this is bbc news, the headlines our top story — russia's — prison service says — the jailed opposition figure, alexei navalny, has died. he was vladimir putin's most vociferous critic — this was him in court yesterday. navalney�*s wife made this defiant statement. translation: | want putin - and all his allies, all his friends, his government, i want them all to know that they will be held responsible for what they have done with our country,

with my family, with my husband. in moscow, people have been laying flowers in tribute to the man who took on putin. here in the uk — the labour party wins two by—elections — in a further blow to the governing conservatives. and another court ruling concerning donald trump is expected in the coming hours. it could cost him hundreds of millions of dollars — and restrict his business dealings in new york. our top story this hour — breaking news from russia, where the prison service has announced that the jailed kremlin critic alexei navalny has died. let me show you again the pictures that are coming in after the news

from a few hours ago that he has died. , . , . , . ., died. these are the pictures coming into us from — died. these are the pictures coming into us from moscow _ died. these are the pictures coming into us from moscow with _ died. these are the pictures coming into us from moscow with a - died. these are the pictures coming into us from moscow with a line - died. these are the pictures coming into us from moscow with a line of i into us from moscow with a line of people still arriving there to pay their personal respects, to lay flowers, pictures, but auto thing. that is right there in the centre of moscow with that warning from prosecutors about any sort of wider protests. to berlin no and we show you the pictures there, large crowds gathered there to mark this moment. germany of course was very close to alexei navalny. they watched him recoverfrom poisoning in their country to emerge from a long coma and make a painful recovery and an extraordinarily returning to russia to continue with his protests and to

take on the corruption that he said was widespread in the putin regime. those are the pictures there in germany. in vilnius the night time vision the micro vigil as people had fled to central square. you can see from their faces the reaction. those are just three of the live picture feeds coming into the bbc. we had so much reaction during the day. there was that gathering in munich. we are waiting forjoe biden, we expect a reaction from him, we're not sure whether it is written, he has certainly been briefed on the latest details. it is about 20 minutes away

i am being told. we keep our eyes across that, of course this story has dominated global headlines since news emerged from russian new service that alexei navalny had died. in a statement it said that he was unwell. us secretary of state antony blinken has said russia is responsible. the 47—year—old was serving a i9—yearjail term for offences widely considered politically motivated. in 2020 he was poisoned with the nerve agent novichok. worth saying that they has been reaction from moscow talking about the west response as being unacceptable with them describing some of the responses is absolutely rapid. those are the latest comments coming to us from moscow. those are the latest comments coming to us from moscow.

in 2017, hardtalk presenter stephen sackur spoke to alexei navalny about the dangers he faced in opposing vladimir putin. i guess from 2010, i never had a day in my life when i wasn't under the criminal prosecution because it's the way how they fight me. that's true. you've had convictions, you've had house arrest, and you may well end up in prison again. your brother is currently in prison in solitary confinement. you know that you are treading a very fine line and if you go one inch too far, you'll end up in prison. 0r who knows? i definitely don't draw this line for myself. ijust do what i can do in this particular moment. and i don't care about what kremlin is doing, what their strategy about keeping me in prison or releasing me, maybe, you know, that i had actually a moment when they imprison me for five years and i spent the night in the prison

knowing nothing about what's going on in moscow, where tens of thousand people came in the street and they forced actually vladimir putin to release me. these people who came in the street, they are not gone. they still live in in this city. they still live in the country. and i'm absolutely 100% sure that my programme for this presidency election is the programme based on the needs of the majority of people. let me stop you there. are you absolutely determined? you talk about your run for the presidency. you're determined, come what may, to challenge vladimir putin in the election, which we believe will come in 2018. you are going to run, are you? yeah, i'm going to run. and well, i'm not a naive person. i understand that kremlin is very unhappy with me running, and i understand that they will do everything to prevent me from running. and recently, several kremlin�*s officials said that he is not allowing to allow to participate.

but still, i am going to appeal to the people and ask for them support. i mean, in this office where we speak, you've already got your logos organised. navalny 2018. but i put it to you that if you lose this court case in kirov based on accusations of embezzlement and fraud, you will be barred from running. and whatever you tell me about your determination doesn't actually doesn't nothing in the current in the current council. well, as i said, they imprisoned me for five years and they released me on the next day. so you see what kind of law the same with my participation in mayoral election. it was almost impossible to participate. but when people came in the street and said, we are not going to recognise this election without him participating. stephen will bejoining

