much snow, where it is going to be, stay tuned. tonight at ten, inside the chemical laboratory at porton down — its head dismisses russian suggestions it might have leaked the salisbury nerve agent. he told the bbc that russian suspicions over the proximity of porton down to salisbury were frustrating. we would not be allowed to operate if we had lack of control, that could result in anything leaving the four walls of our facility here. so, you know, we have got complete confidence that there is nothing that could have come from here. meanwhile, new advice from health officials for salisbury residents about clothing preserved from the time of the attack. the backlash against russia continues, with the european union withdrawing its ambassador to moscow, and a warning of more action to come. also tonight... police shoot dead a suspected islamist gunman in southern france after he kills three and injures 16. the london offices of the company

cambridge analytica are being searched, after allegations of misuse of facebook users data. owen smith is sacked as labour's northern ireland spokesman, after calling for a new eu referendum, against party policy. and why mps want this world war i hero and professional footballer to be given an award 100 years after his death. and coming up on sport on bbc news, england's world cup countdown begins with a friendly against the netherlands as gareth southgate tries to find his best line—up. good evening. the director of britain's military research centre at porton down in wiltshire has roundly dismissed

russian suggestions that his facility was the source of the poison that left a former russian spy and his daughter in a critical condition. scientists at the chemical defence unit have been analysing samples taken after the attack on sergei and yulia skripal in salisbury. gary aitkenhead told the bbc there was no way the substance could have got out of porton down. our security correspondent gordon corera was given special access to porton down and sent this report. it is one of the most sensitive and secret sites in the country. porton down, home to the defence science and technology lab, and now at the heart of the salisbury poisoning investigation. inside one of the labs, scientists demonstrated to us one of the many ways used to detect the presence of chemical agents. a call came here to porton down and nearly hours of monday march the 5th. within hours, a specialist response

team was deployed down the road to salisbury. they collected samples that were brought back to laboratories at the site and which identified a military grade nerve agent. based on that, as well as other information, the government said it is highly likely that russia was responsible for poisoning sergei and yulia skripal. security at porton down is tight. russian diplomats have raised questions as to whether somehow nerve agent from here could have got out. that is something officials say is impossible. you know, we have the highest levels of controls of security around the work that we do here. we would not be allowed to operate if we had a lack of control that could result in anything leaving the four walls of the facility here. so, you know, we have complete confidence that there is nothing that could have come from here out into the wider world, as it were. is it frustrating when you hear that kind of accusation? yes, it is a coincidence that it is down the road,

that this has happened, it is very frustrating to hear that. everybody here knows that is not true. they emphasise that the work here is purely defensive. chemical agents are pumped into this chamber to test how well the chemical suits given to soldiers stand up. there have been allegations in russia that a new chemical weapons factory is being built. but officials showed us the local planning application, saying what is being built here is actually going to be a facility for the analysis of explosives. what about the accusation that it is a secret chemical warfare facilities here, all being built here? that is just nonsense. this is a defensive organisation and we know that the russians have been suggesting certain buildings are for making chemical warfare. that is just complete rubbish. this afternoon, the park bench in salisbury where sergei and yulia skripal were found was taken away. international inspectors from the opcw are now taking samples from the scene. they are also working inside porton down itself to independently confirm its analysis, including

the conclusions that point to russian involvement. gordon corera, bbc news, porton down. today public health england issued new advice for members of the public who were in two locations visited by sergei and yulia skripal on the days surrounding the attack. duncan kennedy is in salisbury. you will remember just you will rememberjust over two mark joyce ago, public health england we re joyce ago, public health england were telling people that had been three zizzi restaurant or the mel pocock, to take their close to the dry cleaner, put them in a bag or wash them. now they are saying if you had been to those establishments and you have not washed your clothes, you should do so immediately. for people with dry cleaning, they say call the council

and the council will come over, and ta ke and the council will come over, and take the clothes away and destroy them. that is the advice being given. they will say people will be compensated for that. they say tonight that while there is no immediate health risk it is possible, but unlikely, that any substance that has come into contact with clothing or belongings could be present in minute amounts, and therefore contaminated your skin. so, even though we are nearly three weeks into this incident, public health england are still advising people of how to deal with this if they were in those establishments. meanwhile a convoy of vehicles carrying british diplomats left their embassy in moscow today, as part of tit—for—tat expulsions between britain and russia. as eu leaders today promised an unprecedented diplomatic response to the salisbury poisoning, president putin called on the russian people to unite behind him. here's our moscow correspondent, steve rosenberg. to applause from colleagues and friends, the british diplomats headed home. the send—off far warmer than the moscow spring.

