this is bbc news, i'm clive myrie. the headlines scotland's former first minister, alex salmond, is launching a new political party. the alba party will contest seats in the scottish parliamentary election in may. today about our wasting a flag and planting it on the here and the next few weeks we will see how many will rally to our standard. coronavirus infections stop falling and begin to level off — with cases in secondary school—age children rising slightly in england. thousands of asda workers in the uk win a major victory at the supreme court in their battle for equal pay. china imposes sanctions on nine british citizens, including five mps — after the uk took action over human rights abuses. and later this hour,

mark kermode gives his unique take on the best and worst of the week's film and dvd release, including ammonite which sees kate winslet play fossil collector mary anning. the former leader of the snp, alex salmond, has announced the creation of a new pro—independence party which will stand in the scottish parliament election. the alba party will field candidates in the may, with the aim of creating a �*supermajority�* for independence from the rest of britain. mr salmond said the party would work towards a "successful, sociallyjust, environmentally responsible, independent cou ntry". let's take a listen to some of what he had to say: the tactics are to stand for the regional list to secure the supermajority for independence in our parliament. we intend to contribute policy ideas

to assist scotland's economic recovery and help build an independence platform to face new political realities. at the last election there were nearly one million wasted snp votes in the regional list. only four snp msps were elected in that way. in yesterday's survation poll, the snp would elect no regional seats at all from the million votes on the list. they would all be totally wasted independence votes. if alba wins regional list seats, the wastage ends and the number of independence supporting msps in the parliament could reach 90 or even more. the initiative for independence should then be led by the parliament uniting the parties. borisjohnson has already said "no" to the snp proposals but he will find it more difficult to say "no" to a parliament and a country.

the independence debate will be recast, not as the tories against the snp, but borisjohnson against scotland's parliament representing scottish people. today alba are hosting a flag in the wind. planting a saltire in the hill. in the next few weeks, we will see how many will rally to our standard. anas sarwar is leader of the scottish labour party and explained what he made of the announcement i think, to be honest, scotland deserves better than this. i recognise what alexander allan is trying to say but the truth that this is it is about two personalities fighting amongst themselves and dividing the xmp. they risk the rating the election and changing the focus of what our national priority should be regardless of our political party. we are still in the midst of a pandemic, lives and livelihoods have

been off, their at risk, and what we have seen now is they want to use this election and the next parliament to carry on those fights and those arguments rather than focus on the people's recovery and i think that is completely unacceptable. scotland deserves so much better than bass. and that is why we want to try and keep that focus on this pandemic and scott and can recover from focus on this pandemic and scott and can recoverfrom it. earlier i spoke to the leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross, who gave his reaction to the formation of the alba party... i think him trying to make a return to scottish but it something that will deeply troubled many people. he admitted when he was first minister of scotland to a behaviour against one end and i think it is wrong that he is seeking election to the scottish parliament. he is not fit to hold public office. he was acquitted of all the charges against him and he says that his party will seek to get a supermajority for scottish independence with the snp. an irresistible proposition is one that you should be fearing, surely? but that's the real risk

here in scotland is that it's nicola sturgeon�*s snp and the nationalist are going to drive forward their plan for another structure that should be focusing on recovery and we has seen the scottish labour party are not strong enough to stand up to the snp only to scottish conservatives can do that. we have shown in the last five years that we stop the snp holding an independence referendum. so if they put forward their plans and people have to unite behind the unionist voice. we can speak now to our scotland political correspondent, lynsey bews. how much support do you think alex signing commands and obviously the party only just announced signing commands and obviously the party onlyjust announced it signing commands and obviously the party only just announced it today but that they have an impact on the election coming up?— but that they have an impact on the election coming up? there have been seculation election coming up? there have been speculation that _ election coming up? there have been speculation that alex _ election coming up? there have been speculation that alex salmond, - election coming up? there have been speculation that alex salmond, the i speculation that alex salmond, the former first man if there

speculation that alex salmond, the formerfirst man if there might be dining a return to front line politics perhaps as an independent candidate but today we find out that he is going to head up his new political party as to its chances, it's going to be competing for votes on that original list, not in the constituencies and a hearty election but it will be competing against micro detail, i think the greens and a number of other smaller pro—independence parties as well. essentially trying to go after the same voters. now, alex salmond attract a lot of attention. he could attract a lot of attention. he could attract a lot of attention. he could attract a lot of support and he said he knows how to run an effective political campaign. he is, of course, a seasoned political campaign or. it will be difficult to make a bank in the snp votes and to take votes away from the green party as well. , . , as well. explain if i the rest might be confused _ as well. explain if i the rest might be confused about _ as well. explain if i the rest might be confused about the _ as well. explain if i the rest might be confused about the whole - as well. explain if i the rest might| be confused about the whole point as well. explain if i the rest might. be confused about the whole point of the regionalists and anything else.

