and aluminium imports. mr cohn is the latest in a series of high profile departures from the white house. the us state department has formally confirmed that it believes the north korean government used the nerve agent, vx, to assassinate the half brother of the country's leader, kim jong—un. kim jong—nam was attacked at malaysia's main international airport, in february last year. british chemical experts are working to identify the substance blamed for poisoning a former russian spy and his daughter. the kremlin has denied any involvement and accused the media of trying to demonise russians. the british foreign secretary has called russia "a malign and disruptive force." now on bbc news, tuesday in parliament. hello there and welcome

to the programme. coming up, borisjohnson says britain will respond robustly if it's found that the russian state was involved in the suspected poisoning of a former spy and his daughter in wiltshire. it is clear that russia, i'm afraid, is now in many respects a maligned and disruptive force. pressure is mounting on the government to intervene in the proposed {7.4 billion takeover of the british defence engineering giant, gkn. and there is anger in the commons after the big freeze led to the big burst, leaving thousands of customers without running water. there is absolutely no excuse for water company is making huge profits not being able to provide the resilience that would protect businesses and residents around the country. but first, the foreign secretary says the uk will respond

appropriately and robustly should evidence emerged of state involvement in the apparent poisoning of a former russian double agent. borisjohnson was answering an urgent question in the commons about the incident on sunday. when the spy and his daughter were found unconscious on a bench in salisbury wiltshire. russia insists it had no information on what could have led to the incident. the former agent to's wife, son and older brother have all died in the past two years. he was granted refuge in the uk in 2010. honourable members will note that the death in 2006 of his son. and while it would be wrong to prejudge the investigation, i can reassure the house that should evidence emerge that implies state responsibility, that her majesty's government will respond appropriately and robustly. britain, he argued, had been

at the forefront of imposing tough sanctions on the russian regime. he refused to go into the details of this specific case but. i know members will have their suspicions. and what i will say to the house is that if those suspicions prove to be well—founded, then this government will take whatever measures we deem necessary to protect the lives of the people in this country, our values and our freedoms. and i am not pointing fingers because we cannot, mr speaker, point fingers. i say to governments around the world that no attempt to take innocent life on uk soil will go either unsanctioned or unpunished. the mp who asked the urgent question said there were 14 other deaths which journalists had exhibited to russian elements. we are seeing a pattern

here of what the kgb would refer to as demoralise, destabilise, bring to crisis and normalise. does my right honourable friend agree with me that this is a form of soft war that russia is now conducting against the west? it is clear that russia, i'm afraid, is now in many respects a maligned and disruptive force. the uk is in the lead across the world in trying to counteract that. i have to say it is sometimes difficult given the strong economic pressures that are exerted by russia's hydrocarbons on other european economies. the difficulties we sometimes have in trying to get our points across, but we do get our points across and there has been no wavering in the sanctions of the regime that had been imposed by european countries and nor will there be any wavering as long as the uk has a say in it. several labour mps russian money being laundered

through the uk and sloshing about in the property market. can the foreign secretary say withoutjust patting himself on the back that we will not be complacent and that we must do more to prevent more? can i ask the secretary to think more of the 1930s as opposed to the 1950s? i think this period that we are marching through now is probably as dangerous as the 1930s and russia is the new germany. and with a leader that is very unpredictable with a leader that is very determined to take america and free will. is it not time to review whether we continue to sit on the un security council to have russia in a position to decide whether or not actions that we take with our military are lawful? i must say... i figured if things turn out to be as our many members suspect where they are,

to return to that formula, i think we will have to have a serious conversation about our engagement with russia. and from my own part, i think it will be very difficult to see how, thinking ahead to the world cup this july, i think it will be very difficult to imagine that uk representation at that event can go ahead in the normal way. we will certainly have to consider that. a source close to mrjohnson later said he was talking about a scenario in which british officials and dignitaries may not attend, adding he is not seeking to push for the team to be withdrawn from the tournament. now, the sudden thaw following the recent freezing weather has led to thousands of homes across the uk being left without water. engineers have been battling to deal with leaks and burst pipes. some areas have been

without supplies for several days with people relying on emergency supplies of bottled water. in the comments, mps demanded a public inquiry, stronger price for the regulator of watch, and proper compensation for those impacted. i recognise this has been a difficult time for businesses and residences. we expect off water to formally review the companies this period. this will be a the review as was identifying the problems. also to see examples of preparation shared across the sector. the government will consider any recommendations from the review and act decisively to adjust any shortcomings exposed. mr speaker, can the minister line say that packages will be available to customers, some led to seek temporary accommodation? and how those businesses lost a day's pay and trade will be comes fitted and reassured this will not happen again? with the environment secretary highlighting to the industry last

