BBC World Service News 05:00 GMT Thursday 19th May 2011

BBC World Service News
05:00 GMT Thursday 19th May 2011
Newsreader: Julie Kantor

The detained head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Khan, has resigned with immediate effect. He’s been in custody in New York since the weekend, accused of attempted rape of a hotel chambermaid. Nora Trevelyan reports. (TAPE) Dominique Strauss-Khan says that it’s with “infinite sadness” he feels compelled to resign as managing director of the IMF. In his statement he denies, with the greatest possible firmness, all of the allegations agsinst him. The former IMF chief states that he wants to protect the institution he’s served, and devote all his strength and energy to proving his innocence. Later today, Mr Straus-Kahn’s lawyers will try once again to convince a judge to release him on bail. They’ll argue that he’s prepared to be electronically tagged, and confined to a Manhatten location.(LIVE)
Continue reading “BBC World Service News 05:00 GMT Thursday 19th May 2011”

Nick Sandford and Nazim Khan on Marco Cereste

07:13 Wednesday 18th May 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: In yesterday’s show we were speaking to the Leader of Peterborough City Council, Marco Cereste, after he made changes to his Cabinet at the Council. One of the changes involved Councillor Cereste taking on extra portfolios regarding business engagement, taking over from Councillor Gavin Elsey. Here’s what Mr. Cereste had to say, as he explained his thinking behind the move. (TAPE) “I’ve brought all the business bits and pieces under my portfolio. So now any businessman, any business person, investor, developer, entrepreneur wants to come to the city. You know, that’s my portfolio. It’s my responsibility. And they know where to go.” (LIVE) He went on to admit that the extra workload will be a challenge, so he’s asked the Cabinet Adviser to help him. (TAPE) “It’s far too much for me to do on my own, so we’ve reorganised the support that we had for the Cabinet. And we’ve put a Cabinet adviser in to help me .. And she will have .. personal responsibility for international links, business engagement and tourism” (LIVE) It means Marco is the key decision maker on growth, strategic planning, economic development and business engagement. It’s a lot. So has he taken on more than he can chew? Or do you agree with his plan to make it easier for investors by dealing with just one person? Later in the show we’ll be talking to a man who agrees with Marco’s decisions after eight o’clock. But first let’s hear from two local councillors who have very big concerns over the move, Councillor Nick Sandford Leader of Peterborough’s Liberal Democrat Group, and Councillor Nazin Khan, Leader of Peterborough’s Labour Group. Good morning gentlemen. Nick first of all, what’s your problem? It’s a one-stop shop for businesses coming to the city. Continue reading “Nick Sandford and Nazim Khan on Marco Cereste”

John Bridge and the Freudian Slip

08:13 Wednesday 18th May 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: It’s a good morning for Peterborough, John. Your reaction to the fact the Olympic torch is coming to the city?
JOHN BRIDGE: Oh absolutely delighted Paul. It really is a good positive thing, and will create lots of excitement, and, you know, looking forward to the beginning of July next year with the Olympics towards the end., it really will help all the people of Peterborough to be able to actually engage in the run-up to the election, and actually create the kind of atmosphere that we all want to be a part of, and the excitement that will inevitably come with the Olympics being in England.

Take a look at John’s credentials in the Cambs Chamber.

BBC World Service News 05:00 GMT Wednesday 18th May 2011

BBC World Service News
05:00 GMT Wednesday 18th May 2011
Newsreader: Sue Montgomery.

