this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at ten. 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. voting has begun in the french presidential election. emmanuel macron has cast his vote. the boyfriend of reality tv star ferne mccann is arrested in connection with an alleged acid attack in a london nightclub. the london marathon has begun. 40,000 runners expected to take part in this course through the streets of london. i bet they wish they could let the train take the strain.

a rare treat for rail fans as let the train take the strain. the flying scotsman travel alongside three modern trains on the east coast mainline. and in half an hour, pop up lebanon heads to the dangerous bekar valley, a border region with syria — to meet a drugs kingpin. good morning and welcome to bbc news. 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 impact of this proposal. 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 susana mendonca. let's begin with the labour party. jeremy corbyn has been on the andrew marr show on bbc one this morning. some interesting challenges to him about the party's defence policy. trident has been a difficult subject

for the labour party, because the party for the official position is that it supports renewing trident. but there are those within the party, including jeremy corbyn, who are not fans of trident, so the party has been divided. jeremy corbyn was asked about this directly, weather he would renew trident and weather it would be in the manifesto, and he was quite vague and he didn't make a commitment to it being in the ma nifesto. commitment to it being in the manifesto. it raises questions about weather he will try to shift away from that promise. this is what he had to say. this is still an unresolved question. your defence spokesman has said very clearly that keeping trident will be in the labour manifesto. we haven't completed work on the manifesto yet, we're less than 100 hours into the election campaign. so he could be in for a shock. now, we're having that discussion within the labour party

and we will produce that manifesto. that opens up to the criticism we have heard from the conservative party chairman, he has said people would be better protected under the conservatives on defence. another thing he was asked about was free movement of people regards to the brexit negotiations. he was quite clear in seeing the movement would help when we left the eu, but then help when we left the eu, but then he went on to drop about how they would be a system for people to work in europe and the europeans to work here, so again, for people wanting clarity, a little bit obscure. in terms of paul nuttall, who we saw earlier, talking about is integration agenda, there are launching that on saint georges day. but they're also talking about brexit, because it hasn't gone away. yes, they want to bring it back to brexit, because that is a key issue.

although you see them talking today about the burqa and the integration agenda. that's because things have moved on and many of the supporters may switch to the tories, that's certainly what the polls seem to be suggesting. what i find interesting is that we have heard about tactical voting from the greens, suggesting they might stand aside in some seats to help the lib dems, in terms of their remain vote. now we have got paul nuttall basically saying that in some seats, where there is a remain conservative and labour mp, that he might be encouraging his own members to do the same. notjust tory candidates, there could be people like kate hoey. this will not be an ordercoming people like kate hoey. this will not be an order coming down from the top of the party. i will speak to grudges over the coming weeks and we will make decisions. what i don't wa nt will make decisions. what i don't want to see happening is good

brexiteer is, people who have campaigned for years her brexit, i don't want them to lose their seats and a remain personal get their place. we have tim farren ruling out a coalition and leanne wood as well. tim farren says they want to deal with either of the two big parties. they enjoyed five years in government, but the paid quite an electoral price for that last time. do you detect from his position that there is still a recognition that thatis there is still a recognition that that is some residual toxicity to the fact they were prepared to go into coalition? i think so. we saw it at the last general election, the lib dems being annihilated, from 57 seats down to eight. they got one backin seats down to eight. they got one back in richmond park, so they have nine. he suffered a great deal. now they see their moment, because they are, in terms of the main parties, a

party that people associate with remaining in the european union. so if you voted remain, and labour's m essa 9 es if you voted remain, and labour's messages muddled, perhaps your vote will go to the lib dems. they're probably thinking they don't need to do gales with other parties, because they are a party with a clear message and they might be able to gain back some ground. if you look at some of the seats a loss to the conservatives, they will hope to win those back on the same issue.|j conservatives, they will hope to win those back on the same issue. i know we will top more in the cause of the morning. thanks very much for that. a record number of runners are expected to take part in the london marathon today. this is the scene live at greenwich park in south london where the main race has just got underway. they just got started theyjust got started eight minutes ago. there are the royals. they fired the starting button for the race, because their charity is being supported by this year's campaign.

