this is bbc news. i'm shuan ley. the headlines at nine. jeremy corbyn says labour will create four new uk—wide bank holidays, on the patron saint‘s days of each of the home nations — if he wins the general election. the conservative manifesto is expected to include a cap on energy bills for millions of households. this is the scene live in paris where voters are going to the polls for the first round of the french presidential election. the boyfriend of reality tv star ferne mccann is arrested in connection with an alleged acid attack in a london nightclub. also in the next hour — limbering up for the london marathon, a record number of runners are taking part in this year's race — now in its 37th year. 40,000 people gathering here, lots of weird and wonderful costumes. that's what today is about, the

positive stories of all the people who will be doing the race through the capital. a rare treat for rail fans as the flying scotsman travel alongside three modern trains on the east coast mainline. and our sunday morning edition of the papers is at 9.35 — this mornings reviewers are preshant rao , from the international new york times and peter conradi, foreign editor at the sunday times. good morning and welcome to bbc news. and i should say happy saint georges day. labour is attempting to win over voters ahead ofjune‘s general election, with the promise of four extra uk—wide bank holidays. they would fall on the patron saint‘s day of each of the home nations. the conservatives have responded by saying the british economy would be on a permanent holiday under labour.

here's our political correspondent ben wright. good morning, everybody. good morning! working hard to get your vote. butjeremy corbyn thinks britain's workers deserve a break, and says if labour wins the general election he will try and introduce four new uk—wide bank holidays. bank holidays are a devolved matter in scotland. butjeremy corbyn says he would introduce four more in england on st george's day, st patrick's day, and st andrew's day, and st david's day, and he'll also suggest to devolved administrations they also have public holidays. labour claims the move would help bring the four nations of the uk together, as well as giving more people time off. the party said there was no definitive estimate of the economic a conservative source said that the british economy would be on a permanent holiday ifjeremy corbyn got near downing street. the conservatives could be about to make their own retail offer to voters in the shape of smaller energy bills for many families. the sunday times says that

theresa may is about to order ofgem to cap the gas and electricity bills for the seven out of ten households that pay standard variable tariffs, which are usually more expensive than other plans energy companies offer. labour has previously said it will force energy suppliers to put customers on their cheapest tariffs. ben wright, bbc news. ukip says its manifesto will include a pledge to ban the full—face veils worn by some muslim women. the party leader paul nuttall will launch what he calls an "integration agenda", saying items of clothing such as the burqa and niqab are a barrier to social harmony and a security risk. with me is our political correspondent susan mendonca. i suppose they are both marking saint georges day. the labour

proposal first, extra bank saint georges day. the labour proposalfirst, extra bank holidays, which as a virtue in terms of a policy that not cost the government anything. certainly, they have made clear what the cost would be koeman the tories are seizing that, saying the tories are seizing that, saying thejeremy the tories are seizing that, saying the jeremy corbyn the tories are seizing that, saying thejeremy corbyn matravers on holiday all the time, implying that the ink pact on the economy would not be a good one. it appeals to workers, and that is the core labour vote. on saint georges day, it's a policy that works for the day we're talking about. there is an uncertainty on how it would be implemented across the uk, because of devolution. scotland and northern ireland would have their own city. he's talking about bringing us into line with the g20 countries, where the average number of bank holidays is around 12, but in england and wales it's only eight. it's one of those eye—catching policies that you can come up those eye—catching policies that you can come up with at the beginning of

the campaign, but i'm not sure it's one that will make a massive difference to how people vote. the conservatives are being reported as putting an energy cabin to their ma nifesto. putting an energy cabin to their manifesto. that hasn't been confirmed. that sounds very familiar. didn't ed miliband, is that? he talked about forcing energy suppliers to put customers on the cheapest tariff, and that the time, the conservatives criticised the idea. so now this idea that theresa may might potentially put this cap oi’ may might potentially put this cap or the standard tariff, it suggests she is going down that road. the seen that before, political parties taking on the ideas of other political parties. what it speaks to issue pocket, and parties coming up

with ideas that will appeal to the voters. we'll hear from the ukip metered later about his integration agenda. this is ukip kind of going backwards. if you remember the 2010 election, they had the burqa band back then. they got rid of it for 2015, they had a different focus, about the referendum and leaving europe. those things are happening. there has been this question about whether or not ukip have lost their way. people have said a lot of ukip voters are thinking of switching to the conservatives. so i think that is what this is about. so not only eight burqa ban, but also this idea of banning sharia law and banning postal voting, which they say is subject to electoral fraud. he seems

