good afternoon. the scottish national party remains on course for an historic fourth term in office as counting continues in the holyrood elections. nicola sturgeon�*s party still hopes to secure an outright majority, and, this morning, ministers insisted that they'd pursue another independence referendum if it's supported by a majority of msps. borisjohnson said such a move would

be "irresponsible and reckless". these are the results as they stand with more due to come in throughout the afternoon. here's our scotland correspondent lorna gordon. the following candidate is duly elected to serve as a member of the scottish parliament. i elected to serve as a member of the scottish parliament.— scottish parliament. i never see secured for— scottish parliament. i never see secured for the _ scottish parliament. i never see secured for the snp, _ scottish parliament. i never see secured for the snp, this - scottish parliament. i never see secured for the snp, this time | secured for the snp, this time aberdeen east. the secured for the snp, this time aberdeen east.— secured for the snp, this time aberdeen east. ., , ., ., ., aberdeen east. the scottish national pa , aberdeen east. the scottish national party. smp- — aberdeen east. the scottish national party. smp- they've _ aberdeen east. the scottish national party, smp. they've had _ aberdeen east. the scottish national party, smp. they've had some - party, smp. they've had some significant _ party, smp. they've had some significant winds. _ party, smp. they've had some significant winds. other - party, smp. they've had some significant winds. other target| significant winds. other target seats in the selection of not fall on their way. but with results still to declare, the conflict ahead is becoming clear. the prime minister writing in the telegraph describing calls for a second independence referendum as a reckless and irresponsible, a message reiterated by a government minister today. there was also a referendum that took place just a little over five years ago, that was described as a once in a generation opportunity for people to debate these issues and they did. i think as we try to now

come out of the pandemic and get economic recovery going, as we come out of the pandemic, it's a long time to have yet another divisive referendum and yet another bout of constitutional argument on matters such as this. the constitutional argument on matters such as this-— such as this. the regional lists are still bein: such as this. the regional lists are still being counted, _ such as this. the regional lists are still being counted, but _ such as this. the regional lists are still being counted, but the - such as this. the regional lists are still being counted, but the snp i still being counted, but the snp looks to be heading back into government and insists they would legislate for a second referendum if the prime minister were to block one. ~ ., the prime minister were to block one. . . ., ~ one. we have said we will take full le . islation one. we have said we will take full legislation to _ one. we have said we will take full legislation to do _ one. we have said we will take full legislation to do so _ one. we have said we will take full legislation to do so to _ one. we have said we will take full legislation to do so to have - one. we have said we will take full legislation to do so to have legal l legislation to do so to have legal referendum and we already have put in place _ referendum and we already have put in place some of the arrangements for that— in place some of the arrangements for that process. and we will embark on such— for that process. and we will embark on such an _ for that process. and we will embark on such an agenda should there be a majority— on such an agenda should there be a majority for — on such an agenda should there be a majority for such a proposition in the scottish parliament. so is there a athwa the scottish parliament. so is there a pathway through? _ the scottish parliament. so is there a pathway through? it _ the scottish parliament. so is there a pathway through? it seems - the scottish parliament. so is there a pathway through? it seems clear| a pathway through? it seems clear there will be a pro—independence majority, which is all that they would need to get the vote through with scottish parliaments, but ultimately, it may depend on how downing street reacts, and how the uk parliament reacts because constitutionally, they hold the

