this is bbc news. the headlines at 2pm. scotland's first minister takes westminster by surprise as she announces plans to trigger another independence referendum. nicola sturgeon says a second referendum should be held between autumn 2018 and spring 2019, once the terms of the uk's exit from the eu are clear. i believe that it would be wrong for scotland to be taken down a path that it has no control over, regardless of the consequences for our economy, for our society, for our place in the world, for our very sense of who we are as a country. it comes as mps at westminster prepare to vote again on whether to the give the prime minister the power to start the brexit process. the afternoon. hundreds of thousands of commuters are hit by a 24—hour rail strike as union members from three train companies walk out. and the queen launches the baton relay for the 2018

event in australia as it starts its journey around the world. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. scotland's first minister has announced that she plans to trigger another referendum on scottish independence. nicola sturgeon said she would seek permission to hold a second referendum between autumn next year and the spring of 2019, when the terms of the uk's exit from the eu are clearer. two and a half years after the first independence referendum, ms sturgeon said the vote to leave the eu meant the situation was now very different, and it was important for scotland to choose its own future

before it was too late. downing street said another referendum would be divisive and cause huge economic uncertainty at the worst possible time. from edinburgh, lorna gordon reports. nicola sturgeon has long signalled that a second independence referendum was highly likely. today she said that time had come. i believe that it would be wrong for scotland to be taken down a path that it has no control over regardless of the consequences for our economy, for our society, for our place in the world, for our very sense of who we are as a country. the first minister and the prime minister met here injuly to discuss scotland's role in the brexit process, with theresa may now on the brink of triggering article 50, ms sturgeon said those negotiations had failed. over the past few months, we have worked hard, really hard to find agreement. the prime minister and her government have been given every opportunity to compromise, but today, as we stand

for all we know on the eve of article 50 being triggered, not only is there no uk—wide agreement on the way ahead... the first minister will seek authorisation from the scottish parliament next week for what is called a section 30 order, handing power to hold a referendum from westminster to holyrood. she says she wants the right to hold a referendum between autumn 2018 and spring 2019. the main unionist parties are signalling that, unlike last time, they will campaign separately, not together to keep the uk in tact. to keep the uk intact. it's a little over two years since the people in scotland last voted on whether they wanted independence. expect a very different

campaign this time around. lorna gordon, bbc news, edinburgh. back to our chief political correspondent vicki young at westminster. downing street have issued that there is no evidence to suggest that there is no evidence to suggest that the scottish people want a referendum so soon after the last one. lex speak to alex salmond. do they want another referendum and where is your evidence to suggest there is? the arrogance of downing street, because they've been caught out flat—footed. the scottish parliament should have the right to hold a referendum, that was nicola sturgeon's electoral mandate and she

w011 sturgeon's electoral mandate and she won with 47%. theresa may's has 0% of the boat because no one has collected her at all. so the arrogance of downing street to question this unimpeachable mandate. it's called political democracy. nicola sturgeon has said you would like to have this second referendum the outcome of brexit talks. she says the scottish need an informed choice. surely that's a contradiction? no it isn't at all. in the following spring, we will know the outcome of the brexit bill. we might not. we will because it has to be ratified across the eu, so we will now own the outline of the brexit talks and that will be a

choice for people. we will also know what the scottish government has got to see following the conversations they will have been having in europe about what the alternative in europe scotla nd about what the alternative in europe scotland is. ithink about what the alternative in europe scotland is. i think there will be a resounding vote in —— for independence, and keeping that thousand year—long relationship with the eu that scotland has had. how confident are you that scotland will be able to join confident are you that scotland will be able tojoin —— confident are you that scotland will be able to join —— rejoin the eu? given what has happened which scotland has... but that's a bit presumed isn't it? let me finish. they will be a firm perspective to put forward to the scottish people as the referendum takes place. there will be a choice of options we can continue with our history as a

european nation, or as we can go into this empire tune. something the british government suggests as a future for scotland. i think it should be important in scotland to continue to decide their own future as an european nation. site is change that she is talking about, triggering this, one in three snb voters did triggering this, one in three snb voters d id vote triggering this, one in three snb voters did vote is to leave the european union. it's about the inability of the uk government to listen to the compromise proposal that nicola sturgeon put forward three months ago. she's had no answer to that and it's about that. it has a wider point. scotland doesn't even have a choice to say anything about its future of the european nation, then what can it had to say about any other important

