today at 5pm — we're live the at westminster, where mps have inflicted another defeat on the government at a decisive moment in the brexit process. mps voted to give theresa mayjust three days to come up with a new brexit plan, if the current one is defeated next week, but the prime minister had already said her deal was the only realistic one. the only way to avoid no—deal is vote for the deal. isn't the prime minister bringing back exactly the same deal she admitted would be defeated four weeks ago? this is the scene in the house of commons now — where mps have started five days of debate on theresa may's plans, leading to the big vote next tuesday. we'll have all the latest from westminster. we'll be talking to a former brexit minister, the chair of the commons brexit committe, and a former head of the civil service —

getting their perspectives on where we are. the other main stories on bbc news at 5pm. police say the fatal stabbing of a 14—year—old boy in east london last night was a "targeted attack" — he's the youngest victim to die on london's streets in the past year. conservative mp craig mackinlay is cleared of falsifying his election expenses during the 2015 general election, when he beat ukip‘s nigel farage. and, the favourite is very much the favourite — the royal comedy starring olivia coleman gains 12 nominations for this year's baftas. it's five o'clock. we're live at westminster —

where the troubled brexit process has taken yet another dramatic turn, putting theresa may under even more pressure. earlier this afternoon, before the debate on mrs may's brexit deal got under way, mps voted to give the prime minister three days to come back to parliament with a new plan if her current one is defeated. and mps would then have the power to amend her proposals. the speaker's decision to allow mps to vote on the proposal has been very controversial. we'll consider the implications of that, and the importance of the debate, leading to the big vote next tuesday. first — this report by our political correspondent ben wright. can you win over parliament, prime minister? the prime minister ducked defeat by pulling the big vote. parliament will now restart the debate on her brexit deal with no sign opposition to it has softened. but mrs may's cabinet was trying to sound confident.

i'm looking forward to talking to my colleagues, i think the prime minister's deal is a good deal for britain. the only alternative is a no brexit, which would not deliver on what the british people voted for, or no deal, which would cause economic damage. it's because the prime minister's deal delivers for britain that i'm confident it will pass. but he and his colleagues know the numbers in the commons are currently stacked against the deal. dozens of movies and through remain mps look certain to do it with opposition parties to defeat the prime minister ‘s deal. opposition parties to defeat the prime minister 's dealli opposition parties to defeat the prime minister 's deal. i think it's a humiliating deal and i will not be able to support it as it stands. in the commons, jeremy corbyn accused the commons, jeremy corbyn accused the minister of quitting time. the prime minister spread last week begging for one was from eu leaders. what one thing has changed. the deal

is defeated next week, will be prime minister do the right thing and let the people have a your say and call a general election? no, said theresa may, who refused to rule a no—deal brexit. but with an opposition front bench, is even more important that we prepare for a no deal. the deal protects jobs and delivers security on the referendum and he should back it. and that is now an almighty struggle between government and opposition. today, a cross—party group of mps are backing a move that would force the prime minister to put forward any time to put in front of parliament in three days if she loses next week. but the decision of the speaker to select that the amendment of a vote infuriated tory

mps, accusing him of bending commons rules. when people have challenge, you said i cannot do x or y because lam bound you said i cannot do x or y because i am bound by a you said i cannot do x or y because lam bound by a motion you said i cannot do x or y because i am bound by a motion of the house. you have a not multiple times in my experience. why are you overriding mission of the house today? for many of us, we now have an unshakeable conviction that the referee a la respirators... mod lease that you gave your opinion and your vote on theissue gave your opinion and your vote on the issue of brexit publicly, we will have an unshakeable conviction that the bethany is no longer neutral. but the speaker insisted that she was only giving power to the mps himself. my job is not to be a cheerleader for the executive... myjob is to stand up for the rights for the house of commons. and the

speaker will surely do so. the eyes to the right, in aid for the second time in 2a hours, the government lost a key vote. the impact on the brexit timetable could be big. we are getting very close to the 29th of march, i want to ensure that there was a clear signal to the government if the deal is the next week, we have got to have a seriously dialogue between government and parliament about alternatives. otherwise, the crisis is deepening by the day. the government is hoping that his figures of the brexit deal will focus minds yet in the five—day debate. if not, a confidence vote, another referendum, and election could all come into play. our chief political corresondent vicki young is in the central lobby at westminster.

