this is bbc news, i'm martine croxall. the headlines at 2... fomer bbc director general lord hall resigns as national gallery chairman, saying continuing in the role would be a "distraction", following the inquiry in to panorama's interview with princess diana. wider surge testing has been rolled out in five west london boroughs due to a surge in coronavirus cases linked to the indian variant. germany bans almost all travellers from the uk because of the rise in cases of the indian variant of covid—19. the first convoys of humanitarian aid have arrived in gaza, hours after a ceasefire between israel and palestinian militants came into effect. animal rights protesters have been blockading four mcdonald's distribution centres in the uk.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the former bbc director general lord hall has resigned as chairman of the national gallery, amid outcry following an inquiry into panorama's princess diana interview. lord hall was director of news when martin bashir got the 1995 scoop, using faked documents. in a statement, he said continuing in the role "would be a distraction". meanwhile, princess diana's brother, earl spencer, has confirmed to the bbc that he has written to the met police commissioner again, asking her to investigate the corporation over the interview. i'm joined by our political correspondent greg dawson. this is going to come as a surprise to some people because lord hall was

director of news 25 years ago. yes. director of news 25 years ago. yes, this is a significant _ director of news 25 years ago. yes this is a significant development, but for many, it won't be surprising given the nature of the criticism levelled at him and lord dyson's inquiry into what went on. as you say, he was director of news in the 19905, say, he was director of news in the 1990s, during the period where martin bashir try to persuade princess diana to do the interview and in the subsequent investigation into how he landed at interview. lord hall personally took responsibility for the investigation and it found that martin bashir had indeed faked bank statements. however, that initial bbc inquiry in 1996 did not contact girls spencer and lord hall at the time said he still believed that martin bashir was an honest man. earlier this week, lord dyson's inquiry described that any investigation is woefully ineffective. in a statement today, lord hall in his resignation said he

has had, always had a strong sense of public service and is clear that him continuing in the role would be a distraction to an institution i care deeply about. the a distraction to an institution i care deeply about.— a distraction to an institution i care deeply about. the bbc remains under pressure _ care deeply about. the bbc remains under pressure as _ care deeply about. the bbc remains under pressure as to _ care deeply about. the bbc remains under pressure as to why _ care deeply about. the bbc remains under pressure as to why martin - under pressure as to why martin bashir was rehired?— under pressure as to why martin bashir was rehired? absolutely. the latest person _ bashir was rehired? absolutely. the latest person to _ bashir was rehired? absolutely. the latest person to apply _ bashir was rehired? absolutely. the latest person to apply that - bashir was rehired? absolutely. the latest person to apply that pressure | latest person to apply that pressure is julian latest person to apply that pressure isjulian knight, a conservative mp, chair of the commons media select committee which scrutinises the activities of the bbc. the bbc rehired martin bishop in 2016 and at the time, commended his enterprising journalism. we know the bbc was led by lord hall at that time and julian knight says he wants to know how it came to be, what were the processes in the organisation that a reporter, known to be dishonest was hired at such a senior level. if they knew that he had lied previously, despite the fact it was from what was described as a woeful investigation, they still found he had lied three times.

and also he'd had to resign from a mediocre american network, why was he good enough then for the bbc? so i have to say, there are lots of questions. also, i would want to know — what precisely did he do in hisjob? he wasn't on air a great deal during his time as correspondent or religious editor, and one would have to ask why he was even promoted while back at the bbc? julian knight says he will have at private meeting with the current director—general tim davie next week. tim davey says of course lord dyson's findings are shocking, but he is confident the bbc has a stronger processes in place to prevent anything like this from happening again. prevent anything like this from happening again-— prince william has spoken of the importance of scotland to him in the days following the death of his mother. he's made the comments in a speech to the general assembly of the church of scotland in edinburgh. william said he had been at balmoral when he was told the news,

