from the convicted doctor larry nasser. at a hearing in michigan on wednesday, a judge said the number of known sexual abuse victims of nassar had risen to 265. the fbi in the united states has publicly challenged a push by republican lawmakers to release a controversial memo which purports to show bias at the agency against president trump. it's being reported by us news sources that the memo is likely to be released by the white house sometime on thursday. the former bbc china editor, carrie gracie, has told british members of parliament she's very angry about the way the corporation has treated some female members of staff. she was giving evidence to a parliamentary committee. the director general — tony hall — told the hearing that the bbc had got some things wrong. now on bbc news, a look back at wednesday in parliament. to the programme.

it isa to the programme. it is a standing day at prime minister's questions where emily thornberry attacks the government and the dup for not backing votes at 16. they are not the coalition of chaos, they are the coalition caveman. david livingstone said that the party put at the age for all sorts of things. graceville east to buy fireworks to 18 and raising is to use a sunbed to 18. best raising the age. also, mps plans to move out of westminster for a the age. also, mps plans to move out of westminsterfor a multibillion pound restoration programme. any delay increses the costs. and it was finished their first delay increses the costs. and it was finished theirfirst big delay increses the costs. and it was finished their first big debate on the bill transferring eu laws to the uk after brexit. a former commons

speaker said piers have a clear duty. to limit the damage that threatens the sovereignty of parliament and the national interest —— peers. parliament and the national interest -- peers. the more we argue here, the wicha we make the govern's arguing position. should we not be in lamenting the people's vote? but first, it was all change at prime minister's questions. theresa may is ona trip minister's questions. theresa may is on a trip to china, attempting to boost trade and relations. as well as formal talks, there was time for mrs may and her husband to pay a visit to a peking opera performance for music and drama. back in westminster, the lead role at prime minister's questions went to david lidington, who faced emily thornberry. the exchanges began with a bit of banter about the last time the two had faced each other across the two had faced each other across the dispatch box. let me welcomed the dispatch box. let me welcomed the minister backed it his role

deputising for the prime minister. last time he did so it was in december 2016, when his party was 17 points ahead in the polls, and he told the house that the labour party was, i quote, quarrelling like the film mutiny on the bounty, reshot by the team that made carrie on. what a difference a year makes. canno first of all thank the right honourable lady for her words of welcome and my previously previous — — lady for her words of welcome and my previously previous —— previous remarks struck a chord with her. it isa remarks struck a chord with her. it is a delight to me to see the right honourable lady steel in her place, where no fewer than 97 members of front best have either been sacked resigned as if they took office —— front bench. emily thornberry asked about the number of women in parliament. i am the only emily

elected since 1918 and he is one of 155 people called david. will the minister how we can best increase female representation in this house. lam female representation in this house. i am pleased at my party, since i was first elected 25 years ago, has made considerable progress. but i acce pt made considerable progress. but i accept that there is more to be done. i hope that she, for her part, will accept that we have now had two women leaders and prime ministers, so women leaders and prime ministers, so they have some catching up to do. emily thornberry! i have got to say, mr speaker, if the party opposite is so mr speaker, if the party opposite is so proud of having a female leader, why are so many of them trying to get rid of the? and why has she had to run away to china to get away from them? emily thornberry then turn to the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote. turn to the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to votem was originally restricted to women with property over the age of 30, 90 yea rs with property over the age of 30, 90 years ago is extended to all women

over 21. almost 50 years ago it was extended to all men and women over the age of 18. so can i ask the minister a simple question, how many more used to we have to wait until the vote is extended to everyone over 16? i have to say, the vote is extended to everyone over16? i have to say, i am slightly baffled by the honourable lady's comments, when compared with what her party did in office. it was the last labour government that a race legal age for buying cigarettes to 18, selling knives to the age of 18, to buy fireworks to 18, and raised the age for using a sunbed to 18. what these discussions have revealed is that there is no logical principle objection to votes at 16. that is why the world and the scottish governments are supported. that is why every single political party in this house supports it, except, of course, the conservative party and the dup. 0nce except, of course, the conservative party and the dup. once again, it

joined opposition to change. they are not the coalition of chaos, they are not the coalition of chaos, they are the coalition of caveman. why doesn't the minister realise the lesson that we women toured his predecessor ‘s 100 years ago, when change is right it cannot be resisted for ever and this is a change whose time has come. mr speaker, i think my advice to the right honourable lady is to wean herself off the habit of watching older versions of the flintstones on the relevant cartoon channel. the situation we have with the national voting age at 18 is one that is followed by 26 out of the 27 other members of the european union, by the united states, canada, new zealand, and australia. unless she is going to denounce all of those

