a news conference in the northern ireland secretary and the dup in this half hour. admitting to the inquiry that she deleted whatsapp messages sent during the pandemic. and with the advice and it always been given since my first day in government was not to retain conversations on the phone that could be lost or stolen and therefore not secure? but could be lost or stolen and therefore not secure? but did you delete them? _ therefore not secure? but did you delete them? yes. _ and new brexit border checks come into force today. we'll talk live to one business that fears extra costs to them, and to consumers. hello, i m matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, 3 hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them.

tech bosses including meta's mark zuckerberg and linda yaccarino of x have been accused of "having blood on their hands" by a powerul us senate committee in washington. the hearing was called as concerns rise about children's mental health and safety online. politicians say big tech companies are not doing enough to protect children from sexual exploitation. they have been debating tougher laws, and demanded executives explain what has been done so far. in his opening remarks, senator lindsay graham, the top republican on the committee, took aim at facebook founder and ceo, mark zuckerburg. mr zuckerberg, you and the companies before us, i know you don't mean it to be so, but you have blood on your you have a product that is killing people. and i use it, we all use it. there's an upside everything here. of the dark side has not been dealt with. it's now time to deal with the dark side because people have taken youridea dark side because people have taken

your idea and they have turned it into a nightmare for the american people. they turned into a nightmare for the world at large. this was facebook founder and ceo, mark zuckerburg's opening remarks: at the end of the day, we want everyone who uses our services to have safe and positive expericences. before i wrap up, i want to recognise the families who are here todaywho have lost a loved one or lived through some terrible things that no family should have to endure. these issues are important for every parent and every parent and every platform. i'm committed to continuing to work in the areas and i hope we can make progress today. live now to our correspondent nomia iqbal in washington. a really brutal session with some questioning can take us through some of those main exchanges.— of those main exchanges. we've fully exected of those main exchanges. we've fully exnected to — of those main exchanges. we've fully exnected to be _ of those main exchanges. we've fully

expected to be tough _ of those main exchanges. we've fully expected to be tough calling - of those main exchanges. we've fully expected to be tough calling but - of those main exchanges. we've fully expected to be tough calling but we | expected to be tough calling but we are upstairs in gathering and waiting — are upstairs in gathering and waiting for the ceos to enter and from _ waiting for the ceos to enter and from the — waiting for the ceos to enter and from the judiciary chair and she said to — from the judiciary chair and she said to quote him, children do not know_ said to quote him, children do not know what— said to quote him, children do not know what they are seeing on their screens_ know what they are seeing on their screens you're going to hear a lot of heartbreaking stories and we have been _ of heartbreaking stories and we have been. parents are inside that room awarding _ been. parents are inside that room awarding pictures of their loved ones _ awarding pictures of their loved ones allegedly were lost to social media _ ones allegedly were lost to social media and resolve the stuff exchanges there in the republican senaior— exchanges there in the republican senator and republican senator ted cruz really _ senator and republican senator ted cruz really went at mark zuckerberg earlier _ cruz really went at mark zuckerberg earlier in _ cruz really went at mark zuckerberg earlier in the hearing is ongoing and they— earlier in the hearing is ongoing and they want to hold their feet to the fire _ and they want to hold their feet to the fire. and a lot of these hearings _ the fire. and a lot of these hearings before headlines and lots of talks _ hearings before headlines and lots of talks for bills in congress is failed — of talks for bills in congress is failed to— of talks for bills in congress is failed to pass a law in the last decade — failed to pass a law in the last decade and there's a lot of expectations on this hearing today

of it _ expectations on this hearing today of it. ,, ., ., , ., ~ ., of it. senators talking to the dancers of it. senators talking to the dangers with _ of it. senators talking to the dangers with all _ of it. senators talking to the dangers with all those - of it. senators talking to the i dangers with all those relatives of it. senators talking to the - dangers with all those relatives in the audience watching on but in terms of the defence from those five tech bosses, how did they attempt to defend themselves? thea;r tech bosses, how did they attempt to defend themselves?— defend themselves? they said they had rolled up _ defend themselves? they said they had rolled up mechanisms - defend themselves? they said they had rolled up mechanisms and - had rolled up mechanisms and protocols— had rolled up mechanisms and protocols and products to help keep the platform safe but empowering parents _ the platform safe but empowering parents and kids to be responsible themselves and that is their argument and another thing to mention— argument and another thing to mention is its a unifying force here between _ mention is its a unifying force here between republicans and democrats, they united in their dislike of sociat— they united in their dislike of social media companies and their argument — social media companies and their argument is the rolled out on the set of— argument is the rolled out on the set of a _ argument is the rolled out on the set of a hearing there's bit of cynicism _ set of a hearing there's bit of cynicism there what they want to do is admit _ cynicism there what they want to do

