this is bbc news i'mjames reynolds. the headlines at 8pm... captain sir tom moore — who raised more than £30 million for the nhs by walking laps of his garden — has died in hospital with the coronavirus. the 100—year—old second world war veteran was knighted injuly, the queen led tributes today — while borisjohnson said he'd united the nation. captain sirtom captain sir tom moore was a hero in the truest sense of the word, in the dark days of the second world war, he fought for freedom and in the face of this country's deepest postwar crisis, he united us all. and coming up, we'll be speaking to the former cavalry officer who created captain sir tom's official oil painting for the army. also tonight... scientists from oxford university say new evidence shows

their astrazeneca jab could substantially reduce virus transmission. new covid variants have been discovered in liverpool and bristol — and as targeted community testing for the south african variant continues — scientists say current vaccinations should still be effective against them. back to the classroom this month — scotland's first minister announces a phased return. and what's the real cost of all our buying and spending — a new report says the effect on the natural world should be part of the calculation. good evening. captain sir tom moore — the 100—year old war veteran who caught the nation's hearts last year with his nhs fundraising —

has died in hospital, with coranavirus. in a statement, his family members said they were at his bedside, able to look back at a last year of life that was nothing short of remarkable. last april, captain tom walked 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday and raised nearly 33 million pounds for the health service in the process. david sillito takes a look back at his life. captain sir tom moore. the word "inspirational" is an understatement. what began as a little family challengedto do 100 laps of his garden became a fundraising juggernaut — £39 million. born in keighley in 1920, he served in burma during the war. after that, he'd run a business and the closest he had ever come to fame... and appearing this christmas on... ..was an appearance on blankety blank. tom, have you got a family or anyone you would rather not be watching this? yes, two girls, coming up16 coming up14. but everything changed when his family set up a fundraising

page for captain tom. the hope was to raise £1,000 for nhs charities to support the nurses and doctors during a pandemic, butjust over a week later, the total had passed £1 million. and by the time he celebrated his 100th birthday, the total had top £30 million. # walk on through the wind...# he also had a number one single. # walk on through the rain...# a duet with michael ball. captain tom had become known the world over. he received 140,000 birthday cards. he was made an honorary colonel. he received a knighthood. and the raf staged a birthday fly—past. i am absolutely delighted with all the people like you who have come

to wish me a many happy birthday, it really is absolutely awesome. it has been an extraordinary 10 months. the final entry on his wish list was an end of year trip to barbados. and then, earlier this week, it was announced that he had pneumonia and had tested positive for the coronavirus. as the sad news emerged this afternoon, the union flag at downing street was at half mast. captain sir tom moore was a hero in the truest sense of the word. in the dark days of the second world war, he fought forfreedom and in the face of this country's deepest post—war crisis, he united us all. he cheered us all up and he embodied the triumph of the human spirit. captain tom described it as a fairy tale, but during some dark months, it was his good cheer that became a little source ofjoy for millions. i never ever anticipated ever in my life anything like this.

it really is amazing. i must say to everyone, thank you very much to everyone wherever you are. # you'll never walk alone.# in the village where captain tom lived, marston moretaine in bedforshire, residents have been laying flowers and lighting candles outside the home where he carried out his epic walk. while tributes and sympathy poured in from around the world, his neighbours paid their own respects. he's brought the community a lot closer together. his daughter, his grandson and his granddaughter, they are all amazing, and ijust wish them the best.

we are just trying to think of all the amazing memories that we've got, haven't we? and just really send all of our love to everyone that loved him, you know? all his family, he was such an inspiration in such a sad time. our home editor mark easton explained why he thought sir tom had such an impact on the nation. captain tom, when the virus was making us question everything last spring. he was a representative of the greatest generation, the men and women shaped by wartime sacrifice, who understand the meaning of duty and resilience and humility, walking up and down, up and down his garden, doing his bit, showing us what that meant, uncomplaining. and with his medals proudly on his regimental blazer, he was also, of course, direct link to that time which people still see as perhaps britain because my greatest hour, the second world war.

he had won the affection of the nation across generations, old and young, this old soldier epitomising, perhaps, how we would like to see ourselves in a crisis, because as well is the indomitable spirit, there was always a twinkle in his eye, a joke and a laugh, and when we needed it most, as the virus raged, and we struggled to hold it together, captain tom kept on walking up and down, up and down. well, to mark the 75th anniversary of vj day, artist alexander chamberlin, a former cavalry officer, created the official oil painting of captain sir tom moore for the army. hejoins me now. ican i can see your picture next to you. i can see your picture next to you. i think there is a portrait behind you, alex. there is. i've painted both pictures at the same time, and the one that

went to the national army museum pushed forward and i completed that. before i show it, ijust want to say how incredibly... it was just the worst possible news for everyone today, and my family's thoughts go out to their family. you know, today, and my family's thoughts go out to theirfamily. you know, it's just horrible. anyway, this is the picture that was the first prototype for the painting that is now in the national army museum. and this one here is one that i was working on at the same time as a study towards the finished painting. tell the same time as a study towards the finished painting.— finished painting. tell me how you not to finished painting. tell me how you got to know _ finished painting. tell me how you got to know him? _ finished painting. tell me how you got to know him? did _ finished painting. tell me how you got to know him? did you - finished painting. tell me how you got to know him? did you meet i finished painting. tell me how you i got to know him? did you meet him finished painting. tell me how you - got to know him? did you meet him in person to do the painting? yes. got to know him? did you meet him in person to do the painting?— person to do the painting? yes, i did. i person to do the painting? yes, i did- i was — person to do the painting? yes, i did. i was incredibly _ person to do the painting? yes, i did. i was incredibly lucky - person to do the painting? yes, i did. i was incredibly lucky to - person to do the painting? yes, i did. i was incredibly lucky to be l did. i was incredibly lucky to be able to meet him. i think i was the only person to be able to do that. that shows, really, kind of come of the regard that he held the army in that he allowed the army to get close to him. he was inundated with requests and many fantastic efforts

of painting him, but i was greatly honored to meet him in person. 0ften amazing person to meet. his grandson, benji, looked after me when i was there. it was just brilliant. just such a shame to lose him now. fix. brilliant. just such a shame to lose him now. �* ~ , brilliant. just such a shame to lose him now. �* ~' , , ., ., him now. a key question, what did he make of the — him now. a key question, what did he make of the portrait? _ him now. a key question, what did he make of the portrait? well, _ him now. a key question, what did he make of the portrait? well, they - make of the portrait? well, they have not seen _ make of the portrait? well, they have not seen it _ make of the portrait? well, they have not seen it in _ make of the portrait? well, they have not seen it in life, - make of the portrait? well, they i have not seen it in life, obviously, because of the shutdown. i very much hoped to be able to show the family the painting in the museum, you know, in better times, the painting in the museum, you know, in bettertimes, but the painting in the museum, you know, in better times, buti understand that their family really likes the painting. so i'm very pleased to hear that.- likes the painting. so i'm very pleased to hear that. were armed forces veterans, _ pleased to hear that. were armed forces veterans, you _ pleased to hear that. were armed forces veterans, you and - pleased to hear that. were armed forces veterans, you and captain l pleased to hear that. were armed l forces veterans, you and captain sir tom. did that issue come up when you met him, point of connection? we talked met him, point of connection? - talked about a quite a lot. there was definitely a mutual, a lot more respect from me, i think, was definitely a mutual, a lot more respect from me, ithink, in was definitely a mutual, a lot more respect from me, i think, in terms of, you know, what he has done, what