the heads together charity which is to encourage people to take mental health problems were seriously. live now to our correspondent — dan johnson — who is in greenwich park. it looks very empty behind you. i thought that would be at least a few stragglers. look, there goes one! it ta kes stragglers. look, there goes one! it takes time for everybody to get over the start line and this is only one of the restart lines, so there are people streaming out of different parts. we will go through the east end and across the thames and then the land up in front of buckingham palace for the finish line. the elite men's race, which started at ten o'clock, they will finish in just over two hours. two hours in

three minutes was the record set last year. people running fraternity might take longer, but they all have their own individual motivation and targets, weather it's time fundraising. everyone has a positive motivation to be here and take on this challenge, because there are only nine or ten minutes into the race, but there was a lot of running to do, a lot of miles to cover, and it isa to do, a lot of miles to cover, and it is a really positive feel. you get such a warm atmosphere down here at the start. it has been triggered off by the duke and duchess of cambridge, because it is their charity at the focal point of today's and reasoning. prince harry will be at the finish point to give out prizes, so leroy alleged today, but was 40,000 fun runners, who are doing it to raise money for charity, they are what this is really about. looking at the age range, it is

extraordinary among the fun runners, but this is also for some ecgs competition. indeed. the women's race got under wayjust after nine o'clock and the elite men will have been at the start, the head of the pack, leading off at ten. for them, this is a series competition and pa rt this is a series competition and part of the international athletics scene. it's a different kind of event. everybody together in the spirit of the marathon and ready to enjoy it. i spoke to date girl who has just turned 18 running for the first time, onlyjust eligible. and the oldest man in the race is 83—year—old kenny, he turns 84 next month. he was here 37 years ago for the first london marathon and he has been back every year since. he says he has slowed down a bit, but he

says he still gets the buzz, the warm feeling of being cheered on by the crowds that will line the streets of london. there are lows of stories like that about the reasons people want to come and be part of this today. the conditions are absolutely perfect. it's pretty fresh, but bright and clear, perfect conditions for running. enjoy the morning there. i know you have to get your skates on to make sure you are at the finish line in time. we look forward to talking to you later. he is one of the three starting lines for today's london marathons. polling stations have opened in france, with a—level candidates running for office. the race between the top four is considered too close

to call. two candidates are expected to call. two candidates are expected to go through to a run—off next month. let's cross to paris. good morning. it is a lovely day in paris, by the look of it. is it the calm before the political storm? paris, by the look of it. is it the calm before the political storm7m you look around here, we have a full on game of street football taking place around us. it is anything but tents outside this particular polling station, one of almost 900 across the french capital. we have been talking to a steady stream of voters who have been coming along, and they are turning out in defiance of the ongoing state of emergency and the security that everybody knows is all around them. people getting on. we have also seen some of the candidates themselves in the last few minutes. one of them is marine le pen in her home district. she has been in the ballot box

already today. also been up injust over three hours now. and also the centre—right —— i'm sorry, centre candidate emanuel macron. he has been to vote in his area. the turnout will be very important in a very tight race. in this first report from james reynolds. 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. in bordeaux, election officials make their final, manual checks.

the people we've been speaking to silver today have been determined to come out, one particularly so. one woman wanted to show that nothing was going to stop her being first to cast her ballot. i wanted to be here, the first one to come to vote. asa woman, here, the first one to come to vote. as a woman, we 52% voting in paris. i wanted to show that is no problem of security. we are in paris, it is nice weather, a nice park, and it is very quiet and calm. we must come here and vote. it still looks pretty normal and relaxed around this polling station, at least. it's all security presence every now and again, with the police passing by.

lets doctor david, a journalist in paris. it feels completely relaxed around here. how unusual is this election? despite this relaxed sunday morning scene, which is heartening to see, there is a jittery feeling in france at the moment, particularly since the killing of the police man on thursday, an attack claimed by the so—called islamic state. the french are well aware there could be further attacks. we have more than 50 thousand police deployed around france. there are more than 6000 polling stations, so a huge police presence around the country. although may or may not see the police at the moment, they are being very vigilant and watchful. despite everything, people are expecting the turnout to be pretty good. the turnout to be pretty good. the turnout is generally high in french elections, 70% is considered quite low. 80% is

elections, 70% is considered quite low. 8096 is not unusual. that turnout is going to be particularly important this year. yes, because there are so many candidates who seem to be fairly close together. it's a tight race, so turnout would be key in determining the result. the way french people vote, there is a tendency under phenomenon of vote spoiling. to go in there and make the effort to turn up, but to do something to your ballot paper by way of protest. that's right, the french, leaving a blank ballot paper. it's a political gesture. have spoken to a number of people who have said that yes, they will go to the polling station to fulfil what they see as a civic duty, but in order to show the disgruntlement with politics and politicians in general, unfulfilled promises, high unemployment, a stagnating economy, they will not actually vote for any particular candidate. and that is

extraordinary, because there are 11 candidates in this race. that's right, with the huge bread from the far right of the far left. one candidate who wants to colonise mars, one who wants to give everyone a basic universal income. you would think there would be a range of policies for people to choose from, but despite that, some voters clearly feel there's nothing on offer that appeals to them. david, thank you very much. turnout all. 11 candidates, dominated in the final weeks by a particularforum, they will be reduced to two if there is no overall majority for one person, and those two will be back in second round on the of may. thank you very much. there will be

