this is bbc news, i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines: the labour party executive embroiled in an anti—semitism row has stepped down from the party's ruling body. two men accused of carrying out beheadings for the so—called islamic state complain that they won't get a fair trial after losing their british citizenship. the daughter of one of their victims — david haines — says they should be left to rot in guantanamo bay. more british diplomats have been ordered to leave moscow by the kremlin in the continuing row over the use of a nerve agent in salisbury. daring, fearless and one of life's characters. tributes are paid to sergeant matt tonroe, the british soldier killed on operations in syria. as funerals are held for 16 palestinians killed on the gaza—israeli border, the un calls for an independent investigation. also in the next hour, the funeral for professor stephen hawking is held in cambridge. mourners at the service heard that the physicist‘s legacy will live on forever. the actor eddie redmayne was among the speakers. the stage is set in cardiff,

where anthonyjoshua hopes to unify his heavyweight world title againstjoseph parker. and coming up in half hour on bbc news, it is weather world, marking 100 years of the royal air force. and where better than here at its biggest base, raf brize norton? good evening, and welcome to bbc news. first to some breaking news we've had within the last hour. christine shawcroft has resigned from labour's ruling body, as the anti—semitism row continues. ms shawcroft was under pressure to resign after 44 labour mps and peers signed a letter tojeremy corbyn over her handling

of a complaint about anti—semitism. the comedian eddie izzard will replace her on labour's national executive committee. with me is our political correspondent chris mason. there was pressure to go, she has gone, why now? i think she has concluded that the pressure simply was not going to go away. this all came about as a result of her saying that a council candidate who had been accused of anti—semitism should been accused of anti—semitism should be allowed to stand in the local elections coming up the month after next, she subsequently said she hadn't read the information about this guy sufficiently rigourously and apologised and was absolutely clear that she thought anything that was anti—semitic was utterly indefensible. but the pressure group, as you say, from these mps and peers who were saying tojeremy corbyn, 0k, she has said she will step down from this dispute panel

that looks into disciplinary matters within the labour party, but what about her seat on the national executive committee, the governing body of the labour party? the line that came from senior labour figures is that she was elected to this position, so it is not the role of anybody within the party to forcibly remove her. some of the argument from critics jeremy remove her. some of the argument from criticheremy corbyn was, hang ona minute, from criticheremy corbyn was, hang on a minute, if the leader publicly said her position is untenable, she might be elected, but you would have to go. anyway, as you say, a statement issued on her behalf by the late passing it has been a privilege to serve on the labour party national executive committee for last 19 years, i was standing down in september in any event, but i have decided to resign with immediate effect. it goes on, it is clear that my continued membership of the nec has become a distraction for the party and an excuse for endless intrusive media harassment of myself, my family and my friends. i reaffirm my opposition to anti—semitism and my abhorrent of holocaust in aisle and support all

the measures to tackle this within the measures to tackle this within the party, and i pledge my full support to securing for the country a labour government underjeremy corbyn that it so desperately needs. so christine shawcroft resigns, the latest twist in a row that has gone on for well over a week over how labour was handling anti—semitism, and in particular howjeremy corbyn is handling these accusations. as you mentioned, the curious twist that adds an element of celebrity stardust to what might seem like quite a stardust to what might seem like quitea dry stardust to what might seem like quite a dry process in terms of the internal machinations of the labour party, eddie izzard, long—standing labour activist, now takes place on the nec, because in the collection that led to her getting the seat, he was the next one on the list. so key will sit on that seat until there are new elections in the summer. jeremy corbyn will be hoping this will be the end of it, how likely is that? i think it is pretty unlikely, it draws a line under this

particular row, some in the party had suggested that the way that christine shawcroft had behaved men she should be suspended from the party itself, let alone has sit on the nec. broadly speaking, in terms of christine shawcroft‘s involvement in this whole row, her becoming this focus, this case study of the row in the last couple of days, her resignation probably draws a line and that, but i suspect the questions will continue. it wouldn't surprise me if there are stories in the sunday newspapers that i know you will be reviewing later on that dig further into this hole is eu of labour and anti—semitism, it has been an uncomfortable week for a lot of senior labour figures. —— this whole issue. the last time we heard from eddie izzard was injanuary of this year, when he commented that labour's leadership should not seek to create new divisions in the party after he was defeated in his bid to be part of the party's ruling body.