is admit to— cynicism there what they want to do is admit to certain bills they are trying _ is admit to certain bills they are trying to— is admit to certain bills they are trying to push through and one is to stop child _ trying to push through and one is to stop child sexual abuse material acts and — stop child sexual abuse material acts and that basically chips away from _ acts and that basically chips away from companies and legal protections to allow— from companies and legal protections to allow people to sue them and the ceo of— to allow people to sue them and the ceo of twitter did endorse it during the hearing and i will be seen as victory— the hearing and i will be seen as victory by— the hearing and i will be seen as victory by lawmakers. and the hearing and i will be seen as victory by lawmakers.— victory by lawmakers. and in terms of thins victory by lawmakers. and in terms of things changing, _ victory by lawmakers. and in terms of things changing, what _ victory by lawmakers. and in terms of things changing, what is - victory by lawmakers. and in terms of things changing, what is your . of things changing, what is your assessment?— of things changing, what is your assessment? �* , , ., ., ., assessment? there's been a lot of these hearings _ assessment? there's been a lot of these hearings that _ assessment? there's been a lot of these hearings that have - assessment? there's been a lot of| these hearings that have happened previously there been numerous hiiis, _ previously there been numerous hiiis, joe — previously there been numerous bills, joe biden is made a push for the tech _ bills, joe biden is made a push for the tech companies to do things for his last _ the tech companies to do things for his last two — the tech companies to do things for his last two state of the union addresses but this is constant tug—of—war we want them to do more, tech accompany stream or saying they are doing _ tech accompany stream or saying they are doing more but there's always some _ are doing more but there's always some resistance and there's a sense

that this _ some resistance and there's a sense that this hearing might not result in anything concrete and having a senate _ in anything concrete and having a senate hearing is like having a court — senate hearing is like having a court room and supporting public opinion — court room and supporting public opinion. lawmakers are helping them by having _ opinion. lawmakers are helping them by having this hearing, it allows the public— by having this hearing, it allows the public to watch it after say and another _ the public to watch it after say and another thing to give you a sense of the scale _ another thing to give you a sense of the scale of— another thing to give you a sense of the scale of the problem, and 2007, ever hearings held in congress to address— ever hearings held in congress to address rising reports of child sexual— address rising reports of child sexual abuse and law enforcement investment said they were overwhelmed and they were drowning in the _ overwhelmed and they were drowning in the tidal— overwhelmed and they were drowning in the tidal wave of tragedy in their— in the tidal wave of tragedy in their underfunded and tech companies made about 100,000 reports of illegal— made about 100,000 reports of illegal material back in 2007 and last year. — illegal material back in 2007 and last year, they made 36.2 million reports _ last year, they made 36.2 million reports that is a sense of how much of this— reports that is a sense of how much of this problem has grown in the last decade or so.—

last decade or so. thank you for takin: us last decade or so. thank you for taking us through _ last decade or so. thank you for taking us through those - last decade or so. thank you for taking us through those details | taking us through those details and will return to that if there is more the little while. minutes we are expecting the northern ireland secretary, removing routine checks from goods to northern ireland and the democratic unionist party has boycott stormont for nearly two years in protest of trade arrangements after uk left the eu and we are expecting a news conference in the next little while with northern ireland secretary and the leader of the dup and as soon as that starts, will carry that live in

