today at five, the un security council meets in emergency session, following the deadly chemical attack in syria. dozens are still being treated, including many children. more than 70 people died when the attack if they rebel held town. at an international meeting on syria in brussels the foreign secretary, boris johnson, said syrian forces may have knowingly launched a chemical attack. this bears all the hall marks of the assad regime and the use of chemical weapons is a war crime. we'll have the latest from the un in new york and get the thoughts of a former us assistant secretary of state. the other main stories on bbc news at five: at westminster abbey, a service of hope and remembrance following the terror attack of two weeks ago, as the widow of one victim speaks for the first time. kurt was probably the best man i

have ever met. he was sweet and kind. at the european parliament, a debate on the brexit talks, as nigel farage accuses meps of presenting the uk with mafia—like financial demands. jeremy corbyn says labour's national executive committee is to review comments made by ken livingstone after his suspension from the party over hitler remarks. and showjumper nick skelton, who became britain's second—oldest olympic gold medallist in rio, announces his retirement. it's 5 o'clock. our main story is that the united nations security council has been meeting in emergency session, to discuss the suspected chemical attack, on a town in syria. more than 70 people are thought to have died and hundreds were injured in the rebel held town of khan sheikhoun in idlib province.

the british and us governments say the evidence points to an attack by syrian government forces. but president assad's regime has denied responsibility. at the un today russia is objecting to a draft resolution and claims that civilians were poisoned by rebel weapons. the debate has overshadowed an aid conference on syria, taking place in brussels. our correspondent, wyre davies, has the latest. there are some distressing images in his report. the reverberations of what happened in the syrian town are being felt around the world. distressing images of civilians, many of them children, suffering from the appalling effects ofa suffering from the appalling effects of a gas or chemical attack, unable to breathe, joking and foaming at the most. dozens were killed and the money it marked a new low in a conflict that has already seen so much suffering and depravity. during an emergency debate at the un security council, as the syrian

representative looked on, no doubt who the british government was responsible. this doesn't look like the result of terrorists, this doesn't look like the work of the opposition for sub base pairs all the hallmarks of the assad regime and the use of chemical weapons is a war crime. syrian opposition groups and western powers have unequivocably blamed the machine basher al—assad for the attack that, as these images show, continued, even as the victims were being treated in the hospital. this security guard said about an hour after the initial strike, government aircraft deliberately bombed the hospital itself, putting it out of service. the syrian government and its chief ally, russia, have been equally vehement in their denials, the armed opposition groups for making and storing illegal weapons. the experts of the old pcw have

confirmed that these kind of terrorist groups such as islamic state and an extra produce fully fledged weaponised chemical substances, mustard gas and sam harrison, which are regularly used in syria and iraq. but with images of rescuers frantically dowsing survivors to wash away chemicals and graphic eyewitness accounts, many experts conclude that this could only have been carried out by the regime. there is no indication that the moderate syrian rebels were involved in chemical production, especially of something difficult like sam harrison. as government air strikes continue against rebel areas, more and more syrian civilians are suffering after six yea rs of civilians are suffering after six years of war. the assad regime has been emboldened by russian military support and the reluctance by critics to take meaningful action

against it. even after the condemnation of what happened, these people are on their own. live to washington, we're talking to p] crowley, who served as us assistant secretary of state in the obama administration. he's the author of red line: american foreign policy in a time of fractured politics and failing states. thank you for coming in. your thoughts on the un deliberations today and the way the debate is gone? i think it is a vitally important debate and just as we saw in 2013, it is very important for the international community to have a full investigation as the old pcw did in 2013 to determine the source of this horrible attack. there were strong words from president trump yesterday, is that likely to lead to an measurable action?” yesterday, is that likely to lead to an measurable action? i don't think it will lead to a necessarily different policy by the united

states. there are is a lot to criticise in the obama responds in 2013, the president drew a red line and failed to adequately protected, but the same policy constraints and political constraints that confronted obama in 2013 continue to confronted obama in 2013 continue to confront the trump administration as well. they never continue the criticism of obama, but i think they will continue to define the conflict in syria in terms of the defeat of the islamic state, a vital us and european interest. they are not likely to get into the syrian civil war more deeply. donald trump campaigned against getting more deeply involved in the syrian conflict, sent myjob is to solve problems here in the united states, parts of the dire situation in syria. given the russian context, not least with this white house, how does that make the position for the american response more complicated?

