this is bbc news i'm rebecca jones. the headlines at 5pm... the prime minister is looking at the idea of covid certificates for foreign travel and access to some events in england. but there are fears it could create a two—tier society. as borisjohnson also urges people to keep getting vaccinated amid debate about a potential link between the astrazeneca jab and blood clots — the world health organization say the benefit largely outweighs the risk. look at what the mhra say, our independent regulator. that's why we have them, that's why they are independent, and their advice to people is to keep going out there and get yourjab, get your second jab.

for the time being, forthe time being, there is no evidence — forthe time being, there is no evidence that the benefit risk assessment for the vaccine needs to be changed. police searching for missing student richard okorogheye say a body has been found in a pond in epping forest. the met says the man has yet to be formally identified, but a post—mortum will take place. the president's son speaks out. hunter biden — targeted by donald trump for his drug addiction and financial deals, gives the bbc his version of a troubled past. i created a perception and a perception that was wielded against us in an incredibly wild and conspiratorial way. and the biden name is synonymous with democracy and transparency, and that is why i said that it was gold to them. and star light star bright — why the pandemic means less light pollution and a better chance to see the night sky.

the prime minister has confirmed that the government is looking at the idea of covid certificates for foreign travel and also for access to some venues and events in england. he also said so—called covid passports wouldn't be needed when many businesses re—open next week, but he didn't rule it out for the summer. some of his own mps are warning that the certificates — for people who've been vaccinated, tested negative or who have immunity — would could create a two—tier society. our political correspondent helen catt reports. the next steps on the road out of lockdown in england start in less than a week. you can go back to the gym, visit the hairdresser or pop

to a nonessential shop. pubs can serve again too, although only outdoors. it is a welcome return of some pretty basic freedoms, but there is a row brewing over what may come later in the year. what, of course, we're looking at is what several other countries are looking at, and that is the role of vaccination passports for overseas travel. i think that is going to be a fact of life, probably. a lot of other countries are looking at that. i think we are also going to look at the role of a number of signals that you can give that you are not contagious. all adults in england are due to be offered a vaccine by the end ofjuly. but even once that's happened, the government says that doesn't mean absolutely everyone will be protected, so some measures may still be needed for a while. it is exploring the idea of using covid status certification, or vaccine passports. to gain entry to some venues you would have to prove

you have been vaccinated, or that you had a recent negative test, or have some immunity because you have had the virus in the past six months. the government says they could be important for large events like sports matches or music festivals. you'd never have to show one to go to the supermarket or use public transport, but they are being considered for pubs and nonessential shops in the longer term. i'm not going to support a policy that, for here in my leicester constituency, if somebody wants to go into next or h&m, they have to produce a vaccination certificate on their phone, on an app. i think that is discriminatory. at the moment the idea is still being reviewed, although it looks pretty certain that we will see some kind of vaccine passports for international travel at least. the government has said mps would be consulted on any scheme. and that is where plans to use them in places like shops or pubs could run into political trouble. because it is notjust labour are not convinced. at least a0 conservative

mps oppose the plans. the scottish government has said it is considering digital certificates for people who have had the covid—19 vaccine. anything that can play a part in getting us back to normal is something we should think about carefully. but nor should we just gloss over the practical and ethical issues that we have to think through properly. in northern ireland, the health minister robin swann says he does not support them domestically. the welsh first minister mark drakeford said there were prizes to be won from such a scheme but there are ethical issues, too. the possibility of having to prove your covid status is still some way off yet. for now, easing restrictions will continue in england, without. let's take a look at the latest government daily coronavirus data and figures show there has been a further 2,379 lab—confirmed cases in the uk. the government said a further 20 people have died within 28 days

of testing positive for covid—19, bringing the uk total to 126,882. and the latest data shows that 37, 119,083 jabs have been given in the uk so far. 31,622,367 were first doses — a rise of more than 40,000 on the previous day. and nearly 5.5 million were second doses, an increase of 611,590. borisjohnson has tried to reassure people about the safety of coronavirus vaccinations, despite a claim by one senior official at the european medicines agency that there is a link between the oxford astrazeneca jab and blood clots. he said people should trust in the advice from the uk's regulators. the ema says its review of the

safety of the vaccine is continuing. meanwhile, here government scientists are warning that some social distancing measures will need to remain in place for much longer. 0ur health correspondent jim reed reports. the long bank holiday weekend saw hundreds of thousands more receive their vaccines. have you had a covid vaccine at all? no. the fast roll—out, plus the impact of lockdown, has seen virus cases fall to levels not seen since last september. i think it is the right thing to do to be careful, so that we don't have to reverse on this, and i think i am confident to say, if you look at where we have got to now and you look at the efficacy of the vaccines, we will be in a good place when we get to, obviously, may and thenjune. next week, pub gardens, shops and hairdressers will reopen across england. the government's scientific advisers have been poring over the data. they say relaxing those rules should not lead to another spike in hospital admissions.

but later steps, like mixing indoors, are highly likely to cause another wave of cases at some point. well, i don't think it's being pessimistic, it's being realistic. this is a period of genuine uncertainty. yes, the vaccine roll—out has been fantastic, but we still don't know exactly how good they are at preventing infection. so we have hardly seen any real—world experience. despite a recent slowdown in vaccine supply, the government is sticking to its target to offer all adults in england a jab by the end ofjuly. new vaccines made by three american firms are expected to be introduced in the next few months. the vaccine roll—out - is going incredibly well, nearly 32 million people have had their first dose, - and we had seen deaths fall fairly precipitously, - so down to an average of 35 a day. all very good news. but we have only got to look. across the channel and see that france currently has over 39,000 new cases a day~ _

it comes as regulators are still looking into a possible link between the astrazeneca jab and rare blood clots. in an italian newspaper, a top official at the european medicines agency said that he believed there was some connection, though more work is needed to understand why that might be. in the uk, the regulator has said the benefits of the vaccine in preventing coronavirus outweigh any risks and has urged the public to continue to come forward for the jab. jim reed, bbc news. the prime minister has been responding to concerns in some countries about the possibility of a link between the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine and a rare type of blood clot. borisjohnson urged people to listen to the advice from the uk's independent regulators and to keep using the vaccine. the best thing people should do is look at what the mhra say, our independent regulator. that's why we have them, that's why they're independent,

