Programme presented by Tony Francis. The first item looks at the forensic scientist Dr Alan Clift from Solihull who has been suspended from his job. In 1981 the Stoke on Trent lorry driver John Preece was cleared of a murder conviction, and released after serving eight years in prison because Clift’s evidence was found to be unsafe. In the studio Reg Harcourt interviews Jack Ashley, MP for Stoke South (Labour), who campaigned for Preece. He talks about the implications of a recent report which could see more of Clift’s cases reinvestigated. We also see stills of Preece and Clift.
Next on film Jon Lander reports from Handsworth in Birmingham where a local councillor, James Hunte, has been suspended by the local Labour party for bringing the party into disrepute. Hunte, who serves on West Midlands County Council, has made allegations of racism and claims that black party members were asked to show passports to prove their identities. Jon Lander interviews Sheila Wright, the former Labour MP for Handsworth; Bruce Bebbington who is Hunte’s solicitor; as well as James Hunte himself. There are street scenes in Handsworth (snow on ground) and shots of Hunte working in his office. We also see Rob Pocock, secretary of the Perry Barr Labour party reading a prepared statement about the row.
Next on film Rob Whitehouse meets Dr Stephen Lukes from Balliol College at Oxford University who is compiling a book of political jokes. We see views of Balliol College and then at Westminster Whitehouse asks several Midlands MPs to offer their own jokes: Robin Corbett (Labour, Birmingham Erdington); Anthony Beaumont-Dark (Conservative, Birmingham Selly Oak); Joe Ashton (Labour, Bassetlaw); Greg Knight (Conservative, Derby North). Finally on film Jon Lander reports from the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Elections to the parliament are due to take place in June and Lander asks several Midlands members what the parliament does for the region: John Taylor (Midlands East); Eric Forth (Birmingham North); and Norvella Forster (Birmingham South). We see views of the interior of the European Parliament and shots of Strasbourg city centre.
No credits specified
PN 3738/84. No end credits on programme.