what do you make of events that we have been reporting on so far? mod lease the decision of the speaker? there is no doubt it is very controversial. the argument of the speaker is that he is there to make sure parliament has its say on some of these incredibly important issues. he says what he does not have to be on the side of those that go along with the common line, it's about making sure that parliament makes clear what way they want to go. the point is that it shows that parliament is seizing control of the timetable of events. it is not clear what direction parliament then wants to ta ke what direction parliament then wants to take this in. i think theresa may ‘s trump card is still the fact that those against the deal do not agree on what to rally around. there is no majority for managing. today's defeat and last night makes much incredibly clear. more than 20 mps rebelling against their own side,

thousands more who are ministers who would resign if it came to the point of accepting a no deal scenario. i think that shows that will be less ofa think that shows that will be less of a possibility. but there is no majority for a second referendum ever. no majority for a novice style relationship. theresa may are saying, there's one way to stop no deal, that's backing my deal. the dangerfor hot deal, that's backing my deal. the danger for hot is that it has become accepted that shall be defeated heavily next tuesday. falling from the logic of your analysis, the issueis the logic of your analysis, the issue is then what does the prime minister do in those circumstances? the big question is, does she have a point being that she's not telling people about? order should not have one at all the? some people suggest to me at the could be a series of so—called indicative doubts it hard

deal is defeated. novak then put those to the house of commons, it would become clear there is nothing else. maybe a would focus peoples minds. i think the government is also hoping that eventually, even brexiteers will think, i don't want to risk brexit happening at all. this idea that article 50 could be delayed, they could suspend it for a while, then brexit may not happen at all. but we'll worry brexiteers. the idea of a plan b, because of what's happened today, that theresa may will have to come up with far quicker than expected. downing street are downplaying the defeat today saying, it was never going to be the case if she is defeated next tuesday, they said they would never wait 21 days to come back. they would always need to give some clarity pretty quickly. nevertheless, the working days in

the house of commons. between a defeat on tuesday, and the following monday, theresa may has become with a plan b. at the moment, no one has any idea what that is. with me is the former cabinet minister and former brexit minister — the conservative mp david jones. can we deal with the business in the house first and then go on to talk about the brexit options? the speaker was very clear. she knows she knows is controversial. but he says he's holding the rights of the house of commons. what you make of that? in the process of those such as this, normally, it's not amendable. one mp raised a point saying that he himself had tried to look at the table office yesterday to amend the motion and he was advised by the clocks that the motion was an amendable. i have to

say, what of colonies had the impression that the speaker himself had been advised that it was not amendable but still went ahead. there is a great deal of concern on this side of parliament, particularly the conservative side. it has happened. what does this three—day condition no mean for the government? does it make life more difficult for the prime minister? no, it doesn't. although the motion has been confirmed to pass, it hasn't changed the law in any way. the law says the comment has the comeback in the image of losing such as this within 21 days. it's up to the government whether it was the comeback in the three days, or 21 days. as a matter of war, it does not have to come back for the bees. are you still assuming that the premise that will lose this vote next week? i think it's very likely.

jeremy corbyn himself said that they would be voting against the withdrawal argument. that, coupled withdrawal argument. that, coupled with a large number of conservatives as well as the dup, means it won't get through. the keys point, the that those who are unhappy with theresa may ‘s plan, including people who have your point of view, is that you are not agree on what happened after that defeat. what would you say? i think there are various suggestions as to what would happen. i would like is to go back to the eu and suggested a free—trade agreement maybe with an inspection of the transition agreement. there is no agreement as to what should happen. to be realistic, i think no deal is the likely option. that is what the government has the prepare for. are you concerned about that? mod overlay. ideally, would like to

have an agreement but there are already agreements in place to ensure that planes fly, that traffic continues. we heard the president of the port of calais saying that they are ready to deal with a no deal. the port of calais saying that they are ready to deal with a no dealm there is no problem, why do you want to renegotiate with the eu? the fact that you mentioned that there is no agreement across the house, it's more likely than not, there will be no deal. i think that's more manageable and something we can do with. what if labour comes forward with. what if labour comes forward with a motion of no—confidence in the government, but that changed the political landscape in way?|j the government, but that changed the political landscape in way? i do think that any way that conservatives will support labour on the gatt. if the little argument is defeated, the dup will support the government as well. what within half, after going through the theatre of next week, is the hard work of preparing to leave with a

deal. i think that's the most realistic scenario. what would the prime minister need to see to you in order to get you to judge even consider voting for this deal? -- ctu. i think it's something that she can offer. i asked this afternoon if the withdrawal agreement had been reworded as a result of the negotiations? he said, no. we would need to renegotiate, important issues like the backstop, which i think is completely fatal to the agreement. i can't see that happening. former cabinet mr, an american with a reference to the backstop. to the backstop. the so—called "backstop," the insurance policy which aims to prevent a hard an american with a reference border between northern ireland and the republic if there's no deal, is still the biggest obstacle for many mps, who believe it would leave northern ireland too closely bound to eu rules.

