hi, good morning, welcome to bbc news. i'm victoria derbyshire, here are the headlines. downing street insist local authorities were told about new restrictions in eight areas in england, as people are urged not to travel in or out of the places and avoid meeting indoors there. and if you live in bolton, blakcburn kirklees, bedford, burnley, leicester hounslow and north tyneside — what do you think of the advice? the gov denies is a local lockdown by stelath — is it? i'm on twitter @vicderbyshire or you can email me on victoria@bbc.co.uk. friends of the journalist being held in belarus after his plane was diverted say he looks like he's been beaten and forced to make a television confession. government borrowing is down by about £15 billion from this time last year, reaching £31] billion last month as parts

of the economy reopened. the director general of the bbc says reform of the organisation needs to continue at pace, following controversy over martin bashir�*s interview with princess diana. we are in the course of a quick investigation now, led independently investigation now, led independently in the bbc by somebody not part of news management. we are interviewing the people, getting documents and should be able to publish something next week. that should be able to publish something next week. . ., , should be able to publish something next week. . ,, . , next week. that was specifically about why _ next week. that was specifically about why martin _ next week. that was specifically about why martin bashir- next week. that was specifically about why martin bashir was - next week. that was specifically l about why martin bashir was hired again. nearly half of all dentists in england are considering leaving their practice if covid restrictions remain in place, according to a survey by the british dental association. england manager gareth southgate is set to pick his england squad this afternoon ahead of next month's euro 2020.

good morning. government advice has emerged urging people not to travel into and out of areas hardest hit by the indian coronavirus variant u nless necessary. the guidance was published online without an announcement on friday. it was published on the government website. councils in some of the areas affected say they weren't told the advice had changed. the guidance warns against travelling into or out of eight local authority areas — bolton, blackburn, kirklees and bedford, as well as burnley, leicester, hounslow and north tyneside. the advice for people in the affected areas is to continue at two metres apart from people that you don't live with and to meet outside rather than inside when possible. downing street has insisted authorities in the affected areas were informed, and deny the guidance amounts to local lockdowns by stealth. aruna iyengar has this report. if you live in bolton, you might not be aware that current government advice on coronavirus here is different to other

parts of the country. on friday, the government issued guidance, urging people in eight council areas not to travel in or out of the area except for essential reasons. the areas are... north tyneside, bolton, blackburn with darwen, burnley, kirklees, leicester, bedford and hounslow. residents in these areas are also asked to meet outside and keep two metres apart from those they don't live with. health officials say they weren't told about changes to the advice, with one telling us... he goes on to say that when central government was asked to provide any evidence to support the need for the new measures he did not receive any response. the bbc also spoke to north tyneside council, which said local officials knew nothing about the new guidance until last night. mps say ministers must urgently clarify their advice, saying no announcement about

the updated guidance was a recipe for confusion and uncertainty. but the department of health says guidance was needed to encourage people to take an extra cautious approach when meeting others or travelling in areas hit hardest by the new variant, first identified in india. aruna iyengar, bbc news. our chief political correspondent adam fleming joins me now. he is in westminster. were the authorities told or not?- he is in westminster. were the authorities told or not? there has been a breakdown _ authorities told or not? there has been a breakdown of _ authorities told or not? there has - been a breakdown of communication, we do not know precisely why, but we had directors of public health england of these eight areas not knowing the advice on the government website had changed. the director of public health north tyneside gave an interview to her local newspaper website yesterday being asked, should people go to north tyneside, and her saying, yes, it is fine. the

director of public health in blackburn tweeted this morning saying they did not know anything about it and they asked the government to provide the risk assessment for changing the guidance. the government says it is not local lockdowns by stealth, they say it is not a local lockdown because it is guidance rather than the law, nothing has changed or closed in these places, they still went ahead with step three of the road map, they say it is not by stealth because the information is communicated. it seems it was not communicated. it seems it was not communicated to literally everyone. ww can speak now to labour councillor louise jackson, she is bedford council's lead on health and wellbeing. were you told? no, and we are in regular communication with the hse so you would expect this to have been communicated.— so you would expect this to have been communicated. when did you find out? google+ — been communicated. when did you find out? google+ night, _ been communicated. when did you find out? google+ night, that _ been communicated. when did you find out? google+ night, that seems - been communicated. when did you find out? google+ night, that seems to - been communicated. when did you find out? google+ night, that seems to be| out? google+ night, that seems to be the case for the other affected

areas. there is very little guidance, we do not know what it means for schools and hospitality. lots of pubs and entertainment venues are looking to open or have already opened, presumably were operating over the weekend without this guidance. what does it mean for virtual council meetings? there is very little clarity and it is disappointing we were not told the guidance would be issued. downing street sa s guidance would be issued. downing street says local _ guidance would be issued. downing street says local officials _ guidance would be issued. downing street says local officials were - street says local officials were told. i street says local officials were told. . . , ., street says local officials were told. ., told. i can tell you that we weren't. — told. i can tell you that we weren't. i _ told. i can tell you that we weren't, i first _ told. i can tell you that we weren't, i first became - told. i can tell you that we i weren't, i first became aware told. i can tell you that we - weren't, i first became aware late last night. i think it causes a great deal of confusion, there are lots of things that people might have had plans for this weekend that they are having to rethink. we have been issuing guidance anyway, we knew about the high rate of infection, we are continuing with surge testing and would urge anybody in the identified areas to come forward, so we recognise we have an issue to tackle in bedford, but

local lockdowns do not work, this is in effect a lockdown by stealth, i do not agree with the government assessment, this is clearly people —— telling people they should not be doing things they have legally been permitted to do. the? doing things they have legally been permitted to do.— doing things they have legally been permitted to do. they guidance about not travelling — permitted to do. they guidance about not travelling out _ permitted to do. they guidance about not travelling out of _ permitted to do. they guidance about not travelling out of the _ permitted to do. they guidance about not travelling out of the area, - not travelling out of the area, isn't that just sensible? if not travelling out of the area, isn't that just sensible? isn't that 'ust sensible? if they wanted isn't that just sensible? if they wanted to _ isn't that just sensible? if they wanted to contain _ isn't that just sensible? if they wanted to contain this - isn't that just sensible? if they wanted to contain this in - isn't that just sensible? if they wanted to contain this in areas isn't that just sensible? if they - wanted to contain this in areas that they needed to do something far sooner. the government has told us they have this incredibly sensitive bio—security system giving them all these early warning signs, why wasn't that information acted on sooner? why weren't local authorities given information on returning travellers, for instance? we could have more in areas where people were potentially bringing the variant into the country had we been given that information, but whewhen not —— we could have done more. it is too late to tell people not to move out of the area, they have been doing so for over a week, possibly

