BBC Local Live: Birmingham & the Black Country

The political fallout from the Andrew Mitchell "Plebgate" libel case is dominating tonight's news. The Sutton Coldfield MP faces a huge legal bill but more damaging still is the impact on his political career

Patrick Burns, Midlands Today's political editor will be live in Sutton Coldfield tonight. Watch from 18:30.

A £2,000 reward has been put forward to find a man believed to have stabbed a manager of a fish and chip shop in Birmingham.

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Police have released CCTV footage of a man they'd like to speak to after the incident on 7 November at Simply Fish and Chips.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online."

The officer involved, PC Toby Rowland, says he hopes a "line can be drawn" under the Plebgate scandal following today's ruling.

The judge said PC Rowland was "not the sort of man who would have had the wit, imagination or inclination to invent on the spur of the moment an account of what a senior politician had said to him in temper". Read more on this story on BBC News.

The mother of Phillip Simelane, who killed Birmingham schoolgirl Christina Edkins on a bus last February, says she supports a new inquiry into the death.

Pricilla Von-Groening welcomed reports earlier this week that NHS England had commissioned a new investigation after Christina's family wrote to them to express concerns about a review carried out by Birmingham Crosscity Clinical Commissioning Group.

That report found authorities missed chances to refer Simelane, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, for appropriate treatment.

Poundland has reported a 12% increase in half-year profits to £9.3m.

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The company based in Willenhall had some hefty one-off charges during the first-half, including £1.2m related to a new distribution centre and costs of launching pilot stores in Spain.

First-half like-for-like sales, which strip out new stores, rose 4.7%.

Wondering what the Plebgate row is all about? Here's a summary of what's happened over the past two years.

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You can also read more on BBC News.

We'll have more reaction to the Plebgate ruling in the news over the next hour. Hear more on BBC WM.

Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant tweets: This is a personal tragedy for Andrew Mitchell which needn't have happened if only he had sown a scintilla of humility. #plebgate

Andrew Mitchell says outside the High Court that he's "bitterly disappointed" by the result of the trial.

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The Sutton Coldfield MP says it's been a "miserable two years but we now need to bring this matter to a close and move on with our lives".

The Conservative MP for Lichfield, Michael Fabricant will be talking to me on Drivetime.

It's after a judge ruled his party colleague, Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell, did call a police officer a "pleb" at the gates of Downing Street in 2012. We'll have more on BBC WM after 17:00.

Reaction following a High Court ruling on the 'Plebgate' libel actions following an alleged altercation between Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell and PC Toby Rowland in Downing Street in September 2012.

The former Chief Whip and Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell has lost his libel action against The Sun newspaper.

In the news at 16:00 we'll hear from the BBC's political correspondent Robin Brant and reaction. Listen live.

Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell loses libel case against The Sun newspaper.

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Libel actions are notoriously pricey. I do not know what the funding arrangements were. it will be interesting to see if there is an application for costs by The Sun and PC Rowland. This could be a huge huge amount of money, running in to hundreds-of-thousands-of-pounds.

Putting the money to one-side - Mr Mitchell's reputation has been injured. He brought the action to protect that and now it has been seriously damaged, I would suggest. See more on BBC News.

A judge has ruled Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell did call a Downing Street policeman a "pleb".

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Mr Mitchell acknowledged that he had used bad language but maintained he had not used the word "pleb".

Little reaction from Andrew Mitchell. He looked stunned and confused.

There's now a 10 minute break at the High Court.

Tonight we'll find out who's this year's BBC Midlands Sports Unsung Hero.

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Five contenders from across the region are in the running for the accolade.

The announcement will be made at a star studded awards ceremony at Villa Park. We'll bring you the result live tonight on BBC Midlands Today at 22:25.

The High Court is expected to give its judgement this afternoon in a libel case involving the former Chief Whip and Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell.

Hear more on this story and others in the news at 15:00 on BBC WM.

Members of the Wylde Green Rotary Club have been creating a facial fuzz by doing their bit for charity Movember this month reports the Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer.