future issues? and narrow brexit boat in england totally trumped an overwhelming majority in scotland, symbolising every key issue in the constitution of scotland that westminster wants to rule 0k. the sturgeon is now going to the scottish parliament to seek a parliamentary mandate so we can decide for ourselves if we want to continue in that european context. it's a big risk, what is the brexit talks get going then there's the sign of the good trade deal for brexit talks? there seems to be some confusion in whitehall and the antipathy that they have towards our friends and colleagues in europe which won't help the brexit talks,

whereas the talks that scottish government are having with european, wa nt government are having with european, want to pertain its position in the european economic area and wants to move forward constructively on that basis. that constructive dialogue with our european partners than these negativity we are seeing from uk ministers. the day that uk ministers can agree with each other, is the day they can go with each other to europe with a sensible perspective. indicating a clear majority is what nicola sturgeon is doing, she's been backed into a corner. i think the last person is her, considering the uk government is fumbling for a response. i called the previous referendum in scotland, and at the day i called it, the opinion poll for yes was 28%. the

la st opinion poll for yes was 28%. the last poll says its 48%. i think if i was prepared to call it at this and we ended up at 45%, its understandable that nicola sturgeon has no compunction in starting this process. polls are polls and apologists arm apologists. the bookies have a good bet on the referendum, and they are not ones to throw their money away! nicola sturgeon betting on westminster not blocking the idea of a second scottish referendum. let's speak to blairjenkins, who was chief executive of yes scotland in the campaign for scottish independence during the 2014 referendum. he's in edinburgh.

—— glasgow. in your heart of hearts, do you think there's public appetite for another referendum?” do you think there's public appetite for another referendum? i think more and more people in scotland are realising that there is a clear choice ahead of us. we either become an independent country, democratic within the eu, all we stay in a hard brexit tory uk and think that choices crystallising for people. i believe as the campaign goes forward , believe as the campaign goes forward, we will see more support forward, we will see more support for independence. do you think she would win a referendum if she would be granted one? it's important to remember that this issue isn'tjust about the snp and nicola sturgeon, it's not just about that but about grassroots communities, people who've never been involved in

politics before, across many parties. this is about the people and giving people a choice. i think she put it in a measured and considered way when she spoke earlier today that this is such a crucial crossroads that scotland has 110w crucial crossroads that scotland has now come to and it's important to get a democratic choice for our futures. what about the timing? how can she go to the polls if she doesn't know what the eu deal is. you talk about the people, how can a boat on that deal is they don't know what it will mean? i think she's dealt with that point quite thoroughly. the referendum will not be held until the point is clear what the brexit turns up. that we might not know that.|j what the brexit turns up. that we might not know that. i think that's why she's left this window of

between autumn and spring of 2019. people will get to make an informed choice. they will see what the brexit deal is and how good or otherwise that is for the uk, and so the detail of the independents prospectus will have been set by the yes campaign. i have a feeling we will know what the broad outline will know what the broad outline will be fairly quickly after article 50, the big pieces will be in place, but we will certainly know what the delays by the end. what if it was rather a good deal that would benefit scotland ? rather a good deal that would benefit scotland? in which case that will influence how people vote, but either way, there's a very clear choice. we can't both be in the eu and remain within the uk. the 62% who voted to remain in the eu, in scotland, there is this chance, to stay in, by being an independent

country. it's not on offer to anyone else who voted remain within the uk. we are lucky in scotland to have the chance to make this joints. thank you for your time. good to talk to you. many thanks. well those plans for a new referendum have been announced as mps prepare to vote again today on whether to give the prime minister the power to start the brexit process. they'll also look at two changes wanted by the house of lords — to guarantee the rights of eu citizens in the uk and to ensure parliament gets a vote on any final deal. 0ur political correspondent, alex forsyth, reports. westminster is gearing up for a fight but whilst there are protests outside the real battle will take place inside parliament. today, mps and lords will decide whether to sign off the brexit bill. theresa may and her government

want it passed today with no changes and those who back brexit agree. we've got to the stage where there are no new arguments being made and i expect the bill to be passed with no amendments and we will get on with the serious business of negotiating with our eu friends. the house of lords has proposed changes to the bill, to protect the rights of eu citizens in the uk and give parliament a say on the final terms of the uk brexit deal. it is back before mps who will vote on whether to accept or reject the lords' amendments. 0nce they've decided, it goes back to the lords this evening. they also must approve it and once it is signed off, it will get royal assent. this is a formality. labour wants changes to the bill before that happens. we will be pushing hard. i hope the government rethinks

