News story

Presenter 1: Good morning and thanks for joining us this Tuesday 27th November. It's 8 o'clock. We'll be bringing you the latest news stories from here in London. The headlines...

Presenter: MP Andrew Jenkins wants to try to persuade his government to bring back the death penalty.

Soundbite: Most people in the country will say if you are convicted of such a serious crime you should be put in the chair or the gallows for death...

Presenter: A17 year Old's been arrested after a stabbing in Watford

Voxpop: I think the streets are unsafe, I'm scared to leave my home

Presenter: The Government's suggesting a crackdown on retailers selling cheap alcohol, in an effort to cut down alcohol related crime.

Soundbite: "...it will reduce drinking related diseases and ultimately save lives..."

Presenter: And Fastjet owner John Mathews announces the continuing rise of his company's fortunes.

Soundbite: He's made an outstanding start to his business career but he must start thinking long term.

Presenter: That's all to come right here on the Morning News on ....... "Metro FM 97.8, Radio for the heart of London."

News presenter: Tory backbencher Andrew Jenkins has called for the reintroduction of the death penalty. This comes after public outrage following a 5-year prison sentence for a rapist convicted of assaulting 15 under aged girls in a high-profile case earlier this month. Reaction to a string of similar sentences has resulted in a huge wave of support for Mr Jenkins' proposal from the public. Andrew Jenkins spoke to reporters this morning from his constituency of Ludlow East.

MP: Most people in the country will say if you are convicted of such a serious crime you should receive the death penalty. There are robbers and violent criminals walking the streets, which just goes to prove that prison doesn't work. With all the PlayStations, flat screen TVs and Jamie Oliver lunch menus it's more like a beach holiday than a prison. At least the death penalty will make sure that people can walk the streets again, without fear of being mugged or raped.

Presenter: Labour MP Tim Jones disagrees with the proposal, telling Metro earlier this morning that such a move would take Britain back to the 1950s.

MP 2: Look at Derek Bentley, look at Timothy Evans. These people were put to death for crimes that it turned out they didn't commit. The death penalty isn't safe, because you can easily sentence the wrong person.

Derek William Bentley was a British teenager hanged for murder of a police officer, committed in the course of a burglary attempt. The murder of the police officer was committed by a friend and accomplice of Bentley's, Christopher Craig, then aged 16 Bentley was convicted as a party to the murder, by the England Law principle of common criminal purpose "joint enterprise". The judge in court sentenced Bentley to death based on an interpretation of the phrase "Let him have it" (Bentley's alleged instruction to Craig), describing Bentley as "mentally aiding the murder of police constable Sidney Miles".

Timothy John Evans was a Welshman accused of murdering his wife and infant daughter at their residence at 10 Rillington Place in Notting Hill, London. In January 1950 Evans was tried and convicted of the murder of his daughter, and he was sentenced to death by hanging. During his trial, Evans had accused his downstairs neighbour, John Christie, of committing the murders. Three years after Evans's execution, Christie was found to be a Serial killer who had murdered a number of other women in the same house. Before his own execution, Christie confessed to murdering Mrs Evans. An official inquiry concluded in 1966 that Christie had also murdered Evans's daughter, and Evans was granted a posthumous pardon.


Presenter: Metro FM correspondent Karen Watson was on Oxford Street earlier, asking shoppers want they thought of the proposal.

Voxpop 1: I think its time for England to bring back the death penalty,... people who commit serious crimes need to know if they commit the crime they will get punished but if it is really bad they should get the chair.

Voxpop 2: I don't think that is a good idea because it is unreliable because they could kill the wrong person.

Voxpop 3: Definitely bring it back, because people who have committed these sorts of crimes will do it again when they get out.

Presenter: The proposal will be debated and put to the vote by Parliament in the coming months. In other news, a man and woman have been found dead in an alleyway in Watford town centre. The 35 year old man and the 32 year old woman were found by a local shop worker at around 8.45 yesterday morning. A 17 year old Girl has been arrested and taken to Watford police station overnight for questioning. Sarah Bale from the towns residents against crime Association is calling for greater police presence in the city centre as violent crime in the area continues its increase.

Soundbite: Watford town centre has become too dangerous and violent crimes have become common. We must have more police officers on the street to insure the public's safety. What we're doing is to try and convince the government to send more police to walk the streets for the safety of the area.

News presenter: Ministers are planning to stop stores in England and Wales from selling cheap alcohol, with the hope of reducing alcohol-related crime. Home Office minister Nigel Philips promises that supermarkets will be band from selling alcohol below average price from February of next year. The minister claims that increasing the price of alcohol could help cut the amount of anti-social behaviour and other crimes. Kurt Damion head of the Association of UK Off-Licenses is arguing against the ban, claiming that it will ruin business and stop people enjoying themselves.

Metro FM's health correspondent Jennifer Heath was at Brent cross shopping centre getting shopper's views on whether to put up the price of booze.

Voxpop: One hundred per cent no to stop selling cheap alcohol

Voxpop 2: I think there should be no ban on how cheap or expensive alcohol because people like to have a drink after work whiles not spending a lot of money

Voxpop: Well i understand why they would wont to stop the selling of cheap alcohol but i think it isn't right for anyone or legalize it.

What is expected to happen there will be a debate in the commons whether they should proceed in banning the selling of cheap alcohol or whether to keep it the same


News presenter: Fastjet airline ownerJohn Mathews has just announced the making of the company's first 50 million pounds. The 24-year old started the company 4 years ago and has gone on to become one of the world's youngest success stories. In a press conference yesterday, he told reporters that he was even more optimistic about the company's long-term future.

John: I am very happy but i need to make sure nothing changes by keeping my cash flow balanced and to improve to create a new business in order to keep myself busy

Presenter: That's all the news for now, stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Jamie Buckett on the release of his new album today.