this is bbc news the headlines at four... the european union is facing mounting criticism for its short—lived attempt to override part of the brexit deal relating to northern ireland. we were told that under no circumstances could the european commission countenance a border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland and yet 29 days into the protocol they are quite happy to invoke it, when it is in their interests and the interests of the european bloc. in the past hour, the cabinet office minister michael gove said eu recognised they made a mistake and that a reset is now needed. i think the eu recognise they made a mistake in triggering article 16 which would have meant the imposition of a border on the island

of ireland but now that eu have stepped back. the world health organisation has criticised the eu's announcement of export controls on vaccines, saying such measures risked prolonging the pandemic. it is morally wrong, in terms of arresting the pandemic it wouldn't help, and it wouldn't also bring livelihoods back. the prime minister publishes an open letter to parents, saying he's "in awe" of the way they're coping with home schooling. five men have been arrested following a �*disturbance' at a former military barracks in kent, being used to house hundreds of asylum seekers. a four—year—girl has discovered a rare dinosaur footprint on a beach in south wales. and coming up — we find out how alpine ski resorts are dealing with a winter season of closures and lockdowns, that's in the travel show.

the european union is facing criticism over its now—abandoned plan to override the post—brexit withdrawal treaty to impose export controls from the eu to northern ireland — as part of efforts to control the export of coronavirus vaccines. this afternoon the cabinet office minister michael gove said the eu has recognised they made a mistake and that a reset is now needed. earlier, northern ireland's first minister, arlene foster called it "an incredible act of hostility towards those of us in northern ireland". following talks with borisjohnson, european commission president ursula von der leyen tweeted that the uk and eu had "agreed on the principle that there should not be restrictions on the export of vaccines by companies where they are fulfilling contractual responsibilities". and today, the world health organization has criticised the eu's announcement of export controls

on vaccines produced within the bloc, saying such measures risked prolonging the pandemic. our political correspondent leila nathoo reports. how to avoid border checks between northern ireland and the irish republic was the issue that dominated the brexit negotiations, but last night the prospect of a hard border on the island was raised again after the eu activated an emergency provision in the brexit deal in frustration over the pace of its vaccine roll—out. it's an absolutely incredible act of hostility towards those of us in northern ireland. it was nothing to do with making sure that northern ireland was in a peaceful state and all to do with the eu's vaccine embarrassment and mismanagement. the prime minister now needs to act very quickly to deal with the real trade flows that are being disrupted between great britain and northern ireland. the eu announced controls of exports of vaccines produced in the bloc

and wanted to stop any doses entering northern ireland as a back route into the uk, but the commission quickly reversed its decision after condemnation from westminster, belfast and dublin. there is a joint duty of care. we need to apply that rigorously in northern ireland and we need to have that spirit of cooperation across the new relationship that we have with our eu friends and partners. the eu is scrambling to secure vaccines for its member states. it's in a dispute with the firm astrazeneca about whether doses should be diverted from the uk to the continent to meet commitments already made. late last night the european commission's president, ursula von der leyen, said she had had a constructive conversation with borisjohnson and they had agreed there would be no export restrictions when companies were fulfilling contractual responsibilities. downing street said last night that the prime minister had grave concerns about the potential impact

of the eu's actions, but ministers maintain they are confident in the uk's vaccine supplies. number ten is yet to comment on the eu's reversal over northern ireland. but this episode risks souring relations, fuelling suspicion of brussels in westminster and raising concerns about how the eu may behave in the future if its interests are threatened. in the past hour we've heard from cabinet office michael gove — he said a reset with the eu is now needed. i think the eu recognise now that they made a mistake yesterday. the commission made a mistake. they didn't consult us or our friends in dublin and the united parties in northern ireland, from sinn fein on one side to the dup on the other, in condemnation. people in northern ireland were bewildered by this step. now they have stepped back and

recognise they are committed to making sure the belfast agreement works for all of northern ireland's people and he recognises we need a reset and i look forward to working with him and the parties in northern ireland to address the problem is the people there have identified. what does this say about the eu attitude to brexit? do you say this shows you we were right to leave? i have always argued that we were right but i think it is important we have good relations with our friends and neighbours and i want to make sure we do everything we can after the mistake that was made yesterday to make sure we can work together. ultimately it is in all of our interests to see companies on their contracts, promises kept, the rule of law respected and friendship and cooperation between nations advanced. britain as a sovereign nation is playing its role once more as a leader in standing up for those