and the tory mps who are concerned about these issues vote with us because that is the only way we can win these amendments. some tories might oppose the government if they don't get a promise that parliament will be able to intervene if the uk doesn't reach an exit deal with the eu. i think we will hear a definite commitment for a vote if we get a deal but many of us will be probing the issue about if we don't get a deal. despite the threat of some tory rebels, it is unlikely there will be enough to defeat the government, and many in the house of lords don't want a prolonged tussle. by the end of today, the prime minister could have the power to start the process. some still oppose it. it won't be a smooth road. but our departure from the eu is getting closer. you can follow all the latest developments from westminster and edinburgh. the headlines on bbc news. nicola sturgeon takes westminster

by surprise by announcing plans to trigger another independence referendum. it comes as mps at westminster prepare to vote again on whether to give the prime minister the power to start the brexit process. and the queen launches the baton relay for the 2018 event in australia as it starts its journey around the world. 0n on board, chris frome apologises for the way team sky have handled its records on doping, but his collea g u es records on doping, but his colleagues say without him there is no team sky. manchester united reached the semifinals without as bright cup. wayne rooney is the latest to be rolled out. we will

have more on those stories at 2:30pm. hundreds of thousands of commuters had theirjourney to work disrupted this morning after a 24—hour strike got underway at three rail companies in england. up to 2,000 members of the rmt union walked out at southern, northern and merseyrail as part of a dispute over the role of guards. 0ur transport correspondent, richard westcott, is at leeds railway station. the joys of the monday morning commute. welcome to the leeds train. passengers across northern england today hit by the same strike that has caused months of misery for commuters in the south. northern are only running about 40% of their trains today. this is the 8am train from keighley into leeds, a busy commuter service. it's really filling up now. it's been pretty busy. i mean i usually get the train from ilkley but there's no way i'd have got home, i finish work at half five and the last train is at half five

so it's a bit annoying. a couple of stops later and now it's really filling up. it's been 0k, to be honest, it tends to get really busy at the last stop before leeds so in the morning it's always pretty packed usually. were you worried about it, what the strike was going to do to the service? a bit. if there is no train, i can't get to work or i have to take the bus and it would take like an hour and a half. it's a 24—hour strike with around 2000 rail workers walking out today across three companies — northern, merseyrail and southern. three strikes, same issue, the introduction of driver only controlled trains where the guard no longer closes the doors. we fundamentally believe that services operated on a driver only, driver controlled operation are fundamentally less safe. and every train in the uk should retain a second safety critical person on board. we put safety at the heart of everything we do. the independent rail regulator has

actually indicated that this is as safe as conductor—operation of the doors. this isn't about who opens and closes the doors, this is about giving our customers what they want. merseyrail actually stopped running trains completely this lunchtime as drivers refused to cross picket lines. southern rail has handled 30 strike days over the past year or so has learned to cope and will run most of its trains today. the next station is leeds. this train terminates here. if the south is anything to go by, passengers across northern england might have to find other ways into work over the coming months. the countdown to the next commonwealth games in australia got underway this morning as the queen launched the games' baton relay at buckingham palace. over the next 388 days, the baton will visit all of the commonwealth nations and territories, before arriving for the games on australia's gold coast.

simon mccoy is at buckingham palace for us. way were at the palace earlier where the queen handed over the baton. it contains a message from the queen, at the start of the commonwealth games on the gold coast. 0ther members of the royal family will be here as well. the baton will be carried up the ireland westminster at the by none other than damon jessica ennis hill. it's exciting? to have this honour, to carry it down the aisle is an honour indeed. this is the one goes all the way to

australia? it is, and it will be carried around the commonwealth over the next few days. it's special to haveit the next few days. it's special to have it at the beginning of its journey. are you nervous? i'm as nervous stepping into the olympic stadium. it will be a huge honour. i'm looking forward to being part of this journey. what is your experience of the commonwealth games? idid experience of the commonwealth games? i did my first in melbourne, it was my first senior championships and it was my first experience in multiple sport on that level. i came away with a bronze medal so i have such great memories from it and sat not be a part of this one. what does it mean to be part of it? it's a unique grouping of countries and nations. does it have a different feel to other events? yes. obviously

with the olympics coming have the different sports, other than that, the commonwealth is the next big ones well sports come together. commonwealth games captures all the sports together and you feel a real sense of togetherness, teamwork so it's a nice championship to be part of. you are walking up the aisle... i don't mean to make you more nervous, but queen, prince charles, prince harry... you aren't going to drop it? i wish you hadn't said that! i will try my hardest not to. we have philip murphy with us. the commonwealth is a focus of renewed attention because of what's going on in this country. does it have two changes here at this? we need to think about trading links outside of europe. but, wealth secretariat is