if you win a lot of constituency seats, it is hard at win seats on the regionalists. the mikel antia, because they have been letting the past in terms of constituencies and they found it more difficult to win seats on the regionalists. i thought about trying to balance the writings and assist system is designed to prevent a party from having a majority and to let out parties to work more consensually aimed at pardoning. that if this is the place. it would be a tall order friday snp to win a majority itself and its part in it. that is alex salmond's argument. he said that by standing on the regionalists, they can bolster the number of pro—independence msps in the parliament to get a better chance of fighting for that second independence referendum. he was saying today that he thought this could mean the return of up to 90 pro—independence msps in pardoning abby would make it much harderfor

the payment if they refuse to a second defendants referendum. at first minister, nicola sturgeon, will of course want everyone to who supports the equity to hold both boards for the snp and that would be the message that he met with him to run for the next six weeks. i5 the message that he met with him to run for the next six weeks.— run for the next six weeks. is there any possibility _ run for the next six weeks. is there any possibility that _ run for the next six weeks. is there any possibility that there _ run for the next six weeks. is there any possibility that there may - run for the next six weeks. is there any possibility that there may be i any possibility that there may be disaffected members of the inequity who would want a breakaway and join alba? we who would want a breakaway and 'oin alba? ~ ., , who would want a breakaway and 'oin alba? ~ . , ., ., , ., alba? we have seen already today that a map — alba? we have seen already today that a map at _ alba? we have seen already today that a map at the _ alba? we have seen already today that a map at the consulate - alba? we have seen already today that a map at the consulate is - that a map at the consulate is leaving to stand in his party and also a candidate who was on the snp regionalists is also looking across at the mercy the others in the coming days, it's practically possible. there has been talk of splits in the snp of people not being keen on nicola sturgeon�*s strategy for their pursuit of a second independence referendum and disagreement on other issues as well including the controversial issue of trans rights and reforms to that as

well. so the second he could be members of the snp who are looking at the new alba party and are sympathetic to the alex salmond and perhaps will choose to place their second votes anywhere when it comes to the election in the next month, and me, sorry. to the election in the next month, and me. sorry-— to the election in the next month, and me, sorry. and alex salmond: ersonal and me, sorry. and alex salmond: personal popularity. _ and me, sorry. and alex salmond: personal popularity, is _ and me, sorry. and alex salmond: personal popularity, is it _ and me, sorry. and alex salmond: personal popularity, is it possible. personal popularity, is it possible to characterise where that is at the moment? ., , , , ., moment? polling suggests a mixed icture, moment? polling suggests a mixed picture, certainly _ moment? polling suggests a mixed picture, certainly not _ moment? polling suggests a mixed picture, certainly not the _ picture, certainly not the popularity rating searching has been enjoying. it is going to be a challenge for alex salmond to convince some people in scotland to give him their votes when you look at alex salmond over the last three years, everything that has happened to him, some concerns over conduct that he has admitted although he was cleared of all charges and his criminal trial. the work that he has done for russia today as well lick

his television programme. so, he will have some work to do to convince people to get his party their votes but sizing me alex salmond, such a prominent figure in scottish politics is going to be front and centre of that party and i'm getting out of coverage for the next six weeks, no doubt.- i'm getting out of coverage for the next six weeks, no doubt. and we'll have a full list of the candidates available on the bbc news website, once the nominations close next week. the former prime minister, david cameron, has been cleared by an official watchdog following claims he engaged in unregistered lobbying on behalf of a financial firm he worked for. the registrar of consultant lobbyists investigated mr cameron after reports he contacted the chancellor on behalf of greensill capital, to ask for support through one of the schemes set up by the government to help companies during the pandemic.

the government has released its daily update on coronavirus figures. it shows another 6,187 people have tested positive for the virus, and 70 people have died within 28 days of a positive coronravirus test result. the vaccination programme has now seen more than 29.3 million people receive their first jab. coronavirus infection rates are no longer falling and have begun to level off. the latest official estimates are that one in 330 people had the virus last week. the uk's r, or reproduction number, has risen slightly: it's now estimated at 0.7 to 0.9. it comes as wales prepares to end travel restrictions within its borders for the first time since december. katharine da costa reports. mass testing in schools is helping to reduce some of the risk of passing on the virus without knowing it. but inevitably, opening up will see more cases. there are signs infections are rising in secondary schools, but it's less clear in primary schools. it's hoped the easter holidays next week will help to slow the spread.

