this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at midday. brenton tarrant, the main suspect in the new zealand mosque shootings in which 49 people were killed, appears in court on a single murder charge. new zealand police say they believe a lone gunman was involved in the attacks. prime ministerjacinda ardern vows — "our gun laws will change" new zealand is united in its grief and we are united in our grief. more than a0 people are injured and in hospital as tributes are made in commemoration of those who have died. in other news — tory mp nick boles has resigned from his local conservative association in the face of efforts to deselect him as the candidate

for the next election a leaked eu document appears to confirm that the uk will have to hold elections for the european parliament in may, if brexit is extended beyond the beginning ofjuly wales, england or ireland? three of the teams in action in this afternoon's six nations could win the tournament. and coming up in half an hour — click presents a special programme from one of the most cutting edge tech nations in the world — japan. good afternoon. police in new zealand believe there was only one gunman involved in the shootings at two mosques in christchurch in which 49 people were killed and scores of others injured. 28—year—old australian brenton tarrant has appeared in court in christchurch, charged with murder. tarrant did not make a plea and the brief hearing

was closed to the public because of safety concerns. the shootings were live—streamed and shared widely on social media. shara njit leyl reports from christchurch. a memorial for the victims of the shooting. christchurch residents have been bringing flowers and leaving notes here all day. the messages are clear. new zealand may be struggling to comprehend the tragic events in christchurch but people were determined to come together to pay their respect. memorials like this one have been springing up all over the city. people have been coming here to the botanical gardens all day, leaving their messages and flowers. there is a real sense of shock and horror at how something so awful could strike the heart of this community. my friend was shot in the leg. i tried to ring him yesterday. these lives have been lost. it is all in vain.

the new zealand prime minister has praised the efforts of police but has called for a review of the country's gun laws after it was revealed that the suspect legally obtained his weapon. work is being done as to the chain of the events that led to the holding of the gun licence and the position of these weapons, i can tell you one thing right now, our gun laws will change. an australian man has appeared in court. 28—year—old brenton tarrant was not on any security watch list and he did not enter a plea and i due to appear in court next on april 5. it is understood that nationals of bangladesh, india and indonesia are among the dead. the rallying cry in many messages of support is a maori phrase that means stay strong. latifa akay is here. she's the director of education at maslaha —

a uk based charity that tackles social inequalities in muslim communities. thank you for being with us. thank you for having me. talking about the terrible events yesterday. what do you think about the catalyst for this is? an individual who has disturbed views and wanted to do something about them. in these kind of devastating events, one of the ha rd est of devastating events, one of the hardest things is that a sense of paralysis. we have been saying that this kind of normalised rhetoric and normalised scapegoating of muslim communities that we have been seeing across the world and the irresponsible dehumanisation it will have consequences and it is having consequences. t0 have consequences and it is having consequences. to have that knowledge that this will be the consequence of this, and for that to happen is incredibly difficult. and in terms

ofa incredibly difficult. and in terms of a catalyst, i think it is important to understand what was the ideology behind this. there was a white supremacist ideology behind this. i do not think it is helpful to only associate that with the far right. in this incident, you mentioned one individual. yes, there was one individual here but behind him he had an ideology. what we have seenin him he had an ideology. what we have seen in some of the media following this is the same patterns where he has been described as an angelic boy with a troubled childhood. this ta kes with a troubled childhood. this takes away from the fact that this has a history and it is dangerous and that that needs to be taken seriously and it has not been.” suppose the best hope out of this terrible event is that it will shift attitudes, make people take it more seriously. there is a straightforward problem here, isn't there, one of the reasons this language has become normalised

almost, anti—muslim language and rhetoric is bluntly because of the islamist extremism that has happened. one of the criticisms you hearin happened. one of the criticisms you hear in this country is that there hasn't been enough criticism of those people by the mainstream islamic community. what do you say to that? in my experience in the community and among muslim communities in the uk, we have a lwa ys communities in the uk, we have always deployed and always condemned this kind of violence. this is not endorsed any way by s this kind of violence. this is not endorsed any way by 5 lamb. to associate with it is dangerous and offensive. —— by s associate with it is dangerous and offensive. —— by 5 lamb ——by islam. the violence that was enacted yesterday was against everyday muslim people and the majority of the victims of islamic violence as

well. just in terms of trying to tackle this. you talked about the responsibility of people in mainstream communication, the media oi’ mainstream communication, the media or politicians not casually deploying these kind of stereotypes against muslims. what about going forward from that. what can be done? i think it is a welcome and it is comforting and none of us can imagine what those families are feeling today and what those communities are feeling today in christchurch. thoughts and prayers are welcome but what communities wa nt are welcome but what communities want and other minority groups who are at the blunt end of violence is to be protected. and for them to be seen for what they are. your charity tries to improve people's sense of belonging to society. one of the things that struck me when you look