and their advice to people is to keep going out there, get yourjab, get your second jab, very, very important. i think we've now done 31.5 million people in the uk with the firstjab, at least, well over 5 million for the second jab. we need to keep that going. 60% of adults have now been done. and clearly, that is starting to have a beneficial effect on the trajectory of the disease. so as i was saying last night, we have still got to be careful. we can't be complacent. in the last hour, the director of regulation and prequalification at the world health organization has said there is "no link for the moment" between the oxford astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots. dr rogerio pinto de sa gaspar told journalists that data was constantly being assessed. what we can say is that the appraisal that we have for the moment, and this is under consideration by the experts,

is that the benefit—risk assessment for the vaccine is still largely positive. we continue to see a number of events that are rare events, linking to thrombolytic events, and those rare events are now being categorised in terms of the diagnostics, in terms of the population, in terms of the distribution within the population, and the expert committees will come to the decisions in coming hours and coming days about what will be the regulatory status for the vaccine. for the time being, there's no evidence that the benefit—risk assessment for the vaccine needs to be changed. and we know from the data coming from countries like the uk and others that the benefits are really important, in terms of reduction of the mortality of populations that are being vaccinated. so one important issue to say also, because on the media and also on the regulatory committees, we tend to stress too much the risk when we are discussing these issues. and we have to do that.

we have to also, at the same time, balance this with the benefit coming from the vaccine, and i think it's important to reiterate this once again. that messages coming from the world health organization. we can speak now to professor paul hunter, an expert in health protection at the university of east anglia. thanks so much forjoining us. what is your thinking on this and the potential link between this astrazeneca jab and blood clots? i astrazeneca jab and blood clots? i think a week ago, i was quite sceptical that there would be a link. ithink sceptical that there would be a link. i think since then there has been more evidence which does suggest that this link may be real. however, that doesn't alter the fact that the vaccine is substantially more beneficial than even if this association proves to be entirely correct. i think, association proves to be entirely correct. ithink, you know, the likelihood of dying from covid if

you don't have a vaccine is quite high. ultimately, people in their 40s might have a chance at that point about 1% of dying, and that is set against a risk from cerebral sinus from both sides, so it may be about one and a million give or take. so the benefits still very much in favour of having the vaccine. the risks, we don't yet know for certain, but it seems to be that most of the risks of this thrombosis tend to be in younger people and tend to be in women. therefore, at the moment, we are not actually vaccinating that group. the people that we are vaccinating people that we are vaccinating people that we are vaccinating people that are more vulnerable, the elderly people, the people with pre—existing disease and people over 50. and the equation very much is in favour of them having the vaccine and continuing to have the vaccine. i have had my first dose of the

oxford astrazeneca vaccine and am 0xford astrazeneca vaccine and am looking forward to my next dose next month. if you don't have the vaccine because you are worried about this, you are actually in a more at risk group. you are more likely to be dead at christmas than if you had the vaccine. so please do what the prime minister says and continue to go in for your second dose. i prime minister says and continue to go in for your second dose.- go in for your second dose. i think it's worth clarifying _ go in for your second dose. i think it's worth clarifying exactly - go in for your second dose. i think it's worth clarifying exactly what i it's worth clarifying exactly what you mean when you talk about younger people. you mean when you talk about younger --eole. . ., �* ~ ., you mean when you talk about younger ”eole. ., ., �* 4' ., ., people. yeah, we don't know for certain what _ people. yeah, we don't know for certain what the _ people. yeah, we don't know for certain what the age _ people. yeah, we don't know for certain what the age group - people. yeah, we don't know for certain what the age group is - people. yeah, we don't know for certain what the age group is in l people. yeah, we don't know for. certain what the age group is in the cases because the clinical details of the cases that have had this happened been released. generally speaking, when the people who do have access to that data, they are talking about younger people. when you look at this thrombosis prior to co—bed, it was generally people under 50 that were more at risk than people over 50. and slightly more at

risk in women under 50 than in men under 50. risk in women under 50 than in men under50. so i'm risk in women under 50 than in men under 50. so i'm assuming that that is the age group of concerned. but we have heard some suggestions that there is consideration about suggesting alternatives to the vaccine for people under 30. that is being considered at the moment, and clearly once it's getting down to the 20s and 30s, your risk of succumbing to covid is actually very low compared to older people. figs succumbing to covid is actually very low compared to older people. as you ourself low compared to older people. as you yourself said — low compared to older people. as you yourself said a — low compared to older people. as you yourself said a month _ low compared to older people. as you yourself said a month ago, _ low compared to older people. as you yourself said a month ago, you - low compared to older people. as you yourself said a month ago, you said . yourself said a month ago, you said that the oxford astrazeneca vaccine almost certainly did not cause blood clots, but you feel that you've changed your mind in the last week, and you have talked about more evidence. can you tell us a little bit more about what that evidence is in your view?— in your view? yes. when we are lookin: in your view? yes. when we are looking at _ in your view? yes. when we are looking at evidence _ in your view? yes. when we are looking at evidence of _ in your view? yes. when we are| looking at evidence of causality, in your view? yes. when we are - looking at evidence of causality, we use a number of schemes, and there is one called the bradford hill

criteria. and what we do is look to see if each of these criteria are failed. and the criteria that seems to be suggesting, although not totally convincing at the moment, is that we are seeing this in different geographical areas. that we are seeing this in different geographicalareas. it that we are seeing this in different geographical areas. it occurred in germany. and the chances of epping chance was quite high. but to then find out occurring also in the uk andindeedin find out occurring also in the uk and indeed in other areas, find out occurring also in the uk and indeed in otherareas, i find out occurring also in the uk and indeed in other areas, ithink that, the chances of that happening ijy that, the chances of that happening by random chance is quite low. they are also looking at the uk yellow card data. we are seeing quite a few more cases reported following the astrazeneca vaccine than we are seeing with the pfizer vaccine. in no apparent fatalities. so again, that provides further evidence. and this is occurring after vaccination rather than before. so already, we are seeing a number of criteria

satisfied for causation. we are still not at the point where we can say for certain, but often, sadly, it takes a lot of effort to get to certainty in causal relationships and epidemiological studies. professor paul hunter, always good to talk to. thank you. mr; professor paul hunter, always good to talk to. thank you.— let's speak now to professor stephen reicher — member of the sage subcommittee advising on behavioural science. he is a professor of psychology at the university of st andrews and a fellow of the royal society of edinburgh — and is a member of independent sage. he is talking to us tonight in a personal capacity. good to have you with us. ., i personal capacity. good to have you with us.- i want _ personal capacity. good to have you with us.- i want to _ personal capacity. good to have you with us.- i want to start - personal capacity. good to have you with us. hello. i want to start with ou about with us. hello. i want to start with you about what — with us. hello. i want to start with you about what impact _ with us. hello. i want to start with you about what impact you - with us. hello. i want to start with you about what impact you think l with us. hello. i want to start with you about what impact you think this uncertainty about the link between the oxford astrazeneca vaccine and blood clots could have on take—up of the vaccine. what is your view on the? ~ ., , ., , , the vaccine. what is your view on the? �*, ., the? well, obviously, it's not helful.