get the results. looking at the leader of the traditionalists unionists. thank you forjoining us here on the programme in your reaction to everything we have seen over the past 2a hours. that reaction to everything we have seen over the past 24 hours.— over the past 24 hours. that the rotocol over the past 24 hours. that the protocol with — over the past 24 hours. that the protocol with the _ over the past 24 hours. that the protocol with the eu _ over the past 24 hours. that the protocol with the eu removed i over the past 24 hours. that the | protocol with the eu removed us as part of the united kingdom and does the study restore our position fully in the united kingdom that i have to say it does not because it does not address the tremaine problems this is what they are. under the protocol within the united kingdom and the eu customs code, the eu declares that she be is a foreign country because it is not a member of the ee but northern ireland is regarded under it as a territory you have a

fundamental rupture of the union whereby part of the union, gb for northern ireland bosporus perspective is declared to be a foreign country is goods must be checked and northern ireland have been left with the interests of the ee single market as the rest of the united kingdom and we have been subject to hundreds upon hundreds of evil laws that we didn't need a life that we cannot change and they are now her colonial masters and those laws remain. i now her colonial masters and those laws remain-— laws remain. i will come to those oints in laws remain. i will come to those points in a _ laws remain. i will come to those points in a moment _ laws remain. i will come to those points in a moment or— laws remain. i will come to those points in a moment or two but i laws remain. i will come to those. points in a moment or two but this has been endorsed byjeffrey donaldson in the dup deal except that you're in a low—volume voice or minority voice prismatic how is that realistically within the unionist community, given what we've seen over the past 24 hours? the

community, given what we've seen over the past 24 hours?— community, given what we've seen over the past 24 hours? the cost of the unease — over the past 24 hours? the cost of the unease is— over the past 24 hours? the cost of the unease is not _ over the past 24 hours? the cost of the unease is not been _ over the past 24 hours? the cost of the unease is not been removed . over the past 24 hours? the cost of| the unease is not been removed and the unease is not been removed and the party has written on this particular issue in the true cause of that given the northern ireland is been distant. northern ireland is now effectively governed as a condominium part under uk law and partly under the form of the eu and thatis partly under the form of the eu and that is an incompatible position and an integral part of the united kingdom. an integral part of the united kinudom. �* , an integral part of the united kinadom. �* , ., , kingdom. here's the thing, there has been easing — kingdom. here's the thing, there has been easing on _ kingdom. here's the thing, there has been easing on the _ kingdom. here's the thing, there has been easing on the checks _ kingdom. here's the thing, there has been easing on the checks that - been easing on the checks that appears to be some of the details here in terms of of the government published today in the other restatement that i read that the phrase copper fastening restatement that i read that the phrase copperfastening northern ireland to place in the uk, it's worth getting back power—sharing because you have so many daily problems for people with no ministers in place and on the

absolute basics, health, education, it is for that to get power—sharing back, given the concessions the british government is outlining here. , , ,, british government is outlining here. , ,, ., ., here. many problems but for them to become protocols, _ here. many problems but for them to become protocols, implement - here. many problems but for them to become protocols, implement laws l become protocols, implement laws that we cannot change into act as a colonial under the eu and act on the basis that there is a board in the irish sea and raw materials which are in manufacturing industry or processing they big part of our industry, all of those in the eu tariffs and checks. but industry, all of those in the eu tariffs and checks.— tariffs and checks. but they're aaoin to tariffs and checks. but they're going to be — tariffs and checks. but they're going to be fewer _ tariffs and checks. but they're going to be fewer checks - tariffs and checks. but they're going to be fewer checks and | tariffs and checks. but they're - going to be fewer checks and also the break in the restatement and isn't your real worry here that with the power—sharing, the first minister will come from a nationalist party for the first time

and is such a real worry? ma; nationalist party for the first time and is such a real worry? my worry is that northern _ and is such a real worry? my worry is that northern ireland _ and is such a real worry? my worry is that northern ireland is - and is such a real worry? my worry is that northern ireland is being i is that northern ireland is being detached from the rest of the united kingdom by the commanding eu colony still under its laws and hundreds customs code. the prizes you get a first minister wants to destroy northern ireland as part of the united kingdom and the opportunity of putting her within touching distance of separating northern ireland from the uk but fundamentally, we are not being treated as a proper part of the united kingdom, where been subjected to colonial rules in the eu that is an unsustainable position. aha, to colonial rules in the eu that is an unsustainable position. a year which is saying — an unsustainable position. a year which is saying thank— an unsustainable position. a year which is saying thank you - an unsustainable position. a year which is saying thank you very . an unsustainable position. a year. which is saying thank you very much forjoining us and we are just repeating that we were here from the british government from the dup and that news conference on the programme in the next few minutes.