values and we want to be alongside ourfriends and values and we want to be alongside our friends and neighbours values and we want to be alongside ourfriends and neighbours in values and we want to be alongside our friends and neighbours in the values and we want to be alongside ourfriends and neighbours in the eu in pushing that agenda forward. you talk about a — in pushing that agenda forward. you talk about a mistake but do you think they have behaved unreasonably because they are annoyed the uk seems to be further ahead in the vaccine timetable?— seems to be further ahead in the vaccine timetable? when friends make mistakes, vaccine timetable? when friends make mistakes. the — vaccine timetable? when friends make mistakes, the most _ vaccine timetable? when friends make mistakes, the most important - vaccine timetable? when friends make mistakes, the most important thing i mistakes, the most important thing to do is help everyone back onto the right track. i think it is important we recognise that while we must prioritise the vaccination of british citizens it is also in our interests to support friends and neighbours whether they are vaccine programme and we will do that consistent with making sure contracts are honoured, promises kept and uk citizens are vaccinated first. let's hear now what stormont first minister arlene foster — who leads the democratic unionist party — had to say about this issue this afternoon. i think it is important that you look at the wording of the statement from the european commission last night. they were saying they weren't invoking it now, but they didn't take away the threat of using it in future.

i think that sends a very powerful message because right throughout the process between the european referendum taking place and the end of the negotiations we were told that under no circumstances could the european commission countenance a border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland and yet 29 days into the protocol they are quite happy to invoke it, when it is in their interests and the interests of the european bloc. i think we have seen throughout the 29 days now, the 30th day, of the protocol that it is causing grave difficulties for trade between great britain and northern ireland, everything from flower seeds to potatoes, parcels, the travelling of pets between northern ireland and great britain. all of these things have caused huge upset in the unionist community and i would argue right across the community, actually in northern ireland. i noticed that simon coveney said last night that the protocol was about protecting piece and trade. —— was about protecting peace and trade. well, unfortunately it is certainly

not protecting trade at the moment and it is causing grave disruption in northern ireland and i have to say i am concerned about the tension within the union's community at the moment. you will have noted what the assistant chief constable has said, mark mcewan, last week in relation to the tension and the fact that if it wasn't for the covid restrictions, that tension may well have gone on to the streets. that causes me great concern and i think that not only london needs to take attention to that but also dublin. joining me now is labour mp louise haigh, shadow northern ireland secretary. what do you think about what has happened in the last 2a hours? first the threat by the european commission to trigger article 16, and then stepping back. it commission to trigger article 16, and then stepping back.- and then stepping back. it was a rofound and then stepping back. it was a profound misjudgment - and then stepping back. it was a profound misjudgment and - and then stepping back. it was a profound misjudgment and a - and then stepping back. it was a i profound misjudgment and a grave mistake as michael gove described it, to threaten and intend to invoke article 16, to revoke aspects of the

northern irish protocol, which was negotiated and agreed on in the first place to avoid that border on the island of ireland. it was a complete overreaction to the issues they are experiencing and it is welcome that they quickly listened to the irish government and our government and other governments in the eu who raised serious concerns about the consequences. it shows there are lessons to be learned and there are lessons to be learned and the european commission needs to remember it has a shared responsibility to northern ireland and to the northern ireland government.— and to the northern ireland government. ., _ . ., government. how sympathetic are due to the first minister, _ government. how sympathetic are due to the first minister, arlene _ to the first minister, arlene foster, saying the trade agreement between northern ireland and great britain is causing a great deal of tension? she said over parcels, pets, flower seeds. and that this episode means there should be a

little more understanding and possibly movement on the arrangements. what is your response? i completely agree with the first minister that the protocol is having an impact on trade at the moment. there are disruptions in the trading arrangements between great britain and northern ireland. some of the checks and controls and delays were always going to be a consequence of additional regulations and changes to the trading relationship between britain and northern ireland but some are also a consequence of the government approach to the protocol. last year the prime minister and several cabinet ministers denied repeatedly that there would be any change or disruption to trade between britain and northern ireland, and this robbed businesses of the time they needed to prepare. that is why lorries are coming back