it does make the situation more complicated. not only russia, iran are fully invested in the survival of the assad regime. they see syria isa of the assad regime. they see syria is a vital interest and so you have the divergence of the situation. i think there are geopolitical things we could do to put russia and china and iran on their heels, but the sad reality is that this is a vital interest to these countries and as this attack underscores, they are willing to go to a different than is necessary to try to preserve the regime of basher al—assad. necessary to try to preserve the regime of basher al-assad. with that in mind, are we saying, in your view observer of these things, whatever people say, would have a stronger language, union session is likely to lead to any practical action? that is up to russia. we should lean on russia to come at a minimum, agree

to an inspection and see what the inspection producers, but as long as russia is prepared to use all of its political clout to protect assad, vetoing any meaningful resolution or action through the united nations, the international community's options are limited. what we saw withjohn kerry options are limited. what we saw with john kerry is options are limited. what we saw withjohn kerry is that his relationship with his opposite number in russia was a turbulent one, or at least there was tension, because this white house is saying it would have a more constructive relationship it stands more of a chance of getting the russians to change their mind? i think, notwithstanding trump's ambitions of a more constructive relationship with russia, the reality is that the two countries, together with europe, are moving in different directions. the zone of common interest, if you will, is narrowing between the united states and russia and europe and russia and, as we see here, the

visiting defence, but only as to the situation in syria, but what to do about it. this is a case where reality is intruding on trump's ambitions and even recognise that there is very little likelihood of an improved relationship between the united states and russia. if we stay with the broad theme of security and policy in the white house, because as we are speaking now, there are reports that mr trump's closest adviser, stephen bannon, his chief strategist, has been removed from his position on the national security council. what is your response to that? on the surface, that would appear to be a victory for future that would appear to be a victory forfuture or that would appear to be a victory for future or mcmaster, the that would appear to be a victory forfuture or mcmaster, the national security adviser. he is confronted rival power centres in the white house and if the president is consolidating the traditional approach of us policy formulation execution, but, on the one hand, is

good news. on the other hand, if stephen bannon is going to have a voice in terms of the trump foreign policy, there is a danger that removing him from the process means the will try to influence, if not undercut, the process from outside. it will depend, we are waiting to see ina it will depend, we are waiting to see in a crisis situation like we have in syria were like we have in north korea, and the crunch time, who does the president listened to? will it be mr mcmaster was the stephen bannon, will it be mr kushner will of the above? this remains of the macro... the former us assistant secretary of state giving us his thoughts. i want to

stay with this story about stephen bannon, reports are still coming in. i would like to go to gary o'donoghue in washington. bring us up o'donoghue in washington. bring us up today. first of all, the credibility of these reports, we are assuming they are fully stood up. what does it mean? it looks to be pretty concrete now. a number of people carrying those reports. it does look as if it is a clipping of steve bannon‘s wings, a reversal of the establishment of a national security council with him at the table prominently, but without people like the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the most senior military official in the country. he gets back to the table. there has been a bit of a power struggle inside the white house involving the national security adviser. he tried to remove a key figure from the nsc recently and was

overruled on that and this might be pa rt overruled on that and this might be part of his price for accepting that. i think your previous guest was right. do not, for one minute, think the official removal of steve bannon as chair from the table will mean his influence is any less necessary because he is at the right hand of donald trump on everything. he is the ideology behind donald trump's administration. he is there at the centre of every decision and i think he might feel his influence is clipped, but the reality is not so is clipped, but the reality is not so much. that is the important thing, the extent to which the president will rely on his advice come what may, regardless of any place on the advisory council. you have got to look at while —— all

white house administrations, the organiser affairs in different ways. when richard nixon was in power it was just when richard nixon was in power it wasjust him when richard nixon was in power it was just him and when richard nixon was in power it wasjust him and henry kissinger he made the national security decisions, let alone anyone else. you have to ask yourself when the crunch comes, who goes to the situation room? he is in there, who will be called on to speak, who is called on to advise and to really does the president listened to in those situations? i don't think there is any sign that steve bannon will not be part of that in a significant way. thank you for bringing us up today. a service of hope and reconciliation has taken place at westminster abbey, a fortnight after the attack on westminster bridge and the houses of parliament. the service took place to remember the victims of khalid masood, who drove a car into pedestrians, and stabbed a police officer. at the abbey, the duke and duchess of cambridge and prince harryjoined around two thousand people attending the multi faith service, as our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, reports. two weeks ago the area around

westminster abbey was caught up in the chaos of that afternoon. nearby on westminster bridge there were casualties. people mown down as they enjoyed the sights of london. closer stilljust inside the gates of the houses of parliament, there were gunshots. and the murder of an unarmed police officer, one of the four innocent people who died that day. two weeks later at westminster abbey, the service. quite deliberately not a memorial service — it's felt to be too soon after the event for that. but what the abbey described as "a service of hope". leaders of the different faith communities from across the uk were joined in the congregation by the duke and duchess of cambridge

and prince harry along with members of the emergency services, some of the bereaved families and some of those who were injured. the violent assault two weeks ago against londoners and visitors to the city from around the world and the killing of a police constable on duty at the palace of westminster has shocked people everywhere. at a time of sorrow, a time when we are tempted to despair, may we find hope. the humanity of those who came to the aid of the injured and dying was remembered. the duke of cambridge read from the parable of the good samaritan. which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? he said, the one who showed him mercy. jesus said to him,

