this is bbc news. i'm kasia madera. the headlines that eight... a serving police officer has been convicted of membership of a neo—nazi terrorist organisation. he is the first british officer to be convicted of a terrorism offence. never before has a serving police officer been prosecuted for being at the member of a terrorist group. when we identify the person we were looking at was a police officer, it was of course a shock, but we then moved very quickly to arrest him. why did join a terrorist organisation? the 22—year—old was convicted of lying on his lease application and having documents detailing knife

combat techniques and making explosive devices at the old bailey trial. the prime minister's senior adviser on ethnic minorities is to leave the role. borisjohnson says it's not related to the controversial government report about race. i government report about race. i worked very closely with samuel, and in the _ worked very closely with samuel, and in the last_ worked very closely with samuel, and in the test year— worked very closely with samuel, and in the last year of— worked very closely with samuel, and in the last year of so. _ worked very closely with samuel, and in the last year of so. i _ worked very closely with samuel, and in the last year of so. i thank - worked very closely with samuel, and in the last year of so. i thank him - in the last year of so. i thank him very— in the last year of so. i thank him very much— in the last year of so. i thank him very much on_ in the last year of so. i thank him very much on helping _ in the last year of so. i thank him very much on helping to - in the last year of so. i thank him i very much on helping to encourage vaccine _ very much on helping to encourage vaccine take — very much on helping to encourage vaccine take up— very much on helping to encourage vaccine take up amongst _ very much on helping to encourage vaccine take up amongst more - vaccine take up amongst more hesitant— vaccine take up amongst more hesitant groups _ vaccine take up amongst more hesitant groups and _ vaccine take up amongst more l hesitant groups and community. vaccine take up amongst more - hesitant groups and community. the fourth da hesitant groups and community. fourth day of the trial of hesitant groups and community. tiitt; fourth day of the trial of derek chauvin, the former police officer accused of killing george floyd is under way. accused of killing george floyd is underway. his accused of killing george floyd is under way. his girlfriend is giving evidence. around one and 300 people have covid—i9 in the week to march

27, down from the previous week, according to new figures. hello and welcome. a metropolitan police officer has been found guilty of belonging to a banned neo—nazi terror group and possessing extremist material. the 22—year—old is the first serving british police officer to be convicted of a terror offence. benjamin hannam was a member of the far right extremist group national action, which was banned in 2016. he lied about his past in his application to join the police. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford reports. the 22—year—old was convicted of lying on his lease application and having documents detailing knife combat techniques and making

after he had been found guilty, we had to chase him to talk to him, because he ran from a side door of the court. why did you join a terrorist organisation, thenjoin the police? his father, keeping me from asking questions, and whisking him away in a taxi. he'll be sentenced in three weeks. at his passing out parade three years ago, it was cressida dick, the head of the metropolitan police, who oversaw the ceremony and walked right past him as she welcomed the new recruits. just two years earlier, here he was taking part in propaganda for the banned neo—nazi terrorist group national action. let's go. doing fight training in the woods. and daubing a nazi torch on a wall in swindon. traces of the graffiti ben hannam sprayed on that trip are still visible in swindon to this day. when he did it, he was still an active member of a banned neo—nazi terrorist organisation. within weeks of doing it, he was applying to join

london's metropolitan police. the propaganda video from the trip was posted on the internetjust days before he put in his application. this was police raiding his home to seize phones and computers. it had taken two years to realise they had a nazi in the ranks. i've got... just point them out, don't touch them if you can try and avoid it. yeah, yeah. no, it's fine. that phone, this apple watch... they only found him because the membership of a nazi internet forum had been leaked. on his bedroom wall, he still had pictures of german soldiers from world war ii. police also found an indecent image of a child. this is a unique case, and never before has a serving police officer been prosecuted for being the member of a terrorist group. when we identified the person we were looking at was a police officer, it was of course a shock, but we then moved very quickly to arrest ben hannam. in a diary, pc hannam

noted that hejoined national action — or na — in 2015, left in 2017 and joined the metropolitan police service — the mps - in 2018. among other former national action members includejack renshaw, who admitted plotting to kill his mp. zack davies, who was found guilty of attempting to behead an asian dentist and jack coulson who made a pipe bomb. it seems incredible that a man who has been part of a group that has been banned as a terrorist organisation can go on and join the police, and the police not know anything about his background. we're not talking about a huge number of people here. seen here doing a nazi salute in a propaganda video, ben hannam had just ticked a box on two police forms... hey, good accuracy! ..saying he had never been a member of the bnp. the force never took a reference from the school he had just left, where one teacher had been shocked by his racism. daniel sandford, bbc news. let's get more on this from hamish brown,

a retired metropolitan police detective inspector. it's good of you to join us on what is a difficult day for the metropolitan police. we were hearing how much this is a unique case but help us to understand how something like this can happen.— like this can happen. you're right, it's a difficult — like this can happen. you're right, it's a difficult time _ like this can happen. you're right, it's a difficult time for— like this can happen. you're right, it's a difficult time for the - it's a difficult time for the metropolitan police. it's a difficult three weeks, in fact, with the police coming to notice the media. it is something the metropolitan police and police service as a whole can do without. we heard the commander speak earlier. what i can say is police here, as soon as they came across this information, they worked very, very quickly and brought the person tojustice, really. he was going very quickly and brought the person to justice, really. he was going to be sentence in a few weeks. ijoined

this for so long time ago, and i remember my mother at the time being horrified that, without any warning at all, a uniformed police officer came around to her house where i was living and wanted to see my bedroom and wanted to look around the house. now, that isn't allowed now. it's an invasion of privacy and people will put up with it, although of course, had that happened in this case, that material must have been found. the police have to look to other sources, and it's far more certain now. inquiring about finances, family background, other connections. in fact, this take so long it can hold up the whole process. it is lengthy and it is