the latest survey from the office for national statistics suggests infections have levelled off in england, wales and northern ireland. in scotland, infections have increased. estimates suggest about 197,000 people in the uk had the virus in the week to last saturday, that is one in 130, with little change from the previous week. if cases are flat now, then further opening could potentially lead to increases, and with the vaccine supply being a bit narrower in april, it also means that we are now slowing the rolling out of vaccines to under—50s, who are often the parents of people in school. many european countries are now facing a third wave of the virus, with growing pressure to boost vaccine supplies. last night, eu leaders stopped short of banning vaccine exports but the european commission insisted manufacturers such as astrazeneca must catch up on eu deliveries before exporting doses elsewhere. even if fair and free trade is in the dna of the european union, we have to take measures if astrazeneca doesn't deliver the right quantities.

even if fair and free trade is in the dna of the european union, we have to take measures if astrazeneca doesn't deliver the right quantities. it's sad but necessary. here in the uk, nearly 29 million first doses have been administered to more than half the adult population. while supplies are expected to dip during april, pfizer's uk medical director is optimistic science will defeat the pandemic. i actually think we're winning that race. if you look at what's happening in the uk, dramatic reductions in the death rate, dramatic reductions in hospitalisations, dramatic reductions in the number of cases... now, for the cautious unlocking. from tomorrow, people in wales can travel where they want to within its borders, and from monday, people in england will be able to meet outside in groups of six or two households, but experts warn we will still need

to keep our guard up to avoid another wave. katharine da costa, bbc news. 0ur health correspondent katharine da costa is here. what do you make of these latest figures? what do you make of these latest fiaures? ., ., what do you make of these latest fiaures? . ., , ., ., , figures? the data is not quite as reassuring _ figures? the data is not quite as reassuring as — figures? the data is not quite as reassuring as it _ figures? the data is not quite as reassuring as it has _ figures? the data is not quite as reassuring as it has been - figures? the data is not quite as reassuring as it has been in - figures? the data is not quite as l reassuring as it has been in recent weeks. we saw a leveling off of infection in england, wales, and northern ireland and an increase in scotland. it was inevitable that cases may start to level off or arise as we start to eat out of restrictions. reopening schools means bringing back children, parents, teachers, in large numbers. and we are starting to see the impact of reopening schools, particularly in scotland the children started to go back to bed earlier in england, there has been an increase in incorrect —— infections and ii to 16—year—olds with a less clear in primary age children. infections found in older teenagers and young adults. the letter are is between 0.7 and 0.9.

more narrow from last week. it is still below one in most regions. —— dr number. it does not affect the reopening of schools. it is a lagging indicator. it was still up in weeks to come. it is worth stressing that this is the first time yesterday lifting restrictions and he had bought new variance in circulation which make it harder to control the virus. we do have the vaccines, and more than half of uk adults have had at least one dose. so the number of hospital admissions and death likely to be much lower. and vaccines can help to reduce the spread of the virus. we are coming into warmer weather when respiratory viruses tend to do less well in summer months. we have got things going for us. but, the under 50s have not yet been vaccinated and some in the popularity groups have not yet taken up the offer of a vaccine. we only have to look at europe to the writing cases over there. there is real concern that things could take up again over

here. there is the risk of new variance in circulation. we are still very much not out of the woods yet. still very much not out of the woods et. ~ , , . ., , , yet. we see restrictions being lifted in wales. _ yet. we see restrictions being lifted in wales. a _ yet. we see restrictions being lifted in wales. a suggestion l yet. we see restrictions being - lifted in wales. a suggestion from the figures that you have outlined, but that potentially derail the proposed road map of lifting restrictions in england? i proposed road map of lifting restrictions in england? i was going to sa , restrictions in england? i was going to say. wales _ restrictions in england? i was going to say, wales does _ restrictions in england? i was going to say, wales does not _ restrictions in england? i was going to say, wales does not have - restrictions in england? i was going to say, wales does not have a - restrictions in england? i was going to say, wales does not have a road| to say, wales does not have a road map for does but every nation is taking a very cautious approach and leaving gaps in between each relaxation failure can monitor what and react accordingly. in wales, they are starting to be about them or within the well supported as. nonessential travel among the rest of the uk will have to wait. in england from monday, we have to meet in groups of six between two households and things are starting to ease. but, the message is that