the? well, obviously, it's not helpful- i _ the? well, obviously, it's not helpful. ithink— the? well, obviously, it's not helpful. i think one _ the? well, obviously, it's not helpful. i think one of - the? well, obviously, it's not helpful. i think one of the - the? well, obviously, it's not. helpful. i think one of the things that many— helpful. i think one of the things that many people stressed right at the getting of the vaccine roll—out is as well— the getting of the vaccine roll—out is as well as the vaccine itself, we needed _ is as well as the vaccine itself, we needed a — is as well as the vaccine itself, we needed a roll—out of information so that people were clear in advance, number— that people were clear in advance, number one from that there would be some _ number one from that there would be some side _ number one from that there would be some side effect —— side effects. there _ some side effect —— side effects. there is— some side effect —— side effects. there is no— some side effect —— side effects. there is no drug that doesn't have side effects. if you go through your medicine _ side effects. if you go through your medicine cupboard and get out your bottle _ medicine cupboard and get out your bottle of— medicine cupboard and get out your bottle of aspirin and you look at the side — bottle of aspirin and you look at the side effects, there are side effects — the side effects, there are side effects. but they are trivial compared to the advantage from the medicine _ compared to the advantage from the medicine itself. so it's important to point— medicine itself. so it's important to point things out in advance. and also, _ to point things out in advance. and also, that— to point things out in advance. and also, that there will be a number of events— also, that there will be a number of events that — also, that there will be a number of events that happened by chance if tens of— events that happened by chance if tens of millions of people take anything, some of them, unfortunately, will die. it is not necessarily due to the drug. it's by chance _ necessarily due to the drug. it's by chance we — necessarily due to the drug. it's by chance. we are now in a position where _ chance. we are now in a position where we — chance. we are now in a position where we don't know whether these blood _ where we don't know whether these blood clots are caused by or coincidental to taking the vaccine. but as— coincidental to taking the vaccine. but as i_ coincidental to taking the vaccine. but as i say, i think if in advance we'd _ but as i say, i think if in advance we'd been — but as i say, i think if in advance we'd been very clear about these things. _

we'd been very clear about these things, there would be less of an issue _ things, there would be less of an issue now — things, there would be less of an issue now. and i think we can still learn. _ issue now. and i think we can still learn. and — issue now. and i think we can still learn, and we do need to make sure that while _ learn, and we do need to make sure that while the logistics of the roll—outs have been quite magnificent, and the nhs has been quite remarkable and how efficient it's been — quite remarkable and how efficient it's been. we could do a little bit more _ it's been. we could do a little bit more in — it's been. we could do a little bit more in terms of giving people information both about the consequences of taking the vaccine, which _ consequences of taking the vaccine, which overall, are highly beneficial. but secondly, also about what we _ beneficial. but secondly, also about what we should be doing in terms of behaviours _ what we should be doing in terms of behaviours and safeguards, even when we are _ behaviours and safeguards, even when we are vaccinated. gk, behaviours and safeguards, even when we are vaccinated.— we are vaccinated. ok, i would like to move the _ we are vaccinated. ok, i would like to move the conversation - we are vaccinated. ok, i would like to move the conversation on - we are vaccinated. ok, i would like to move the conversation on and i we are vaccinated. ok, i would like l to move the conversation on and ask you what your thoughts are on covid passports or certificates, and indeed, how they might make us feel about what we can and cannot do? well, one of the problems here is that this — well, one of the problems here is that this is — well, one of the problems here is that this is a terribly confused argument. so many kites are being flown _ argument. so many kites are being flown and _ argument. so many kites are being flown and they've all got tangled up, flown and they've all got tangled up. and — flown and they've all got tangled up, and we aren't quite sure what we are talking _ up, and we aren't quite sure what we are talking about. so are we talking about _ are talking about. so are we talking about something for international travel? _ about something for international travel? well, the that's not particularly controversial because we do _ particularly controversial because we do it— particularly controversial because we do it already. go various

countries _ we do it already. go various countries and we get vaccinations to id countries and we get vaccinations to go to— countries and we get vaccinations to go to them — countries and we get vaccinations to go to them. sol countries and we get vaccinations to go to them. so i don't think that's a problem — go to them. so i don't think that's a problem i— go to them. so i don't think that's a problem. ithink go to them. so i don't think that's a problem. i think the go to them. so i don't think that's a problem. ithink the problem go to them. so i don't think that's a problem. i think the problem comes when _ a problem. i think the problem comes when vaccine passports, so—called, impact _ when vaccine passports, so—called, impact everyday activities. and when it comes _ impact everyday activities. and when it comes to— impact everyday activities. and when it comes to a point where people begin— it comes to a point where people begin to — it comes to a point where people begin to think, look, i can't take part begin to think, look, ican't take part in— begin to think, look, i can't take part in society without having one of these, — part in society without having one of these, so in effect, they are compulsory, that i have to take it. that is— compulsory, that i have to take it. that is when— compulsory, that i have to take it. that is when there are real problems. because the issue is we want _ problems. because the issue is we want to— problems. because the issue is we want to increase vaccination amongst those _ want to increase vaccination amongst those who _ want to increase vaccination amongst those who are hesitant. that's the population— those who are hesitant. that's the population we are concerned with. and those — population we are concerned with. and those are people who are concerned about whether the vaccine is... something that has been done for them, _ is... something that has been done for them, for— is... something that has been done for them, for their health, is... something that has been done forthem, fortheir health, or something done to them, to control them _ something done to them, to control them and — something done to them, to control them. and the problem is that once you start _ them. and the problem is that once you start to— them. and the problem is that once you start to make vaccine passports seem _ you start to make vaccine passports seem compulsory in any way, it plays into those _ seem compulsory in any way, it plays into those fears and it alienates people — into those fears and it alienates people precisely at the stage where we need _ people precisely at the stage where we need to engage them. sol people precisely at the stage where we need to engage them. so i do think— we need to engage them. so i do think that — we need to engage them. so i do think that if we are talking about vaccine — think that if we are talking about vaccine passports for flying abroad, that's— vaccine passports for flying abroad, that's one _ vaccine passports for flying abroad, that's one thing, if we are talking about— that's one thing, if we are talking about them for going to the pub,