costly as well, so i think the police do their best. this is a national issue, notjust national issue, not just metropolitan national issue, notjust metropolitan police. it's a national issue and i'm sure they want to get it right, but this information came out that it was a right wing extreme propaganda. this was leaked, and we found out about this character. so, the police could do something about it. it could be argued they should have looked at the school, but the police want to get it right and they need to reassure the public they're going to do just that. i just going to do 'ust that. i 'ust wonder. i going to do just that. i 'ust wonder. you i going to do just that. i 'ust wonder, you talk �* going to do just that. ijust wonder, you talk about. going to do just that. ijustj wonder, you talk about the going to dojust that. ijust wonder, you talk about the vetting process and anyone who's going into security services, it takes a very long time to explain and it's a detailed check of a person's right of mind and their background, but in terms of this, we heard how ben

hannam basically ticked a box saying he wasn't part of the bnp. explain us the vetting process.— us the vetting process. there will be various _ us the vetting process. there will be various instances _ us the vetting process. there will be various instances about - us the vetting process. there will be various instances about what i be various instances about what information is open to the police to search, but at the end of the day, it might be someone going going into the forces... a place where someone is a paedophile will be going into a building with children. in all sorts of checks will be made, and i suppose that the how far you can go, and i think the only thing that jumps off the page in this particular case is maybe they could have gone to the school and asked that information. we don't know what information they would receive. i5 information they would receive. is cross—referencing with other people not expected in the police force? yes, of course. they've got to make up yes, of course. they've got to make up such inquiries as they can. for

things like that, but they've got internet resources and they have to go online some way. in this case, it depends how far... and that might be a worthwhile acquiree. what i can say is the more delicate operation, this will be a more enhanced operation here. such as bank accounts being looked into and maybe carried out. this doesn'tjust stop at the police. it is all aspects of society, even those in delicate position. society, even those in delicate osition. . ~ society, even those in delicate osition. ., ~ , ., society, even those in delicate osition. ., ~ . ., society, even those in delicate osition. ., . ., position. thank you so much for your time. and we'll find out how this story and many others are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers. my guests tonight arejoe mayes,

political reporter for bloomberg and clare cohen, women's editor at the daily telegraph. i hope you canjoin us. a man has been convicted of murdering a 32—year—old woman who went missing after a night out with friends in exeter last year. lorraine cox was last seen walking through the empty streets in the early hours of the morning. she was being followed by a 24—year—old man, who lured her back to his room before killing her and dismembering her body. jon kay reports. lorraine cox thought she was safe on the streets of exeter. but walking alone after a night out with friends last september, she was being followed by a stranger. the man with a blue circle above him was 24—year—old azam mangori. cctv shows him shadowing her through the empty city centre for several minutes. then he crosses the road to chat to her.

the jury was shown this footage of mangori leading 32—year—old lorraine back to his flat above a fast food outlet. there, he murdered her and dismembered her body. over the next few days he tried to conceal his crime, buying plastic sheeting and air fresheners. hiding evidence, sending fake messages, placing her remains in bags and disposing of them in bins. mangori even took a taxi to bury body parts at a local beauty spot. both to pretend or try and pretend that lorraine was still alive, and delay the course ofjustice, and his attempts to dispose of the relevant evidence, just goes to the heart of the individual we are dealing with here. this is an evil person who deserves to be locked up. this case has resonated in exeter especially with the recent national

campaign highlighting violence against women. she's almost forgotten already. for lorraine cox! what makes this even more disturbing is that this is not the first time lorraine cox was the victim of a serious crime. just a few years before she was murdered, she was sexually assaulted here in exeter by another man in an unconnected attack. he was robert prout, and a recording made by lorraine cox helped convict him earlier this year, four months after she was murdered by mangori. in a region of the uk that has one of the lowest crime rates what has happened to lorraine cox has provoked dismay, disgust and disbelief. jon kay, bbc news, exeter. the head of nhs england, sir simon stevens, has warned people

a police officer has been convicted of membership of a neo—nazi terrorist organisation. he was the first british officer to be convicted of a terrorism offence. 24—year—old man has been found guilty of murdering lorraine cox last summer. she disappeared after a night out in exeter. the fourth day of the trial of derek chauvin, the former police officer accused of killing george floyd is under way. george floyd's girlfriend has given updates. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, we arejoined by we are joined by austin. we are going to start with golf because the first major of the year is under way in california. england's tied for third midway through her around on three under par, but american is

currently one shot ahead of her. she's leveled the top of the leaderboard. with china's number 45 -- 35 wigan warriors have their second win of the super league season, with a 3a—6 victory over wakefield. the sides were level, 6—all at the break, but wigan ran away with it in the second half — thanks mainly to a hat—trick from wingerjake bibby. that's five trys for him in the opening two games of the season. hull kr against champions st helens hasjust kicked off. the leicester city manager brendan rodgers says it's �*great news�* that their fa cup semi—final against southampton appears to have been selected as the first football event to pilot the return of fans. the government's reported to have picked the game to have

picked the game on the 18th april to have 4000 supporters attending. it's the second of the 2 matches at wembley that weekend, but it's understood they won't be fans of the two teams... instead they're likely to be local residents and possibly some health workers too. i think it's great news. it's a start in getting supporters back into stadiums. i think it's the access for supporters. both teams would have loved to have been their own supporters, given the opportunity, but at least we're making movements toward supporters coming back, so that's great news. real madrid look like they'll be without their captain, sergio ramos, for both legs of their champions league quarter—final against liverpool, because of a calf injury. ramos picked it up on internatoinal duty with spain and his club revealed the nature of the injury this afternoon. reports suggest ramos could be out for about a month. he's also likely miss the latest