empty because businesses didn't know what changes were coming so they didn't have the correct forms and thatis didn't have the correct forms and that is resulting in some empty shelves in supermarkets and the problem is that the first minister they are described. the answer is that the uk government and european commission need to get back round the table through the joint commission take action together to minimise the changes and disruptions.— minimise the changes and disruptions. minimise the changes and disrutions. ~ ., , ., disruptions. where does the labour pa stand disruptions. where does the labour party stand on _ disruptions. where does the labour party stand on this? _ disruptions. where does the labour party stand on this? it _ disruptions. where does the labour party stand on this? it seems - disruptions. where does the labour party stand on this? it seems a - party stand on this? it seems a choice between either a harder border on the island of ireland, and the protocol was designed to stop that, or checks in the irish sea. where do they stand? we that, or checks in the irish sea. where do they stand?— that, or checks in the irish sea. where do they stand? we want to make the rotocol where do they stand? we want to make the protocol work. _ where do they stand? we want to make the protocol work. unfortunately - where do they stand? we want to make the protocol work. unfortunately a - the protocol work. unfortunately a consequence of brexit is that there will have to be some checks between great britain and northern ireland because northern ireland is effectively remaining in the customs union of the eu and also of the uk.

because great britain is not in the customs union of the eu, there will have to be checks. but there can be further agreement with the eu and thatis further agreement with the eu and that is why we need to work and cooperation to minimise that. the protocol also had an important principle that it would have as minimal an principle that it would have as minimalan impact as principle that it would have as minimal an impact as possible on everyday lives in northern ireland and that is just as important to the good friday agreement as the principle of avoiding a border between the republic and northern ireland. and that ability to live your life north or south are fundamental to the principles of the good friday agreement and the both need to be protected.— need to be protected. looking again at this row over _ need to be protected. looking again at this row over vaccine _ at this row over vaccine procurement, do you think that the uk has managed to be more nimble by not being part of the eu and certainly by not being part of their vaccination programme?—

certainly by not being part of their vaccination programme? clearly the eu are having _ vaccination programme? clearly the eu are having problems _ vaccination programme? clearly the eu are having problems with - vaccination programme? clearly the eu are having problems with their i eu are having problems with their vaccination programme, and ours is an incredible success. has vaccination programme, and ours is an incredible success.— an incredible success. has brexit enabled that? _ an incredible success. has brexit enabled that? i _ an incredible success. has brexit enabled that? i think— an incredible success. has brexit enabled that? i think our- an incredible success. has brexit i enabled that? i think our structural success in the _ enabled that? i think our structural success in the uk _ enabled that? i think our structural success in the uk has. _ enabled that? i think our structural success in the uk has. we - enabled that? i think our structural success in the uk has. we have - success in the uk has. we have world—class scientists and other things that have made it a brilliant success. we have just had the latest coronavirus daily figures. new cases today, 23,275. that is compared to 29,073 yesterday. a drop of 6000 roughly in terms of new cases. the

deaths reported today are 1200 compared to 12115 yesterday. a small drop. we have to remember that on a saturday the figures are often lower. vaccines, the number of new vaccines is 487,756. that is a total different so far is around 8.3 million. the vaccine programme continuing apace. the headlines on bbc news... the eu backs down from using emergency brexit measures to restrict the movement of vaccines to northern ireland. the plan sparked outrage in london and belfast. the world health organization again warns against vaccine nationalism over the row about eu export controls. the uk prime minister publishes an open letter to parents, saying he's "in awe" of the way

they're coping with home schooling. sport and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. the pressure on the newcastle united manager steve bruce will have eased after their first win in 7 weeks. callum wilson scored both their goals in the 2—0 victory at everton. nick parrott reports. steve bruce had never won a premier league game in 11 visits to goodison park as manager so he will not forget this feeling. newcastle had lost the last five games and something had to change. graham jonesjoined the something had to change. graham jones joined the coaching staff from bournemouth this week and they are systems where tweaked. it succeeded in frustrating everton. midway through the first half before they could muster a shot on target. but newcastle looked more like scoring,

testing jordan pickford. both teams' top scorers were on a barren run coming into this match. everton's chances spurned. newcastle were guilty until they ended the seven—week drought in style. on another day, wilson might have scored a hat—trick. but he was clearly happy with securing the victory with a second in injury time. i victory with a second in in'ury time. . ., �* victory with a second in in'ury time. �* ., ., ., time. i couldn't fault how the team -la ed, time. i couldn't fault how the team played. the — time. i couldn't fault how the team played. the game _ time. i couldn't fault how the team played, the game plan, _ time. i couldn't fault how the team played, the game plan, how- time. i couldn't fault how the team played, the game plan, how we - time. i couldn't fault how the team l played, the game plan, how we went about it was terrific. it has been a difficult few weeks. one thing that breathes a bit of confidence is a good team performance. all round today was excellent.— today was excellent. despite winnin: , today was excellent. despite winning, newcastle - today was excellent. despite winning, newcastle are - today was excellent. despite winning, newcastle are 16th| today was excellent. despite i winning, newcastle are 16th in today was excellent. despite - winning, newcastle are 16th in the table. they hope this will kick—start a climb from the relegation zone. three more games are under way. big game down at the bottom of the table. west bromwich albion taking

