market of animation. Of animation. Akira toriyama, an artist who of animation. Akira toriyama, an artist who helped of animation. Akira toriyama, an artist who helped supercharge i of animation. Akira toriyama, an i artist who helped Supercharge One of animation. Akira toriyama, an artist who helped Supercharge One of japans most potent exports. Akira toriyama, who has died aged 68. At the oscars this weekend, the film oppenheimer has the most nominations but it is barbie thats arguably the peoples favourite, as the highest grossing film of last year. It was made by warner brothers, and the Chief Executive of the Motion Picture group pam abdy has been speaking to our culture editor Katie Razzall about oscar snubs and the state of the film industry. We are in full production right now. Im on a private tour on a lot at warner brothers. Casablanca. Casablanca was filmed right here. We see rick and ilsa sitting outside a parisian cafe. These are some of hollywoods most famous streets. Well, my work is done here. The dream house is in there. Kens mojo dojo casa house was inside there. This is where i live. Barbie was the biggest grossing film of the year, but greta gerwig wasnt nominated for a best director oscar. What happened here . And Margot Robbie isnt up for best actress, which has got to hurt if youre pam abdy, one of hollywoods most powerful women. Of course it does. You know, of course i want to see all of them get recognised. They deserve it. Margot robbie now has a key to the lot, an old warner tradition revived by abdy and co chair michael deluca. He found a couple of the old keys on ebay, actually, and we bought them. And margot� s is actually Marilyn Monroes key. Wow. I love it. I love Walking Around the lot. Abdy and deluca were hired two years ago with a mission to restore the studio to its glory days. Warner brothers hasnt won a Best Picture Oscar since argo in 2013. Thats a while ago. It is. What are you going to do to change that . Pick some movies and hopefully win best picture is that always the aim . You know, its the academy. Its like the dream. Theyve lured big names, including tom cruise, telling them the studio wholeheartedly believes in the big screen cinema experience. But for many audiences, theres just one question. Are we going to get a barbie 2 . I mean, wed love to. Are you talking to greta about barbie 2 . Yeah, were always talking about it. Oscar night success for barbie looks uncertain. A surer bet that these streets, this lot will be coming soon to a cinema near you. Katie razzall, bbc news, los angeles. Meet the happy couple who didnt hear the sound of bells at their wedding but the romantic ringing of railway announcements. Leah anderson and vince smith tied the knot on the Great Western Railway Service from London Paddington to swansea. They commuted by train when dating and even had their first kiss on one. Todays service was, by all accounts, a very moving one. Congratulations. Time for a look at the weather. Heres chris fawkes. Weather wise today, we have lots of the brisk wind today about the amount of code we have seen is varying a lot from place to place. In southern england some sunshine, in hampshire temperatures reaching 12 degrees. But there was extensive cloud across the east of scotland in the east of england, temperatures struggled, around 4 to six celsius. Those of you who like a pub quiz question, the uk