clasico game against barcelona. now to some devastating news from the world of football. yeovil town have announced that their captain lee collins has died at the age of 32. the national league club have postponed their game against altrincham tomorrow after revealing he passed away yesterday. the defender played his last game in february, but was on the bench for yeovil�*s match against barnet on saturday. they say their thoughts and prayers are with his family. lee collins, who's died at the age of 32. worcester warriors winger chris ashton has been banned for 6 weeks after his red card for dangerous play against northampton on saturday. that means the former england international will miss all but the last two premiership games. his suspension won't end untiljune. worcester are seven points adrift

at the bottom of the table. and helena rowland will start at fly—half for england, in their opening women's six nations match against scotland on saturday. the number ten shirt was up for grabs following the retirement of world cup winning captain katy daly—mclean, and head coach simon middleton says rowland's main competitor for the position. zoe harrison of saracens — who was due to be on the bench — has been dropped because of a breach of covid protocols. zoe was selected onto the bench, but we've _ zoe was selected onto the bench, but we've got _ zoe was selected onto the bench, but we've got a _ zoe was selected onto the bench, but we've got a few protocols in place through — we've got a few protocols in place through... 0n we've got a few protocols in place through... on a regular basis, and slight _ through... on a regular basis, and slight misdemeanor with a couple and we stuck— slight misdemeanor with a couple and we stuck it— slight misdemeanor with a couple and we stuck it out for this game. that is all our we stuck it out for this game. that is all your sport — we stuck it out for this game. that is all your sport for _ we stuck it out for this game. that is all your sport for now. _ we stuck it out for this game. twat is all your sport for now. you can find more on the bbc sport website. bbc .co .uk/ sport.

sir simon stevens has one people to take the easing of coronavirus restrictions one step at a time. and not to squander the progress made on beating the virus. the latest survey has found that the number of infections has fallen in england and scotland, but it's not clear whether they're rising or falling and scotland, but it's not clear whether they're rising orfalling in wales and northern ireland. hugh pym reports. you only have to look across the channel to the very high covid pressures in france and other parts of the continent right now to realise that we mustn't squander the huge progress that we made. the head of nhs england — huge progress that we made. the head of nhs england is— huge progress that we made. the head of nhs england is looking _ huge progress that we made. the head of nhs england is looking ahead - huge progress that we made. the head of nhs england is looking ahead and i of nhs england is looking ahead and believes that useful lessons have been learned during the pandemic.

the way in which the nhs has mobilised not only the vaccination campaign, but also hospitals working together to make sure patients get the intensive care they needed, better working for with community services and local government. that sets the next phase of our nhs needs to be. . , , sets the next phase of our nhs needs to be. ., , , . , to be. that blueprint includes schemes run _ to be. that blueprint includes schemes run by _ to be. that blueprint includes schemes run by local - to be. that blueprint includes schemes run by local nhs - to be. that blueprint includes - schemes run by local nhs groups like this one in north yorkshire. they're reaching out for people who might be vulnerable and helping them cost the ritz of ill health. ray was 18 stone and struggling to walk for more than 15 minutes, but he's lost three of the half—tone after being put on a local nhs plan involving regular blood and of course to give lifestyle and diet advice. i feel very much _ lifestyle and diet advice. i feel very much a — lifestyle and diet advice. i feel very much a different - lifestyle and diet advice. i feel very much a different person. | i don't have any major health idon't have any major health problems— i don't have any major health problems at all now. i have a far

more _ problems at all now. i have a far more active _ life and i think also i have a greater— life and i think also i have a greater understand. not life and i think also i have a greater understand. life and i think also i have a creater understand. ., , ., greater understand. not 'ust waiting for atients greater understand. not 'ust waiting for patients to t greater understand. not 'ust waiting for patients to come _ greater understand. not 'ust waiting for patients to come to _ greater understand. notjust waiting for patients to come to them, - greater understand. notjust waiting for patients to come to them, but i for patients to come to them, but reaching out into their communities to identify those who might be at risk and helping them prevent future ill health. that can involve what's known as social prescribing, helping people find the that support services, for example in mental health. ., . ., , health. post-covid particularly, i think we may — health. post-covid particularly, i think we may see _ health. post-covid particularly, i think we may see more - health. post-covid particularly, i think we may see more of- health. post-covid particularly, i think we may see more of that i health. post-covid particularly, i. think we may see more of that and i think— think we may see more of that and i think that's — think we may see more of that and i think that's where _ think we may see more of that and i think that's where social— think that's where social prescribing _ think that's where social prescribing will- think that's where social prescribing will play - think that's where social prescribing will play a i think that's where social. prescribing will play a vital think that's where social- prescribing will play a vital role injust— prescribing will play a vital role injust supporting _ prescribing will play a vital role in just supporting people - prescribing will play a vital role in just supporting people to - prescribing will play a vital role i in just supporting people to adapt to a normat— in just supporting people to adapt to a normal life. _ in just supporting people to adapt to a normal life. what _ in just supporting people to adapt to a normal life. what that - in just supporting people to adapt to a normal life. what that will i to a normal life. what that will took _ to a normal life. what that will took like — to a normal life. what that will look like after _ to a normal life. what that will look like after covid. _ to a normal life. what that will look like after covid.— to a normal life. what that will look like after covid. getting back to normal could _ look like after covid. getting back to normal could take _ look like after covid. getting back to normal could take time. - look like after covid. getting back to normal could take time. a - look like after covid. getting back| to normal could take time. a study today suggest more than a million people in the uk still have symptoms five weeks or more after a covid infection. yet another challenge for the nhs. hugh pym, bbc news,