"go and do likewise". in the name of the father... the dean of westminster recalled that among those directly affected by the attack were people from britain and 12 other nations. and he posed a question so many have asked, why? what happened a fortnight ago leaves us bewildered. what could possibly motivate a man to hire a car and take it from birmingham to brighton to london and then drive it fast at people he had never met, couldn't possibly know, against whom he had no personal grudge and no reason to hate them, and then ran at the gates of the palace of westminster to cause another death? it seems likely that we shall never know. candles were lit as a symbol

of the light which can never be extinguished by the darkness of terror. and prayers were offered from across the different faiths pledging respect between different communities. nicholas witchell, bbc news. one of those attending the service was melissa cochrane. she and her husband were both hit by the leader massoud's car. kurt was killed in the attack. they were in london to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary. mousset spoke to fiona bruce put the service. probably the most beautiful thing i have ever seen. most beautiful thing i have ever seen. it was quite an honour. to my husband and all of the other victims who were affected by this tragedy. i

have never been to anything so beautiful. it was great. tell me about your husband, what kind of person was he? kurt was probably the best man i have ever met. he was sweet and kind and i am extremely proud of him and i am very happy that the world now knows what a wonderful man he was. he would probably hate all the publicity that is going on. he is a very private kind of person, very generous, very sweet and the love of my life. when did you find out that cat had been killed? it was after the surgery on my leg. i compiled of recovery and

they put me in a hospital room and my parents had come to visit and we re my parents had come to visit and were there waiting for me when i came out and i asked them to find out what had happened to my husband. no one previously could tell me, no one had any information, so my pa rents one had any information, so my parents walk out of the room and came back in and both grabbed my hand and said that he didn't make it. that crashed me. fortunately i have a wonderful family and i am able to take their strength and recover. it has been difficult, obviously, but kurt would have wa nted obviously, but kurt would have wanted me to keep going and with such a beautiful family that i have, it has been ok. you can manage to do

that, not feel ill will toward the man who has put you in this wheelchair, she has ended your future with your husband?” wheelchair, she has ended your future with your husband? i don't feel any ill will toward him. i don't know what he was feeling or thinking or anything that had been going on in his life, so i cannot relate. i just know going on in his life, so i cannot relate. ijust know that, u nfortu nately, relate. ijust know that, unfortunately, she did not have the qualities and the beautiful heart that my husband had. i actually feel a little sorry for him. nobody yet. —— notes yet. the time is 20 past five. let's have a look at the headlines. western nations have condemned the syrian government during an emergency debate at the un limit for a gas

attack which killed more than 70 people. as we have seen, the duke and duchess of cambridge and prince harry attended the service at westminster abbey for the victims of the westminster terror attack. one of president robert's closest advisers, steve bannon, has been removed from his position on the national security council. in sport, the second oldest of the gold medallist is to end his 43 year career. nick skelton will retire from showjumping having won gold in rio last summer at the age of 58 with his horse. the annual par—3 tournament is about to get underway today before the start of the masters. play was suspended earlier due to bad weather at augusta. and former in land captain alistair cook will miss the first county championship match of the new season for essex on friday because of a hip injury. i will be back with more on those stories just after half past. the european parliament has set out its priorities

for the brexit negotiations, warning that the uk would have to agree to honour any financial obligations to the eu. there were some lively exchanges as former ukip leader nigel farage accused meps of behaving like the mafia setting a ‘ransom demand', while the parliament's chief negotiator, guy verhofstadt, told meps that brexit was a ‘stupidity‘, caused by a catfight inside the conservative party. he said the youth of britain would one day bring the uk back into the european union. our europe correspondent, damian grammaticas, reports. a handshake offered from the eu's chief negotiator. smiles in return from the architect of brexit. but then harsh realities began to be laid out. the uk told it cannot expect special access to the eu's single market. i have to clarify, this will not happen. cherry picking will not happen. a state outside the european union cannot have the same or better conditions than a state inside of the european union.