our ireland correspondent chris page is in belfast. to give us a little bit more perspective, on that element of the backstop and what it means in northern ireland ? backstop and what it means in northern ireland? it is still all about the border and the backstop. that is the issue which has proved so difficult to resolve in the whole brexit process. today, the premise that had hoped to win over the dup you are very much opposed to the backstop. the party through the concept is the light on tibet key legislation through the house of commons. the government published some reassurances that the dup would come back on the side in regard to the withdrawal agreement. the dup shattered lives hoped very quickly,

within an hour of that document being published. the dup branding it as meaningless and ineffective. the government had proposed that the storm at assembly would be able to vote on changes to eu rules if the backstop kicked in, the dup said that wasn't good enough because in their view, the reassurances wouldn't be legally binding. they said it would give the assembly consultative role but not a veto. sinn fein also rejected the government ‘s idea from the opposite point of view, they say if you take into account a storm once voting rules, give the dup a veto would not be acceptable because they regard the dup as being on the wrong side of the argument. one of the problem is that the assembly hasn't met for two years is that the assembly hasn't met for two yea rs now. is that the assembly hasn't met for

two years now. so without any store might assembly, these planes by the comment could have taken shape anyway. the hold—up in the brexit process cove red anyway. the hold—up in the brexit process covered by no means, has anything been resolved today. with me is the chair of the commons brexit committee — the labour mp hilary benn. i'm just one. i'mjust one. i'm i'm just one. i'm wondering what you make of events today? the actual votes that took place and the controversy, what's your take on it? i think it'sjust controversy, what's your take on it? i think it's just the sound of polymer taking back control. some members of the house didn't like it. the argument was about whether we get to vote on an amendment. if people like it, they can vote for

it, if they don't, they can vote against it. i didn't see what all the fuss was about. but the speaker didn't play fairly? in the end, the speaker ‘sjob is didn't play fairly? in the end, the speaker ‘s job is to didn't play fairly? in the end, the speaker ‘sjob is to make didn't play fairly? in the end, the speaker ‘s job is to make a judgment. she was very clear. he thought an amendment was an order. the tradition of the house is that we a cce pt the tradition of the house is that we accept the speaker ‘s ruling even if you don't agree with it. of course, the comment has been defeated for the second time in two days and this shows that parliament is taking back control. this will have significant indications for what unfolds from here on.|j have significant indications for what unfolds from here on. i put that point to davyjones earlier and he said it would make no difference to the comment at all. is that you're reading of it? technically, the the amendment says that the numbers table it within three days, not a debate to be voted on. parliament is expressing its view.

it is seeking to exercise its will. the government is not in control of events and we need to get onto the boot next week. it seems, as moment, that the government with all agreement will be defeated and therefore, the government will finally have to come forward and tell us what the plan is next? what will we would position be if that vote goes against the prime minister? was of people within the labour party would like to see jeremy corbyn tabling a motion of no confidence in the government should await. we drew up all that tactic?|j await. we drew up all that tactic?” think it's a matter of the house to decide it's about. —— how it looks. we have the legislation, we are due to leave the eu at the end of march. i very strongly favour the house

being able to vote on a series of options. once is clear what the house of commons does not agree to, would then later find out if there's anything that the house of commons can agree to. is it a canon deal? no deal pairs i think we should relate out and it would be good if the house could so clearly. should it be going back to the british people? that are questions of policy, and questions of process. in the end, if the house of commons cannot reach agreement, i think it's very difficult to see how to resolve this without going back to the people and saying, here's the deal that the government has negotiated on things is the best that they can get. it's now down to you to make a choice. you dismissed the no deal thing very quickly, yet plenty of other people in recent weeks and months thing

that no deal is an option and if this vote goes against the prime minister, but no deal becomes even more likely. why do you dismiss it? very simply, because we ought ready. it would be great damage to the economy. look at the assessment made by the government, the money spent on getting lorries practising chewing. the businesses that come to me and say, we cannot have needed because of the impact, i don't do not believe that any responsible comment would take britain out of the eu will have a deal. if you're muttering to do when push comes to shove, why pretend ? muttering to do when push comes to shove, why pretend? if you take it off the table now, it clarifies what isn't going to happen and that would force government and parliament to focus on what will happen. so as mps begin five days of debate

— what will they be weighing up, and what's at stake? our reality check correspondent chris morris has this assessment. so, in downing street, they're trying to figure out the numbers in the house of commons, to work out whether they have any hope of getting this vote passed. but don't forget, amidst all the political drama, it's the documents that have been negotiated behind closed doors that are at the heart of the debate. so, we've come into the cabinet room for a reminder of what mps are talking about, and eventually voting on, with the credibility of the prime minister and her brexit plan very much at stake. first of all, the withdrawal agreement itself. this is the legally binding document that would take the uk out of the eu. it includes the financial settlement, or divorce bill, that the uk will pay — an estimated £39 billion. it also sets out basic rights for uk citizens elsewhere in the eu and eu

citizens here in the uk and the terms of a transition period, of at least 21 months, after brexit, when all the rules would stay the same. but most controversial of all, there's the protocol on ireland and northern ireland, including the backstop plan for keeping the irish border as open as it is now under all circumstances. now, the backstop would only come into effect at the end of a post—brexit transition period if a future trade agreement to avoid a hard border hasn't been achieved. the prime minister has been given additional reassurances from the eu that the backstop would only ever be temporary and that no—one actually wants it to come into effect. but it still exists in the treaty and there is no unilateral way for the uk to get out of it without the eu's agreement. there is also a non—binding political declaration on the future relationship between the uk and the eu. and the wording here is so vague that it doesn't offer any guarantee of any particular outcome.