skipton. 0n that's down by around a third on this time last week. there are 3957 patients in hospital with covid—19. 51 deaths were reported in the latest 2a hour period. that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. 0n who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 46 deaths were announced every day and the total number is now 126,764. as per vaccinations, almost 242,000 people have had their firstjab vaccinations, almost 242,000 people have had theirfirstjab in the latest 24 hour period, bringing the total to just over 31.1 million people. 0verfour and a half million

people. 0verfour and a half million people have now had both doses of the vaccine. let's talk through some of the figures. we're hearing about the easing of lockdown restrictions and hearing the office for national statistics say the infections have decreased. arguably, we're going in the right direction. what do you make of these figures? inaudible we'rejust having some figures? inaudible we're just having some problem with your audio. we will try... we can hear you now. would you reflect on the ons hear you now. would you reflect on the 0ns figures? we hear that infections have decreased in england and scotland, so arguably, going in

the right direction. yes. and scotland, so arguably, going in the right direction.— the right direction. yes, i think we can see a we're — the right direction. yes, i think we can see a we're moving _ the right direction. yes, i think we can see a we're moving in - the right direction. yes, i think we can see a we're moving in the - the right direction. yes, i think we| can see a we're moving in the right direction. however, we do see that people are having persistent symptoms and obviously, over the past year, we know that we have to be cautious as we open up the restrictions gradually. particularly the persistent systems that were reported in the office of national statistics that are of concern. let's talk about those now because more than a million people have had these persistent symptoms. are we talking about long covid here? 50. talking about long covid here? so, lona covid talking about long covid here? srr, long covid at talking about long covid here? 5rr, long covid at the talking about long covid here? 5;r13, long covid at the moment talking about long covid here? 5&3, long covid at the moment is defined as persistent symptoms going on for more than six weeks and officially more than six weeks and officially more than six weeks and officially more than 12 weeks. beyond that, we have different clusters of symptoms and different patterns of disease

which haven't fully been characterised. so, yes, that is long covid as we understand of the moment. . ~ , covid as we understand of the moment-— covid as we understand of the moment. ., ~ , ., ., moment. talk us through some of the kind of feelings _ moment. talk us through some of the kind of feelings that _ moment. talk us through some of the kind of feelings that people _ moment. talk us through some of the kind of feelings that people will - kind of feelings that people will have. you hear of the phrase brain fog and that kind of inability to think clearly as one of them. what else can people expect if they're concerned?— else can people expect if they're concerned? people are reporting fatirue, concerned? people are reporting fatigue, breathlessness, - concerned? people are reporting fatigue, breathlessness, they i concerned? people are reporting i fatigue, breathlessness, they might have cardiac symptoms such as palpitations. you mentioned the brain fog or inability you have to concentrate. they may feel dizziness or faintness standing up. concentrate. they may feel dizziness orfaintness standing up. so concentrate. they may feel dizziness or faintness standing up. so there's a real range of different symptoms that people are complaining of, and we need to study how those patterns of disease if at all correlate with evidence of problems and different

organs such as the heart, the kidneys, the liver and so on. and organs such as the heart, the kidneys, the liver and so on. and i know you've _ kidneys, the liver and so on. and i know you've been _ kidneys, the liver and so on. and i know you've been looking - kidneys, the liver and so on. and i know you've been looking at - kidneys, the liver and so on. and i know you've been looking at hospital readmissions for a long covid sufferers, can you tell us a little bit about that? that's obviously something that will come as a worry. yes, we conducted a study with the office for national statistics and the university of leicester where we looked at 48,000 people who had been admitted with coronavirus and saw, even after discharge, there was a high risk of death in the following four months of one in eight. there was a high risk of being read admitted to hospital in that same time period of 30% or so, and there was a high risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular events, kidney disease and liver

disease. so, this is not a denying event by any stretch, so we have to think more about the chronic effects and make sure that people are monitored who need to be investigating possible treatments. and ijust wonder, if there's anything we saw in the report by our health editor, somebody who had lost a lot of weight. is there something tangible that we could be doing in order to mitigate the seriousness of these effects? i order to mitigate the seriousness of these effects?— these effects? i think the best messare these effects? i think the best message to — these effects? i think the best message to take _ these effects? i think the best message to take from - these effects? i think the best message to take from this - these effects? i think the best message to take from this is l these effects? i think the best i message to take from this is that suppression of infection, avoiding getting coronavirus in the first place is the best option. and this is more evidence to add to that. secondly, yes, managing underlying risks, whether it's being overweight, underlying heart disease, diabetes, making sure you keep taking your medications and manage that you as you can. that

will reduce your risk. and if you do have complications after infection, then you need to make sure that people are monitored, and there are new services being set up for this around the country for post—covid assessment, which will be key in this. ., ., , assessment, which will be key in this. ., ., _,, this. doctor, we really appreciate the time you've _ this. doctor, we really appreciate the time you've taken _ this. doctor, we really appreciate the time you've taken in - this. doctor, we really appreciate the time you've taken in talking l this. doctor, we really appreciatel the time you've taken in talking us through this. thank you.— the time you've taken in talking us through this. thank you. george floyd's girlfriend courtney ross broke down in a minneapolis court today as she described the pair's first meeting, saying he offered to pray with her. in her testimony at the murder trial of derek chauvin, the former police officer caught in a video kneeling on the neck of floyd for nine minutes, ross also talked about the pair's struggles with opioid addiction. she talked about the early days of her relationship with mr floyd. just about every day, we saw each other as much