and says that still in shock, he found sanctuary in the service at crathie kirk that morning. he says in the days that followed he found comfort in the scottish outdoors. surge testing for coronavirus is being introduced in more parts of england, after cases of the indian variant were detected. people living and working in parts of west london are being asked to take a test, even if they have no symptoms. most cases of the indian variant are concentrated in the north west of england. our health correspondent, jim reed, reports. targeting a rise in covid infections in greater manchester. rochdale is one of more than a dozen areas of england and scotland that health officials are now focusing on, trying to suppress the virus with extra testing and vaccination. i'm pleased they've done it for all ages so we can at least... cos i think it's the idea of, the older ages might be more affected, but it doesn't stop young people from being affected as well. quite excited cos i know it's

been quite a long wait, so i'm quite eager to get it done because once the first one is out the way and it's easier to get it done when it's offered than for an appointment. part of the rise could be due to a relaxation of restrictions last week, part to a variant of the virus first found in india. scientists think it can spread more easily, but how much more is not yet clear. in rochdale, extra vaccines are now being offered to anyone over the age of 18. i can see that once the virus gets into our communities, _ it will take hold very quickly. so myself and our senior team have been working really closely- with regional colleagues to put | in place this surge vaccination| programme this weekend and we have full details of that _ on our rochdale council website. new variants of coronavirus are being detected in some unlikely places, health authorities are now monitoring more sewerage samples like this to give an early warning sign that infections are rising

in certain areas. where we know we had outbreaks and we've already done mass testing and we think we have that contained, afterwards we can continue to test the sewage and just see if we are absolutely, make absolutely sure that there isn't a recurrence of any outbreak. in west london, another four boroughs have been to the list in west london, another four boroughs have been added to the list for extra surge testing to suppress the indian variant. that includes brent, where wembley stadium will host next month. scientists appear to have increasing confidence in our current vaccines are effective against it. so the message is to get the jab when called and not to pass up the chance of that second dose. most people travelling from the uk will not be allowed to enter germany from tomorrow because of the rise

in cases of the indian variant here. german citizens and residents, as well as others with an exceptional reason, can still enter, but have to quarantine for two weeks. our correspondent in berlin, damien mcguinness explains why the german government has taken this decision. the economy is starting to open up over this weekend. people can now start sitting out on terraces, beer gardens are opening up, outside eating is allowed, all sorts of cultural, sporting activities. that is because the infection rates here in germany have really come down. the vaccine roll—out has sped up. almost 40% of the population have had at least one dose. the worry is that the indian variant could come into germany. at the moment, about 2% of new infections are of the indian variant. that's what officials here say. there is a real concern that, if the indian variant spreads here in germany, as it has done in parts of england, then that could really stop the progress of fighting the pandemic in germany. that's why, overnight, german

officials announced that travel from the uk to germany is effectively banned. the only exception is residents of germany or german citizens coming back to germany, and they will have to isolate at home for two weeks. so a big restriction, it will cause a lot of problems, make it almost impossible for many people to go from the uk to germany until the indian variant is controlled. i think that is what the german government is looking for. well, as germany announces travellers entering the country from the uk must quarantine, spain announces it's lifting restrictions. from next month, all brits with proof of a vaccination can enter without a negative test, but spain still remains on the uk's amber list. we can speak now to the travel journalist, lisa francesca nand, who is the host of the big travel podcast. thank you forjoining us. it's quite

a confusing picture. let's start by talking about what the white list is. this is what the eu has put together. inaudible the eu is saying, the list of countries it's ok to go and travel freely within the eu. actually, it's not necessarily certain whether the uk will be on this list but that's the list of people who can provide proof of vaccine and also proof of an negative pcr test. what spain are saying something totally different. from monday, we won't need any of those things, we can just enter spain freely. as you hinted at, that's part of the battle. what's happens when we get back to here is important to people travelling. find important to people travelling. and germany has taken an entirely different approach?— germany has taken an entirely different approach? very confusing. sain's different approach? very confusing. spain's announcement _ different approach? very confusing. spain's announcement was - different approach? very confusing. l spain's announcement was yesterday. pedro sanchez it was ok to come into the country from monday. spain have had strict restrictions,