we understand now that he, as chris mason was saying, replaces christine shawcroft on the nec. there's a warning that two british men detained in syria, accused of being members of an islamic state gang that murdered dozens of hostages, could escape justice. alexanda kotey and el shafee elsheikh, who were captured by kurdish fighters in january, say they've been stripped of their british citizenship. relatives of some of their victims have said britain and america must quickly reach agreement on bringing the men tojustice. duncan kennedy reports. the two men were picked up by kurdish forces in northern syria injanuary and have been part of a sadistic gang of british is fighters that tortured and beheaded dozens of hostages. four of them stood out for their brutality. mohammed emwazi, known asjihadi jack, now dead, aine davis, now injail, and the newly captured pair, alexanda kotey and el shafee elsheikh. they're accused of the beheadings

of alan henning, an aid driver from eccles, and david haines, a former raf engineer from perth who also delivered aid. now, in comments which have outraged their victims‘ families, they have called the murders of their hostages regrettable. they also say the uk has illegally withdrawn their citizenship. one of their victims was james foley, an american tv journalist, in the helmet, who was beheaded. his mother says she is worried any delay in deciding their future could risk them escaping. if somebody doesn't take the leadership and take them to trial, i fear they'll get away or something else. i'm concerned that the international community and our government, the us government and uk, need to work together to hold them accountable. tonight, the home office wouldn't say whether alexanda kotey

and el shafee elsheikh had been stripped of their british citizenship but said the uk was working with its allies to ensure justice was carried out, which for some could mean an international court ofjustice. one option might be that they could be put on trial in front of an international criminal court, and that isn't impossible, and indeed, i think there may be some argument is that the international community should be working together to see if individuals who have committed these crimes can be brought tojustice. the british is fighters are believed to have beheaded at least 27 hostages amid appalling brutality, which is why some legal experts believe britain should take responsibility for the captured men. we have a duty, i think, to try them fairly, as we will, and to punish them heavily, and to show the world just how british justice works. they stand accused of the most barbaric crimes. where and when they answer for them is now the subject of intense international debate. duncan kennedy, bbc news. the daughter of the aid

worker david haines, who was killed by the cell, said alexanda kotey and el shafee elsheikh had showed no remorse. in a statement bethany haines said: and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers. our guestsjoining me tonight are john rentoul, chief political commentator at the independent, and the broadcasterjohn stapleton. the russian embassy has described

the search of an aeroflot plane at heathrow as provocative and a violation of existing laws. security minister ben wallace explained that yesterday's search was a routine procedure aimed at protecting the uk. the embassy said that mr wallace's logic was difficult to comprehend. meanwhile, earlier russia told britain it must cut a further 27 staff working in the country, in a further worsening of relations following the salisbury nerve—agent attack on a former russian spy and his daughter. it's not clear whether the people affected are diplomats or local workers. more than 100 russian diplomats have been expelled by dozens of countries in response to the poisoning. our news correspondent simon jones has been following developments in salisbury. given that the british authorities were so quick to point the finger at russia in the wake of the attack

here for being responsible, it might seem extraordinary that the british government is now considering a request from russia to be granted access to yulia skripal in hospital. the key thing here is going to be what yulia skripal herself wants. the big question, is she going to want any contact with the russian authorities and even if she did, issue likely to be well enough anytime soon for that to happen? the russian authorities say it is their right to have contact with her, and they have also listed 27 questions that they would like to ask the british government about the attack here and also about the treatment that she is receiving in hospital alongside herfather. they want to know why the treatment she is getting seems to be getting off greater effect than on her father, who remains in a critical condition. they have also asked to see photos of them both in hospital to prove they are indeed here in salisbury