but let us had to thomas morgan who was there and thomas, we are hearing their mother voices against what is been announced by the dup and by the british government and this is moving forward if we could have power—sharing on the basis of what is been agreed within days, couldn't we? ~ ., �* is been agreed within days, couldn't we? . . �* ., is been agreed within days, couldn't we? . . �* . ., is been agreed within days, couldn't we? . . �* ., ., ., , we? what we're hearing now that this could be happening _ we? what we're hearing now that this could be happening on _ we? what we're hearing now that this could be happening on friday, - could be happening on friday, saturday and likely to get pushed into the weekend but the secretaries appearance here within the next half an hour is probably a show of support for the steel in the dup for the union for them really and we heard that this, spend some of my colleagues from the bbc they've been speaking to people in both sides of

the public are the last two days and overwhelmingly, the people they've spoken to, not a scientific study but overwhelmingly, the people he spokein but overwhelmingly, the people he spoke in to have said there had been the steel is gone through it list of the assembly can get back and functioning like a devolved government should in the very near future and it was a very minority of people that are against this deal and there are some people within the party that say there are some ambiguities and some parts of the deal depending on how you read the way it's been worded but it is going ahead and that the end of the week by the weekend, he may have a functioning devolved government for northern ireland.— northern ireland. apology for the sli a ht northern ireland. apology for the slight break _ northern ireland. apology for the slight break op — northern ireland. apology for the slight break up on _ northern ireland. apology for the slight break up on the _ northern ireland. apology for the slight break up on the sound - northern ireland. apology for the slight break up on the sound of. slight break up on the sound of blessedness that conference starts, will carry it live on the ground. turning to another important story. british consumers are facing higher costs on food, plants and animal imports

from the eu, as the government imposes new post—brexit import controls. health certificates will now be required on eu goods, ranging from cut flowers, to fresh produce, including meat, fruit and vegetables. businesses in britain have warned the rules will cause delays and push up their costs. let's speak to patricia michelson — the owner of la fromagerie, which has three independent cheese shops in london and gets most of its produce from the eu. thank you for being here in the programme a basic reaction to these new controls coming in and the impact is likely to have on you. more paperwork but it is these extra points that are needed on this new form that we are getting in on the main things is we have to put the truck number on this paperwork and

thatis truck number on this paperwork and that is days in advance and it is knowing which truck is going to be taking the pallets are trying to get around that by getting the declarations as far as possible and something requiring a lot of manoeuvring and it's wonderful that are small producers in the eu wants to work with us and see how it goes over the next few weeks. it is over the next few weeks. it is important but _ over the next few weeks. it is important butjudging by the bureaucracy brought about the costs because the british government has acknowledged there will be costs to british business.— british business. everything is a knock on effect _ british business. everything is a knock on effect because - british business. everything is a knock on effect because every l british business. everything is a . knock on effect because every little bit requires an extra amount of work

in with this, the vet to take boxes in with this, the vet to take boxes in the paperwork is already been done with the first eu form for this new one from the uk, we've got to get the vet to do it again and that is a knock on effect. stand get the vet to do it again and that is a knock on effect.— is a knock on effect. and do you think those _ is a knock on effect. and do you think those costs _ is a knock on effect. and do you think those costs need - is a knock on effect. and do you think those costs need to be - is a knock on effect. and do you i think those costs need to be borne by you and by the customers and those importing those goods may reconsider and buy the option cost implications?— implications? there will be costs whether or _ implications? there will be costs whether or not _ implications? there will be costs whether or not it _ implications? there will be costs whether or not it means - implications? there will be costs whether or not it means the - implications? there will be costs - whether or not it means the consumer then pays all of it, that's another thing and i'm frankly will have good exchanges compensate this but there