russia had expelled 23 from the embassy here. it was tit—for—tat. britain had ordered out 23 russians. for those left behind, it was an emotional moment. they can feel the chill in uk—russian relations. but now, european governments are moving closer to expelling russians. so, is moscow feeling the pressure? there is little sign of it. we are absolutely against any pressure from abroad. we are ready for discussions but we cannot accept any attempt of pressure against my country. and we have proved that within 1,000 years of our history. today, president putin told russians he had made history with his landslide election win. no mention of diplomatic tensions over the salisbury attack. one thing the kremlin has been working hard

to do in recent years, with some success, is to drive a wedge between different countries in the european union, to sow discord in europe. that is why a strong, coordinated response by eu states to the salisbury attack, that would come as a surprise to moscow. this evening, russia took on brazil in a pre—world cup friendly. tension with the west risks overshadowing the tournament russia will be hosting. translation: sport and politics should be separate. the world cup should bring people together. translation: they always blame russia for everything. it is rubbish. translation: it would not bother me one bit if england did not come. they can believe what they want. it's their problem. england fans will be safe here, says moscow. but salisbury has set the scene for a political showdown — russia against europe. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. as we've heard, european union

leaders in brussels today said they were preparing co—ordinated measures, against russia, following the salisbury attack. separately, they approved guidelines for the negotiation of future relations with the uk — in what's being seen as a key step in the brexit process. plans for a transition period after march next year were also formally signed off, as our political editor laura kuenssberg explains from brussels. they don't always look so pleased to see each other. the eu's chief negotiator grasping the prime minister's hand. today, the day when formally, finally, the stage right after brexit, the transition, was agreed. i welcome the fact that the eu council this morning has agreed the details of the implementation period. this gives certainty to people and businesses. it gives them the clarity to plan for the future. i believe we are approaching this with a spirit of cooperation, a spirit of opportunity for the future as well.

not much will change for nearly two years after we leave, but how closely will the uk hug the continent after? that is the next fight on the table, the next details to work out. time is of the essence, the eu's most powerful voice said. if the uk wants to leave the customs union and the single market, that means a free trade agreement, germany's angela merkel said. agreeing a buffer zone between leaving the eu and cutting off all ties was never in doubt today. but theresa may's argument also swayed eu leaders to turn up the pressure on russia. the union even pulling back its own ambassador here to brussels. perhaps, after months of difficulties, britain's stock here is on the up. it's notjust the eu ambassador leaving moscow. other european countries say they will send russian diplomats back there,

in coordinated moves next week. but leaders here have been willing to walk the walk alongside britain. matching theresa may's stance. in contrast to an awkward pause yesterday. the european union agrees with the uk government assessment that it is highly likely that the russian federation is responsible for this attack and that there is no other plausible explanation. despite the tough brexit negotiations, the european union has demonstrated unanimous and unequivocal unity with the uk in the face of this attack. we decided to call back our european ambassador in moscow. this is an extraordinary measure, we never took it before. this time, although the uk is leaving the eu, the continent still stands together.

the next 12 months could fray those alliances. then she will make this departure for the final time. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, brussels. our europe editor katya adler is in brussels for us. it feels like it was a good summit for theresa may? i would say it was an astounding summit for theresa may. let's start with russia. she came here to brussels, asking the eu leaders to strongly condemn the salisbury attack. they did that, and more. as we heard, and unprecedented diplomatic response which includes the eu recalling its ambassadorfrom russia. these measures from the eu are not just russia. these measures from the eu are notjust in solidarity with the uk, it is also because of widespread concern about russia. but still‘s and then we come to brexit, a hugely symbolic day for brexit. for months, the uk has been calling on the eu to include in brexit negotiations talk

of trade and the future relationship after brexit. today, eu leaders said, ok, go ahead. the uk has also been asking for the bridging transition agreement. again, eu leaders said, yes, you can have it. still, part brexit remains a complicated one. there are still big issues to resolve, including the irish border problem. although eu leaders said yes a lot to teresa may, they also pointed out that they are still working on the possible scenario of brexit talks breaking down altogether and failing. thank you. a gunman who went on a shooting spree in southern france, killing three people and injuring 16, has been shot dead by police. the man, named as redouane lakdim, pledged allegiance to the islamic state group. he began the attacks in the city of carcassone — then drove to a nearby town where he took people hostage in a supermarket. from there, lucy williamson reports. it wasn't a symbol that was attacked in trebes today. a local supermarket provided the only target necessary — people.