it's quite — about them for going to the pub, it's quite another. in the latter sense, — it's quite another. in the latter sense, it — it's quite another. in the latter sense, it could be counterproductive and it— sense, it could be counterproductive and it could — sense, it could be counterproductive and it could come as i say, alienate the very— and it could come as i say, alienate the very people we are trying to persuade — the very people we are trying to persuade that vaccines are for their own good — persuade that vaccines are for their own aood. . . persuade that vaccines are for their own aood. , , ., , ., persuade that vaccines are for their ownaood. , , ., , ., own good. this is not 'ust a vaccine --assorts own good. this is not 'ust a vaccine passports or— own good. this is notjust a vaccine passports or certificates, _ own good. this is notjust a vaccine passports or certificates, is - own good. this is notjust a vaccine passports or certificates, is it? - own good. this is notjust a vaccine passports or certificates, is it? it i passports or certificates, is it? it might be is a —— it might be a way of reflecting a negative test or proving immunity from a previous infection. as i go to addressing your concerns?— infection. as i go to addressing your concerns? infection. as i go to addressing ourconcerns? ., , ., , your concerns? welcome it only goes to show, actually, _ your concerns? welcome it only goes to show, actually, that _ your concerns? welcome it only goes to show, actually, that the _ to show, actually, that the conversation is even more confused. we talk— conversation is even more confused. we talk about vaccine passports, but do they— we talk about vaccine passports, but do they mean vaccines, do they mean tests. _ do they mean vaccines, do they mean tests. what— do they mean vaccines, do they mean tests, what sorts of tests? to take the test _ tests, what sorts of tests? to take the test yourself? so on, so on, so forth _ the test yourself? so on, so on, so forth i_ the test yourself? so on, so on, so forth ithink— the test yourself? so on, so on, so forth. i think the danger is that we have _ forth. i think the danger is that we have a _ forth. i think the danger is that we have a very— forth. i think the danger is that we have a very confused debate, and this debate is actually putting people — this debate is actually putting people off. even suggesting to people — people off. even suggesting to people that there might be vaccine passports — people that there might be vaccine passports which impact upon their everyday— passports which impact upon their everyday lives, which forced him to take the _ everyday lives, which forced him to take the vaccine, it's counterproductive. so i think we need _ counterproductive. so i think we need to— counterproductive. so i think we need to roll back a bit, i think we need _ need to roll back a bit, i think we need a _ need to roll back a bit, i think we need a much more specific debate and a much _ need a much more specific debate and a much more — need a much more specific debate and

a much more considered debate. as i say come _ a much more considered debate. as i say come all— a much more considered debate. as i say come all the kites being fun at the moment, ithink, are having a damaging — the moment, ithink, are having a damaging effect. and the moment, i think, are having a damaging effect-— the moment, i think, are having a damaging effect. and yet and yet, paul seemed _ damaging effect. and yet and yet, paul seemed to _ damaging effect. and yet and yet, paul seemed to suggest _ damaging effect. and yet and yet, paul seemed to suggest -- - damaging effect. and yet and yet, paul seemed to suggest -- polls i damaging effect. and yet and yet, - paul seemed to suggest -- polls seem paul seemed to suggest —— polls seem to suggest strong support for some kind of vaccination certification among the public. why do you think that is? . among the public. why do you think that is? , ., ,., , among the public. why do you think that is? , ., , , ., that is? number one, the polls show different levels _ that is? number one, the polls show different levels of _ that is? number one, the polls show different levels of support _ different levels of support depending on how you asked the question — depending on how you asked the question. so if you ask a question about— question. so if you ask a question about international travel, there is little dissent, if you ask them about— little dissent, if you ask them about going to the pub, it's more controversial. the second point, though. — controversial. the second point, though, and i think this is a key point, _ though, and i think this is a key point, the — though, and i think this is a key point, the critical issue is not the impact _ point, the critical issue is not the impact of— point, the critical issue is not the impact of these things on the population at large, i mean, most people _ population at large, i mean, most people are — population at large, i mean, most people are going to take the vaccine anyway. _ people are going to take the vaccine anyway, so — people are going to take the vaccine anyway, so the fact that it doesn't have _ anyway, so the fact that it doesn't have an _ anyway, so the fact that it doesn't have an effect on them is neither here _ have an effect on them is neither here nor— have an effect on them is neither here nor there. the real issue is how— here nor there. the real issue is how do— here nor there. the real issue is how do we — here nor there. the real issue is how do we push up vaccination in those _ how do we push up vaccination in those populations which have some doubts? _ those populations which have some doubts? who are concerned? who are thinking, _ doubts? who are concerned? who are thinking, well, look, is this vaccine _ thinking, well, look, is this vaccine being done for me or to me? that is— vaccine being done for me or to me? that is the _ vaccine being done for me or to me? that is the critical population, and that is— that is the critical population, and that is the — that is the critical population, and that is the population that is most iikeiy— that is the population that is most likely to _ that is the population that is most likely to be put off by compulsion.

there _ likely to be put off by compulsion. there is— likely to be put off by compulsion. there is some evidence to support that there — there is some evidence to support that there was some experiment of studies _ that there was some experiment of studies done in germany showing that when you _ studies done in germany showing that when you make vaccine passports and compulsory _ when you make vaccine passports and compulsory to people, that generates an-er compulsory to people, that generates anger and _ compulsory to people, that generates anger and it generates alienation. in anger and it generates alienation. in israei— anger and it generates alienation. in israel as — anger and it generates alienation. in israel as well, when there were measures— in israel as well, when there were measures which were seen as in effect _ measures which were seen as in effect making vaccination compulsory, that also lead to alienation, which we should be engaging those people, not alienating them. we engaging those people, not alienating them.— engaging those people, not alienating them. engaging those people, not alienatin: them. . ., ., ., alienating them. we have to leave it there. professor, _ alienating them. we have to leave it there. professor, good _ alienating them. we have to leave it there. professor, good to _ alienating them. we have to leave it there. professor, good to talk- alienating them. we have to leave it there. professor, good to talk to, i there. professor, good to talk to, thanks. ,., ., there. professor, good to talk to, thanks. ., ., ~ there. professor, good to talk to, thanks. ., ., ,, ., we're just hearing that the northern ireland assembly is to be recalled early from its easter break on thursday to discuss the violence in some loyalist areas. a petition tabled by the alliance party to bring mlas back to the chamber has secured the 30 signatures required. 41 police officers have been injured as a result of the violence in parts of greater belfast and londonderry, with ten arrests made to date. detectives are also investigating parades in portadown and markethill on monday.