and that they are indeed alive. there hasn't been a response to that from the foreign office, but what they say is they will consider russia's request under international law, but they are stressing yulia skripal‘s rights will be the number—one priority. we have heard further details about expulsions of british diplomats from moscow. we already knew 23 had been kicked out of the country yesterday. we were told there were going to be even more who would have to leave. now we have learned it is likely to be extra 27 diplomats or possibly administrative workers who are going to have to leave moscow once again. what we're not sure of is whether the british government will take any direct action following that. they say they are aware of what is happening, they are monitoring the situation, but they say it is regrettable that it was to be expected. the former uk ambassador

to russia sir tony brenton said that the demand by moscow for consular access is a right that russian citizens, such as yulia skripal, are entitled to. the geneva convention is pretty clear that we have to grant access. so the foreign office will be very cautious about not finally going along with that, because they know very well, and we all do, that the russians operate on a basis of strict reciprocity. if we interpret it strictly, they will do the same in a future case, and some unfortunate briton in trouble in russia will have trouble getting consular access himself. the ministry of defence has released the name of the british soldier who was killed on thursday in syria while fighting islamic state militants. 33—year—old sergeant matt tonroe was from the parachute regiment. his commanding officer paid tribute to him,

saying he was "a caring and considerate soul, a loving and dutiful son, and a friend to many." the united nations is calling for an independent inquiry, following the shooting dead of at least 15 palestinian protesters by israeli security forces yesterday. hundreds of people were wounded when soldiers opened fire on palestinians demonstrating on gaza's border with israel. yolande knell reports from jerusalem. gunfire this was a day of mourning. thousands turning out for funerals in gaza. distraught relatives and defiant militants. yesterday, palestinians said they planned a peaceful march on the israel—gaza border, but israel's military says demonstrators threw stones and tried to breach the perimeterfence. that's when its

soldiers opened fire. and the result was deadly. at least 15 killed and hundreds wounded. the un is calling for an investigation, but israeli officials blamed gaza's leaders for stirring up unrest. of course they're allowed to protest, but this wasn't a protest. this was an attempt of potentially thousands of people to cross over into israel. any state in the world would have taken measures to stop people from infiltrating into its territory. palestinians here are demanding the right to return to land they lost 70 years ago when the state of israel was created. they say they won't give up, although israel has long rejected the claim. translation: they are hoping that the old will die and the young will forget, but the young children sitting here now, saying they want to go back to their family's lands, the lands of fathers and grandfathers. for the next six weeks, palestinians say they'll stay in these camps near the israeli border. yolande knell, bbc news, jerusalem. the headlines on bbc news:

the senior labour party official embroiled in an anti—semitism row has stepped down from the party's ruling body. two men accused of carrying out beheadings for the so—called islamic state complain that they won't get a fair trial after losing their british citizenship. more british diplomats have been ordered to leave by the kremlin in the continuing row over the use of a nerve agent in salisbury. sport now, and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. hello, good evening to you. manchester city can seal the premier league title with a win against local rivals manchester united next saturday after cruising past everton this evening. pep guardiola's side scored twice in the opening 12 minutes and ended up 3—1winners,

as nick parrott reports. the last time pep guardiola came to goodison park, he saw his manchester city side suffer a 4—0 thrashing. it's still is heaviest league defeat asa it's still is heaviest league defeat as a manager. 1a months on, it took just four minutes to set about rectifying that. city electrifying from the start, tearing everton party and breathtaking fashion, the finishing ability of players like leroy sane is what sets them apart. everton leroy sane is what sets them apart. eve rto n ha d leroy sane is what sets them apart. everton had a great chance for an equaliser, but yannik paul rc‘s a ccu ra cy equaliser, but yannik paul rc‘s accuracy was lacking. less than a minute later, gabriellejesus was showing him how it should be done. and with raheem sterling making it three, it was looking over as a contest. with boos ringing in their yea rs contest. with boos ringing in their years after the half—time whistle, everton returned with more determination. jordan pickford stop the situation getting worse. and