on fulham — 19th against 18th. even a win for either side won't see them getting out of the relegation zone this afternoon. fulham took the lead early on in the first half though bobby decordova—read. he also hit a post but within a couple of minutes of the restart, kyle bartley pulled west brom back into it, latching onto a deflected cross. it is currently 1—1. here are the other games... four games in the scottish premiership today. leaders rangers have the weekend off. celtic can try and eat into that 23— point lead but they are losing at home to st mirren. hibs are winning at dundee, kilmarnock 2—0 up against stjohnstone. livingstone — 0 aberdeen — 0.

police have arrested a man on suspicion of racially abusing the west bromich albion midfielder romaine sawyers, who has started on the bench at the hawthornes this afternoon. the club contacted the police after their player was targetted online. a 49—year—old man is being questioned. as many as 30,000 tennis fans will be allowed to attend next month's australian open. the minister for sport in the state of victoria says that will be the daily limit for the first 8 days in melbourne before being reduced to 25,000 from the quarter—finals onwards. that's about 50% capacity. the tournament starts on the 8th of february. it will not be the same as the last few years but it will be the most significant international event with crowds we've seen for many months. there'll be no fans in india for england's cricket tour. they are in chennai ahead of the first test that starts on friday. ben stokes and jofra archer have trained today after being rested for the recent series in sri lanka.

with most of the players in quarantine until tuesday, that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. another goal in the premier league, for crystal palace, giving them the lead against wolves. a four—year—girl has discovered a rare dinosaur footprint on a beach in south wales. lily wilder and her family made the discovery at bendricks bay in barry in january. the footprint is 220 million years old and had been preserved in mud. palaeontologists say it's one of the best examples from anywhere in the uk and will help them to establish more about how early dinosaurs walked. i'm joined now by the wilder family, sally and richard and their daughter lily, who found the footprint.

there is a fourth person as well. this is baby george, and he is very noisy so i do apologise.— this is baby george, and he is very noisy so i do apologise. none at all necessary- — noisy so i do apologise. none at all necessary. this _ noisy so i do apologise. none at all necessary. this is _ noisy so i do apologise. none at all necessary. this is our _ noisy so i do apologise. none at all necessary. this is our wonderful. necessary. this is our wonderful story. lily, can you tell us how you found the footprint? or maybe your dad can start telling us and you can join in. we dad can start telling us and you can 'oin in. ~ , . ~ dad can start telling us and you can 'oin in. ~ , ., ~ ., ., join in. we 'ust were walking along the beach join in. we just were walking along the beach doing _ join in. we just were walking along the beach doing the _ join in. we just were walking along the beach doing the usual- join in. we just were walking along the beach doing the usual thing, i the beach doing the usual thing, looking — the beach doing the usual thing, looking at— the beach doing the usual thing, looking at shells, and lily said, daddy. — looking at shells, and lily said, daddy, look at this, and there it was: _ daddy, look at this, and there it was, this— daddy, look at this, and there it was, this amazing footprint. unbelievably realistic, couldn't believe — unbelievably realistic, couldn't believe it was real. we unbelievably realistic, couldn't believe it was real.— unbelievably realistic, couldn't believe it was real. we can see photographs — believe it was real. we can see photographs of _ believe it was real. we can see photographs of you _ believe it was real. we can see photographs of you all- believe it was real. we can seej photographs of you all pointing believe it was real. we can see i photographs of you all pointing at the footprint. did you think somebody had etched it out? i