cards. inverclyde was an almost even split of narrowly voting no in the last independence referendum. at the outdoor pool which only reopened after covid yesterday, though views were again divided. i after covid yesterday, though views were again divided.— were again divided. i think they should be a _ were again divided. i think they should be a second _ were again divided. i think they should be a second referendum because we've won 38 out of a0 seat so far which is just such a majority. the people of scotland are saying we need this referendum, we need independence. i saying we need this referendum, we need independence.— need independence. i think there should not _ need independence. i think there should not be _ need independence. i think there should not be referendum - need independence. i think there should not be referendum at - need independence. i think there should not be referendum at all. | need independence. i think there i should not be referendum at all. as a united _ should not be referendum at all. as a united kingdom, as a country, we definitely— a united kingdom, as a country, we definitely work better together and especially financially. a definitely work better together and especially financially.— especially financially. a country divided on _ especially financially. a country divided on a — especially financially. a country divided on a constitutional- especially financially. a country - divided on a constitutional question thatis divided on a constitutional question that is not going away. lorna gordon, bbc news. let's speak to our political correspondent nick eardley who's at holyrood now. yes, the results are still being counted. accounting is back under way. it will be later this evening probably before we know the full picture. an outright snp majority

are still possible although it looks difficult but what is pretty clear is that, by the end of the day when you factor in the scottish greens, the scottish parliament will have a majority of msps who stood on a manifesto saying there should be another independence referendum in the next five years. it's not as simple as that. we know downing street isn't going to agree to one, but we know this is going to lead to a big political row. it could lead to a battle in the courts as well. but there's also a question that will be asked about what this means for the relationship between scotland and the rest of the uk? if parties standing up for another referendum when a majority, is it right for borisjohnson to say no? all questions that will be asked over the coming days. what's also clear is the country are still split. this is a big victory for the snp, but the other unionist parties, when you tally up their votes are

pretty close to the snp overall. this country is divided on independent still. nick, thank you for that. labour is losing ground to the conservatives in elections across england in the first big test of sir keir starmer�*s leadership of the party. several big city mayors are yet to be announced including london, manchester and the west midlands. these are the results of the local council elections as they currently stand. labour has lost control of four councils, while the conservatives have made eight gains. here's our political correspondent greg dawson. there may be many more ballots left a county in england, many more council and mayoral results to come, but it's yesterday's defeat in hartlepool that'll cast a significant shadow over labour�*s overall election results. another harsh reminder of the party losing the support of voters in former heartland areas, no prompting a major policy review to reconnect with voters. we major policy review to reconnect with voters— with voters. we have to ask ourselves — with voters. we have to ask ourselves why _

with voters. we have to ask ourselves why it _ with voters. we have to ask ourselves why it is - with voters. we have to ask ourselves why it is people l with voters. we have to ask. ourselves why it is people have with voters. we have to ask- ourselves why it is people have not seen labour as the answer to the problems they face in their everyday lives and the injustices we see, that's my point about what happened over the last four defeats in general elections. whether it's in hartlepool, other places as well, where people do not now see labour as answering those concerns. this afternoon the _ as answering those concerns. this afternoon the conservatives have their eyes on the ballot papers in birmingham. if their candidate andy street is re—elected as west midlands mayor, it would complete the hat—trick of victories the party were hoping for following the hat—trick of victories the party were hoping forfollowing hartlepool and then the emphatic win for tory macro may in the tees valley. parts ofthe macro may in the tees valley. parts of the country _ macro may in the tees valley. parts of the country that _ macro may in the tees valley. parts of the country that haven't - macro may in the tees valley. parts of the country that haven't voted conservative before, at least for decades — conservative before, at least for decades in— conservative before, at least for decades in some places, are now putting _ decades in some places, are now putting their trust in this prime minister— putting their trust in this prime minister and this government and, yes, that's — minister and this government and, yes, that's a big responsibility on us. yes, that's a big responsibility on us we _ yes, that's a big responsibility on us. we can't let people down. tociag.r us. we can't let people down. today more signs — us. we can't let people down. today more signs of— us. we can't let people down. today more signs of a _ us. we can't let people down. today more signs of a familiar _ us. we can't let people down. today more signs of a familiar pattern - more signs of a familiar pattern with the conservatives picking up council seats from labour in

