hello, you're watching afternoon live — i'm simon mccoy. at westminster. theresa may heads to europe hoping for changes to rescue her brexit deal. her whistlestop tour includes berlin and brussels, a day after she cancelled the vote on her withdrawal deal. but she's facing an uphill battle as the eu insists it's not possible to renegotiate. the deal we have achieved is the best deal possible. it's the only deal possible. there is no room for renegotiation. police arrest a man who jumped over railings to get into the grounds of parliament wages rise at their fastest rate for almost a decade as the number of people in work hits a record high. six migrants are rescued from a dinghy from the shipping lane in the channel and brought ashore at dover. coming up on afternoon live, all the sport with olly foster. we've heard from the manchester city manager pep guardiola today,

speaking publicly and very passionately about the alleged racist abuse faced by his player raheem sterling. thanks olly, and helen has all the weather. it looks like the cold air will win the battle over the cold and mild weather. but comes the weekend it looks very interesting. i will have more on you later. you tease! also this hour — thinning ice in antarctica. nasa says it's worse than we thought, prompting fears of sea levels rising significantly around the world. hello everyone, this is afternoon live. theresa may has embarked on a whirlwind tour of european capitals as she tries to rescue her brexit deal. the prime minister has been meeting the dutch and german leaders, amid warnings from her own

backbenchers that she'll need to win significant changes if her deal is ever to get through the house of commons. later, she'll meet the president of the european commission jean claude juncker, who's already said there is "no room whatsoever" for renegotiation. our europe correspondent, damian grammaticas, has our first report. it's something the eu may never have seen — a british prime minister in trouble at home seeking help in her hour of need. first up, the netherlands. can she come back with anything that will appease the seething discontent back home? at this late stage, a charm offensive may not be enough to secure real changes to the deal on offer. all the dutch prime minister would say is that their breakfast had been useful. from there it was onto her next stop, but at every turn, the prime minister appears stuck. political gridlock at home, and here in berlin, even her car

door refused to open. a fundamental problem, she has a agreed... the uk's junior brexit minister was in brussels with her new demands. good morning. she wants additional legal reassurances that the uk cannot be permanently trapped in the irish backstop. that has been the issue all along. that is the issue that is at the heart of concerns expressed by many members of parliament. eu countries say that mrs may agreed a year ago to the idea of special terms for northern ireland after months of haggling and drafting, the negotiations are over. translation: we have put so much time and effort into something that we in berlin and brussels don't want. nobody wants the uk to leave. now there will be further talks, but i can't imagine where we can substantially change anything. we can't reopen what have been tough negotiations,

hard for the eu 27 in the uk. instead, the eu says it can give reassurance, perhaps a document saying ideally, hopefully, the backstop will never be used. there is no room whatsoever for renegotiation, but of course, there is room if used intelligently, there is room enough to give further clarifications and further interpretations. mrjuncker will be the last on the prime minister's whistle—stop tour. they are preparing for a summit of eu leaders here this week, they will try to help mrs may in her predicament but won't ride to her rescue. with me now is sarah wollaston, chair of the health select committee. someone who wants to see a

referendum on all this. are you feeling more confident now that you have that is possible? i'm feeling very worried about the fact in 180 days we run out of road. the only red line the prime minister hasn't laid down is the one that takes us off the edge of the cleft into a chaotic no deal. i hope that once she comes back with no more than a cosmetic change from the european union, what we will see is a serious discussion of plan b and that, in my view, should include getting the consent of the british people to the deal on offer. there is a view she is delaying this, she is in no deal chicken, phrase i heard this morning. people are going to have focused their minds and hopefully they will focus more on hers than anything else. that is the wrong way to go. what we should be saying is, does the country consent of this version of brexit? her brexit deal. 48% don't want to leave anyway. even

if the 52% come it is clear a lot of them are deeply unhappy about this deal. the right thing for the prime minister to do is not play this game of chicken but to say to the country, is this what you voted for would you rather to stay with the deal we have? would you rather to stay with the dealwe have? even that would you rather to stay with the deal we have? even that argument is running out of time. there are no deal is looking more likely than ever. very worryingly so. what she could do is go to the european union and say, we'd like to extend article 50 to allow for the democratic process to take place. this you still have any authority? u nfortu nately, still have any authority? unfortunately, that is ebbing away. i think that is unfortunate. at a time of great uncertainty, it is affecting the debate is under way at the house of commons. let's go to jeremy corbyn who have started that emergency debate. despite the house ‘s order of

tuesday the 11th of december and her failure to allow this house to express its field on the governors‘s deal or her proposed negotiating objectives without the agreement of this house. as the speaker, i've had the privilege of serving this house for 35 years and i've had strong disagreements with airdrie play minister that are served during this period. it's all there on the ragged. —— with every prime minister. i have never in all those yea rs minister. i have never in all those years witnessed such an abject mess as this prime minister is making over these crucial brexit negotiations. and in presenting her deal to the house. most by ministers lose votes and get things wrong but yesterday, the prime minister demeaned her office by unilaterally taking her discredited deal off the table and running away rather than facing the verdict of this house

which we should've been voting on today. there's nothing wrong with standing by your principles but this deal is not one of principles and not one she is prepared to stand by anyway. yesterday, mr speaker, they didn't even have the decency to allow a vote, the government, to allow a vote, the government, to allow a vote on the withdrawing of business. she let down all mps and the people we represent on both sides of this house. the overwhelming majority know this deal is dead and want to go on with putting a realistic solution in place. mr speaker, iwant putting a realistic solution in place. mr speaker, i want to thank my colleagues in the labour party who supported this application yesterday and colleagues in all the other opposition parties who also supported this application, and indeed members on the other side from both areas of debate within the conservative party, to ensure that a vote could take place. i've finally

forgiving way. the sea not agree with me the frequency and ease with which this government holds this parliament in contempt and also the ease with which they find it to mislead the british public is frankly appalling and pathetic. it is true and now, also, we have news whereby it is alleged the prime minister told eu officials she intended to pull the brexit vote 24 hours before she told senior cabinet members. would my right honourable friend 's... members. would my right honourable friend 's. .. order, members. would my right honourable friend 's... order, order. can i just remember the house, the interventions should be brief. jeremy corbyn. i thank my friend for that intervention. that news is very disturbing indeed. the house should

be told first. not the media, not anybody else. i thank my right honourable friend for giving way. i have been told this myself of the prime minister spoke to a number of eu member states prime minister spoke to a number of eu memberstates and prime minister spoke to a number of eu member states and officials before she spoke to the cabinet and the house to say the vote would be cancelled. this shocking but i have been told that the addendum she is seeking was drafted weeks ago before we started the debate in this house. the whole process gets curiouser and curiouser, mr speaker. this is no longer a functioning government under prime minister must her deal is dead. her shambolic negotiations have ended in failure and she no longer has the authority to negotiate for this country when she doesn't even have the authority of her own party. i thank the leader of

the opposition forgiving way. doesn't he accept it is strange for the opposition to criticise the prime minister for not seeking clarity on the backstop and when she does goes to brussels to do that which they have called for, they criticise her for that action. iam full of criticise her for that action. i am full of admiration, absolutely full of admiration for the honourable member's ability to keep a straight face while she asked that question. parliament may not have had the chance to vote down her deal, mr speaker, as she herself has admitted. you should put it before this house i think we all know it would've been defeated by a fairly significant margin indeed. she has no authority... i thank my right honourable friend forgiving way. would he agree with me that it isn'tjust she left this house down and our constituents

down, but taxpayers have been paying the price with reports that £100,000 was spent on facebook advertisements supporting her deal in the last week. her ministers were sent round the country and all of us who have spent time and resources consulting with our constituents have absolutely been let down with not being able to express our view in a vote in this house. the prime minister has wasted £100,000 of public money injust seven days on facebook adverts trying and failing to sell this dog dinner of brexit deal. there were days when the prime minister and i served as local councillors. had we spend public money in that way we would surcharged for a waste of public money without proper approval. he has read, this

government is a shambles, they failed the country, the adding contempt of parliament. won't he table a motion of no—confidence in this government so we can be shot them? i've tabled this motion today which are the members supported, the tabling. we have no confidence in this government, we need to do the appropriate thing at the appropriate time to have a motion of no—confidence in order to get of this government. mr speaker, the prime minister not only failed to convince the public, she now seems unable to convince the european union to accept any meaningful changes in her proposals.“ union to accept any meaningful changes in her proposals. if he's followed the debate he will notice that he had complaints about the backstop so did most of the 164 speakers that we've had. isn't in arrives for the prime minister to go and save she can mend it? if you disagree with that, why? that is a

valiant attempt to defend the indefensible. everybody knew that babies photos going to be put. the whole world knew about it and we hear, apparently, the prime minister was trying to arrange a backroom deal ahead of it and then pulled the vote but didn't bother to tell an awful lot of other people she was doing so. i admire his attempts at defending what is completely indefensible. last week, the government are found to be in contempt of parliament. would my right honourable friend agree that if the media were briefed before this house that is further contempt for this parliament. the prime minister cancelled the cabinet meeting this morning, presumably she is worried about getting a majority there or not. many of her ministers are very upset and i can't say i blame them. at least at dozen were

sent into tv and radio stations yesterday morning to deny the prime minister would pull the vote before somebody helpfully phoned from downing street to pull them out of the studio and say, the line had changed. this is an extraordinary way of not running a government. the northern ireland secretary was quoted saying, the uk must move on with brexit or risk being driven with brexit or risk being driven with division. this is the same prime minister who said hers was the best deal and indeed the only deal. if that's the case, what is she doing today in europe? mr speaker, this runaway prime minister is not even seeking to negotiate, she confirmed she is only seeking reassurances. mi’ confirmed she is only seeking reassurances. mr speaker, our prime minister is traipsing around the continent in pursuit and search of

warm words when she can get out of the car to hear them. if i may say so, it is the unspeakable in pursuit of the in britain. a waste of time and a waste of public money. because of her role unworkable red lines the european commission says it will not re—negotiate with her. the prime minister concedes she is not negotiating either. what on earth is she doing travelling from capital to capital in europe, it can't be christmas shopping, so what on earth is she doing in europe? worse than that it shows, once again, she is not listening. i'm grateful to the right honourable member forgiving way. in ensuring the integrity of out way. in ensuring the integrity of our union does he agree that the

only way you can deal with the backstop is to amend the legally binding text of an international agreement? the red lines the prime minister set out with this backstop became impossible and because of her bungled negotiations, there is a greater chance of entering into an indefinite backstop. that is why one of the reasons we would be voting against this as indeed i believe the honourable member would also.|j against this as indeed i believe the honourable member would also. i know there are legitimate concerns that there are legitimate concerns that the northern ireland backstop but would he agree with me, it isn't just the backstop that is the problem. can you rememberthe just the backstop that is the problem. can you remember the time with the prime minister of this country and the chancellor had recommended the course of action which would make people worse off according to the own analysis. i can't recall a time when any

government has come to the house to promise something that will make people worse off and then blindly continue to go ahead with it. his tummy the backstop that is the problem, mr speaker, many will not vote for the brexit on the base of the 26 page wish list that is attached to it. —— it isn'tjust the backstop. it fails to maintain membership of vital agencies and programmes, it fails to ensure rights and protections will be kept in place and the fails to provide a comprehensive customs union with a uk say. on the latter point, mr speaker, i welcome this form of brexit ministerfor his speaker, i welcome this form of brexit minister for his endorsement for a permanent customs union saying it could be the basis for a parliamentary consensus. yesterday following her statement, the prime minister failed following her statement, the prime ministerfailed to following her statement, the prime minister failed to answer a single one of my questions. last night, i wrote to her together with the

leaders of the snp, plaid cymru, the liberal democrats and the greens. we set out five questions. sadly, she is not here to answer them. therefore, when she returns from this strange stage managed foray to europe i hope the prime minister will reply promptly to the five opposition parties who wrote to her. whilst she sends our country into a brexit induced paralysed since that's paralysis, the coming winter threatens the deepest crisis in our nhs. homelessness and rough sleeping continue their unrelenting rise. the local government funding settlement is delayed yet again meaning our hard—hit is delayed yet again meaning our ha rd—hit councils can't is delayed yet again meaning our hard—hit councils can't start budgeting for next year. and neither can the police. facing rising finance crime because their funding settle m e nt finance crime because their funding settlement is delayed as well.