politicians are united in calling for the violence to end, but are divided over why it has erupted. the chief executive of easyjet has criticised some of the government's in rome, there are scuffles between bar owners and patrons over covid restrictions for hundreds gathered outside the parliament building to protest over the closure of their businesses. it comes as the hospitality sector has been particularly badly hit over a normally busy easter period when a strict three—day lockdown was put into place to prevent a surgeon cases. the chief executive of easyjet has criticised some of the government's plans on international travel saying covid tests should not be required for passengers flying to low risk destinations, and would be too expensive. the bosses of british airways and virgin atlantic say they are optimistic that overseas travel can resume from 17th may though the government insists its too early to confirm that date. 0ur transport correspondent

caroline davies reports. we speak to the travel editor of the sun. innkeeperjoining us. i understand you have been catching up with virgin airlines and other airlines, and what have they been saying to you?— saying to you? well, the very fact that ou saying to you? well, the very fact that you have _ saying to you? well, the very fact that you have the _ saying to you? well, the very fact that you have the chief— saying to you? well, the very fact| that you have the chief executives of both british airways and virgin well—known rivals on the same press conference. you know, choosing to show a united front, showing you just how serious this pandemic has affected their businesses, and just talking they are to restart operations. there is a lot of frustration, and again, on bbc breakfast talking to us this afternoon really trying to get the government to understand that it's economically unviable for people going on summer holidays this year, perhaps with children, to start to have to take multiple tests. it would just cost too much. but we still don't know the detail. we

don't know whether or not those tests can be the lateral flow tests. can we use the lateral flow tests that we have been told we can take twice weekly free on the nhs, or will we have to pay privately for a lateral flow test or more expensive pcr? if it's a pcr, then that is really going to damage the industry desperately because people just won't be able to afford to go on holiday. won't be able to afford to go on holida . �* ., , ~' holiday. and where do they think we will be able to _ holiday. and where do they think we will be able to go _ holiday. and where do they think we will be able to go to _ holiday. and where do they think we will be able to go to for _ holiday. and where do they think we will be able to go to for may - holiday. and where do they think we will be able to go to for may the - will be able to go to for may the 17th? i think when speaking to these airlines this morning, they were really keen to see some kind of bilateral agreement to get an up and running bilateral agreement between us and the united states. they say it's crucial for the economy, it's crucial for business travel and for lots of other elements as well as leisure travel. they said that the vaccination rates in the states and the fact that they are able to see the fact that they are able to see the genomic sequences and doing lots of testing means that they are a country that should definitely be on that green list. closer to home, we have israel come again, very

successful vaccination roll—out and they again will have good testing facilities, it will give the government confidence, they are sending their population to somewhere where there is not going to be these mutant variants that could cause concern. and then smaller destinations, again, because they are smaller, they are not going to be as easy to get that many people too. you've got the likes of gibran turton and walter. i think what's probably going to be good and the most interesting for some and just for the general holiday public wanting to take that summer break is portugal. incredible turnaround. it's gone from being on the red list to now being a country that's, you know, if it does manage to ramp up its vaccination programme, its cases have gone down dramatically, and it's doing very well. {line have gone down dramatically, and it's doing very well.— it's doing very well. one can understand _ it's doing very well. one can understand why _ it's doing very well. one can understand why the - it's doing very well. one can understand why the airlines| it's doing very well. one can - understand why the airlines want to get us all back up in the air and flying off to holiday destinations, but nonetheless, the picture is very mixed and fraught with potential perils. realistically, what is the

advice for people who are considering booking an overseas holiday? i considering booking an overseas holida ? ~' ., ., holiday? i think right now, we are so close to _ holiday? i think right now, we are so close to finding _ holiday? i think right now, we are so close to finding out _ holiday? i think right now, we are so close to finding out what's - holiday? i think right now, we are i so close to finding out what's going to be happening with the results of this travel task force and what their recommendations are due to come out on april the 12th them and the government has said that's you know, perhaps there will be more information this week as well stop i would say if anyone hasn't yet booked, wait and see until we find out what that travel task forces going to say and what kind of restrictions or costs going to be involved in taking a holiday. but there is nothing wrong with actually just starting to plan. we have got to be able to dream, and if you are booking, with an established tour operator from your money will still be protected. operator from your money will still be protected-— be protected. lisa, travel editor of the sun thank— be protected. lisa, travel editor of the sun thank you. _ be protected. lisa, travel editor of the sun thank you. thank - be protected. lisa, travel editor of the sun thank you. thank you. - now it's time for a look at the weather with helen. good afternoon. it'll stay cold for the remainder of daylight. the wind is still a keen feature, particularly in the north. and it's the direction that's dragging the showers even further southwards,

and a few in land for the rest of the day. these are the temperatures on the thermometers, but of course, it feels much colder in that wind. now, through the night, the wind will continue to ease back a little. you can see there is the risk of some showers both in the east and the west, but under starry skies elsewhere, another cold night. quite a hard frost in some northern areas, particularly here, where the wind remains strong. but on the whole, as we move into wednesday, the chance of wintry showers diminishes, the winds slowly starting to ease back. we've got a bit more cloud coming and going, and the approach of a weather front from the west as well, still the risk of wintry showers in the north and east of scotland. temperatures on the thermometer pretty much the same as today for most, but it doesn't feel as cold because we won't have that wind. temperatures just elevate a little later in the week. hello, this is bbc news with me, rebecca jones. the headlines:

the prime minister is looking at the idea of covid certificates for foreign travel and access to some events in england. but there are fears it could create a two—tier society. borisjohnson also urges people to keep getting vaccinated amid debate about a potential link between the astrazeneca jab and blood clots. look at what the mhra say, our independent regulator. that's why we have them, that's why they are independent, and their advice to people is to keep going out there and get yourjab, get your second jab. police searching for the missing student richard 0korogheye say a body has been found in a pond in epping forest. the met says the man has yet to be formally identified, but a post—mortem will take place. the president's son speaks out. hunter biden — targeted by donald trump for his drug addiction and financial deals — gives the bbc his version