even before that. it has been poorly communicated, it is too late. our teams were not told, in the same way the other local authorities you have spoken to were not told until last night, we have found it by chance and desperately seeking further advice to give proper guidance to schools, care homes, all of the settings we need to give detailed to. it is not an easy task, at the moment ourfocus is to. it is not an easy task, at the moment our focus is getting to. it is not an easy task, at the moment ourfocus is getting on to. it is not an easy task, at the moment our focus is getting on surge testing under way, getting people to come forward and ensuring everybody eligible is vaccinated, but this is confusing and unhelpful.- eligible is vaccinated, but this is confusing and unhelpful. thank you for speaking _ confusing and unhelpful. thank you for speaking to _ confusing and unhelpful. thank you for speaking to us, _ confusing and unhelpful. thank you for speaking to us, councillor - for speaking to us, councillor louise jackson, a labour counsellor and the lead on public health in the bedford area. your views if you live in one of those eight areas particularly, guidance updated on the government website on friday but not communicated to people like

louise jackson around the country. it is only guidance, it is not the law, that you are supposed to now stay in your area and not travel in and out unless essential, i for work and out unless essential, i for work and education, and if you could possibly meet outdoors, the government says that would be helpful. let us know what you think if you live in any affected area. supporters of the journalist roman protasevich, who's being held in belarus, say they believe he's been beaten and compelled to make a televised confession. president biden has accused belarus of a shameful assault on dissent and freedom of the press after a ryanair plane carrying the blogger was forced to land in minsk on sunday. european union leaders have agreed to impose further sanctions on belarus, and told european airlines to avoid the country's airspace. the uk has also advised its carriers not to fly over belarus. in the video, mr protasevich said he was in good health and appeared to confess crimes he had been charged with by the belarussian state.

the white house said it seemed to have been recorded under duress. there appears to be bruises on mr protasevich's head. his father has told the bbc he fears his son may be tortured. this report from mark lobel. a hijacking, an affront to international norms, playing russian roulette with innocent civilians' lives — some of the charges levelled against belarus by the us, uk, eu and un after this ryanair plane was unexpectedly diverted to land in minsk. we've not seen anything quite as outlandish, as deceitful, as dangerous as this for at least 30, 40, maybe 50 years. all apparently to kidnap this man, opposition journalist roman protasevich, for running an opposition news channel on the social media platform telegram, where anti—government protests are organised.

roman was later seen in a video released by belarus authorities, but we're not showing it because it looks like he was filmed under duress. roman's forehead looks bruised. his father is concerned at what he calls a terrorist act. translation: we hope that he will cope. - we hope that he will stay himself, not give into any of their tricks. we are afraid to even think about it but it's possible he could be beaten and tortured. the eu is furious. its leaders are demanding roman protasevich be freed immediately and democracy returned. they've agreed a ban on belarusian flights from all eu airspace and airports and further penalties on officials and assets in belarus. there will be additional sanctions on individuals that are involved in the hijacking but this time also on businesses and economic entities

that are financing this regime. since disputed elections last august, this man, belarus's president, alexander lu kashenko, has cracked down on dissent. he's had hundreds of activists detained. many others fled the country into exile. among them, roman protasevich. his capture from high in the sky may become the highest profile one yet. mark lobel, bbc news. the head of the commons' foreign affairs committee, tom tugendhat, said the international community faced a choice about how to respond to belarus. it is quite clearly wrong to put our own citizens endangered by having them fly over the territory of somebody who is willing to send out fighters to force a civilian aircraft to the ground. —— put our own citizens in danger.

that in itself is really dangerous. but we've now got a choice, we've got a choice as the uk, we've got a choice as the european union, we've got a choice as the united states. do we actually want to resolve the level of aggression that we are getting from russia and belarus, or do we want to let it continue? if we want to resolve it, we have some very clear choices. expose the corruption and stop the money flows. now, we can do that, we can expose the corruption because, sadly, so much of it flows through our own financial institutions, and we can stop the money flows, because it is us that is buying the energy from russia through pipelines through belarus like yamal pipeline or building another one like the nord stream 2 pipeline, so it is up to us. it is a choice, and we can make it. let's talk to our moscow correspondent steve rosenberg. will the later sanctions have any effect on alexander lukashenko? it is a key question, one of russia's most popular newspapers seven to eight up really well, it said to

scare lukashenko with sanctions is doomed to failure, theyjust provoke him to do more because, the paper says, lukashenko has styled himself as a thuggish hood again. which begs the question, how do you make a hooligan change his behaviour? the sanctions we have seen up to now against belarussian individuals and officials have not made the administration change its ways, and weather are not these latest european sanctions are effective, clearly eu leaders have come to the conclusion that what mr lukashenko did in forcing that ryanairjet to land in minsk to arrest a political opponent was so brazen and reckless that they had to do something, send a signal. lukashenko will use these later sanctions to go to the people around him and to go to the people and say, look, i told you so, the west has it in for us and wants to

destroy belarus if not with bullets than with sanctions, he will use it to batten down the hatches. but as long as moscow is supporting him, i think, he will stay in power. imilli think, he will stay in power. will president putin _ think, he will stay in power. will president putin have known about this before it happens, the force of the plane via the bomb threat? it is another really _ the plane via the bomb threat? it 3 another really interesting and important question, did the kremlin know? dominic raab, speaking yesterday, said we do not have enough information to reach a conclusion but what we know it's russia and belarus are very close, we know the russian and belarussian security services are very close, they cooperate, that interestingly yesterday the pro—kremlin newspapers were silent about this story, also the kremlin declined to comment about the ryanair drama yesterday, and eventually the russian state information machine cranked into