the virus has not gone away. you're still going to have to socialist and then wash her hands, even if you have had a vaccine. —— social distance and wash your hands. alexandre mendy —— it will contest the scottish financial elections. going infections stop following and begin to level off with cases in secondary school age children rising slightly in england. thousands of asda workers in the uk win a major victory at the supreme court in their battle for equal pay. thousands of asda supermarket workers have won a major victory at the supreme court in their battle for equal pay. the court upheld an earlier court ruling that lower—paid shop staff, who are mostly women, can compare themselves with higher paid warehouse workers, who are mostly men. the judge stressed the ruling did not mean the a4,000 claimants had won the right to equal pay — but are now free to take further

action in one of the largest equal pay claims in the uk. emma simpson reports. it's a legal question but that yes to answer. ten workers on the floor in its distribution centres can be compared when it comes to equal pay? the highest point in the land has ruled at a time. this the highest point in the land has ruled at a time.— ruled at a time. this court dismisses _ ruled at a time. this court dismisses the _ ruled at a time. this court dismisses the appeal - ruled at a time. this court . dismisses the appeal brought ruled at a time. this court - dismisses the appeal brought by asda. this is clearly a very substantial case for asda. that court's conclusion does not mean that both agreements have won there equal pay claims. at this stage, all the court has determined that they can use the terms and conditions of employment enjoyed by the distribution employees comparison. that is a big rain for the a4,000 current and former asda shop workers. they say they should be

paid the same as their colleagues in the zappos who are mostly men and receive up to £3 extra an hour. irate receive up to £3 extra an hour. we are also receive up to £3 extra an hour. - are also excited about this and it's such a big thing for us. i can put into words how much this means to me and every other agreement as well because it's just, and every other agreement as well because it'sjust, we could never have dreamed it would go this far. we kept going and kept fighting and we sell it through to the end. figsda we sell it through to the end. asda insists it is — we sell it through to the end. asda insists it is only _ we sell it through to the end. asda insists it is only one _ we sell it through to the end. asda insists it is only one stage - we sell it through to the end. asda insists it is only one stage of a complex case, saying:. the ripple effects of this ruling could be huge. tesco, sainsbury�*s, morrisons, are all defending similar equal pay claims if ultimately successful, lawyers reckon the overall there could hit £8 million

for that they and compensation. it is satiny, the supreme court) and basically means that companies can no longer rely on the facts that they have got workers in two different places in order to avoid paying them equally. it's made very clear that the purpose of the legislation is to allow these types of comparisons that happen rather than to try and avoid them. their next legal _ than to try and avoid them. their next legal hurdle _ than to try and avoid them. their next legal hurdle is _ than to try and avoid them. their next legal hurdle is to _ than to try and avoid them. their next legal hurdle is to prove - than to try and avoid them. their next legal hurdle is to prove these rules are of equal value and that this no material factjustifies their differences in pay for some arguments which may take several years to reach a conclusion. borisjohnson 50 cents family with boris johnson 50 cents family with the british citizens who have been action by china to criticising beijing treatment of muslims. it follows measures taken by the uk government on monday over human rights abuses against the muslim minority group in xinjiang province.

0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. china has long been accused of human rights abuses in the north—west of the country. the arbitrary detention of more than a million ethnic uighurs, the forced sterilisation of women. the suppression of language and culture. the people from various ethnic groups live in concord... but now china is fighting back, propaganda films were shown to the media this morning claiming xinjiang is a wonderful place to live. there has been a backlash against western companies questioning the use of forced labour in cotton picking in the region. and after britain, with america, canada and the eu, announced sanctions on four top chinese officials, beijing has hit back, imposing travel bans and asset freezes on nine british citizens and four organisations. for some time, certain forces have fabricated a large amount of lies of the century about xinjiang and used these lies to demonise

china and interfere in china's internal affairs. the sanctions were aimed at vocal critics of china, accused by the foreign ministry of spreading lies and disinformation. they're five tory mps, including the former party leader sir iain duncan smith, two peers, a lawyer and an academic, along with campaign groups, some of which have accused chinese officials of genocide. i was elected to chair the foreign affairs committee by the whole house of commons, opposition and government mps alike, and so i view this as a direct assault on british democracy, and an attempt to silence the people the british people have chosen to speak for them. if that isn't an assault on british sovereignty, i don't know what is. borisjohnson said those sanctioned by china are performing a vital role shining a light on the gross human rights violations being perpetrated against uighur muslims and said he stood firmly with them. we stand in total solidarity

with the nine individuals that were sanctioned today. it's not going to stop them and it's not going to stop the british government speaking up about industrial scale human bites abuses taking place in xinjiang. if the chinese government want to continue with these blanket denials that anything wrong is taking place in xinjiang, the obvious thing for them to do would be to allow access to the united nations. today's sanctions were not unexpected but they mark a further deterioration in uk china relations and will make the positive trade relationship the government wants harder to achieve. james landale, bbc news. one of those sanctioned by china is helena kennedy, a labour member of the house of lords. she helped to create the global pressure group �*inter—parliamentary alliance on china' — which focuses on relations between democratic countries and the chinese communist party. i asked her earlier if she was surprised by the sanctions.