so, the government's facing an uphill battle to get this vote passed, and it will probably have to ask mps to vote more than once, maybe after getting even more reassurance from brussels. and after that, well, if the vote goes through, the withdrawal agreement then needs to be turned into uk law through new legislation. it also needs to be given the green light by the european parliament. and if all that happens in time, the uk will leave the eu on 29th march. but if the government is defeated, well, the default position is that the uk would still leave, but with no deal. or mps could try to come up with an alternative plan for leaving, a relationship more like norway's, for example, which is still in the single market. or we might be looking at a new prime minister, a new election, or even another referendum — which could mean no brexit at all. the truth is, no—one can say for sure what is likely to happen over the next three months. this street has seen its fair share of drama in the past. but nothing quite like this.

taking some of the options are the reality check team. with me now is the former cabinet secretary and head of the civil service, between 2005 and 2011 — lord o'donnell. cannot we started with the procedural thing in the house today because light is interesting place for us to start. were you surprised the speaker lord this to take place? i was extremely surprised. i would be surprised if he didn't get advice of this was inappropriate and unavailable for top we are now in uncharted territory. the issue is who is over the speaker to assess this? the answer is, no one. we are

in very strange waters and if i was the prime minister, i would be rather dismayed. three days is a very short time. we don't want this to go on forever but it seems to me about how little more time would be appropriate. are you suggesting he wasn't within his rights do that? we don't have a written constitution so ican don't have a written constitution so i can say that. i found this very surprising and i'd be surprised if he hadn't been given advice from his officials and clerks that this wasn't appropriate. let's put you back into your old job as the head of the civil service. this has happened today, that is if the data about on this. if there is a defeat next week, what would you be advising? she has to then think about, what are the options? what is it that can help parliament give a lead? because the civil service are

there, they have negotiated this deal. that is limited room for manoeuvre. everyone is looking upon to give a lead for politicians to decide what they want. she has got to try and persuade the house that we are not at the stage where we need answers. we are running out of time. the business sector, the private sector needs it. the people of the country deserves all our politicians to provide some sort of meat and say, these are the possible fees, what should we do? the prime minister is being very determined. some would say stubborn, some would say she sticks to what she says. in that case, she would find it very difficult to hold on the pine negotiated. harm of a job is it for your successors to actually persuade a prime minister of that mindset to try and change? is parliament comes

up try and change? is parliament comes up with an option, the government would value behind it, i would have thought. but parliament is, now with no alternatives, no clarity. to be frank, it's a big mess. what we are looking for, is parliament taking back control and providing a clear lead. what would that be? setting out a range of options? allowing mps to select? that's one possibility. looking at the options of backstop, custom unions, all of that, the pros and cons to all of those. to try and give effect to the referendum decision. and if we can get anywhere, all sorts of other options open up. such as? such as, in the end, going back to another referendum. i was very strong

against having a referendum in the first place. i don't think it's a great way of doing things. government has tried, parliament has tried — if nothing can be resolved, then that's where we end up. you we re then that's where we end up. you were a key figure in whitehall back in the 90s whenjohn major had lots of problems as prime minister, how does that compare to this? at the time, i thought it was incredibly difficult and complicated. when i look back at it now— piece of cake. that leaves me to ask whether you agree with the view, we are in the middle of a very big political crisis? this is much more difficult than anything i had to deal with, maastricht, putting together a coalition comment. i feel for my former colleagues. they are not getting the direction they need to go and negotiate the best deal for

the people of the country which is what they are there for. this is unpleasant food and incredibly difficult. i just hope unpleasant food and incredibly difficult. ijust hope we find some way out of this impasse. thank you very much forjoining us. what would bell, former head of civil service, cabinet secretary. with very experienced insight into what's going on right now. it's windy after you have left, it is pretty cold out there temperatures are about 2 degrees widely across endless and wales. that has been mainly affecting eastern side of england, that is going to ease down and take away the showers too. northwest, more clouds, northern ireland and scotland toppling southward into england and wales bringing drizzle here and there. clear skies lingering well into the night temperatures down to —2 minus three degrees, not as cold as last night. land. as we head into