eight troubled institution at the moment. there have been threats to withdraw funding unless it reforms itself. the commonwealth beget is... it has a bigger history. it's something the queen herself cares desperately about. it connects to an half billion people across this earth. well it connects them like facebook friends. there are not strong commitments. you just make commitments not to unfriend each other really. the dilemma for the british government is how do you utilise that is a positive instrument in foreign policy? it's very difficult for the british government to push issues through the commonwealth because it is often accused of neocolonialism,

nevertheless, as the figurehead of it, you are not going to get much better than the queen? she is terribly important. when it was created in 1945, it was words to allow india to remain in the republic, but she has sent messages through events like this, she moved the commonwealth, she allows the commonwealth day ceremony to be moved here in 1972 because it's a so—called royal peculiar, she is in charge of it. you are walking up the aisle and then what? my job is done, i pass it on and then it begins its journey. thank you both. these

service gets underway at 315 pm. 0ver service gets underway at 315 pm. over on bbc one. we will leave you from here. all the heads of the commonwealth are scheduled to come at some stage before they then go to australia for this commonwealth games, but this baton will make its journey once this ceremony is complete. it will travel through the commonwealth over 388 days. i long journey but i'm sure it's worth it. thank you, simon. as he says, the ceremony starts at 3:15pm and we will give you coverage of that here

on the bbc news channel. and now your weather. it's beautiful where simon is. it's nice today in the sunshine. it's not sunny absolutely everywhere. there is some missed, fog and low clouds around in devon and cornwall. a little bit how easy but a picture of ludlow there. that cloud will arrive in northern ireland and scotland, but in the short—term, very little happening. this evening, that weather front does shoot across northern ireland and scotland, and it really is going to bea and scotland, and it really is going to be a screaming wind developing. there will be severe gales blasting their way through northern scotland, gusts of 70 mph. to the south, weigh

less wind. a bit of a breeze. sunny spells, and relatively mild. goodbye. it's been another exciting fa cup weekend. the holders, manchester united, travel to the premier league leaders chelsea. join us premier league leaders chelsea. join us for fa cup sportsday at 6:30pm on bbc news. donald trump's first 100 daysin bbc news. donald trump's first 100 days in the white house will show how america are dealing with the rest of the world. as the new president strives to deliver on his promise to put america first. 100 days, to night, 7:30pm on the bbc news channel. hello, this is bbc

news — the headlines: scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, has confirmed she will seek to hold a second referendum on scottish independence. when these two options are put forward to the people of scotland i have no doubt there will be a resounding vote for independence. at westminster, legislation which gives theresa may the power to begin formal brexit negotiations faces its final hurdle in parliament this afternoon. members of the rmt union employed by three rail operators in england are striking in a dispute over whether the doors on trains should be operated by drivers or guards. and the queen's baton relay has been officially launched at buckingham palace ahead of next yea r‘s commonwealth games on australia's gold coast. time to catch up with all the sports

news now. pugh is over at the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. three—time tour de france winner chris froome has given his backing to team sky principle sir dave brailsford, saying without him, "there is no team sky." froome has so far been silent on his embattled boss, who has said he won't resign as uk anti—doping continue their investigation into a ‘mystery package' from 2011. but today froome has apologised for the way it's been handled. both brailsford and team sky deny any wrongdoing. here is some of froome's statement, in which he says, "i completely understand why people feel let down by the way in which the situation has been handled, and going forward we need to do better." he goes on to say, "i know it will take time for faith to be restored, but i will do my utmost to ensure that happens, along with everyone else at team sky." either chelsea or manchester united will complete the semifinal draw

for the fa cup later. but if it's to be united, they'll have to do it without a striker. wayne rooney is the latest of the club's forwards to be ruled out of the quarterfinal tonight at stamford bridge. he's injured, while zlatan ibrahimovic is suspended, and anthony martial and marcus rashford are also both out. so the last of the quarterfinals, chelsea against manchester united, is live on bbc one. coverage starts at 7.30pm — there's also commentary on radio 5live and coverage on the bbc sport website. wigan have sacked manager warren joyce after just four months in the job. the club are second from bottom in the championship. meanwhile the bbc understands former birmingham manager gary rowett wigan have sacked manager warren joyce after just a deal could be finalised in the next 48 hours. celtic‘s stuart armstrong has been called up to the scotland squad for the first time