action and you heard mps and tv programmes expressing support for mr lukashenko, but not yet clear whether moscow new. interestingly, the two leaders, president lukashenko and president putin, are due to meet in russia later this week so the conversations between the two will be quite interesting, i think. ., ., , , ., ., think. the journalist himself, roman protasevich. — think. the journalist himself, roman protasevich, this _ think. the journalist himself, roman protasevich, this video _ think. the journalist himself, roman protasevich, this video has _ think. the journalist himself, roman | protasevich, this video has emerged, people say it looks like a forced confession on television, his friends say it looks like he has been beaten. are we ever going to see him again? that been beaten. are we ever going to see him again?— see him again? that is not clear. about the _ see him again? that is not clear. about the video, _ see him again? that is not clear. about the video, it _ see him again? that is not clear. about the video, it sounded - see him again? that is not clear. - about the video, it sounded scripted and the language used sounded quite bureaucratic russian, not the kind of russian you would expect from a 26—year—old. i think it is unlikely that mr lukashenko will announce to the world that he will open up the

door and let the journalist out, he does not do that kind of thing, president lukashenko is due to speak later about the events of the last few days, so we are watching closely to see what he says.— to see what he says. thank you, steve. and in the next hour we will be speaking to a spokeswoman from the belarus opposition party, about what might happen to roman protasevich. that will be after 9:30am. the chancellor rishi sunak had to borrow £300 billion to plug the gap between government income and spending in the year to the end of march. the figures just published by the office for national statistics show the highest public sector borrowing since records began in 1946. it's substantially less than was predicted last november we can speak to our business presenter ben thompson. it is still an awful lot of money and not a huge surprise, given how much the chancellor spent unfurloughing and so on? absolutely riaht, this unfurloughing and so on? absolutely right. this is — unfurloughing and so on? absolutely right, this is the _ unfurloughing and so on? absolutely right, this is the latest _ unfurloughing and so on? absolutely right, this is the latest snapshot - right, this is the latest snapshot of the state of the public finances

as it tells is how much the government is borrowing to plug the gap in what it needs to spend and what it earns. spending is on public services, hospitals, social care, roads and railways, but crucially fellow etc. it is also wanted it earns in taxes largely through things like vat on what we buy, corporation tax, tax on business, and income tax, tax on earnings. the government has had to plug the gap due to the pandemic. let me show you some graphs that illustrate the story. this is a snapshot of what happens month by month, in april there was £31] billion, an improvement on what was expected and lower than the same month last year, that tells us a story that just as the uk entered lockdown in april

last year, public finances were shot out and one year on we are getting better at getting back to work and working within the restrictions, and you will see there is a towards the end of last year when things started to reopen and people started paying these self—assessment tax returns, these self—assessment tax returns, the money went into the treasury. looking at the year as a whole, 300 billion, that is a sharp rise on that graph and that puts it into a little bit of context versus what we saw in the financial crisis. spinning back to 2009, 2010, you will see the impact of the financial crisis quite clearly and what we are seeing is substantially more. so the big question, what happens? in some respects it is temporary, borrowing to plug the gap on what the government it spending, but if it does not pay it back then the dirt of the country, what we as a whole,

is significantly higher, 2.17 trillion pounds. we have the sharp increases in the financial crisis of around 2009. the chancellor says he will reassess the government finances as we emerge out of the pandemic to get a sense of where we are, what the government owes and what we are earning as a country, but clearly there are so many moving parts, how many people are still on furlough needed government support, the latest figures suggest 11.2 million, down from a peak of almost 9 million, that equally there are other moving parts, interest rates particularly low, which makes the borrowing cheaper. will the economy recover by the same pace as expected, will there be enoughjobs to start contributing to economic growth once again? and if people are on furlough or out of work, they are not contributing in terms of tax and

equally can become a burden on state finances, requiring additional support, so the chancellor looking closely at the numbers to try to determine what happens next. thank ou, ben. the police have been giving an update this morning o the shooting of the racial equality activist sasha johnson. the 27—year—old was shot in the head in the early hours of sunday. in a news briefing, police called it a shocking incident but confirmed it wasn't a targeted attack. from our inquiries so far, we've established that sasha was in a party on sunday at consort road in peckham. this was early on sunday morning and at about 3am, a group of four black men dressed in dark clothing entered the garden of the property and discharged a firearm. and they left the scene before police could arrive. we are aware of sasha's involvement in the black lives matter movement and i understand the concern that this would cause some communities but at this time, we have no information

that indicates she was subjected to a targeted attack. today is the first anniversary of the murder of george floyd , the black american man killed by a white police officer in minneapolis. mr floyd's death sparked global protests against racism. barbara plett usher reports. in the year since george floyd died, rituals have helped to build and shape a movement. the standard—bearers drawn by a mix of the political and personal, like cortez rice — a symbolic pallbearer in a never—ending funeral. it's my beloved friend, man. he was like all good to me, like i say, i loved him and i miss him dearly. he was a role model to me. let me see all the hands. floyd's violent arrest and death over a minor crime was replayed at the recent trial of his killer — a white police officer convicted of murder. activists believe that pressure on the streets helped secure the guilty verdict.

