Archives for April 2009
His luck finally ran out
Noorul Choudhury was given his marching orders last night after making a loss of £169 selling bric-a-brac.
Noorul, who's a science teacher from Rochdale, told Victoria he'd only had a "bit of stick" from pupils since going back to the classroom.
He also reckons it won't be long before Ben joins Victoria in the studio, saying he's "not got many life lines left". Watch this space.
Listen to Victoria's interview with Noorul:
Leaving Iraq
I'm listening to the poignant memorial service in Basra as I write while reading some of your comments. As the British mission there draws to a close, troops are remembering soliders who've died there since 2003.
"Thankyou for broadcasting the most touching piece of radio I have ever listened to, it's brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye, I can't express in words the debt of gratitude the world owes the fallen and their families"..Sam in Belfast.
"The memorial service and tribute is very moving. It's at emotional times like this that I feel proud to be British, and very humble at the sacrifices the troops have made. " Tony
"What time are the names of all the Iraqi civilians who died being read out?" asks Adrian in Brighton.
McLaren and Mistresses
We're expecting lots of breaking sports news in the programme today - how should Team McClaren be punished? They're in the dock this morning charged with 5 counts of bringing the sport into disrepute after lying to race officials about overtaking. We'll bring you the ruling live during the programme.
England's cricket selectors name their first test squad of the summer just after ten
Plus can you be a mistress and be happy? Today - we're bringing together a woman who describes herself as a "serial" mistress, with a woman who's ex- husband was unfaithful to her.
And of course at midday Prime Minister's Questions
How much authority has Gordon Brown lost?
This time last week, he was on You Tube telling us all that he wanted Mps to get rid of their second home allowance and be paid a daily rate instead. Now, the vote's been scrapped because no-one can agree what to do. The Labour MP Geraldine Smith was meant to come on our programme today to ask you to tell her how to vote. Instead that vote's off and she's now tabled a Commons motion challenging the principle that politicians should be able to vote on expenses reform at all. We'll speak to her later this morning.
Love Story
They met in a children's home in Sunderland in 1959 when he was 7 and she was 9. After a year he was sent to another orphanage just because they were inseparable. Alan and Irene then spent the next 45 years looking for each other.
It's a delightfully romantic story and they told me all about it this morning. You can listen below.
Times They Are A Changing
On Monday we'll be reviewing:-
Bob Dylan's new album Together Through Life
The Maccabees single Love You Better
Alessi's Ark single Over the Hill
The Enemy's new album Music for the People
Amazingly, Together Through Life is Bob Dylan's 33rd studio album but according to one review even the most faithful Dylan fans "may find their patience tested". We'll find out on Monday what Victoria and Colin make of it - but in the meantime, if you had to recommend one Dylan album which would it be and why?
How would you react if your Mum wanted to look like you?
Obviously disregard that question if you're a boy. Janet's the mum, Jane's the daughter - guess how old each is?
Janet's spent around £12,000 on surgical enhancement so she can look like Jane.
Watch this film of them at their home in Burnley and see how people in the town react to them.
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Your help required
We've talked about MPs expenses every day on the programme so far this week. We started on Monday with an OB from John Mann's second house and today we heard from Sir Christopher Kelly -- the man leading the inquiry into parliamentary allowances. Next week MPs get to vote on Gordon Brown's interim proposals for reform.
Geraldine Smith, the Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, has told us she's still not sure how to vote. So, she's going to come on our programme on Tuesday to explain her dilemma -- and says she's happy to let you make the decision for her.
Whilst we're on the subject, lots of comments on Victoria's interview with Employment Minister Tony McNulty. He was on to talk about the latest rise in unemployment figures, but was less keen to talk about the investigation into his second home allowance. Listen again to it here:
Pants Woman
If you found yourself humming something quite annoying as you went to work this morning, you were probably watching The Apprentice last night. And no doubt, like us, you despaired at team Ignite's excrutiating attempt to market and brand a new type of cereal. Their idea to advertise the cereal with a character called "Pants Man" was branded "stupid" and " a rotten idea" by Sir Alan. Project Manager Kimberly Davis carried the can and you can hear what happened when she joined Victoria and Matt this morning.
Listen again here:
Crime and punishment
Are you applying for university because you can't get a job? There's been a 40 per cent increase in people applying for uni - if you're one may want to join the conversation this morning
Plus you can talk to Kimberely...sacked by Sir Alan Sugar last night - after she agreed to philip's pantsman idea. What's the worst business idea you've ever come up with?
We'll talk to the 16 year old who's mum was fined 250 pounds for shouting homophobic abuse at him as he walked down the street.
And the crime figures are just out..
Why were they detained?
Nine men held in that big security operation in the North West of England two weeks ago have been released without charge. We'll talk to the lawyer of threee of them at 10; the men aren't free, they're now being detained by the immigration authorities and face deportation on the grounds of national security.
Also this morning, the Employment Minister on the latest unemployment figures and on why he has two homes - one 3 miles from Westminster one 13 miles from Westminster.