thursday, any sunshine in southern areas, won't last too long, moving southwards, club breaks off across northern ireland, across northern england and scotland, sunny spells also. it allows your day event today for england and wales, shouldn't feel as cold as today. sunny spells, dry on friday as we head into the weekend, some rain but away from the north—west of scotland, i dedicated into the matter very much at all, sunshine at times, north—westerly winds, should be on the mild sight better bridges in double figures. we are live here covering the events today. a very important day in the brexit process. mps have inflicted another defeat on the government. they voted to give theresa may just three days to come up with a new brexit plan if the current one is defeated next week. police say the fatal stabbing of a 14—year—old boy in east london

last night was a "targeted attack," he's the youngest victim to die on london's streets in the past year. conservative mp craig mackinlay has been cleared of falsifying his election expenses during the 2015 general election , when he beat ukip's nigel farage. and we'll be taking a look this year's bafta nominations — including the favourite which is up for 12 awards, including best actress for olivia colman. before we go on with the rest of the brexit sneers, we will have a let's catch up with all the sports. manchester city host league one's burton albion in the first leg of their league cup semifinal at the etihad manchester city host league one's burton albion this evening. city, the holders come into this off the back of a 7—0 thumping

of rotherham in the fa cup on sunday. so what chances of an upset for nigel clough‘s side. our reporter adam wild is at the etihad. is that hard to see then? well, i think, well, ithink, burton well, i think, burton albion come here under no illusions about the size of the task ahead. of course, not just one size of the task ahead. of course, notjust one of the biggest tasks in british football but one of the biggest tasks in world football. one thing for certain, they are determined to enjoy themselves this evening between three and 4000 fans from burton albion are expected here this evening. they have hired some 28 coaches to bring their fans here. they are going to make the most of it, it is the first time in the club's history that they have reached this page. that managers said it is important for them to stay in the contest. if they can keep at it, after the first leg,

perhaps the unfixable is possible. we saw this week. only 15 appearances also for the youngsters. how likely are we going to see pep guardiola you'd use some of them this evening? we are expecting to see several players layer, a young english talent. we are... really, such as the strength in depth of the manchester city squad, it is really quite hard for them to put out a wea ker quite hard for them to put out a weaker side. they have superstars out that squad. i think what other side they put out, they will make changes from that 7—0 thrashing. realistically, that focus is on other places, understandably they are still in the fight for the premier league, for the champions

league and for the fa cup. pep guardiola said it is nice to have, it's nice to get to wembley, he is a winner but i don't think he's going to lose too much sleep over what happens in the first leg. wembley is going to be tottenham's temporary home for at least another 6 weeks. they have confirmed that their new 62,000 seater stadium, which is on the site of the old white hart lane, won't be ready to move into until at least march. the club say that building tests need to be carried out and trial events need to be organised. their next 4 home matches, including their champions league game against borussia dortmund next month will take place at the national stadium. so would a potential fa cup fifth round tie if spurs are drawn at home. the former hull kr centre thomas minns has been given a 16 month ban after testing positive for cocaine last march. the 24—year—old failed the test after a game and was released by the club injuly.

he admitted taking the drug, which he said came at a time shortly after his mother had died. the suspension is backdated and he'll be free to play again injuly. it's a big year for england cricket, they head to the west indies this week. but they'll host the world cup this summer, before the ashes series that starts in august. the ecb's new director of cricket ashley giles , who has taken over from andrew strauss, believes england can win the world cup. this year creates probably the best opportunity for a long time. how we are playing our cricket. i think we have found ourselves in the past running into world cups with suddenly a bit of a meltdown going on and change. that is not the case this time round. if you talk about my role again, as much as anything, that train is moving quickly along the tracks for the world cup and i need to make sure that down the line it's clear and there is no interference which will derail us. that is all the sports for now.

welcome back to westminster —— where the government has embarked on a new attempt —— to convince mps to back theresa may's brexit deal. there are 5 days of debate starting today, but earlier this afternoon the government was defeated, in controversial circumstances, on an amendment which gives the prime ministerjust 3 days to return to parliament with new plans, if her current ones are defeated next tuesday. i'll be talking to anand menon from the uk in a changing europe, and jill rutter from the institute for government to assess where we are with the brexit process , but first let's get a flavour of the debate this afternoon. i'm afraid the government itself is indulging in fantasy. isn't it time that the government set out a realistic basis for this debate? as the former crown secretary for the treasury said the other day, there is no chance of us at all for concluding a trade deal with the eu by 2020.