to be going down the route of targeting muslim communities. i'm not sure how that will pan out, but it's something they must think will work with their core vote. jeremy corbyn and other leaders on the andrew marr show, i know you'll be watching that for us. polling stations have opened across france in the first round of the country's presidential election. 11 candidates are running for office, with the race between the top four contenders considered too close to call ahead of the vote. two candidates from this round will go through to a run—off vote next month as james reynolds reports. no—one wants to miss a single second of the big moment. these people are running, not for a vote, but for a football match. on the eve of the election, paris st—germain played a home game. it was a final test of the capital's security before the polls opened. these supporters, french voters, have made it

through months of campaigning. translation: the campaign was very long, and it was contaminated by all that's happened. translation: for us, the people down there, we will never have anything. so, no matter who's the president, it doesn't matter, it will always be the same for us. translation: the campaign's been necessary. we listened to each party's programme. now it's time to choose. to the relief of everyone here, the speeches are over, the arguments have been made, and for this entire country, it is now decision time. for these protesters in paris, security comes before all else. the afternoon before the vote, the wives of police officers called for more support for the security forces. their march follows the killing of a police officer on the champs—elysees on thursday. fear of further attacks means

that these, france's polling stations, will be well guarded. 50,000 police officers have been deployed to protect voters. we can cross to paris and speak to our correspondent gavin lee. polling stations have been open for a couple of hours now. presumably, ona a couple of hours now. presumably, on a sunday morning, it's not the busiest time, but how important is turnout in this first round? it's vital. if you think about the fact that 47 million eligible photos across france, and at the last election, 80% turnout, that is high. given how unpredictable the says, four of the 11 candidates, where there is barely a whisker. on the

far right, marine le pen, the left wing john luke melenchon, centrist macron and francois fillon, the conservative. latest polls suggest 30% of people are undecided. you can see behind me, slow and steady activity. i spoke to the first voters, who were competing to be the first at the station, close to the batter cla n first at the station, close to the batter clan in pardus. there have been security car is driving around, checking bags inside. one person said they were worried about security, surveys, this morning and not tonight, given the state of events and the atmosphere here. most people are saying they are undeterred. i suppose having two rounds at least means whoever finally emerges after the second will have the support of more than

50% of the people who take part in that round. but how important you think it's going to be, in terms of the message it sends about french politics, what sort of final round we get, what combination of candidates make it through?m we get, what combination of candidates make it through? it is a good point. theoretically possible that tonight, when we get the results, and that's interesting in itself. the french bob reject a result. rather than an exit poll, about eight o'clock this evening, once the polls are closed, the ticker few constituencies which they think area ticker few constituencies which they think are a good sample of the country, then they will shorten state tv the two faces who might have made it through. but it's theoretically possible but one person could get 50% of the vote. you have a complete spectrum of offers of what the candidates are

saying. election and policy rules forbid me from going into that too much, but it is unpredictable. the other point about the campaign, behind me, there are a lot of posters. really don't see the candidates, ec smurf ‘s hollywood stars. the point is street artists have taken over a lot of these posters in paris and perhaps taking it less seriously. thank you very much. and there'll be live coverage of the results of the first round of voting in the french presidential election. that's tomorrow at 6:30pm, in france decides here on bbc news. that's tonight at 6:30pm, in france decides here on bbc news. and there's full coverage on our website, and via the mobile app. a record number of runners are expected to take part in the london marathon today.

more than 40,000 have registered for the event, now in its 37th year. live now to our correspondent — dan johnson — who is in greenwich park. is going to kick off ready soon. yes, the races have begun, the wheelchair race is under way and the women's race will get under way in another five minutes. at women's race will get under way in anotherfive minutes. at ten o'clock, the men's elite race and then the masses after that, all those thousands of people who are gathering. it's getting really busy. lots of strange and wonderful costu mes lots of strange and wonderful costumes worn by people who are there mainly to a fundraiser. loads of great stories behind why people have decided to do this race. downloading the baggage up onto the trucks which will take this thing is to the finish line. let's have a chat to a couple of people who are doing a marathon. becky flynn, what are you dressed as? i'm dressed as a crustacean. several reasons why. and

fundraising for the british heart foundation calais. this is my brother. i've been up since five a.m., ready to crawl round and do whatever they need to do. i'm dressed as a crustacean, because the more ridiculous costume, the more money i raise. but the crowd have been so lovely and cheering me on. to everyone at home, thank you. thanks was sponsoring me £10,000. i hate running. i hit running, but my brother is having a good laugh at how ridiculous this will be for me today. i'll get there one way or another. let's chat to lucas, who is running today. the early blind runner and you will have a guide.

