Summary

  • Updates for Tuesday 17 March 2015

  • News, sport, travel and weather updates will resume at 08:00 on Wednesday

  1. Good eveningpublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Rachael Connors
    BBC News Online

    That's all for this evening. We will return with news, sport, weather and travel updates from 08:00 tomorrow.

  2. Cloud increasingpublished at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    BBC Weather

    It should be dry with some clear spells developing, particularly across Cheshire, and it will be cold with a patchy frost developing.

    However, cloud is likely to increase by dawn with a few mist or fog patches. Minimum temperatures should be about 4°C.

  3. Coming uppublished at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Roger Johnson
    Presenter, North West Tonight

    On the programme, the match commander at Hillsborough admits his failures caused the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans.

    David Duckenfield also told the inquests he "froze" and "bottled it" as the tragedy unfolded.

    And a school in Warrington is singled out by the Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan, for "instilling grit and resilience".

    Join me for more on BBC One at 18:30.

  4. Sewer collapse road still closedpublished at 17:52 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    BBC Travel
    BBC Travel

    The A5267 remains closed between Cambridge Road in Churchtown and A567 Preston New Road in Southport because of a sewer collapse and emergency repairs.

  5. Chief admits 'cause of 96 deaths'published at 17:50 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Tom Mullen
    BBC News

    Here's a fully updated story from today's evidence at the Hillsborough inquests, where police match commander David Duckenfield agreed his failure to close a tunnel "was the direct cause of the deaths of 96 people".

    David DuckenfieldImage source, Julia Quenzler
  6. Looking at life after suicidepublished at 17:42 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    A woman from Liverpool whose husband took his own life eleven years ago will feature in a BBC documentary this evening looking at life after suicide.

    Angela Samata

    Angela Samata was left caring for her two young sons after her husband Mark died.Angela Samata's partner killed himself.

    She has travelled around the country to meet the family and friends of others who took their own lives for the BBC One documentary, which airs at 22:45.

  7. McGinty family 'badly treated'published at 17:27 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    BBC Radio Merseyside

    The Shadow Minister for Justice Dan Jarvis has criticised the treatment of a victim's family from Merseyside after they were not told their son's killers are to be moved to an open prison.

    Colin McGinty

    Colin McGinty, 21, from Formby was stabbed to death in 2001 in Bootle. His killers Michael Brown and Gary Hampton were jailed for 16 years.

    The Labour MP told the Commons that Colin's parents had been badly treated by the authorities.

  8. Pilkington HQ sale agreedpublished at 17:16 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    St Helens Star

    The Japanese owner of the Pilkington Glass business has agreed the sale of its former St. Helens headquarters, external at Alexandra Park on Prescot Road.

  9. Rovers face crucial testpublished at 17:07 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    BBC Sport

    Tranmere face another crucial test in their fight to keep their league status tonight.

    Danny HolmesImage source, Reuters

    Rovers are at Cambridge but will be without Rob Taylor due to a hamstring injury. Danny Holmes (pictured) will have a late fitness test.

  10. News on the hourpublished at 17:01 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Megan Key
    BBC Radio Merseyside

    The police match commander at the Hillsborough disaster has admitted his failures directly caused the deaths of 96 people.

    David Duckenfield, who's giving evidence at the inquests, also agreed he "froze" while in command in the police control box.

  11. Fake coins appealpublished at 16:56 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Police are investigating the use of fake £1 coins in machines at a bookmakers in Liverpool city centre.

    Graphic showing differences between real and fake pound coins - the pattern on the fake is not upright when the coin is rotated, and the lettering on the edge - including the distinctive cross - is unclear on the fake versionImage source, BBC News online

    A number of fake coins were found in a machine at William Hill on Hanover Street on 29 January. Officers want to hear from anyone who has information relating to their use.

  12. School gets top markspublished at 16:44 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Chris Long
    BBC News

    A school which holds weekly ethics, philosophy and public-speaking classes has been praised as the best in England for "instilling grit and resilience".

    King's Leadership Academy pupilsImage source, King's Leadership Academy

    Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said King's Leadership Academy in Warrington was "leading the character charge".

  13. Your viewpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Rumeana Jahangir
    BBC News Online

    We've introduced BBC Local Live from our base in Liverpool to bring you the latest news, sport, travel and weather all in one place.

    Tell us what you think.

  14. Summary of today's evidencepublished at 16:31 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Giving evidence today, former match commander David Duckenfield told the new inquests:

    • his failure to open the tunnel leading to the Leppings Lane terrace was a "direct cause" of the deaths of 96 people

    • he "froze" while in command in the police control box

    • he was drinking too much after the disaster and suffered depression in the run-up to the Taylor Inquiry

    • he was "ashamed and embarrassed" at being diagnosed with PTSD and being medically retired two years after the disaster

    • The jury also hears Mr Duckenfield is being investigated for serious criminal offences by the ongoing criminal investigation into Hillsborough, known as Operation Resolve.

  15. Afternoon session endspublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Mr Duckenfield has finished giving evidence at the new inquests and the hearing has finished for the day.

    The former police match commander will return tomorrow at 10:00.

  16. News on the hourpublished at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Megan Key
    BBC Radio Merseyside

    The match commander at the Hillsborough disaster has admitted his failures directly caused the deaths of 96 people.

    David Duckenfield, who's giving evidence at the inquests, also agreed he "froze" while in command in the police control box.

  17. Match chief admits drinking and depressionpublished at 15:43 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Ben Schofield
    BBC News

    The jury also heard how David Duckenfield struggled to sleep in the run-up to the Taylor Inquiry and was drinking beforehand.

    "I clearly recall, leading up to Lord Justice Taylor's inquiry, sitting in an armchair one morning when the sun was coming through the window, and I was drinking half tumblers of whisky to find the courage to read the statements, and that continued."

    David Duckenfield

    Mr Duckenfield was medically retired from the police force on 10 November 1991, two years after being suspended from duty.

    He was certified as "unfit to undertake the duties of a police constable" and was diagnosed with "severe depression and post traumatic stress disorder".

  18. Apology delay caused 'offence'published at 15:37 Greenwich Mean Time 17 March 2015

    Ben Schofield
    BBC News

    To recap, the jury has heard how David Duckenfield admitted and apologised for his lie during his evidence to the Taylor Public inquiry in 1989.

    His lawyer John Beggs QC said: "I think you understand, don't you, why the delay in providing a more gracious and more full apology has caused to many both offence and distress? You understand that?"

    "I fully understand that, sir," Mr Duckenfield replied.