countries as somehow inadequate to her own particular standards, then, quite honestly, mr speaker, she ought to grow up and treat this subject with a greater degree of seriousness. yes, was visited way different subject altogether. brexit. -- westminster. this is a government in crisis. an international embarrassment. the chancellor, the scottish secretary, the scottish conservatives, the home secretary have all supported membership of the single market. despite this, the government is still prepared to make everyone pull out. where is the leadership? the most important single market to the people of scotland is the single market of the united kingdom, which is worth nearly £50 billion every

year to the scottish economy, four times more than trade with the european union. it is our deep and special partnership with the eu in the future which will help deliver prosperity to scotland, not to be separatist policies pursued by the scottish national party. david livingstone. a short time later labour used the subject of debate to press the government to release a lea ked press the government to release a leaked report saying that the uk will take an economic hit from brexit. links to the buzzfeed news website, it suggested that under three scenarios, staying in the single market, leaving, and no deal at all. they make sure that any debate at the end of this —— anything at the end of the debate

would be reliant on the ministers. the document is a selective and the lea k the document is a selective and the leak is an attempt to undermine brexit. ministers and the government commissioned these papers. it is frankly ridiculous now to attempt to rubbish them as an excuse for not publishing. if they are in such a form that they can be shown to ministers to brief them for an important meeting next week, then it seems to me they are certainly past the stage of an early script that hasn't been approved to stop at the brexit podesta told mps the government would not oppose labour's motion —— the brexit mp. government would not oppose labour's motion -- the brexit mp. we will provide the analysis to a select committee for exiting the european union and all members on a cyclical mantelpieces. this means we will provide a hard copy of the analysis “ ona provide a hard copy of the analysis —— on a strict basis. they will be

able to see this analysis was the arrangements can be made. the brexit minister. mps have backed a call for parliament to move out of the palace of westminster while billions of pounds of repairs are carried out. the building as part of a world heritage site but the stonework is crumbling and there are problems with the wiring, pipes, and plumbing. the thorny problem of how to carry out the repairs has been looked at over the years. the most recent committee suggested there we re recent committee suggested there were three options, moving out, moving one chamber out at a time, and are staying put for the work to be carried out around mps and peers. the three options carried correspondingly increasing pricetags. 0pening correspondingly increasing pricetags. opening a debate, the leader of the commons presented mps had two options, one suggested a further review and a second suggesting the setting up of a delivery authority to look at the options again and for cost them.

andrea letts said she had approached the question of restoration with a healthy degree of scepticism. like many, i thought the case had probably been overstated and that the palace looked fine to me and that we would be able to patch and meant as we went along as we have done for many, many decades. however, mr speaker, during may seven months in thejob, i have, as they say, gone on a journey. i have lived and breathed this topic. i have visited the basement and seen for myself what our engineers are up against. we must recognise that as time passes without conference in action are those risks only increase. this work is necessary for safety, that has been agreed by everyone. we need to do it now. we cannot delay. any delay increses the costs. a libdem dismissed the idea of moving one chamber out at a time. the services to provide for the

whole of the house and airport you cannot become part of the building. when i look at this building and i look at the stunning architecture and condition of it, i see it as some sort of sad metaphor for brexit britain. dilapidated, falling to bits around your ears, generally unloved, and in need of a loss of attention and support. doesn't it just some of where this nation is? is it not the case that my honourable cousin from scotland's, that it would take a crowbar and a brew to move him from this place, that he actually loves it here. while recovering from that, pete wishart said he favoured turning the palace into a tourist attraction. an amendment had been put down backing the idea of all mps and peers moving out altogether while the work was carried out and calling for the

proposed delivery agency to oversee the project to be set up as soon as possible. 0ne the project to be set up as soon as possible. one of the mps behind that amendment explained why. he said trying to move one chamber out at a time would double the cost and the risk of fire. be thought of cutting a solar system in half or the electric saw any of the other works, does not make sense, because of the nature of the building —— sewer. i would not give my honourable friend a lego set to play with. a reference that to sir edward leigh who had put down his own amendment calling for mps to stay in the precincts of the palace of westminster while the work was carried out around them. what about the 1 million was carried out around them. what about the1 million people was carried out around them. what about the 1 million people who visit this place every year. what about the fact that this building is the iconic centre of the nation, particularly as we try and resolve these very difficult questions of

brexit. do we really want to take this a day number split decision at the very developed hi—fi nation we should move lock stock and barrel from the iconic centre of the nation. —— difficult. that then followed a series of votes. unusually, this was what is known as a free vote, where mps did not have to follow a party line and could go however they wanted. mps backed the amendment calling for both houses to move out of the palace wall work was carried out. 236-220. no date set for one that will happen, but during the debate, andrea leadsom said mps and peers would not leave the house of parliament until 2025 at the earliest. you are watching wednesday in parliament with me, alicia mccarthy. now to the second day of debate in the house of lords on the eu withdrawal bill, which transferee to uk domestic law on the day after brexit. —— which will transfer eu law to uk.