he went there, my service really just pales in significance compared to even anything he has done then or since, really. to even anything he has done then or since. really-— since, really. one of my colleagues 'ust said since, really. one of my colleagues just said now— since, really. one of my colleagues just said now that _ since, really. one of my colleagues just said now that what's _ since, really. one of my colleagues just said now that what's helped . just said now that what's helped everyone is the twinkle he had in his eye when he did those laps and when you saw him talking to the media. how did you go about trying to capture that twinkle? weill. media. how did you go about trying to capture that twinkle?— to capture that twinkle? well, what was so great _ to capture that twinkle? well, what was so great about _ to capture that twinkle? well, what was so great about him _ to capture that twinkle? well, what was so great about him was - to capture that twinkle? well, what was so great about him was that i to capture that twinkle? well, what was so great about him was that he really welcomes me into his environment so that i could actually sort of have a chance to talk to him. he was very relaxed and able to allow me to feel comfortable, which i think is the mark of a true gentleman. you are right. the twinkle was very important. my wife made it very clear to me and my daughters, even my four—year—old daughters, even my four—year—old daughter noticed it and actually helped me with a few little bits and pieces on the painting in the end.

when can the public go and see the finished portrait?— finished portrait? well, it's hanuain finished portrait? well, it's hanging down _ finished portrait? well, it's hanging down the - finished portrait? well, it's hanging down the national| finished portrait? well, it's - hanging down the national army museum. so, really, we arejust waiting for our kind of, you know, things to sort of, you know, to soften up a bit and allow us out, but you know, right now, i think the most important thing is that everyone stays at home and stay safe. so i think, you know, whilst i would love everyone to go and see it immediately, i think really, the best that we can do for everyone is to hold our horses and keep it for something special to do later in the year. something special to do later in the ear. �* . ~' something special to do later in the ear. �* ., ~ , ., something special to do later in the ear. �* ., ~ ,, something special to do later in the ear. �* ., ~ . something special to do later in the ear. �* ., ~' y., . thank year. alex, thank you so much. thank ou ve year. alex, thank you so much. thank you very much- _ year. alex, thank you so much. thank you very much. thank— year. alex, thank you so much. thank you very much. thank you. _ and, the government has released the latest figures for cases and deaths with coronavirus. the number of cases continues to fall — there were 16,840 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period — which means that on average the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 23,268 across the uk an average of 32,166

people were in hospital with coronavirus over the seven days to sunday — including suspected cases in wales 1,449 deaths were reported, that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 1,122 deaths were announced every day. the total number of deaths so far across the uk is 108,013. now let's look at the vaccination roll out. 350,348 people have had their first dose of one of the three approved covid—19 vaccines in the latest 24 hour period. that takes the overall number of people who've had their firstjab to 9,646,715. and we'll find out how today's news is covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10.40 and 11.30 this evening in the papers — our guests joining me tonight are uk trade and economics correspondent for politico, anna isaac, and chief

executive of the think tank new economics foundation and former labour adviser, miatta fahnbulleh. there's concern tonight among scientists following the discovery by public health england of two new variants of the coronavirus — one cluster in bristol and another in liverpool. both show a similar mutation to the strains identified in south africa and brazil. scientists say mutations of viruses are common and to be expected. they are trying to work out what effect the alterations will have on the effectiveness of the vaccines currently being distributed around the country. our medical editor fergus walsh reports. fighting coronavirus house by house. 80,000 adults in england are being urged to take a test, even if they don't have symptoms. they live in nine postcode areas where 11 cases of the south african variant, unconnected with foreign travel, have been detected. there is currently no evidence to suggest it is any more severe, but we have to come down on it hard.

our mission must be to stop its spread altogether and break those chains of transmission. but it's notjust the south african variant that is of concern. the uk variant, which first emerged in september in kent, has undergone another mutation. viruses evolve all the time, but there are several variants here which share one mutation of concern — it's in the spike protein and called e484k. it has been found in bristol in a mutated version of the more mutation kent variant. ——contagious kent variant. and in liverpool in a variant which mutated from the original wuhan strain. this same mutation is also found in the south african and brazilian variants. it appears to make the virus less visible to antibodies, a key part of the immune system, which could make vaccines less effective.

we do have some evidence from the laboratory that this mutation might reduce the efficacy of certain vaccines. having said that, the vaccine should still work very well and reduce transmission and reduce symptoms, we hope, but we are going to need to keep a very close eye on this. hello, i work with... in surrey, the public health teams mostly met with a positive response. what do you think about this whole exercise? i think it's brilliant. i think it is really good that they have acted upon it really quickly. it is almost the first thing that i feel like they have taken... relatively urgently. yeah. it's good to see. this door—to—door testing should provide vital information on how much the south african variant may be spreading silently within the community. and hopefully suppress it at least to a certain extent, buying vital time for the vaccine roll—out. vaccine's going in, and there we go, all done.

so the quicker the nhs can immunise those most at risk, the better. and social distancing remains vital because the less virus out there, the lower the risk of it mutating again. fergus walsh, bbc news. professor robert dingwall is professor of sociology at nottingham trent university — and part of ones of the groups which reports into sage, the government's new and emerging respiratory virus threats advisory group. professor, thanks so much for joining us. as the uk properly equipped to keep tracking these new variants? ~ ., ., ~ . ., variants? well, to make it clear, i am speaking _ variants? well, to make it clear, i am speaking in — variants? well, to make it clear, i am speaking in a _ variants? well, to make it clear, i am speaking in a personal- variants? well, to make it clear, i | am speaking in a personal capacity and not specifically as a member of nerve tech this evening. but, the uk is much better equipped than many other countries, indeed, the discovery of these variants is in some respects attribute to the amount of nymex screening that we do in addition to the general

identification of the viruses. the uk has been doing a lot more of us than most other countries, and that does mean that we are finding a lot more variances.— does mean that we are finding a lot more variances. what more should be done in terms — more variances. what more should be done in terms of _ more variances. what more should be done in terms of isolating _ more variances. what more should be done in terms of isolating these - done in terms of isolating these areas where the variant�*s has been found? areas where the variant's has been found? ~ ~' ., found? well, i think we need to correct a bit _ found? well, i think we need to correct a bit of _ found? well, i think we need to correct a bit of a _ found? well, i think we need to i correct a bit of a misunderstanding about the importance of variances. i'm a sociologist not a immunologist or a geneticist, but sitting around a table with some very smart people for a year, and a table with some very smart people fora year, and i a table with some very smart people for a year, and i think i've picked up for a year, and i think i've picked up a bit. 0ne for a year, and i think i've picked up a bit. one of the things that i've learned is that this is what viruses do. the way in which viruses reproduce themselves means that there is a lot of inherent errors, there is a lot of inherent errors, there is a lot of exchange of the elements and variances are happening all the time. and we have to be very careful to not allow ourselves to get panicked every time a new one