stephen will be joining me stephen will bejoining me on stephen will be joining me on the programme at 5pm. it is stephen will be joining me on the programme at 5pm.— programme at 5pm. it is worth underlining _ programme at 5pm. it is worth underlining what _ programme at 5pm. it is worth underlining what i _ programme at 5pm. it is worth underlining what i was - programme at 5pm. it is worth underlining what i was telling i programme at 5pm. it is worth i underlining what i was telling you about earlier. joe biden will give comments in 20 minutes' time from the white house. we know that he has already been briefed. the latest comments from the us president on today's breaking news coming up in 20 minutes' time. an updated statement from the european commission website that the news of alexei navalny�*s death is horrible and it shows that putin feels nothing more than the descent from his own people. putin and his friends fear nothing more that people actually stand up and speak up. the fight for freedom in the fight against corruption. the world has lost a freedom fighter in alexei navalny. those are the latest comments. we will have plenty more on that story which is dominating the agenda today. it is worth for

the agenda today. it is worth for the next few minutes turning away. just to take in the latest of two stories. 0ne just to take in the latest of two stories. one in the uk and one in the us. to start in new york. prosecutors are asked to find him 370 million pot dollars and restrict his ability to take part in business. it is one of several civil cases he is fighting and yesterday the judge set age eight of the 25th of march for hush payments to the aduu of march for hush payments to the adult film star. let us big to jack green. thank you so much for being on the programme. what are people

broadly anticipating in today's judgment? he has been found liable, so you has been found guilty, what are people expecting in terms of the judgment itself? i are people expecting in terms of the judgment itself?— are people expecting in terms of the judgment itself? i think most people are exnecting — judgment itself? i think most people are exnecting the — judgment itself? i think most people are expecting the journal— judgment itself? i think most people are expecting the journal to - judgment itself? i think most people are expecting the journal to get - are expecting the journal to get close to what is she is asking for which is $370 million and also she is asking the court to essentially bind trump from doing business in new york again. a lifetime ban on real estate. that would be pretty remarkable because this is where he made his name is a real estate developer and it's where he lakers foundations as an empire and that was his entry into politics. i think as you mentioned as he has already been found liable for fraud this trial is more about determining how much the attorney general once. would you anticipate the upper end of whatley prosecutors have asked for given some of the comments along

the way with this particular case because the judge has the way with this particular case because thejudge has been really brutal in slapping down so many of the defences hasn't he? he brutal in slapping down so many of the defences hasn't he?— brutal in slapping down so many of the defences hasn't he? he has yes, and i was there _ the defences hasn't he? he has yes, and i was there for _ the defences hasn't he? he has yes, and i was there for that _ the defences hasn't he? he has yes, | and i was there for that three-month and i was there for that three—month and i was there for that three—month and there were times where his frustration with trump's lawyers was palpable. he was getting impatient with them and i think it is telegraphing that he is going to hand down a severe penalty and i would be very surprised if he doesn't give everything back to the eternal general is asking four or more. ~ . y ., eternal general is asking four or more. ~ . ,, ~ eternal general is asking four or more. ~ . ~ , eternal general is asking four or more. ., ~ , ., , ., more. what you think this does to the trump — more. what you think this does to the trump psyche? _ more. what you think this does to the trump psyche? you _ more. what you think this does to the trump psyche? you were - more. what you think this does to - the trump psyche? you were touching on his image which he is likely to project about himself. what do you think that the prospect does to all of that? i think that the prospect does to all of that? ~ . ~ , , w, of that? i think he takes this case very personally — of that? i think he takes this case very personally anyway _

of that? i think he takes this case very personally anyway because l of that? i think he takes this case j very personally anyway because it drives his whole identity as a real estate tycoon. the attorney general was saying that he was lying about his net worth for decades. it also threatens him from doing business where he first made his name in new york. i think he takes it very personally. i think you really got that sense when he testified because he was defiant and you had the sense that he felt personally affronted by these allegations which he denies and is almost certain to appeal. final thought because i referenced in the introduction what we heard yesterday we now know that criminal trial will go ahead on the 25th of march just trial will go ahead on the 25th of marchjust in trial will go ahead on the 25th of march just in terms of timelines now, that is just one of so many indictments that he faces. it is really becoming problematic for a man who is running to be the next

president being in and out of so many different courts. i president being in and out of so many different courts.— president being in and out of so many different courts. i would also sa his many different courts. i would also say his strategy — many different courts. i would also say his strategy has _ many different courts. i would also say his strategy has been - many different courts. i would also say his strategy has been to - many different courts. i would also say his strategy has been to turn i say his strategy has been to turn his court appearances into mini campaign starts, obviously there is always a big news and media presence. so far these cases haven't hurt him with his base but that could change as we are starting to see trials happening. your point about the complicated calendar, that has been an issue for the judges. about the complicated calendar, that has been an issue for thejudges. a hearing yesterday said the date for that criminal trial, that was to the objection of trumps lawyers which said they need more trials. the judge said enough, we are going to trial, see you much 25th.— trial, see you much 25th. enough because we _ trial, see you much 25th. enough because we have _ trial, see you much 25th. enough because we have run _ trial, see you much 25th. enough because we have run out - trial, see you much 25th. enough because we have run out of - trial, see you much 25th. enough because we have run out of time | trial, see you much 25th. enough i because we have run out of time but thank you, live from new york. just

a point on this story we expect that judgment to be made in about 15 minutes' time, that may waive for a bit. we expect it to come by the website. they are not actually sitting in the court today but that judgment should come in 15 minutes' time. we are also expecting to hear joe biden in 15 minutes. we were keen to be macro keep an eye on it. stay with us, breaking the balance on that story here. you're watching bbc news.