I spent the day with 45 ladies from South Wales, who were on a coach trip to the Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham.

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Many were from the valleys and had got up at 5am. It was the first time some had been and they were really excited about seeing the market.

It was extremely busy on Saturday and many felt it was too crowded. Overall they said they all enjoyed their day and "was a great way to kick start Christmas". Will they be coming back? They said definitely!

Wolves head coach Kenny Jackett says the club won't sign the Northampton striker Ivan Toney today.

The 18-year-old was expected to join Wolves on loan with a view to a permanent move in January.

Jackett's confirmed he was interested, but won't divulge the reason why the deal fell through.

Have your say on the Football Phone-in on BBC WM from 18:00.

In the news at 14:00

Profits at Black Country-based Poundland have jumped by a third to over £12m pounds. Listen live.

At around 14:00 the judgement in the libel action arising from the 'Plebgate' affair will be read out.

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Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell (pictured) is suing News Group Newspapers over a September 2012 article. But Mitchell is himself being sued by PC Toby Rowland over statements he made from December 2012 onwards. Read more here.

Wolves defender Kevin Foley has returned to Blackpool on loan.

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The 30-year-old right back has not played for Wolves since October 2013.

Fans of Saturday Kitchen better listen up - because James Martin himself is live on the programme from the Good Food Show. So what else is hot in the kitchen?

That and more on Midlands Today this lunchtime.

Volunteers at a West Midlands Nature reserve say they're determined to carry on despite vandals wrecking new walkways at Moseley Bog on Sunday.

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Pathways had been ripped up and set on fire and other materials thrown into a pond in the reserve.

Joe Peacock from the Wildlife Trust (pictured) says it's heartbreaking to see all their good work undone. See more footage on our Facebook page.

In the news at 13:00

Hear why the mother of the man who killed Birmingham schoolgirl Christina Edkins last February, supports a new inquiry into her death. Listen Live here

The Express & Star reports six million pounds earmarked to help children in care in Wolverhampton could be slashed from the budget by the city council.

I'm at the Good Food Show at the NEC, the biggest event of its type in the country. So far I've bumped into the Hairy Bikers and Glynn Purnell. On Midlands Today at 13:30 we'll be with James Martin.

Do you know this man? Police release CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to after a 51-year-old man was stabbed in a fish and chip shop in Quinton earlier this month.

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The victim was violently assaulted at about 15:20 on 7 November at Simply Fish and Chips in Hagley Road West, Quinton.

The suspect (pictured) is described as mixed race. He was wearing a grey hooded top, grey tracksuit bottoms and a black beanie hat at the time of the incident. Watch the CCTV footage on YouTube.

In the news at 12:00 on BBC WM: Volunteers at a West Midlands Nature reserve say they're determined to carry on - despite vandals wrecking new walkways paid for with £40,000 of charity funding.

A 26-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving after a man died in a car crash in Oldbury over the weekend.

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Adam Hancox (pictured) who was 26, died when his car, a Ford Ka, collided with a VW Passat on Wolverhampton Road at about 9:20 on Sunday.

West Midlands Police is appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

West Midlands Police tweets: We've been praised by the police watchdog for cutting crime, tracing offenders and reducing anti-social behaviour. http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/latest-news/news.aspx?id=2111

The tragic death in Australia of cricketer Phil Hughes (pictured) is resonating across the Midlands. We'll be talking to Paul Smith about the dangers of cricket. He was on the receiving end and needed facial reconstruction surgery after being hit during a game. Can anything more be done to make cricket safer?

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And millions of visitors come to Birmingham's Frankfurt German Market every year. They come for the beer, the bratwurst and the gifts of course.

Midlands Today joined a coach load of ladies from the Welsh Valleys to find out what they made of the market, and what they were taking home!

The key issue in the Plebgate case is whether Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell did accuse police of being "plebs" - a word described by the judge as "politically toxic". The case is finely balanced - but the stakes for Andrew Mitchell and the police couldn't be higher. Read more here.