comes along. especially when, as the secretary of state was conceding, there is no evidence that this particular variant is any more verlyn. it's no more dangerous. {iii verlyn. it's no more dangerous. of course, professor. but one person's panic is another person's have caution. well, i think, caution. well, ithink, you know, if we caution. well, i think, you know, if we are going to get out of this, we cannot put ourselves into a situation where we say, "we will never change any of the restrictions, any of the controls until variances stops happening." variants will always happen. that is a very important thing for people to understand. what matters is, you know, we are monitoring the situation, we are aware of them. and as the vaccine manufacturers have pointed out, the generation of vaccines we have at the moment are relatively easy to modify in response to them if necessary, just as we modify influenza vaccines every year. new

generations of vaccines coming along have different targets on the virus and operate in different ways and will be less susceptible to these particular variants. of course, other variants may arise on their own as they do with all of the viruses. fist own as they do with all of the viruses. �* ., .., , , ., viruses. at the moment, cases are down, viruses. at the moment, cases are down. deaths _ viruses. at the moment, cases are down, deaths have _ viruses. at the moment, cases are down, deaths have been _ viruses. at the moment, cases are down, deaths have been falling. isj down, deaths have been falling. is it the right time now to start thinking about that time when restrictions are used?- restrictions are used? well, i certainly _ restrictions are used? well, i certainly think _ restrictions are used? well, i certainly think it's _ restrictions are used? well, i certainly think it's important | restrictions are used? well, i i certainly think it's important to be working towards an exit strategy, particularly as we have had the very positive news today in the press release from astrazeneca that there is increasing evidence that there vaccine will have an impact on transmission, and if there vaccine is going to have a significant impact on transmission, it's reasonable to expect that will also apply to the pfizer and maternal vaccines. given that, we will be in

a position towards the end of february where something of the order of 90% plus of the risk of death and serious illness, you know, will have washed out of the system as a result of the vaccination programme. now, that may be impaired slightly by the emergence of these new variants, but there isn't really of the moment any evidence to support that claim.— support that claim. professor robert, thank _ support that claim. professor robert, thank you _ support that claim. professor robert, thank you so - support that claim. professor robert, thank you so much. l support that claim. professor i robert, thank you so much. we will be talking more about the news of the astrazeneca 0xford jab and thus to texas around it in the programme. 0ne to texas around it in the programme. one of the —— one of the eight areas that has seen thousands of home testing kits deployed is woking. let's discuss how the roll—out has gone with councillor tim 0liver, the conservative leader of surrey county council and sonal sher, the founder of a local community support group in woking— which has helped elderly and vulnerable people throughout the pandemic. thank you and welcome to you both.

counselor 0liver first, thank you and welcome to you both. counselor 0liverfirst, i thank you and welcome to you both. counselor 0liver first, i think we spoke last night it only —— almost the exact same time. how has the first day of testing gone? i the exact same time. how has the first day of testing gone?- first day of testing gone? i think it's auoin first day of testing gone? i think it's going very — first day of testing gone? i think it's going very well, _ first day of testing gone? i think it's going very well, very - first day of testing gone? i think. it's going very well, very smoothly. we started getting out the kits to residents from nine o'clock onwards this morning, and we have distributed around 3000 of them through the course of the day. there has been a very positive response that i have seen on the doorstep, residents are very pleased and they knew what was happening and very pleased that we acted as quickly as we have. all in all, very positive. you and a number of volunteers, 200 volunteers give help to the vulnerable. in general, how are you guys getting on? i vulnerable. in general, how are you guys getting on?— guys getting on? i think we are fine at the moment _ guys getting on? i think we are fine at the moment with _ guys getting on? i think we are fine at the moment with the _ guys getting on? i think we are fine at the moment with the variants. i at the moment with the variants. there _ at the moment with the variants. there was— at the moment with the variants. there was a _ at the moment with the variants. there was a bit of a panic for a bit. _ there was a bit of a panic for a hit. but — there was a bit of a panic for a hit. but i — there was a bit of a panic for a bit, but i have a lot of friends, a lot ofm — bit, but i have a lot of friends, a lot ofm and _ bit, but i have a lot of friends, a lot of... and two have said they have _ lot of... and two have said they have received the kits and are being tested _

have received the kits and are being tested and — have received the kits and are being tested and all of the volunteers coming — tested and all of the volunteers coming in — tested and all of the volunteers coming in with the kits are very, very— coming in with the kits are very, very polite, _ coming in with the kits are very, very polite, very, very helpful. and ithink— very polite, very, very helpful. and i think my— very polite, very, very helpful. and i think myjob today has been to 'ust i think myjob today has been to just reassure everyone and make sure that's— just reassure everyone and make sure that's coming you know, they are following — that's coming you know, they are following the guidelines, especially my volunteers as well, and what i am trying _ my volunteers as well, and what i am trying to— my volunteers as well, and what i am trying to do— my volunteers as well, and what i am trying to do is asking volunteers who are — trying to do is asking volunteers who are outside of the testing zone to pick— who are outside of the testing zone to pick up— who are outside of the testing zone to pick up the task so that we are still helping the elderly and vulnerable.— still helping the elderly and vulnerable. ., , ., �*, vulnerable. counselor, let's sayi live in woking — vulnerable. counselor, let's sayi live in woking and _ vulnerable. counselor, let's sayi live in woking and happen i vulnerable. counselor, let's sayi live in woking and happen to i vulnerable. counselor, let's say i| live in woking and happen to have vulnerable. counselor, let's say i i live in woking and happen to have a few days worth of food at home. should i stay completely out of home to help the effort, or should i continue to go outside, go for a while, go to the shops, meet one other person in the open air lake and the rest of the uk? i other person in the open air lake and the rest of the uk?— and the rest of the uk? i don't think there _ and the rest of the uk? i don't think there is _ and the rest of the uk? i don't think there is any _ and the rest of the uk? i don't think there is any change i and the rest of the uk? i don't think there is any change to i and the rest of the uk? i don't| think there is any change to the general guidance, which is that people should stay—at—home unless they have a good reason to leave the house, and to go and buy food is one of those and two exercises another. so, yes, of course i think we would