high—profile cases of people getting turned back when they had flown all the way over there and now germany has said this. it's a very fast—paced, changing situation. the next update on green this is going to be the 7th ofjune so we will see what happens then. yes to be the 7th ofjune so we will see what happens then.— what happens then. yes because it could change _ what happens then. yes because it could change again. _ what happens then. yes because it could change again. what - what happens then. yes because it could change again. what are - what happens then. yes because it l could change again. what are people supposed to do, as countries come and go from these various lists? that can have an impact on whether you can get a refund. it that can have an impact on whether you can get a refund.— you can get a refund. it can and at the moment. _ you can get a refund. it can and at the moment, confusingly, - you can get a refund. it can and at the moment, confusingly, a - you can get a refund. it can and at the moment, confusingly, a lot. you can get a refund. it can and at the moment, confusingly, a lot of| the moment, confusingly, a lot of the moment, confusingly, a lot of the places on the amber list, all of them, the foreign office has said you can go there, so it's legal to go there, but the government say don't necessarily go there. i think it's all down to your personal circumstances and your risk assessment. can you go to a country and ten days off work when you get back? it is down to your personal circumstances and i appreciate, i'm in the situation myself, i have a plane ticket booked for spain in july, and june, i am

plane ticket booked for spain in july, and june, iam in plane ticket booked for spain in july, and june, i am in that situation. actually confusing to know what to do. it depends on your personal circumstances. can you afford to wait for a refund? can you change your dates? take ten days of work, quarantine and home if you had to? ., ., ., ., to? how fleet of foot our travel operators _ to? how fleet of foot our travel operators having _ to? how fleet of foot our travel operators having to _ to? how fleet of foot our travel operators having to be - to? how fleet of foot our travel operators having to be with - to? how fleet of foot our travel i operators having to be with these different requirements being made and sometimes not logical ones if you look across the piece?- and sometimes not logical ones if you look across the piece? that's a really good — you look across the piece? that's a really good question _ you look across the piece? that's a really good question and _ you look across the piece? that's a really good question and i - you look across the piece? that's a really good question and i feel - you look across the piece? that's a really good question and i feel so l really good question and i feel so sorry for travel operators at the moment. i was speaking to a travel agent yesterday and she said she getting reports of people being angry and violent towards them because they have to respond and the industry needs some clarity. we probably need an announcement before the 7th ofjune because that's still a couple of weeks away. there's so much confusion at the moment. hagar much confusion at the moment. how likel is it much confusion at the moment. how likely is it that _ much confusion at the moment. how likely is it that there will be our stampede to go on holiday to spain because they are opening up? there is an appetite _

because they are opening up? there is an appetite for _ because they are opening up? there is an appetite for travel. _ because they are opening up? there is an appetite for travel. we - because they are opening up? ii—ii” is an appetite for travel. we have been divided, people say we should not go anywhere, but a lot of people have had a really difficult year and there is no shame in wanting a holiday. about 270,000 people are going to amber list destinations this week. there will be an appetite for it. it is just whether you can face that quarantine and the pcr tests and the uncertainty about what is going to happen when you come home? �* , , , , ., is going to happen when you come home? �* , ,, , ., ., ., home? added stresses to going on holida . home? added stresses to going on holiday. thank _ home? added stresses to going on holiday. thank you. _ the scottish government says it's working to rectify a security flaw which could allow people to edit covid vaccination status certificates. people in scotland travelling to a foreign country can download the vaccination status forms from the nhs scotland portal. they show the dates of vaccinations and which jabs were given to an individual. but a security glitch means personal details can be altered. a spokeswoman for the scottish government says they're looking into rectifying the issue.