as we possibly could. were there times when you weren't as close as other times? i think we had... you know, sometimes, just like all couples, we'd argue sometimes and might�*ve taken a break, but... like most couples? like most couples, i assume. did you learn whether he was new to minneapolis? oh, yeah, we... 0n ourfirst date, like most people do, we went over our histories and he was from houston. and what kinds of things did the two of you do together when you would get together and do things? floyd was new to the city, so everything was kind of new to him. everywhere we went was new to him. it seemed like i was new to my own

city,... we like to go down there a lot. and enjoy the outdoors. courtney ross giving evidence at the trial earlier today. let's take a pause and bring you up to date with all the weather. hello there. it's been a colder day today for most of us, noticeably so across northern and eastern england and the midlands underneath the earlier cloud. and we could see a bit more cloud coming back in off the north sea on that northeasterly breeze overnight. some cloud for northern scotland, too. the rest of scotland, northern ireland, clear, cold, likely to be frosty and the risk of frost extends into northern england, perhaps wales and into the midlands, too. now, for good friday, we could see one or two light showers flirting with the coast of eastern scotland, northeast england before the cloud breaks later on in the day. the breeze blowing that cloud down the eastern side of england. it'll head further west, the cloud breaking up, and we should see more in the way of sunshine. it's a colder day, though, for the southwest of england. top temperature here of 13 or 14 degrees

and out towards eastern scotland and eastern england, it's going to be cold once again. and it stays chilly right the way through the easter weekend. we got more frost at night — gardeners, take note — but it's going to feel really cold on easter monday with an arctic blast which will bring some wintry showers as well. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. a survey metropolitan police officer has been convicted of membership of e band neo—nazi terrorist organisation. benjamin hannam is the first british officer to be convicted of a terrorism offence. a 24 year old man has been found guilty of murdering lorraine cox last summer. she disappeared after a night out in exeter. the prime minister's senior adviser on ethnic minorities,

samuel kasumu, is to leave the role. borisjohnson says it's not related to the controversial government report about race. the fourth day of the trial of derek chauvin — the former police officer accused of killing george floyd — is underway. george floyd's girlfriend is giving evidence. around one in 370 people in england had covid—19 in the week to march 27 — down slightly from the previous week, according to new figures. the prime minister's senior adviser on ethnic minorities, samuel kasumu, is to stand down. news of his departure comes the day after the publication of a government—commissioned report on race that has been criticised by campaigners. downing street has denied his exit is linked to the report's findings. borisjohnson says he doesn't agree with "absolutely everything" in the report. speaking about his advisor�*s departure, borisjohnson said mr kasumu had done valuable work increasing vaccine uptake among ethnic minorities. i've worked very closely with samuel

in the last year or so. and he's done some great stuff, and i thank him very much, particularly on helping to encourage vaccine take up amongst more hesitant groups and communities. actually we are seeing some real success there. it is true that different groups have been coming forward at different paces but everyone is increasing their take—up and i thank him very much to that. 0n the race review, it has been largely condemned by people of colour and equality campaigners, are they wrong? look, this is a very interesting piece of work. i don't think the government will agree with absolutely everything in it but it has some original and stimulating work in it which i think people need to read and to consider. there are very serious issues that our society faces to do with racism that we need to address. we have got to do more to fix it. we need to understand the severity

of the problem and we will look at all the ideas they have put forward and we will make our response. the accusation is you have rigged the report by picking commissioners who have previously dismissed institutional racism and then, surprise, surprise, they say this is not a problem. if you look at it they have come forward with about 24 interesting ideas to promote equality and to promote equality of opportunity, to give people of all communities, all races, all backgrounds of this country more opportunity, but also to understand the true nature of the barriers and the discrimination they unquestionably feel. so there are some interesting i won't say we agree with every word but we're going to be responding in due course.

until today, around 4 million of the most clinically vulnerable people in england and wales were being advised to shield at home. an easing of lockdown rules means those classed as "extremely vulnerable" should now follow the same rules as the rest of the population. rhiannonjones has been shielding since march last year. how has it been going? it's been auoin 0k. how has it been going? it's been going 0k- we — how has it been going? it's been going 0k. i've suffered _ how has it been going? it's been going 0k. i've suffered a - how has it been going? it's been going 0k. i've suffered a lot - how has it been going? it's been going 0k. i've suffered a lot with my mental health since the beginning of lockdown and seeing all the coverage on the news has not helped, and being away from my family and being away from my social bubble has not helped either.— not helped either. steve had to be a art from not helped either. steve had to be apart from your — not helped either. steve had to be apart from your family, _ not helped either. steve had to be apart from your family, tell - not helped either. steve had to be apart from your family, tell us - apart from your family, tell us little bit about the situation you

find yourself in or found yourself in all these months? in find yourself in or found yourself in all these months?— find yourself in or found yourself in all these months? in march i was in all these months? in march i was in my family — in all these months? in march i was in my family home _ in all these months? in march i was in my family home with _ in all these months? in march i was in my family home with my - in all these months? in march i was in my family home with my father, | in my family home with my father, but my sister lived in bridgend and they were supposed to do on different adaptations to my house, the council, and that obviously stopped because of coronavirus and then they decided i needed to be moved to a new property, so i was transported to a care home and i had been here since october of 2020. and been here since october of 2020. and how have you found that? it's - been here since october of 2020. and how have you found that? it's a - how have you found that? it's a ve , how have you found that? it's a very. very _ how have you found that? it's a very. very lonely _ how have you found that? it's a very, very lonely situation - how have you found that? it�*s —. very, very lonely situation because obviously my family, i'm miles and miles away from my family and friends now. so they've got to