encourage everybody to stay—at—home and effectively to isolate, but we are not saying that there are any further restrictions in relation to people in woking at all. so further restrictions in relation to people in woking at all.- further restrictions in relation to people in woking at all. so even if i have people in woking at all. so even if i have food _ people in woking at all. so even if i have food at _ people in woking at all. so even if i have food at home, _ people in woking at all. so even if i have food at home, i _ people in woking at all. so even if i have food at home, i can - people in woking at all. so even if i have food at home, i can still- people in woking at all. so even if i have food at home, i can still go| i have food at home, i can still go out to the shop and get some. yes indeed. out to the shop and get some. yes indeed- are _ out to the shop and get some. yes indeed. are you _ out to the shop and get some. yes indeed. are you stopping - out to the shop and get some. yes indeed. are you stopping people i indeed. are you stopping people outside of the _ indeed. are you stopping people outside of the postcode - indeed. are you stopping people outside of the postcode from i indeed. are you stopping people i outside of the postcode from getting into that postcode? ida. outside of the postcode from getting into that postcode?— into that postcode? no, there is no restrictions — into that postcode? no, there is no restrictions on _ into that postcode? no, there is no restrictions on that. _ into that postcode? no, there is no restrictions on that. i _ into that postcode? no, there is no restrictions on that. i mean, i into that postcode? no, there is no restrictions on that. i mean, we i into that postcode? no, there is no| restrictions on that. i mean, we are obviously reinforcing the message about staying at home and face, space and hands and so on. so all of those messages and just asking people to be a little bit more vigilant, little bit more careful. but we haven't said to anybody that they can't carry on with their normal daily routine. if they can work from home, than absolutely, please do that over the next few days. you will have the test results, hopefully, i hope by the weekend, starting to see those come through, and obviously, than if you are positive, you need to isolates, bites, no, we arejust are positive, you need to isolates, bites, no, we are just expecting people to continue to be very

sensible. ., ., people to continue to be very sensible-— people to continue to be very sensible. ., ., ., sensible. you are dealing with --eole, sensible. you are dealing with people. some _ sensible. you are dealing with people, some of _ sensible. you are dealing with people, some of whom i sensible. you are dealing with people, some of whom who i sensible. you are dealing with i people, some of whom who can't sensible. you are dealing with - people, some of whom who can't leave the house, how are they getting on? what have they been saying to your volunteers?— what have they been saying to your volunteers? , . , , , volunteers? they have been slightly anxious, volunteers? they have been slightly anxious. and — volunteers? they have been slightly anxious, and actually, _ volunteers? they have been slightly anxious, and actually, have - volunteers? they have been slightly anxious, and actually, have been i anxious, and actually, have been asking _ anxious, and actually, have been asking people throughout the day, and its— asking people throughout the day, and it's been mixed. some people are very anxious _ and it's been mixed. some people are very anxious and we are trying to reassure — very anxious and we are trying to reassure them, and a lot of people are quite _ reassure them, and a lot of people are quite optimistic that, you know, the countit— are quite optimistic that, you know, the council has actually got boots on the _ the council has actually got boots on the ground very, very quickly in the test _ on the ground very, very quickly in the test kits, you know, they are running — the test kits, you know, they are running out _ the test kits, you know, they are running out. at the moment, every time _ running out. at the moment, every time we _ running out. at the moment, every time we are — running out. at the moment, every time we are speaking to someone, we're _ time we are speaking to someone, we're just— time we are speaking to someone, we're just telling them, you know, the services — we're just telling them, you know, the services still available, we are still around. there's no need to panic. — still around. there's no need to panic. we — still around. there's no need to panic, we are still getting their prescriptions, we are still food to them _ prescriptions, we are still food to them. , ., ., ,, yes, them. does that reassure them? yes, es, it them. does that reassure them? yes, yes. it does- — them. does that reassure them? yes, yes. it does- we _ them. does that reassure them? yes, yes, it does. i've been _ them. does that reassure them? yes, yes, it does. i've been trying - them. does that reassure them? yes, yes, it does. i've been trying to i yes, it does. i've been trying to put messages out throughout the day, yes. - hopefully... yes. hoefull... ., , ., hopefully... counselor oliver, i don't know— hopefully... counselor oliver, i don't know if—

hopefully... counselor oliver, i don't know if you _ hopefully... counselor oliver, i don't know if you have - hopefully... counselor oliver, i don't know if you have any i hopefully... counselor oliver, i don't know if you have any of. hopefully... counselor oliver, 1. don't know if you have any of those conversations with older or more vulnerable members in the community? yes, notjust in woking but across the county. we have about 3000 residents at our clinically extremely vulnerable category, so we are in regular contact with them. we spend a lot of time as a county council and indeed with our edicts and borough colleagues to reassure people and making sure that if they need any help or support, they are there to give it to them. haifa need any help or support, they are there to give it to them.— there to give it to them. how long will it be until — there to give it to them. how long will it be until you _ there to give it to them. how long will it be until you finish _ there to give it to them. how long will it be until you finish testing i will it be until you finish testing for this particular cluster? i think we are assuming _ for this particular cluster? i think we are assuming it _ for this particular cluster? i think we are assuming it will _ for this particular cluster? i think we are assuming it will take i for this particular cluster? i think i we are assuming it will take another two days. if people aren't in, we are going back and knocking on the door up to three times. so we did 3000 today, we were expecting to do at least that tomorrow, and then hopefully, 9000 is our target number of residents to contact. so i would hope the next two days we will have achieved up. i hope the next two days we will have achieved up— achieved up. i think we are on lockdown _ achieved up. i think we are on lockdown number— achieved up. i think we are on lockdown number three i achieved up. i think we are on lockdown number three at i achieved up. i think we are onj lockdown number three at the achieved up. i think we are on - lockdown number three at the moment in the uk, and the southeast, i've slightly lost count. how do you talk

to older people and more of honorable people and reassure them when they think not another bad time, not a cluster come another is a variants come another is a third lockdown coming out year five and so on. �* , , ' . lockdown coming out year five and so on. �* , , , . ., , on. it's been difficult, to be honest- _ on. it's been difficult, to be honest. i've _ on. it's been difficult, to be honest. i've perfect- on. it's been difficult, to be honest. i've perfect -- i on. it's been difficult, to be i honest. i've perfect -- personally honest. i've perfect —— personally struggled — honest. i've perfect —— personally struggled with the third one, and i think— struggled with the third one, and i think for— struggled with the third one, and i think for me personally, the only thing _ think for me personally, the only thing that— think for me personally, the only thing that keeps me going is that i know_ thing that keeps me going is that i know that — thing that keeps me going is that i know that there are people that are dependent on me. i'm also waiting for my— dependent on me. i'm also waiting for my test— dependent on me. i'm also waiting for my test kit to be delivered. hopefully within the next couple of days, _ hopefully within the next couple of days, and — hopefully within the next couple of days, and i think it'sjust reassuring everybody and, you know, the news _ reassuring everybody and, you know, the news of— reassuring everybody and, you know, the news of vaccine is really, really — the news of vaccine is really, really positive. a lot of the people that i_ really positive. a lot of the people that i know that our elderly have actually — that i know that our elderly have actually received them, and i'm hoping, — actually received them, and i'm hoping, you know, they will be out and about— hoping, you know, they will be out and about soon, but i've just got to be positive — and about soon, but i've just got to be positive. that's the only way i can get— be positive. that's the only way i can get through this. i'm trying to be can get through this. i'm trying to he as— can get through this. i'm trying to be as positive as i can. gf can get through this. i'm trying to be as positive as i can.— be as positive as i can. of course. counselor. _ be as positive as i can. of course. counselor. a _ be as positive as i can. of course. counselor, a nonpolitical- be as positive as i can. of course. | counselor, a nonpolitical question. i'm sure it must be very difficult