ministers could have been left in no doubt a ball as the day wore on, but they had a fight on their hands. there were peers for and against calls for a second referendum but speakers from both sides of the debate argued for big changes to the bill, especially over the powers ministers are seeking to give themselves. a former speaker of the commons set the tone. the duty of your lordship's is very clear. and that duty i submit is to assert our right to scrutinise, to amend, and if needs be, to reject unacceptable parts of this bill and to use the arsenal of our powers and prerogatives, to limit the damage that threatens the sovereignty of parliament and the national interest. yes, i will work for amendments to this bill that's

soften the impact of brexit safeguard in place, with powers to override the legislator. and give parliament a vote on no deal as well as any deal. when need to know where we are going and how we get there it defies logic to a decision taken nearly two years ago without the facts, should be the last word which is setting the course for our country for decades to come. both parliament and the people should be consulted on this end game. we are at a crossroads, without a compass, and with squabbling back—seat drivers. and it is important my lords that we really do have indication from the government as to what they see as the preferred outcome.

this bill is not about the terms of exit but about the mechanism of how it will come. we should not be distracted by debates on the merits or detriments of leaving the eu. the government themselves have made a commitment to assure parliament the opportunity to consider the deal and approve what they have negotiated. this bill passed by the elected house as most noble of lords and as said, farfrom perfect. it seems to me that the lawmaking powers of ministers need to be defined and rejected on the face of the bill, then it is to be clarification of the status of eu legislation to create legal certainty, and it needs much clearer devolution of powers to scotland, northern ireland, and wales. the more we argue here, the more

we weaken the bargaining position. should we not be a limiting the people's vote, and looked as we are, putting together and presenting a united front by all means improving the bill before us but let us not frustrated? the government connects back to no let up in our efforts to make this bill somehow against all odds work as we leave europe. as we leave europe, an act of extraordinary political self harm, that our grandchildren and their children will not forgive us for. the damage this bill would lose our constitution if not amended has been been powerfully described by a number of noble lords. and a number of noble lords for an inadvertent rapport of our constitution committee. they are right to say that this bill is constitutionally unacceptable. the reality of it becomes clear. so they are entitled

to choose if they want to to seek the opinion of the british singled as to whether this is what they want. i cannot believe it is in the national interest to get onto such a referendum merry—go—round. whatever point of view we fought for in the referendum campaign, we could've made it success of the united kingdom and the european union. and we can make a success with some costs and upheaval of being outside the eu. but we cannot possibly make a success of being being in a national state of bewilderment i won't will have another referendum in which direction we are going in. william, now lord haig. as we heard yesterday's programme, lord adonis had proposed a motion regretting but not stopping the bill. but he did not press it to a vote. so after two days of debate, and speeches by more than a peers, the bill received its second reading. it will begin his more detailed through lords in february.

now a government minister in the lords house has dramatically resigned at the despatch box at making a heartfelt apology for failing to be and is placed to respond to a question. lord bates had been asked to respond from a lesser but failed to appear. at the end of questions, he apologised for what he described as his discourtesy. i've always believed that we should offer a ride to the highest possible standards of courtesy and respect. in responding on behalf of the government to be legitimate questions of the legislator. i am thoroughly ashamed of not being in my place and therefore i should be offering my recognition to the prime minister. with immediate... while he immediately walked out of the chamber, is that he forgot that the lord says send prayers in the morning before they resumed the second reading debate on the eu withdrawal bill. rather than before the afternoon

session of questions as usual. this meant the questions had begun rather earlier than expected. downing street later said the prime minister had refused to accept his resignation. the bbc‘s carrie gracie has told mps she is very angry at the way the corporation has treated some female members of staff. kerry grace resigned as china added their citing pay inequalities with male colleagues. the bbc said there was no systematic discrimination against women. she told the culture and media committee that the response to her grievance was insulting and that woman the organisation were suffering more. if the bbc cannot sort it out for me, a senior person in a powerful position, then how can a sort it out for more vulnerable people who don't have a public profile? that is my concern. people pacing the strain of being in conflict at the delays in capacity and the

belittling of your work because that is what has to happen if they're not going to concede, they're going to have to crush your self—esteem about your work. so that is very painful. i'd found all of that really hard. and i really did... i found the — i found all of that... i found it really hard. sorry. i'm a little upset... sorry. i felt very angry about what they put some people through. i've really feel angry about some of the things i have seen and heard some of the women, the suffering they got through. as regards her own case, she said the bbc had not admitted she was the victim to pay discrimination. to me, it sounds like a tacit omission that it is pay discrimination. in that they want