yes, i will be running with my sighted guide, dan maloney. we are fundraising for the royals and the blind children. we want to make sure that no young visually impaired person will grow up lonely, with education, without future prospects and to give them all the support they require to survive in society. have you run this distance before? i have run similar distances, around 16 or17, have run similar distances, around 16 or 17, but 26.2 will be my first time. do you think you will cope? i think i will manage. i think i have trained. down, you have to run the race and also guide lookers. yes, it will be the first time we are doing this together, sold will be interesting how it goes, especially because will be lots of people, it will be busy, so we have to keep

communicating. i have to stick close, guide each other. and you are saying, you didn't have a lot of time to prepare together. now, we have only had one training session at green park. looking forward to it. my first marathon as well. good luck to you all. loads of positive stories here, and the excitement building. we are not far off from this race starting now. thanks, we'll talk to you later. four trains from four different eras — including the world—famous flying scotsman — are giving rail enthusiasts in yorkshire a rare treat this morning as they are travelling side—by—side along the tracks of the east coast mainline in what has been described as a "once in a lifetime event." our correspondent, phil bodmer, is in york for us. good morning. good morning. what a site visitors. you can hear the band

in the papers here, who havejust struck up on platform five at your station. you can see the intercity 125 and the 265 beside it. you can see the steam of the flying scotsman, which is just see the steam of the flying scotsman, which isjust about see the steam of the flying scotsman, which is just about to leave york station right on cue. the icon of the railways, built in doncaster works in 1923 and plying its trade along the east coast main line from 1924. we are getting covered in soot and steam. that stopped a couple of the guys responsible. bob mcintosh from network rail, you have been instrumental in getting this going. how is logistically difficult has it been to arrange this? over the last year, lots of people said it was too

difficult to do, but as you can see, it isa difficult to do, but as you can see, it is a must do event, fantastic event and thanks to all the partners for making it happen. welcome to yorkshire. this is showcased yorkshire. this is showcased yorkshire that its best this morning. yes, it has. you can see from the thousands of people who have turned out, it has been absolutely splendid. i would echo what rob has said. the partners have worked together, it has been a challenge, but they have pulled it off and it has been very popular. talking to the managing director of virgin east coast, he said this can happen again, but there will be demand. there is huge demand. we will do something like this again very soofi, will do something like this again very soon, don't worry about it. will do something like this again very soon, don't worry about itm may have to be slightly different, but it draws people together. may have to be slightly different, but it draws people together]! there a sense of yorkshire pride. it galvanises communities, it brings together and in five days' time, we

have the world's biggest bike race. you will see millions of people turnover that again, we do big events in yorkshire and redo them really well. thanks for allowing us on the platform today to enjoy the experience. i'll have to go home and white as it off, but it's been a great day in york. you can see by the turnout of people who have come to witness a once—in—a—lifetime event, but let's hope we get to do it again sometime soon. we hope so too. the headlines. jeremy corbyn says labour appropriate for a new bank holidays on the patron saints days of each of the home nations if he wins the general election. the tory ma nifesto wins the general election. the tory manifesto was expected to include a cap on energy bills. heavy security

in france, where voters are going to the polls by the first—round of the presidential election. he'sjust coming in on the last few minutes, a statement from scotland yard regarding the arrest of a second person after an early arrest in connection with terrorism offences. the first arrest took place on wednesday of this week in north london. they have now made a second arrest this weekend. yesterday afternoon, officers arrested a 40—year—old man in south—east england in connection with funding terrorism. he was detained at a south london police station. the earlier arrest of a 30—year—old man atan earlier arrest of a 30—year—old man at an address in north london was a man accused, said to be concerned with the instigation and preparation of a cts with the instigation and preparation of acts of terrorism. he is still being held under the terrorism act.

searches at a house in london have concluded. if we get any more details on that this morning, we will bring them to the. the boyfriend of tv celebrity ferne mccann has been arrested in connection with an alleged acid attack in a nightclub. arthur collins, who's 25, had been sought by police following an incident at the mangle club in hackney last week. keith doyle reports. emergency services were called to the mangle nightclub in dalston in east london on easter monday, after reports that people had come into contact with a corrosive substance and had suffered burns. a 22—year—old woman and a 24—year—old man were both blinded in one eye. last night, the metropolitan police said arthur collins, who is 25 and from hertfordshire, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. he is the boyfriend of ferne mccann, who appeared in a reality tv show the only way is essex. he was taken into custody at an address in the town of rushton in northamptonshire, following an operation by armed officers from east midlands

and the met‘s specialist crime and operations unit. the metropolitan police said a 21—year—old man has been charged with seven counts of grievous bodily harm in relation to the alleged incident. he has been named as andre phoenix, who will appear before thames magistrates tomorrow. keith doyle, bbc news. police in greater manchester are appealing for witnesses after bleach was thrown into the eyes of a pregnant woman the mother—to—be was walking with a man when the substance was thrown at them from someone in a passing car in openshaw on friday night. police say that while the victims suffered "severe discomfort" officers believe they suffered no lasting damage. a day of national mourning is being observed in afghanistan for victims of the taliban attack