Plus the couple who received an email telling them they'd won 10 million on the lottery and didn't believe it - thought it was joke - thought it was too good to be true.
Expenses overhaul
Yesterday our programme came from the second home of a Labour MP, and today Gordon Brown says MPs' second homes allowances should be replaced by flat-rate daily Commons attendance expenses.
John Mann, who let us broadcast from the flat he rents in Waterloo, told us that he'd met with a senior Downing Steet official last night to discuss the issues raised by our programme and that "a few hours later the precise things that I have been calling for" was announced by Gordon Brown. He told us he felt our programme had an influence on today's announcement.
Listen to the interview with Victoria below
A Downing Street spokesperson told us:
"John Mann did raise concerns of 5 live listeners with a Downing Street official and they reflected the widespread public concern on this issue.
"The PM has been making clear for many months that he wants MPs' allowances to be more transparent, so people can have confidence in the system. Today's announcement had been planned for some time and the proposals were announced as soon as they were finalised and agreed in Cabinet."
Is your home at risk?
If you think your house is going to be repossessed - then you will want to listen today. We'll explain the scheme that is being rolled out by the government that's supposed to help you keep your home. The Housing Minister Margaret Beckett will join us and she's happy to answer your questions too, so do email them to victoria@bbc.co.uk, message me on facebook or text 85058. Find out who's eligible and which lenders have signed up (not all have).
Inside a MP's second home
It was fascinating broadcasting from the second home of the Labour MP John Mann today.
The flat he rents for £600 a month reminded me of my student days - small, sparsely furnished and with very little in the fridge bar milk, alcohol and some mint sauce.
Here's a short film we made in Mr Mann's bedroom (ahem)...
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Picture gallery:
Here's John on the sofa with Victoria
And explaining one of his expenses claims
Inside John's bathroom and bedroom
The fridge at John's second home and the flowers he was sent by someone who slept in his room while he wasn't there
(Left to right) Shane Greer, John Pienaar, Sue Cochrane, John Mann, Victoria Derbyshire discuss MPs expenses and trust in them
On our programme today...
Derek Conway, Caroline Spelman, Jacqui Smith, Tony McNulty: just some of the politicians who've been embroiled in scandal about their expenses or second home allowance.
Victoria's back next week and on Monday we'll be broadcasting the programme from an MPs second home. Labour MP John Mann's agreed to open up his doors to us.
His main home is in his constituency in Bassetlaw, but he spends 3 nights a week in his second home - a flat he rents in Waterloo. Victoria will get to rummage through his expenses and find out just how much of your money funds MPs second homes.
Of course, this week's been dominated by the row over smear emails sent from Downing Street. Judging by your calls, emails and texts the story's just confirmed many of your perceptions about politicians, sleaze and corruption. So just what can politicians do to get us to trust them?
And, because it's Monday, John Mann will be taking part in our music review. DJ Semtex and Peter Robinson from popjustice will cuddle up next to him on his sofa to review the following:
Fightstar album Be Human
Eminem's single We Made You
Tinchy Stryder ft. N-Dubz single Number 1
Kleerup ft Titiyo single Longing for Lullabies.
Negative equity and whistleblowers...
Stephen's final message of the week:-
"Nearly a million people now have homes worth less than their mortgage. Are you worried about being in negative equity? Also, our phone in at 11 is on Margaret Haywood. She is the nurse who secretly filmed for the BBC to reveal the neglect of elderly patients. The nursing and midwifery council say she failed to "follow her obligations as a nurse". Should she have been struck off?"
Your questions to maths dunce Paula...
This from Stephen:-
"Paula is kicked out of the Apprentice. She messed up counting the costs of the ingredients and Sir Alan fired her. Paula Jones will be in the studio with us this morning - I was really hoping it would be Ben kicked out last night just so I could tell him what am embarrassment he is to Northern Ireland. You can talk live to Paula this morning at 10.
Also The Crown Prosecution Service is to say later if it will prosecute the Tory Immigration spokesman Damian Green. Mr Green says he was releasing information in the public interest. We will bring you the latest on that story during the programme."
Update: You can listen to the interview with Paula here:
Do teachers deserve a 10% pay rise?
This from Stephen Nolan:-
"This morning, how do you get the best care for a child with special needs? We'll talk to the Channel 4 newsreader Alex Thomson. His son Harry was diagnosed with autism. The phone in at 11 - some delagates at the National Union of Teachers are asking for a 10% pay rise for teachers. Do they deserve more money or is a 10% pay rise in this economic climate a ridiculous expectation?"
Should Gordon Brown Aplogise?
Stephen Nolan's standing in for Victoria this week.
This morning he wants to know:-
"Do you expect the Prime Minister to apologise for the Damian McBride smear scandal.
David Cameron is demanding a personal apology, but why should Gordon Brown apologise for something he says he knew nothing about.
Should Brown say sorry? Or are the Tories just trying to make political capital of the situation? McBride has gone..what more do they want?"
Stephen Nolan tries his hand at music..