un officials have given a grim assessment of the humanitarian situation in gaza, saying it will take years to recover from the 11—day conflict with israel. it comes as aid has been arriving in gaza as the ceasefire between israeli and palestinians seems to be holding. around £13 million has been pledged for humanitarian supplies and the reconstruction. at least 248 palestinians were killed and tens of thousands have been dispalced. there was also some damage in israel and 12 people there have been killed. here's stephane dujarric, spokesperson for the un secretary—general on the situation in gaza. strong financial support is, of course, crucial to meet the needs, especially in gaza and also in the west bank. it's also critical that the occupied palestinian territory humanitarian fund is replenished. this is a flexible tool to quickly respond to urgent needs. today, 13 humanitarian trucks with food, covid—19 vaccines, medical disposables and drugs, including emergency medicines, first aid kits for multiple un agencies and ngo partners, crossed into gaza, following partial reopening of the kerem shalom crossing.

gaza residents have been describing how they felt during the conflict. translation: i was really surprised to see familiar faces alive. _ how did we survive? we started hugging each other, thanking and praying to god for our safety. we survived with minor injuries, as if angels were protecting us. translation: around midnight or one in the morning, - we heard explosions and we were very frightened. buildings started to fall and we didn't know what was happening except that that we were going to the hospital. our feet and bodies were injured by the glass. god protected us from above. and laila barhoum from the charity oxfam is on the ground in gaza and explained what help is needed. the most urgent needs for people now is to have a life—saving support, many people have lost access to many

basic needs, and this includes access to water and safe drinking water, and also this includes access to electricity. many people who are displaced already still, and schools who have lost their houses and their house is also badly damaged, there is also lots of need to support and making sure that people have enough for access for their early recovery steps. there is lots of people calling for psychosocial report there is lots of people calling for psychosocial support on psychological services with increased trauma and anxiety building up in children and adults equally. the damage is messy. lots of the main road has been destroyed. you know that it will takes weeks and months for repair. you see lots of big apartment buildings and houses destroyed. lots of streets locked and cars can't enter. arriving in a car that would take five minutes will take maybe have an error because you have to take around. lots of destruction, people in

skills and it's a reminder it will take weeks to come back but we are seeing many workers trying to put together the water infrastructure, making sure people are getting the minimum of their needs. let's turn now to lebanon and how the country's economic problems have reduced access to even the most basic of amenities, clean, fresh water. lebanon s geography means there should be no shortage, but infrastructure failures have left more than 1.5 million people lacking supplies. as our correspondent martin patience now reports its a story of chronic mismanagement. little nemo was named after the film about a fish. but water could kill him. because nemo suffers from a rare skin disease. it could hurt him and he'll die, if he gets bacteria the infection will go in his blood. so, no, i can't put my son in risk.

the tap water here is so toxic... ..that his parents are forced to use bottled water to give him a bath. so, how much money do you think you are spending on just water every day or every month? like, 30% of my salary. 30% of your salary is spent on water? yeah. that isjust on him. lebanon's complex political system means problems like the country's severe water shortages don't get solved. take agriculture, for example. to grow bananas, you need a lot of water. and yet, farmers like george are left to fend for themselves, sometimes with disastrous consequences. two summers ago, he lost half his crop.

"the river dried up", he tells me, "and there was no water in spring. "we had to resort to ground water, which is very salty, and bananas are very sensitive to salty water." for decades, the government has been trying to build a massive dam here in bisri. supporters say it would go a long way to solving the country's water problems, but protesters say it would be an environmental disaster, and last year, following demonstrations, the project was put on hold after the world bank pulled funding. nisreen khatar and her kids were heavily involved in the protest. so the only reason you believe that the politicians wanted the dam built here was... the corruption. sure.

i because if you talk about 1 billionl and more, they can cut it into many politicians in lebanon. if you talk about, - if they will make, like, small sources of water for the l place, it will not cost too much, so they will not - have a lot of money. the lebanese government says it's doing all it can to improve the water situation, but faces enormous challenges, including the current financial crisis. that is of little comfort to baby nemo. lebanon is a country that doesn't take care of its own. a man has died after getting into difficulty while canoeing in north yorkshire. another man required hospital treatment following the incident on the river ure near ripon yesterday morning. the environment agency had issued a flood alert for the river, because persistent rain had caused water levels to rise.