i cannot pretend that it's a shock because a few days ago one of the members of our interparliamentary clinician german queen politician and he would sanction two days ago. so i think that most of us certainly parliamentarians, we expect that they would be repercussions. that tit—for—tat, it's inevitable in the second sentence. we thought something might happen i we thought it might be sanctions. what something might happen i we thought it might be sanctions.— it might be sanctions. what is it specifically _ it might be sanctions. what is it specifically that _ it might be sanctions. what is it specifically that you _ it might be sanctions. what is it specifically that you have - it might be sanctions. what is it specifically that you have done l it might be sanctions. what is it. specifically that you have done that you think has raised the iron against you? i you think has raised the iron against you?— you think has raised the iron auainst ou? ~' ., , , against you? i think the two persons in the house — against you? i think the two persons in the house of _ against you? i think the two persons in the house of lords _ against you? i think the two persons in the house of lords who _ against you? i think the two persons in the house of lords who have - against you? i think the two persons | in the house of lords who have been put on the list are myself and gave it all we involved in trying to get an amendment to patch they trade fair to say that britain should be deciding whether they want to trade with a genocidal nation and we

should make it a matter of principle that we cannot do that. a responsive government is we want a court to decide whether some countries are connecting genocide and we have provided evidence and i can tell you, i as a lawyer, want to the evidence before i would make a statement about human rights abuses and about a possibly amounting to genocide and the evidence is becoming stronger by the day that what is happening in that province is really about the most grievous human rights abuses. dominic raab however and secretary, described it as human rights abuses on an industrial scale. that is what insight is. ijust wanted to remind that we signed up for the genocide convention to prevent genocide, not to wait until it already happening and then to wring our hands. we should be stopping a genocide happening and gave it all myself were trying to get an amendment to

the trade bear. we lost it in the comments when —— we wanted in the house of lords but wanted in the house of lords but wanted in the house of lords but wanted in the house of commons and came back to the house of lords and the margins became smarter all the time and many conservatives came on board and signed up to the amendment. but we really have to do is recognise that china is acting with impunity and acting in hong kong, doing it to those people injames young province, they are becoming increasingly a great mover and shakerin increasingly a great mover and shaker in the world. and so, it's very important that we draw a line in the sand. and say, you cannot be doing this, we cannot be by standards to horrifying human rights abuses and to a potential genocide. i am clear about that. but we have to move through the governing. i don't want us to turn it into a cold war against china. because, we must

be collaborative and our global endeavours antenna is doing interesting things around climate change and so on. but we have to say that there is a rules —based order which you really have to evaluate because it gives a bad example to saudi arabia and to other places in the question have got to within doing similar things. we have to make sure that the human rights of peoples are protected and read a democratic nation, have to come together and denounce when receiving happening like this. the latest attempt to free a gigantic container ship that's blocking traffic through the suez canal has failed. dredgers have been trying to dig it out, but the lack of success has left freight transport companies weighing up alternative routes, including an expensive diversion around africa. the blockage is estimated to be holding up goods worth 7 billion pounds each day. theo leggett reports. one of the world's busiest trade routes blocked by a single giant ship firmly wedged between the banks.

eight powerful tugs have been trying to move it, a special suction dredging machine has been brought in to clear away thousands of tonnes of sand and mud. it's a complicated operation and salvage experts from the netherlands have been draughted in. they have done something similar before in the river elbe in february 2016, a similar sized vessel also ran aground in sand and they successfully refloated her after excavating and with the support of tugs. it took six days. giant trafficjams have built up at both ends of the canal with more than 230 ships waiting to get through. container vessels, oil and tankers and bulk carriers all going nowhere. some $10 billion worth of trade normally passes through the canal every day, and the costs are mounting up. the business interruption claims and business interruption cost to companies, to factories, to other dependent industries

is going to be enormous. i don't even dare to pick a number right now. the ever given is a giant of the seas, capable of carrying tens of thousands of containers. some of them are meant to be delivered in the uk with the ship scheduled to dock in felixstowe early next month. meanwhile, other shipping companies are considering their options. the suez canal is a giant short cut allowing vessels to travel between europe and asia or the middle east relatively quickly. the alternative is a haul round the southern tip of africa. it can take much longer, use more fuel and cost hundreds of thousands of pounds more, as well as exposing ships to the risk of bad weather and piracy. the blockage of the suez canal has raised questions about the risks involved in sending such huge vessels through such a narrow waterway. but it's also placed a renewed focus on the vulnerability of the global supply chains which provide the goods we rely on every day. theo leggett, bbc news.