will be costs even if we absorb some of them, there's got to be an extra knock on effect.— knock on effect. millions of pounds big acknowledged _ knock on effect. millions of pounds big acknowledged on _ knock on effect. millions of pounds big acknowledged on the _ knock on effect. millions of pounds big acknowledged on the cost - knock on effect. millions of pounds big acknowledged on the cost of. big acknowledged on the cost of business and giving in interview they said businesses are used to the costs of doing businesses and business needs to adapt to leaving the eu single market we have politicians say that, what is your gut reaction? it politicians say that, what is your gut reaction?— politicians say that, what is your aut reaction? . ,, , , .~' gut reaction? it makes me sick. the lord thina gut reaction? it makes me sick. the lord thing is — gut reaction? it makes me sick. the lord thing is what _ gut reaction? it makes me sick. the lord thing is what are _ gut reaction? it makes me sick. the lord thing is what are they - gut reaction? it makes me sick. the lord thing is what are they trying i lord thing is what are they trying to do? cut off britain from getting anything in from the eu and are we able to feed our nation? no, we need the help outside our country to bring and produce and whether it is cheese and fruit and veg, whatever it is, we needed and to make those

kinds of comments, terry cavalier. we have to leave it there but thank you for your time. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. a man shot dead by police in south east london yesterday — has been revealed as a convicted stalker who was banned from entering the road where he was shot. the 30—year—old died afterforcing his way into a home — armed with weapons including a crossbow. the independent office for police conduct is investigating the incident. a new scheme has launched across most pharmacies in england — allowing people to get advice and treatment for seven common health conditions — without the need to see a doctor. the list includes sore throat, earache and shingles. treatment may be an over—the—counter or prescription—only medicine. it's estimated it could save gps ten million appointments a year

sir lenny henry has announced this year's comic relief in march will be the last year he'll host the television fundraiser — after nearly 40 years at the healm. the comedian co—founded the charity with richard curtis in 1985 — and hosted the first show three years later. sir lenny has been an honorary president of comic relief since 2017. you're live with bbc news. the former first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon, has admitted to the covid inquiry that she deleted whatsapp messages sent during the pandemic. giving evidence to the inquiry ms sturgeon said she had managed to retrieve some copies to submit to the hearings — and that she hadn't used informal communications like whatsapp to have substantial discussions. nicola sturgeon was first minister throughout the pandemic, and made crucial decisions

for scotland throughout. nicola sturgeon, scotland's main decision key communicator for scotland's pandemic response. what happened to your whatsapp? arriving to answer questions that have been stacking up since the hearings in edinburgh began. for some who lost loved ones, this a chance for the former first minister, who they described as scotland's master of spin, to be held to account. nicola sturgeon stands accused of a betrayal of the many promises that she made, including that nothing would be off—limits in the public inquiries. her industrial deletion of whatsapps, along with those in her inner circle, begs the question why, when she knew a public inquiry was on its way. why, from january 2020 to the 1st of september 2020, are there zero whatsapps and, rather conveniently, none from her inner circle? the very first question she faced, how decisions on covid were made, recorded, discussed.

is it still your position today that you and the scottish government were open, transparent and accountable in your actions, notjust in your words, at all times during the pandemic response in scotland? yes, that is still my position. i did not do government business through informal messaging in relation to covid or any other matter. nicola sturgeon gave public assurances in the midst of the pandemic that all of her communications would be kept. can you guarantee to the bereaved families that you will disclose e—mails, whatsapps, private e—mails if you have been using them, whatever, that nothing will be off—limits in this inquiry? i think if you understand statutory inquiries you would know that even if i was not prepared to give that assurance — which, for the avoidance of doubt i am — i would not have the ability. this will be a judge—led

statutory public inquiry. the inquiry has seen some of whatsapp, informal messages, submitted by others, but what of those on her phone? did you delete them? yes. as far as the other messages that you can produce between you and all these others, you deleted those as well? in the manner and after the process i have set out, yes. the inquiry was shown evidence that decisions over restrictions were discussed at length over whatsapp, but mrjenn insisted it was a cabinet where decisions were made — decisions, she said earlier, that were beyond anything ever experienced before. i was the first minister when the pandemic struck. there is a large part of me that wishes i had not been. but i was and i wanted to be the best first minister i could be during that period. it is for others to judge the extent to which i succeeded. her performance is not the sole