now cortez is focusing on using the law to change the way policing is done. that's why i recentlyjoined the naacp minneapolis chapter so i can be familiarised with the bills that's going on, and to help our people out. so it sounds to me like you're kind of giving yourself, like, a legal education. yeah, definitely. that's quite a change, no? yeah, definitely. that's a big change. many lives have changed, even if wider reforms have been slow to follow. it activated me. it activated me in ways i didn't know i could be activated. butchy austin lives in the neighbourhood where george floyd was killed. i saw an opportunity to have a deeper community with my neighbours, to have tougher conversations about systemic racism and police brutality. every sunday, he joins this service on the corner of the square where floyd died. faith gives them confidence, but the debate in the city over how to handle policing

is messy. and officers say they're under such scrutiny they don't feel free to do theirjobs. it's long overdue that an officer thinks twice before engaging. and i know some people are frustrated about how many officers are leaving the force. and ifeel like police are being oppressed. again, if you're doing yourjob right, this shouldn't be happening. so this anniversary is a chance to reflect on a life lost, on battles won and struggles yet to be overcome. barbara plett usher, bbc news, minneapolis. cephas williams is an activist and race campaigner, and joins us now. he is the founder of the black british network and the photographer of the 56 black men campaign. i

appreciate you bringing me on, we had a conversation while ago and i detailed the manifestos that came out, i do not feel like they contribute towards meaningful change, i set out to get as many businesses in the uk to get behind a collective push towards changing the paradigms of systemic racism. since then, personally, we have confirmed around 18, some of the biggest businesses in the uk, from tesco to the co—op group and others, the list goes on, accenture, we have been having a series of roundtable conversations. we are still in the middle of them, over the last few weeks we have been speaking with leaders, ceos, black people within the organisations and the community to come together to understand and deconstruct how we have got to where we are and what we need to do to see that change. we are and what we need to do to see that change-— that change. those are some ractical that change. those are some practical ways. _

that change. those are some practical ways, but _ that change. those are some practical ways, but that - that change. those are some practical ways, but that will l that change. those are some i practical ways, but that will take time to feed through, do you see enough action from politicians, for example? it enough action from politicians, for examle? , , ., �* example? it is interesting, i don't reall talk example? it is interesting, i don't really talk much _ example? it is interesting, i don't really talk much about _ example? it is interesting, i don't really talk much about politics - example? it is interesting, i don'tl really talk much about politics but, yeah... it is a tough one, you know, we live in a capitalist system, a construct where politics rules and governs how we direct things, and for me i feel like real change happens within economy and communities, last year what we felt was almost a rebellion and change at the same time. where do you draw the line between change and rebellion? rebellion can feel anti system and change feels more like togetherness, sometimes it takes a rebellion to get that change, i think george floyd was the straw that broke the camel's back. i talk about this conceptual reality made manifest through physically seeing the man's knee on a's neck, for me, it was the

feeling ifelt living in a knee on a's neck, for me, it was the feeling i felt living in a western construct for the longest time, i have been here, i have had a voice but have not been able to use it. i have felt like a lot of black people have felt like a lot of black people have felt. so, for me, that physical and dark murder that happened gave life to the community coming together on a more social level, which pushed government and business to respond. which pushed government and business to resond. ~ ., to respond. when you say you have -ushed to respond. when you say you have pushed government _ to respond. when you say you have pushed government to _ to respond. when you say you have pushed government to respond, i to respond. when you say you have l pushed government to respond, they commissioned the report on rachel inequalities, i can see you smiling and laughing, i will ask why enable moment. it was published and criticised by a number of organisations, individuals and charities, it concluded the uk does not have a systemic problem with racism. is that why you are laughing? i racism. is that why you are laughing?— racism. is that why you are laughing? iwas laughing, i appreciate _ laughing? iwas laughing, i appreciate you _ laughing? iwas laughing, i appreciate you asking, i laughing? iwas laughing, i appreciate you asking, we | laughing? iwas laughing, i. appreciate you asking, we do laughing? iwas laughing, i- appreciate you asking, we do not have as much time as we would need to go into this stuff. i don't see a

lot of that comes out, my team will bring news to me because generally i am back—to—back, but when that was brought to me, with the black british network, one of the major deliverables is a black paper, we are bringing out something called the black paper which wants to help the community navigate the corporate landscape and help corporates navigate the community in a more productive way. we have confirmed 18 of the biggest companies including facebook and others, one of the biggest thing is for that process is when you come to the roundtable conversations, we are not debating whether systemic racism exists, we are coming with the understanding that it exists and we are coming to have candid dialogue to bring about constructive change, and that is just one of the things i have been doing. it will take coming together with corporate, i am doing things in

the community, it is coming together of all these different elements and it will take us all coming together to really push that change. we do not have much time to speak. 0n the one hand, i do not want to use my platform to slam the next black man but they have been doing this divide and conquer things since the burden conference, lots of people will not know about the berlin conference, but lots of western countries came together and they divided africa, drew lines across africa and put people in place and named all these places, nobody stopped to wonder about cote d'ivoire, why have you got a french name in africa? my surname is williams, not because my mother married a white welshman, but because of slavery. we are living under the legacy of the berlin conference, it is the tip of the iceberg. when i look at people

perpetrating systemic racism, choosing the black people they want to lead, it needs to be born from black people, it needs to be a letter to sion, from the people who the experience belongs to, whatever that is. in this case we are talking about the black experience, it needs to be led by black people unsupported by nonblack allies. that is where i sit, and i have been doing other things. i know you will mention the world i want to see? i had to do similar interviews, so briefly tell about that. —— i have to do some other interviews. the black british network roundtable conversations are open to the community, we are going to be delivering a black paper. the world i want to see is a project i did in partnership, again, whati i want to see is a project i did in partnership, again, what i decided to do as a result was put the pen

backin to do as a result was put the pen back in the hand of young black boys and it's been powerful to see what they have done, you can see this online, that's another portrait series, that's on billboards around the city and again, it's been beautiful and painful to see what some of those boys have been saying. you know? in these letters, they've made it more personal to them, the whole case about school, to present pipelines, the pupil referral unit, it's like all of these things that i recalled the tertiary level, they sometimes get missed in a very ambiguous primary agenda so it takes the primary agenda connecting with the primary agenda connecting with the secondary agenda which is where you mobilise and in the tertiary agenda, you engage with people and experiences to create change, people can go to my social media to check out the portrait season and that campaign and we want to take that to the next level, the boys have got to