another government contractor, we learned, is at risk and thousands of jobs as well as in to serve teeters on the brink of collapse. all the while, the economy is slowing, high streets in crisis, shares tumbling of the pound plummeting. this is an strong and stable, is weak leadership from a weak prime minister. if you do keep watching the debate, bbc parliament is continuing its coverage. with me now is former minister crispin blunt. scathing questions from jeremy corbyn. what can theresa may achieve? she would have the backstop removed from the agreement which would remove the thing that is disastrous for our country because of the internal in uncertainty. in

the real world... our european partners have made it clear this agreement is going nowhere. it has been signed off and it is up to the british parliament to say yes or no. we could have been saying note today by a majority and thatis saying note today by a majority and that is what happens when one side creams the other. the danger of what happens now, with the clock ticking, is we get closer and closer to a no—deal brexit. is that something you would welcome? at some point we're going to have to wake up to the fact that all this propaganda about moving to world trade organisation terms with our partners is not a catastrophe. this is very important, this is where the argument will have to focus. actually, if you burrow down into the detail, if the difficult

consequences they will almost all be because of the policies of our partners. the policies of our partners. the policies of our partners in theirgift partners. the policies of our partners in their gift and white with the ground the aeroplanes? why would they delay the freight when they are selling twice as much stuff to as? it's a con because no country operate under world trade rules because they have bilateral deals with individual countries. we're going to have none, not even with the organisation we're leaving. we're ready for a free—trade agreement with our european partners as soon as they're ready to bring it forward. that is the tragedy of this negotiation. when it started, it is meant to encompass that a future agreement. the detail in the future agreement. the detail in the future agreement should have been to the same level as in the withdrawal agreement. we have this period focused on the withdrawal agreement and a little rush to go to 26 pages

at the end about the future. that's hopeless. what confidence do we have in that? we've ended up with this wretched position of a backstop. what have we got followed? you're happy to do that? i'm not happy to do it. it's very important that when... don't use this term, crash out. we are going to move from today the relationship with the eu to a world trade organisation relationship. 0r world trade organisation relationship. or we might world trade organisation relationship. orwe might move world trade organisation relationship. or we might move to a free—trade arrangement. had we done some more work on the free—trade arrangement in the last 17 months we might be closer to that. a lot of mites, a lot of codes. they are sitting in the declaration. that is

a substantial part of the problem. the european union, have meant we haven't had proper focus the future. when it's clear that united kingdom is going to leave and were good on the referendum result on the 29th of march, there will be focused on what the world trade organisation terms mean. we need to go back to look at the work of the foreign affairs committee did, two weeks before we give article 50 notice, about how these matters could be managed. the moral obligation i accept that if the eu pursues policies that makes life difficult in that transition, where does that 39 million go? the businesses... whoever is prime

minister on the 29th, has a very strong hand to play for stop so it won't be theresa may? one of those mps who ask you for a vote of confidence in our prime minister. she may win that vote of confidence so she may win that vote of confidence so she will be the prime minister of the 29th of march. whoever is the next leader of the government is clear we are going to go to the 29th of march, without honour the result of march, without honour the result of the referendum in 2016 and open up of the referendum in 2016 and open up the possibility of free—trade arrangement right round the world. we have that to play with, to protect the british position if life is made uncomfortable but that'll be an act of manifest self harm for our european partners. why would they do that? this is all a lot of campaign fear from people who want us to remain in the eu, who lost the referendum in 2016 and are trying to steal it back. the consequences of

doing that would be very, very serious indeed. thank you for coming to talk to us. we will go back to the house of commons because the luke leddington has been speaking. let's rejoin events there. how much effort the prime minister has put into this entire process of brexit. in the end what matters to people outside of your is an effort, it is result. this house or to have the chance to vote on those results. i shall say shortly this house will have that opportunity. i will give way to the right honourable gentleman. after all that debate, what the business, the farmers, the consumers come all the people my constituents wa nt come all the people my constituents want to know is, when is this going to be resolved ? want to know is, when is this going to be resolved? it'll be resolved tonight had we had that vote. what

date will we have this vote? what the businesses and the farmers whom i have talked to in wales and in my constituency and met the other part of the country have said is they wa nt of the country have said is they want honourable members from every political party to get behind the deal, get it in place as rapidly as possible so they can have the certainty and the clarity of the transitional period and the ability to plan investment decisions, job creation decisions that currently are being held while that uncertainty prevails. i will give way to the honourable lady. uncertainty prevails. i will give way to the honourable ladylj uncertainty prevails. i will give way to the honourable lady. i am grateful to forgiving way. doesn't he accept that whilst the prime minister may have plenty of time to about this we have not. we did have 15 hours of debate in which we could have presented the case for our constituents. the university sector, the automobile sector, the science sector, to ministers have gone who used to cover those portfolios because they can see the effect it

is going to have. doesn't he understand the frustration because the government won't let it speak up for our constituents. the reasons i have set out, there have been many hours already including the three days so far of the debate on the meaningful vote, in which members of parliament from all parts of the house have been able to express... it's always good to see on the dispatch box. perhaps you can explain that the prime minister is doing? she's heard that the eu leaders have told us. we are not prepared to renegotiate this deal. shouldn't this prime minister comeback year and face her waterloo? the honourable gentleman has been crafting battle on for quite a time, ican crafting battle on for quite a time, i can see. the reality is my right honourable friend is responding to the points made for her again and

again by members of this house. in the statement and in exchanges which followed, and in the debates, mr speaker, we have had so far, honourable members have expressed criticisms, usually focused on exclusively, on one issue the so—called backstop on the irish border and again and again, right honourable and honourable members in all parts of the house have asked her to go back to eu member states and the commission to seek changes and the commission to seek changes and in particular to provide assurances that the backstop would only be temporarily. that is what my right honourable friend has done. i give way. we are going to pull away. bbc parliament if you want to keep watching the debate. let's have a quick look at the weather. enjoying the sunshine back in london. here in

york, an hour ago it was murky. we've had some sunshine in york western pa rt of we've had some sunshine in york western part of lincolnshire the sun is shining. but in the places we have low—grade cloud. what it is is, for the most of us, dry for some that you can see how much sunshine we've got across much of england coming to scotland, parts of wales as well. it will turn to fill in the cloud a little bit more this afternoon because this is looming large. as it does make progress, it will bring some more significant rainfora time. will bring some more significant rain for a time. but it starts to peter out as the rain, the cloud pushes further eastwards. introducing more cloud means the night won't be quite as cold as last night won't be quite as cold as last night but there is scope for frost and eastern areas as we dawn on wednesday. the reason for the weakening of the weather front is this area of high pressure, almost blocking its passage, squeezing the moisture out of it and keeping most of us try again on wednesday.

probably more rain around than today. it is mostly light and patti and in the east, we are looking at good spells of sunshine. it will turn colder later. highland scotland should do quite well. we're chasing the cloud and the brakes of the cloud when the sun comes out, it isn't too bad considering we are in the midst of december. this weather front does hold off the most part exceptin front does hold off the most part except in the south—west and in the far west of northern ireland. we do is to pick up this easterly wind on thursday. thursday morning is colder to start with but it looks clearer, brighter as wealth with sunshine to come on thursday. more so for the likes of scotland, wales, the south—west, but first they will feel cold, temperatures will be lower than wednesday. add on the effect of the wind and it feels colder stead.

this is what is we'll feel like a number on your thermometer. we've got this cold south easterly wind. our first got this cold south easterly wind. ourfirst by the got this cold south easterly wind. our first by the front fizzles out, but possibly by the time we get into friday, this has got momentum behind it. it'll bring in the change but as it. it'll bring in the change but as it comes into that cold air that is scope for some snow. as it comes into that cold air that is scope for some snow. as ever, it comes into that cold air that is scope for some snow. as ever, we would be keeping our icon that. is it going to be a white christmas? it looks like the atlantic air will win out so hanging the balance! breaking news coming from dublin. prime minister leota rod carr says britain can remove the threat of a no—deal brexit by revoking or extending its noticed to quit ——

leota the power is there in the united kingdom to remove the threat of no deal. with me now is damian green — the former first secretary of state — which basically means mrs may's second in command. is that a goer? i don't think so. it seems a slightly odd proposal that we should revoke article 50. we've had a referendum. if the government said we are revoking article 50, people would ask what was the referendum about in the first place? i don't see how delaying it alters the fact they should be no deal or not. i think leo varadkar wants a deal as well. what's happening now is the prime minister is making an effort to achieve that, to achieve a deal that is both acceptable across the channel but also acceptable to get through the house of commons. you say she's looking for a deal.

she's looking for confirmation of what she thinks she has. is she on a hiding to nothing? what she thinks she has. is she on a hiding to nothing ?|j what she thinks she has. is she on a hiding to nothing? i wouldn't describe it as a hiding to nothing because i think both sides of the negotiations, london and on the continent, want a deal. it's apparent that as it stands because the irish backstop the current deal isn't going to get through the house. so actually clarifying in some way, trying to make it clear the backstop point to be indefinite, that britain isn't going to be trapped forever, that northern ireland isn't going to be a separate pa rt ireland isn't going to be a separate part of the uk, that's a worthwhile exercise white is it a case of the ultimate brinkmanship, but the prime minister has bought more time with the clock ticking on the basis that some mps may say any deal is better than no deal and they may change their minds and vote for a deal? is that the gamble she's really playing? i don't think it's a

gamble. i think no deal would be disastrous for the country as a whole. i think the threat of chaos at dover affects people in their daily lives. i'm very keen we get a deal. but i think the real objections to the deal that's currently in front of the house of commons are very currently in front of the house of commons are very much on the irish backstop. it's worthwhile having another go concentrating on that. experience tells us very many european negotiations go up beyond the 11th hour. this peculiar european convention of stopping the clock... european convention of stopping the clock. . . we european convention of stopping the clock... we are talking about the fate of this country. absolutely. that's why i think it's really important and good that she's decided to be realistic, to say let's go and have another go before the council meeting later this week a nyway the council meeting later this week anyway and give every last clear opportunity so that we can be as

clear as possible what the backstop means and what it doesn't mean. i think that's worth while. can i talk about theresa may personally. she was a very about theresa may personally. she was a very good friend of yours. she still is, i hope. when did you last took to her? in the last few weeks. all right. do you think her heart is still in this? absolutely. many people have commented she has this tremendously steely sense of duty and she regards it as her duty to get the best deal for britain and she is prepared to put every last ounce of energy into it. you don't think she feels the game is up and she's going through the motions? anything but. she made a statement to the house of commons and answered questions for three hours yesterday, got on the plane to go to european capitals this morning. she is pouring her heart and soul into getting a dealfor britain. pouring her heart and soul into getting a deal for britain. thank

you. you're watching afternoon live. david lidington is still on his feet but will return to that in a little. sport now on afternoon live with olly foster — we have heard this afternoon from the manchester city manager this was a scheduled news conference and he spoke about all sorts of issues within society and that ball not being able to escape some of thoseissues not being able to escape some of those issues that have been debated for the last 48 hours. the manchester city manager pep guardiola has spoken publicly for the first time about the alleged racist abuse that raheem sterling faced at stamford bridge. he desribed his player as an incredible person and praised him for his instagram post which pointed a finger towards the press and their coverage of young black players, which he said was unfair and potentially fuelling racism and aggressive behaviour. chelsea have suspended four supporters from attending matches while investigations continue. u nfortu nately

unfortunately it is everywhere. that's why you have to fight every day. i appreciate what chelsea did. we should do the same. so, we have to fight for the human rights, for everything, to make a better society for the future for everyone. not just here in england but absolutely everywhere. it's the final round of group matches in the champions league this week. liverpool have to beat napoli. to qualify for the knockout stage they have to win1—0 or by two clear goals to be sure altghough if paris st—germain fail to beat red star belgrade in the other group game then any liverpool win will do. napoli though, head to anfield only needing a point

to reach the last 16. it could be a tense night. we have to create a special atmosphere with the way we play, and we have to use the atmosphere, as well. how i said before — i'm really looking forward to it. it's a big opportunity for us, and we'll try everything to put it right. tottenham look to have a much tougher task. they take on barcelona at the nou camp tonight if spurs win, then if spurs win, then they are through because theyjust have to match or better what inter milan do against psv eindhoven. what might make spurs night easier is that barca are expected to rest players, because they are already sure of qualifying as group winners. the most important thing when you

play barcelona, you know very well be quality they have in the squad is amazing, is massive. of course, different names have different qualities to add to the team. but i think they are going to be strong, they are going to try to win. rugby‘s world player of the yearjonny sexton has committed himself to leinster and ireland for another three years the 33—year—old fly—half has signed a contract extension with the irish football union until 2021. he had a two year spell with racing metro in paris and was linked with a lucrative return to france, but the grand slam winner and european cup champion with leinster looks like he will end his career in ireland. former european track cycling champion, jess varnish has appeared at her employment tribunal in manchester. she is claiming damages for wrongful dismissal and sex discrimination after being omitted from british cycling's elite squad in 2016. her criticism of the organisation

led to the resignation of the technical director shane sutton, who was found to have used sexist language towards her. in what could be a landmark case, potentially affecting how athletes are funded, varnish is seeking to prove that she was an employee of british cycling rather than self—employed. uk sport chief executive liz nicholl is also attending the tribunal that is expected to last all week. that's all the sport for now. let's rejoin the emergency debate taking place in the wake of the prime minister's decision to delay the commons vote on her deal. a bit of breaking news before we do that. the killer russell bishop who

was convicted of the babes in the wood murders of 1986 has beenjailed at the old bailey for 36 years for the murders of the two schoolgirls 32 years ago. convicted paedophile was found guilty of murder, they we re was found guilty of murder, they were found strangled and sexually assaulted near brighton 32 years ago in 1986. russell bishop, 52, protested his innocence since the bodies of the girls had been found. just getting the details of the sentencing and we will be getting more from the old bailey a little later on. let's cross to the commons where mps are starting their emergency brexit debate. this far, that my view and the government's view is that we need to push on with this sooner rather than later, but we need to have, we need to know the outcome of the discussions that my right honourable friend be prime minister is having,

before we can determine the exact timing of those future days, of debate. and i would also reiterate, mr speaker, that is both the prime minister and my honourable friend the memberfor west, minister and my honourable friend the member for west, the minister and my honourable friend the memberfor west, the government —— worcester, the government regards the observation in the event of no deal being a grill —— being agreed... 'si deal being a grill —— being agreed... 's i will give way to the honourable lady. i am grateful. does he agree that greater the political crisis that has been created is the economic crisis, and the fact that the value of the pound has crashed in the last 34 hours. is that not a reason to press ahead with the vote? iam reason to press ahead with the vote? i am second to know one in wanting this issue resolved as rapidly as

possible. i thank the minister forgiving way. why won't the government ruled out no deal giving the catastrophic impact that would have on businesses jobs and people's livelihoods, and if he won't rule it out, will he tell us that the delay that has been caused by this government, how much more of taxpayers' money is going towards planning for no deal. it cannot be ruled out, because for no deal to be removed from the table requires a ratification of a deal of some kind in westminster, and it requires ratification by the european parliament, as well. and just as any business would expect to maintain a contingency plan for all eventualities, even unwelcome and unlikely ones, so the government has

a responsibility to maintain it contingency planning against that. an isolated incident. whether it is the role that parliament will take, whether it is the legal advice and we will consider making their decision or water having the vote at all. at every step it has been frustrated. if this will be a continuation of the debate that has already been had, i will not be able to debate on behalf of my constituents because i took part in the debate last week, how can that be right and fair? first of all, i think that the government and the prime minister personally have been extremely committed and demonstrated that in terms of the number of hours that in terms of the number of hours that have been spent in parliament discussing these issues and responding to questions. we have heard a lot from the opposition

about the value of the pound, suddenly they are interested in economics. one of the reasons why the value of the pound has been falling is because there is a sniff ofa falling is because there is a sniff of a labour government, which will see capital flight out of this country that we have never seen before and even just a sniff of it, a foretaste of what would happen if the leader of the opposition ever got his hands on number ten. my right honourable friend is right, and it is not only a fear that he has expressed, that is a fair and opinion strongly voiced by businesses large and small in every pa rt businesses large and small in every part of the united kingdom, and the thought of a labour government coming to power which saw the economic policies of cuba and venezuela as models to follow is

something which should scare anybody who is interested injobs and investment in this country. he has been asked the question twice but has not answered that. i will give him a third chance. as the government's proposition that when we do come back to this, the previous debate will continue, in other words there will be two more days and then a vote, or will there bea days and then a vote, or will there be a fresh debate? which will it be? it isa be a fresh debate? which will it be? it is a fair question and while i cannot get him an absolutely clear answer, i want to be as several as eye candy on this point. the default position is that the current arrangements, including the business to the house motion remain in place. one of the things that the government will have to determine depending on the outcome of the european council and the discussions that the prime minister is having

our brother in terms of the statue requirements on government to halt a meaningful vote under the eu withdraw that, to whether any changes that might have been made aware of the character that would require the debate to be restarted from scratch, rather than continued. until we know the outcome of those talks, it is impossible to give greater clarity than that but i would hope that honourable gentleman would hope that honourable gentleman would accept from me that that is the best i can do, i am trying to be straight with them on his question. iam straight with them on his question. i am grateful for giving way and straight with them on his question. i am gratefulfor giving way and he has been generous with his time. can he confirm that because this support has been deferred, the emigration white paper which we have been promised since the summer will be in front of mps before we vote on this matter? it will obviously depend to some we will pull away from that debate.