special forces surrounded this provincial branch after a gunman burst in, shouting his allegiance to the jihadist group islamic state. people were running everywhere. lots of them were wounded on the ground. our butcher was shot. i took cover, but he saw me, he ran after me. i don't know if he had run out of bullets. i managed to escape through an emergency exit. the gunmen was named as 26—year—old moroccan—born redouane lakdim, known to police as a petty drug dealer, but not a violentjihadist. his motive, the release of salah abdeslam, a key suspect in the november 2015 paris attacks, currently in jail in france. lakdim began by hijacking a car in carcassonne, killing a passenger and injuring its driver. then he shot and wounded a policeman — the bullet, passing three centimetres

from his victim's heart. before heading to trebes, where he took several people hostage inside the supermarket, shooting two of them dead. with hundreds of police surrounding the building, one senior officer swapped himself for some of the hostages. unknown to the attacker, his mobile phone was connected to his colleagues, listening outside. when lakdim began firing at him, special forces stormed the building and shot the gunmen dead. the officer is now fighting for his life. france's interior minister, visiting the scene, called him a hero. president macron said he did honour to his office and his country, and that france had once again been the victim of islamist terrorism. translation: i invite all citizens to be aware of the seriousness of the terrorist threat. but also understand the strength and resilience of our people who have been attacked. tonight, police have raided the flat in carcassonne

where redouane lakdim lived. one close associate has been taken into custody. this investigation, raising old unanswered questions about how to spot everyone at risk of radicalisation, and how to tackle a threat that strikes at random in every corner of france. the neighbours of strabane remembered a man who used to walk his dog up and down the street who did not seem to harbour any violent thoughts, but earlier today, president maduro said he believed the threat against france had changed. president macron said today the threat against france had changed. where once attacks were planned from iraq or syria, the risk was now what he called dangerous individuals inside france. the challenge is how to spot them, and how to tackle a threat that strikes drowned in every corner of france. lucy williamson, bbc news, trebes.

officers working for the information commissioner are searching the london offices of the company cambridge analytica — after a judge granted a warrant. the firm is at the centre of a data privacy row and is accused of using information from 50—million facebook members to try to influence the 2016 us presidential election. rory cellan—jones is there. rory, what are they looking for? it was on monday night that the information commissioner ferris said she wanted a warrant to search these officers. she did not get into corridor until this afternoon and then things moved quickly. within one hour, 18 officers from the data watchdog inside the officers, looking at computers and documents relating to that acquisition four yea rs relating to that acquisition four years ago of the facebook profiles of 50 million americans. cambridge analytica has insisted that it deleted bad data years ago and in

any case it was never used during the donald trump campaign. cambridge university said it was mounting an enquiry into the case of the doctor who mounted their work, to give that data to cambridge analytica. the university says that research integrity is very important to it. the teenager who planted a bomb on a london tube train that partially exploded at parsons green has been sentenced to life in prison. ahmed hassan was convicted of attempted murderfor carrying out the attack last september. more than 50 people were injured. he'll serve a minimum of 3a years. the labour leaderjeremy corbyn has sacked his northern ireland spokesman owen smith after mr smith broke ranks with labour policy and called for a second referendum on brexit. our deputy political editor john pienaar is at westminster. the sacking has rounded off a week

which has emphasised the chasm between so many middle ground labour mps and their leader. it has highlighted his total political command. we have seen a deep dyed socialist elected to manage the body, we have seen labour mps angry at his refusal to point the finger of blame at russia for the poisoning and salisbury and tonight owen smith is accused of disloyalty to policy and sacked. there was fury among labour mps and sacked. there was fury among labourmps and one and sacked. there was fury among labour mps and one has accused jo meek or a keener to confront remainders than anti—semitism. others are bitterly recalling his support for an artist accused of painting and anti—semitic neural six yea rs painting and anti—semitic neural six years ago in london. that wound has not healed and there are fresh wounds, his supporters will go on being loud and loyal. his critics are feeling like unwelcome strangers

in their own party. this week we've been following one family from bristol and their attempts to live without single—use plastic for ten days. last night they tried to find alternatives. today they meet the environment secretary michael gove to try to get some answers. jon kay reports. from this... ..to this. for ten days, the evans family tried to avoid single use plastic. and the milk is inside of a glass. reusing bottles, refilling tubs. we're trying to save the planet. their rubbish pile before... and after. liz and andy have come to meet environment secretary michael gove at a zero—waste shop. to show him that going plastic—free has not been hassle—free. everything packaged in blinking plastic. or cheap. they want him to get tough with retailers. the big supermarkets are not falling in line with this quickly enough. that is where it comes down to us.