travel like two hours to come and see me and they could only see me for like 30 minutes at a time. so obviously there's other residents in the care home i can't see them like on the same day so i've got to split it up and it's really difficult. talk us through some of the ways you mentioned you had a impact on your women mental health, talk or through some of the ways that you've been coping with it because i know you have developed quite a few really great techniques to deal with this. i've been learning how to play the piano, and i've been drawing. like i do still life drawings and so i pick an object outside and dry or... i cope well with my depressive episodes with humour. so making

residence laugh and stuff. so i think it's like if i can make somebody�*s day brighter by making them laugh and i will do. that’s them laugh and i will do. that's lovel . them laugh and i will do. that's lovely. laughter _ them laugh and i will do. that's lovely. laughter is _ them laugh and i will do. that's lovely. laughter is always - lovely. laughter is always brilliant, anyone who can make people laugh is just absolutely magic. of course we got these lockdown rules now easing for those extremely vulnerable people and now doing what everyone else is doing. how do you feel about that? since i've had how do you feel about that? since we had my _ how do you feel about that? since i've had my first _ how do you feel about that? since i've had my first vaccine, - how do you feel about that? since i've had my first vaccine, after- i've had my first vaccine, after i've had my first vaccine, after i've had my first vaccine, after i've had it, i've had it about six to eight weeks ago so i will be doing my second one anytime soon now. so after i have had that i would feel a lot better like i would feel more protected. i know i've already had one but until i have the second one i don't feel fully protected if you get what i mean. i

totally get what you mean. that's coming up soon?— totally get what you mean. that's coming up soon? yeah. in like the next couple _ coming up soon? yeah. in like the next couple of _ coming up soon? yeah. in like the next couple of weeks. _ coming up soon? yeah. in like the next couple of weeks. that - coming up soon? yeah. in like the next couple of weeks. that is - next couple of weeks. that is wonderful — next couple of weeks. that is wonderful commit _ next couple of weeks. that is wonderful commit we - next couple of weeks. that is wonderful commit we wish i next couple of weeks. that is i wonderful commit we wish you next couple of weeks. that is - wonderful commit we wish you the best of luck and thank you so much for sharing your coping techniques and for making everyone laugh and putting a smile on their faces. thank you so much stab by! the timetable for easing restrictions in wales has been set out by the first minister, mark drakeford — though he said it was all dependent on coronavirus case numbers. the plan is for non—essential retail to re—open from april the 12th. that's also when travel to and from wales will be allowed again — and students can resume face—to—face education. two weeks after that outdoor attractions can reopen and cafes, restaurants and pubs can offer hospitality outdoors. from early may, organised outdoor activities with up to 30 people can resume. gyms and leisure centres will open

for individual training and two if all goes to plan community centres and organised indoor activities can reopen after that. our correspondent, tomas morgan, has this report. this time last year, james sommerin held a michelin star in his restaurant in penarth. but the pandemic�*s meant he's lost that star and that restaurant. this year, it's been soul destroying. open for just 29 days last year in his new establishment, there is some good news today, as the welsh government have announced that hospitality could start serving outside again from the 26th of april. it's great to have a little bit of news. finally, you know, there is a small glimmer of hope for is to move forward. we've got a six tables, which can seat up to four people. it's got to be viable for the business. with maybe only two people to a table, we're going to have to do a fair amount of covers for it to actually pay its way. gyms have also been given a date for reopening, the 10th of may — a month after the industry reopens

across the border in england. as far as i know, there is no greater risk factor in wales than there is in england. so, i don't really understand why there such a difference. notjust the data that we get to open, but the whole road map that england have got. it begs the question of whether it's actually a political decision, whether it's got anything to do with covid. although gyms and hospitality have been given provisional dates for reopening, those dates are caveated, "as long as things keep moving in the right direction." i.e, vaccination rates remain on track and hospital admission rates and virus rates within the population here in wales remain low. plaid cymru and the welsh tories say the labour welsh government have taken too long giving businesses the certainty they needed. the lib dems ask those whose jobs are at risk get more support. so, it's a sense of deja vu today in wales, and i hope that this is the last lockdown. tomos morgan, bbc news, cardiff. the ferry operator stena line says

brexit is still causing significant distortion to trade volumes over the irish sea, three months after the uk's separation from the eu. one of the most contentious aspects of the deal was the introduction of new checks between great britain and northern ireland. figures obtained by the bbc show that exporting goods over the irish sea now costs up to 350 pounds more per pallet. and, the additional paperwork adds up to an extra four hours turnaround time for every lorry. our ireland correspondent emma vardy has been on the journey over the irish sea, to see what impact the new arrangements are having. this is where the real brexit is happening on the ground. and these are the people having to get their heads around a whole new way of doing things. at fortec distribution hub, near leicester, they're getting goods ready to be shipped over the irish sea. and we're coming along,

because what's happening could have implications for the very unity of the uk and, some believe, for the peace and stability of northern ireland. so, we're three months into all this. how's it going? at the beginning, it was a struggle. some some members were geared up better than others. some businesses are dealt with it better than others. ultimately, we still have a few issues where paperwork is not done correctly, and freight still ends up sitting on the floor. if the paperwork�*s not right, it can't leave here? if it's not right, it can't leave here. exactly that. sending goods to northern ireland used to be largely paperwork free. there you go, there's your paperwork. ok, brilliant. fully loaded. everything is ok. but now the journey our driver graham has been doing for 20 years involves a lot more red tape. this is the compromise borisjohnson agreed with the eu to avoid having checks over the sensitive land border with the irish republic. we have some wine, i