rotherham, cannock chase. they should be better news for labour when they likely to confirm real actions for andy burnham in greater manchester and sadiq khan in london, the party is also hoping for victory in the west of england contest. greg dawson, bbc news, westminster. there's been a strong showing for welsh labour in the senedd elections, with mark drakeford expected to remain as first minister. this is the current situation, with mr drakeford's party having won 30 out of 60 seats so far. our correspondent, tomos morgan is in cardiff. mark drakeford mark dra keford was mark drakeford was front and centre of welsh labours campaign this year and it clearly has paid off. they've equalled their best ever tally, just one shy of a majority. the question now for mark drakeford, is how will they rule as a government? will they rule as a minority government or will they seek a less formal coalition such as the confidence and supply deal? will they ask the lib

dem member tojoin them in a co—op maybe? forthe dem member tojoin them in a co—op maybe? for the tories, they gain some seats, however they will be disappointed they haven't been able to break the north—eastern red wall, simply dented, just getting one asleep there. for plaid cymru, not a great day, losing formerly debt leanne wood in the rhondda valley i'm not making any ground in the target seats. labour, great day for them are not so great for the tories or plaid cymru. lib dems holding their seat and not seen so far with only four left for abolish the welsh assembly. only four left for abolish the welsh assembl . . ~ only four left for abolish the welsh assembl . ., ,, , ., in other news, officers investigating the death of serving police community support officer julia james in kent have arrested a man in connection with her murder. sean dilley is in snowdown. well, the offices is absurd that a man from the canterbury area in his 20s was arrested at around 9:30pm last night in connection with the

murder of the 53—year—old police community support officerjulia james. now, officers are saying that this, notwithstanding, they are still asking people to come forward with any information that relates to two the 27th of april, particularly keen to speak to anybody who was in the area between 1pm and apm, maybe you felt uncomfortable, you had to cross the road, or you had to change your route? any of that information, cctv is, they say is very important people come forward. {lilia cctv is, they say is very important people come forward.— cctv is, they say is very important people come forward. 0k, sean, thank ou. several of the uk's busiest rail lines are facing severe disruption after cracks were spotted on some high—speed trains. lner is asking passengers not to travel on the east coast main line today, and many great western services to bristol and penzance have also been cancelled, as well as hull trains and transpennine. our business correspondent katy austin reports. this type of high—speed train has

only been on uk railways for a few years. this morning, class 800 series hitachi trains were not running. series hitachi trains were not runninu. , ., , , series hitachi trains were not runnin. , .,, , ., running. the problem is a well under the body shell— running. the problem is a well under the body shell which _ running. the problem is a well under the body shell which is _ running. the problem is a well under the body shell which is cracking, - the body shell which is cracking, which sounds like metal fatigue. they are over 180 of these trains in service which were grounded at five o'clock this morning while the engineers checked to see whether any more were cracking. imilli engineers checked to see whether any more were cracking.— more were cracking. will that be eas to more were cracking. will that be easy to fix? _ more were cracking. will that be easy to fix? no, _ more were cracking. will that be easy to fix? no, preparing - more were cracking. will that be - easy to fix? no, preparing aluminium trains is very — easy to fix? no, preparing aluminium trains is very difficult _ easy to fix? no, preparing aluminium trains is very difficult so _ easy to fix? no, preparing aluminium trains is very difficult so no, - easy to fix? no, preparing aluminium trains is very difficult so no, it's - trains is very difficult so no, it's not quick and cheap. it’s trains is very difficult so no, it's not quick and cheap. it's caused ma'or not quick and cheap. it's caused major disruption _ not quick and cheap. it's caused major disruption today - not quick and cheap. it's caused major disruption today on - not quick and cheap. it's caused l major disruption today on several networks. lner, hull times, great western and trans— pennine. it’s a western and trans- pennine. it's a disaster for— western and trans- pennine. it's a disaster for me _ western and trans- pennine. it's a disaster for me because _ western and trans- pennine. it's a disaster for me because i'm - western and trans— pennine. it's a disaster for me because i'm going for rny— disaster for me because i'm going for my vaccine in cardiff. yeah, my appointment is up three p. | for my vaccine in cardiff. yeah, my appointment is up three p.- appointment is up three p. i was auoin to appointment is up three p. i was going to go _ appointment is up three p. i was going to go back— appointment is up three p. i was going to go back to _ appointment is up three p. i was going to go back to uni - appointment is up three p. i was going to go back to uni and - appointment is up three p. i was going to go back to uni and i - appointment is up three p. i was going to go back to uni and i can't io going to go back to uni and i can't go back — going to go back to uni and i can't go back it's — going to go back to uni and i can't go back it's so _ going to go back to uni and i can't go back. it's so annoying. - going to go back to uni and i can't go back. it's so annoying.- go back. it's so annoying. hitachi