to pay me now nearly £100,000 in back pay. but, the thing that is very unacceptable to me, i just don't know why they do this. they basically said and those three previous years, i was in development. laughter it is an insult to add to the original injury. it is unacceptable to talk to your senior women like that. the next witness was the director general, tony hall. how is impossible for one of them to be underpaid for years? the answer is that it is wrong. how is it possible? is not like there are hundreds around the world. what we are doing going forward

is we want to make sure we keep these things under review, we don't get the point where the band between somebody who's a low—paid and a top—paid editor is not justifiable. what we are saying is who will bring those down so they are justifiable and make sure these things are reviewed properly. do you agree with me that the bbc has paid less to women for work of equal value? the answer is there may be cases, individual cases, where if that is the case, we need to know where they are and solve them. but what i don't believe is that the bbc as an organisation, have gone out and said because it will be a little to do so anyway, because the woman i pay less to do thatjob. i don't believe... to go back to the case of carrie of being pay less. i have said already the grievance and the mistakes the grievance procedure has found, i accept the role and i'm sorry about that. that was a big failure of management, within a?

the systems were not in place to deal with that. no,... are you saying no it wasn't a failure. what i'm saying is that for me management has about learning and listening. things are never right, that is why we are processing performed in pain condition, terms and conditions, two years ago, james hardie at the same time also looked at this whole issue of top talent page news because we knew we had things to get right. it has taken a long time and as is committee heard today, these are very competent issues. but don't underestimate our desire to get this right. the bbc director general, tony hall. finally, mps were all over twitter during questions and not in the usual way. a robin have found its way into the chamber and swooped across the

ceiling during welsh questions at the start of the day. half an hour later, it was still roosting in the chamber during prime minister questions. the snp westminster later signed opportunity to make a quickjoke about david lidington‘s possible leadership ambitions. then i welcome the minister to his place with the reports are true, he may be auditioning for a new role and i wonder if a sending out a round—robin letter. mr speaker... or perhaps he could just put on twitter. and that is that from us for now. join me at the same time tomorrow for another round up of the day here at westminster. for now, for me, alicia mccarthy, goodbye. hello.

it will be a cold and frosty start this thursday morning. we have had bands of rain, sleet and snow working eastwards. there is a met office be prepared ice warning in the uk. the added complication with snow continuing in the north. there could be a smattering of snow initially. the showers are running in behind. in scotland they will fall as snow and the hills of northern ireland as well. coupled with the wintry showers, gale force winds, severe gales in the north—east of scotland. it will be bitterly cold. the snow showers will blow around. there will be further showers for the north—west of england, parts of wales, the south—west, into the home counties, potentially as well. there could be rain and sleet here and snow over the hills. the risk of it being slippery. the showers could come in and wash off the salt on the roads and pavements. it does look as though it will be a slippery affair in places. away from the showers, a sparkling day. plenty of sunshine around. showers interspersed with some brighter, sunnier spells. look at the strength of the wind.

into single figures, but the wind will add a significant chill factor if you are out and about with those gales in the north and east. continuing through the coming night, easing a little in western areas and continuing to push in those showers. another cold start on friday. severe frost because of the strength of the wind. a subtle change in wind direction will bring showers to eastern parts of england during friday. further west, fewer showers. a dry day, more sunshine around. slightly less cold. still feeling cold. into the weekend, we have complications. this weather system coming into cold air. this is across the balkans. in italy, we have the rugby taking place here on sunday. saturday looks like a bleak day. cold rain or cold sleet and snow, particularly in the north, possibly further south. there is some uncertainty. we will keep you posted on that. it looks as though there will be

cold rain for wales and the match against scotland, perhaps bit drier in paris. wintry weather not to be ruled out. it might be dry for england's match against italy in rome. we have to clear the low pressure out of the way. 0ur rain, sleet, and snow mix well is on the way through the course of sunday. we pick up the bitterly cold wind across south—eastern areas. more sunshine and drier weather across the west. frosty nights. ice to watch out for through the morning. goodbye. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers

in north america and around the globe. my name is mike embley. our top stories: the entire board of usa gymnastics resigns over its failure to protect young athletes from the convicted doctor larry nassar. the fbi says it has "grave concerns" over the accuracy of what's expected to be a critical memo that could soon be released by the white house. is this an act of terrorism? we have a special report on the 16—year—old palestinian girl on trial next week in an israeli military court. and a senior bbcjournalist tells a british parliamentary hearing of her anger at the way the corporation has treated some of the women it employs.