then we have pet food. pet food? yeah. ok, thanks, mate. some products involve more checks than others. obviously the pet food _ at the minute, because it's animal origins, has caused a few problems. so, we have four pallets sealed on the back of the lorry. - that is why we are going to customs l as soon as we get back to belfast. i new veterinary inspectors will be awaiting us in the morning. but, for now, the lights of liverpool bid us farewell. 6:30am, in northern ireland. well, wejust arrived in belfast. we're still in the uk. but this is now where we effectively entered the eu single market. we are just about to go through one of the new border control posts. and it's what happens here that is still a source of much tension between the uk and the eu. the first to market weeks of january were quite chaotic. you know, things werejust, like, what has just happened? stena line say brexit�*s led to a big distortion and volumes of freight

on different routes. did anyone expect this amount of change to the way goods were travelling? no, no—one expected the level of difficulties and challenges that we have had. and we've seen that industry hasn't been as well—prepared as one would have hoped. but flows will go back, and i think what will happen is it'lljust take more time. this is only the start of a journey. this is only the start of the process. this could take a number of years before things become easier. time for our cameras to see what this new border in the uk is like. hi, mate. whatever you've got, just park over on the left, so i can see you. ok, thank you. at the first border post, graham's lorry is escorted to a second location for physical inspections to take place. but there is a hiccup. they've got a shed that the trailer |doesn't fit into, to do the checks. | we need a customs load of measuring tapes! - there is obvious teething issues. work was supposed to begin on building a new border posts.

but amid political rows, the northern ireland minister in charge has halted the work. i haven't much room here to spin round. i we're directed to a third location, where there is nervousness among border officials who tell us they are still concerned about safety following recent threats against staff. we stopped filming while the check are finally completed. we're going into this depot now. we've cleared customs. the vet is happy that everything is sealed. we're through, but it's a process graham says often adds an hour or two on tojourneys. and you don't have to look far to see the rising resentment among unionists. the anger that i have saw in my community is far beyond anything i have seen before. people really do feel like their equal citizenship and their british citizenship is really under threat. why do you think it affects any sense of identity? because it's effectively a within the border middle of the united kingdom. when there was talk of a hard border

on the island of ireland, nobody would stand for it. so why all of a sudden is it ok for a border within the united kingdom? and this border is set to become even more prominent, with increased paperwork in the months to come. sometimes you feel a little helpless. - what was a very straightforward process before brexit now- isn't straightforward. maybe more people in transport should have been asked more i questions about the best way to do things _ hopefully things will. improve in the future. there's still a bit of a way to go - to get things running more smoothly. for those on the front line, the brexitjourney has only just begun. emma vardy, bbc news, belfast. around two million people have got a pay increase today as the national living wage — the statutory minimum wage — went up. it's risen for everyone over 23 by 2.2% to eight pounds 91 pence per hour. that works out at nearly £350 a year for a full—time employee. but low—paid workers on furlough won't get the increase. (ani)the rise is also being offset by bigger bills

coming in this month. they include gas and electricity, council tax, water and broadband. new rules have been introduced to help pubs, cafes and restaurants reopen outdoors safely in england on the 12th of april.every single person entering the pub will need to sign in individually before they can enter. tony sophoclides is the strategic affairs director for uk hospitality. it's good of you to join us. just expand to us the difference that we can expect going forward to what we had previously when it was possible to buy a pint in a pub.—

to buy a pint in a pub. bourbon restrictions _ to buy a pint in a pub. bourbon restrictions the _ to buy a pint in a pub. bourbon restrictions the test _ to buy a pint in a pub. bourbon restrictions the test and - to buy a pint in a pub. bourbon restrictions the test and trace l restrictions the test and trace requirement now is that there's every adult member of the group going to hospitality venue will have to come you know, leave either through the app or through pen and paper at the other end of the scale, there will have to leave their details. that can add to quite an administrative burden on venues that already are facing table service to no indoor payments and the like and there's a genuine chance that that could end up with staff being hassled or harassed because it's of the wood did not have to do in the summer even though by all accounts and public health angle themselves has shown that would happened in the summer, we had 16 million visits to hospitality venues a week and no

correlation with spikes in covid cases. that was clearly something working but it has now become stricter at a time when margins are even shorter and, you know, more businesses are on the precipice. the government is saying they are currently reviewing the different rules and also are pointing to the fact that cu rfews rules and also are pointing to the fact that curfews will be dropped from auger fee requirements will be removed. all that need for a substantial meal for customers as well. and they are trying to help, they would argue.— well. and they are trying to help, they would argue. without a doubt they would argue. without a doubt the dro of they would argue. without a doubt the drop of the _ they would argue. without a doubt the drop of the curfew— they would argue. without a doubt the drop of the curfew is _ they would argue. without a doubt the drop of the curfew is very - the drop of the curfew is very welcome but we are several months down the line, now and don't get me wrong the government has provided some good support for the industry but a lot of companies have already gone to the wall, others are really teetering on the brink and will we look at april 12 being allowed to do

outside hospitality services that's really only 40% of venues that will be able to come or will have an outside area. and it very much fewer than that would actually be able to work viably because of the size of the space that they have there. so we are talking really dark days in terms of survival.— terms of survival. also in their statement _ terms of survival. also in their statement the _ terms of survival. also in their statement the government - terms of survival. also in their i statement the government have stressed that they continued supporting the hospitality sector, they point to the £5 billion restart grant scheme, the furlough scheme, the cut of vat, 750,000 businesses in hospitality and rates relief. arguably they are trying to re—energize an industry which, as you say has been heavily hit throughout the pandemic. and do you know what, i would not argue against that but the fact is that we had a

commitment from the government that the 1st ofjune would be the end of the 1st ofjune would be the end of the legal restrictions and itjust feels like, possibly, that the goalposts may be shifting and that seems wrong. let's bear in mind that most hospitality venues won't be able to open properly in any viable way until the 21st ofjune and a lot of those, because of the business rates relief will also be paying my facing bills nine days later. business rates later nine days later have been, for the vast majority of the last year, unable to operate at all and even when they could not profitably. thank you for your time. at the age of 81, the celebrated actor sir ian mckellen is taking on one of the toughest roles in theatre.