for you and everyone, but when there is news that there is a variant found where you are because you're purchasing before you say i have got to get on with it?— to get on with it? yes, it does, if i'm to get on with it? yes, it does, if i'm honest- _ i'm honest. all- i'm honest. all of our services are rm honest. — all of our services are absolutely under pressure. you know, they have been for this whole last year. this is an exercise that we must do, absolutely, we must do it. but it takes up a huge amount of resources in terms of planning and execution. so, but at the end of the day, you know, we must stamp out this virus. absolute must do that. i would ask people, you know, obviously to respect the rules, but also you know, if they are invited to have a vaccine really to think hard about doing that, please, because that is the way we will stop the spread. counselor tim 0liver, thank you so much forjoining us in. counselor tim oliver, thank you so much forjoining us in.— much for 'oining us in. thank you. thank much forjoining us in. thank you. thank you _ much forjoining us in. thank you. thank you. one _ much forjoining us in. thank you. thank you. one more _ much forjoining us in. thank you. thank you. one more story i much forjoining us in. thank you. j thank you. one more story before much forjoining us in. thank you. i thank you. one more story before we no to the thank you. one more story before we go to the weather. _ a court in moscow has jailed leading opposition figure and kremlin critic alexei navalny —

despite huge protests across russia. he's received a 3.5 year sentence for violating parole from an earlier sentence — but is only expected to spend 2.5 years of that behind bars this is alexei navalny in courtjust before the verdict — he used his appearance to castigate president putin, and said he'd go down in history as someone who poisoned people. this was outside the moscow courtroom earlier where mr navalny�*s supporters tried to gather, but the whole area was over—run with riot police. more than 300 people were arrested. now it's time for a look at the weather with helen willetts. good evening. the snow will continue to fall through the rest of this evening and overnight. so, still treacherous conditions out and about, slippery surfaces while the winds picked up, so it's blowing that drifting snow around. you can get the weather warning details on our website. the other concern is rainfall, too, lots of heavy showers rushing in behind onto saturated ground, and as the mild airjust nudges a little bit further north into some parts of northern england, we'll also see the combination of rain and snow melt.

and towards morning, some more rain is likely to push into southern areas. so, a wintry picture in the north with further snow falling, more especially over the hills but some at lower levels — for example, the central belt — blowing around with that strong wind and very icy with temperatures at freezing. further south, heavier showers and then this spell of rain across southern counties of england, possibly southern and eastern counties, actually. some uncertainty as to how far north and east it will travel, but it's still tied in with the relatively mild air here. bitterly cold still further north in that wind.

hello this is bbc news with james reynolds. the headlines. captain sir tom moore, who raised more than £30 million for the nhs by walking laps of his garden, has died in hospital captain sir tom moore, who raised more than £30 million for the nhs by walking laps of his garden, has died in hospital with the coronavirus. the 100—year—old second world war veteran was knighted in july. the queen led tributes today whilst borisjohnson said he'd united the nation. captain sir tom moore was a hero in the truest sense of the word, in the dark days of the second world war, he fought for freedom and in the face of this country's deepest postwar crisis, he united us all. scientists from oxford university say new evidence shows their astrazeneca jab could substantially reduce virus transmission. new covid variants

have been discovered in liverpool and bristol. and as targeted community testing for the south african variant continues, scientists say current vaccinations should still be effective against them. back to the classroom this month — scotland's first minister announces a phased return. preliminary findings suggest the russian sputnik vaccine against coronavirus is 91% effective. results of the stage 3 trials, have been published in the medical journal the lancet, and those behind the vaccine have described the results as "stellar". they've also said, they're going to start clinical trials next week on combining the sputnick vaccine with an astrazeneca jab to see if it gives a stronger immune response. —— the sputnik vaccine. they think it might be the best way to fight mutations we're seeing. let's talk about this with professor polly roy, chair of virology at the london school of hygiene and tropical medicine. shejoins me now.

professor, thanks so much. russia was accused of a lack of transparency when it was developing this jab. the lancet the study shows it is ok. has russia's approach been vindicated? , ~ , , vindicated? yes, i think because initially when _ vindicated? yes, i think because initially when they _ vindicated? yes, i think because initially when they did _ vindicated? yes, i think because initially when they did the i vindicated? yes, i think because initially when they did the first l initially when they did the first and second phase clinical trial, they did only 97 people and that's not enough and they are not very transparent about that time and data. but this published in the the lancet in phase three and very clear data that they have actually done everything necessary to look at the vaccine efficacy, they have done it and they have done 20,000 people, a three to one ratio eight —— three to one ratio affects a verse is not

vaccinated. it is clear that they have a very strong protective antibody. i think we can now take for granted the vaccine is good definitely. professor, what's all this about mixing vaccines. aha, definitely. professor, what's all this about mixing vaccines. a first 'um from this about mixing vaccines. a first jump from one. — this about mixing vaccines. a first jump from one, and _ this about mixing vaccines. a first jump from one, and a _ this about mixing vaccines. a first jump from one, and a second i this about mixing vaccines. a first jump from one, and a second job| this about mixing vaccines. a first i jump from one, and a second job from another? jump from one, and a second 'ob from another? . , . , jump from one, and a second 'ob from another? ., , ., , another? that is a very good approach- — another? that is a very good approach. the _ another? that is a very good approach. the two _ another? that is a very good approach. the two jabs i another? that is a very good approach. the two jabs are l another? that is a very good i approach. the two jabs are using another? that is a very good - approach. the two jabs are using two different strains of the virus, but adding in under the 26 and five, the good thing about using those two different ones is you are using the same vector of the virus for making the first and second dose. if you had the same string and same virus, then also the protein expressed for then also the protein expressed for the vector virus such as that virus would have some antibodies there. so

when the booster dose comes, they are slightly compromised because of that. so if you have two different times of added virus such as this one, sputnik v vaccine, then we don't have that problem. so the antibodies go very high, the boosters boost it very well and you don't have any kind of compromise from the first dose adenovirus gene expression. so that's why this sort of had locus virus vectors are very good to use it. of had locus virus vectors are very good to use it— good to use it. another sub'ect, there is news i good to use it. another sub'ect, there is news about i good to use it. another sub'ect, there is news about the i there is news about the oxford/astrazeneca vaccine. 76% efficacy after a single dose for a while and a 67% reduction in transmission. there will be more news on that tomorrow but your initial response. flit news on that tomorrow but your initial response.— initial response. of course i believe that's _ initial response. of course i believe that's very - initial response. of course i believe that's very good i initial response. of course i | believe that's very good also because i expected they will have that kind of immunity under first