explore their well—being, the issues they are facing, in the community, in school. it's beautiful but it's upsetting at the same time to see what some of these black boys have had to experience. the last thing, you look at all things from george floyd to help black boys and black men are portrayed in the future for black boys and black men can feel bleak and for black people, period. it's getting into the normal conversation now. it's about giving the power back to those people, so that's one project, we are building off the back of that and we have other things we will be doing as well. 929 is another one, a campaign that highlights the renaissance that happened last year. george was killed for nine minutes and 29 seconds. ., ~ killed for nine minutes and 29 seconds. ., ,, , ., killed for nine minutes and 29 seconds. ., ~' , ., killed for nine minutes and 29 seconds. ., ,, , ., . ., seconds. thank you so much. no worries. people _ seconds. thank you so much. no worries. people can _ seconds. thank you so much. no worries. people can find - seconds. thank you so much. no worries. people can find out i seconds. thank you so much. no| worries. people can find out more seconds. thank you so much. no i worries. people can find out more on your social media, as you said. thank you so much. the director—general of the bbc, tim davie, says

the findings of an investigation into how the journalist martin bashir was rehired by the corporation will be published next week. an inquiry by a former seniorjudge last week found the bbc covered up "deceitful behaviour" used by martin bashir to secure an interview with princess diana in 1995. the bbc rehired him as a religion correspondent in 2016, when questions had already been asked about his conduct. tim davie also said he has no intention to air the interview with diana ever again. let's talk to our media and arts correspondent, david sillito. right, fill us in with more of what tim davey said on the radio this morning. tim davey said on the radio this morninu. ., , ~ tim davey said on the radio this mornin.. ., ,, .,, ., ., morning. last week was all about revealin: morning. last week was all about revealing the _ morning. last week was all about revealing the details, _ morning. last week was all about revealing the details, the - morning. last week was all about revealing the details, the dyson l revealing the details, the dyson report, — revealing the details, the dyson report, that deceitful behaviour that led — report, that deceitful behaviour that led to the interview, this week it's all— that led to the interview, this week it's all about what the bbc is going to do— it's all about what the bbc is going to do about it. they've announced they will— to do about it. they've announced they will have a review of editorial and whistle—blowing sieges, today tim davie — and whistle—blowing sieges, today tim davie was questioned on the today— tim davie was questioned on the today programme and he was asked if

there was_ today programme and he was asked if there was a _ today programme and he was asked if there was a cover—up, a certain number— there was a cover—up, a certain numherot— there was a cover—up, a certain number of people there was a cover—up, a certain numberof people in there was a cover—up, a certain number of people in the bbc knew that martin bashir had been deceitful at the time and there had been other complaints about him through— been other complaints about him through the years. white was he rehired — through the years. white was he rehired in— through the years. white was he rehired in 2016? this is where a lot of the _ rehired in 2016? this is where a lot of the focus — rehired in 2016? this is where a lot of the focus and attention is at the moment, — of the focus and attention is at the moment, the commons media and select committee _ moment, the commons media and select committee was interested why he was rehired. _ committee was interested why he was rehired, was it part of a cover—up and tim— rehired, was it part of a cover—up and tim davie has announced another bbc investigation, this into why martin— bbc investigation, this into why martin bashir was rehired in 2016. we are in the course of a quick investigation now, led independently within the bbc by kenny mcquarrie who is not part of news management. we are interviewing people, getting the documents and we should be able to publish something next week. and what about tim davie saying he has no intention of ever airing the full interview with princess diana ever again, some will argue that is another woman being silenced? another woman being silenced ? interesting another woman being silenced? interesting question, there are

people — interesting question, there are people within the bbc who say this is an important historical document, it is a _ is an important historical document, it is a fair— is an important historical document, it is a fair representation of her views— it is a fair representation of her views at— it is a fair representation of her views at the time. and she expressed no concerns— views at the time. and she expressed no concerns about what she said afterwards. she actually wrote the letter _ afterwards. she actually wrote the letter to _ afterwards. she actually wrote the letter to the bbc, saying she had no regrets _ letter to the bbc, saying she had no regrets 50— letter to the bbc, saying she had no regrets. so there is an interesting question — regrets. so there is an interesting question. he did say that he could not foresee a time when the whole interview— not foresee a time when the whole interview was going to be replayed again _ interview was going to be replayed again but — interview was going to be replayed again. but there may be a question that in_ again. but there may be a question that in a _ again. but there may be a question that in a certain context, certain clips— that in a certain context, certain clips might _ that in a certain context, certain clips might be played at some point. but that— clips might be played at some point. but that was a matter to be discussed for the future. david, thank you _ let's return to our main story that friends of the journalist being held in belarus after his plane was diverted say he looks like he's been beaten and forced to make a television confession. valery kavaleuski is the foreign affairs spokesman for the opposition political party in belarus. hello and thank you for talking to

us. have you watched the video? yes, i watched it. and what do you make of it? it i watched it. and what do you make of it? , , ., ., of it? it is definitely not a confession _ of it? it is definitely not a confession in _ of it? it is definitely not a confession in real,, i i of it? it is definitely not a| confession in real,, i know of it? it is definitely not a - confession in real,, i know roman percentage personally, and i know he is in the hands of the kgb right now, but he confessed, he has never done. he has never been involved in this organisation, he was not in belarus and moreover, there was no mass disorder on the streets of minsk, as you know. the protests against the elections of august 2020 was very peaceful, people never had any altercations with the police. there was never mass riots. —— roman protasevich. there was never mass riots. -- roman protasevich-— protasevich. this confession is completely — protasevich. this confession is completely fake. _ protasevich. this confession is completely fake. what - protasevich. this confession is completely fake. what do i protasevich. this confession is completely fake. what do you | protasevich. this confession is i completely fake. what do you expect will happen now to your friend? again, he is in the kgb, we don't have access to him through the lawyer. we don't know much information about what we have seen information about what we have seen

in the media. there are some things here and there but they are difficult to verify so we are hoping that sooner or later the lawyer will have access and they will have some contact with him. i have access and they will have some contact with him.— contact with him. i mean, how are ou and contact with him. i mean, how are you and the _ contact with him. i mean, how are you and the rest _ contact with him. i mean, how are you and the rest of— contact with him. i mean, how are you and the rest of the _ contact with him. i mean, how are you and the rest of the nations i contact with him. i mean, how are | you and the rest of the nations who are condemning what has happened in the last 48 hours going to either get roman protasevich released ought stop him being put on trialfor the crowds with which the belarus regime accuse him of and stop him being given the death penalty as a punishment?— given the death penalty as a punishment? given the death penalty as a unishment? , , ., ., , punishment? this is going to be ressure, punishment? this is going to be pressure, international- punishment? this is going to be pressure, international and i pressure, international and domestic, roman protasevich is not the only political prisoner in belarus, there are more than 400 now, most have to go through the processing by human rights defenders. to resolve this situation, to prevent these trials, release these prisoners, we need support of the international