very little chance of doing so by 2022. a far more realistic prospect is that we might do so in the mid 20205. can we not conduct this debate on the basis of reality rather than continued fantasy? spending a lot of time talking about the risks of the backstop but my constituents are concerned about the risk to the jobs if they work in the sectors that aren't covered by the wto. they are concerned about the risk to citizens' rights if maybe they are married to an eu citizen. they are worried about risk to security and all of these issues are covered by the implementation period and the breathing space of the little agreement. does the secretary of state agree we focus the debate on the benefits of the agreement in front of us as well as the risks? the withdrawal agreement and especially the backstop arrangement was actually forcibly would remove northern ireland from the rest of the united kingdom, laws in brussels, rather than westminster, northern ireland

economy cut off from trade deals with united kingdom, with the rest of the world, that has looked in jeopardy the fine balance which there was in the belfast agreement and has not helped either by the comments by the secretary of state at the cabinet yesterday that the refusal to vote for the agreement will lead to a referendum on the united ireland. isn't the reality that the so—called intimidation period is essentially keeping us in the eu and the single market and the customs union, so we don't harm our economy and give us more time to try and sort out what's on as we are going to do as the so—called backstop is about aligning northern ireland with the eu, so that it doesn't have to be a hard border, and we don't threaten northern ireland. the secretary of state talks about the house having to make up talks about the house having to make up its mind, why isn't he more honest that if this is about keeping this in there and so we can make up our minds about what we are going to

do, in case which point what is the point? reflecting what this debate has all been about, today about the house of commons. with me is anand menon, professor of european politics and foreign affairs at king's college london. andjill rutter, programme director from the independent think—tank the institute for government. what a sad out to be an even more dramatic day than we expected. were you surprised that the speaker presented this as an opportunity for a vote in the house of commons? given the speaker's track record, he has been known to take the side of mps trying to control the process against the government, he will be regarded it as the government is trying it on a bit, they had amended the previous business motion, but then said this is... this machine is an amendable. i don't get all that surprising when you talk about dominic reeve doing that, this is

unprecedented, but it is quite an unprecedented, but it is quite an unprecedented situation in parliament. given his track record, this is probably what you expected him to do. what it is about is the timetable. what happens after the vote if the vote for next week. what would you see that? one of the ironies of the conversation as we we re ironies of the conversation as we were where we were before christmas. we are still waiting for this work, we are still waiting for something to happen. this is about procedure, important procedure but the big day is on tuesday. interesting thing is, the parameters that doesn't seem any closer to winning the vote next week when she did when she pulled itjust before christmas, except options are narrowing. of course, the timetable is ticking down at the same time. narrowing. of course, the timetable is ticking down at the same timem is ticking down at the same timem is interesting, because this is all about using the christmas break at the time to maybe get some more reassu ra nces the time to maybe get some more reassurances from brussels. nothing

seems to have happened. the government has done a bit, but it doesn't have anything it was to present yet. it has done to mac things, unilaterally. they announced they were does the so—called amendment would set out various processes about exiting the baxter unilaterally, interesting. the uk called at the prospect of breaking international law and obligations. it also published a 13 page document about assurances it was going to give to a northern ireland about its environment and involvement in the backstop, adding things to the backstop, adding things to the backstop, potential consultation arrangements. the problem there is at the moment the executive, it is the... it is all about hypothetical at the moment. you would have thought that the government would be

hoping that they would be getting a positive reaction from the dup. so far, it doesn't seem to have won them over. i think nigel dodds was quite dismissive. it may have caused problems with europe. the uk is ready planning to give itself powers, europe says, the ability to break its international agreements, is it really worth doing at your? is it worth moving further if the eu might be coming round with some clarifying language? let's look out to next tuesday and when making the assumption, because everybody seems to be making an assumption that this is going to be difficult for the prime minister to win. what then? if she's got a few days to come back, is she going to be able to present something different, issue going to ask parliament to scan among the options available? the panellist has said on sunday, entering uncharted

territory. the issue is how much she loses by. if she loses by a landslide, it is our position very difficult as you might be led to consider, or the cabinet, difficult as you might be led to consider, orthe cabinet, we need difficult as you might be led to consider, or the cabinet, we need to have a change of course and possibly a change of personnel. if she loses bya a change of personnel. if she loses by a manageable amount, i a change of personnel. if she loses bya manageable amount, i imagine the fuss and she will do is talk to brussels. she will bring back some thing in the way of concessions because the key players on her own benchesis because the key players on her own benches is to get the dup on that side. if she can do that she will swing a lots of her own mps. she is going to need some labour support or at least... there are 30—40 conservative mps addressing the other day, my problem with the withdrawal agreement isn't just the backstop he said, they are already saying yes. we have our problems about this. it is going to be very ha rd about this. it is going to be very hard for her. in terms of the panellist‘s own position, the fact that she has been so determined to stick to what she says is the only