now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. there are some drenching downpours out there through the rest of today. some of the showers heavy with hail and thunder, some of the showers turning wintry over high ground, and actually through tonight, there could be a covering of snow over high ground in scotland, northern ireland, northwest england, wales, even the southwest of england could see a little bit of snow up over the moors. temperatures dropping close to freezing, below freezing in a few places, so tomorrow morning, there could be some icy stretches around if you do need to make an essentialjourney. now, tomorrow morning is, for most of us, a window of relatively fine weather — some spells of sunshine, but as we head into the afternoon, cloud will start to thicken from the west, the wind will strengthen and we'll see outbreaks of rain into northern ireland, western scotland, some western parts of england and wales as well. temperatures between eight and 11 degrees, so starting to turn a little bit less chilly. it turns warmer still, particularly in the south, by sunday with some outbreaks of rain further north and west. that's all from me, bye for now.

hello, this is bbc news with clive myrie. the headlines... scotland's former first minister, alex salmond, is launching a new political party. the alba party will contest seats in the scottish parliamentary election in may. alba are hosting a flag in the wind. planting on a hill. in the next few weeks, we'll see how many will rally in our standard. coronavirus infections stop falling and begin to level off, with cases in secondary school—age children rising slightly in england. thousands of asda workers in the uk win a major victory at the supreme court in their battle for equal pay. china imposes sanctions on nine british citizens, including five mps, after the uk took action over human rights abuses.

sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. (1730 nc bulletin) hi there, nice to see you. england have levelled the one—day series against india, and in some style too. a brutal batting display, from jonny bairstow, helped them to a six—wicket win in pune. england chose to field first — and they saw kl rahul smash his way to a century as india got to 336 for 6. bairstow so close to his hundred in the first one—day game was making no mistake this time. he scored 124, his 11th one—day century for england. ben stokes, was outjust before — agonisingly for him on 99 — with 10 sixes from 52 balls. it was england's highest run chase in india. the deciding match is on sunday. and the new formula one season is underway in bahrain. could we see max verstappen prove that he's up for challenging lewis hamilton again this year?

it certainly looks that way so far. the dutchman's red bull topped the timesheets in both practice sessions. surprisingly it was mclaren's british driver lando norris who got closest to him, less than a hundredth of a second separated them. seven time champion lewis hamilton was almost a quarter of a second slower in third. to cycling now and britain's adam yates is still leading the tour of cataluyna after today's fifth stage. germany's lennard kemna broke away from the front of the peleton with around four miles to go. yates finished two minutes behind in the main group, but still has a 45 second lead over ineos grenadiers team—mate richie porte. geraint thomas is four seconds further back in third... chris thompson and stephanie davis qualified for the tokyo 2020 olympics — with victory in the great britain marathon trials at kew gardens this morning. thompson, who will turn a0 in april, will be competing in his second 0lympics, having run the 10,000 metres in 2012. heres our senior sports news reporter laura scott. in the marathon, it was a loop to pause here. this has been done 25

times to shave off second here and there, and in the men's event, it was won by 39—year—old chris thompson. he welcomed his first child earlier this week and he got up child earlier this week and he got up he be here today to earn this spot to take here. his second—place was been hunters, also going to take, because he reset all important qualifying sanders. steph davis was the leading contender coming into today, and she put the quality biting standard but what she needed to do was finish in the first two, and she did that. it was a really dominant display, so she's on the plane to take here as well. earlier, callum wilkinson won the 20 kilometre walk. he didn't get the qualifying time though, which means he has to wait until tuesday to find out if he gets to go to tokyo. tom bosworth came second today, but already made the qualifying time in a previous race, and so is going to the games in july. in the women's event heather lewis,

