Today - 20/11/2009

Presented by Sarah Montague and Justin Webb. The RAF and emergency services have been working through the night to rescue hundreds of people trapped by floods in Cockermouth, Cumbria. Squadron Leader Dave Webster discusses the rescue operation and Tony Walker, a resident of Cockermouth, describes the damage to the area. European leaders have made concessions in the decision to choose an EU president and a high representative for foreign affairs. Today presenter Justin Webb reports from Brussels. The government has published plans to allow further media access to the family courts in England and Wales. The new rules allow journalists to identify expert witnesses, with the reporting of their testimonies being down to the court's discretion. Lucy Theis QC, chair of the Family Law Bar Association, outlines the confusion surrounding the legislation. The UK Independence Party (UKIP) is deciding a on a new leader and has been debating its future direction in a series of hustings, which ended last night with a session in Cambridgeshire. Five candidates are aiming to succeed the party's current leader, Nigel Farage, who is standing down. Correspondent Andrew Hosken went to see the candidates battle it out. Lady Ashton has been appointed the High Representative for Foreign Affairs in Europe, an unexpected choice for many. Lady Ashton's friend, Lord Kinnock, comments on her qualities and her suitability for the job. Thought for the Day with Rev Rosemary Lain-Priestley, Dean of Women's Ministry in central London. The new president of the Association of Chief Police Officers has warned that many chief officers would resign if the Conservatives introduced directly-elected commissioners to oversee them. Sir Hugh Orde has called for a radical reform of policing to be carried by an independent commission. Sir Hugh discusses the changes needed to the police system. A police officer is missing after flood water caused a bridge to collapse in the town of Workington. Correspondent Naomi Cornwell reports on the latest in the flood rescue mission. Belgian prime minister Herman Von Rompoy and Lady Cathy Ashton have been elected for the new top positions to represent the European Union on the world stage. The appointments have been seen in Brussels as an end to the accretion of power to the EU, with stronger candidates for the roles being overlooked. Lady Ashton discusses her new role. Hundreds of people have been helped from their homes in overnight flood rescue operations in Cumbria and a search is underway for a police officer reported missing after a bridge collapse in Workington. Chief Superintendent Paul Kennedy of Cumbria Police discusses the search and Cockermouth resident Daniel Bancroft describes the scale of the flood damage. Environment secretary Hilary Benn comments on the government's flooding policies. A gun battle has broken out between pirates in the in the Somali port of Haradhere. It is reported that the violence centred on the allocation of the millions of dollars they have received from recent hijackings. Middle East correspondent Paul Wood reports from the European naval force patrolling the seas in the area. What are the benefits of moving from analogue to digital radio sets? Provisions for the switchover will be set out in the Digital Economy Bill, published today. Andrew Harrison, chief executive of Radio Centre, discusses the benefits of switchover. A newly-discovered story by crime writer Agatha Christie is to be released in the United States. The short piece, The Incident of the Dog's Ball, was found in the author's papers when she died. Crime writer Harry Keating and managing editor of Strand Magazine, Andrew Gulli, discuss the work. The furore over French star Thierry Henry's handball against Ireland has spilled into European politics, straining Irish and French relations. Dr Emily Ryall, philosophy of sport lecturer at the University of Gloucestershire, and Simon Barnes, chief sports writer for The Times, debate whether sporting clashes should be given a political stage. Elgar's trombone is to be played in concert for the first time since his death in 1934. Principal trombonist of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Sue Addison, will play the instrument at the Royal Festival Hall. Ms Addison plays some of the music. The newspapers have written the first draft of history for the EU's appointment of a EU president and a high representative for foreign affairs. Philippe Ricard, correspondent for Le Monde, and Stephen Castle, New York Times correspondent, discuss the historical legacy.