you can keep watching that on bbc parliament. hilary benn sort of getting an answer to his question. we will return to get more of that debate later on. the pound hit a 20 month low yesterday following the announcement that theresa may was postponing the vote. we will have the business news coming up. first a look at the headlines on afternoon live. theresa may meets eu leaders — hoping to rescue her brexit deal with new guarantees on the northern ireland backstop. police arrest a man who jumped over railings to get into the grounds of parliament. wages rise at their fastest rate for almost a decade — as the number of people in work hits a record high. here's your business headlines on afternoon live. record numbers of people are in work and average earnings are at their highest level for a decade, according to new figures from the ons. people in employment increased

by 79,000 in the three months to october to more than 32 million, that's the highest since records began in 1971. flooring retailer carpetright says half—year losses have widened to £11.7 million — that's up sharply from the £0.6 million loss in the same period last year. sales were down 12.7% over the six—month period but the company said there was a "marked improvement". the company has been closing stores to cut losses. barclays bank has launched an app that allows customers to "turn off" spending on certain types of goods and services. it's designed to help people who have problems with gambling or drinking. it's the first high street bank to allow its customers to use a so—called spending blocker to help vulnerable customers, particularly problem gamblers, or those in serious debt. michelle fleuryjoins us now from the new york stock exchange. later today be google ceo is

expected to be before a house judiciary committee to talk about a range of issues including transparency, data and sexual harassment in the workplace. what is expected to come of this? if you think back a couple of weeks ago, there were senior executives from facebook and other technology companies. at the time the google ceo wasn't there so this is his time to appear before lawmakers. there area to appear before lawmakers. there are a couple of areas where they are expected to clash, one area of criticism he can expect from republicans is over accusations that they feel the site is biased against conservatives. another area where you could expect to see flashes from politicians on the left and the

right involves areas from privacy. we've seen a data breach at google+, they are shutting down that service early because the personal information of many of its users we re information of many of its users were revealed. another thing is news of basically their ambitions in china are also likely to cause some concern. plenty of issues to go over ata time concern. plenty of issues to go over at a time when technology companies frankly are facing more and more scrutiny. is there anything to look to in terms of what will come out of it in the sense of when it actually make a difference? this is a big spectacle, he failed to turn up at a hearing ina spectacle, he failed to turn up at a hearing in a few months ago. will any policy come out of it?|j hearing in a few months ago. will any policy come out of it? i think that's one of the areas that tech companies in the past have been resista nt to companies in the past have been resistant to when it comes to privacy, to see laws being passed in that area. now i think they perhaps know there will be some form of oversight. what shape that will take we are waiting for the specifics.

what we do know and i've had a chance to have a look at some of sundar pichai's opening remarks released ahead of his delivery of those, and one thing he's going to emphasise is the fact this isn't a biased company. it makes business sense and also the core principles of this company are such that they wouldn't be biased. that's how the company is planning to address concerns. there was also a lot of talk about privacy, welcoming effo rts talk about privacy, welcoming efforts from lawmakers and privacy to step back up again. trying to head off criticism over the fact personal information of google+ users was revealed. you might see some of the hottest clashes over its ambitions in china, talking about building a search engine that would be subject to censorship in china. that's going to come at a time when the us china relationship is in the spotlight. lots to look forward to

in terms of analysis. thank you. let's have a look at the markets. something you mentioned earlier was stirling which hit a 20 month low yesterday after we had theresa may was going to delay the vote on her brexit deal in parliament —— sterling. there has been some recovery today but generally it slower. also, traders are slightly on edge about what to do about trading today. we heard from various investors about the confusion over the political climate in britain. interesting to see what that does throughout today and the week. significant rises on the cac. the ftse 100 significant rises on the cac. the ftse100 is in significant rises on the cac. the ftse 100 is in the green significant rises on the cac. the ftse100 is in the green today, yesterday took a bit of of knocking. today it's doing better, miners take

up today it's doing better, miners take upa big today it's doing better, miners take up a big part of the ftse. it could be because of that. it's still early days, we are midway through the afternoon, it will be interesting to see how things close at 5pm. thank you very much. plenty more on the political scene to combat first... a convicted paedophile has been sentenced to life in prison — with a minimum of 36 years — after being found guilty of murdering two nine—year—old girls in brighton 32 years ago. russell bishop was tried and acquitted of killing them in 1987. after a second trial held at the old bailey, a jury found him guilty. our correspondent daniela relph is at the old bailey now. that sentencing just coming through. yes. within the past few minutes the judge has handed down a sentence of life imprisonment for russell bishop with a life imprisonment for russell bishop witha minimum life imprisonment for russell bishop with a minimum term of 36 years for the murders of nicola fellows and

carol hadaway in brighton in 1986. russell bishop wasn't there for his sentencing, he had chosen not to attend. thejudge had offered him a link from prison but he refused to turn up. he was sentenced in his absence. the 12jurors turn up. he was sentenced in his absence. the 12 jurors who convicted him yesterday found him guilty after deliberating for two and a half hours. they were also in court, they came back to sit in the same seats they've sat in for eight weeks and hear the sentence. the families of the two girls were also in court to hear what thejudge had the two girls were also in court to hear what the judge had to say. what hear what the judge had to say. what he said was that russell bishop was a predatory paedophile. he had shown no remorse for his actions whatsoever. he also said the terror that each of those girls must have suffered in theirfinal that each of those girls must have suffered in their final moments that each of those girls must have suffered in theirfinal moments is unimaginable. as you can imagine, it was a highly charged atmosphere in

court. the families were in floods of tears as they heard the judge condemned russell bishop for his actions, his lack of remorse and what he did to their daughters. he sentenced him to life imprisonment with a sentenced him to life imprisonment witha minimum sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 36 years. thank you. we are continuing to cover the emergency debate inside the house of commons throughout the afternoon. time for a look at the weather. here's helen. it's been a quiet weather day. milder conditions towards the west. we've got the atlantic influence and have picked up the southerly wind. the cloud is for the most part fairly thin and it hasn't produced that much rain. something a bit more substantial this evening in the south—west and northern ireland but it fizzles out as it pushes its way further east overnight. in the east we are more likely to see some frost come wednesday morning and a bit of fog again. it's in the east where we

will see the thinnest cloud. through the day we might see more sunshine. further west pushing our weather front out of the way. a bit of wintriness in the hills of scotland. it won't be particularly warm in the east but it is a relatively mild further west. the cold air winds on thursday pushing back westwards, but then a big change on friday night and into the weekend. hello, you're watching afternoon live — i'm simon mccoy at westminster. today at 3.00pm. theresa may meets european leaders, hoping for changes to rescue her brexit deal, but the eu insists there'll be no renegotiation. the deal we have achieved is the best deal possible, it's the only deal possible. and so we cannot... there is no room whatsoever for renegotiation. here, the labour leader jeremy corbyn has accused

her of running away from a vote on her brexit agreement. six migrants are rescued from a dinghy from the shipping lane in the channel and brought ashore at dover. russell bishop has been sentenced to a mimimum of 36 years in prison for murdering two schoolgirls in sussex in 1986. coming up on afternoon live all the sport with olly foster. we've heard from the manchester city manager pepe guardiola today, speaking pulcially for the fisrt time and passionately about the alleged racist abuse faced by his player raheem sterling at the wekeend. good afternoon. this quiet weather picked for the rest of this week. it gets colder but was the weekend the signs we could see some snow fall. particularly in the north and the details are elusive at the moment those who will keep you posted. i

shall talk to you later. also this hour — thinning ice in antarctica — nasa says it's worse than we thought, prompting fears of sea levels rising significantly around the world. hello everyone, this is afternoon live. theresa may has embarked on a whirlwind tour of european capitals as she tries to rescue her brexit deal. the prime minister has been meeting the dutch and german leaders, amid warnings from her own backbenchers that she'll need to win significant changes if her deal is ever to get through the house of commons. later, she'll meet the president of the european commission, jean claude juncker, who's already said there is "no room whatsoever" for renegotiation. in the past half hour, the labour leaderjeremy corbyn called for "no more delays and no more tricks" saying mrs may must put her deal to a vote when she returns from brussels. our europe correspondent, damian grammaticas, has our first report. it's something the eu

may never have seen — a british prime minister in trouble at home seeking help in her hour of need. first up, the netherlands. can she come back with anything that will appease the seething discontent back home? at this late stage, a charm offensive may not be enough to secure real changes to the deal on offer. all the dutch prime minister would say is that their breakfast had been useful. from there it was onto her next stop, but at every turn, the prime minister appears stuck. political gridlock at home, and here in berlin, even her car door refused to open. a fundamental problem, she has agreed the deal must have a backstop to avoid border controls ever returning in the island of ireland, and parliament doesn't like it. the uk's junior brexit minister was in brussels with her new demands.

good morning. she wants additional legal reassurances that the uk cannot be permanently trapped in the irish backstop. that has been the issue all along. that is the issue that is at the heart of concerns expressed by many members of parliament. eu countries say that mrs may agreed a year ago to the idea of special terms for northern ireland. after months of haggling and drafting, the negotiations are over. translation: we have put so much time and effort into something that we in berlin and brussels don't want. nobody wants the uk to leave. now there will be further talks, but i can't imagine where we can substantially change anything. we can't reopen what have been tough negotiations, hard for the eu 27 and the uk. instead, the eu says it can give reassurance, perhaps a document saying ideally, hopefully, the backstop will never be used. there is no room whatsoever for renegotiation, but of course, there is room, if used intelligently, there

is room enough to give further clarifications and further interpretations without opening the whithdrawal agreement. meeting mrjuncker will be the last item on the prime minister's whistle—stop tour. they are preparing for a summit of eu leaders here in brussels this week, they will try to help mrs may in her predicament but won't ride to her rescue. damian grammaticas, bbc news, brussels. let's speak to our berlin correspondentjenny hill. i suppose, if you wanted and an ology, the prime minister having getting out of the car shows how things are stacked against her. getting out of the car shows how things are stacked against henm wasn't the best diet to her meeting with angela mccormick who stood there on the red carpet waiting as theresa may's staff tried to get out of the car. —— angela merkel. in

fairness, i don't think anyone here really expected a great deal to come from the meeting of the two leaders. we don't know what was dead. my understanding is they were due to discuss what were described as possible assurances over that backstop. there was nothing concrete on the table. the german government when they announced mrs merkel would be holding these talks, made it clear they were doing so at the request of the british government. this may have been a bit of diplomacy but at think anybody here expects great deal to come from those talks. angela merkel is briefing third—party, the parliamentary group on what was said. we might learn a little bit more in the next hour or so. it's worth pointing out that the deputy leader of that parliamentary group on the last hour has made it clear that they think there is no room for the negotiating that brexiter deal,

not to expect too much there. that is the overarching sense here in berlin, that is little enthusiasm for doing anything more than offering perhaps a form of words which may help to may and avoid a no deal. i was chatting to the governments's source just last week about this subject and he said, as fired as we germans are concerned we have given written what they want, we think it is a fair deal, as far as we're concerned it is game over. don't expect too much sympathy or help from angela merkel. having said that, the german government are preparing front mutio brexit, this country is businesses, politicians are people i concerned. thank you very much. let's speak to damian grammaticas who is in brussels. that phrase, game over, is it something you were hearing there as well? game over for that central

withdrawal agreement, that legal text. as eu ministers who have been meeting here from the 27 other countries plus the uk was there as well today, they were saying it has taken the months and months to negotiate this, there has been hard bargaining over the details of it. it has been largely shaped by the two sides red lines but that includes the uk red lines. the eu considers that closed, that is done. there was thus it a few days ago when theresa may came to sign it off with the leaders. there's not going to bea with the leaders. there's not going to be a reopening of that but not game overfor that to be a reopening of that but not game over for that declaration on the site, asjohn yunker were saying, qualifications, interpretations but those would not be legally binding. ——john claude junker. thank you very much indeed. the irish prime minister leo varadkar has outlined some details of how ireland is making contingency preparations for a no—deal brexit.