what is expected is that the uk will pay its bills. it's like moving house, said the leader of the socialist group. "the gas bill, the electricity, it all has to be settled", he said. just a week since article 50 was triggered, this may be a foretaste of things to come. nigel farage accused the eu of making impossible demands. vindictive and nasty, he called it. you're behaving like the mafia. you think we're a hostage, we're not. we're free to go. we are free to go. groans at the mafia comparison stopped him mid—flow. then this, from the parliament's italian president. "i'm sorry, mr farage", he interrupted, "but saying this parliament is behaving like the mafia is unacceptable". ok — all right.

michel barnier, the man who will have to keep negotiations calm, said he will not seek to punish the uk, only ask that it live up to its financial obligations. and, he said, "it will have to agree the separation terms before the trade talks can begin". the sooner we agree to the principles of an orderly withdrawal, the sooner we can prepare the future. a different future was laid out, too, where a young generation of britons want to rejoin the eu. a young generation that will see brexit for what it really is, a catfight in the conservative party that got out of hand. a lot of time, a waste of energy, and, ithink, stupidity. but for now the eu is ready in what it says will be a tough negotiating position. labour is to launch a new inquiry

into ken livingstone's conduct in the wake of his suspension from the party, over controversial comments regarding hitler and zionism. the announcement was made by party leaderjeremy corbyn, who said it was deeply disappointing that mr livingstone had failed to acknowledge or apologise for the hurt he'd caused . iam sending i am sending a message that we do not tolerate anti—semitism in the party and the remarks by ken livingstone have offended people and he should apologise. i also think it would be better if he said no more about the subject. you are not going to explain yourself? i don't have the power to expel people from the party. that has to be done by the party. that has to be done by the party as a whole. his later remarks will be referred back to the party. within the last hour ken livingstone has told the bbc that he stands by his comments, claiming his views were distorted by the press and other labour mps to undermine jeremy corbyn's leadership.

i cannot recall in the last 11 months ajewish i cannot recall in the last 11 months a jewish person coming up to me and saying what you said offended me. the i said that there was a zionist. if anyone has been offended i apologise on behalf of those labour mps who live in their tweets and their posts on their websites. they caused a lot of offence, but they did it deliberately to undermine germany. some conspiracy theorists the reason the right—wing liberal party machine part of this hearing for 11 months, so it coincided with the launch of the campaignfor coincided with the launch of the campaign for local government, was to damage the party again. it is ha rd to to damage the party again. it is hard to think it has taken 11 months for this hearing to take place. that was the former labour mayor of london, ken livingstone, speaking a short while ago. joining us from liverpool is the labour mp louise ellman.

that talk about his statement today where he tries to justify what he said in the past and says this is an attempt to undermine mr corbyn. the labour party took a shameful and outrageous decision yesterday, it is clearly emboldened ken livingstone and he is now continually repeating the statements, the untruths and the distortions that give such offence and field anti—semitism. he doesn't seem and field anti—semitism. he doesn't seem to be able to recognise the situation he is in and it is a matter of extreme urgency that the national executive committee does meet and does something about this. the jewish labour movement meet and does something about this. thejewish labour movement is already taking steps to bring this issue before the party conference in the autumn. this issue will not go away. i think ken livingstone would help is a situation if he recognised how wrong he has been, the 30 has caused and stops repeating the distortions and untruths. do you

accept the assertion by mr corbyn that he doesn't have the power to force a different disciplinary verdict here? a leader always does have the means to show the way forward and i think that our leader, jeremy corbyn, i am glad he isjoint leadership in this, should make it clear that he thinks ken should go. you meanjust clear that he thinks ken should go. you mean just resigned from the party? i think he should make it clear that ken livingstone, acting the way he does, has no place in the labour party. after all, the labour party decision taken yesterday did confirm that ken livingstone had brought the labour party into disrepute and then, incredibly, though effective sanction was implemented and this is a most amazing situation, reprehensible and totally shameful. that has to be put right as a matter of urgency before more damage is done to the labour party as a whole and to all those people who have their faith in the labour party as a party for progress

and one which opposes anti—semitism and one which opposes anti—semitism and racism. some of those involved in the process have said they appeared in good faith and they came to the decision they did in good faith. do you question the sincerity of those involved? the individuals have to account for themselves. i know the labour party yesterday found that ken livingstone had brought the labour party into disrepute, yet they failed to implement any meaningful sanction and, since that time, ken livingstone has been impotent and continually repeats the untruths, distortions and hurtful statements that he has already made and those few anti—semitism. it is a matter of shame. what happens if, basically, this situation just carries on as it is, that there is no revisiting in any meaningful way of the verdict of the disciplinary panel? what happens then? this situation is deeply