week that on a normal day, 3 billion l of water are lost to leaks. what can be done to ensure better regulation, particularly tackling that huge amount of water loss on a yearly basis? customers in parts of england had gained £150 of north of the border than they are in scotland and they are not getting the service provided. it may be, mr speaker, that the service in england is shareholder driven whereas in scotland thanks to the foresight of successive governments of all parties and the scottish parliament, we have maintained a scottish water supply on the public ownership and public... customers in parts of england had gained £150 of north of the border than they are in scotland and they are not getting the service provided. it may be, mr speaker, that the service in england is shareholder driven whereas in scotland thanks to the foresight of successive governments of all parties and the scottish parliament, we have maintained a scottish water supply on the public ownership and public... they made pre—tax profits of three and is house last year. there's simply excuse for having

robust emergency plans in place. the leaks this week have been appalling, they have exposed an organisation which is not fit for purpose. with the minister not commit to ensuring automatic compensation for all thames water customers who have been without water this week and to look at our water industry do look at its resilience for future emergencies? i am angry with them as well. this is a recurring pattern. there has been a change in ownership and leadership. i am absolutely determined that thames water customers receive a far better service than they have today. record amounts have been invested into our water system and far more than ever when this industry was stated. our water supplies are amongst the best and cleanest in the world. having said that, it seems to me that in this case given that the weather was well predicted, that water supply companies have been caught for automatic compensation should be paid. there is absolutely no excuse

for water companies making huge profits not being able to provide the protections that would have protected businesses and residents around the country. the government has been accused of threatening women conducting hunger strikes at the immigration centre with accelerated deportation. the accusation came from the shadow home secretary, diane abbott. the facility in bedfordshire has his women in family groups as was a small number of men who arrived in britain as clandestine migrants on freight lorries. some women at the site are protesting about the conditions and medical access. the company which runs the centre has said some women were refusing to eat in the restaurant but it was not a hunger strike. newspaper reports show a letter that has been sent to these women by the home office. the letter is reproduced in some media outlets.

it's a signed letter on the home office headed paper. it begins by stating that, "as you are currently refusing feud and fluids", this may lead to your case being celebrated. —— accelerated. this sounds to some of us on this side of the house, like punitive deportations for women who have dared to go on hunger strike. the minister said the letter was part of home office guidance and have been published for wine in november. nobody wants detainees to be at any risk. it is important that they should not regard that as a route to prevent removal from this country. as i said very clearly in my opening statement, ensuring that individuals abide by rules is an essential part of our immigration system. the large scale of people is frankly a stand in our democracy and an affront to the rule of law.

this most recent incident is far from the first example and it will not be the last unless there is radical change. why does the uk detain more than any other european country? like in any other eu country manage this but not the uk? why does the government continue to detain vulnerable people including victims of torture. it is time for radical reform of the uk immigration detention regime and it is time for a minute. -- limit. the minister said all cases were considered on a case—by—case basis. and welfare was absolutely at the forefront. after the prime minister and chancellor raised questions

about uk's departure from the eu, david davis wasn't keen to answer questions from labour about whether the uk with a edu if parliament voted that a final brexit deal. in what was called a meaningful vote. i made very plain what meaningful vote means. i don't want to retract from that. i recommend you go back... when he was a minister colleague and a committee, well i am sorry about... asking questions, there's no answer. will there be an opportunity to suspend article 50 in the event, there was in time for a meaningful vote will mean that you mean that...

another labour mp said ed needed clarity posts brexit, putting but this jobs at risk. david davis said he had spoken to the company's chief executive. from there 22, winks from north wales, i did not foresee —— their point of view. ..any problem there with respect dividend have said that he had a problem. all i can tell you, is whether said to me. if i may finish my point, i appreciate that you want to reveal what was said in private during the negotiations, but he could be devastating for the public if they would reconsider their position in uk, can i ask if that even in a private conversation if you could provide a clarity deceived the jobs be protected? like i said i had of conversation

got obviously no parliament, obviously, i9% of eu doctors are in the process of leaving. a lot of what we need to do is give them how do we give eu nationals the surety the idea that whatever is decided can be repealled. partly, it would be part of the treaty, the withdrawing agreement, historically british governments have not repudiate agreements in a cavalier manner. after a final request from the government to tell the eu

it can't dictate terms, david davis gave his top tips on how to negotiate. at the beginning of this process, i told the house, they would be astonished as the hoplite was going to be in the next two years. i think the view that when public aggression, and negotiations doesn't go very well. it creates an attitude on the other side. and i avoided. what everybody else does is up to them. david davis. now pressure is mounting on the government, to intervene on the {7.4 billion takeover of british signed gkn. during the hearing of the business

committee, the union united under a group of mps who wrote the the secretary clark to block the takeover. they're very clear national security implications. it's also about our future defence capabilities moving forward. we have a plan for future we are involved in, notjust existing products, the airbus industry elsewhere in europe, but also involved in significant product development, r&d15 year contracts. with contractors in the united states as well. it's about maximizing share of values. if you can get away with it that is very well, that is not good for uk. what i know, is it buy, sell short term business model.