live coverage on bbc news tomorrow at half past six. the headlines. jeremy corbyn says labour will create four new uk wide bank holidays on the patron saints days of each of the home nations if he becomes prime minister. the conservative manifesto will include a cap on energy bills for millions of households. voting has begun in the first round of the french presidential election. candidate emmanuel macron has cast his vote. sport now...and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. johanna konta has just lost

johanna konta hasjust lost her match in romania. both women were insulted by the remaining captain yesterday, who has been banned. halep won the first set. johanna konta played better in the second set, but it didn't last. halep won the match in straight sets, taking the match in straight sets, taking the second set 6—3. that puts romania 2—1 up in the tie, with heather watson on court shortly. to athletics, where there were familiar scenes for great britain men's 4x100m relay team. they've been disqualified in the final at the world relays. they were on course for a medal going into the fourth and final changeover, but were disqualified for not passing the baton in the required zone. the usa went on to win, justin gatlin powering over the line for the gold medal, ahead of barbados and china. a british debutant took off too

soon and danny talbot couldn't get the baton to him, in time. it's hard to tell what happened, but i'm just disappointed. it's about the bigger picture, and i'm still confident we can get the job done. it's unfortunate we had to learn the lesson here. it's the scottish cup old firm semi—final at hampden park at noon today. celtic are still on for the domestic treble, having already wrapped up the league title and the scottish league cup. but their glasgow rivals rangers stand in their way today, with aberdeen waiting for the winner in the final. the fa cup continues today, arsenal take on manchester city in the semi—final at wembley, at 3pm.

with arsenal boss arsene wenger under pressure because of the club's poor run in the premier league, they're seventh in the table, he's well aware of the importance of doing well in this competition. what i expect when you go in the semifinal is to go to the final, you know. i think somebody told me i played 11 semifinals in the fa cup, so it is a special experience and a good opportunity to show how much we are ready, and how much we want to go to the final. it is maybe our only opportunity to get a trophy this season. i would like to put in my players' heads how good they are. i say many times to them, but they still don't believe how good they are. we need help to win more because you realise you have lived that experience when you win a title, a final — it is a lot of stress, a lot of pressure, and you handle that, and you are able to win, so the left time will be a little bit easier.

looking forward to that one. don't forget, coverage of the london marathon is on air on bbc one right now, and you can also see it on the bbc sport website. i'll have more for you in the next hour. 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 night club people were brought in contact with a corrosive substance and suffered burns. a 22—year—old woman and a same—aged man are now blind in one eye.

the metropolitan police said arthur collins, 25, from hertfordshire, was arrested on suspicion of murder. he is the boyfriend of ferne mccann, who appeared in the reality tv show, the only way is essex. he was taken into custody at an address in the north following an operation from officers from east midlands and the met specialist crime unit. the met police said a 21—year—old man was 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 the thames magistrate tomorrow. police in greater manchester are appealing for witnesses after three people, including a pregnant woman, had bleach thrown in their eyes. the woman was walking with a man when the liquid was thrown at them from a passing car on friday night. shortly afterwards, bleach was thrown at a second man on the same road. 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 phone 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. 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, where the event is also celebrating the "past and future" of the railway. what a psychosis, you canjust hear the band, and the papersjust struck up the band, and the papersjust struck up here on platform five at your station. just look at the turnout. you can see the intercity 125 there, and of the cameraman pans to the left, you can see this team of the flying scotsman, which isjust about to leave your station right on cue. the icon on the railways, built in doncaster works in 1923 and applied its trade along the east coast main

line from 1924. we are getting covered in soot and steam. let's just talk to a couple of the guys involved. rob mcintosh from network rail has been instrumental in getting this going. how logistically difficult has it been to arrange all this? over the last year when we have been planning this, lots of people said it was too difficult, but as you can see today, it is a fantastic event and thanks to all the partners are it happen. gary, you're from welcome to yorkshire. this is sure peace talks about its best. yes, you can see from the thousands of people who have turned out. it has been absolutely splendid. all the partners who have been involved in work closely with us, it has been a challenge, but they have pulled it off and it has

been really popular. they have pulled it off and it has been really popularlj they have pulled it off and it has been really popular. i doctor the managing director of version east coast and he said this can't happen again. but surely that is demand for this. there is huge demand, and we will do something like this again very soon, don't worry about it. would you like to see this again, gary? that sense of yorkshire pride. yes, it brings communities together is and in five days' time, we have the world's biggest bike race. you will see millions of people turning out there that. we do big events here in yorkshire and we do them really well. thanks for allowing us on the platform today to enjoy the experience with you. i will go home and wipe the suit off now. it's been and wipe the suit off now. it's been a great morning at