we've a different approach. our approaches we have a deal on the table, deal that has the support of 28 government negotiated over a 15 month period and our debt is to get that they are ratified by the house of commons and that is what we will be working on over the next few weeks. giving the uk assurances that it may need but never compromising on the basic fundamental substance and written letter of the backstop. that is what we'll do over the next few weeks. if that doesn't work, it remains in the hands of the united kingdom to decide that we don't end up kingdom to decide that we don't end up in kingdom to decide that we don't end upina kingdom to decide that we don't end up ina no kingdom to decide that we don't end up in a no deal scenario. the option is there to evoke article 50, the option is there to extend article 50. where they mean is be a majority for anything or deal in the house of commons, i do believe that is a majority in eu uk shouldn't be plunged into a no deal scenario for some it is in their hand to take the

threat of no deal of the table either by revoking article 50 or if thatis either by revoking article 50 or if that is the step too far, extending it. with me is ian talbot, chief executive of chambers ireland. the idea of revoking article 50 might get short shrift but extending it is that something you would welcome? we would welcome it. we are facing a situation where we have 108 days to go before a catastrophic no—deal brexit. this is an we welcome any development that will allow us more time to get things sorted. what impact would no brexit have on those you represent? it is uncertain. a lot of our companies are doing the best they can, not knowing what scenarios they might be facing. we could be looking at additional tariffs, facing. we could be looking at additionaltariffs, challenges imports, challenges in airports. there's a whole series of issues

that we can't plan for a fully at the moment. what about the arguments for pragmatism? what about the arguments for pragmatism ? planes will still fly what about the arguments for pragmatism? planes will still fly as long as people still talk to one another and trade was the bid them because many talks. is there an element of hysteria about this?” don't think it is hysteria. you go toa don't think it is hysteria. you go to a point where you need, i'm sure we can organise planes to fly but if we can organise planes to fly but if we don't make decisions until 29th of march is the time to put a deal in place? we have to distinguish between the short—term implications ofa no between the short—term implications of a no deal the medium to longer term implications. if that is no—deal brexit, what will that mean on the border? this is a big challenge. our members along the border are particularly concerned about that. there are so many people who treat as bored as nonexistent. they have jobs on one side of the other. their children go to school on one side and live on

the other. they have been dealing with board issues for a long time, we have 20 years with not dealing with it. they've had to deal with sterling fluctuations. you expect will be the first to put a border points up? odb be you expect will be the first to put a border points up? odb be what the british? it is hard to know. everybody is trying to point at somebody else. at the end of the day, we're going to have things like smuggling re—emerging. smuggling is happening where we have a single market and a customs union so a single market and a customs union so there is... if we end up with different vat regimes and different tariff regimes. but northern ireland and the republic of different regimes of various things that work at the moment. with a single market in the customs union did a few

things. the tray that has done is being done on things that are easy to facilitate. —— the trade. being done on things that are easy to facilitate. -- the trade. what would be the hope? you would hope that any deal is better than no deal. any deal is better than no deal. any deal is better than no deal at this stage. we need some confirmation of the timeframes we have to operate in to find solutions. businesses are pragmatic and they will get on with it but they need some time to plan and the resources they need, the staff they need, new technology. it can be done but we need time and time is short. the eu is saying we will look after ireland and ireland says, we're in the eu. is there any sympathy with the eu. is there any sympathy with the position the uk in? huge sympathy. the relationship between ireland and the uk is an exceptionally good relationship. since the good friday agreement it has been at its best ever. irish companies and people want to do business with the uk. and i'm sure, vice versa. we need to bring this to

a conclusion so we can move forward. we need to make sure our relationship is as good as it is now. if there is no deal, the day after, what will be happening do you think in ireland? life will continue, as you say, people will go to work and see what happens. it will come down to the challenges of people who need to cross the border, people who need to cross the border, people are anticipating some goods or services arriving in on a fairly being delayed in holyhead fishguard or wherever, we don't know which challenges are going to be in terms of costs. there's every chance on the wto laws, customs are going to be required that not at the moment required. there are so many things to put in place. if you are trying to put in place. if you are trying

to put in place. if you are trying to put it in 180 days, it is challenging. if you are going to try to do it when we're down to 70 days, it isa to do it when we're down to 70 days, it is a problem. we dojeopardise trade in goods and services between our two islands. thanks very much for coming. let's speak to our ireland correspondent chris page. that is a real concern. the increased chance of that no deal. that is what dominated proceedings in the irish parliament version of prime minister's questions which has been taking place this afternoon. as you saw from a clip earlier, it wasn't as confrontational as what happens in westminster. but the brexit has been the main point of discussion for the last two and a half years. no exception today. the

leader of fianna file said how prepared ireland was foreign no brexit deal scenario. the irish government have been reluctant to talk about that. now, more details of the no deal plans are coming to light. leo varadkar said that ireland would be exhilarating recruitment of customs officers. they have recruited 200 and want to recruit more. they have a panel of 3000. they also said there were plans being made for an infrastructure at ports and airports, dublin and ross laird especially. a few practical examples of how the irish government says the ad increasing their preparations for ad increasing their preparations for ano ad increasing their preparations for a no deal. leo varadkar said firms that don't have no deal action plan should formulate one and firms that do have no deal action plan should start putting it into practice. for the first time, even the irish government started talking those

more detail turns a battle to note the brexit could mean for ireland which, make no mistake, it will be the european nation most affected by brexit. thank you very much. with me is our chief political correspondent vicki young. things are a bit lively because jacob rees—mogg hasjust appeared. there doesn't seem to be a lot of hope for whatever theresa may is hoping to achieve. the question is whether this is just window dressing and she has to be seen to be doing something. one cabinet minister said to me as long as you seem to be in some kind of control then she stays in herjob. she couldn't poll that both yesterday and go christmas shopping and hang around. she needs to be seen to be doing something. seized would say it is a genuine attempt at getting the reassurances, the kind of thing mps have been asking. that is anger from the opposition about that decision is up

the vote. jeremy corbyn had the emergency three—hour debate today which is going on now. the right and wrongs of the pie minister's decision is being debated. a lot of mps have stood up and said sees told eu figures 24 hours ago. if the pie minister comes back with nothing more than warm words, then she must immediately put her deal to the house. —— if the prime minister. no more tricks, let parliament take control. that was jeremy corbyn, very difficult to hear anything at the moment. this debate, a lot of anger being expressed as you say, will she achieve anything? there is no binding vote of anything.

interestingly, the government's response to this is, that is some conservatives, lot of labour, snp complaining about this backstop. and now, theresa may has gone out to europe to try and get some change in all of that. they are all criticising her for that as well. that is the argument the government is putting forward was that she is responding to the complaints that have been coming from mps from all sides of the house. this is how david liddington put it. anybody who has served the prime minister in action both in her current office and the other office she has helped over the years, will be in no doubt about her commitment to the parliamentary accountability what our firm the cost to her in terms of the time... you say she should be spending it in answering questions from colleagues in every

party. there is the argument that theresa may may just be there is the argument that theresa may mayjust be taking a gamble, the newly we get to the 29th of march the more likely it is mps will change their mind, those who have said no to her, might change their minds. she would take it right to the wire and suddenly that clock is ticking becomes herfriend because if we get a january and today ministers have confirmed they regard the 21st of january as a deadline for when she will have to come back with something and the vote, that is pushing it made given we are leaving two months after. it's not getting through this meaningful vote on the deal, it is the legislation that these to go through on top of that. the dup have said if the withdrawal deal goes through they want back are any more in a confidence vote. she gets her deal through maybe but she loses those people who are propping up loses those people who are propping up her government. it is difficult to find a way through this for her. there are still some talking about

another referendum on the no deal and others talking about changes. were going to go to the old bailey because that is a press conference there following the sentencing for there following the sentencing for the man who killed the two children. red sea from the police now. he was a truly wicked man. i'm delighted with the sentencing of 36 years. it reflects the magnitudes of these terrible crimes against these two girls. bishop will spend the remainderof two girls. bishop will spend the remainder of his life behind bars where he truly belongs. never to darken the streets of brighton again. he was too much of a coward to face the families in court today. this term imprisonment will never make up for the loss of the girls

but hope the families will take some comfort from it and move on with their lives. thank you. that's the police reaction data that sentencing, 36 years for the murder of those two girls. we will be getting more on that very shortly. we would take up here in westminster, the ongoing mission theresa may has in europe as she tries to get some sort of change to the deal, to please those back here. the principle of them, jacob rees—mogg, hejoins me now. she is trying to do what you want.” rees—mogg, hejoins me now. she is trying to do what you want. i wish the prime minister were trying to do what i wanted. that's the problem with the withdrawal agreement on a device in the uk between great britain and northern ireland. it of

the eu setting out habits, setting tax rate in the uk. it leaves the subject of the european court of justice in great swathes of public policy. the backstop is a real problem and the whole thing needs to go. a cup of cocoa would be enough. time for that language has passed, hasn't it. the whole country is worried about what we are facing. we seem worried about what we are facing. we seem to be facing more and more likely every day is a no deal. leaving is a perfectly reasonable thing to do. we have no deals in place. unless the eu were to punish a scam in which case it would be in breach of an above international treaties, why should we assume the eu will break the law to punish us? that is not the way civilised nation states behave. we buy £95 billion worth of goods more from them than they buy from us. a strong

incentives for their exporters we should carry on trading. it will allow us to cut tariffs on essentials, food, clothing and footwear, reducing the cost of living for people. on the forecast... we morally are obliged to pay that money. i do think that their lives. the european union runs a pay—as—you—go pension system. when wejoined the eu, we pay the pensions of people who had retired before we had joined to stop they are expecting us by the time we read to do the reverse, pay yet as if it was a funded pension. when we joined we paid our share of project that had been committed to. can't have it both ways. the legal position is absolutely clear, if we leave and article 50 without having reached the withdrawal agreement we owe no

money according to a house of lords report, according to the committee bea report, according to the committee be a rule nothing and it eu, uk or international law. what is it you know that all those businesses, all those people who have said a no deal will be economically disastrous for the uk and yet you stand here and say, no, no we will be fine. what do you know me they don't? i know they've got it wrong before. if you look at the treasury forecast... i'm talking about real businesses.” have some business experience and theissue have some business experience and the issue here... it is internationally based in singapore and london. we have funds in ireland, new zealand, singapore and the united states because we have globalfinancial the united states because we have global financial company. on the forecasts, the treasury forecast just by voting to leave there would

be 800,000 job losses. what has happened since is their figures, they did two scenarios, a bad one and a very bad one. in the two years since they did their figures, the economy has grown 5.4% more than the predicted. the forecast before on this same project fear has been baseless. as the industry that is worried about delivery, 21% of components for the car industry come in from outside the european union, just—in—time delivery is not a function of the european union. you described project fear, but it has been borne out by the very fact that britain cannot get the deal with the eu that it wanted. everything you said would be a piece of cake, would be easily done, promises made, many are saying on a full prospectus, just cannot be delivered. there wasn't a false prospectus. arguments we re wasn't a false prospectus. arguments

were put by both sides honestly. leaving on the 29th of march puts is ona leaving on the 29th of march puts is on a very leaving on the 29th of march puts is on a very well understood, well regulated, well used international footing. on day one? on day one. if the french decide they are going to close calais as they have done before. that would be in breach of international agreement was a are you telling me the french would break international law? i'm not saying anything. none of us knows. if you work on the assumption your friends and allies will break international law the whole basis of international law the whole basis of international order breaks down for that we have to assume people will behave in good faith and obligations they are committed to well beyond they are committed to well beyond the european treaties that it is difficult to pen a country's future on good faith. people are really concerned and worried now about what is happening. people voted to leave, thatis is happening. people voted to leave, that is the key thing. millions of

people heard the scare studies, they didn't believe them and so far they are wrong. the figures were given have turned out to be fantasy figures. anybody watching would say, a plague on all your houses because both campaigns were guilty of mistruths on various points. everybody has been found out. the fa cts everybody has been found out. the facts are, our prime minister is finding it impossible to get a deal thatis finding it impossible to get a deal that is acceptable. the prime minister has not negotiated competently. what would you have done differently? she should never have accepted the structure of the negotiations. we had to negotiate things first. we've allowed the eu to say the cards discussed the... we've allowed the eu to run rings around us. and if that is no deal?

the prime minister is remain as she didn't want to leave. she said recently, people who believe in leaving without a deal should be honest about the risks that come from that. that doesn't square with her going around saying, no deal is better than a bad deal. if she thought that was dangerous, why did she go on and on about a no deal better than a bad deal? one of her state m e nts better than a bad deal? one of her statements can't be accurate. the other option other than a no deal is another vote. i'm just wondering, other option other than a no deal is anothervote. i'mjust wondering, do you agree with those that is now more likely than it has ever been?” don't think there's a in parliament 's forehead. i was on a bbc programme yesterday and chuka umunna was in favour of a second referendum and but he didn't see a majority in parliament for it. i don't think it isa parliament for it. i don't think it is a proper democratic method of proceeding. bearing in mind the first lesson and then was validated

by an election promise by david cameron to have it in the first place and then by both the labour party and the conservative party confirming it saying they would accept the result on the 2017 general election. we've had three votes around this referendum, to overturn its because a few malco nte nts overturn its because a few malcontents don't like losing would bea malcontents don't like losing would be a democratic disgrace.” malcontents don't like losing would be a democratic disgrace. ijust wonder if you ever come in the middle of the night, wake and think what have i done? what is this argument that i have been putting forward that has created so much anger out there? many of these people here are shouting at you directly. don't you think that anger is justified? directly. don't you think that anger isjustified? the divisiveness of the referendum is a great misfortune to this nation. if you want to double it and triplets you could have a second referendum. if you think the first referendum was divisive, think carefully asking for the second one because that would

divide is even more. people voted to leave, so no, i don't wake up in the middle of the nasr thinking how i have caused this division. in the evening when i go to bed, i think we have campaigned for democracy so when people vote they can change their government, but we won't be governed by unaccountable people in brussels who we cannot remove. we'll be able to make our own laws. why do they think that is important? people can make better laws for themselves that other people can make for us. and you are hoping that european countries who have been our friends, who we turning our backs on will play playfair? when not turning our backs on them. we are in alliances with them in terms of security. we are simply leaving the european union which was supposed to be a trading organisation. we are not staying in a trading club. is not turning our backs on them. the member states remain friendly allies

who we will be willing to defend if they need defending. there is an issue with language and i accept all sides fall foul of this because we don't differentiate in between the european union, which is a blessing to leave, and europe, which is a blessing to belong to. thank you for your time. you're watching afternoon live, let's have a look at the weather first. there has been a contrast individuals with the chilly air and milder conditions towards the west, because we have the atlantic influence with southerly wind. the cloud that we have is for the most pa rt cloud that we have is for the most part very thin, it hasn't produced that much rain, just some drizzly rain. some more substantial rain in the south—west and northern ireland, but it fizzles out overnight, and we keep cloud in the east, though it is here where we will see more frost