after helping his team to the brink of another scottish premiership title. he'sjoined in a 30—man party announced by manager gordon strachan today by bournemouth‘s ryan fraser, who's broken through to the first team this season, and tom cairney of fulham. all have been selected for the first time. scotland play a friendly against canada and a world cup qualifier against slovenia later this month. two of the biggest clubs in french rugby union have announced they are to merge. paris—based stade francais and racing 92 say they need to pool their resources "to cope with the challenges of performance and education." it's a huge shock, as our reporter chrisjones explains. absolutely incredible story, this. it's unprecedented, it's bizarre, and these aren't two small rugby clu bs and these aren't two small rugby clubs struggling to make ends meet. this is paris heavyweights, stade francais who won the french title in 2015, and racing 92, dan carter

potentially the world's greatest player, one of the greats of all time, he plays for racing 92, they won the french title in 2016, so two powerhouses of the french game have announced today they are going to merge under one banner in order to get the best out of both clubs. their owners said they need to pool their resources and become one club. it's the equivalent perhaps in england of saracens and harlequins merging, or you can use football exa m ples merging, or you can use football examples and said tottenham and arsenal merging, two london sides, so arsenal merging, two london sides, so it really is a bizarre story, the kind of story that only french rugby seems able to throw up. durban is to pull out of hosting the 2022 commonwealth games. the south african city was going to be the first in africa to host the games, but had indicated recently it faced financial difficulties. an official announcement is expected later today. liverpool has already expressed an interest in stepping in to stage the games. that's all sport for now. i'll have more in the next hour. let's return to that announcement

this morning by nicola sturgeon, scotland's first minister, that she will seek the power to call another referendum on scottish independence. in a speech in edinburgh, she accused theresa may of refusing to "move an inch" in her determination to pursue a hard brexit. joining me from glasgow is constitutional expert charles livingstone, who can talk us through the process the first minister must follow before a second referendum can be held. thank you forjoining us. we are told the scottish parliament is seeking consent for a section 30 order on an independence referendum, so can you order on an independence referendum, so can you explain what a section 30 order is exactly? section 30 refers to section 30 of the scotland act 1998 and the way the act is structured it contains in the

schedule a list of issues reserved to the uk parliament over which the scottish parliament doesn't have power and among those are various constitutional issues including the union. section 30 sets out a process whereby an order can be made by the uk government with the consent of the scottish parliament, the house of commons and the house of lords to change that mr preserved matters, so in 2014 for the independence referendum there was an exception inserted into the scotland act to that reservation of the union that allowed for one referendum to be held before the end of 2014 and on one question, two answers ballot. held before the end of 2014 and on one question, two answers ballotm legal and constitutional terms, can you talk us through what the process will be now? nicola sturgeon has announced that she is going to hold announced that she is going to hold a vote in the scottish parliament next week, that is not the scottish parliament consenting to a section 30 order because there has to be a d raft before 30 order because there has to be a draft before parliament before it can do that. what she is seeking is

political authorisation to go to the uk government and start the process first of all asking for and assuming the uk government is amenable negotiating the terms of a section 30 order. as i said last time, the section 30 order was made so there was no legal doubt about the lawfulness of the independence referendum, but there were caveats inserted as to when that could take place, and the form that it had to take. that is interesting, you said the mission effectively has to be sought from the uk government and you mention if the uk government is amenable. what happens if it is not? what happens then? that was one of the earliest argument in the 2014 referendum campaign, at that time the scottish government maintained the scottish government maintained the scottish government maintained the scottish parliament in fact did have the power to unilaterally legislate for an independence referendum, that was disputed by the uk government, the question never

came toa uk government, the question never came to a head because an agreement was reached. if no agreement was reached this time the scottish government may take the view that they will press ahead with legislation in scottish parliament, but if there is no section 30 ordered then it is pretty likely that would end up being the subject ofa that would end up being the subject of a court challenge as to whether it was lawful for the scottish parliament to have done that. and what would happen if the uk government said, yes, you can have the referendum but not for, say, another two years when we will know more about the deal that britain will strike to leave the european union, what would happen then? will strike to leave the european union, what would happen themm will strike to leave the european union, what would happen then? it is really a political remit in that case, whether the order would be made, the uk government could always placed a draft of that before the commons, lords and scottish parliament, if the scottish parliament, if the scottish parliament consider the terms to be unacceptable and the green party about the same way in the scottish parliament then they would not consent to that section 30 order, so