community and it has to be focused not only on the incidence with the ryanair flight, not only on the incidence with the ryanairflight, but it not only on the incidence with the ryanair flight, but it has to address the entire situation in belarus which is dismal and has been deteriorating since the elections last august. i deteriorating since the elections last august-— deteriorating since the elections last au~ust. ., ., ,, ., last august. i wonder what kind of ressure last august. i wonder what kind of pressure mr— last august. i wonder what kind of pressure mr lukashenko - last august. i wonder what kind of pressure mr lukashenko would i last august. i wonder what kind of pressure mr lukashenko would be j pressure mr lukashenko would be subject to? he doesn't care? he cares subject to? he doesn't care? he: cares about his money, he cares about the economy and the economy is getting weaker by the day. what he cares about, the sanctions against state owned enterprises in belarus but against those people around him who benefit financially from being loyal to him, the oligarchs, and this is what we have been talking to the european union and united states about four months and we expect that the eu in the light of the situation will be more resolute in adopting the sanctions. this goes also to the

united kingdom of course, as you are not part of the eu any more. we expect that the government will be more forceful and more practical in its response, notjust declarations and words of support for practical measures to prevent the lukashenko regime from further crimes. right. more practical— regime from further crimes. right. more practical could _ regime from further crimes. right. more practical could be _ regime from further crimes. right. more practical could be for - regime from further crimes. right. more practical could be for example the fact that the belarus regime raises money through bonds in the city of london to help fund the regime. the uk government could intervene there?— regime. the uk government could intervene there? exactly. we need to cut all financial _ intervene there? exactly. we need to cut all financial flows _ intervene there? exactly. we need to cut all financial flows to _ intervene there? exactly. we need to cut all financial flows to the _ cut all financial flows to the regime. we need to stop important goods and services used by state owned enterprises, the economy of lukashenko is very weak and he needs external support and therefore, the uk government has special leverage over this situation.— over this situation. thank you very much for talking _ over this situation. thank you very much for talking to _ over this situation. thank you very much for talking to us. _ over this situation. thank you very much for talking to us. thank- over this situation. thank you very much for talking to us. thank you.

a survey suggests nearly half of all dentists in england are considering leaving their practice if covid restrictions remain in place. over the past year, most non—urgent medical appointments have been postponed or cancelled. this has led to long waiting lists and frustrated patients, damaging morale. 0ur correspondent dan johnson reports. a year ago, the virtual waiting room was filling up, as dentistry ground to a halt. twelve months on, there's still a big queue to get back in the big chair. clare's been waiting more than two years already. now i'm very, very self conscious and i kind of really, you know, desperately want to have the work done and feel more confident in myself again, because it's knocked my confidence as well. extra measures to guard against the virus have slowed down dental appointments. so clearing last year's backlog has been near impossible. some patients were told to go private, or forced to travel miles. at some point it got as bad as wanting to bang my head

against a brick wall, really. so, yeah. and i'm a complete dental—phobe anyway, so for me to actually want to go to a dentist, that says how bad it was, really. the british dental association says in england there were 28 million fewer appointments in the last year. and a survey of their members suggests things aren't getting better. nearly half of those who responded say they'll change career, or take early retirement in the next year, if working conditions don't improve. a significant number are thinking of changing career, or leaving the profession altogether. really working in the current situation, with the arrangements for the pandemic, with our standard operating procedures that we're working to at the moment, make delivering dentistry a very difficultjob to do. and it's clearly reflected in the results of our survey. the department for health

and social care says it is supporting dentists, and increasing access while protecting patients and staff. but the waiting lists were growing even before the pandemic. and dentists want to know how and when they can get back to something like normal, before more of their colleagues decide they've had enough. joining me now is dr dipali chokshi, a dentist who owns and runs three dental practices in march, littleport and cambridge — two are nhs and one is private. are you going to leave? good morning. are you going to leave? good morninu. �* ,, are you going to leave? good morning-— are you going to leave? good morninu. �* ., ., ., morning. are you going to leave the profession? — morning. are you going to leave the profession? i'm _ morning. are you going to leave the profession? i'm concerned, - morning. are you going to leave the profession? i'm concerned, i- morning. are you going to leave the profession? i'm concerned, i have i morning. are you going to leave the profession? i'm concerned, i have a| profession? i'm concerned, i have a lona wa profession? i'm concerned, i have a long way to — profession? i'm concerned, i have a long way to go _ profession? i'm concerned, i have a long way to go and _ profession? i'm concerned, i have a long way to go and i _ profession? i'm concerned, i have a long way to go and i believe - profession? i'm concerned, i have a long way to go and i believe in i profession? i'm concerned, i have a long way to go and i believe in the i long way to go and i believe in the fundamentals of the profession, we are a health care service, we are helping people and that's what we were trying to do so we are going to continue doing that. iltrut’hat

were trying to do so we are going to continue doing that.— continue doing that. what do you think of the _ continue doing that. what do you think of the survey _ continue doing that. what do you think of the survey which - continue doing that. what do you | think of the survey which suggests plenty of people will leave if the covid restriction stay in place? i think it's a very sorry state for us as a profession to be in. i can completely understand however the problems within nhs dentistry specifically, may make them feel that way. i echo some of the sentiments made earlier, this crisis within nhs dentistry was there long before covid happened, covid has simply compounded it and brought it to the service but we have been struggling for a long time. as a sector of the nhs.— sector of the nhs. right, but it must have _ sector of the nhs. right, but it must have been _ sector of the nhs. right, but it must have been exacerbated i sector of the nhs. right, but it i must have been exacerbated through covid obviously because you were shot down but you are an emergency service, aren't you? taste shot down but you are an emergency service, aren't you?— service, aren't you? we are and everybody _ service, aren't you? we are and everybody will _ service, aren't you? we are and everybody will know _ service, aren't you? we are and everybody will know from i service, aren't you? we are and i everybody will know from personal experience, dentistry is not something that can be resolved over a phone call, when you have a

