Sex abuse ring. It was a harrowing, hard watch and has been praised for how close to the truth it was. There is no such thing as a child prostitute. What there is is a child who was being abused. By two . By men who was being abused. By two . By men who pick on vulnerable girls. Well, a little later well be talking to sarah rowbotham, the Sexual Health worker who blew the lid on the scandal. Hello, welcome to the programme. Were live until am this morning. Lots coming up today, that Special Report on autistic children undergoing Shock Therapy in america, is it cruel or a way of helping them have a better life . Do get in touch on all the stories were talking about this morning use the hashtag victorialive. If you text, you will be charged at the Standard Network rate. Our top Story Today Brexit dominated the televised leaders debate, which was held last night despite the absence of theresa may and Jeremy Corbyn. The itv event saw little disagreement between the lib dems, green party, p
Theyre disappointed they had to drop the case. His alleged victim says she stands by the allegation. Caroline hawley reports i ,and , and this contains flashing images. Out into the fresh air. On the balcony of the Ecuadorian Embassy Julian Assange emerged this afternoon to have his say on the end of the swedish investigation against him. Today is an important victory for me and for the un human rights system. Seven years without charge while my children grew up without me. That is not something that i can forgive, it is not something that i can forget. But prosecutors in sweden have not cleared Julian Assange, they have simply said they cant pursue the case any further. Translation there are now no further measures remaining which are possible to advance the investigation. In order to proceed, it would be necessary forJulian Assange to be formally served notice of the crimes of which he is suspected. This was a measure that was to have been conducted during an interview in london, but
Lets catch up on the latest developments from the campaign trail. The conservatives in scotland have launched their manifesto with the leader of the tories Ruth Davidson, and the Prime Minister theresa may making a pledge to stand up to the Scottish National party. Part of the manifesto was a protection for the Winter Fuel Payments for all older people, with no Means Testing in scotland, unlike the policy for england. We made a different choice in scottish manifesto we believe there should be Means Testing. The reason we have said that if as many of your viewers will acknowledge, scotland isa viewers will acknowledge, scotland is a colder climate than we have a different amount of Housing Stock and evolution allows you to make different decisions. I want to use the money in terms of the Winter Fuel Payments, dance out my collea g u es fuel payments, dance out my colleagues want to put it into the health service. That is what politics are about, sometimes it is tough decisions. I say i
Had scotlands first minister, Nicola Sturgeon. For the scottish conservatives, Ruth Davidson. For the Scottish Labour party, Kezia Dugdale. Representing the scottish liberal democrats, Willie Rennie. This Ukip David Coburn and for the scottish greens, Patrick Harvie. Applause we also want all of you to join in at home. You can argue along with the debate using social media. The hashtag is Leaders Debate. We will come back shortly and take opening state m e nts come back shortly and take Opening Statements from all of our panel, but first jackie bird statements from all of our panel, but Firstjackie Bird is statements from all of our panel, but first jackie bird is with the watching press. Thank you. From the majesty of the Debating Hall to be more modest surroundings of the press room or the so called spin room. Its here that the journalists and bloggers and Party Politicians will be scrutinising the performances of their Party Leaders and crafting tamaras headlines. I feel a their Par
Im not happy with the choices we have for next prime minister. Theresa may is not prepared to stand oii theresa may is not prepared to stand ona theresa may is not prepared to stand on a platform and take questions from her peers and the audience, then she doesnt deserve our votes. Lam voting then she doesnt deserve our votes. I am voting snp. And of course you can get in touch wherever you are heres mr dunstable. You can email victoria bbc. Co. Uk, text 61124, hashtag victorialive on twitter, or search Victoria Derbyshire on facebook. Hello. Welcome to the programme. Were live until am this morning with an audience of 120 people, and live on stage at the grove theatre. Here to tell our assembled group of politicians exactly what they think about key issues like the nhs, brexit, the economy, housing and security. There is so much to talk about this morning, not enough time so lets crack on with the news. Joanna is here with a summary of the mornings news. Police say theyve arrested a 2