then, against the run of play, bolasie got things going at the other end, but that was as good as it got for everton. beating them means guardiola has now tasted victory over every team in the premier league. another against manchester united in a week's time will crown them champions. nick pa rrott, will crown them champions. nick parrott, bbc news. we are so happy, after three weeks, with that game, you never know how they will react, and we started the first of so good. the second half as well, but we controlled more and, ok, the goal and five—minute small, but after we controlled the game. elsewhere today in the premier league, another defeat for west brom, this time 2—1 at home to burnley, leaves them on the brink of the drop. southampton stay in the bottom three after a 3—0 defeat at fellow strugglers west ham. that win moves the hammers up to 14th. crystal palace are just one place and two points above the relegation zone after losing 2—1 at home to liverpool. swansea and huddersfield are just three points above the relegation zone after defeats today.

in the scottish premiership, celtic moved to within ten points of securing a seventh successive title with a 3—0 over bottom side ross county. rangers came from 2—0 down to draw at motherwell. they stay second on goal difference ahead of aberdeen, who beat stjohnstone 4—1. also wins for hibs and kilmarnock. anthonyjoshua faces joseph parker in their world heavyweight unification bout at the principality stadium in just a couple of hours from now. josuha, the wba and ibf champion, is lighter than he has been in his four previous fights, weighing in at 17 stone 4 pounds. he remains unbeaten in his 20 professional fights and is aiming to claim the new zealander‘s wbo belt. i'm not scared at all, you know? and stripped away, let's say you put everything on new town strip away everything on new town strip away everything people say about my

opponents and my current opponent, you know, when i look at the person in general, i have no fear. we will find out soon whether that talk can be backed up with action. the second test between new zealand and england is nicely poised heading into the third day. play gets under way in just over three hours with new zealand set to resume on 192—6 in reply to the tourists 307 all out. jonny bairstow reached his fifth test century, he made 101, before england were bowled out. england's bowlers made a flying starting reducing new zealand to 36—5, but they weren't able to capitalise on that start, new zealand remember are 1—0 up in the two—test series, so england must win this match to level the rubber. that's all the sport for now. hundreds crowded the streets of cambridge for the funeral of professor stephen hawking this afternoon. crowds applauded as the coffin

of the famous physicist was carried into the church for a private service. our correspondentjo black was there and sent us this report. he was one of the greatest scientists of modern times, an international icon, but home was cambridge, the city and the university. the bell at great st mary's tolled 76 times, once for each year he lived. bell tolls. outside, in the drizzle and rain, thousands came to say goodbye to the man with the magnificent mind. professor hawking was such an inspiring person, and it's a very sad day. history is being made today, because stephen hawking is going to be interred in westminster abbey next to sir isaac newton. he's a scientifical genius, and he's discovered a lot of things, and it's just showing appreciation. people stood quietly, respectfully,

breaking into spontaneous applause as professor hawking's coffin was carried in and out of the church. his family stood solemnly but proud. his first wife, jane hellyerjones, waved as the hearse pulled away. the service was very heartfelt, we heard remembrances about his work, as well as his family, how he was as a man and how he was as a physicist and how he was as a wonderful human being. this was a private service for professor hawking's family, friends and colleagues. also among the 500 mourners were actor eddie redmayne, who played the professor in the film the theory of everything, comedian and science presenter dara o briain, and astrophysicist and musician brian may. after the service,