toothache. it requires hands—on intervention of a dentist, to help solve it and patients like the lady you spoke to earlier, that is just one in hundreds of patients we would get phone calls from on a daily basis, crying down the phone, asking how we can get them out of pain. and we were all sitting in our surgeries, on the end of a phone, unable to do what we were trying to do. is unable to do what we were trying to do. . . unable to do what we were trying to do. , ., , ., , unable to do what we were trying to do. , do. is there a problem with people not bein: do. is there a problem with people not being able _ do. is there a problem with people not being able to _ do. is there a problem with people not being able to get _ do. is there a problem with people not being able to get on _ do. is there a problem with people not being able to get on nhs i do. is there a problem with people l not being able to get on nhs waiting lists, even more so of a problem because of what we've seen in the last year? i because of what we've seen in the last ear? ~ ,., because of what we've seen in the last ear? ~' ,., ~' because of what we've seen in the last ear? ~ ,., ~ last year? i think so, like i said the crisis _ last year? i think so, like i said the crisis was _ last year? i think so, like i said the crisis was there _ last year? i think so, like i said the crisis was there long i last year? i think so, like i said| the crisis was there long before coronavirus arrived. the problem is nhs dentistry is severely underfunded and even though a lot of money is put into the nhs, it's not being directed towards dental services. the contract needs a huge and meaningful reform because at the moment, it is focused on treatment rather than prevention. not only

that, there are massive problems in terms of recruiting dentists. coronavirus has exacerbated that crisis because for example, universities, the number of students coming out has decreased, the output of graduating dentists has severely decreased, some universities saying they are going to delay the graduation of their final year students for another year. we depend on that influx of new talent to keep us going. and brexit has not helped, a lot of our workforce is from the eu, a great many clever and intelligent dentists come from the eu and at the moment, they are struggling to come back because of the state of affairs.— the state of affairs. thank you very much for talking _ the state of affairs. thank you very much for talking to _ the state of affairs. thank you very much for talking to us. _ the state of affairs. thank you very much for talking to us. let's i the state of affairs. thank you very much for talking to us. let's bring| much for talking to us. let's bring you some breaking news from austria. the austrian health ministry has declared britain as a virus variant region. that means to go to austria you will need an essential reason, you will need an essential reason, you will need an essential reason, you will have to show a negative pcr

test and you will have to quarantine. the austrian press agency says there are plans to ban direct flights between britain and austria from the 1st ofjune, next tuesday. austria hasjust made britain a virus variant region. which means there are restrictions for people who want to go from here to austria. and the austrian press agency saying there are plans to ban direct flights between britain and austria from the 1st ofjune. the head of the world health organization has said that all health workers and elderly worldwide workers would have been vaccinated against coronavirus by now ifjabs has been distributed equitably. in an appeal for more doses for poorer countries, tedros adhanom ghebreyesus said governments vaccinating low risk groups were doing so at the expense of vulnerable people elsewhere. he was speaking at the opening of the world health assembly in geneva. australia's second largest city, melbourne, has reinstated covid restrictions after a fresh outbreak of the virus. home gatherings will be limited to five guests, public gatherings will be restricted

to 30 people, and facemasks will be mandatory indoors. the state of victoria hadn't recorded any covid cases for nearly three months. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, has arrived in israel, to try to bolster the ceasefire between the israelis, and palestinian militants. he is meeting the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, injerusalem and palestinian president, mahmoud abbas, in the west bank. this is a live shot, the meeting will take here very soon, a news conference will start between benjamin netanyahu and antony blinken injerusalem in the next few minutes and of course we will bring you some the uk's third largest steel maker, liberty steel, has announced plans to sell off its stocksbridge steel plant as part of a restructuring plan. the company has substantial debts after the collapse of its main financial backer,

greensill capital. the uk was once a powerhouse in global steel. by the turn of the millennium, places like china were making it faster and cheaper. so steel works across britain closed, taking with them thousands ofjobs. in 2017, sanjeev gupta snapped up specialist steel—makers convinced he could be the man to save them. but to fund his plans, he entered into a complex financing agreement with a company called greensill capital — the same firm who was at the centre of a recent government lobbying row involving former prime minister david cameron. they went bust in march, raising big questions about how gupta's steel business could survive but he told the bbc he was certain jobs were safe. all our steel operations in the uk, one after another, was in the process of shutting. it's hard work which means they now have a viable future. it's still a tough

journey ahead, the uk has many disadvantages, the uk steel industry has been decimated for the last few decades. we still have a lot of work to do, i'm not going to give up in the uk. as long as i am in charge, my plants will stay open. but who believes him now? the british government refused to supply £170 million bailout overfears about the transparency of the billionaire's business affairs. the unions say these plants must stay open saying they are strategically vital to uk defence, energy and aerospace. but the company must sell off some of its plants to pay its creditors and keep the business going. 3000 steeljobs at liberty are hanging in the balance. australia has announced it will shut its embassy in afghanistan this week, citing fears over the "increasingly uncertain security environment" in kabul as foreign troops continue to withdraw. australia plans to move quickly, with the embassy closing in just three days. 0ur correspondent phil mercer explained

the background to the decision. afghanistan was never a popular war here in australia and the closure according to the government, it will be temporary, of its embassy in a few days' time. it's another chapter in australia's involvement with afghanistan. now recently, we've seen the australian foreign minister marise payne visit afghanistan and she has reaffirmed today australia's continued commitment to the people of afghanistan but certainly this is a rapid movement, it will foreshadow the removal of a few dozen remaining australian defence force personnel and if you look at the statement from marise payne, the foreign minister, and her boss the prime minister, scott morrison, here in australia, they do say that in their words, the security environment in afghanistan is getting worse and if you can read into that, but it's not safe for diplomats to be there. australia is saying that afghanistan will still

be serviced by australian diplomats based in another country, possibly nearby. but this is another chapter in australia's involvement in afghanistan. australia leaving the country along with lots of other countries. the uk is on course for the wettest may on record. jayne mccubbin to a place where the british spirit can be dampened but never defeated — a campsite. it's going to be cold. there will be a significant wind chill. you can see the showers swirling around below. heavy rain out there at the moment. heavy and thundery again. may — not quite what we were hoping for. while may 2020 was the sunniest calendar month on record, may 2021 could become one of the wettest. good morning! jayne laughs. oh, what a beautiful day! you big fib, chris! a bit of rain won't stop hardy campers like chris and karen in wales.