he's playing hamlet — half a century after he first played the role. the curtain should go up injune — when restrictions on theatres are finally eased. our arts editor will gompertz has been talking to sir ian during rehearsals at the theatre royal windsor about the huge challenge ahead. of all occasions to inform against me and spur my dull revenge! the mode, these days, of casting people who don't necessarily look the part, because it's the inner person you're going after, and if i can rake around inside and discover the young man in me, then hopefully it'll be all right. strikes me that the biggest challenge is the physicality, is the movement. well, what am i to do? i can't pretend i'm 20. no one's going to believe it. but i can feel that i'm 20. it is going to be an 80—year—old man playing a man 50 years younger. i have played gandalf, who was over 7,000 years old. no one said i was too young! you shall not pass!

i think it's fair to say, or true to say, at least, you first played hamlet as a child when you had your toy theatre, didn't you ? yes, yes, i'd be about ten or 11. my parents gave me a pollock's toy theatre, which was a theatre that you have to cut up and reassemble. cardboard. and behind a tea towel, i was saying the words. i did a shortened version of hamlet just after christmas lunch! and you cannot have imagined then that you would be playing it, what, 70 years later? no, of course not, no. i thought i'd be playing polonius, if not the skull, by this time! yorick�*s skull. there will be people who come to collect this hamlet. i remember when i played it in 1971, two old gentleman came round to see me afterwards and said, "congratulations, "you're our 73rd hamlet". why, madam, it is common. if it be, why seems it's so particular with thee?

seems, madam? nay, it is. i know not seems. shakespeare was not unfamiliar with pandemics and plagues. how do you think theatre's going to respond to what's happened in the last 12 months? it's been pretty devastating. during my lifetime, the theatres in london were closed for longish periods during the second world war, but always sprang back. so, 50 years after this hamlet... it is an unweeded garden that grows to seed. sir ian mckellen once again plays the prince, undimmed by the whips and scorns of time. incredible stuff. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett. hello there. colder air has arrived across more of the country now. and it's going to be a long time before we see temperatures back into the low 20s that they were on wednesday, 24 degrees in norfork. move things on 24 hours and on thursday those same areas in england have much more cloud.

temperatures were struggling to get in doubled figures. it was quite a change, a shock to the system. write the way through easter weekend it's going to remain on the cold side. a risk of frost at night but it will feel particularly cold on monday as the wind will be stronger, were going to find wintry showers around too. that could be one or two range i was threatening the east coast of scotland, northeast england on friday morning before the sunshine comes out later. more cloud coming down the eastern side of england but sunny sky eggs are likely further west after a cold and potential frosty start. but temperatures maximum 13 or 14 degrees in the sunshine. colder for eastern england and eastern parts of scotland. and the colder air has been rotating around this area of high pressure. it's late—night extending itself southwards. at least the high is keeping us fine and dry but could be a frosty start again where we had clear skies on saturday. looks like the breeze will push more clouds again into eastern parts of england perhaps into the midlands too.

and the far north of scotland. but elsewhere there will be sunshine after a frosty start. those temperatures aren't rising at all. it is going to be another chilly day on saturday. if we move into easter sunday, most of england and wales it looks a bit better. the winds won't be a strong, there be some sunshine. the winds do pick up as you had further north. we've got this band of rain sweeping down into scotland and northern ireland followed by some increasingly wintry weather and temperatures falling. temperatures for eastern england should be a bit higher on sunday, 13 or 14 degrees. but it does get colder everywhere and even colder, i think, for easter monday. that weather front takes some rain southwards. then that wintry weather follows on behind and we could trace the winds all the way back to the arctic. an arctic blast of cold air will be sweeping down across the whole of the country. it will be accompanied by strong to gale force winds which will make it feel cold. there'll be some sunshine, showers are likely to develop and a lot of the showers will be affecting coastal areas, anywhere exposed to that cold northerly wind. a mixture of hail, sleet and snow.

most of the snow over the hills. those are the temperatures, 8 degrees at best. southern england, south wales but it will feel colder everywhere given the strength of the win. the strength of the wind. and that cold arctic air is firmly in place on monday. continues in place on tuesday as well. it's almost a repeat performance. perhaps a little more sunshine over inland areas where we won't see so many showers. you can see how we've got these lines of wintry showers coming in on that northerly airflow. again, a lot of snow to come over the higher ground in northern parts of scotland. temperatures still no better than seven or 8 degrees. cold air, arctic air in place on tuesday. we start to change things a bit during wednesday. an area of low pressure, that will strengthen the winds on thursday, rained down on thursday in northern areas will see some sleet and snow as well and then some low pressure pulling away and they would start to engage that cold arctic air which returns later on in the week. perhaps not as cold as it will be to the start of the week,

but no sign of anything warming up at all in the longer—range outlook.

this is bbc news. first came the plan, now the sales—pitch. president biden wants americans to back a $2 trillion plan to fix our crumbling roads and bridges. republicans on the hill think it costs too much, and that it doesn't cover the nuts—and—bolts of what the nation really needs. big government is back. mr biden's cabinet meets at the white house for the first time. five of them will be tasked with �*selling' this plan to the public and to the lawmakers. the un secretary general tells me vaccine passports are not the way to go, warning they'll lead to even more global inequality. that full interview is just ahead. also in the programme.... only 10% of some 900 million people in europe have had a single dose of coronavirus vaccine. the world health organisation calls that "unacceptable".

and tricksters and pranksters, now�*s your chance!