damaging to the labour party. it is deeply offensive and notjust to the jewish community, but all those people who have their faith in the labour party as a party of progress, opposing anti—semitism and opposing all forms of racism. it isn't letting everybody down and it is putting the good name of the labour party in great danger. the deputy commissioner, thank you very much. the labour mp louise ellman there. we will have a look at the headlines ina we will have a look at the headlines in a moment and will be talking more about the brexit negotiations coming up about the brexit negotiations coming up out of the session in the european parliament today but in the meantime the weather. belle equipe at the moment, a fine spring day across the uk, mixed sunshine as you can see —— fairly quiet at the moment. some breaks in the cloud to end the day,

particularly in southern and eastern areas but eventually more clout of the night goes on. dry for all above from west of scotland but in eastern scotla nd from west of scotland but in eastern scotland we will have the lowest temperatures but not desperately cold. tomorrow could be quite cloudy some drizzle in western scotland and sunshine in eastern scotland and north east england with the wind picking up the cloud. it will be fairly thin cloud, some blue skies and sunshine, temperatures as high as 13 to 15 degrees. we will keep this through the week, largely dry and cloudy but having into the weekend, more sunshine in england and wales and it will warm up considerably. this is bbc news at five — the headlines. the syrian government has been

condemned during a —— during an emergency un debate after a chemical attack killed more than 70 people. this bears all the hallsmarks of the assad regime and the use of chemical weapons is a war crime. the duke and duchess of cambridge and prince harry have attended a special service at westminster abbey for the victims of the westminster terror attack. one of president trump's closest advisers — his chief strategist steve bannon — has been removed from his position on the national security council. the european parliament has set out its priorities for the brexit negotiations, warning that the uk would have to agree to honour any financial obligations to the eu. labour's ruling body will review ken livingstone's status in the party following his comments about hitler and zionism and his suspension for another year. let's go straight to the bbc sports

centre. good afternoon. olympic showjumping champion nick skelton has announced his retirement from the sport. skelton, who's 59, recovered from a broken neck in 2000, returning to the saddle two years later. at london 2012, he helped great britain to a team gold medal before achieving his number one ambition of olympic individual gold at the rio games last summer on his horse big star. the win in rio was the icing on the cake, i don't think it can get better than that. big staff has had a few problems but he is fine now and in good order. —— big star. i think it is time now for him, he is still young at 1a and has a good career at stud. i will be 60 this year so i think now is a good time to stop. there's an important night ahead at stamford bridge where the premier league leaders,

chelsea, mightjust be looking over their shoulders after that shock defeat by crystal palace on saturday. defeat to manchester city tonight and a win for spurs at swansea would see their lead at the top reduced to just four points. it is not easy to prepare the game but we tried to exploit two days to prepare the game in the right weight. —— the right way. but the short we are facing a great team. chelsea deserve where they are, they won and amount of points and win a lot of games in a row and they deserve to be there. it is another game, you have to take points as much as possible to be there and after we will see. elsewhere this evening, arsene wenger will be looking for a first win in four league games as arsenal host west ham. and there's a big game at the bottom of the table as hull city host middlesbrough. liverpool have been banned

from signing academy players from other english clubs for two years. they admitting a breach of premier league rules after having regular contact with a young stoke city player's family prior to an attempt to sign him, which included an offer to pay private school fees. the club has also been fined £100,000. the republic of ireland women's football team are to meet their governing body in the next hour, amid threats of a strike. a group of players have spoken out about the poor treatment and lack of support they've received from the fai, and are fighting for compensation for loss of earnings whilst on international duty. former england cricket captain alastair cook will miss the first county championship match of the new season for essex, because of a hip injury. cook was due to face international team—mate james anderson on friday, when essex take on lancashire. essex say cook's been receiving treatment for the injury for several weeks but it isn't thought to be serious. the annual par—3 competition is just getting underway at augusta

ahead of the masters which starts tomorrow. final practice was suspended earlier because of bad weather. rory mcilroy has put in the hours. the world number two has played more than 99 practice holes, as he aims for his first masters win, which would complete an historic grand slam of major titles. i'm ready. i've played enough golf around here this year. you know, even driving down magnolia lane this morning for the first time this week, it didn't feel... it felt like i've never been away, it didn't feel that special because i've done it so much. it's been nice. i've said in a couple of pieces, the more you can make augusta national feel like your home golf course, the better. you're just comfortable in your surroundings. you can keep up—to—date with all the events at augusta on a website over the weekend. that's bbc.co.uk/sport and i'll have more in sportsday at 6.30pm. thank you very much.