dose. but transmission is the one is the problem i've heard before. you will control the disease but whether you will get total protection, that was the question for the first dose but it looks like this is quite good, so that tells us the adeno factors work very well. and that's the point. if the second dose is given much later instead of 21 days, if it is three months, it may be the first vos —— first dose adenovirus tjy first vos —— first dose adenovirus by this time will disappear, so that weighed the booster vaccine will be far better to trigger the antibody. so, for adenovirus, same type of adenovirus vector as astrazeneca's one will be better if we do a long lag time between first and second

dose. forthe lag time between first and second dose. for the sputnik one, i don't think that is necessary because 21 days, they will give you a very strong immunity also. professor polly roy. _ strong immunity also. professor polly roy. thank _ strong immunity also. professor polly roy, thank you _ strong immunity also. professor polly roy, thank you very i strong immunity also. professor polly roy, thank you very much | strong immunity also. professor i polly roy, thank you very much for joining us. there's growing pressure on the government to tighten the quarantine rules for people arriving into the uk. last week the government announced a list of countries from where travellers, including british nationals, would have to quarantine in hotels for ten days. but labour says that doesn't go far enough. here's our political correspondent ben wright. there's a trickle of arrivals compared with before. but people are still coming into the uk — around 21,000 a day including hauliers. border restrictions were tightened again after the south african and brazil variants of covid were discovered. but labour says it's time to isolate all arrivals to the uk in hotels. the greatest threat to the gains of the british people over the past 10 months and to the vaccine roll—out is a mutant strain of the virus reaching these shores.

we have to do all we can to prevent that happening and that means a comprehensive hotel quarantine system for all arrivals in the uk. but we're going to be dealing with new variants coming in of covid for perhaps years to come. yours is not a sustainable long—term solution to this, is it? i disagree. i think that this is absolutely vital. at the moment, anyone coming into the uk needs proof of a negative covid test and must quarantine for 10 days. direct flights to the uk from 33 high—risk countries including south africa are now also banned, and people who've been in those places in the previous 10 days are not allowed in — except for british citizens and residents, who have to self—isolate and will soon have to quarantine at their own expense in a hotel. the policy was announced five days ago but the hotels are not yet up and running. we announced the intention of this last week, in conjunction with other initiatives we are doing including banning travel from other countries, and the details will be announced.

it is a logistical effort as well as you will appreciate. but today the scottish government said the uk's quarantine plans did not go far enough. we intend to introduce a managed quarantine requirement for anyone who arrives directly into scotland regardless of which country they have come from. here at westminster, the opposition says this is the latest example of ministers bungling their approach to borders and acting too late. there certainly seems to be a long—running debate within the government between some ministers who want the tightest possible restrictions and others fretting about the impact that could have on airlines and the economy. the government says its scientific advisers have not recommended completely closed borders, but the argument around risk isn't settled. ben wright, bbc news, westminster. school pupils in scotland will start heading back to the classroom from the end of this month. the first minister nicola sturgeon made the announcement to msps this afternoon. all early years and childcare as well as pupils in primaries one

to three will return full time in the week beginning the 22nd of february. she added that there would be a part time return for some secondary school pupils, in years s4 to s6, who have to complete practical work for national qualifications. the timetable will only be confirmed in a fortnight and will depend on the lockdown continuing to work. with more here's our scotland editor sarah smith. —— our scotland editor. in less than three weeks, these nursery school kids could be waving hello to their friends as all early learning and childcare facilities should reopen full—time on the 22nd of february, along with primary school classes one, two and three. to prioritise these children, lockdown rules will remain firmly in place everywhere else. now, i have to be candid that our room for manoeuvre given the current state of the pandemic is limited, but i want to be equally candid, as i have been before, about the government's determination to use every single inch of headroom that we have to get children back to school,

even if that means adults living with restrictions for longer. only a few older students like the children of key workers attend kings park secondary in glasgow and only a small percentage of the school's senior pupils in s4 to s6 will be allowed back on a very limited part—time basis to undertake practical school work. they can't necessarily do music technology at home or practical electronics, so that's really important to get our young people back. so, we need to think very carefully about how we bring young people back. students still stuck at home want a date for when they might be back in the classroom. it's really giving us a lot of anxieties about what's going to happen when we do eventually go back to school. like, there's going to be a lot to catch up on. it'sjust hitting my morale, not going to school. - i would like to know when i'm going back, but i'd like it to be certain that i'm going back then rather than it just being constantly pushed back.

all school staff and older pupils will be offered at—home testing twice a week, but it may be some time before more students can return. they will probably trial this initial phase for around a month. i think it's going to be difficult for them to shift very quickly beyond that. in a two—week period, you'll be able to identify whether there are new infections, and if we have this rapid repeat testing, then people can get on top of that pretty rapidly. the scottish government is facing sustained criticism over a vaccine roll—out that is slower than in other parts of the uk. nicola sturgeon says the number of daily vaccinations is increasing and she wants to see that programme grow and accelerate. the youngest children in scotland should return to some normality soon. strict rules will remain for the rest of the country until at least the start of march. sarah smith, bbc news, glasgow. more now on the death of captain sir tom moore — the 100—year—old second world war

veteran — who inspired a nation when he raised tens of millions of pounds for the nhs by walking laps of his garden last year. captain tom was a youngster in comparison to 101—year—old dabirul choudhray — who raised more than £400,000 for charity after being inspired by the captain to take up his own walk. dabiruljoins me now with his son atique. hello to you both. your thoughts please on the death of captain sir tom. . ., ., . , please on the death of captain sir tom. ., . , ., ., ., tom. our condolences go out to ca tain tom. our condolences go out to captain moore's _ tom. our condolences go out to captain moore's family - tom. our condolences go out to captain moore's family and i tom. our condolences go out to captain moore's family and for l tom. our condolences go out to i captain moore's family and for his relations as well. he has left a massive legacy that will follow on through the generations and an amazing man. even now my father hasn't actually eaten since he's heard about the news so that's how it's affected us. we heard about the news so that's how it's affected us.— it's affected us. we are so sorry to hear that- — it's affected us. we are so sorry to hear that. atique, _ it's affected us. we are so sorry to hear that. atique, can _ it's affected us. we are so sorry to hear that. atique, can you -

it's affected us. we are so sorry to hear that. atique, can you tell i it's affected us. we are so sorry to hear that. atique, can you tell us | hear that. atique, can you tell us how it's captain sir tom inspired you and yourfather? how it's captain sir tom inspired you and your father? mr; how it's captain sir tom inspired you and your father?— how it's captain sir tom inspired you and your father? my father was a self isolated — you and your father? my father was a self isolated before _ you and your father? my father was a self isolated before most _ you and your father? my father was a self isolated before most people i you and your father? my father was a self isolated before most people but| self isolated before most people but because he is a very active person he usually goes out to hospitals and does a lot of charity work looking after people and visiting people as well. so to actually self—isolate my father with a carrier was very difficult. we wanted to do something positive so it dad asked if he could walk his garden after seeing captain sir tom moore... yeah, after seeing captain sirtom sir tom moore... yeah, after seeing captain sir tom moore, and what he did was we had a target of my father walking 100 times on 80 metres width of the garden. but what happened was we had a target of £1000, but within six hours, my father actually raised