animal rights protesters have been blockading four mcdonald's distribution centres in the uk to stop deliveries to the fast—food chain's 1,300 uk outlets. animal rebellion said about 50 activists were using trucks and bamboo structures to stop lorries leaving depots in hemel hempstead, basingstoke, coventry and in greater manchester. our correspondent sima kotecha is here. who is this group? animal rebellion? they are an animal rights group and they believe in protecting the environment. that's what they campaign for and today, they have been protesting as you rightly say, outside four mcdonald's depots across england, calling on mcdonald's to adopt a plant —based menu. mcdonald's to adopt a plant -based menu. ~ . , , . menu. what is their underlying aim? the sa menu. what is their underlying aim? they say that — menu. what is their underlying aim? they say that they — menu. what is their underlying aim? they say that they are _ menu. what is their underlying aim? they say that they are a _ menu. what is their underlying aim? they say that they are a non-violent| they say that they are a non—violent civil disobedience group. they say that they are a non-violent civil disobedience group.— civil disobedience group. that's ri . ht. civil disobedience group. that's right- they _ civil disobedience group. that's right. they want _ civil disobedience group. that's right. they want mcdonald's i

civil disobedience group. that's right. they want mcdonald's to | right. they want mcdonald's to change its menu, basically. they are calling on other fast—food chains and restaurants to do the same. they say the environment is in danger at the moment, there is a shortage of animals, and i quote here from the spokesperson, he says, he feels that the meat and dairy industry is destroying the planet. that the only sustainable and realistic way to feed 10 billion people is with plant —based diet. they have erected structures made out of bamboo sticks, some of the protesters are hanging onto the top of the structures, in protest. we have people lying down at the bottom of the structure and lorries barricading the entrance. into these depots. barricading the entrance. into these deots. ~ . barricading the entrance. into these deots.~ ., a ., �*, barricading the entrance. into these deots. ., ., �*, barricading the entrance. into these deotsr ., a ., �*, it depots. what has mcdonald's said? it has said it's causing _ depots. what has mcdonald's said? it has said it's causing disruption, - has said it's causing disruption, that's what the aim was for animal rebellion, they said earlier this morning they wanted to cause significant disruption to the macdonald supply chain. mcdonnell

says, there you have it, it is. it hasissued says, there you have it, it is. it has issued an apology is. i haven't speaking to people who enjoy a mcdonald's and ssa does not deter them enjoying their big. it's a controversial issue and if people do not get them, there is... animal rebellion feel they have a cause worth campaigning for. a brand new museum celebrating the history of manufacturing, has finally opened after being delayed by the pandemic. the 300—year—old silk mill in derby is thought to be one of the world's first factories and is now home to the museum of making. phil mackie went along for the opening day. it has been a long time in the making — 300 years to be exact. the silk mill in derby is widely regarded as the world's first modern factory and now, it has been given a makeover as a museum which will celebrate our

manufacturing heritage. this engine, made by one of derby's biggest employers rolls—royce, is so big they put up the rest of the building around it. made in 1721 and remade in 2021. it should have opened last year, but everything was put on hold because of the pandemic. cheering and applause. it is an important moment for derby now that the public have finally been allowed in. i feel we are in the vanguard of the recovery of the city. this is a brand new attraction in the centre of the city. we really think it will be that catalyst to get people to come back into the city centre, enjoy what we have got here, enjoy its cultural heritage, maybe go shopping and eat out as well, so city centre recovery is really important, too. and if you like to make things yourself, then you can, here in the workshop, doing anything from carpentry to laser cutting. so, it's a really eclectic mix in the assemblage.