professor stephen hawking's body was taken away for cremation. later this year, in june, his ashes will be interred at westminster the grave of fellow scientist sir isaac newton. jo black, bbc news, cambridge. teachers have moved a step closer towards allowing strike action if they don't receive substantial pay rises next year. it follows lengthy debate over pay and conditions at the annual national education union conference in brighton. our correspondent marc ashdown was at the conference in brighton. teachers have backed a possible ballot on strike action over teacher pgy- in the past seven years. we heard delegates sharing horror stories, teachers teaching subjects they're not specialists in, one teacher saying after she pays all her bills, she only has £60

a month to live on. up the road, the nasuwt in birmingham also voted to back a possible rolling strike, so what now? they go away, the executive committees, they will put up a deal to the government, we understand they will demand a 5% pay rise this september. if that is not forthcoming, they have the option for a ballot on strike. the last time that happened was 2016, we saw thousands of schools close. it is a difficult one for the government, schools have been saying they've got no money, heads say their budgets are under intense pressure. the nhs hasjust had a pay rise agreed, 2%, or 6% over three years, 2% per year. it will be interesting to see what happens. we are a long way from strikes, this can best be described as salting the battlefield.

they are giving the executive the ammunition. teachers here today have taken a significant step towards possible industrial action over teacher pay. britain's most senior police officer, the metropolitan commissioner, cressida dick, has suggested that social media is partly to blame for some violent crime, including a rising number of knife attacks. in an interview with the times, ms dick said the websites were being used by gangs to glamorise violence and they allowed trivial disputes to escalate quickly. the trump administration has said it wants to start collecting the social media history of nearly everyone seeking a visa to enter the us. the proposal would require most visa applicants to give details of their facebook and twitter accounts and disclose all social media identities used in the past five years. it follows a promise by president trump to introduce "extreme vetting" of those entering the united states to help improve security. kim jong—un has commited

to sending a north korean team to the tokyo olympics in 2020 and the beijing winter games two years later. following a rare meeting with the north korean leader, the olympics president thomas bach said north korea will definitely participate in the showpiece events after what he called fruitful talks. the national olympic committee of dprk, they announced that they will definitely participate in the olympic games in tokyo 2020, as well as in the olympic winter games beijing 2022. and this commitment was fully supported by the supreme leader of dprk in a very open and fruitful discussion i had with him yesterday. malala yousafzai has

returned to her hometown in pakistan for the first time since she was shot there by islamist militants. a helicopter carrying ms yousafzai landed not far from herfamily home in mingora amid a tight security operation. the nobel peace prize winner was attacked by the taliban in 2012, for campaigning on behalf of girls‘ education. away from the far north and west of the uk, some places did say disappointing and cool, damp weather across the eastern side of the country, that will continue overnight, gradually easing, wintriness over the high ground, but further north and west, a cold and frosty end to the night here. but it

does mean we start the day on a dry node for most, cold and frosty, lots of sunshine around. through the day, the cloud will build up at times, a few heavy showers across eastern counties of england, and then across the south—west, wet and windy weather arriving here. this will move northwards into colder air, so a mix of rain, sleet and snow, certainly over the high ground, but as it reaches central and northern wales, the midlands, northern england, there could be snow even down to lower levels, proving disruptive. across the south, it turns milder, sunshine and showers. but watch out for this snow risk on easter monday. keep tuned to the weather. this is bbc news — our latest headlines: the senior labour party official, embroiled in an anti—semitism row, has stepped down from the party's ruling body. two men — believed to have been members of the islamic state cell known as "the beatles" — complain they can't have a fair trial because the government has stripped them of their british citizenship.

russia has more than doubled the number of british diplomats it plans to expel, because of the blame being placed on moscow over the salisbury nerve agent attack. a private funeral service has taken place in cambridge for stephen hawking. the astronomer royal, lord rees and actor eddie redmayne gave readings at the service now on bbc news, the weather world team discover how meteorology has helped to shape the royal air force. this time on weather world we're marking 100 years of the royal air force. and where better than here at its biggest base, raf brize norton?