ata things that struck me when you look at a lot of the examples of islamist violence is sometimes these converts and these are people from troubled backgrounds who were not terribly devoutin backgrounds who were not terribly devout in their faith in younger yea rs, devout in their faith in younger years, and then have kind of gone from one extreme to the other. similarly among white supremacist extremists, people who have dislocated from society. is there a common theme here that could be something we could tackle? we think we cannot do anything about this but actually some of those people do not think they are part of society. yes, it is important. it definitely needs to be acknowledged. what a lack of belonging does to people. how you can feel disenfranchised. what we see in muslim communities is an incredible isolation and especially for a lot of young people who not only are experiencing social inequalities but the government's prevent policy that children from

knee—high think they are a threat from terrorism. to grow up in that climate is difficult, you do not think you belong. that is important. we have to acknowledge it as two sides of the same coin, but we have to acknowledge the ideology behind the kind of ax that happened yesterday and one of the recent things has not been addressed, we know the history of colonialism, the holocaust, slavery, why is that not being acknowledged for what it is and why are people still talking about this person as an isolated loa n about this person as an isolated loan wilf, if her boy he managed to get himself on the wrong path. —— alone wolf. thank you very much for being with us. live to christchurch and our correspondent phil mercer. it is past one o'clock in the morning. it is not going to be an easy night for people in new

zealand. no, following a difficult day. it began with the appearance in court of the man investigators believe was responsible for this atrocity, brenton tarrant, 28 years of age from australia appearing briefly in court. he was there for about three minutes. he was not required to enter a plea. he did not utter a word but he seemed calm and was looking around the court room during that brief hearing. he is due backin during that brief hearing. he is due back in court on the 5th of april, being remanded in custody. we have had the new zealand prime minister visiting survivors in hospital and we know that as of tonight, 11 people remain in intensive care and among those critically ill patients are children, one aged just two yea rs old are children, one aged just two years old and 13 years old. what about the police investigation into this? not least in the first mosque

where so many of the victims died, thatis where so many of the victims died, that is an enormous crime scene to process. it is. we are at the police ca rd process. it is. we are at the police card and of the al noor mosque. 41 people died in this act of mass murder. that is an enormous crime scene that is still being fore nsically scene that is still being forensically examined. what happened earlier this evening is the card and was moved about 150 metres. this section of road was cleared by investigators. it will be enormous. the main suspect was born in australia. the australian investigators are involved in the enquiry, too. the background, motivation or any associations the suspect in this case had will be fundamental in new zealand police

are trying to understand those key questions. firstly, why was this man involved allegedly and what was his motivation? in the early hours of the morning, thank you very much. i hope you can get some sleep. thank you. well, meanwhile, an australian senator who blamed immigration for the mosque shooting in christchurch has attacked a teenager who egged him while he was being interviewed. fraser anning hit the 17—year—old before a short scuffle takes place between the two. the teenager was then restrained and arrested, but has since been released. a petition calling for senator anning to be removed from office following his comments has attracted nearly a quarter of a million signatures. let's move onto other news now.

the conservative mp for grantham and stamford, nick boles has the former conservative minister, nick boles, has resigned from his local conservative association in lincolnshire amid plans to deselect him because of his stance over brexit. in his resignation letter, mr boles said divisions had opened up between him and the local association in grantham and stamford. but he said he would continue to take the conservative whip in parliament if it is offered on ‘acceptable terms'. the chief whip, julian smith said nick boles was a ‘valued member of the conservative parliamentary pa rty‘. our political correspondent, susana mendonca explained to more about the events that led to his resignation. he has been trying to push, along with mps from lots of parties, to block a no—deal brexit, extend article 50. he has voted for the deal but he favours a closer relationship, a norway style model. that doesn't correspond i think with what has been happening in terms of his local party association.

they feel he hasn't been taking their side. he says, i have been reading through the letter, there are people within the constituency party that want a no—deal brexit. that is something he cannot agree with because he thinks it will be detrimental. he says a politician without principles is worthless. that is his reason for taking his stand. we understand that locally the party were trying to deselect him. perhaps he has jumped before he is pushed. the local party has also sent a letter out to members which has been given to the bbc. it says that nick has been at odds with the party and prime ministerfor some time. it says they want to select a new candidate at the end of this month and they hope he resigns his seat. there is quite an inflammatory line. this is very disappointing for all of us. once again, we have been betrayed by our parliamentary representative.