thought maybe someone had been sat on a roch— thought maybe someone had been sat on a rock and they had etched it. it wasn't _ on a rock and they had etched it. it wasn't until— on a rock and they had etched it. it wasn't until we got home and i showed — wasn't until we got home and i showed sally and she even wondered if it was— showed sally and she even wondered if it was real. and the first archaeologist we showed it to, likewise, — archaeologist we showed it to, likewise, is this real. he archaeologist we showed it to, likewise, is this real.— archaeologist we showed it to, likewise, is this real. he said is it a wind-op- — likewise, is this real. he said is it a wind-up. at _ likewise, is this real. he said is it a wind-up. at what _ likewise, is this real. he said is it a wind-up. at what point - likewise, is this real. he said is it a wind-up. at what point did | likewise, is this real. he said is - it a wind-up. at what point did you know ou it a wind-up. at what point did you know you had _ it a wind-up. at what point did you know you had found _ it a wind-up. at what point did you know you had found something - know you had found something important? i know you had found something important?— know you had found something im ortant? ~ , know you had found something im ortant? ~' , ,., important? i think when my mum saw it and she said — important? i think when my mum saw it and she said we _ important? i think when my mum saw it and she said we had _ important? i think when my mum saw it and she said we had to _ important? i think when my mum saw it and she said we had to report - important? i think when my mum saw it and she said we had to report it, . it and she said we had to report it, it and she said we had to report it, it looks amazing. i put it on a fossil identification facebook page and it caused a bit of a star and i was put in touch with cindy from cardiff museum and they knew what to do. they took over from there. it must have been a great moment. lily,

you have a dinosaur in your hand. let's have a look. what sort of dinosaur is it? is it a t rex? that's my favourite dinosaur. do you think the footprint _ that's my favourite dinosaur. do you think the footprint you _ that's my favourite dinosaur. do you think the footprint you found - that's my favourite dinosaur. do you think the footprint you found looks l think the footprint you found looks a bit like that? ida. think the footprint you found looks a bit like that?— think the footprint you found looks a bit like that?_ it - think the footprint you found looks a bit like that?_ it was - a bit like that? no. tiny! it was too small. _ a bit like that? no. tiny! it was too small, wasn't _ a bit like that? no. tiny! it was too small, wasn't it? _ a bit like that? no. tiny! it was too small, wasn't it? and - a bit like that? no. tiny! it was too small, wasn't it? and t- a bit like that? no. tiny! it was| too small, wasn't it? and t rex footprints _ too small, wasn't it? and t rex footprints are _ too small, wasn't it? and t rex footprints are big. _ too small, wasn't it? and t rex footprints are big. was - too small, wasn't it? and t rex footprints are big. was it - too small, wasn't it? and t rex footprints are big. was it very l footprints are big. was it very excitin: footprints are big. was it very exciting seeing _ footprints are big. was it very exciting seeing the _ footprints are big. was it very | exciting seeing the footprints? footprints are big. was it very - exciting seeing the footprints? you were there first to see it. yes. have you _ were there first to see it. yes. have you as — were there first to see it. yes. have you as a _ were there first to see it. yes. have you as a family _ were there first to see it. yes. have you as a family always i were there first to see it. yes. l have you as a family always sort were there first to see it. yes. - have you as a family always sort of kept your eyes open? did you realise that the bit of the shoreline don't have fossils when you were walking?

not at all. it was only afterwards we found — not at all. it was only afterwards we found out how so many dinosaur prints _ we found out how so many dinosaur prints have — we found out how so many dinosaur prints have been found there. i think prints have been found there. think this prints have been found there. i think this is the most significant one because it is so well preserved. it's amazing to find out it will be of scientific interest. aha, it's amazing to find out it will be of scientific interest.— of scientific interest. a real contribution _ of scientific interest. a real contribution to _ of scientific interest. a real contribution to research. i l of scientific interest. a real. contribution to research. i was talking to the cindy howells from national wales museum about it and she said it may well have been the bit of rock had been washed up, so sort of by chance that you found it. definitely. it must have been there for a short— definitely. it must have been there for a short space of time because it was so _ for a short space of time because it was so clean — for a short space of time because it was so clear. yes. just for a short space of time because it was so clear. yes.— was so clear. yes. just by luck. the riaht was so clear. yes. just by luck. the right place — was so clear. yes. just by luck. the right place at _ was so clear. yes. just by luck. the right place at the _ was so clear. yes. just by luck. the right place at the right _ was so clear. yes. just by luck. the