we will return to our main story the news of alexei navalny in just a moment but we are getting the latest, from new york, there is also an important story in the uk. here in the uk, the government has suffered a double by—election defeat ,

with labour candidates overturning comfortable majorities in the constituencies of kingswood and wellingborough. its the latest blow to the conservatives less than a year from a general election that opinion polls suggest they are likely to lose. in wellingborough, the labour candidate won with a swing of 28.5%. prime minister rishi sunak tried to play down the by—election results. mid—term by—elections are always difficult for incumbent governments and the circumstances of these by—elections were, of course, particularly challenging. i think if you look at the results, a very low turnout and it shows we've got work to do to show people that we are delivering on their priorities, and that is what i am absolutely determined to do, but it also shows that there isn't a huge amount of enthusiasm for the alternative in keir starmer and the labour party. that's because they don't have a plan and, if you don't have a plan, you can't deliver real change. when the general election comes that's the message i will be making to the country — stick with our plan because it is starting to deliver the change that the country

wants and needs. that was rishi sunak. i was mentioning there are a spring of 28.5%. labour leader sir keir starmer was more upbeat. the election results from last night, i think this very clear that people are crying out for change across the country, they think that the tories have failed and conceded that most things had broken. they look at the labour party and they see a change party and last night people who hadn't voted labour before had voted labour so i'm very pleased with both of those but there is more work to do and there's a long way to go. that was so keir starmer. let's speak to cat neilan, uk political editor for tortoise media. thank you for being here in the programme, your thoughts? thank you for being here in the programme, yourthoughts? in a thank you for being here in the programme, your thoughts? in a sense the are programme, your thoughts? in a sense they are both — programme, your thoughts? in a sense

they are both right. _ programme, your thoughts? in a sense they are both right. rishi _ programme, your thoughts? in a sense they are both right. rishi sunak- programme, your thoughts? in a sense they are both right. rishi sunak was . they are both right. rishi sunak was third trying to suggest that there were local issues at play with the by—election which is true. there were particular circumstances about the wellingborough by—election which was called by a recall of petitions triggered by a parliamentary report to be macro inquiry. . in kingswood it is a constituency that will no longer exist about the boundary review so they are both unusual local issues. so keir starmer is also right to say that there is a bigger, overriding national swing and we have seen for some time now that the polls have given labour a near enough 20 point lead above the conservatives and that seems to be shown by the results today.- shown by the results today. there are always — shown by the results today. there are always the _ shown by the results today. there are always the usual— shown by the results today. there are always the usual caveats - are always the usual caveats surrounded by election but when

rishi sunak says these by—elections show there is no real enthusiasm for the labour party that is quite something isn't it. a swing in one of those constituencies was 28.5%, thatis of those constituencies was 28.5%, that is the second—biggest biggest swing since the second world war. it is quite a brass neck to come up and say that isn't it? yes is quite a brass neck to come up and say that isn't it?— say that isn't it? yes you are entirely right. _ say that isn't it? yes you are entirely right. it _ say that isn't it? yes you are entirely right. it is _ say that isn't it? yes you are entirely right. it is an - say that isn't it? yes you are i entirely right. it is an enormous wing what it means now is that the conservatives have lost more by—elections in a parliamentary term thanjohn major did in the years running up to the 1987 election which of course he famously lost to tony blair. so the picture that is being painted is definitely one that reinforces everything we are hearing which is that the country is tired and wants to change things up. that said the turnout was very low, by—election turnouts are usually

quite low but in this case it was just over a third of the electorate that came out. again there are two different takes on this. on the one hand some conservatives are consoling themselves by saying that if we can just get the stay—at—home vote to turnout then there is a world where we could at least limit some of the damage that has been done far but actually as i understand it it is part of labour strategy to be risk in their words so that people who would never vote labour, conservative voters who would never vote labour, feel they can sit this one out and in that way they could actually end up winning. a thought, is there a way back for the conservative party. you had the former leader of the conservative home is saying there is no way back they haven't delivered on what they said they were going to deliver. you have various new factions within a