Victoria's off for a week; so Stephen Nolan will be reviewing new releases on Monday. Here's this weeks selection:-
Lady Sovereign's album - Jigsaw
Lady Gaga's single - Poker Face
The Enemy's single - No time for tears
Super Furry Animals album - Dark Days/Light Years
Let Stephen know your opinions by posting a comment below.
"I did not rape her, I did not take advantage of her"
Last week on the programme we heard from a criminal lawyer who claimed she'd been raped; the man she accused of raping her had been cleared by a jury of the charge in just 45 minutes.
That man is Peter Bacon, a 26 year old student at Canterbury University. He heard the interview with his accuser and today you can hear from him.
He had sex with the woman after they'd drunk several bottles of wine at her home in Kent. She is still adamant that she was so drunk she couldn't have agreed to consensual sex.
Despite being an innocent man, he's considering changing his name. He sounds traumatised by what he's been through in the last 13 months or so. Click below to listen to the interview here:
BBC News: Chef cleared of 'drunk sex' rape
BBC News: Rape trial woman seeks law change
Majid moments
The latest hopeful to be fired was Majid and he was on this morning to talk about whether he was the right man to go. He told us how his tactics of keeping his head down had backfired and how he thinks his beard might be to blame.
You can hear his interview below, including him answering your questions and telling Victoria about what his plans are for the future.
"Survival of the fittest not the laziest"...
Today we'll bring you the interest rate decision at midday, lots of reaction to Bob Quick's resignation, a surprisingly moving interview with the mother from South Wales who yesterday was given a suspended jail sentence for leaving her two daughters on their own at home.
Update - you can listen to the interview here:
Plus we'll talk to Majid who was fired from The Apprentice last night (most people in our office think James should have been fired including Matt Williams who's very cross about it). I liked Maj very much but as Nishant says on my Facebook page "It's about survival of the fittest not the laziest". Nice one Nishant.
"I don't think I will ever forgive him"
In August last year Christopher Foster murdered his own wife and teenage daughter, before setting his multi-million pound home in Shropshire on fire. Victoria spoke to Christopher's brother Andrew this morning. He told us his brother was controlling and had abused him in the past. Listen to the interview here:
The police and public protests
Watch the video below. What conclusion do you reach?
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Former Assistant Commissioner Special Operations at the Met Andy Hayman writes in The Times about what might be going on. Minutes later 47 year old Ian Tomlinson collapsed. A post-mortem found that he'd died of a heart attack. The video will form the basis of an investigation into Mr Tomlinson's death by the IPCC. This morning we're going to talk about how the police police demonstrations.
UPDATE:
Victoria talked to Ian Tomlinson's son Paul King, who demands answers concerning the death of his father.
We also heard from Tarique Ghaffur, who's a former Assistant Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police. He told us that during fraught demonstrations, some officers find it to difficult to remain calm:
Too fat to work?
19 year old Emma Chawner from Blackburn who last week told us she'd been refused jobs because she was overweight...turned down a job live on air on the programme. Five Live listener Dan O' Donnel heard Emma's original interview and got in touch with us to say he could help her find work. Here's how the conversation went .....
Grand National grin...
The BBC's apologised to Grand National winner Liam Treadwell, after Clare Balding made fun of his teeth in his post-race interview. It's easily found on YouTube if you haven't seen it.
1,477 people have complained so far. We spoke to Liam today and he told us Clare had rung him personally to apologise - but that he was far more interested in celebrating his win than in worrying about what people thought of his teeth.
You can listen to the interview here:
Tell us what you make of this lot...
Music review on Monday. This week's offerings are:
Doves album - Kingdom Of Rust
Depeche Mode single - Wrong
Yeah Yeah Yeahs album - It's Blitz
Bat for Lashes album - Two Suns
David Cameron on 5 live
5 live listeners had the chance to speak to David Cameron this morning. Whilst Gordon Brown was playing host to over 20 international leaders at the G20 summit, the Tory leader answered your calls.
Catherine in Lancaster got him to say he thinks docking the wages of Mps who break the rules on expenses is a good idea. Mr Cameron told her "Where MPs have been found to misuse their expenses they have been made to pay back the money, I think that's right. The idea of getting them to pay back some more is a very good suggestion".
You can listen to today's programme here.
Rocky KO'd
Rocky Andrews - the latest reject from the Apprentice - entertained us on today's programme. He talked about North-South divides, spotty backs and togas, City bosses who take themselves too seriously, people who taste success in their spit, and why he didn't deserve to have been kicked off. You can listen again to the interview here.
Who do you think will be booted off next week? Whoever it is, you can talk to them on next Thursday's programme.
We're live at the G20 protests
We're in the City this morning - an area where in a couple of hours time we're expecting thousands of protestors to gather before marching to the heart of London's financial district, the Bank of England.
We'll be following one of the marches as it heads there and will be asking demonstrators what they want from the G20 leaders.
You can follow me on Twitter throughout the day. Look for vicderbyshire, and tell me who speaks for you - the demonstrators or world leaders.
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