the £1000. so, hejust carried on doing his walk during the month of ramadan while he was fasting, but we were seeing sir captain tom moore going up and down his garden and raising a huge amount of money and doing some very positive work for the whole country and it created a real positiveness amongst all the different communities. i real positiveness amongst all the different communities.— real positiveness amongst all the different communities. i think i'm riaht different communities. i think i'm ri . ht in different communities. i think i'm right in saying _ different communities. i think i'm right in saying your— different communities. i think i'm right in saying your father - different communities. i think i'm right in saying your father did i different communities. i think i'mj right in saying your father did 970 laps of his garden, did he ever want to give up? i laps of his garden, did he ever want to rive u? ~ laps of his garden, did he ever want to give up?— to give up? i think the best person to give up? i think the best person to answer that _ to give up? i think the best person to answer that would _ to give up? i think the best person to answer that would be _ to give up? i think the best person to answer that would be my i to give up? i think the best person| to answer that would be my father. no, i can do more! it to answer that would be my father. no, i can do more!— to answer that would be my father. no, i can do more! it was a bit cold out there. — no, i can do more! it was a bit cold out there. my _ no, i can do more! it was a bit cold out there, my father _ no, i can do more! it was a bit cold out there, my father gets - no, i can do more! it was a bit cold out there, my father gets up i no, i can do more! it was a bit cold out there, my father gets up prettyj out there, my father gets up pretty early in the morning at 5am and then he usually has a walk, keeps himself physically energised and he loves to read poetry, and he loves to read the classics. so he keeps himself

mentally and physically occupied. atique what was it like for you watching your father doggedly walk through the garden lap after lap as the whole nation saw with sir tom? see the thing is my father is a sportsman from when he was young and for him to do that, and then he was adding his own little bistro, he'd does the alicia as well, see watch his feet, and he does the ali shuffle, he adds a bit of humour to the whole thing because the way we were brought up, my father always says, think about the positives, do positive things and how people if you can. it'sjust been an positive things and how people if you can. it's just been an amazing experience. you can. it's 'ust been an amazing exeripenee— you can. it's 'ust been an amazing experience— you can. it's 'ust been an amazing exeriencep— experience. the best way to help mankind in _ experience. the best way to help mankind in the _ experience. the best way to help mankind in the whole _ experience. the best way to help mankind in the whole world, i experience. the best way to help . mankind in the whole world, captain moore, _ mankind in the whole world, captain moore, sir_ mankind in the whole world, captain moore, sirtom, ishall say mankind in the whole world, captain moore, sir tom, i shall say that if you are _ moore, sir tom, i shall say that if you are to— moore, sir tom, i shall say that if you are to help mankind, if you should — you are to help mankind, if you should keep yourself benefited. that

is ve aood should keep yourself benefited. “hat is very good fight. dabirul, you started at the age of 100, sir tom started at the age of 100, sir tom started at the age of 99, atique do you think this is something the rest of us should take up when we get to 99 or 100 or should we start doing it when we are little younger? the. it when we are little younger? the, with the medical _ it when we are little younger? the, with the medical system _ it when we are little younger? in? with the medical system being so good nowadays and people are going to lasting longer life, hopefully we get through this in a very good way through this coronavirus and people should think about looking after themselves later in their years and doing things that will give them full use of their mind and their body. full use of their mind and their bod . �* ., ._ ., full use of their mind and their bod. �* ., ., body. atique choudhray, and dabirul choudhra , body. atique choudhray, and dabirul choudhray, thank _ body. atique choudhray, and dabirul choudhray, thank you _ body. atique choudhray, and dabirul choudhray, thank you both - body. atique choudhray, and dabirul choudhray, thank you both so - body. atique choudhray, and dabirul choudhray, thank you both so much | choudhray, thank you both so much forjoining us and i hope you don't have a really good supper in memory of sir tom. . ~ have a really good supper in memory of sir tom. ., ~ , have a really good supper in memory of sir tom. . ~' ,, , . have a really good supper in memory of sir tom. ., ~ i. , . ., of sir tom. thank you very much from the bottom — of sir tom. thank you very much from the bottom of— of sir tom. thank you very much from the bottom of our— of sir tom. thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts. _ of sir tom. thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts. of- of sir tom. thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts. of course, i the bottom of our hearts. of course, and the best— the bottom of our hearts. of course, and the best wishes _ the bottom of our hearts. of course, and the best wishes to _ the bottom of our hearts. of course, and the best wishes to you _ the bottom of our hearts. of course, and the best wishes to you as - the bottom of our hearts. of course, and the best wishes to you as well. i deaths caused by alcohol hit a new high during the first nine months of 2020, provisionalfigures for england and wales show.

between january and september 2020, 5,460 deaths were registered with alcohol as the cause. that is a 16% increase from the same months in 2019. and the biggest death toll recorded since the records began in 2001. i'm joined now by lucy holmes, director of research and policy at alcohol change uk. lucy what's responsible for this rise? , , , ., rise? this is the tip of the iceberg- _ rise? this is the tip of the iceberg. what _ rise? this is the tip of the iceberg. what we - rise? this is the tip of the iceberg. what we are - rise? this is the tip of the i iceberg. what we are looking rise? this is the tip of the - iceberg. what we are looking at rise? this is the tip of the _ iceberg. what we are looking at here is deaths caused by a very specific alcohol cause conditions like liver disease, these are people predominantly middle—aged and older who have been drinking at very high levels for very long periods. but what these figures don't capture the people whose mental and physical health have been damaged by alcohol and the huge impact it has on their families. �* ., ., ., , families. and a lot of you will be thinkina families. and a lot of you will be thinking that _ families. and a lot of you will be thinking that the _ families. and a lot of you will be thinking that the pandemic - families. and a lot of you will be thinking that the pandemic has i families. and a lot of you will be - thinking that the pandemic has made things worse for people. it thinking that the pandemic has made things worse for people.— things worse for people. it appears so. this

things worse for people. it appears so- this data _ things worse for people. it appears so. this data we _ things worse for people. it appears so. this data we got _ things worse for people. it appears so. this data we got from - things worse for people. it appears so. this data we got from 2020 - so. this data we got from 2020 doesn't seem to show quite a stark increase but even before the pandemic about this was not a rosy picture. it's been getting worse for the last 20 years and it's a trend we urgently need to address. in scotland they do seem to have turned the corner and the numbers are coming down, the rest of the uk really needs to catch up. for people who suffer from _ really needs to catch up. for people who suffer from alcoholism, - really needs to catch up. for people who suffer from alcoholism, a - who suffer from alcoholism, a meeting of resume is probably not enough, they must miss that physical contact of a face—to—face meeting when they really need someone. how can they get through that with a face—to—face meetings? —— meetings over resume. it face-to-face meetings? -- meetings over resume-— over resume. it is been hard, staff and treatment _ over resume. it is been hard, staff and treatment services _ over resume. it is been hard, staff and treatment services and - over resume. it is been hard, staffi and treatment services and people who run mutual aid groups have done a credible work to get online and manage all of these services virtually and by telephone and for some people it has made it easier to access. if you are not ordinarily very comfortable leaving your house, it is great to do it online or on the phone, but there are lots of