i love the different types of things that you can find. nothing is held in storage, which means there are 30,000 objects on show, and they are not even sure of what everything is. we might have things that are really personal to one particular factory, or one particular area of derby, and it's really going to be those people who know that and have that knowledge that come and bring that to us. so somebody comes in here and sees something, they will assume you know what it is, but actually, you might not and they will, so you want them to come and tell you what things are? absolutely. we do, we want them to come in and explore it and if they have the knowledge, bring it and share it with us. welcome. — welcome to the museum of making. thank you very much. we are still in a pandemic, which means facemasks on indoors, hand sanitiser, checking in properly. but despite that and limited numbers, there is a lot of enthusiasm and it is fully—booked today. the museum's very first visitors were fiona and martinjones. making stuff is what got me

through the pandemic. i spent a lot of time making presents for christmas and my mum's birthday, so... and that has been my life—saver through the pandemic. what we've seen so far, we are very impressed with and we will certainly be back. they are expecting the first school trips next week, but before that, there was a chance for the preschool generation to take a look. phil mackie, bbc news, derby. the queen has visited the royal navy's new aircraft carrier, the hms queen elizabeth, as it prepares for its first major deployment. her majesty was in portsmouth this morning to see the the warship which has cost £3 billion. it'll leave the naval base this evening, to begin a seven—and—a—half month deployment in the far east. the tour will involve port stops in places including oman and singapore. ministers hope the mission will strengthen ties with allies and boost trade in the region. tonight's the night of the eurovision song contest,

back after its absence last year due to the pandemic. the netherlands is hosting the 65th edition, and there'll be an audience of some 3,5000 fans, all tested beforehand for coronavirus. from rotterdam, anna holligan sent this report. the final sequins are in place. last—minute alterations made. humming and vocal warm-ups. now warming up for the biggest stage of their lives. they've travelled from across the continent, from north to south. so much love. i really appreciate all the days here, and i think from today till the end of the competition, it is going to be the best days of our lives. from rock... ..to pop. there's all kinds of everything here. i'm going to take you right into the heart of the action now, because this is backstage, where the artists come

between performances to relax and rehearse. and the usual eurovision fever is heightened this year, because, of course, it was cancelled last year because of covid. so the usual nerves, anticipation, excitement, they are feeling it here more than ever. lithuania, they are my favourite group, i love them. the netherlands! yay! who do you want to win? um, malta. how does that go? malta isje me casse. # di di di dididi didididi di di #. but who are the bookies' favourites? it's all about france versus italy. france has a stunning singer named barbara and she's showing her skin in a bustier. the song's about stepping out of the shadows and into the light. the rush of freedom and emancipation, it is a glorious moment, a warm embrace. now, from the warm embrace, we go to italy spitting in your face! while most people may not be into this kind of hard—edged rock, they do crave being among people and that's what italy gives you.

and then there's malta. this is a pure pop song from an 18—year—old named destiny. it's all about the power of saying no. it's about a woman in a bar and a man is trying to make advances and she's, like, "no, i'm not your honey". in the end, it's up to them and you. you'll have a chance to vote for your number one during tonight's grand final. anna holligan, bbc news, inside rotterdam's ahoy arena. now it's time for a look at the weather with helen willetts. some sunshine in perth and kinross earlier this morning. more sunshine on offer this afternoon between the showers but the sheriff clouds are brewing once again. the rainjust about clearing the south coast. an afternoon of sunny spells, scattered quite heavy showers, for some, equally some willingness, going to be much drierfor many and brighter

than yesterday. the wind easing as well but you may have noticed they are coming from the north so it'll not feel particularly warm, only 12-15 but not feel particularly warm, only 12—15 but strong may sunshine which continues into this evening, overnight, treating skies for the orchard, rain coming into the west, but where we keep the clear skies, temperatures dip close to freezing. ground frost central and northern parts. west, wet morning for northern ireland, rain pushing into wales, western england, west of scotland, sunshine and showers fall for northern ireland, perhaps hanging on to drier weather further east.