realistic deal that is possible, how difficult is it going to be, for civil servants to convert the panellist to ally herself to a different approach? the amendment was accepted by parliament today has compressed her timetable. she might have thought i've got a bit of reflection time, if this goes down i got a few weeks, she would have had to make a statement really quickly. it would be podium time outside downing street. now she has two comeback to the house within three days. so, basically she needs to be thinking now about what am i going to say. the emergency cabinet meeting that evening, or the next morning. the cabinet on board. there is numbers of the cabinet are unhappy with the potential range of options, some may go if she changes course dramatically, some might go if she says it is heading for a no

deal now. it is difficult for her but she needs to be doing that planning as well as trying to assemble the vote. it does matter how she loses as well as whether she loses. if she lost by something like 40 then people might think this is much more feasible to come back if she lost by 100. i have a feeling we will be talking again before the end of the week and then next week and who knows, the week after. thank you. to give us such a clear insight, it is a context process, so our thanks to them for their contribution today. let's take a look at the days ‘s other news. detectives say a 14 year—old boy who was stabbed to death in east london last night, was the victim of a ‘targeted attack‘. he's been named locally as jaden moody. officers believe a car knocked the boy off a moped in leyton, before a group of men got out and killed him. our correspondent ashley—john baptiste reports. the latest victim of a stabbing in

the capital, a 14—year—old boy. stabbed to death after being knocked off his mopeds. he died at the scene after being found by officers in the early evening of yesterday. the metropolitan police say they are looking for a mercedes with extensive frontal damage after three men got out of a car and start a 14—year—old. they believe this was a targeted attack. what were the drivers for this incident? what were the motivations that drove three young men in a car to do this at? somebody out there knows who has done this and the right thing is to give them up and work with us to make east london safer. the latest victim is one of the youngest to die an london's streets. his parents we re an london's streets. his parents were here last night. it comes after killings in the capital reached their highest level for a decade in

2018. we tell our kids to be safe. where your friends are, but you never know what happens because there wasn't very late. it's the time when normally my sons are out and it is scary. it's so sad, the kid was good. the problem is, when you get those crazy kids. he is a clued on kid. he always watches his back and stuff. he's a little little kid. the mail of london treated to say this. 132 people killed in london last year, the majority down to knife crime, the metropolitan police say they are committed to tackling those

who choose to be a violent. the conservative mp craig mackinlay has been cleared of falsifying his expenses during the 2015 election, when he defeated the then—ukip leader nigel farage in south thanet in kent. a party activist marion little who was on trial alongside mr mackinlay, was convicted of two counts of encouraging or assisting an offence. our correspondent richard lister reports from southwark crown court. during the 2015th during the 20 15th general election, it seems that nigel farage had a very strong chance of winning the seat of south thanet for ukip, the conservative party was determined not to let that happen. they threw resources at their candidate, ultimately prevailed but an investigation found that in the final few weeks of the election, his campaign had spent more than four times the legal limit. the legal

limit is £15,000, it appeared his pain is spent more than £61,000 to ensure that victory. many of expenses were echoed by marion little. with her team, the court heard they are incurred tens of thousands of pounds of expenses, accommodation, travel and salary that were never properly declared. he always insisted he had done nothing wrong and the expenses were the responsibility of marion little. after more than 53 hours of deliberation, thejury after more than 53 hours of deliberation, the jury accepted after more than 53 hours of deliberation, thejury accepted his argument, he was acquitted, marion little found guilty on two counts. under normal circumstances, he will impose an immediate prison sentence, but because of what he described as wholly exceptional circumstances that a husband is terminally ill, he ensured she would face a suspended prison sentence of nine months and will have to pay £5,000 in costs but

he said this verdict should stand as a warning to other candidates in the future elections. there is still a question mark hanging over the validity of that 2015 results, because after all, craig mackinlay one lead with his campaign in breach of the limits, but in the last election he more than double his majority, is that point comes near. he will go back to his constituency, redouble his efforts, fight for them and people —— he is an ardent brexiteer. video appearing to show the arrest of nazanin zaghari—ratcliffe has been shown in a documentary on iranian tv. the british—iranian mother has spent more than a thousand days in prison after being convicted of spying. she denies all the charges against her. last week, her husband revealed she was planning a hunger strike because she is being denied medical treatment. the armed forces have been called in to help police tackle the threat posed by drones near heathrow aiport. flights were halted for about an hour last night after a drone was seen near the runways. the ministry of defence is deploying specialist equipment and police have been carrying out extensive searches

around the airport. president trump has made a direct appeal to the american people to put pressure on congress to pass a bill to pay for a wall on the border with mexico, and end the impasse that has led to a partial government shutdown. in his first televised broadcast from the oval office, he urged democrats to rise above party politics and support national security. democratic leaders accused him of holding the american people hostage. days after her success at the golden globes, olivia colman has been nominated again, this time as best actress at this year's baftas, for her role in the favourite. the comedy leads the field with 12 nominations. also in the running are the freddie mercury film, bohemian rhapsody, and a star is born, which have 7 nominations each. our correspondent lizo mzimba reports. your majesty...