come wednesday morning, and some more fog again. it is an ease when we will see the cloud, there may be some more sunshine further west, pushing the weather front out of the way. there will be some rain and wintriness over the hills of scotland, it will be particular the one either in the east. it will be mild in the west. the cold air will wind on thursday, but then a change potentially on friday night and into the weekend. this is bbc news, our latest headlines: theresa may meets european leaders, hoping for changes to rescue her brexit deal — but the eu insists there'll be no renegotiation. the deal we have achieved is the best deal possible, it's the only deal possible. and so we cannot... there is no room whatsoever for renegotiation. here, the labour leader

jeremy corbyn has accused her of running away from a vote on her brexit agreement. six migrants are rescued from a dinghy from the shipping lane in the channel and brought ashore at dover. russell bishop has been sentenced to a mimimum of 36 years in prison for murdering two schoolgirls in sussex in 1986. thinning ice in antarctica — nasa says it's worse than we thought, prompting fears of sea levels rising significantly around the world. sport now on afternoon live with olly foster. good afternoon. the manchester city manager pep guardiola has spoken publicly for the first time about the alleged racist abuse that raheem sterling faced at stamford bridge. chelsea have suspended four supporters from attending matches while investigations continue. guardiola praised sterling for his post on social media which pointed a finger towards the press and their coverage

of young black players, which he said was unfair and potentially fuelling racism and aggressive behaviour. he is an incredible human being. so... it is tough to understand today, you know, what happened years ago about the position, or the whole history of black people. so we have two protect how equal we are altogether. it is tough to understand in the 20th century, to still be in that position and to accept diversity as a power position and to help us be better. we have to fight, but strictly for the human rights for everything to make a

better society for the future for everyone. there was speaking at a conference. it's the final round of group matches in the champions league this week. liverpool have to beat napoli tonight to qualify for the knockout stage. they have to win1—0 or by two clear goals to be sure altghough if paris st—germain fail to beat red star belgrade in the other group game, then any liverpool win will do. napoli though, head to anfield only needing a point to reach the last 16. it could be a tense night. tottenham look to have a much tougher task. they take on barcelona at the nou camp tonight. if spurs win, then they are through because theyjust have to match or better what inter milan do against psv eindhoven. what might make spurs night easier is that barca are expected to rest players, including maybe lionel messi, because they are already sure of qualifying as group winners. i'm surei

i'm sure i will have much more sport free in the next hour. a convicted paedophile has been sentenced to life in prison — with a minimum of 36 years — after being found guilty of murdering two nine—year—old girls in brighton 32 years ago. russell bishop was tried and acquitted of killing them in 1987. after a second trial held at the old bailey, a jury found him guilty. our correspondent daniela relph is at the old bailey now. russell bishop was sentenced just over one hour ago, he chose not to attend court to hear his own sentence stopped running now is detective superintendent from sussex police who have led this investigation. life imprisonment, a minimum term of 36 years of the trees outside? we never knew that we knew that he could never get a whole life in prison because of his age. the judges have made it clear that they have given the maximum sentence

that they could give him. that is the minimum, due to his age when he committed the crimes. such an order you make of him not coming? he is clearly a current and could not face the family. must have been an absolutely dreadful experience, no one can imagine what a must have been likely families? they have waited 32 years forjustice, they have done this with calmness and dignity, they have been amazing. what about for sussex police? this has hung over use of 32 years, it has hung over use of 32 years, it has taken 32 years to get that guilty verdict. on a personal level, what have you been thinking sitting through this trial and seen the guilty verdict yesterday and the sentence today? there was a sense of relief when the jury came out and said guilty. we have never forgotten about this case, we have never given up about this case, we have never given up on it, we have conducted various reviews over the years. in 2012, we got a strong frantic head, and that started the whole thing off again. i am really proud of the work my team

has done, and it has been a real privilege for me to leave this investing. investigation. do you have any remorse or anything for russell bishop at all? he has shown no remorse, and the fact that he was in prison for 28 years, it shows how dangerous he is. my view is that he deserved spend the rest of his life in prison. there was an added element to his trial with the defence of bishop himself accused nicola's father being involved in her murder and abuse. that made the whole thing even more highly charged. russell bishop is a coward, and the fact that they chose to choose that london defence to attack the father, he has lived with this for 32 years, and he was a broken man as a result of all this. the judge praised the families directly, he talked about the dignity and the way they have had to cope with things during some terrible accusations that were made at them

as well. the family have been amazing throughout the time that i have dealt with them. they have been patient and calm, they have been dignified. that has shown through by their behaviour at trial in the last two months. thank you forjoining us. just to reiterate, russell bishop has been sentenced a lifetime with a bishop has been sentenced a lifetime witha minimum bishop has been sentenced a lifetime with a minimum term of 36 years. thank you very much. you join me here in westminster, as the fallout continues to the prime minister's decision to delay the commons vote on her brexit deal. it was supposed to be today! i'm joined now by the labour mp luciana berger, who is supporting the people's vote campaign. there was a new news conference this morning, buoyed by defence in the last 24 hours full stop —— avoid by the events of the last 24 hours. last 24 hours full stop —— avoid by the events of the last 24 hoursm seems that there was an impasse in parliament that the prime minister will not be able to overcome. it is given the contributions of all sides, notjust the opposition, that there is a great discontent, not

just in parliament, from right across the country. i have received hundreds of e—mails from my constituents over recent weeks saying how disappointed and frustrated they are with what is going on. there is anger out there, and particularly, because we are engaged in an anger at parliamentary procedure, people are saying that we need to move on, i today? in order to move on, we need to ask the country when we have the details from the prime minister of what her deal actually entails, what the proposed brexit offer actually is. if this is what the country once. we know that the government's own economic assessments that this will make our country more poor. 52% of the country voted for brexit, but seeing what brexit will actually be, is this not what they want? i have had a massive increase from my constituents wanting to have their say, it is care that parliament alone will be unable to resolve this, and that is my done at why we now need to get on that. only questions would be on the ballot and

what would they be? there have been a number of what the final say in a people's vote might look like. i believe that we should be offering the country the prime minister's deal, when we finally have the details of it. although, we don't expect it to change much, because as we heard from ministers and officials in europe today, there won't be much movement. therefore, that should be good the country, along with all the economic assessments of what the ramifications will be, making our country poorer, conversing with people done at what people think of the best option perhaps, to remain in europe as today. on the atmosphere here, have you ever known the anger, notjust atmosphere here, have you ever known the anger, not just from atmosphere here, have you ever known the anger, notjust from people here, but from inside your plays of work as well? have never seen anything like it, i've been in iraq and people last eight years, i sat in the timber yesterday, we had statement after statement from the prime minister, the leader of the house of commons, the brexit secretary, followed by a raft of point of orders, the application for

an emergency debate which is under way as we seek, this is notjust from the opposition side, but also from the opposition side, but also from members on the government benches, . .. you from members on the government benches,... you are having to be beating today as well? indeed, i have been prevented from sharing with the prime minister our very serious concerns with her deal that is currently being proposed. we have been prevented from speaking out in parliament, because the boat has been called and the debate has been stopped. we don't offer sure if we will have that future opportunity. we had a brexit minister at the dispatch box today who didn't really give us those guarantees that we need and require to confirm we will have a vote by the 21st of january, particularly in the wake of a building that has happened, we were clear that his words were empty after what we have seen over the last couple of days. i have never seen last couple of days. i have never seen anything like it. there certainly were scenes in the house of commons, and they continue as we speak. thank you forjoining us. let's talk to hans—olaf henkel, a german mep and member

of european conservatives and reformists group. do you think to reason they is wasting her time today travelling around trying to persuade leaders to change given it? that depends on how the is responding to her visit. quite frankly, it is also time for the european union to send out some signals towards britain. at least two things they could do — they could say that based on the judgment of the european court ofjustice, which said that the british could themselves decide to back off from brexit, they could say, look, we won't offer you —— we will offer you an extension if you needed beyond march 2019. the other thing, it is

time that the european union recognises its own response of the latini for brexit, because they had something to do with that. —— responsibility for brexit. but joined every pop—up, but brussels wa nted joined every pop—up, but brussels wanted to play golf. britain wanted a severity and brussels was more for centralisation. britain wanted responsibility for country debts and of course, brussels people wanted more socialisation. the british were a lwa ys more socialisation. the british were always advocates for competitiveness, and these people here were more for harmonisation. my point is, it is time for the eu to offer britain a deal which enables britain to perhaps reverse the decision and finally get what it a lwa ys decision and finally get what it always wa nted— more decision and finally get what it always wanted— more autonomy, for instance, over immigration. do you sense that the battle has been lost, or whilst you expect a view that many wouldn't attribute to somebody the channel if you sense that the

argument has been lost and theresa may is now inevitably heading to a no deal? not necessarily. i think it depends on the way the europeans react. if they send to the british a signal saying that in many aspects, the british were right when they voted for brexit and that the european union establishes that they would also learn their lesson, for instance, at the time of the referendum, it was only britain which wanted more autonomy over its immigration. today, many more countries in europe want it. so, a new dealfor britain countries in europe want it. so, a new deal for britain would also be a new deal for britain would also be a new deal for britain would also be a new dealfrom new deal for britain would also be a new deal from any other european countries. so, should there be another referendum ? countries. so, should there be another referendum? and i think the previous person with whom you discussed was advocating for it, i could easily see that the people who

voted for brexit at that time now say, look, we didn't know it was so confiscated, and we get a new deal for britain. that is why we have changed our mind. as we speak, the german chancellor, angela merkel, who has been meeting theresa may, has said, there is no way to change the brexit deal. there isn't going to be what you are hoping for, any sign of give in this issue of give and take. i quite friendly disc agree here. i think it dawns on many more europeans that brexit is not economic league, not only a problem for britain, but also for it the european union. by the way, outside, the ukip people in this parliament, and some brexiteers in my own group, i have not met one single member of parliament who doesn't regret exit.

soi parliament who doesn't regret exit. so i think it is sort of obvious for me that there are a two trains running on the same track against each other, and it is time for responsible politicians, not only in london, but also in brussels, to stop these trains. my view is that the european commission and the european council, and angela merkel, would be well advised to say, if britain decided to stay, we would be amenable to some special deals which make it easier for the amenable to some special deals which make it easierfor the british amenable to some special deals which make it easier for the british to stay. the european union is full of special deals. take the danish, they have an opt out of the euro. germany got a special seven year graze from immigrants when poland was coming into the eu. greenland has left the european union, but is still part of the common market. so i think it is

time for the teu to address the british and say, look, people, stayed, and we are negotiating on a new dealfor you to stayed, and we are negotiating on a new deal for you to stay, rather than a new deal which theresa may has just negotiated. i am talking about a new deal would enable britain to stay in the european union, which is a totally different ball game. libby has ever really thought about that opportunity. —— nobody has ever thought. now, calling for such a new initiative. — thank you for your time. let's get the thoughts of catherine barnard, who's professor of eu law at cambridge university. thank you forjoining us. i want to pick up on what the nep had to say there. is it in the eu power to say, we will give you more time, we will ta ke we will give you more time, we will take away the deadline of the 29th of march and extent article 50?

take away the deadline of the 29th of march and extent article 50 ?m is in their power, but we have to ask for it, and then the eu has to act unanimously, so all 27 have got to agree to an extension of the period. of course, while some numbers that may be willing, others won't, particularly those who didn't really get what they wanted in the negotiations on the withdrawal agreement. crucially, the uk has to ask. just to pick up on the point of theresa may travelling around, trying to get changes to how deal — the difficulties she has is that there is no way clearly that the eu will change anything in role. what has been agreed is agreed as far as they are concerned. there are two documents that were negotiated— the big withdrawal agreement, the article 50 of women, which is the 585 page document. that seems to be pretty much locked in a stone. the eu won't open that, because of they reopen that, then the french will

ask more about fishing, the spanish wa nt ask more about fishing, the spanish want more about travolta. the second document, the political declaration, thatis document, the political declaration, that is not legally binding, and there might be some activity there to have some words in the little declaration. the trouble is, the clues in the title, it is not legal. therefore, the brexiteers might say it is not good enough. i'd like to pick up on whatjacob rees—mogg was saying, if there is a no—deal brexit on the 29th, we fall automatically into world trade rules — is that the case? what happened the day after? assuming that we leave without a deal, and there are no mini deals which seem to be increasing... likely that the eu will not give us some sort of managed bracts that —— brexit, then the wto rules apply. that means that the eu could insist on checking all of our goods coming

into the eu in the same way as they check goods coming from any other third country which the eu doesn't have a free—trade agreement with. so, it is pretty serious stuff, that is why there are concerns about queues at the border, because as a rule of thumb, for every one minute delay at dover or calais, there is a queue of about eight miles. so you can see that the five—minute delay, you are talking about a 40 mile queue. that is what is concerning. thank you forjoining us. in a moment, we'll have all your business news. first a look at the headlines on afternoon live. theresa may meets eu leaders — hoping to rescue her brexit deal with new guarantees on the northern ireland backstop. here the labour leader jeremy corbyn has accused her of running away from a vote on her brexit agreement. six migrants are rescued from a dinghy from the shipping lane in the channel and brought ashore at dover. here's your business

headlines on afternoon live: record numbers of people are in work and average earnings are at their highest level for a decade, according to new figures from the ons. people in employment increased by 79,000 in the three months to october to more than 32 million, that's the highest since records began in 1971. barclays bank has launched an app that allows customers to "turn off" spending on certain types of goods and services. it's designed to help people who have problems with gambling or drinking. it's the first high street bank to allow its customers to use a so—called "spending blocker" to help vulnerable customers, particularly problem gamblers, or those in serious debt. energy firm cuadrilla has paused fracking in lancashire again after more underground tremors were detected. the biggest of the tremors, which was felt in blackpool, was 1.5 local magnitude, and is the largest recorded since the controversial process began in october.