the fastest briton over 20 kilometres in 2019, got the better of her big rival bethan davies. and the men's six nations finally ends tonight. scotland's trip to france was postponed last month, due to a covid—19 outbreak in the french camp. and this one will now determine who wins the trophy. after beating wales last saturday to deny them the grand slamm to deny them the grand slam, the french can now snatch the title too — if they can score at least 4 tries against scotland and win by 21 points or more. however the scots have been wound up, by all the talk about france being champions and hope to win themselves with a bonus point, which would mean their best ever 6 nations finish of second. that's the sport for now — sarah mulkerrins will be here with sportsday — at half past six thank you for that. back now to the news that the former leader of the scottish national party, alex salmond, has announced the creation of a new pro—independence party which will stand in the scottish parliament election. the alba party will stand candidates — including mr salmond himself —

on regional lists with the aim of creating a �*supermajority�* for independence from the rest of britain. glenn campbell, political editor of bbc scotland news, has been speaking to the snp's humza yousaf for his reaction. ididn't i didn't fall off my seat in shock. this was probably the most predictable move and scottish political history. it's been briefed in the press for not weeks, but months. i'm also a bit sad because the only people who benefit from alex salmond's party are those who oppose independence. 0ur message is remarkably simple. if you want to see an snp majority, the only way to get that is to cast both your votes to the snp. anything other than that only helps other votes. i5 to the snp. anything other than that only helps other votes.— only helps other votes. is alex hammond _ only helps other votes. is alex hammond and _ only helps other votes. is alex hammond and the _ only helps other votes. is alex hammond and the alba - only helps other votes. is alex hammond and the alba party, | only helps other votes. is alex i hammond and the alba party, are only helps other votes. is alex - hammond and the alba party, are they going to split the pro—independence vote? going to split the pro-independence vote? ., �* , ., , going to split the pro-independence vote? ., _.,,, vote? that's the only possible outcome- _ vote? that's the only possible outcome- in — vote? that's the only possible outcome. in the _ vote? that's the only possible outcome. in the sense - vote? that's the only possible outcome. in the sense that i vote? that's the only possible j

outcome. in the sense that he vote? that's the only possible - outcome. in the sense that he has six weeks for the new political party to try to make any break, but you will tries his best. —— he will tries is best. that is self evidence from notjust social media, but from commentary from the opposition party. they are rubbing their hands and greed at the prospect of an independence vote leave. that's the only way to guarantee an independence majority. the only way to guarantee an snp majority is cast votes to snp. to to guarantee an snp ma'ority is cast votes to sup.— votes to snp. to accept abba examined _ votes to snp. to accept abba examined having _ votes to snp. to accept abba examined having the - votes to snp. to accept abba examined having the clear. votes to snp. to accept abba - examined having the clear criminal trial gone to court and successfully challenged the scottish government —— alex salmond, that he is entitled to stand for his career? i -- alex salmond, that he is entitled to stand for his career?— to stand for his career? i have no issue with _ to stand for his career? i have no issue with him _ to stand for his career? i have no issue with him deciding _ to stand for his career? i have no issue with him deciding to - to stand for his career? i have no issue with him deciding to throwl issue with him deciding to throw himself back into politics. he will have a number of questions to answer, i suspect, have a number of questions to answer, isuspect, notjust have a number of questions to answer, i suspect, notjust from have a number of questions to answer, isuspect, notjust from his presentation or his russian state

programme. write the way through some of the behaviours he has admitted, but i'm not critical, as you say. i'm clearly raising questions. i'm not particularly interested in alex sammon, he does not factor into our thinking. we have the most trusted leader in the entire uk, who is leading us through a covid recovery and if you want to see an snp majority, the only way to guarantee that is to cast your votes for the snp. guarantee that is to cast your votes for the snp-— for the snp. let's get a bit more wider perspective. _ jenni davidson is a journalist for the holyrood magazine and joins us from edinburgh. hello. do you think alex salmond's party can command much support. i think it's difficult, but i don't think it's difficult, but i don't think it's difficult, but i don't think it will make a huge dent in other parties. it's not going avenue defect in the snp. it's only six weeks out from the election and they're launching from a standing

start. there are only four candidates, they're looking for another 28 next week. it's very tight. they haven't had time to develop qualities. —— apologies. it's about getting a majority in parliament. they're unlikely to get the snp because of the way the electoral system works in holyrood, so there are two parts of their constituencies. it's likely that the snp will get most of their seats from the constituency part of that, whereas alex salmond's party is only going to be standing in the regional west. they're not completing that much for the same goal, as alex hammond said earlier, but is is also been said that it... what has happened as it can take some votes away from their party, if you get that split, you might and up with