the legal framework create a political imperative to try to reach some sort of agreement. interesting times ahead, good to hear your thoughts, thank you for enlightening us. let's go to our chief political correspondent vicki young at westminster. let's pick up on that straightaway, this idea that nicola sturgeon may have the numbers in a scottish parliament the call for a second independence referendum but ultimately it is up to the parliament here, up to theresa may, the prime minister, to decide whether she will grant it or not. i'm joined by the secretary of state for scotland debridement dell. 0n that issue, will you let nicola sturgeon have the second referendum? we will continue to argue there shouldn't be another independence referendum. 0f shouldn't be another independence referendum. of course there could be one, that is a process issue involving the section 30 process but we believe there shouldn't be another independence referendum, people decided in 2014, people are

clear in opinion polls across scotla nd clear in opinion polls across scotland whether they support independence or not that they do not wa nt independence or not that they do not want another independence referendum, and we are about to embark on the most significant negotiations this country has ever been involved in in peace time as we negotiate our exit from the eu, and i think what the people of scotland want, rather than another independence referendum, is to see the two government working together to negotiate the best possible deal for scotland and the rest of the uk. you mention brexit negotiations, thatis you mention brexit negotiations, that is exactly why nicola sturgeon said she needs this second independence referendum, she said she stood on a manifesto which said if there was a material change in circumstances, and surely leaving the eu is that material change?” don't accept this is about brexit apple, i think nicola sturgeon's irresponsible actions,

from her tunnel vision obsession with independence. she started talking about independence three hours after the brexit result on june the 24th, she has been banging on about it every day since, so this is not about brexit or getting the best deal, it is about the snp's obsession with independence. what we need to do now is the end to playing games in politics. we need to see nicola sturgeon step up as first minister of scotland, not as leader of the snp, and work with the uk government to get a good deal for scotla nd government to get a good deal for scotland and the rest of the uk as we leave the eu, not constantly bangs the constitutional drum. people in scotland thought that in 2014 it would be a once in a generation event when we had the referendum, not that we would revisit it every time the first minister sought to do so. but it is a significant change from 62% of people in scotland voted to remain in the european union, nicola sturgeon would face scotland is being dragged along a pounds it doesn't want right english voters.” voted to remain in the eu as a scot but not on the basis that my vote would be hijacked and used as an

excuse to break up the uk, that wasn't what was on the ballot paper. the ballot paper was whether the uk left the eu, there wasn't some scotla nd left the eu, there wasn't some scotland only option. i don't think that people in scotland want to the votes in that referendum used as an opportunity to reopen a referendum that they were told was going to be once ina that they were told was going to be once in a generation, a constitutional event. even people who supported yes in 2014, even people who support yes now don't wa nt to people who support yes now don't want to see another divisive referendum, so even at this late hour i would urge nicola sturgeon to ta ke hour i would urge nicola sturgeon to take a step back, take that off the table, stop playing politics as if it was a game and look at what is in scotland's best interests, which are served by getting the best possible dealfrom served by getting the best possible deal from these negotiations to leave the eu. you won't be surprised to know she blames the british government of course for this circumstance, she said she wanted a

compromise, being that she would go along with leaving the eu but want scotla nd along with leaving the eu but want scotland to be able to remain in the single market, and she say she has had absolutely nothing back from the government on that. i don't recognise nicola stu rgeon's interpretation of the many, many meetings and discussions that have taken place meetings and discussions that have ta ken place between meetings and discussions that have taken place between the uk government and scottish government at official level, ministerial level, david davis, myself, the prime minister, we have all been involved and the prime minister's lancaster house speech and subsequent white paper set out lots of areas where there is agreement between the uk government and scottish government in terms of how we approach brexit, the issues there like workers' rights, like criminal and security issues, like our approach to eu nationals, and even where we are not in agreement on what the means are, we are in agreement of what the end should be in terms of people still being able to come to scotland to take the

opportunities that exist there, had the access is not membership of the single market. is the idea of a -- it is the idea of a so—called hard brexit that is fuelling this, the idea that we could leave without any deal at all and go back to world trade organisation rules, that is not the kind of brexit some people wa nt not the kind of brexit some people want and that is what is fuelling this. the government does not want a ha rd this. the government does not want a hard brexit, theresa may has made that clear, she has made clear what the alternative is if we cannot secure a deal because we will not just take any deal, we will not take a bad deal, but i think it is very clear that nicola sturgeon and the snp's position is being driven by ideology, they want to see independence at any price and they wa nt to independence at any price and they want to use brexit as an opportunity to pursue that agenda and that is what they are doing, despite the abuse of the people of scotland who don't want a referendum at this time. finally, are you prepared to rule out a second independence

referendum? we rule out a second independence referendum ? we still rule out a second independence referendum? we still argue there could be another independence referendum but we don't believe there should and i will continue to argue that right through until the vote in the scottish parliament. secretary of state for scotland, thank you very much indeed. that is a reaction from the government here at westminster, the government here will decide whether there is a second independence referendum and the timing of it. thank you. police have begun an appeal at the supreme court against a ruling that they failed the victims of one of they failed the victims of one of the uk's most dangerous rapists. judges said scotland yard breached the human rights of two women because officers did not completely investigate john warboys, because officers did not completely investigatejohn warboys, jailed for life in 2009 after committing more than 100 rapes and sexual assaults. the outcome of the case could have profound legal implications for policing. a trusted black cab driver, but one of the country's most dangerous rapists.

john worboys attacked more than 100 women over six years, hunting them down late at night in london with an elaborate trick. he'd show off a bag of cash claiming it was a big gambling win and offer them drug—laced champagne. few of his victims could entirely remember what happened next, and police didn't take their complaints seriously. one of his victims from 2007 had her account dismissed. had the officers who looked at my case taken my allegations seriously, they would've found substantial pieces of evidence. they didn't do that, and as a result so many more women went on to get harmed. the botched investigation led to a landmark ruling by the high court that scotland yard had breached the human rights of the women, and that means police can be sued. the force is now challenging that unprecedented ruling. this case is really important because women need to be able to hold police to account when they fail as catastrophically as they failed in the worboys case. if the police had acted sooner, if they'd listened to the women, and if they had followed their own policies, it's likely that fewer women would have been raped.

as it was, he was left on the streets. the force admits it made mistakes but argues that important legal principles are at stake. if the justices rule against the met, it could have profound implications for how police chiefs prioritise serious violence and sexual crimes. dominic casciani, bbc news. in a moment a summary of the business news this hour but first, the headlines on bbc news: nicola sturgeon announces plans to trigger a second independence referendum in scotland. she wants a vote after brexit towns become clearer from the autumn of 2018. it comes as mps at westminster prepared to vote again on whether to give the prime minister the power to start the brexit process. and the queen launches the baton relay for the 2018 commonwealth games in australia.

in the business news... energy supplier sse is to raise the price of electricity by 15%. it will cost an average user an extra £73 a year. the increase is the latest in a series of big price hikes for energy customers and comes into force at the end of april. sse says it last raised prices 3.5 years ago. shares in bovis homes have soared as the troubled housebuilder remains mired in takeover talk which could see it become a £2.4 billion business. shares in the companyjumped 7% on the london stock exchange as the market digested a flurry of weekend announcements, confirming that rivals galliford try and redrow had made offers for the firm. rail staff from three firms across england have started 24—hour strikes in a dispute over the role of guards. guards and drivers working for northern rail and merseyrail are striking over the introduction of driver—only operated trains,

and similar action is continuing on southern rail. average rents have fallen for the first time in more than six years, according to a new report. the average rental in great britain for february was £5 cheaper than the same time last year, the countrywide lettings index showed. the trend is driven by falls in london and the south east, compared with february last year. despite the figures in the south, rents in every other region of the country have continued to rise. joining me to discuss this further is property expert tracy kellett. so, rent falling byjust over £1 per week, not much, but what is driving those rent falls which have skewed the national picture in london and the national picture in london and the south—east? the national picture in london and the south-east? well, it is a national picture and they are talking about the whole of the uk having fallen by about 0.8%. however, the bigger thing to look at is actually in london, it has fallen

around 4.7% and in the southeast 2.596, around 4.7% and in the southeast 2.5%, said that skewed the national figures. what has skewed them, why are they falling in london by that amount? well, there is a bit of a glut. in the past year on year 12 months there have been a rise of about 10% more rental properties available, so supply and demand means that tenants can pick and choose and landlords can't be quite so greedy. but that probably won't continue because the glut has been a lot to do with the fact that we had stamp duty rises and the tax for the smaller landlords which meant there was a great rush to buy properties, leading to a little bit of a glut at the moment. but across the rest of the moment. but across the rest of the country rents are rising, is this simply because there are shortages across the country of property to rent? generally, yes.

more and more people will need to rent, it has increased and will continue to increase, so we need more rental properties. do you think it will continue to increase because of the changes to the buy to let system and the taxation system?” think there will be fewer buy to let amateurs in the market, fewer properties moving forward for the private rental sector, so, yes, that will bolster the rental levels. ok, thank you very much for talking to us. here's a look at some other stories we're following today. energy supplier npower has published its full year results for 2016. they show revenues fell by £922 million, or13%, to £6.1 billion, while its operating result improved. it made a loss of £90 million compared with of £99 million in 2015. however, it managed to reduce complaints by 49%

last year in comparison with the previous year. hsbc has appointed mark tucker, the current chief executive of asian insurer aia, as group chairman. mr tucker will take over on 1st 0ctober, succeeding douglas flint, who has been in the role since 2010. during seven years as chief executive of aia, mr tucker oversaw the insurer's expansion across asia. one of his firstjobs will be to find a replacement for stuart gulliver, the current chief executive of hsbc, who plans to step down next year. and, according to the financial times, lloyds bank is close to agreeing a £1.3 billion contract with ibm to outsource many of its it systems and more than 1900 jobs. the staff would be transferred from lloyds' data centres in edinburgh and copley, west yorkshire. let's check in with the financial markets now — and both the blue chip index, the ftse100, and the pound have been

edging higher today, ahead of the expected trigger of article 50, which would set britain on course to leave the eu by march 2019. some big moves in the ftse 250 index today — first of all in the energy sector. aberdeen—based oil services company wood group has reached an agreement to take over rival amec foster wheeler in a £2.2 billion deal. and shares in bovis homes have surged following an approach by contruction company galliford try for a merger. it's rejected the proposal — and another one from redrow — but remains in talks about a possible deal. that's all the business news. in the last few minutes, the prime minister, theresa may, has been

giving her first reaction to nicola sturgeon's comment giving her first reaction to nicola stu rgeon's comment about giving her first reaction to nicola sturgeon's comment about seeking a second independence vote. nicola sturgeon has said she wants another referendum on scottish independence before britain leads the european union in the spring of 2019. will you grant permission for that referendum on that timescale? as we negotiate to leave the european union, i want to negotiate an agreement that is going to work for the whole of the united kingdom, that includes the scottish people. that's why we closely with the devolved administrations, we've been listening to their proposals, and recognising many areas of common ground that we have, such as protecting workers' rights and our

security from crime and terrorism. the tunnel vision the snp has shown todayis the tunnel vision the snp has shown today is deeply regrettable, it sets scotla nd today is deeply regrettable, it sets scotland on a course or more uncertainty and division, creating huge uncertainty, and this at a time when the evidence is that the scottish people, the majority of the scottish people, the majority of the scottish people, the majority of the scottish people, do not want a second independence referendum. so instead of playing politics with the future of our country, the scottish government should focus on delivering good government and public services for the people of scotland. politics is not a game. thank you. theresa may there with her first reaction to the news from earlier in the day that scotland's first minister is going to have another referendum on independence. let's cross live now to westminster abbey, you can see therejessica ennis—hill, holding the commonwealth bat on, because the countdown to the next commonwealth games in australia has got underway. the queen launched the relay at buckingham palace this morning and a special commonwealth day service will start at westminster abbey at 3:15pm. music.

music: "what a wonderful world."

that is the australian musician kodi simpson sending and accompanying the bat on as it is taken down through westminster abbey at that special commonwealth day service which is happening at westminster abbey. more on that after 3pm, stay with us for that, but time now for a look at the weather. tomasz schafernaker has the forecast on the other side of the

news room. the forecast still the same as it was half an hour ago! sunny across the uk, still cloudy but decent enough for most of us. this is a picture from one of the weather watchers in ludlow, not sure why it said it is foggy, maybe that is the name of the weather watcher. some clout in northern areas of the uk, the weather is great across england, wales, northern ireland, but in the north and north—west, especially across scotland, it is going downhill, the start of a blustery period, we are talking about gaels by the end of the night, blustery showers as well, much quieter across the rest of the country. tuesday dawns on a very windy night for our friends in the north, gusts of 70 mph here, and to the south of that lighter winds and a day of variable amount of cloud, temperatures may be getting up to 18 degrees, just about

possible, further north a bit fresher there with 13 in newcastle and belfast. this is bbc news. the headlines at 3pm. scotland's first minister takes westminster by surprise as she announces plans to trigger another independence referendum. nicola sturgeon says a second referendum should be held between autumn next year and the spring of 2019, once the terms of the uk's exit from the eu become clear. i believe that it would be wrong for scotland to be taken down a path that it has no control over, regardless of the consequences for our economy, for our society, for our place in the world,

for our very sense of who we are as a country. instead of playing politics with the future of our country, the scottish government should focus on delivering good government and public services for the people of scotland. politics is not a game. the announcement comes as mps at westminster prepare to vote