we have a long—term business model where we invest in technologies for the long—term, i am an engineer, i worked, i have been on the board, i know what it takes in this business to deliver, and i know for a customer, a shorter programme is seven years, ten years or more. 325. yet we are a long—time business, long—term company, we take long—term relationships with universities, customers to run this business. the regulator said the level of debt involved in the deal raises concerns. about the £700 million pension deficit. there's a standard leveller we use in all our acquisitions. can you understand in the current

climate that people are worried? yes. many companies feel they are too big to fail. you are going to fund it with 20% extra debt? it is not extra debt, if i may say so. our borrowings are against our own balance sheet. a combined £10 billion. we manage all these businesses we manage these businesses as though we are going to own them forever. we have an exemplary track

record in terms of dealing with pension schemes. over the past 15 years every single pension scheme in our ownership, has left it and a much more secure financial position that it was before. they said greg clark was monitoring the situation. mps spent the afternoon on the energy bill. the idea was put forward by ed miliband when he was labour leader. the business secretary quoted from an investigation into the industry. the cma identified the detriment to consumers, that's to say how much consumers are overpaying compared to a fully competitive market. at an average of eli; billion a year.

now, those paying in the default have are much more likely to be in reduced circumstances. 80% of households with an income of less than £18,000 did not switch supplier in the last three years. yes, i was relieved last week to finally see the bill introduced to parliament and i welcome the government's foray into a policy which it previously denounced as marxist. but it remains the case that as a result of this government's inaction, millions of households have been left to scrape through this winter facing a choice between cold homes or astronomical bills. if the average saving between the cheapest payer and a standard—bearer is £300 per annum, then somebody else apart from me can do the maths to assess sums that are going to start to recover from these

companies are the customers. but one mp was hesitant. the government is clear. it except that it accepts that what this legislation seeks to do in this country, impose a price cap within a liberalised energy market of long—standing, has never been done before. we are sailing into completely uncharted waters. should we not, therefore, proceed with some caution? the bill does not. it sails off abandon trusting ofgem to set the level of the cap. a major new power that has the potential to alter the uk energy market with its yet unknown consequences. the archbishop of canterbury has called on the government to work with united nations to help the people of the democratic of congo. he told the house of lords that there was anarchy across the country. he reflected on the situation there. my lords given the prevailing anarchy across the country. which seems impossible to control. and of which i was reminded in a conversation with the archbishop of congo this morning.

2 million refugees, some any casualties and immeasurable suffering over the last 20 years. would the government use its influence over the other members of the un council security council? for the government lord, said the priority was to protect civilians. in order to achieve this, we need to make unesco a more effective force. our ambassador and his team are working with the new head and her tea m working with the new head and her team to support its work in restoring stability to the country. in a country where so many people died in the second congo war, has the lord have seen djourou united nations report where millions, of bodies,

mutilated bodies of an outspoken critic was found on friday. given that the president is meeting multinational mining companies to seek royalties on a country where people live on less than 80p a day, isn't it time where economic leveraged to challenge stake sponsored violence and corruption which lines pockets while children starve and critics are executed, is brought to an end? on all occasions whenever we have contact with the government, we emphasise the importance of human rights, that basically to have to clean their act. finally, banning wild animals and travelling circus. we have come a long way from the 1930s when lion tamers took to the ring

wielding their whips and the 19605 where elephants performed gravity—defying tricks. but, according to the department for the environment, there are currently 18 wild animals a licence or travelling shows in england. and these include six reindeer, three camels, and these include six reindeer, three camels and fox's. ministers have previously announced that the inch year, that's right that the intent to ensure that it would be a banned before 2020. but there was an argument that there was no place for circuses in britain. is it right, i question, that we allow wild animals to travel around the country from temporary enclosures to circus tent and back to a lorry for a journey on to the next town? what sort of a life is that for animals such as zebras and camels?

without space to forage and interact with other animals of their own kind in the way that they would naturally, these wild animals cannot truly say to be wild. her bill has a long way to go before it becomes law. that's it for me. for now from me, alicia mccarthy, goodbye. join me tomorrow for a round—up of westminster. hello again. that pesky snow is clearing from scotland, the last of it hanging around the north parts. at showers across the north—west, wintry over a

high ground. a chilly start to the day because we are seeing clear spells, so there is a risk of frost and a bit of ice first thing in the morning. then all of the attention is to the south—east because an area of low pressure is spinning up from the channel. this is going to bring outbreaks of rain, the rain could be more expensive than this across south—east england and east anglia and perhaps slow to clear as well but there is uncertainty in that kind of detail. either way, that should be out of the day as we head through the afternoon with the skies brightening up. at showers across the north—west, wintry over the high ground and showers arriving late across the south—west but for many of usa across the south—west but for many of us a decent day, broken cloud and sunny spells. not as cold as as being in scotland. that is your weather. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is mike embley. our top stories: donald trump's top economic advisor, gary cohn, resigns following disagreements over the president's threatened trade wars. the state department

confirms that north korea used the nerve agent, vx, to kill the half—brother of kimjong—un, in malaysia last year. british chemical experts are working to identify the substance blamed for poisoning a former russian spy and his daughter. the kremlin is denying any involvement. the british foreign secretary says has called russia "a malign and disruptive force." and the muse behind the masterpieces. a new exhibition in london takes a close look, at the woman who inspired some of picasso's greatest work.