The United States Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has said Dominque Strauss-Kahn, who’s facing charges of sexual assault, is obviously not in a position to run the International Monetary Fund. Mr Geithner urged the IMF to formally designate an interim head. Mr Strauss-Kahn has been detained in a New York prison, following his arrest on Saturday for the attempted rape of an hotel maid. A prison official, Norman Seabrook, said Mr.Strauss-Kahn was being monitored to ensure that he didn’t attempt to take his own life. (TAPE) “He is in protective custody. He has a suicide watch on him, done by a mental health evaluator. When you come into the system you are evaluated by doctors, psychologists. And they deemed it necessary to put a suicide watch on him. So he is watched and monitored 24 hours a day whild he’s in the custody of New York City Department of Correction.” (LIVE) Meanwhile, a lawyer for Mr.Strauss-Kahn’s accuser, a 32 year old from the West African nation of Guinea, says she’s going through an extraordinary trauma. Mr.Strauss-Kahn denies the allegations. Continue reading “BBC World Service News 05:00 GMT Wednesday 18th May 2011”

Marco Cereste Tightens His Grip on Peterborough

08:08 Tuesday 17th May 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: It’s all change at Peterborough City Council following an eventful meeting at the Town Hall last night. Council Leader Marco Cereste made a few changes to his Cabinet. Matthew Dalton and Wayne Fitzgerald given new roles. Meanwhile, Councillor Paula Thacker was unveiled as the new Mayor of Peterborough, taking over from the very very hardworking Keith Sharp. Here to explain the changes is the new, old, Leader, Marco Cereste. Good morning.
MARCO CERESTE: Good morning Paul. How are you?
PAUL STAINTON: I’m very good. Congratulations on your reappointment as Council Leader, or Leader of the Conservatives, or both, or whatever.
MARCO CERESTE: Thank you.
PAUL STAINTON: So, a few changes Marco. Why did you feel you needed to shake things up a bit? Continue reading “Marco Cereste Tightens His Grip on Peterborough”

BBC World Service News 05:00 GMT Tuesday 17th May 2011

BBC World Service News
05:00 GMT Tuesday 17th May 2011
Newsreader: Jonathan Izard.

The Irish Republic is mounting its biggest ever security operation at the start of the visit by Queen Elizabeth, the first by a British head of state since the country gained independence from Britain 90 years ago. The trip comes amid a fresh threat from Irish Republican dissidents, who oppose the peace settlement in Northern Ireland. Gabriel Gatehouse reports: (TAPE) The UK and Ireland are, to adapt a well-worn phrase, two countries divided by a common past. The Queen will visit a number of controversial historical locations, including Croke Park Stadium, site of the 1920 Bloody Sunday massacre, and Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance. The memorial commemorates, in its own words, “those who gave their lives in the cause of Irish freedom”, many of them fighting against the British. The aim of the visit is to demonstrate that the two countries have moved beyond the troubles of their past. But it will also inflame the passions of some, who believe that Dublin should not welcome the British head of state while Ireland remains divided. (LIVE)
Continue reading “BBC World Service News 05:00 GMT Tuesday 17th May 2011”

Bob Burrows Says Posh Can Do It

08:28 Monday 16th May 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Well not quite the weekend Posh fans were looking for, but five thousand of them swamped Milton Keynes on Sunday for the big match, the big play-off match against MK Dons. 1-0 up at half-time, of course Joe Lewis had to go off injured. Charlie Lee tackled him for some reason. Then it all started to go wrong. Paul Jones had a bit of a ‘mare. And in the end, Charlie Lee sent off. MK had a man sent off. And Posh ended up losing 3-2. Cracking atmosphere, cracking game. Bob Burrows, enjoy it? Continue reading “Bob Burrows Says Posh Can Do It”

Railworld Robbed … Again!

08:15 Monday 16th May 2011
Peterborough Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: A mystery for you this morning, as the search continues for whoever’s behind Peterborough’s very own Great Train Robbery, model trains that is, 29 of them, irreplaceable miniature ones, stolen from Railworld in Peterborough. Total value, £2000. Taken overnight on the 5th of May or during the day on the 6th.Dottie McLeaod is on the case. (TAPE)
DOTTIE MCLEOD: Full size trains rattle and rumble every day under Peterborough’s Crescent Bridge. If 29 of these went missing, people would certainly take it seriously. These train’s little brothers, down the tracks at Railworld, might seem trivial to most. But for the people who look after them, they have huge value. Continue reading “Railworld Robbed … Again!”