of a troubled past. i created a perception and a perception that was wielded against us in an incredibly wild and conspiratorial way. and the biden name is synonymous with democracy and transparency, and that's why i said that it was gold to them. and star light star bright — why the pandemic means less light pollution and a better chance to see the night sky. sport now. 0lly foster is over at the sport centre. and a busy night, 0lly. indeed. football, football, football! the champions league quarterfinals get under way this evening. liverpool face real madrid — that's a repeat of the 2018 final that liverpool lost. it was also the last time the two sides met. that match in kyiv saw liverpool's mo salah substituued with a dislocated shoulder in the first half

following a rather contentious challenge from sergio ramos. the real captain is out injured. they're also missing rafael varane, who has coronavirus. as for 2018, the liverpool manager insists that he's not dwelling on the past. it's long ago and i cannot get that feeling back, that anger or whatever, so i won't even try. what i try is to prepare my team to show how good we are as a football team, so... in a strange season, the difficulties and for us, but we wanted to hug good we are. if we score more goals than real madrid, we go to the next round, but if we do not, it is real madrid. it is pretty easy. will this be manchester city's year? manchester city host borussia dortmund in the first leg of their quarterfinal tonight

and are favourites against the germans, who are off the pace in the bundesliga in fifth. city's best run in the champions league was reaching the semi—finals once, that was five years ago, but pep guardiola says that success in europe won't define the club's status. we area we are a big club, we already are the club, but of course we are here. my the club, but of course we are here. my players and i want to do better than what we've done through the history of man city and since we are together. of course we want to do it. you would not want to do it if you did not want to play good —— man city. bayern munich forward serge gnabry has tested positive for covid—19, so will miss the european champions' first leg against paris saint—germain tomorrow — that's a repeat of last year's final. the german international is said to be fine but isolating at home. scotland have lined up two friendlies in june ahead of the european championship. they'll play the netherlands in portugal and luxembourg away before they face the czech republic at hampden park in their group opener.

that's one of four matches that will be played in glasgow in the tournament. uefa have asked all 12 participating cities to let them know by tomorrow how many fans will be able to safely attend games. scotland's first minister, nicola sturgeon, says she's hopeful of some being able to return. we are still in a global pandemic. i cannot stand here in early april and give absolute 100% guarantees for june on anything, really. that is not the nature of what we are dealing with, but i am very, very hopeful, hopefulthat dealing with, but i am very, very hopeful, hopeful that i'm going to be at hampden to cheer on scotland in the european championships, and we will be working hard to make that happen. after eight years at castleford tigers, daryl powell will be head coach at warrington wolves next year. powell is the super league's longest—serving coach and had already said he would leave the club

at the end of this season. he's agreed a three—year deal at warrington and takes over from steve price, who is returning to australia. sarah taylor is coming out of retirement to play for welsh fire in the inaugural hundred competition this summer. the 31—year—old stepped away from professional cricket two years ago because of anxiety and has recently taken up a coaching role with the sussex senior men's team. taylor's wicketkeeping and batting saw her named world cricketer of the year four times in the white ball game, and she won two 50 over world cups and one t20 world cup. that is my lot for the day. john watson will be here with a bumper sportsday, always worth a watch. he will see you then! 0lly, thanks. you're watching bbc news. police searching for missing student richard 0korogheye have found the body of a man in epping forest, essex. the metropolitan police said it had been told by counterparts in essex

that the body was discovered in a pond in the woodland. detective superintendent danny gosling said the body has yet to be formally identified. yesterday afternoon, we were informed by colleagues from essex police that a body had been found in a lake in the epping forest area. whilst we wait for formal identification, we have spoken to richard's family to update them with this latest development. 0ur specially trained officers remain with the family as they have done throughout this inquiry. 0ur officers, with the assistance from specialist search teams, dogs, and police horses and colleagues from essex police, have been carrying out extensive searches in epping forest since 19—year—old richard was last seen on cctv in the area two weeks ago. the postmortem examination will take place shortly, and we're also now waiting for formal identification. this is an extensive inquiry,

and we are working tirelessly to establish the full circumstances. this includes forensic, medical and specialist inquiries, which all take time to complete. as part of the ongoing investigation, we remain in the area to carry out further searches. i would like to thank the public for supporting our search for richard by sharing our appeals, checking door bell footage, dash cam footage and passing on any information, no matter how small. i continue to urge the public to please carry on and to support us in our investigation. that was detective superintendent danny gosling. 0ur correspondent richard galpin is at epping forest, and he gave us this update. it seems like it's going to take a little bit more time before they make any substantial announcement on this. but obviously what they have said is that a postmortem examination is being undertaken.

so i think that's obviously very significant, but we don't know exactly who that is about. and we have to wait a bit more time to find that. they're saying that forensic inquiries are going on and they remain in the area to carry out further searches, so this is very much an ongoing situation and we still don't have any conclusion yet about exactly what has happened. richard galpin there. a man has appeared before wolverhampton magistrates accused of causing the death of a two—week—old baby by dangerous driving. ciaran leigh morris died on easter sunday when his pram was hit by a car on a pavement in walsall in the west midlands. 34—year—old james paul davis, from walsall, was remanded in custody and is due to appear at wolverhampton crown court in a month's time. nicola sturgeon has confirmed that all pupils across scotland will be back in the classroom full—time

after the easter holidays. speaking at a scottish government coronavirus briefing, the first minister said the decision had been taken following an assessment of relevant data. ms sturgeon said the exception to this is children who are shielding, who'll be asked to remain at home until april 26. the passport office is encouraging people to apply for their new travel documents in good time this year, whether they are renewing or applying for the first time. last year, during the pandemic, there was a huge drop in passport applications — 4 million compared to 7 million in a normal year. her majesty's passport office are worried too many people will apply at the same time and have advised people to allow ten weeks for their documents to be issued or renewed. abroad, the jailed russian opposition activist alexei navalny is reported to be suffering the symptoms