let's return to our main story this evening. the united nations security council has been meeting in an emergency session to discuss a suspected chemical attack in idlib province in syria. the us, britain and france have blamed president assad's forces for yesterday's bombing. but russia says a syrian air strike hit a store where rebels kept chemical substances. there have been more contributions since our report earlier. let's cross to the un and our correspondent, nick bryant. bring that up to date, any likely conclusions we are heading towards? it has been such an angry and impassioned meeting of the security council here. matthew rycroft said earlier and pointed the finger squarely at the assad regime and also at the russians and chinese who in february vetoed a draft resolution which would have imposed

sanctions on the assad regime for carrying out proven chemical weapons attacks earlier. he did that had sent a message of encouragement to the regime. the most electrifying moment, the most dramatic by far came when the trump administration's new ambassador don nikki haley, stood to her feet, new ambassador don nikki haley, stood to herfeet, which new ambassador don nikki haley, stood to her feet, which we rarely see here, and she brandished photographs of children who had died in that chemical weapons attack. it almost recalled the moment in the early 60s when the then us ambassador here referred to the famous black and white satellite photos of the missile sites that the soviet union were developing in cuba. it was very dramatic and she pointedly asked of the russian ambassador, how many more children need to die before russia cares? the russian ambassador at a very different interpretation of events and a different set of facts and he said moscow was rejecting the

wording of a draft resolution put before the council by the british, french and americans which condemned the attack and also calls for the syrian military to hand over a flight syrian military to hand over a flight logs. and we had a comment earlierfrom a viewer flight logs. and we had a comment earlier from a viewer asking if this was likely to lead to any action, action on the ground in syria? what we saw today was the usual deadlock over syria. it has been gridlocked for six years now and the british ambassador matthew rycroft said to the russian ambassador, people around the world look at the un and wonder why it does not do more to alleviate the suffering and stop the killing in syria. he says russian intransigence is to blame, it is obstructionism along with china that has led to diplomat‘s hands being

tied over syria, whether it is the delivery of humanitarian aid or responding to these kinds of attacks. thank you very much for bringing us up—to—date. let's get more on the news that the european parliament has overwhelmingly approved a non—binding resolution that lays out its views on the brexit negotiations. there were fiery exchanges in strasbourg, as the former ukip leader and mep nigel farage accused eu leaders of treating the uk like "a hostage". bbc reality check correspondent chris morris has been teasing out some of the key sentences from the resolution. he's with me now to explain their significance. it was lively. if people were asked about what it is significant what the parliament is discussing what would you say? it is not part of the negotiating process soap for the next 18 months it has some shouting

from the sidelines but before the two—year article 15 period is over it get a boat on any separation agreement so people on both sides know they need to take the european parliament into account —— article 50. and the terms of the divorce we re 50. and the terms of the divorce were set out today. we know there will be a battle about money is a lwa ys will be a battle about money is always and the eu as set out, we talking tens of billions of euros. what the parliament said was that any money committed in the current multi annual financial framework, the current seven—year budget period, that goes until 2020 and after we have probably left, it believes the uk is liable for money it has committed which could be spent two or three years after we have left and that will be contentious will stop we know the problem of the divorce bill will be there. the eu chief negotiator was there. the eu chief negotiator was there today and he tried to offer

some words of reassurance. translation: we would never try to punish the united kingdom, never. we are simply asking the uk to deliver on its commitments and undertakings as a member of the eu. in fact all we are doing, ladies, gentlemen and mr farage, is asking the uk to settle the accounts, no more, no less. and he will have a leading role in all of this. when it comes to the whole business of trade, so vital, and the fact there has been mention of security cooperation alongside trade agreement, what was said? of security cooperation alongside trade agreement, what was said7m the letter from theresa may there was the indication that trade and security would be linked. last week of the eu leaders were gathering and there were raised eyebrows. the parliament has laid down a marker,

no trade—off between security and trade in the future. if anybody tries to link them, it will not be accepted. that is clear and i am wondering about where they clear about a transitional deal that helps them keep those trading routes open while they are sorting out the main deal? a lot of what was said was similarto deal? a lot of what was said was similar to the negotiating guidelines issued by the european council last week but there were more specifics and this was one of the transitional arrangements should not last for more than three years. we are already in a two—year timetable and we could then be going into another three—year timetable. the other significant thing is the european court ofjustice must play a role in that transition period. a few weeks ago i thought i would be difficult to go through because theresa may said was a red line, no more role for the ecj, but we have