focus of this inquiry, even if it is being scrutinised here today. lorna gordon, bbc news, edinburgh. it is been a very stormy session as the bosses are grilled by us senators and it's fascinating because democrats and republicans absolutely no difference because they are united in terms of what they are united in terms of what they perceive as a threat to youngsters online through those platforms and they have been grilling those checkboxes about what they're actually doing to protect children. more from washington in the next little while and take you to hillsboro castle is expected in the next couple of minutes that news conference and of the democratic unionist partyjeffrey donaldson, they're going to talk to the media

there after the british government publish details of the plan to bring back power—sharing and in this half—hour, cingular is a sell—out in that it was very much a minority force, we will hear from that press conference coming up in the next few minutes. do not go away. hello there. we've seen some very strong winds across northern areas of scotland today. and with those severe gales came some pretty big waves pummeling the coastline of shetland. but it wasn't shetland where the strongest winds in this storm were. no, they were in the core of storm ingunn and that runs straight across the faroe islands to our northwest. now, landsburg is the public authority that runs the infrastructure in the faroe islands.

they reported a gust on one of their weather stations of 155 mph. in relatively well sheltered torshavn, we had a top gust of 120 mph there in the capital of the faroe islands. thankfully, those really powerful winds stayed well away from our shores. we had a top gust of 75 in lerwick and not far behind that in the highlands and the hebrides. now, overnight tonight we've got a band of rain, a cold front pushing southwards across england and wales, bringing some rain that will clear later in the night. and with clearing skies and lighter winds, one or two mist and fog patches possible, there's also likely to be one or two patches of frost around as well as we head into the first part of thursday. now storm ingunn will be bringing some very strong winds to norway on thursday, gusts over 100 mph, blizzard conditions with lots of snow. our weather is going to be a good deal quieter than that. you'll be pleased to hear.

we've got a ridge of high pressure and that means for many of us, it's a bright start to the day. should stay sunny for the most part across england and wales. further north, it will tend to turn cloudier through the afternoon, with outbreaks of rain arriving across the north and west of scotland through thursday afternoon. with the wind strengthening, it won't be quite as windy as it's been though today. but friday, a lot of cloud around. best of any breaks in a cloud across eastern areas will continue to be quite windy generally. some rain across the north and west of scotland. we may see a fern effect set up across the north east of scotland. if that happens, we could see temperatures go as high as 16, but otherwise 14 in aberdeen. well, that's still a good seven or eight degrees above average at this time of the year. it stays mild as well for most of the country on saturday, but particularly so for england and wales. still quite a lot of cloud around. gusty winds on into the east of the pennines, a mixture of sunshine and showers for scotland and northern ireland.

top temperature around 14 degrees for east anglia in the south east, but even 10—11 for scotland is still well above average as we head into february. into sunday and next week, generally it's going to stay quite wet and windy across northern areas. the quietest weather will be in the south.

as promised, that news conference with the northern ireland secretary and the leader of the dup on —— about to get under way, they are at the podiums. less listening. the government _ the podiums. less listening. tie: government has the podiums. less listening. t'te: government has settled a the podiums. less listening. tte: government has settled a command paper sitting on the details of the deal reach with the dup. the long interest of the union are preserved by persuading those who would not fit with union and purchase that it offers the best future for them and their children. a thriving northern ireland within the united kingdom underpinned by democratically accountable and locally elected leaders. it is the surest way to safeguard this precious union. i look forward to continuing to work with those who support our union to

continue to advance his cause. on monday night, sir geoffrey set out his parties willingness to risk it —— restore the executive depending on the governments delivery of our commitments. the government will deliver on this and do so quickly. tomorrow, in the house of commons, we would introduce two core pieces of legislation in this deal which will affirm northern islands constitutional status and future proof northern ireland position within the uk internal market against protocol that would have a new low alignment for northern ireland. the legislation also strengthens the uk internal market by guaranteeing in law unfettered access for northern island goods to the whole of the uk internal market. the deal we have reached to ensure internal trade within kingdom takes under in new uk internal market system was set up and you uk east to

west consul to