on a military base close to the northern city of mazar—i—sharif. dozens of soldiers were killed when militants — wearing army uniforms — fired on them in a canteen and as they left a mosque. some reports put the number of dead as high as 140. emergency teams have been despatched to contain an oil spill — on one of the canary islands, after a ferry crashed into a pier. a three—kilometre—long slick is threatening the coast around las pal—mas, on gran canaria, and telde. sarah corker has more. the ferry had just left port when it suddenly lost power. adrift and at the mercy of the sea, it crashed through the harbour wall. 140 passengers were on board the friday night crossing from las palmas to tenerife. after the ordeal, one woman is helped off the ship, but suddenly drops to the floor. up to five people suffered minor injuries. in daylight, the scale of the damage became clear. the collision damaged fuel pipes, releasing oil into the sea. the nearly two—mile oil spill is focused around las palmas

and stretches down the coast to telde, the two main towns on the spanish resort island of gran canaria. and this is what is left of the ship's bow after the collision. on saturday, the government temporarily shut down a water plant to avoid contamination of drinking water, and emergency teams are now working to contain the oil spill. the mobile operator, three, has apologised for technical problems which prevented some of its 9.2 million customers from making calls and sending and receiving texts yesterday. some users took to twitter to complain that their messages had gone to the wrong people. the firm says calls can now be made and it's working to restore a full service. that could have caused some embarrassment for people! the internationally renowned sculptor sir antony gormley has defended his latest work at its official launch in norfolk. the life—sized figures caused controversy when they were placed on top of buildings at the university of east anglia.

students complained they look—like real people about step off. louise hubball reports. art, supposed to stimulate discussion, but these life—sized sculptures silhouetted on the edge have worried some students. they look like real people about to step off the building. their creator sir antony gormley says that's missing the point. i think, antony gormley says that's missing the point. ithink, if antony gormley says that's missing the point. i think, if we're talking about suicide, these works are nothing to do with suicide, they're actually to do with life will stop and they are placed on the skyline in order to make us think about space and distance. the sculptures have already been displayed in cities around the globe, so why have they come to a university campus? for me, it is an extraordinary privilege to have work that will simplyjust be privilege to have work that will simply just be part privilege to have work that will simplyjust be part of this environment, that is hopefully about the future, that is about young minds grappling with the challenges

of today. and it is that academic environment that some argue is ideal for these works. part of campus life is about debate, and i would be disappointed if it hadn't been a debate. issues around mental health and student well— being debate. issues around mental health and student well—being are incredibly important to us at the university, and i think it's right these things are being aired. the figures were checked by sir antony gormley today, as the sainsbury centre on just gormley today, as the sainsbury centre onjust his gormley today, as the sainsbury centre on just his vision to turn these grounds into a sculpture park. unfamiliarand these grounds into a sculpture park. unfamiliar and unsettling to some at the moment, they will be on display here for the next five years. i think they might need their coats this week, because of how the weather is taking a turn. a bit ofa a bit of a shock to the system, cold on weather on the way with frost and

wintry showers. some of us got off toa wintry showers. some of us got off to a frosty start this morning, but with sunny spells, things will warm up with sunny spells, things will warm up very nicely but most of us through the rest of today, particularly across england and wales, where were under the influence of this high pressure. a weather front approaching, and behind there, cold air is lurking and that is on its way towards us. more cloud in scotland and northern ireland, some splashes of rain. across the bulk of england and wales, we keep hold of some spells of sunshine, some patchy cloud. where we see any lumps of thicker cloud, don't be surprised if there is the odd light shower. high pollen levels and the best temperatures up to 1516 degrees. across the western and northern isles in scotland, heavy rain setting in this afternoon, with pretty strong winds,

gales, potentially for the time, as this area of high—pressure winds itself up. then this cold front ta kes itself up. then this cold front takes our attention, because that will take rain with us, but it will introduce this cold air across the northern half of scotland. some frost here and more cloud across england and wales, so not such a chilly night. the cold front continues its journey southwards with patchy rain. behind it, sky is bright in scotland and northern ireland, but there will also be wintry showers. who will be a mixture of sleet and rain and hail, even snow in places. eastern scotla nd even snow in places. eastern scotland and north—eastern england, three degrees is that temperatures in aberdeen. tuesday brings that cold all the way across the country. this cold northerly wind coming all the way from the arctic. wintry showers at times and temperatures in

single digits for many. it will be cold and frosty start to the morning. wednesday and thursday remaining chilly with wintry showers, a little milderfor the end of the week. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: jeremy corbyn says labour will create four new uk—wide bank holidays, on the patron saint‘s days of each of the home nations if he wins the general election. the conservative manifesto is expected to include a cap on energy bills for millions of households. there's heavy security in france where voters are going to the polls for the first round of the french presidential election. the boyfriend of reality tv star ferne mccann has been arrested in connection with an alleged acid attack in a london nightclub.