nine of them getting in nsp. if there was any competition from another independence party. so, it's difficult to tail at this stage —— tell at this stage. part of it depends on whether he manages to get any other high—profile candidates. they may get other defections from the snp and pick up some personal votes. at this point, it's quite difficult and obviously, this party isn't going to be putting things like televised debates, they will rely on social media and online. fiifi rely on social media and online. ok, that's all really, _ rely on social media and online. ok, that's all really, really interesting. alex salmond's personal popularity, given everything he's been through, where is that and could that help carry the day in some areas? i could that help carry the day in some areas?— could that help carry the day in some areas? ~' . ., , some areas? i think there could be ros and some areas? i think there could be pros and konta _ some areas? i think there could be pros and konta that. _

some areas? i think there could be pros and konta that. there - some areas? i think there could be pros and konta that. there are - pros and konta that. there are supporters, people who think he's been hard done by —— pros and cons to that. criminal charges, they're still going around and people believe there was a conspiracy against him. you get in some cases, people supporting, but equally, there's a sense that what has happened so far despite him being found not guilty, it may have damaged his reputation, there may be people he would have trusted before, who don't trust him now. a lot of people will see the snp as the best bet as for independence. nicola sturgeon as first minister has been considered to have brought the country while in general through the pandemic. she's quite respected. it's difficult to see alex examined

pulling all large number of votes —— alex examined. [30 pulling all large number of votes -- alex examined.— pulling all large number of votes -- alex examined. do you think that the olitical alex examined. do you think that the political map — alex examined. do you think that the political map is _ alex examined. do you think that the political map is going _ alex examined. do you think that the political map is going to _ alex examined. do you think that the political map is going to be _ alex examined. do you think that the political map is going to be altered i political map is going to be altered in any meaningful way as a result was a low i don't think so. i think the election results may be adjusted slightly, but i don't think there'll be a huge amount of difference. the snb is predicted to be the largest party by far. the question is whether it gets an outright majority and stays a minority government, but i don't think there's any doubt that it will be the same and the chances

of any deflections of this new party? i of any deflections of this new -a ? ~ of any deflections of this new .a ? ~' ., party? i think there are possibilities, _ party? i think there are possibilities, there - party? i think there are possibilities, there are| party? i think there are - possibilities, there are certainly rumours. i think it's likely that there may be one or two names that would defect. yeah, not going to be a mass defect. would defect. yeah, not going to be a mass defect-— would defect. yeah, not going to be a mass defect. also potentially from eve hinu a mass defect. also potentially from everything you _ a mass defect. also potentially from everything you said _ a mass defect. also potentially from everything you said then, _ a mass defect. also potentially from everything you said then, likely - a mass defect. also potentially from everything you said then, likely to i everything you said then, likely to be a meaningful split in the independence vote?- be a meaningful split in the independence vote? be a meaningful split in the indeendence vote? ., ., , independence vote? know, as i say, i think the threat _ independence vote? know, as i say, i think the threat is _ independence vote? know, as i say, i think the threat is actually _ independence vote? know, as i say, i think the threat is actually to - independence vote? know, as i say, i think the threat is actually to the - think the threat is actually to the scottish greens. in terms of possibly if they were marginal in winning some of the regional seats. that could tip it over. maybe in one or two places for the snp would pick up or two places for the snp would pick up a regional seat. if it's marginal, some votes going to this party could. it's difficult to tell at this point whether they're likely

to pick up any seats at all. perhaps they might pick up one or two. i think we'll have to wait and see how they respond to this, but i don't think it's going to substantially change the results. or the independence vote.- change the results. or the independence vote. change the results. or the inde endence vote. ., ., ., independence vote. ok, great to have our clari independence vote. ok, great to have your clarity on — independence vote. ok, great to have your clarity on this. _ independence vote. ok, great to have your clarity on this. thanks _ independence vote. ok, great to have your clarity on this. thanks for - your clarity on this. thanks for joining us. now on bbc news, mark kermode brings you the film review. hello and welcome to the film review with me, mark kermode, rounding up the best new movies available for viewing in the home while we look forward to cinemas reopening in may.

one of the most high—profile releases of the week is ammonite, the second feature from writer—director francis lee. like his brilliant debut god's 0wn country, this is another love story set against the backdrop of a bracing british locale — in this case, the sea battered coast of lyme regis. mary? look what's falling down. the rock thing. it's too big. impossible to move. kate winslet plays the 19th century palaeontologist mary anning, whose class and gender have kept her outside of the snobby geological establishment. saoirse ronan is charlotte murchison, a young woman plagued with melancholia, whose husband persuades mary to take her in and help her to recuperate. my husband... your husband left you.

but first, charlotte seems too fragile for the