he would argue he has been trying to do what he thinks is best for the country. whether or not he will be a conservative at the end of all of this is not clear. a leaked eu document appears to confirm that the uk will have to take part in european parliament elections in may, if brexit is extended beyond the end ofjune. the memo has been circulated to eu ambassadors ahead of theresa may's visit to brussels on thursday, where she will ask eu leaders to delay brexit. the uk is presently due to leave the eu on march 29th. the department for transport may be forced to pay tens of millions of pounds to keep its emergency no—deal ferry contracts in place if brexit is delayed. one of the firms involved, brittany ferries, said it had already incurred large fuel and staffing costs, for which it would have to be compensated. a whitehall source said the contingency plans had to be in place for the original brexit date of march 29th. around 100 protestors have started marching from sunderland to london in protest against theresa may's brexit deal. the former ukip leader nigel farage

led the demonstrators as they set off on their 14—day—march, which will arrive in london on 29th march, the day the uk is currently set to leave the european union. bbc‘s look north's political editor richard moss sent this update. here we are. we are just a few miles from sunderland where the march started three quarters of an hour ago. having walked along the east coast, what are you trying to prove? sunderland was symbolic. it made us all think, well, this is going to happen on election night. we are here on the very week where parliament has done its utmost to betray the referendum result and their own vote when they voted for article 50. the law of the land says we are leaving in 13 days with or without a deal and we are here to say, if you think we can walk all over us, say, if you think we can walk all

over us, we say, if you think we can walk all over us, we will march back at you. you are not doing the whole walk.” have a summit to go to. i will be at the summitand have a summit to go to. i will be at the summit and finding out the truth about what is going on. how much of this walk will you do? about 100 miles. are you going on from here? yes. you obviously do want to leave on march 29, no deal. that is now the company most popular view of the country because what people are saying is, look, and many remain is to, we cannot go on with this agony for a year after year after year. mr michel barnier was talking about if the treaty was passed, another four yea rs of the treaty was passed, another four years of negotiations. a lot of us are saying, and the agony and get on with our lives. marchers have a big tradition. this is about democracy.

some people would say what you are marching for, on any measure, brexit will leave people not as well off. yes, yes, this is about democracy not money. if you want to talk about money... what about self—government, what about democracy, what about the greater democratic exercise in the history of our nation, what about the fact we were promised it would be implemented, what about the fact we voted for parties that said they would take us out, what about trust, what about this country? are we becoming a banana republic? thank you very much, nigel farage. enjoy the rest of your work. 270 miles away as westminster. about two weeks of walking away. rather them than me, i think. the headlines on bbc news...

brenton tarrant, the main suspect in the new zealand mosque shootings in which 49 people were killed, appears in court on a single murder charge. new zealand police say they believe a lone gunman was involved in the attacks. prime ministerjacinda ardern vows: "our gun laws will change" in other news — tory mp nick boles quits his local conservative association in the face of efforts to deselect him as the candidate for the next election. more now on our main story — and police in new zealand believe there was only one gunman involved in the shootings at two mosques in christchurch in which 49 people were killed and scores of others injured. joining us now is mustenser qamar who is an imam, and had visited one of the mosques before it was attacked. thank you for being with us on bbc news on what is a terrible day for new zealand and for your community. what can you tell us about that

mask? —— ——that mosque. i have been there and i have worshipped there as well. i have been there and i have worshipped there as weltm i have been there and i have worshipped there as well. it is a decent size. it is shocking what has happened. we would not expect anything like this in new zealand. we do not hear much public islamophobia, although we have had campaigns running across new zealand. we have hired comments on social media —— we have heard comments. never at any public event we have held. we had an exhibition last year in christchurch as well and people had given negative comments on social media but nothing

like that happened on the actual event either. that is why it was shocking that this happened in new zealand. in some ways, it is the atmosphere is different from australia where anti immigrant sentiment... we had earlierfrom a senator who his critical of muslims, you do not hear that in new zealand. definitely not. definitely not. it is not like a lot of western countries where even leaders are speaking up against islam. it is not like that at all. even the reaction from the public ear has been overwhelming. the messages of love and acceptance all our places of worship have been closed as well.