seen more role for the ecj, but we have seen her beginning to move toward some of the eu positions and indicated yesterday that may be in that period there may have to be some kind of free movement of labour. we're moving towards places where we are seeing there could be compromised but will it be a cce pta ble compromised but will it be acceptable to both sides? some people were writing this up as the european parliament taking a tough stance. how did you read the tone of this? when we look at the black and white, how did you read it and the appetite for comp eyes? there are tough lines and people highlight them and look at them and think it will be difficult. there is a move for cooperation. we should never forget that when we hit stumbling blocks. both sides genuinely want a deal. can they find common ground? we will have to find out. thank you, chris, with a detailed look at the wording of the european parliament

resolution today. thousands of families affected by the benefit cap have been left with just 50p a week towards their rent according to a bbc investigation. a survey by bbc panorama of hundreds of local authorities across britain discovered that more than 7,500 families had had their weekly housing benefit cut to this level. charities say some families could end up losing their home. the cuts are part of the government's drive to get unemployed people into work by capping their benefit payments. richard bilton has the story. it's just all so wrong. maria is a single mum of three, she's been capped and her house is on the line. you are entitled to less housing benefit because of the benefit cap the government has introduced. the benefit cap reduction is £65.67. itjust seems so wrong that they can give you the benefit. her housing benefit used to cover her rent, now it has been reduced by £65

and she is £700 in arrears. her housing association wants to evict her. just don't know whether i'm going to have a house next month, the stress, the worry, it's all hard. panorama has spoken to councils across britain. 67,000 households have been capped so far. 11% have had their housing benefit reduced to just 50p. the government says those families are still getting £20,000 a year in other benefits, and that's as much as many working families earn. the benefit cap was introduced to try and level up the playing field between families who are in work and those who are reliant on benefits. and fundamentally what we sought to do was incentivise work because we know the outcomes for children will be better if they are in families that are working. i'm just going to get some advice. if maria worked for 16 hours she would get her benefits back. she says she can't

because of her health and her childcare responsibilities. she has applied for emergency support and hopes the eviction can be stopped. so you're not prepared to stop repossession proceedings on the grounds that she paid no payments of the £65? 0k. right, ok. nojoy. her landlord still plans to evict her. it's totally shocked me, that. there is no leeway whatsoever. for single—parent families just... prepared to see you on the streets. maria has an eviction hearing in may but hopes to keep her house. charities say other capped families will lose their homes if they don't find work. richard bilton, bbc news.

and you can see richard's report ‘benefits cap: is it working?‘ in full tonight on bbc one at 9pm. it is coming up to 12 minutes to six and these are the headlines. the syrian government has been condemned in an emergency un debate after a gas attack killed more than 70 people. the duke and duchess of cambridge and prince harry have attended a special service at westminster abbey to remember the victims of the westminster terror attack. one of president trump's closest advisers, his chief strategist steve bannon, has been removed from his position on the national security council. the parents of a baby who suffers from a rare genetic condition have pleaded with a high courtjudge to give their child a chance to live. doctors say eight—month—old

charlie gard should move to a palliative care regime but his parents want to be allowed to take him to america where they hope he can be treated. our correspondent daniel boettcher is at the high court. tell us more about what the parents are saying. the court heard from both of charlie's parents, firstly chris gard who was carrying one of charlie's favourite toys in his top pocket as he gave evidence. he was askedif pocket as he gave evidence. he was asked if he was the father and he said, proud father. he told the court, my son is the apple of my eye andi court, my son is the apple of my eye and i would do anything for him, i wa nt and i would do anything for him, i want him to be given a chance. he was asked if he thought this treatment in the united states would turn charlie into a normal little boy and he said he would like to think so but did not think he would. he added that it does not mean he should have to die because he will not be like another little boy

running around. at the end of his evidence he was asked if there was anything else he wanted to say to the court. he said, "i just plead that you please give him a chance. those could then his mother, connie yates, gave evidence, and she said that they spent about 18 hours between them everyday with charlie and she was asked in terms of his quality of life if she thought he was suffering and she said she didn't ought she would not be here. she was asked what the purpose of pursuing the treatment was and replied, "to give charlie a chance to improve and get a better quality of life." she accepted it was not a cure but the treatment and told the judge that she promised if he did not improve, they would let him go. so the views of the parents, i'm wondering what has been the input of medical expert into the case? we heard today from a doctor at great

ormond street hospital and he was askedif ormond street hospital and he was asked if charlie was responsive to his surroundings in any purposeful way and he said no. he said it was difficult to be sure if charlie was in pain and he said his condition had deteriorated hugely since first coming to great ormond street hospital. he outlined the details of charlie's condition and said the illness was not just charlie's condition and said the illness was notjust irreversible, it is progressive. today has been the second debate that the court has heard evidence in this case and it has now been adjourned but will resume on friday —— the second day. many thanks for the update. a young child is in hospital with life—threatening injuries after being bitten by a dog in a park in chatham in kent. neighbours say the victim is a two—year—old girl. two people have been arrested.