right place at the right time. - was so clear. yes. just by luck. the right place at the right time. and i right place at the right time. and havin: a right place at the right time. and having a little — right place at the right time. and having a little girl with some very sharp eyes. it having a little girl with some very sharp eyes-— sharp eyes. it was 'ust the right hei . ht for sharp eyes. it was 'ust the right height for you _ sharp eyes. it was 'ust the right height for you to _ sharp eyes. it wasjust the right height for you to see. _ sharp eyes. it wasjust the right height for you to see. well- sharp eyes. it was just the right l height for you to see. well done. lil , do height for you to see. well done. lily. do you _ height for you to see. well done. lily, do you know— height for you to see. well done. lily, do you know more _ height for you to see. well done. lily, do you know more about. height for you to see. well done. | lily, do you know more about the dinosaur? i think she does but she's not going to tell us. you can whisper it. have you all become dinosaur experts? i whisper it. have you all become dinosaur experts?— whisper it. have you all become dinosaur experts? i don't know about exerts but dinosaur experts? i don't know about experts but definitely _ dinosaur experts? i don't know about experts but definitely enthusiasts. i experts but definitely enthusiasts. we want to get more information about the other footprints along that coastline. we are looking forward to it.— that coastline. we are looking forward to it. lily is a little shy at the moment _ forward to it. lily is a little shy at the moment but _ forward to it. lily is a little shy at the moment but she - forward to it. lily is a little shy at the moment but she has i forward to it. lily is a little shy i at the moment but she has made a great discovery. what was it like when you both found it? like

great discovery. what was it like when you both found it?- great discovery. what was it like when you both found it? like i say it was more _ when you both found it? like i say it was more afterwards _ when you both found it? like i say it was more afterwards the - it was more afterwards the realisation that it was real. at the lime _ realisation that it was real. at the time i_ realisation that it was real. at the time i didn't necessarily think it was real — time i didn't necessarily think it was real. so, yeah. it was surprising _ was real. so, yeah. it was surprising afterwards. thank you very much- _ surprising afterwards. thank you very much- all— surprising afterwards. thank you very much. all four _ surprising afterwards. thank you very much. all four of _ surprising afterwards. thank you very much. all four of you. i surprising afterwards. thank you very much. all four of you. we i surprising afterwards. thank you i very much. all four of you. we can see three of you now. richard and sally, lily and george, thank you very much and congratulation on the big find. the prime minister has published an open letter to parents, saying he is "in awe" of how they are coping. he also promises "hundreds of millions of pounds" will be spent on a national education catch—up programme after the pandemic. here's our education editor branwen jeffreys. it's tough for millions of parents right now, trying to help children learn at home. schools in england are mainly closed until march. today, borisjohnson said he couldn't thank parents enough. he said they are buying time for vaccination

and that is saving lives. only a few children are still learning in school. parents and teachers are worried about lost learning. there is a promise in the letter of hundreds of millions of pounds for catch—up but it's going to be a big job. one of the schools i have responsibility for, fantastic place, serves a very deprived community, only 30% of those families have access to broadband in that area. only 30%. this is digital poverty in a really extreme way and it means that many children, despite the very best efforts of schools and teachers, still cannot connect with that learning. this warehouse is getting laptops to kids, more than 800,000 so far. but not every child will have somewhere quiet to work or parents able to give them lots of time. leading to fears that children could pay a heavy price in this pandemic.

now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. hello. we've seen a mix of rain, sleet and snow across many southern parts of the uk so far today and particularly the parts of wales in the midlands, that mix of snow and also some ice developing is leading to a bit of travel disruption. in fact, there could be as much as 15 centimetres of snow above the highest ground of central and north wales. over the next few hours, that rain, sleet and snow will slowly start to slip away towards the south and this evening and tonight, under those clear skies, temperatures will drop quickly. so, ice will increasingly be a problem particularly for wales, the midlands and other parts of southern and eastern england. further north, we are expecting a cold night and there will be some slippery stretches around to start sunday morning. a sharp frost, iciness, dry weather for many of us on sunday with wintry sunshine. some flurries across the far north of scotland and then later in the day, we see the rain moving in from the south—west. increasingly turning to snow over the higher ground of south—west england, wales and northern ireland.

it should be dry and bright further east, temperatures around two to 8 degrees. goodbye.

hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. the european union is facing mounting criticism for its short—lived attempt to override part of the brexit deal relating to northern ireland. we were told that under no circumstances could the european commission countenance a border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland and yet 29 days into the protocol they are quite happy to invoke it, when it is in their interests and the interests of the european bloc. in the past hour, the cabinet office minister michael gove said that a reset is now needed, with the eu. i think the european union recognises that they made a mistake in triggering article 15, which would have meant the reimposition of a border on the island of ireland. but now, the european union have stepped back.