party, these new groups that have been set up with the conservatives pushing for a different direction from the prime minister and you have a prime minister saying stick with the plan. yet the plan has taken them to where they are at and into recession so through all of that is there a way back?— there a way back? absolutely, it feels that with _ there a way back? absolutely, it feels that with all _ there a way back? absolutely, it feels that with all of _ there a way back? absolutely, it feels that with all of these i feels that with all of these different groups that the conservatives have been carrying out an autopsy on a life body, the election is not over and some conservatives are taking solace from the terrible week that labour has had, you turning on its pledge and the anti—semitism row at the start of this week but that said the recession as you mentioned, the economy, the nhs, the sense that public services are not being well funded, all of this paint a bigger picture of the desire that the electorate has for change and i

think that is a tall order for the conservatives to change that mindset at this stage. we conservatives to change that mindset at this stage-— at this stage. we have to leave it there but thank _ at this stage. we have to leave it there but thank you _ at this stage. we have to leave it there but thank you so _ at this stage. we have to leave it there but thank you so much i at this stage. we have to leave it there but thank you so much for| there but thank you so much for joining us on the programme. as promised let us return to our main news of the death of alexei navalny. i want to take you through some of the latest news, we will be hearing from biden in the next five or six minutes. let me show the pictures from moscow and people continue to come out there. in freezing conditions to lay flowers and tributes to alexei navalny. a warning from prosecutors about unrest and warning people against any sort of staged protests those are the scenes currently in the centre of moscow. to berlin next,

and the pictures we have been showing you with the numbers growing all the while there as they then have an evening rally. i want to show you pictures from outside the russian embassy in london here as well because this from the last little while with people arriving there and again leaving flowers and tributes. it is worth returning to some of the international reaction we have had because we have heard from so many global leaders talking in the munich security conference. we heard from the american vice president saying that russia will be held responsible. borisjohnson saying that no one can be in any doubt that alexei navalny had been put to death by russia. we heard from kremlin talking about a response about the rabid comments

coming from the west. those are just some of the latest pictures and reaction and detail. we will of course have plenty more in the next little while, as i say we are expecting to be life in the white house, i will is waiting to talk to us, the latest reaction from joe biden, the uk foreign secretary saying they had to be consequences. stay with us. hello there it has been feeling is springlike. temperatures relates... we should see more sunshine particularly across the south of the country, there is yesterday's mild air will stop elsewhere like twins for the rest of today.

the best of the sunshine across southern britain. those temperatures up to 13 or 1a degrees in the warmest spots. something a bit cooler there from the north—east of scotland — six to eight degrees. as we head through this evening and overnight, little change. it stays mostly dry. there will still be some thicker patches of cloud, some spots of light, rain and drizzle, particularly in northern and western areas. again, the odd clear spell. where we have the clearer skies across north—east scotland, it will turn quite chilly here, down to one to three degrees, but a milder night to come for most — up to ten degrees there for plymouth. as we start the weekend, well, we've got this ridge of high pressure which will bring a fine start to saturday, but weather fronts will be ganging up on us out west. that will bring some wetter and windy weather as we move through the day. so a lot of cloud around on saturday. again, this weak weather front ahead of the main weather fronts will bring some spots of light rain and drizzle to scotland, northern england. a little bit of brightness perhaps through the morning across eastern areas, but then the stronger winds, the rain push into northern ireland. that crosses the irish sea into western britain, certainly into western scotland. you could see some

heavier bursts there. again, very mild for the time of year — 12 to 1a degrees, despite all the cloud. as we head through saturday night, it looks like the wet and windy weather spreads across the country, but still a question on how quickly the weather fronts clear england and wales as we move through sunday. i think sunday starting off pretty wet. auite damp and breezy across large parts of england, wales, particularly east anglia and the south—east. we could see a bit of a hang back in north wales, north midlands, northern england, but that should tend to clear away towards the north sea later in the day. then we should see some sunshine around. certainly scotland, northern ireland fairing best with the drier and brighter weather on sunday. again, mild for the time of year. it stays mild into the start of next week, as well. there will be further rain at times, particularly towards the end of the week where it starts to windier and the temperatures will be coming down closer to the seasonal norm.

live from london, this is bbc news. russia's prison service says the jailed opposition figure international condemnation after russia's prison service announces the death of alexei navalny. he was vladimir putin's most vociferous critic — this was him in courtjust yesterday. navalny�*s wife made this defiant statment. translation: i want putin and all his allies, all his friends, his government, i want them all to know that they will be held

responsible for what they have done with our country, with my family, with my husband. another court ruling concerning donald trump is expected imminently. it could cost him hundreds of millions of dollars and restrict his business dealings in new york. here in the uk — the labour party wins two by—elections in a further blow to the governing conservatives. hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live — where we've been following the news that the jailed politcial activist alexei navalny has died. the putin critic was being held in a penal colony, close to the arctic circle, serving a 19—year sentence for extremism and fraud charges — charges widely considered to be politically motivated. the us vice—president, kamala harris says, "russia is responsible for navalny�*s death".

the uk prime minister said, it was "terrible news"