because you are trying to do the right thing. you made a big commitment and a change, but it has cost you. what we have got to do is try to come up with the right regulations and the right government action, so that in all our lives, we are using less plastic. yes. and you need to do that quickly. they tell him that ditching plastic has doubled their shopping bill and they suggest a government app to give consumers free advice. andy has another idea. if we had a plastic—free aisle in the supermarket, that would bring it to the forefront, so people would actually see that the supermarkets are looking at doing something. do you think we could do that? i think plastic—free aisles are simply one thing. if we look back in a year's time and if you say, did they act, did they listen, did they follow our example? i hope in 12 months you will be able to say that even if not everything is perfect, at least they have moved and things are better. what are you going to do? well, i can't. .. one of the things about

being in government is that the prime minister is always the person that makes the big announcements. she absolutely gets it and she wants to make sure that this government is remembered for having stepped up to this challenge. so, a hint ofa law change, after pressure from people like the evanses. happy? not yet. what would make you happy? a ban of non—recyclable plastics. i will let the prime minister know. if you could, that would be great. happy now? no. liz and andy say they will stay plastic—free, if they get his help. jon kay, bbc news. football, and gareth southgate used england's friendly against the netherlands to field some less experienced players. england dominated the match with manchester united'sjesse lingard scoring the only goal of the game early in the second half. england face italy next, in a friendly on tuesday. but scotland's alex mcleish had a disappointing start to his second

spell as their manager as they went down 1—0 at home to costa rica. over 100 mps are calling for a world war i hero, who was also one of england's first black footballers, to be recognised posthumously. walter tull, who played for spurs, led 26 men across a river on a night raid into enemy territory. but despite being recommended for a military cross, it was never awarded. richard conway has the story. they gave their lives for freedom. like so many of the fallen, walter tull‘s name is inscribed here in northern france as a lasting memorial. but his story goes beyond his duty as britain's first black army officer, given he was one of english football's first black players. a sporting career took walter tull to tottenham hotspur, and then on to northampton town. but the great war intervened and set him on a radically different path. we are remembering walter tull today. "england expects" had different connotations back in 1918.

ahead of the centenary of walter's death this weekend, three current top internationals, together with fa youth counsellors, took time to learn about his bravery. he was a tottenham player. when you are at school, you are taught about rosa parks, martin luther king. it's a shame that, growing up in england, that i'd never heard of walter and what he'd been through. so, pretty emotional, moving story. both walter's parents died by the time he was nine. he grew up in an orphanage, overcoming racism and poverty en route to first—team football and an army commission. walter's our granduncle. we know from the accounts what he did in the war. as a family, we will always one and be proud of our granduncle. as a family, we will always honour and be proud of our granduncle.

walter's name is listed at arras as an officer, in spite of military law at the time which stated such men must only be white. he was killed just south of the french town. this is where walter tull‘s story ends, trying to defend against a massive german onslaught coming from the east, known as the spring offensive. it was their final attempt to try and turn the war in their favour. but walter was shot and killed, and his body, like that of so many men, lies somewhere under this soil. but the offensive failed. well, these are some of the most dramatic days of the first world war. i cannot describe how close it is to a german victory. we could have been looking at the first world war completely differently, if it hadn't been for the sacrifices made 100 years ago by men like walter tull. over 125 mps have now written to the prime minister, asking her to intervene over the military cross that was recommended to walter tull, but never awarded. after 100 years, he might finally be receiving the national recognition he deserves.

richard conway, bbc news. that's it. now on bbc one, its time for the news where you are. have a very good night. hello and welcome to sportsday. england win in amsterdam but is gareth southgate any closer to knowing his dream team? no dream for alex mcleish, beaten by costa rica as scotland boss. and rory mcilroy blames fatigue for his early exit from the world golf championship in texas. let's start with football. england's

world cup countdown is on with less than three months to go. gareth southgate's two friendlies this week will help them decide which side to start. again the netherlands, a deserved 1—0 victory. the laid—back city of amsterdam where time can almost standstill. but for england, the clock is ticking. the world cup countdown sta rts ticking. the world cup countdown starts now. it is here at the year in croydon arena that preparations rampart. the first four friendlies before the tournament begins in russia. its political tension, england's participation has been questioned but the focus tonight was on football. an experimental squad flying full seats on the plane. jordan henderson, the captain, came closest to scoring in a first half that was encouraging. given the gloves, the question is whether he

will keep them, or does the search for a first choice goalkeeper go on. after the break, england showed more intense and will they should have had a penalty when marcus rashford went down in the box. they were getting closer, more dominant, and $0011 getting closer, more dominant, and soon it told, manchester united's jesse lingard with a moment of inspiration, first goal for his country, cause for celebration. on came the reinforcements, opportunity for others to stake a claim, though not for the four uncapped players in the travelling party. among the chances of note for the netherlands, an effort by memphis depay, easily saved, the disappointing dutch