of respiratory illness and fever in the penal colony where he's imprisoned. media reports in russia suggest he has been tested for coronavirus, but no result has yet been made public. several people, including the doctor from navalny�*s team, have now been arrested. 0ur correspondent sarah rainsford is outside the prison and sent this update. this is the prison outside moscow where alexei navalny is being held behind these walls. and it's from here that he's been getting messages out recently, talking about how his health is deteriorating. most recently, he's talked about having a high temperature and a bad cough, but before that, he talked about serious pains, severe pain in his back and also that radiating down his legs. his legs becoming numb. now, there are extra police here today because doctors from alexei navalny�*s team have been trying to get to the prison to visit the administration and demand that mr navalny gets the help they say he needs. he's been calling for a specialist civilian doctor to be allowed in to see him and also for medicine

that he needs to be let through. but the doctors that have made it here have not managed to get anywhere near him. lam very... ..really very afraid of his health and his condition. i don't want to let his health be worse. and ijust... that's why i'm here now. do you trust the prison doctor? no! state television has recently been showing pictures from inside the prison here, showing mr navalny walking around, apparently uninjured. and they're using that to suggest that all these concerns about his health are very much exaggerated. but last week, alexei navalny called a hunger strike. he said he would refuse food, all food, until a specialist doctor was allowed into him. don't forget, this is the man who, back in august, was poisoned with a nerve agent. i think that one thing

that is clear — if the kremlin hoped that alexei navalny�*s imprisonment would take him out of the political picture here and silence him, well, clearly, he's very much still the focus of attention. that was sarah rainsford. israel's president has asked prime minister benjamin netanyahu to try to form a new government, after last month's inconclusive election. mr netanyahu's likud party won the largest share of the vote, but so far it's been impossible for any grouping to secure a parliamentary majority. israel has held four elections in the past two years. 0ur correspondent in israel, yolande knell, explained the significance of the president's announcement. this announcement gives benjamin netanyahu, israel's longest—serving prime minister, the first chance to try to form a new coalition government, but it's not going to be easy. the president himself, making his televised announcement, expressed doubt whether any candidate could get enough support. when he was meeting the different political parties, only 52 out of 120 members of the parliament nominated mr netanyahu.

that's some way short of a majority. now, he's going to have 28 days to try to win more allies. and he can ask for a two—week extension. otherwise the president gets to choose somebody else, or he can pass it back to the parliament. so, a lot of political wrangling is going to be going on while mr netanyahu's corruption trial continues. he denies any wrongdoing. the president did say that his decision had been morally difficult, but he said that, as the law stands, mr netanyahu can continue in his role as prime minister while facing criminal charges. yolande knell. the son of the new us presidentjoe biden has been defending himself against allegations of corruption dating back to when his father was barack 0bama's vice president. hunter biden told the bbc he failed to appreciate that his involvement

in a ukrainian gas company could be perceived in the wrong way. three months on from his father's inauguration, hunter biden has published a memoir that also deals with his addictions to alcohol and crack cocaine. mishal husain has been talking to him. hunter got thrown out of the military. he was thrown out, dishonourably discharged... that's not true. he wasn't dishonourably discharged. ..for cocaine use. and he didn't have a job until you became vice president. none of that is true. once you became vice president, he made a fortune in ukraine and china and moscow. that is simply not true. 2020, and hunter biden's name resounded on the campaign trail. for donald trump, his lobbying work and personal life were a way to attack his fatherjoe. the elder biden's senate career began in the aftermath of tragedy. he was sworn in at the hospital bedside of hunter and his older brother beau, both injured in the 1972 car crash that killed their mother and baby sister. in 2015, beau biden died of a brain tumour.

by that time, hunter was already on the board of the ukrainian gas company burisma, a role for which he was paid a reported $50,000 a month while his father was the vice president and involved in us policy on ukraine. i created a perception, a perception that was wielded against us in an incredibly wild and conspiratorial way. and the biden name is synonymous with democracy and transparency, and that's why i said that it was gold to them. after his brother's death, his life spiralled out of control. his marriage ended, and his addiction saw him buying drugs on the streets of washington, dc. at one point, his dealer moved into his apartment. an amazing woman, much older than me, had lived on the streets for a very long time, who i developed a friendship with, but, you know, a friendship based off our mutual addiction to crack cocaine.

he didn't have a job. my son, like a lot of people, like a lot of people you know at home, had a drug problem. he's overtaken it. he's fixed it. he's worked on it. and i'm proud of him. hunter biden credits the love of his family and his new wife, melissa, with making it possible for him to get clean. but he still has debts to pay off, and while his father is in the white house, he'll continue to face scrutiny about what work he can or should do. mishal husain, bbc news. north korea says it won't be participating in this summer's tokyo 0lympics — to protect its athletes from coronavirus. the country, which has taken part in every summer games since 1992, is the first major nation to pull out over covid fears. south korea had hoped to field a combined team with their neighbours, to help rebuild peace talks.

the headlines now on bbc news: the prime minister is looking at the idea of covid certificates for foreign travel and access to some events in england. but there are fears it could create a two—tier society. the prime minister urges people to keep getting vaccinated amid debate about a potential link between the astrazeneca jab and blood clots. police searching for the missing student richard 0korogheye say a body has been found in a pond in epping forest. the met says the man has yet to be formally identified, but a postmortem will take place. 26 centres to help new, expecting and bereaved mothers with their mental health are being set up across england. health officials say it's part of the biggest transformation of maternal mental health services in the world. 0ur health correspondent laura foster reports.

one, two, three, whoa! for many people, having a baby is the most wonderful moment of their life. but around a quarter of women have trouble with their mental well—being during pregnancy, and in the two years after giving birth. lizzie suffered from post—traumatic stress disorder while she was pregnant after she previously had a miscarriage. i panicked about everything, and everything was going to cause a miscarriage, to the point where i couldn't drive. so my husband at that point told me i needed to speak to my midwife and sort of pushed me to be a bit more open about it. and she referred me to the mental health team. this chair? yes. at this hub in plymouth, they offer both maternity services and highly specialist psychological treatments, as well as bereavement counselling. the idea is that by having everything under one roof,

it's easier to get help, meaning they'll be able to help thousands more people every year. it's very important for them to access mental health support quickly. because baby and children can't wait. so when you have a woman in the perinatal period, she needs to nurse a dependent child. and, actually, if her mental health is not great, then that can impact on her ability to nurse her child. work on these hubs began before the coronavirus pandemic, but nhs england says the last year could mean even more demand for their mental health services. a lot will depend on how society unlocks, as it were, over the spring and the summer now, what happens in the year ahead. because women who are struggling don'tjust need services or benefit from services, they often benefit from the support of their friends, or their mother and toddler groups. ten sites will be ready in the next few months. the remaining 16 are set to have opened their doors by this time next year.