Counselling is being offered to those who knew the Australian international and former Worcestershire cricketer Phillip Hughes who died after being hit in the head by the ball.

Hear more on this story and others in the news at 11:00 on BBC WM.

A former soldier from Birmingham is to go to Iraq to help protect the Kurdish people against ISIS militants.

The man who does not want to be identified says he's been in touch with Kurdish groups in Iraq and plans to go within the next few weeks.

He says he won't be fighting, but will offer his help in other ways.

It's decision day on action involving Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell and police officer Toby Rowland, reports the Birmingham Mail.

The popularity of Birmingham's Christmas Market shows no sign of slowing down with thousands of visitors from all over the country visiting the city.

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Reporter Louise Brierley spent the day with a group from South Wales taking a tour to the market by coach.

You can see her tour on Midlands Today at 13:30 and 18:30, BBC One.

Birmingham Mail posts: Tributes are pouring in for Phil Hughes. We've pulled a collection together here:

In the news at 10:00

A study shows more than a quarter of over 65s in the West Midlands who live at home struggle to perform basic tasks. We'll hear from the Washwood Heath woman who's become a carer following years of looking after her own parents.

Listen live to BBC WM

Highways Agency tweets: M6 Northbound between J12 and J13 Congestion http://bit.ly/q2TSUT

A Birmingham MP is calling on the prime minister to renew efforts to find those responsible for the 1974 pub bombings.

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Speaking in the House of Commons, Khalid Mahmood, the Labour MP for Perry Barr, asked David Cameron what action he intended to take on the 40th anniversary of the attacks.

Twenty-one people were killed following the two blasts at the Mulberry Bush and the Tavern in the Town pubs.

Sandwell and Dudley and Rowley Regis railway stations had the highest number of parking fines in the West Midlands. The figures emerged as a new enforcement scheme at railway stations is being hailed a success by transport chiefs.

The A461 Lichfield Road in Walsall Wood is closed in both direction due to an accident at the Brookland Road junction.

Keep up to date with the latest disruptions on BBC Travel.

In the news at 09:00 on BBC WM we'll hear from former Warwickshire player Paul Smith following the sad announcement that Australian international cricketer Phil Hughes has died, two days after being hit on the top of the neck by a ball during a domestic match in Sydney.

The Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls says a future Labour government would give the West Midlands radical new financial and administrative powers.

Black Country local authorities are considering merging with Birmingham to form a "super council" which they hope would have more clout with Westminster.

Ed Balls, who was in Birmingham last night, said Labour would ensure that power is taken from central government and handed back to the regions.

The Good Food Show opens its doors at the NEC in Birmingham today.

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More than 85,000 people are expected at the four day event, billed as the biggest food and drink show in the UK.

Celebrity chefs who'll be there include Great British Bake Off judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry (pictured).

The director of cricket at Worcestershire Steve Rhodes says the clubs players, coaches and supporters are shocked and saddened by the death of Australia batsman Phil Hughes.

The 25-year-old who played for Worcestershire in the 2012 season never regained consciousness after being hit in the head by a ball during a match in Sydney on Tuesday.

You can read more on this story on BBC Sport and listen to BBC WM.

Tourists are travelling to Birmingham in their thousands for the Christmas Market.

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Network Rail says almost 250,000 people came through New Street station last weekend.

Operator London Midland says it will also be putting on extra carriages to cater for the increase.

A man arrested at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of terrorism offences connected to Syria has been charged with the theft of identity documents and a passport.

Alex Nash, from Walsall, was due before Coventry magistrates later.

The 20-year-old and his wife, who is 19, were arrested as they disembarked from a flight from Istanbul on Tuesday evening.

A misty, murky and even foggy start to the day. There'll be some dry weather around but it's likely to drizzle on and off at times - high of 9C (48F).

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I'll be bringing you the very latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Birmingham and the Black Country.

Remember, if you've got a story which you think we should be covering on BBC Local Live - email or tweet @BBCWM.