i would like to enjoy the music now... the favourite certainly lived up to its name. the period comedy drama was way out in front, with more nominations than any other movie. as well as best film, rachel weisz and emma stone are both up for best supporting actress and its star olivia colman is nominated for best actress. did you just look at me? did you? look at me. look at me! how dare you?! close your eyes! after the metoo and time's up campaigns, the symbolism of the most nominated movie being the film led not by men but by three women is clear. i think the favourite is really capturing the tenor of the times, it's about a power struggle but it's about women holding the power at court, in the court of queen anne. and i think that has chimed with people. # i'm off the deep end, watch as i dive in # i'll never meet the ground...# the most nominated film isn't always the big winner on the night, though. a few behind the favourite's

12 is a star is born — a remake of a remake of a remake — with recognition for lady gaga in best actress and producer—writer—director bradley cooper, in multiple categories. # so you think you can stone me and spit in my eye...# also with seven, queen biopic bohemian rhapsody, including best actor for rami malek‘s portrayal of freddie mercury. fine, turn the box back on... one of first man's seven nominations is for claire foy‘s performance as janet armstrong, the wife of the first man on the moon. i've got a dozen cameras on my front lawn, deke. d'you want me telling them what's going on? and streaming service netflix has reached another milestone, with its first best film nomination for roma — a story set in mexico in the 19705. the directing nominations have reflected an overall lack of films from female directors over the last year. maybe she didn't die, maybe she just moved back to the suburbs.

richard e grant, though, gets his first ever acting nomination for playing a man who befriends a fraudulent writer in can you ever forgive me? # in the blue ridge mountains of virginia... steve coogan gets a best actor nomination for playing comedian stan laurel, but has strong competition from fellow brit christian bale for his portrayal of former us vice—president dick cheney in vice. the vice—presidency is mostly a, er...symbolicjob. right, right. it's not just about the glory of winning one of these, though. voting started earlier this week for the academy awards in los angeles. and a good showing here could well have an influence on the other side of the atlantic for those all—importa nt oscars. lizo mzimba, bbc news, at bafta ho. just at this point before we have

been as befits, a look at the commons, because as we can see, rather fewer members present for the controversial events surrounding that a vote which the speaker allowed but this is the first day of five days of debate on the brexit‘s plan put forward by the prime minister leading to that big vote which will take place each year in the house of comment next tuesday evening, —— house of commons. the debate will be themed according to the main thing is that mps want to consider as part of the deal that mrs may have put together. be back at ten o'clock, it is still very cold. looks nice and warm in the chamber. it is privileged pretty chilly out, temperatures not far away from freezing in one or two spot. some lovely pictures of the sunsetting

earlier on today. helped by all of this thin and high cloud. this cloud will do, that is pushing its way further south across scotland. it is cloudy in northern ireland also. the north west, shows the weather changing slowly but surely. cloud thickening in scotland, bringing with it this line of rain and drizzle, not much coming from that towards the south—east, we still have some clear skies this evening, but cloudy skies across northern ireland. the northerly wind is bringing in the showers, light showers, wintry across northern england. most of those are cleared away, clear skies and humbling temperatures across england and wales. coldest overnight here. cloud in the north, still moving slowly southwards overnight. winds easing down across eastern england, allowing separatist to drop away. wales, and in the west country, pretty cold last night, could be

cold again tonight, but any sunshine will be short lived in the morning, because all this cloud is moving south. cloudy day across england and wales. which will have any styles, if you showers, light showers coming in from the west. temperatures should be higher than today, not one, and the south—east of england. overnight, peter rogers don't fall away overnight, peter rogers don't fall r overnight, peter rogers don't fall away very low. friday should be frost free, milder air, a fair bit of cloud, some sunshine around on friday, especially for the eastern side of the uk, if you like to share with coming in. but we are drawing in mild air, temperatures continuing to rise. 8—9d for england and wales, nine or ten for scotland. almost going back to square one, and another area of high pressure to the south biased. drawing out from the north atlantic, some weather fronts. most of the rate will be in the

north west of scotland this weekend otherwise not too much rain at all. sunshine at times, there will be a struggle winds this weekend, mainly a west to north—westerly, that is coming in from the atlantic, milder and bridges by sunday were up to 11 or 12 celsius. another defeat for the government as the brexit debate gets under way again. the prime minister returns to the commons as five more days of discussions begin ahead of the vote on her brexit deal next tuesday. the only way to avoid no deal is to vote for the deal. isn't the prime minister bringing back exactly the same deal she admitted would be defeated four weeks ago? 308, to the left 297. but already another setback — in a surprise twist — mps force the prime minister into a corner. if her deal is rejected next week,

she must now come back with a new plan within days. and the other main stories on tonight's programme: police say 14—year—old jayden moodie — knocked off a moped in east london