the uk's employment rate has continued to rise. over the last three months employment hit record levels — thanks to an increase in full—time workers according to the ons. unemployment also rose though — up by 20,000 to 1.38 million — blamed on a big rise in the number of men out of work — although the total is still lower than a year ago. let's hear more now about the employment market. let's talk to james hick, uk managing director, manpowergroup enterprise. thank you forjoining us. interestingly, you have released a survey today about hiring intentions across the country. that is an 18 month high of the moment. is that accurate and consistent across industries that cabbies want to hire? we have found that the first quarter of 2019 will continue to

show that very strong hiring intention. some sectors are much stronger than others, as you would expect, particularly in retail, funnily enough. we have had a lot of trouble on the high street, very big sector which continues to have a lot of turnover, but continued need to hirea of turnover, but continued need to hire a lot of people. and the public sector again, very strong in this quarter as we look ahead. strong demand, particularly in the nhs, staff in need. we have heard about businesses like you just touched upon there, businesses worried about brexit and the impact it will have in terms of the supply of labour. how either dealing with that? businesses are being pragmatic on the whole, and there is a number of steps that most businesses are taking. they look at how they can build skills, how they can train, how they can draw in apprenticeships, and then how they can look to use external suppliers to help them manage short—term

projects. so reaching into the big economy is another way. but also a way to lock in stuff, because pay is starting to go up, this is great news, people are feeding, and that they can move around in different jobs. it is about how you hold onto your best workers and give them a fulfilling career. in terms of brexit uncertainty, what is the feeling that you get? there are some sectors that are much more concerned about it than others. the automotive is one area that is really struggling at the moment, which is really concerned for a number of reasons, but brexit is one of them. again, icome reasons, but brexit is one of them. again, i come back to the nhs, where there is a large of workers leaving nhs and going back to other european countries. most worryingly, what we don't see is the pipeline of people applying for those newjobs. that really is determined about how successful the recruitment process will be to fulfil those lows. the

nhs isa will be to fulfil those lows. the nhs is a concern, as well as some of the other sectors. thank you for joining us. the pound is vulnerable to further pressures, traders weigh in the possibility of the uk crashing out of the european union without a deal. it started the day and they tie against dollar, but that was due to dollar weakness of the currency has done a bit better today, but strategists don't see much reason for optimism heading into the christmas holiday. i will have more markets in an our‘s time, with a guest at talking about the ftse100. we have some breaking news from bishop lee's, to my health care professionals have been arrested on poisoning patients. this is at blackpool victoria hospital. a man and a woman were arrested earlier

today on suspicion of administering poison with the intent to injure and ill—treatment or bill full neglect. they are in custody and we are hearing that a third health care professionals arrested back in november on suspicion of the same offence, they have been bailed until next year. that is true mcmorrow health care professionals arrested and in custody. we will bring you more on that as we get it. plenty more on that as we get it. plenty more from westminster, but now let's have a look at the weather. it has been quite a contrast, and milder conditions in the west. we have got a southerly winds now, the clu b have got a southerly winds now, the club that we do have is fairly thin, and it hasn't produced that much rain, just some drizzly rain. something more substantial this evening in the south—west and northern ireland, but it will fizzle out as it goes further east

overnight. in fact, we keep something the cloud in the east, where we will see some frost come wednesday morning. a little bit of fog again. in the east, we will see the thinnest cloud, through the day, we might see some sunshine, further west, pushing the weather front away. there will be some drizzle around, some wintriness over the hills of scotland, and it will be warm in the east, but it is rumoured to be mild further west. the cold airwillwind on to be mild further west. the cold air will wind on thursday, rushing back westward, but then a big change on friday night and into the weekend. hello, you're watching afternoon live. i'm simon mccoy. from westminster. today at 4: theresa may meets european leaders, hoping for changes to rescue her brexit deal, but the eu insists there'll be no renegotiation. the deal we have achieved is the best deal possible, it's the only deal possible. and so we cannot... applause. there is no room whatsoever for renegotiation. here, the labour leader,

jeremy corbyn, has accused her of running away from a vote on her brexit agreement. mr speaker, if the prime minister comes back with nothing more than warm words, then she must immediately put her deal to the house. hear, hear! no more delays, no more tricks, let parliament take control. russell bishop has been sentenced to a mimimum of 36 years in prison for murdering two schoolgirls in sussex in 1986. six migrants are rescued from a dinghy from the shipping lane in the channel and brought ashore at dover. coming up on afternoon live, all the sport with olly foster. hello. the manchester city manager, pep guardiola, has praised raheem sterling for his response to the alleged racist abuse he faced over the weekend. we will also look at the big champions league matches tonight. coming up later in afternoon live. thanks, olly. and helen willets has all the weather.

what is in store? hello, simon. murky for the what is in store? hello, simon. murky forthe drive home this evening but fairly benign weather. but all to play for later this week as the cold air needs the mild atlantic air and we may have some snow. we will talk to you later about that, thank you very much. also this hour... thinning ice in antarctica — nasa says it's worse than we thought, prompting fears of sea levels rising significantly around the world. hello, everyone. this is afternoon live. i'm simon mccoy. the irish prime minister leo varadkar has been talking as has the german chancellor angela merkel, about theresa may who has been

having talks about europe. this is her arriving at the european council headquarters building. no, yes, we have got those. these are the pictures as she arrived a short time ago. she has already had talks with angela merkel and also, with the leader of holland. this is her arriving at the european council meeting, did anybody speak to her? no, no questions being asked of her. so, this is part of her whistle—stop tour through europe. and we will be getting more from their little later on. let's bring ourselves up to date

with what her mission has or has not achieved so far today. this is from our correspondent. it's something the eu may never have seen — a british prime minister in trouble at home seeking help in her hour of need. first stop, the netherlands. can she come back with anything that will appease the seething discontent back home? at this late stage, a charm offensive may not be enough to secure real changes to the deal on offer. all the dutch prime minister would say is that their breakfast had been useful. from there, it was onto her next stop. at every turn, the prime minister appears stuck. political gridlock at home, and here in berlin, even her car door refused to open. her fundamental problem, though, she has agreed the deal must have a backstop to avoid border controls ever returning in the island of ireland, and parliament doesn't like it.

so the uk'sjunior brexit minister was in brussels with her new demands. good morning. she wants additional legal reassurances that the uk cannot be permanently trapped in the irish backstop. that's been the issue all along. and that's the issue that is at the heart of concerns expressed by many members of parliament. eu countries say that mrs may agreed a year ago to the idea of special terms for northern ireland. after months of haggling and drafting, the negotiations are over. translation: we have put so much time and effort into something that we in berlin and brussels don't want. nobody wants the uk to leave. now there will be further talks, but i can't imagine where we can substantially change anything. we can't reopen what have been tough negotiations, hard for the eu 27 and the uk. instead, the eu says it can give reassurance, perhaps a document saying ideally, hopefully, the backstop will never be used.

there is no room whatsoever for renegotiation but, of course, there is room, if used intelligently, there is room enough to give further clarifications and further interpretations without opening the withdrawal agreement. meeting mrjuncker will be the last item on the prime minister's whistle—stop tour today. they are preparing for a summit of eu leaders here in brussels this week, they will try to help mrs may in her predicament, but won't ride to her rescue. damian grammaticas, bbc news, brussels. well, with me now — labour mp jenny chapman, who is the shadow secretary for exiting the european union, theresa may has announced she will be travelling to ireland tomorrow to meet the taoiseach. she is throwing everything at this. she is, i don't know how successful she is going to

be. the reason is she has imposed upon herself red lines which she didn't need to do. she did that in an attempt to keep her own party together. it has failed. if the red lines can't even succeed in their principal purpose, which is about the tory party, it is time to ditch them, it is time for her to do the deal which could be done about having a permanent customs union. lot of talk here that why has your party, your leader, not put in a vote of no—confidence? you have been pushing and pushing for a general election, that is the mantra, and you don't seem to be doing anything about it. well, it is coming. it is not going to be immediate but it is imminent. we are mindful of the fact the nation does not want us to snap into votes of no confidence and they wa nt into votes of no confidence and they want us to consider this carefully. timing is everything with this. do you think you're going to lose, is that the position really? we don't wa nt to that the position really? we don't want to lose this, we are doing this not just for show want to lose this, we are doing this notjust for show or to

want to lose this, we are doing this not just for show or to make ourselves feel good about ourselves, but genuinely and demonstrably, this government does not have the ability to pass votes in parliament. and by our constitution, that is the very definition of what a government is. soiam definition of what a government is. so i am afraid this is a government in name only. would a labour government, if it did get in, be able to renegotiate this deal? things that were possible in the summer, because the prime minister is running down the clock and becoming increasingly more difficult, so the answer to that question is, it depends if and when that would occur. theresa may is deliberately using time in order to threaten colleagues into backing a deal which is not the right decision for this country. we don't think thatis for this country. we don't think that is the right way for her to proceed and we will use the avenues available to. we are in opposition, as you say, in order to try and get as you say, in order to try and get a better proposition put forward before parliament. you are accusing the prime minister of blackmail. i

am. ata the prime minister of blackmail. i am. at a time when the country is very, very concerned, putting it mildly, about what is going on. well, they are right to be concerned. she would argue she's not playing games, this is the country's future and she's doing her best. everyone can be admiring of the prime minister or has stoicism and soldiering on. but when does that stoicism become intransigence and a failure to listen? we have said consistently what we need from this deal to support it. she has chosen not to listen because she believes she can make a majority in a different way. that now appears to be the wrong judgment by her and she needs to take a different route and then she has a chance of getting a majority for something through this parliament. everybody has said there is no majority for anything but, actually, there are options that have not been tested in the house of commons because the prime minister has chosen not to allow it. thank you very much. today, the irish prime minister,

leo varadkar, said the uk has the power to avoid a hard border by revoking article 50 or pausing negotiations with the eu. we've a different approach. our approach is that we have a deal on the table, a deal that has the support of 28 governments, negotiated over a 15 month—period, and our aim is to get that ratified by the house of commons, and that is what we will be working on over the next few weeks. giving the uk assurances that it may need, but never compromising on the basic fundamental substance and written letter of the backstop. that is what we'll do over the next few weeks. if that doesn't work, it remains in the hands of the united kingdom to decide that we don't end up in a no deal scenario. the option is there to evoke article 50, the option is there to extend article 50. and where there may not be

a majority for anything or deal in the house of commons, i do believe that is a majority in the eu uk shouldn't be plunged into a no—deal scenario. it is in their hands to take the threat of no deal off the table either by revoking article 50 or if that is a step too far, extending it. let's speak to our europe correspondent, damien grammaticas, who is in brussels. we heard from the european court this week the uk can unilaterally decide, if it wants, at any point until brexit actually happens, to withdraw from the process. so if you are talking about the uk withdrawing its brexit notification and revoking brexit and putting it on hold, that isa brexit and putting it on hold, that is a unilateral decision for the uk.

if it is a question of an extension to the negotiations, that would have to the negotiations, that would have to be agreed by all the eu 27 countries, the 27 other countries, and that would be a request the uk would have to make. the thinking is that would have to be for some a specific reason. the 27 would say, what is the reason, what is the process we then follow? and consider that argument. we have heard from jean—claude juncker and angela merkel of saying, there is nothing we can offer. yes, saying, no read negotiation of that core brexit withdrawal treaty. —— renegotiation. the reason they are saying that, the eu has signalled all along. at the co re eu has signalled all along. at the core of this, both sides, the uk and the eu 27, agreed more than a year ago that the irish border question was absolutely central and they both agreed that would be preserved as an open border. then they negotiate about how to achieve that, they did

that for more than a year. the eu 27 feel they have given real concessions because theresa may as for customs union arrangement, the eu was not happy with it but conceded on the basis that this has to be an enduring solution if it comes to pass. and that question, the enduring nature of that, is at the enduring nature of that, is at the heart of the problem in parliament and the 27 countries have made clear they will not go back down on that and abandon the irish. so no concessions clearly, angela merkel said no renegotiation and she has repeated that to her parliamentary group after meeting mrs may today. they can offer letters of reassurance on the side that they hoped never to have to invoke that. with the backstop. but that may not be enough for mrs may. of course, tonight, as far as the beginning of the week was concerned, this was the moment there was supposed to be a vote on theresa may's deal, the eu deal, that is not

happening. iam may's deal, the eu deal, that is not happening. i am wondering what the mood is in brussels now she has to travel there, she's going to islands tomorrow, what are they saying about the position theresa may is in today? —— she is going to islands tomorrow. the ministers from the 27 other countries plus the uk were meeting for regular meetings in brussels. what you can say is what we heard is a mixture of consternation, frustration. so real worry, real concern about the fact that vote has been put off. after all this negotiation, they thought they had secured an agreement and that was now being put to parliament. very worried where this may be going. frustration because they do feel they have given as much space in the negotiation and time as they could and they don't want to now beginning more concessions. remember, what is interesting here as well is the way the eu negotiates, as a block, with the uk,

sitting around a table in the commission, what it has not done in this process at any point if you cast your mind back is for theresa may to negotiate individually with leaders in capitals or sitting here in brussels at summits. that has not been the process. what is happening todayis been the process. what is happening today is not going to be theresa may negotiating anything, she cannot peel for political help and the leaders could give direction for the negotiations, but the message they are sending from having met her is that they don't seem willing to be able to give what she may be asking for in terms of changes to the legal agreement. so i think very concerned on the eu side about how this could now progress further because the issues they see are in the uk parliament. they negotiate with the uk government and it is for the uk government to deal with the uk parliament would be the view of many eu countries. thank you very much, reporting from brussels. with me is our chief political correspondent, vicki young. we can hear the anger expressed on

the street outside very much reflected inside the commons after yesterday's decision. there is a lot of anger about. yes, this is the moment we thought we would build up to this incredibly important vote at seven o'clock this evening. that is probably why so many of them were here because they were planning that two until yesterday, but the prime minister forced to abandon her key policy because as she herself admitted, it was going to be defeated, and defeated so heavily, but she and her advisers but she could not be guaranteed she would stay in herjob. in the house of commons today, the labour leader jeremy corbyn giving the emergency debate, three hours of debate about the decision to pull the vote, this is what he had to say. mr speaker, if the prime minister comes back with nothing more than warm words, then she must immediately put her deal to the house. no more delays, no more tricks, let parliament take control.