is it all waterproof? no! well, it's already the wettest may on record since records began back in 1865. karen? yes. you've braved it. we have. hail, rain or snow, we were going to be here. enjoying it? yeah. what time does the bar open, karen? as soon as that's full! i didn't even bring a brolly. it is what it is, that's what i say. in the tent next door, wet weather hysteria is setting in with newlyweds tracey and julian. how has it been, newlyweds? lovely! we just wish the sun would come out. it would be nice. was it quite the honeymoon period you envisaged? eh, it's been a little bit wetter than i imagined it would be, and possibly the wrong country. and i don't mean that...! i mean, somewhere in the sun and on the plane and disappeared... ..might have been nice. yes. but never mind. no. as long as we're together, as long as tracey�*s here, that's the main thing. # why does it always rain on me...#

in llangolen, and across wales, they've had twice the average may rainfall, and may ain't over yet, people. it's been torrential. nearly every day, to be honest. we've had everything here, every torrential rain. i mean, flooding, thunder and lightning, hailstones... hailstones? massive — size of marbles, honestly. in may? theyjust covered over the ground. and a tiny bit of sunshine — a tiny bit. oh, no! but is there a determination to fight through this weather? 0bviously, there's a huge determination. i mean, honestly, everybody sitting out in the rain under our brollies, having salad sandwiches. and we just sit there having a cup of tea all in this weather. as if the sun is cracking the flags? exactly. in england, alistairflicks through the detailed log from one of the uk's oldest weather stations. the museum has been

collecting data since 1882. wow! and what does that data tell us about may? certainly the start of may was really cool. at one point it was looking like it was going to be the coolest since 1902. 0h! yeah. it has improved a little bit, but it is still officially a miserable may? it is currently the wettest may since 1967. but obviously there is still a third of may to go. so it could get even wetter yet. it ain't over yet? no. so if you are wondering why this is happening, and will it get better, here is the man who knows. we needed this through much of the month. at the weekend it was so windy you could hardly keep a hold of it. you can turn it off now, charlotte. but why has may's weather been so bad? it is due to the weather patterns getting stuck. high pressure across in russia is sending in incredibly warm air to the arctic. high pressure across greenland as well.

that means we have just been stuck in the middle with low pressure after low pressure, bringing rain at times and— dragging down that cold wind that has dominated the month. but there is optimism on the horizon. it is looking drier, it is looking warmer this weekend. and don't say it too loudly, it's a bank holiday weekend and we know what that can mean. matt laughs. one thing is absolutely certain. # sunshine on a rainy day...# after all we have been through, bad weather won't stop us trying our very, very best to have fun. perfect day. we want rain. there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong choice of toys. rain? ha! we've dealt with worse! maria, nothing is getting you wet. give us a twirl. it hasjust chucked it down the whole time. never mind. what we have, we are

going to enjoy it. and joy ofjoy, it might, mightjust get better. can we have a twirl in your beautiful poncho? magnificent. jayne mccubbin, bbc news. it is going to get a little bit better! now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. 0n the 25th of may last year temperatures were widely from the low 20s to the mid 20s. today, well we are still struggling to get up to average which is roughly 15 to about 18 or 19 north to south, but we do have sunny spells and scattered heavy showers. today, we are not expecting as many showers as yesterday, low pressure that brought the rain has moved away and we have a little system coming in across the south—west which will introduce some rain through today. after a cloudy start with some patchy rain, sunny spells developing but so are the showers across parts of scotland, northern and eastern england, some of those heavy and thundery with hail. it is breezy so they will move along and we have this rain across the isles of scilly, devon

and cornwall and into the channel islands but in between, a lot of dry weather with sunshine and highs between roughly 11 and 17 degrees, cooler on the north sea coast line. this evening, many of the showers will fade, the rain pulls away but in its wake we see some cloud and showers, and more cloud comes in across eastern areas, introducing some patchy rain. temperatures falling away to between 4 and 9 degrees, we are not expecting any issues with frost. tomorrow then, we still have all this cloud and patchy rain in the north and east, a lot of dry weather around tomorrow, northern ireland, wales, southern england. still a bit of cloud left in the south—west, here we have highs of 15 degrees, top temperatures likely to be in london and glasgow, at 17 degrees. as we go through wednesday night into thursday, we start to see some subtle changes. we start with some showers, we may even see a little bit of mist forming but it won't be problematic and then we have a ridge of high pressure building across us on thursday,

settling things down so a lot of dry weather, sunshine around. this weather front trying to come from the west will introduce some rain but because it's bumping into the high pressure, the rain will be as intense as it has been and temperatures up a bit, looking at 19, maybe even 20 degrees. friday and into the weekend, high pressure really takes hold, things remain fairly settled and also mostly dry as well. 0n bank holiday monday, we might see a weather front coming into the north—west bringing some rain but that's a long way off. one thing you will notice is, temperatures are going to get up to possibly 21, possibly 22.

this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. iam i am victoria derbyshire. friends of the journalist being held in belarus after his plane was diverted say he looks like he's been beaten and forced to make a television confession local authorities insist they weren't informed about new restrictions in eight areas in england, as the government urges people not to travel in or out of the places and avoid meeting indoors there. we weren't told, and we were in regular communication with the hsc, so you would have expected something like this to have been communicated to our teams. and if you live in bolton, blackburn kirklees, bedford, burnley, leicester hounslow and north tyneside, what do you think of the advice? the goverment denies is a local lockdown by stealth — is it? i'm on twitter and instagram

@vicderbyshire, or you can email me on victoria@bbc.co.uk.