people have been offering their places of worship as well for muslims. it is amazing, the response. these are the values that new zealand actually represents and these extremists do not represent these extremists do not represent the values new zealanders stand for. just like the extremist who claim to act in the name of ourfaith do not represent us either. the public response is a firm rebuke of those who preach this ideology of hatred towards muslims or other immigrants arejust towards muslims or other immigrants are just other communities, whatever they may be. i supposedly bake nagging doubt for many of you data to others may share his views. what can you do as a community to protect

yourself? jewish people in europe have to have security outside of synagogues, is that something you might have to consider? we are definitely going to have to be more vigilant and discuss that as a community as well. also, the government, the police, have been very supportive as well and in the past couple of days, they have been outside patrolling the areas and making sure that they are well protected as well. we are going to work closely with the law enforcement and the police as they are looking forward as well.” enforcement and the police as they are looking forward as well. ijust wonder how these last 48 hours have made you feel as a new zealander, as a muslim, to see what has been done to fellow muslims, fellow human beings in this terrible attack. to fellow muslims, fellow human beings in this terrible attackm is obviously really distressing. the

loss of any innocent life, the fact that our brothers and sisters were there worshipping the creator and at such a time when it is the largest weekly gathering as well. at the same time, the response from the general public, people reaching out on social media as well and saying, if any muslim is feeling threatened and they need to help going out to do their grocery shopping, they are waiting at the bus shop and they do not feel safe, we will come and support you. at the same time, it is bringing people together as well. whilst there is that sadness and also the need to be more vigilant, it is also bringing people together from all the different backgrounds. people are coming together and reaching out to muslims across new zealand as well, which is really reassuring. in the darkest hour, there is good because not to

despair. thank you very much for speaking to us. i know it is the middle of the night there. i hope you get some rest. thank you. a man has died after being stabbed in south—west london. scotland yard said officers were called to reports of a fight in fulham in the early hours of this morning. a 29—year old man was pronounced dead at the scene. there have been no arrests. senior democrats in the us congress have accused donald trump of defying the constitution after he used a presidential veto for the first time since he came to offfice. mr trump vetoed a resolution from congress which was designed to block his declaration of a state of emergency on the border with mexico. he declared the national emergency last month, to try to secure billions of dollars for building a border wall. president trump said he had a duty to use his veto power in order to protect americans. congress's vote to deny the crisis on the southern border is a vote against reality. it is against reality. it is a tremendous

national emergency, it is a tremendous crisis. last month, more than 76,000 illegal migrants arrived at our border. we are on track for1 million illegal aliens to rush our borders. people hate the word invasion but that is what it is. it is an invasion of drugs and criminals and people. violence has broken out on the streets of paris as protesters clash with police. demonstrators are said to have thrown smoke bombs and other objects at officers. the protests have been going on every weekend. police then used water cannon to try and disperse crowds. at least 20 people have reportedly been arrested. it's the 18th straight weekend of demonstrations against president emmanuel macron which first started over a fuel tax rise and have now become about the cost of living.

last night's big comic relief show has raised more than £63—million. highlights included a special reunion by the cast of four weddings and a funeral. more than 1.3 billion pounds has now been raised by comic relief since it began in 1985. our entertainment correspondent, lizo mzimba reports. it is the night when some of entertainment‘s biggest stars come together and use comedy to raise money for comic relief. perhaps the most anticipated part of the evening was the short follow—up to four weddings and a funeral. it featured the original cast reuniting 25 years later. mamma mia also got the comic relief treatment. # can you hear the drums, fernando? ican. and there was an appearance from the star of tv‘s biggest drama for years, bodyguard. are we there yet, sweetie? there were celebrity performances in the studio and a musical number from the hit new west end version

of only fools and horses. as well as appearances from comedy favourites like alan partridge. everyone coming together like david cameron's big society. before the night even began, huge amounts had already been raised. bbc‘s dan walker was one of a team of celebrities who climbed kilimanjaro for comic relief last month. not to mention the 24—hour danceathon. would you do it again? no. never. the money goes towards helping people here in the uk and abroad. since comic relief began, over £1.25 billion has been raised. they are delighted that tonight added significantly to that total. now it's time for a look at the weather.

at the map is matt taylor. further snow across parts of mainland scotland. heavy rain through the pennines and flooding in wales. brightens up this afternoon but thundery showers are possible. scotla nd thundery showers are possible. scotland and northern ireland, a chilly day. temperatures are falling away rapidly. double figure temperatures in the south. the strongest of wins in england and wales. that could cause travel problems and damage. strong wind spreads southward and eastward. clearing south—east after midnight. a scattering of showers. clearer skies. cute lead to some icy conditions into tomorrow morning. brighter than today. lots of

sunshine, clusters of showers, rain and sleet and snow. goodbye for now. sport now. for a full round—up... it is the final day of the six nations with three teams are still in the running. only wales can claim the grand slam but ireland are standing in their way and if they can come on top they can win it if england lose against scotland. will it come down to that? john watson is in cardiff. three teams can still win this championship, wales and in the championship with four wins. if they beat ireland then the six nations and the grand slam will be theirs,.