the government saying the prime minister listening to what people had to say about the backstop, people worried about the uk not being able to get out. they would say she is responding to that, going around europe are trying to get something. but what can she get to change people's minds? there is talk of something that could be legally binding but not in the withdrawal agreement, something that would have to be considered alongside it without opening all that up. this is what david lidington had to say about what she is up to. i think anybody who has served the prime minister in action both in her current office and the other offices she has held over the years, will be in no doubt about her commitment to parliamentary accountability whatever the cost

to her in terms of the time... you say she should be spending it in answering questions from colleagues in every party. in every corner of this house. no mp can see way through this. they all have what they think should be the a nswer to have what they think should be the answer to it. but we had an intriguing suggestion today from nicky morgan, former conservative to education secretary, very much on the remain side backing theresa may's deal. maybe we need to get together a special select committee of senior members of parliament to hammer out what we mean, maybe it is the time for some kind of government of national unity, free vote in an eventual vote on the deal, avoid the usual party political constraints. what i do know is that with 108 days to go until this country leaves the european union, if the government cannot sort this out on this matter of great national importance, then

parliament must step in, must stop posturing and actually get down to work to hammer out a deal. thank you. we don't know how many tory mps writing letters. yes, you clearly feel more writing letters. as we know, this is very ha rd to letters. as we know, this is very hard to predict because nobody knows for sure, it is a secret process and only one person knows, said graham brady, chair of the 1922 committee. mps have to submit letters to him. i am told by a source from the european research group, the brexiteer wing of the tory party, he thinks there will be enough letters, 48, by tomorrow, to trigger a leadership, a vote of confidence, he says by tomorrow. it triggers a vote of confidence in theresa may, that is not the same as a vote of confidence in the government. it would be a secret ballot held by the conservative mps and if she were to lose that, a leadership contest is triggered and she cannot stand on that. we have been here before. no

one knows for sure, but it does feel there are people who previously have been holding back who now think this is the time to change the person and not just the is the time to change the person and notjust the policy. thank you very much. so, what are theresa may's options now? and what could her opponents in parliament do to try to control events? here's our reality check correspondent, chris morris. well, there was supposed to be a vote in parliament today but now, as we all know, there isn't one. and this is where we've got to. theresa may is talking to individual eu leaders to find out how or if they might be able to help. later this week, on thursday and friday, there's an already scheduled summit of all eu leaders, and brexit is back on the agenda. so the big question, will the eu agree to tweak the deal in a way that will help the prime minister get it through the house of commons? changing the legally binding withdrawal agreement itself looks extremely unlikely, but maybe additional promises could be made,

a formal declaration or statement saying that no—one intends that the irish backstop should ever come into effect. tweaks to the non—binding political declaration on future relations are also a possibility. will it be enough? well, if there was a delayed vote in parliament — either before or probably after christmas — we'd find out. and if the deal was approved, which still looks like a big ask, then the withdrawal agreement would have to be turned into uk law and ratified by the european parliament as well. but it means we'd likely be heading here, leaving the eu with a deal in march next year and entering a transition period. but if the deal was rejected or no vote took place, well, the default position is down there, leaving the eu with no deal at all. the warnings about what that could mean are becoming grimmer by the day. a lot of people will try very hard to avoid it. which leaves us with a host of potential options here, which could be filling

all three screens within a few days. could mps suggest an alternative future deal, which enjoys a majority in the house of commons? should we expect a new prime minister, or a new general election, or another referendum, sending the deadlock in politics back to the people? could that lead to no brexit at all? all of these options are full of complications and would take time. and, in truth, no—one knows what's going to happen next, because brexit has made all the old certainties disappear. chris morris reporting. other news on afternoon live. a man is being held by police after apparently trying to break into the grounds of parliament. an eyewitness told the bbc that the manjumped over railings, before being tasered by police. he was held within the parliamentary courtyard, but has now been taken away by police van. the met says the man has been arrested on suspicion of trespassing at a protected site.

a convicted paedophile has been sentenced to life in prison — with a minimum of 36 years — after being found guilty of murdering two nine—year—old girls in brighton 32 years ago. russell bishop was tried and acquitted of killing them in 1987. after a second trial held at the old bailey, a jury found him guilty. our correspondent daniela relph has more. (tx sor) he was not hearing court, he chose not to attend to hear his own sentence. detective jeff not to attend to hear his own sentence. detectivejeff bailey not to attend to hear his own sentence. detective jeff bailey from sussex police has led this investigation. a minimum term of 36 yea rs, are investigation. a minimum term of 36 years, are you satisfied? we knew bishop could not get a life of imprisonment because of his age when he committed the offences but the judge has given him clear he has given him the maximum sentence of 36 yea rs. given him the maximum sentence of 36 years. what you read into the fact that russia bishop was not here? the judge wanted him to be here, he did not show. russell bishop is clearly

a coward and he could not face the family hearing court. what about the family's reaction, it must have been a dreadful experience, no one can imagine what it must have been like? they have been wasting, they have waited 32 years forjustice, they have done it with calmness and dignity and had been truly amazing —— they have been amazing. dignity and had been truly amazing -- they have been amazing. what about sussex police? it has hung over you for 32 years, on a very personal level, or what have you been thinking sitting through this trial and seeing that guilty verdict yesterday and the sentence today?‘ sense of relief when the jury came out and said guilty. we have never forgotten about this case and given up forgotten about this case and given up on it, we have conducted various reviews over the years. in 2012, we did a really strong forensic search which started this off again, it has been a real privilege for me to lead this investigation. what kind of person is russell bishop, have you any sense of any remorse from him? bishop has shown no remorse

throughout the whole time we have dealt with him and the fact he has beenin dealt with him and the fact he has been in custody 28 years when he was sentenced to 14 years shows you what a dangerous individual bishop is. my view is bishop deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. there was an added element where the defence and bishop himself accused barry fellows, nicola's father, involved with her murder and abuse. that made it more highly charged. bishop is a coward and the fact they chose to attack barry in that way, he has lived with this for 32 years and you saw when he gave his evidence, he was a broken man as a result of this. the judge at the end did praise the family is very directly and talked about the dignity and the way they had had to cope with things during some terrible accusations being made at them as well. yes, the family had been amazing throughout the time i have dealt with them, they have been patient and dignified. i think that is shown by their behaviour at trial in the last two months. the latest

from the old bailey. wages are rising at their fastest pace for nearly a decade. official figures show average weekly earnings, excluding bonuses, climbed 3.3% in the three months to october. the number of people in work also rose to a record high, as our economics correspondent, andy verity, reports. this branch of an american engineering company in telford makes precision parts for manufacturers of everything from prosthetic limbs to aircraft. it employs 400 people, and it's got 40 vacancies it's struggling to fill. if it's going to expand as quickly as it wants to, it can't skimp on wages. particularly in those areas where we need to have high—skilled people, people who are really skilled in the art and who are mastering the class, there, you basically pay the upper level of the market rate. for the ones less skilled, you basically get across with market wages. however, the wages have been increasing over the last couple of years, ahead of inflation. with record numbers of people in work, a shortage of staff, both skilled and unskilled,

is one reason pay is now rising 1% faster than prices. i think we've got another really good set of figures in terms ofjobs, we've got more people in employment now than ever before, the employment rate is at a record high, the rate of women in employment is at a near—record high, and youth unemployment has almost halved since 2010. what's also really pleasing is, for the ninth month in a row, we are seeing wages outpace inflation. the average pay rise works out at £16 a week, taking the average pay packet to £495 a week. now, if your glass is half full ahead of christmas, you'll say, that's the best pay packet we've had since 2011. if your glass is half empty, though, you'll say, we're no better off than we were in 2011. expanding companies who can no longer count on taking on new people to meet the orders coming in are being forced to find other ways to produce more — otherwise, their growth will be held back. what companies will need to do

is invest more in capital, in machinery. and with the current uncertainty, they are more reluctant to do that. and they'll also need to train staff a little bit better, so that they become more productive. with benefits frozen, but pay rising against inflation, the incentives to earn more are strong. vacancies are now increasingly filled by people, from stay—at—home mums or dads, to pensioners, who haven't previously been looking for work. andy verity, bbc news. time for a look at the weather. quite a lot to talk about, helen willetts has the details. the weather was benign today but it is throwing up fog or sunshine and heavy cloud. this is a faulty picture taken a while ago in lincolnshire. back towards the north coast of north wales where i come from, beautiful looking out over

co nwy from, beautiful looking out over conwy but we have a bit of cloud. cloud is melting away in some areas. quite a bit of sunshine across england and the north of scotland in particular. but the cloud will thicken as we go through this evening and overnight with the approach of this weather front, bringing heavy bursts of rain into northern ireland, western fringes of england and wales. keeping temperatures up. further east, it is chilly, especially east anglia and south east england. high pressure is keeping weather fronts at bay and keeping weather fronts at bay and keeping them across the western shores of the uk and keeping the bigger low—pressure systems at bay just for the time being. wednesday looks like quite a cloudy day for northern ireland, south—west england and wales, with the weather front close by giving some bits and pieces of rain and drizzle, more than we have seen today. further east, more sunshine and it could be for the first thing. when the sun should shine. a little brightness and dry and sunny where that in the north of scotla nd and sunny where that in the north of scotland and northern isles, but

weather fronts bringing scotland and northern isles, but weatherfronts bringing patchy rain at at times. however, is the day progresses, especially late in the day, we pick up a south—easterly breeze. that has two facts, it chills the air more and it pushes the weather systems back westwards again so cold night tomorrow night and colder start on thursday for many, even in those western areas where it is relatively mild at the moment. temperatures will be down tomorrow, thursday, compared with tomorrow, thursday, compared with tomorrow when we expect nine and ten, at six and seven, because of the chilly easterly breeze. it will bring drierairand the chilly easterly breeze. it will bring drier air and more sunshine on thursday. after cloudy weather tomorrow, it is brighter with sunshine on thursday, but feeling cold. the cold air is winning through this week and we have lots to talk about simon mentioned, because the atlantic air is trying to push on. the first weather front and second weather front we can and slip away, but by friday night, the next area of low pressure could have

more momentum to push the colder further east. as it comes across that cold air, the potential is there for some no, especially in the north, but not necessarilyjust over the hills. even in the south, there could be a smattering of snow temporarily, we will keep you posted. this is bbc news — our latest headlines. theresa may is in brussels for talks with european leaders, as she fights to save her brexit deal — but the eu insists there'll be no renegotiation. the deal we have achieved is the best deal possible, it's the only deal possible. and so we cannot...

applause there is no room whatsoever for renegotiation. mrs may is also set to travel to dublin tomorrow, for talks with the irish taioseach leo varadkar. here in westminster, the labour leaderjeremy corbyn accuses her of running away from a vote on her brexit agreement. russell bishop has been sentenced to a mimimum of 36 years in prison for murdering two schoolgirls in sussex in 1986. six migrants are rescued from a dinghy from the shipping lane in the channel and brought ashore at dover. sport now on afternoon live with olly foster. thanks simon, good afternoon. the manchester city manager pep guardiola has spoken publicly for the first time about the alleged racist abuse that raheem sterling faced at stamford bridge. he spoke at a scheduled news

conference, but the first time he has spoken about that allegedly racist abuse that is player faced. chelsea have suspended four supporters from attending matches while investigations continue. guardiola praised sterling for his post on social media which pointed a finger towards the press and their coverage of young black players, which he said was unfair and potentially fuelling racism and aggressive behaviour he is an incredible human being. so... it is tough to understand today, you know, what happened years ago about the position, or the whole history of black people. so we have to protect how equal we are altogether. it is tough to understand in the 21st century, to still be in that position

and the problems to accept diversity as a power position and to help us be better. we have to fight, but strictly for the human rights for everything to make a better society for the future for everyone. we have heard a lot from football's anti—discrimination organisation kick it out has been prominent in the last few days around the sterling incident. it has been announced this afternoon that its chairman lord herman ouseley is to stand down after 25 years in the role. the 73—year—old founded kick it out in 1993. he was going to stand down anyway, it would have been announced in the next couple of weeks, it has nothing to do with recent events within football. it's the final round of group matches in the champions league this week. liverpool have to beat napoli tonight to qualify for the knockout stage. they have to win1—0 or by two clear goals to be sure although if paris st—germain fail

to beat red star belgrade in the other group game then any liverpool win will do. napoli though, head to anfield only needing a point to reach the last 16. it could be a tense night we have to create a special atmosphere with the way we play, and we have to use the atmosphere, as well. how i said before — i'm really looking forward to it. it's a big opportunity for us, and we'll try everything to put it right. tottenham look to have a much tougher task. they take on barcelona at the nou camp tonight. if spurs win, then they are through because theyjust have to match or better what inter milan do against psv eindhoven. what might make spurs' night easier is that barca are expected to rest players, including maybe lionel messi, because they are already sure of qualifying as group winners. the most important

when playing barcelona — you know very well that the quality that they have in the squad is amazing, is massive. of course, different names make different — or have different quality to add to the team. but i think they are going to be strong, they are going to try to win. rugby‘s world player of the yearjonny sexton has committed himself to leinster and ireland for another three years. the 33—year—old fly—half has signed a contract extension with the irish football union until 2021. he had a two year spell with racing metro in paris and was linked with a lucrative return to france, but the grand slam winner and european cup champion with leinster looks like he will end his career in ireland now. that's all the sport for now. more with sarah mulkerrins in the next hour. solo thank you corey. —— thank you

lee. let's return to our top story — brexit. theresa may is meeting european leaders and officials on for talks aimed at rescuing her brexit deal. one of the sticking points has been the irish border. we can now talk to lucinda creighton, former irish minister for european affairs. good afternoon it to you. hello. one thing that he has said already is that article 50 should be revoked, or if not revoked, it should be extended. he would want that, wouldn't he? i think it is fair to say that nobody wants the worst possible outcome, which is the one thatis possible outcome, which is the one that is looking increasingly likely, which is the uk crashing out of the european union with no deal on the 29th of march. so he has an interest