people who don't have devices and internet and struggle with technology and not being able to make a human connection has been extremely difficult. not everyone who needs treatment is getting it anyway even before this, public health in the estimator only one and five dependent drinkers were getting treatment, and undoubtedly, a lot of growing demand that might not being met at the moment. —— public health england. met at the moment. -- public health encland. �* ., ., ., met at the moment. -- public health encland. ., ., ., , ., england. and a lot of people are stuck in their— england. and a lot of people are stuck in their households, - england. and a lot of people are stuck in their households, they i stuck in their households, they might have had people, friends and family, who kept an eye on them before and been concerned about how much they were drinking, but there can't be that super —— supervision on monitoring, how is that being addressed. it on monitoring, how is that being addressed-— addressed. it is so difficult, and we know that _ addressed. it is so difficult, and we know that isolation - addressed. it is so difficult, and we know that isolation increase| we know that isolation increase people's drinking as they try to cope with the fuzz of that's true not just for cope with the fuzz of that's true notjust for dependent drinkers. lots of us will have seen our drinking creeping up over the last year, not surprisingly, it is been a very difficult time. no matter where you are at with your drinking,

whether drinking most days of the week or seeing your consumption increase, or you are dependent, it is possible to change. help is available, talk to your gp or reach out to local services and they will still be able to help.— out to local services and they will still be able to help. lucy holmes, thank ou still be able to help. lucy holmes, thank you so _ still be able to help. lucy holmes, thank you so much. _ staff carrying out border checks at ports in northern ireland were told not to carry out their duties today, after concerns were raised about their security. the devolved government at stormont has suspended checks of food shipments related to brexit at belfast and larne port. it's an escalation of tensions over the new post—brexit arrangements for northern ireland, brought about by the new trade border in the irish sea. here's our ireland correspondent, emma vardy. northern ireland's ports have become a focal point for anger over brexit. this graffiti at the entrance to larne harbour has now been removed. but staff have also raised concerns about suspicious behaviour around the port. today, the officials that man the border checkpoints at both larne

and belfast port were stood down. we have seen increasing signs of discontent and tensions within certain sections of the community. we have seen a number of incidents of graffiti threatening or intimidating in nature to staff at point of entry. the growing tensions stem from the new brexit arrangements, which mean lorry loads of goods arriving into northern ireland from britain are subject to new checks and controls that never existed before — which many unionists view as an unacceptable border, dividing up the uk. today, hauliers arriving into belfast and larne were told, for now, checks on goods were being suspended. because of the safety concerns, the eu also told its staff not to show up for work at the ports today. whilst this isn't being linked to any organised group, goes to show that it doesn't take much to disrupt what is already a fragile situation here.

we condemn very strongly any threat of violence against port officials or anybody else in northern ireland. police say there's no evidence that loyalist paramilitaries are behind this, but northern ireland's past means there's always heightened awareness over security. the dup are calling for the government to override parts of the brexit deal which are causing the greatest unease. ironically, the withdrawl the agreement and the northern ironically, the withdrawl agreement and the northern ireland protocol were mean to be put in place to maintain the peace in northern ireland, and yet we find there are provisions and the way in which it has been handled are causing tensions. it's not clear how quickly port staff will return to work here, but today michael gove, the minister in charge brexit, said there were serious problems with the arrangements for northern ireland which need to be addressed.

emma vardy, bbc news, larne. let me bring you up—to—date, the prime minister has been tweeting about this, he has said... he continued... for patients and staff alike, life in our hospitals at the moment is tough. irene grieve was forced to stay in newcastle's freeman hospital, without visitors, for her 100th birthday. to celebrate the occasion, two doctors put down their stethoscopes, and picked up their violins, as sharon barbour reports. in the middle of a pandemic, our hospitals are stressed and the doctors and nurses exhausted. but it was irene grieve's birthday at the freeman hospital

in newcastle and she was alone. and so of course, two senior doctors quickly transformed from medics to musicians to help her celebrate. playing "happy birthday" # happy birthday to you # happy birthday dear irene...#. their audience was small, just the one, but the occasion was huge. irene was turning 100. happy birthday! oh, that was lovely, drjay! it was very nice. jolly good. i didn't know you - were so professional. she's been in hospital since before christmas, but because of covid restrictions, her family were not allowed to visit, not even for her birthday. but from across the uk and canada, theyjoined in via video link and witnessed the consultants�* surprise. i was watching it. i only found out on the morning of irene's birthday th

i only found out on the morning of irene's birthday that they were going to be doing that, and i know how much she loves classical music. and my original plan was to take her to the sage to watch the northern sinfonia for her birthday. but obviously, she went in the hospital. she just, she would've loved it. yeah, she just would've loved it. it was just lovely. it was just so nice of them to do that. the birthday entertainment by senior doctors rogerjay and tom fairhead helped her and everyone else to forget, at least for a fewjoyous moments, what was going on in the world. sharon barbour, bbc news. not bad at the violin. let's return to our main story this evening, the news that captain sir tom moore has died with coronavirus. the 100 year old who raised £33 million for nhs charities by walking 100 laps of his garden

before his 100th birthday. in a moment, the news where you are, but we'll leave you tonight with some of the images from his life. when you walk through a storm, hold your head up high. i will always go on as long as i can. at the end of the storm, there is a golden star. i never imagined anything like this. you are the uk's official number one. that really is truly amazing, isn't it? # walk on through the wind # walk on through the rain # though your dreams be lost on low

good evening. the snow will continue to fall through the rest of this evening and overnight. so, still treacherous conditions out and about, slippery surfaces while the winds picked up, so it's blowing that drifting snow around. you can get the weather warning details on our website. the other concern is rainfall, too, lots of heavy showers rushing in behind onto saturated ground, and as the mild airjust nudges a little bit further north into some parts of northern england, we'll also see the combination of rain and snow melt. and towards morning, some more rain is likely to push into southern areas. so, a wintry picture in the north with further snow falling, more especially over the hills but some at lower levels — for example, the central belt — blowing around with that strong wind and very icy with temperatures at freezing. further south, heavier showers and then this spell of rain across southern counties of england, possibly southern and eastern counties, actually. some uncertainty as to how far north and east it will travel, but it's still tied in with the relatively mild air here. bitterly cold still further

north in that wind.

this is bbc news — the case for impeachment — democrats says donald trump is "personally responsible" for the capitol hill riot. the former president's team fires back, saying the case against him is unconstitutional. can former president trump be held to account for riling up his supporters ahead of the mayhem onjanuary 6th. his trial starts in less than a week. scientists say the coronavirus has mutated again in the uk — increasing the pressure to vaccinate more people, quickly also in the programme.... russian police detain more than 500 people today — the same day a courtjails opposition leader alexei navalny for three—and—a—half years. navalny told thejudge president putin will be remembered as putin the poisoner.

and, the friends you never knew you had.