the dog was shot dead by police last night. dozens of people are to be given the opportunity of testing a driverless vehicle for the first time on uk roads. they'll travel in a prototype shuttle along a two—mile route in greenwich in south—east london. our correspondent fiona lamdin has been to greenwich to find out more. well, here in greenwich we have every mode of transport that you could imagine. above us the cable car, the aeroplanes keep going over my head from city airport. we've got the river buses, the tube, the train, and now, if i can just show you this way, the driverless pod. you don't need a driver for this little pod, it basically works on sensors and a camera at the front. it's on trial for the next couple of weeks here. and if we stop here, hopefully the doors will open. magic. and in we get. hello, nick. hi. just explain to us, this is obviously a driverless pod, it goes automatically, but how does it actually work?

we have seen the sensors at the front but talk me through how it works. so it uses a combination of cameras and lasers to understand where it is and how it needs to move to get to its destination. what everyone wants to know is how safe is it? if a cat, a dog, a pedestrian was to literally run in front of us right now, what would happen? we've done a programme of tests off street and in this environment to make sure it behaves as we expect it to. the lasers and cameras are picking up all of the movement in the scene and making predictions about how people are moving so that the vehicle can stop safely if it needs to. we need to do this research and really understand what the public‘s hopes, fears, ambitions are for this technology and then, assuming it positive, we can start to see these roll out over the next couple of years, i think in cities particularly, where we can use automated clean vehicles to improve mobility. so you think by 2020, these sort of vehicles will be everywhere? maybe not everywhere by 2020 but we will start to see them emerging where it makes the most sense and gradually we will see them flourish. ok, well, the statistics say that 95% of all car accidents are down

to human error so the question is, is this a lot safer? that was the test but they d riverless that was the test but they driverless car in greenwich in south—east london. stay with us, bbc news at six will be here in a few minutes and i will be back data. let'sjoin darren minutes and i will be back data. let's join darren bett minutes and i will be back data. let'sjoin darren bett for the latest on the weather. i crash will shape the weather for the next week and there will not be much rain. it has been dry for quite some time —— high pressure will shape. afair some time —— high pressure will shape. a fair bit of cloud in the next few days until the weekend when there was much more sunshine and it will be warmer. this was taken in ayrshire and we might have these skies in the next few days and you

can see from the picture the cloud coming in from the north west in that breeze and we have some sunshine to end the day in southern england and wales. overnight, more in the way of cloud, not everywhere, some breaks in eastern scotland and north east england so a bit chilly but typical temperatures around 7 degrees. the high—pressure is there and we will have some stronger winds but for many is quite light, it is all the cloud. above that to the north we have winds coming from the atla ntic north we have winds coming from the atlantic and in the western hills of scotla nd atlantic and in the western hills of scotland there might be some drizzle and lower cloud but this is where we are more likely to get the sunshine in eastern scotland and north east england. a lot of clout in northern ireland and a good deal in england and wales but it should be quite thin so you should have some sunshine. i'm not promising a lot, if you get it it's a bonus, and

temperatures will be around 1a degrees. friday is pretty similar, fairly cloudy, the best of the sunshine in eastern scotland and north east england because of the high—pressure but it changes over the weekend. it gets drawn into central europe and as it moves away there is some rain the north—west but it also changes the wind direction of it comes from the south and with drier and warmer air it will boost the temperatures over the weekend. this is the first part and a fine day with the cloud thinning and more sunshine of dry whether and the temperatures rising but a major change for the second half of the weekend. in the north west we have a band of rain and there will be more cloud around but in england and wales you can see the sunshine. where you don't have it in scotland and northern ireland with that rain coming down, the temperatures will

not rise as much but you can see the warmth across england and wales. 23 degrees likely in the south—east. the warmest day of the year so far. it might not last there is always that, it is likely to get colder on monday but things settle down again in the southern part of the uk after that. i will be doing the ten day forecast later. a service of hope at westminster abbey to remember those killed in the attack two weeks ago today. members of the royal familyjoined victims, their relatives and the emergency services. there too was melissa cochrane whose husband was killed. she talks for the first time of the attack. the panic of not being able to see where my husband was, or really know what was going on. it was quite scary. you can hear more of that exclusive

interview with melissa later in the programme. also tonight... the suspected chemical attack in syria — russia and the west clash at the un over who's responsible. the new welfare cuts leave some families getting just 50p a week in housing benefit.