is now checking _ go back. it's so annoying. hitachi is now checking all _ go back. it's so annoying. hitachi is now checking all the _ go back. it's so annoying. hitachi is now checking all the trains. . go back. it's so annoying. hitachi is now checking all the trains. it| is now checking all the trains. it is now checking all the trains. it is unclear at this stage exactly how widespread the problem is. a spokesperson said some have been taken out of passenger service as a precautionary measure to allow for thorough investigations and hitachi is working to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible. the company apologised to passengers for the impact on travel plans, even with some of the trains already coming back into use, further disruption is likely to follow. katie austin, bbc news. manchester city are on the brink of winning the premier league. they will be crowned champions if they beat chelsea later today. our sports correspondent ben croucher is at the etihad stadium for us now. yes, a big game in a big month for manchester city. what could be another title in another superb season. it's been a remarkable turnaround from them as well. they are a distant second to liverpool last year, the bottom half of the table in december but then won 15 games in a row to put them on the

verge of a third title in four years. if it feels like it's a matter of when rather than f, the earth is the big question today. chelsea are in good form, chasing a top four spot themselves, and they got the meanest defence in the league since january. and if this game needed any more subplots, it's a rehearsalfor the champions league final as well. pep guardiola, though, says in this game and this competition, its most important for now anyway. {lilia competition, its most important for now anyway-— now anyway. 0k, we will what happens- _ the next news on bbc one is at six o'clock. we will see you then hopefully. bye for now. good afternoon. this whether it is bring us to weather ingredients lately. wet weather and some warm weather. it's all because of low pressure which you can see as this beautiful swirl of cloud on our

early satellite picture sitting to the rest of the uk is going to lingerfor the rest of the uk is going to linger for quite the rest of the uk is going to lingerfor quite a few the rest of the uk is going to linger for quite a few days keeping things unsettled. it's brought a lot of rain for some of us are specially across the south of wales and will keep raining here for the afternoon and also parts of south—west england, northern england, brighter skies for northern ireland with the odd shower. wet and quite cold actually across scotland. sleet and snow mixed in over the highest hills here. brisk gusty winds could see close to 50 mph for some exposed western coasts. especially across the south, a little bit warmer than it has been in if the sun comes out across parts of south—east england and the channel islands we could be looking at 18 degrees. this evening tonight, a lot of cloud, nest and moat, rain continuing for northern england and wales, and the south—west. across southern areas and much of finland and wales, very, very mild indeed. those are the overnight lows, i2. very mild indeed. those are the overnight lows, 12. for scotland and northern ireland it's milder than it has been. a frost will not be a

concern for the vast majority. tomorrow, no pressure to the west. some patchy rain and to the south—east of this weather front, we are going to tap into some really very warm air, much, much higher temperatures than we've had lately across east anglia and the south—east if we keep hold of some sunshine. the weather front will bring cloud and patchy rain out of wales and across england. northern ireland and scotland, sunny spells and showers, heavy and thundery. a fairly blustery day but a pretty warm one for many. across the south—east corner, especially east anglia, we could be looking at highs of 21 degrees. we stick with something much more than has been to the bigger head and a much lower risk of frost at night with a mix of sunny spells and heavy showers at times.

if good afternoon, everyone, and welcome back to to election 2021 on the bbc. we had more than our share of drama and surprises yesterday,

but the picture is not complete.