in trying to ensure that the trading relationship with the uk has a smooth transition as possible, including the absolutely rigidly important transition arrangement which has been negotiated as part of the withdrawal agreement, and which will not exist if we do not have a withdrawal boom and ratified by westminster and the european parliament. with so little time left, is there an argument to say and theresa may prisoner b is arguing this that some on the backstop, anything that she come backstop, anything that she come back to westminster and change a few mind, that is worth avoiding that falling out, crashing up, as you describe it, than a no—deal brexit. the problem with that is that the backstop is sort of a... it's not something that can be watered down,

it is the only mechanism that the uk negotiators and the eu negotiators have been able to agree upon, as ensuring that there will not be any border infrastructure on the island of ireland. it is the only way to guarantee that. and it can't be watered down — illegally, technically or politically. that is the problem, and i think this is what theresa may at government, we accept that many of them signed off on this deal reluctantly several weeks ago, because after 18 months of negotiation, they accepted it was the only way to achieve an outcome. if they decide that border infrastructure is something they can live with, then the backstop is up negotiation, but the use i'd have made it abundantly clear, the irish side has made it abundantly clear, and the uk government as far back as last december and made it clear that they don't want any border

infrastructure in the island of ireland, and the backstop is the only way to do that. i am just wondering, if there is a no—deal brexit, obviously, that is not what is wanted where you are, but what will happen to the board of the day after? who will put a border at?” think it will be chaotic, the reality is that both the uk and the irish and eu will have two wrexham is on of border infrastructure. firstly, the eu has to protect the integrity of this and market and customs union, secondly, if the uk wa nts to customs union, secondly, if the uk wants to strike bilateral fragrances of third countries, the third countries will expect there to be integrity within the uk single market. so it will work on both sides, it will be necessary on both sides. if you are to apply different tariff sides. if you are to apply different ta riff levels sides. if you are to apply different tariff levels for example, and different standards on goods and services, on either side of the border, which in reality, is what

would be happening if the uk leave the european union and enters the wto trading system in its own right. obviously, that would be cataclysmic in terms of the impact it would have politically between the north and south, between the two communities in northern ireland, but it'll also have major economic consequences, and the impact assessments have demonstrated that is beyond any doubt. i certainly don't want to see that as the outcome, i think it does make sense to try to extend article 50, negotiate the negotiating period as far as is possible, but realistically, it is properly the only possible option around the european elections, is the 20th of may might be the cut—off point, that might allow for some breathing space. the uk have to demonstrate now to the eu, having entered into this agreement, it was signed off by

the british cabinet and signed off and agreed at the last eu summit, if there is a request to extend the negotiating period and article 50, there has to be some bad, its current survey be shuffling around european capitals trying to make a deal, it is not going to happen, it is not realistic. so, there has to be some solution put on the table by a theresa may and her cabinet and at the moment, there is nothing on the table. thank you forjoining us. i've beenjoined by alastair campbell; formerly tony blair's head of communications and now one of the most vocal supporters of the people's vote campaign. not as vocal as the slot! nobody is at the moment! listening to the view from dublin there, describing a new deal as cataclysmic, but are we

closer to that than a people's vote? we shouldn't be, and one of the consequences of what theresa may did yesterday, there was an opportunity yesterday, there was an opportunity yesterday, there was an opportunity yesterday, the private matter been able to take no deal off the agenda, because that is what dominic grieve pushed for. i think what she did yesterday was a responsible and dangerous. this debate... listen to that, there are two sides, people wa nt that, there are two sides, people want a hard brexit and people what a peoples vote with the option to remain. that is where the debate is. she has it as my deal or no deal. that is so irresponsible. what we have seen in the last 24 hours, the country is degenerating into something of a joke around the world. these poor european leaders who have done the hard work and negotiations, and now, she is coming back to say she wants to do it again. bearing in mind, why this deal was negotiated, it was a commendation of the good friday agreement and the desire to make sure there was no return to a hard border. allied to the red lines which she put down. that is why they

have the deal that they have. so the succession of strategic missteps, this is just the latest one. succession of strategic missteps, this isjust the latest one. you are pushing for another vote, what is the question? what are the options? the question would have to be set by this place and then the electoral commission. it is not for me to say... i know what the options are, ican say... i know what the options are, i can tell you what i think it should be, ithink i can tell you what i think it should be, i think it should be remain up against, if you like, a deliverable form of brexit that the public can see in detail, this is what brexit will be. that is what theresa may thought her deal would be, but it will be rejected by parliament, which is why she has pulled the vote. i think if it is a binary choice, it has to be remain against a deliverable form of brexit that the brexiteers have to agree between themselves. if she can survive at the hands of her own party, that is now increasingly in doubt, the talk of 48 letters getting close, if she can't, can she come to parliament and say, i have

pushed as far as i can, every body hasn't seen, i have been to europe and got the odd concession, but with time running out, this really is our only opportunity to get this through. she would be right in saying that, wouldn't she? no, i understand, she has done the hard work, she thinks she is reasonable in saying this is the right way forward. but it is a very bad deal. but the clock is ticking, isn't it? marriot worry is that she is deliberately making the clock tick as fast as you can. she has taken the ball into the corner flag and hopes that she can get to the end of the game without any body taking the ball offer. but it is more serious than that, unless you can change the fundamental of the backstop, which is you just heard will not happen, then these tory mps who are all going to vote against the deal, they will not be brought back. so what she has done the whole way through is, in trying to be a bit of this

and that, she has now come back in with something that has ended up dissatisfying both sides. she has got to understand that, how deal is dead. what about her authority? i think we saw yesterday that there was a waning of that authority, she is not being straight with people across this whole process was not up until yesterday, michael gove, literally minutes before they were announcing that the vote was off, was saying that the vote was on. so now she was saying, they will then we have the vote sometime between now and the 21st of january. she is losing authority and quit ability. i think she has to accept that at some stage, this will have to go back to the people, because this deal is not going to fly and she must know that by now. —— and credibility. going to fly and she must know that by now. -- and credibility. so politics has failed? it has failed. the people, all around the world, are looking at this unpicking it is chaos. so i think she has to

understand, politicians have got to understand, politicians have got to understand, that now is the time to tell the public the truth, there is no such thing as an easy brexit, there is no—deal breaxit that won't damage the country there is no—deal breaxit that will make us weaker and poorer. be honest that, then at least people can say we still want to do it. the last time, there were all told it would be easy, more money for health services, and all the other lies that were told. i think they have to start being honest with the public, this is a disaster in the making. you have a sense of chaos and is in decline. is embarrassingly to be british at the moment. on that note, great to talk to you, thank you very much. if you we re to you, thank you very much. if you were watching, you will know that this morning, there was an incident just inside the gates of the houses

of parliament. we havejust just inside the gates of the houses of parliament. we have just got an update, a man was arrested inside the grounds of the palace of westminster 's morning —— this morning. this happened just before midday and he tried to gain entry of the grounds of the palace of westminster via the carriage gates, and ran towards officers. he was told to comply with officers' requested to stop, felt lose out, and police say a taser was deployed. —— failed to do so. he was arrested in suspicion as trespassing and was taken into in suspicion as trespassing and was ta ken into custody. in suspicion as trespassing and was taken into custody. he remained there. you will have a mental health assessment and the investigation is being led by the parliament through the dramatic protection team at scotla nd the dramatic protection team at scotland yard. that is an update on those events just before midday here in the grounds of the palace of westminster. coastguards have picked up six more migrants trying to cross the channel from france on a small boat. the overloaded dinghy was spotted in the early hours by a bbc film crew on board a fishing boat.

since the beginning of november, at least 118 migrants have attempted to get to britain in a similar way. colin campbell watched the rescue. we spotted the inflatable dinghy at around 2am, halfway across the english channel. motoring from france to the kent coast. the rnli are on their way, but at the moment the boat is heading in the wrong direction, heading towards folkestone, when it should be trying to make the shortest route towards dover. the water at the moment appears to be going into the back of the dinghy, but they are continuing, not stopping. it is a desperate race to try to get to the uk for these people. the rnli and the border force are here to rescue the migrants in their dinghy. we have pursued them for about an hour and we are just two miles from dover, where they are being safely rescued. in the last three months, more than 100 migrants have made the treacherous crossing.

we will have much more on that story after 5pm, and of course, the ongoing problems for theresa may and the government here at westminster as well. vishala is here — in a moment she will be telling us what's hot and what's not in the business news. first a look at the headlines on afternoon live. theresa may is in brussels for talks with eu leaders, as she fights to save her brexit deal. here the labour leaderjeremy corbyn has accused her of running away from a vote on her brexit agreement. six migrants are rescued from a dinghy from the shipping lane in the channel and brought ashore at dover. here's your business headlines on afternoon live. record numbers of people are in work and average earnings are at their highest level for a decade, according to new figures from the ons. people in employment increased by 79,000 in the three months to october to more than 32 million,

that's the highest since records began in 1971. barclays bank has launched an app that allows customers to "turn off" spending on certain types of goods and services. it's designed to help people who have problems with gambling or drinking. it's the first high street bank to allow its customers to use a so—called "spending blocker" to help vulnerable customers, particularly problem gamblers, or those in serious debt. energy firm cuadrilla has paused fracking in lancashire again after more underground tremors were detected. the biggest of the tremors, which was felt in blackpool, was 1.5 local magnitude, and is the largest recorded since the controversial process began in october. in europe, markets have been higher following the news of an apparent breakthrough in the us—china trade dispute. reports suggested that beijing had taken a step towards cutting tariffs on imported us cars. that levy is currently 40% of the car's value.

well we can speak about that and the day's other top market stories. let's talk to richard marwood, senior fund manager, royal london asset management. thank you forjoining us, richard. we will start on stirling, on the pound. yesterday, it hit a 20 month low, it has been harbouring a bit around that load this morning. it recovers subtly, that is partly due to dollar weaknesses. what we expect there? it is hard to know what to expect. it has been a fee brought environment for the markets, and for the currency markets. i don't think we will get much certainty until we get a little bit more colour on what will happen politically, but it will bea will happen politically, but it will be a very important thing going forward , be a very important thing going forward, because the level of sterling affects imports and exports, and it will have a major impact on inflation going forward as well. looking at the market's board,

well. looking at the market's board, we look at ftse100, it is in positive today. that is following news that beijing might be cutting that tariffs on imported us cars. it shows the impact that is having on markets, given the rise that we have seen markets, given the rise that we have seen this afternoon. we are seeing a lot of volatility at the moment, from monday to another, the market is moving around a lot. as yet, we haven't had the news about these ta riffs haven't had the news about these tariffs being confirmed, that it shows you that if people are prepared to trade, and there is no shortage of volatility in the market. looking there, we have the ftse100 and everything else looking positive. but volatility at the moment, particularly due to what was happening politically, some will see what happens in the rest of the week. lastly, we have the carpetright share there, that is up—to—date, it reported a wider loss

in its financial results. investors seem in its financial results. investors seem quite positive, though. what is happening there is there is a feeling that the positive —— company has had to restructure, the property portfolio, and they are trained to get out a lot of their trading sites. but they are by no means out of the woods, but there is a feeling that it of the woods, but there is a feeling thatitis of the woods, but there is a feeling that it is a little bit closer to stability than it was. so it is a rise, but it is a little bit of relief that things are not worse than that are. so investors encourage that they have a policy and strategy to try and get out of trouble. like you said, not out of the woods yet. thank you forjoining us, richard. let's have another look at the markets, positive territory across european markets. as richard said, there is a lot of volatility this week, but today, markets have been higher over that news that china may remove tariffs on us car

imports. it hasn't been confirmed yet, but lots of media reports are circulating and markets are positively reacting off the back of that. let's now have a look at the weather with helen. the weather has been a tale of two house, it is an cold and bite in the east, but mild and cloudy in the western area is full stop here with gloucester earlier today, there has been some hazy sunshine coming through but relatively benign weather at the moment. most of the weather at the moment. most of the weather bearing france of the west of us, this one will start to make inroads this evening across northern ireland. but the rain will get squeezed out all the time as it gets into western scotland and england and wales. for most, it is readily mild overnight, because of the cloud and breeze, but we still keep some holes in the east, where we could see some patchy frost. it is here on wednesday, once any fog clears, that we will see the best chance of some sunshine. we are trying to drag in

the high pressure and drier air in the high pressure and drier air in the ease, while we keep the weather front at bay towards the west. another quiet weather day, little rain, perhaps something to start with. for most of us, just a lot of cloud across southern and western areas, still relatively mild. in the east, it turned brighter during the day, further west, under the influence of the southerly breeze, it is milder, but rather cloudy with some rain. perhaps the highlands of scotla nd some rain. perhaps the highlands of scotland sheltered from that southerly wind will see some breaks in the cloud. through the evening and overnight, the dry air, or less cloudy error, seeks further westwards, which means that we may well wa ke westwards, which means that we may well wake up to the cold morning on thursday, with some frost in the countryside. by the end of play, you can see we have the weather front starting to come in, but the mild air heat is being squeezed out by the high—pressure and cold are dominating. it may be later in the

week or weekend before we see that change. thursday looks like another cold day. colder to start as i mentioned, with more widespread light frost here and there. more sunshine through the day, but not higher temperatures, in fact, chillierfurther higher temperatures, in fact, chillier further west. from higher temperatures, in fact, chillierfurther west. from most of us, the effect of the wind will make it feel like the coldest day of the week on thursday. temperatures barely reaching above freezing when you add on the effect of the wind. the high—pressure does eventually ruling question its grip on friday night into saturday we will see the destruction with a spell of rain and hail snow. more on the website. today at 5pm — we're live at westminster, where the future of the brexit deal is still in doubt, as the prime minister seeks help from fellow eu leaders. theresa may is on a rapid tour of european capitals, including brussels — where she's meeting leaders and officials to ask for more assurances on her brexit deal. but, in the european parliament, the commision president rules out any option of renegotiating the current brexit deal. the deal we've achieved is the best

deal possible. it's the only deal possible, . deal possible. it's the only deal possible,. there is no room whatsoever for renegotiation. in westminster — labour leader, jeremy corbyn, faces increasing pressure to hold a vote of no confidence in the government, after they postponed the "meaningful vote" on the withdrawal agreement.