laura foster, bbc news. there's just under a week to go until we can have a drink and a meal at a pub or restaurant in england — as long as we sit outside. nina warhurst has been finding out what preparations are taking place to re—open. will you be ready here for the 12th? yeah, should be done by thursday. the pressure's on. these stones will become new walls for a new beer garden and a new alfresco way of drinking. we can't wait. the team are all raring to go. i can't wait to get back to work. we start back next week and i think it's just going to be amazing to get back in the pub, get cleaning it back up. i think when the beer truck arrives, the regulars in the village will all be out cheering. i just can't wait. let's face it, april on the lancashire—greater manchester border, you are not guaranteed sunshine. what do you do if it rains, how do you ride that storm financially? we just keep an eye on the weather. the team are on flexible furlough so they are still looked

afterfinancially, luckily, so they will earn at least what they are earning now or more throughout april, which is brilliant, from the government. and to be honest, i know of at least a0 people around here that, whether it's rain or shine, they will want to sit under that brolly over there, having a pint anyway. so we're probably one of the pubs that will still manage to open even when it's absolutely wet through. you're excited, aren't you? very! but maximising outdoor space isn't an option at the hungry duck, because, well, there isn't any. joe knows why safety must come first. his dad ended up in icu with covid. he's happy to wait until may to reopen but needs to know how. how we'll be interacting with guests, social distancing, other mitigating factors like screens, masks, sanitiser, music levels, can people sing karaoke? takeaway boxes have generated some revenue, but nowhere near enough. how bad have things been? we owe people money, some people have been fantastic, some people less so.

every time we catch up, and then we get reeled back again. what are your big concerns long—term? if we see some sort of recession within the entire economy, whereby spending contracts, that could be the deathknell for quite a lot of independent businesses and some larger businesses alike. and despite the enormous challenges of the past year, are you still excited about doing this again? what our industry is, on balance, is a vocation. i'm very fortunate that i've found my calling, if you will, in life, and that's to be in hospitality. nina warhurst, bbc news, bury, greater manchester. darker night skies like this have become one of the few positives to emerge from the pandemic and the vastly reduced human activity. 0ne survey has found there was 10%

less light pollution last year. more darkness means more opportunity to look up and enjoy the night skies, as our chief environment correspondentjustin rowlatt has been finding out. this is what a truly dark sky looks like. billions of stars wheel above the kielder 0bservatory in northumberland. set deep in a forest, the observatory enjoys the darkest skies in england. and, throughout lockdown, senior astronomer dan monk has been filming the incredible views. people often do get emotional when they sit underneath this amazing dark sky and they realise how small they are in the universe.

it can actually make people cry, at times. it's estimated 85% of us have never seen a truly dark sky. it means we are missing out because it gives us a sense of our place in the universe, the awesome vastness of space. but look at this. even a tiny light is enough to extinguish the stars and bring us right back down to earth. the reduction in light pollution this year is an exception. satellite images show the night sky has been getting steadily lighter across the world. changes in light have been linked with obesity, heart disease, depression and even cancer. you see, she's shaking? and some animals suffer even more profoundly.

there are such a range of animals which are negatively impacted from this. when you think of our migrating birds, for instance, which are drawn off course by lights. insects, vast numbers of moths drawn into those lights, where they batter themselves to death or where they are predated by bats which change their behaviour to visit those lights, perhaps to their advantage, but to the deficit of other species of bats. so all of this is happening out there in our night. so what can be done? well, the good news is we can tackle light pollution relatively easily. small measures like businesses making sure they are turning their lights off at night time when the buildings aren't in use. also, local government making sure that street lamps are properly shaded and the lights targeted, so it is not spilling out there and creating unnecessary light blight. that will mean more of us

can see sights like this. justin rowlatt, bbc news, northumberland. ina in a moment, the news at six. now, though, let's catch up with your weather news. here's helen willetts. hello there. although it still feels bitterly cold, if you are caught in the north wind, outside the wind, in shelter, with some sunshine cover you really feel the benefit of the april sunshine now and as we go through the rest of the week, it will become less windy and therefore it will feel less cold, but it is likely we will have more cloud around and some rain in the north. but for the here and now, we are in the arctic air and we have got quite a significant wind chill for the remainder of the day. and some snow showers. in fact, there is more chance of one or two getting across the midlands and into the south—east for the rest of the day,

because we have got that wind driving them southwards. so, still wintry picture of there, although there is plenty of sunshine to be found as well, of course, but this is how it reads on the thermometer of course, it will feel much colder in that wind. now, that wind will gradually ease back a notch or two overnight, particularly inland, and where we have had the showers, it could turn a little bit icy, because we are once again expecting a widespread and quite a hard frost in the north, particularly because of the strength of the wind is still continuing here. 0therwise wednesday looks like a fine start to the day, still a few showers around. you can see around the west and irish coast here and in northern and eastern parts of scotland, but generally speaking, fewer than we have seen recently. the winds not as strong away from the north sea coasts, but we will have some thicker cloud encroaching into northern ireland and western scotland late in the day. 0n the face of things, temperatures are the same as they have been during the day today and yesterday, but without the wind, and still with some sunshine i am hoping it will not feel as cold. but even with more cloud coming

through tomorrow night and some patchy rain and snow, we are still expecting a frost, just not such a sharp frost. it will be mostly rural areas in southern areas, as you can see here. temperatures in the cities just holding a little bit above. that is because of this weather front which will drape itself across the north, particularly scotland, parts of northern ireland, the north of england for thursday. certainly more cloud, it is a south—westerly wind, and we will see more cloud in southern areas, but temperatures will be in double figures for many of us, tens and 11s, so it will not feel as cold as it has. but it will not last, that slight warming if you like later in the way, because once again, as we head towards the latter part of friday and certainly the weekend, we introduce a northerly wind once again, so temperatures will start to dip away in the north from friday and for all on saturday. more online, including warnings.

today at six: keep getting the jab — borisjohnson's advice as questions continue over the astra—zeneca vaccine and rare blood clots. millions across the world have now received the vaccine — the prime minister says it's the medical regulators who decide on safety. the best thing people should do is look at what the mhra say, our independent regulator. that's why we have them, that's why — they're independent. the risks of getting sick or dying of covid for all the people currently being offered first and second doses, are far and away greater than any small, theoretical risk that may exist relating to these cases, which are extremely rare. we'll be looking at why scientists think we may still get a third wave of infections. also tonight: