tonight at ten: ministers are forced to clarify their policy on travel and lockdowns in eight regions of england. local authorities in areas where the indian variant of coronavirus is spreading rapidly say the government's advice has been very confused. the government should let people know exactly where they stand, what is being asked of them, but making clear that this is not a requirement. as we saw with tiers, this is different, this is guidance. so, four days after the guidance was issued, ministers are now saying they're not imposing travel restrictions or local lockdowns. we want the whole country to move out of these restrictions together, and we're trusting, trusting people to be responsible and to act with_ caution and common—sense.

we'll be reporting from two of the affected areas — bolton and blackburn — to see how the latest advice is being received. also tonight: three years after allegations of islamophobia in the conservative party, a report says "anti—muslim sentiment remains a problem". decades after thousands of babies were put up for adoption because their mothers were not married, a campaign to secure an apology for the treatment they suffered. "you ll give your child to a proper mummy and daddy, because you can t possibly be a parent, you re a child, you re not fit to be a mother. at the white house today, the family of george floyd gather on the first anniversary of his murder by a police officer in minnesota. and gareth southgate talks about his england selection challenge, ahead of the european football championship. and coming up in sport on the bbc news channel: a stepping stone for a big future —

ole gunnar solskjaer has high hopes for his manchester united side going into tomorrow's europa league final. good evening. local authorities in eight major areas of england have declared there are no restrictions on travel in their regions and no local lockdowns and they accused the government of causing widespread confusion with its latest guidance. it follows the government's latest advice for those regions where the indian variant of coronavirus has been spreading rapidly. people were asked not to meet indoors or to travel without good reason. the areas involved stretch from north tyneside, to hounslow in west london, and affect more than two million people. they include major authorities such as bolton, blackburn, leicester and bedford.

earlier this evening, the government was forced to clarify it guidance to say that they were not imposing local restrictions and they claimed the intention was to provide advice on extra precautions that people might take. our health correspondent dominic hughes reports from bolton. is bolton a town facing a fresh lockdown? a steep rise in infections linked to the variant first identified in india and confusion over new government advice around work and travel means people have been left wondering where they stand. people coming in the shop don't seem to know what's going on, it's not been clarified very well by the council, or whoever�*s in charge of it all. obviously, half term next week, so a lot of people are wanting to travel, including ourselves and, yeah, nobody knows what's going on really. the conservative leader of bolton council is clear — there is to be no local lockdown. obviously, we will keep an eye on the hospitalisations, but everything points

to the vaccine holding, the _ vast majority of our cases are in the under 165 and people in their 205 and we have to surge vaccinations, surge testing, give us the resource to do that, that is the way we address this, it is not through local lockdowns. bolton has already endured months of restrictions and local leaders say they now need clarity. the government should let people know- exactly where they stand, i what is being asked of them, but making clear that this is not a requirement. - as we saw with tiers, _ this is different, this is guidance and therefore it's - to people'sjudgment. bolton has witnessed a surge in cases, now with an infection rate of 452 per 100,000 people, the highest in england. and the indian variant is fuelling that surge. it has been identified in 90% of cases. public health england says in the week to 20th may, cases of indian variant across england have almost tripled. but there is good news — research suggests vaccines

remain effective against the new variant. a double dose of pfizer is 88%, while astrazeneca is 60%. what's happening here in bolton and in towns like this across the uk presents health leaders and politicians with a real dilemma. on the one hand, the infection rate in the uk is really low, amongst the lowest in europe and the vaccination programme is going well. but the impact the indian variant will have on serious illness, hospitalisations and deaths is just not yet known. the local hospital says it is already under pressure, but so far it has not experienced anything like the admissions seen during the winter. that is good news for places like hillingdon in london, another area where surge testing is under way to try and identify indian variant cases. and ministers have backed away from any suggestion of local lockdowns. as the prime minister said, mr speaker, we want the whole country to move out of these restriction together and we are trusting, trusting people to be responsible and to act with caution

and common—sense. tonight, the government has been forced to clarify its guidance, making it clear local lockdowns are not being imposed. there are no new regulations, instead people are being encouraged to observe existing rules. but if public health advice is meant to be clear and easy to follow, today it looks like the government failed that test. dominic hughes, bbc news, bolton. one of those eight areas affected by the latest guidance is covered by the local authority of blackburn with darwen in the north—west of england. it has the second—highest rate of coronavirus infection in england, with the indian variant making up most of those cases. the council has now written to the health secretary asking for everybody over 16 to be vaccinated to try to slow the spread. our special correspondent ed thomas reports from blackburn. new covid guidelines are here, and in blackburn, it has caught a few by surprise.

covid guidance for blackburn, are you aware of it? no. covid guidance? i don't know. apparently you can't travel in or out, is that right? - and now decisions have to be made. it is going to feel like an open air prison. journeys to and from blackburn should be avoided unless essential. for this tazeem, it is a problem. i am not happy with it. how come? my family live in bolton. so i would rather go there and see my family, than not see them. it is not the law, it is guidance, at the moment. will you listen to it? will you follow it? i don't think so. as covid cases surge, the advice now recommends meeting outside where possible. a challenge for an indoor martial arts centre. the first thing was confusing when i heard it on the radio, we thought we were heading to 21st

june when the restrictions would relax, and all of a sudden it is like, we might not be getting there, and it looks like we are having guidance, which you fear it may turn into legislation, and then we are back on restrictions again, so it is hard work. these are not restrictions and this is not a local lockdown. we can't carry on like this, that is what i believe. but still, there is deep worry. even though it's a guideline, people will see it as an actual lockdown. it has been like this for a year and look at the big companies in town. debenhams has shut down and topman has shut down. our town is turning into a ghost town. it has been a difficult 15 months. the focus of blackburn college has been on education and welfare. determined this pandemic doesn't hold back its students. there is enough challenges in this world already. we need to make sure that our students get the best possible grades they can and they get them at the same time as the other students in the country. our students need to be going on to university,

they need to be going on to getjobs and we need to make sure they are not disadvantaged. the government insists this is guidance only and is down to all of us to be responsible and act with common—sense. ed thomas, bbc news, blackburn. and the latest government figures on coronavirus show 2,493 new infections and 15 deaths in the latest 24—hour period. cases have been rising slowly over the past few weeks and the number of people who have now died is 127,739. in the vaccine roll—out, 122,379 people have received a first vaccine dose in the last 2a hours. in total, more than 38 million people have now had their firstjab. that's just over 72% of the uk adult population. 332,955 people had their second dose in the past 2a hours, and it takes the overall number in that group to more than 23 million people orjust over

44% of the adult population. our health editor, hugh pym, is here. we heard one gentleman in the report there saying, with this confusion, i'm beginning to wonder whether the zist i'm beginning to wonder whether the 21stjune target for the total easing is feasible. what would you say? easing is feasible. what would you sa ? , , ., easing is feasible. what would you sa? , say? this confusion won't help local ublic say? this confusion won't help local public health _ say? this confusion won't help local public health officials _ say? this confusion won't help local public health officials get _ say? this confusion won't help local public health officials get over - public health officials get over simple messages about social distancing and it raises whether the government wants to move from legal restrictions to just guidelines, how do you explain to people where they stand? in terms of that road map in england towardsjune 21st, data will be needed, but officials don't have it. how fast does the variant spread? they know it is more

transmissible and what does it mean for hospital numbers? that that sort of information may not come for a couple of weeks. we know the number of cases falls and the number of deaths falls, but case numbers are going up in england and scotland, nicola sturgeon said people shouldn't lose heart, it was a bump in the road. in england, ministers will have to make some awkward decisions. what about this data? will it be enough to say we can go ahead on 21st? will they have to delay it or local restrictions, but they don't want to go down that route. so a difficult couple of weeks ahead.— an independent report into allegations of islamophobia within the conservative party has found that "anti—muslim sentiment remains a problem." the inquiry found more than 1,400 complaints were made

about alleged racial discrimination over a five—year period and sanctions were issued in 231 cases. but the report said claims of institutional racism within the party were not supported by the way complaints were handled. our political correspondent alex forsyth has more details. what do we want? boris out! there's been a growing chorus of criticism in recent years — claims of islamaphobic attitudes and actions going unchecked, so the tory party ordered an independent inquiry into discrimination, and today it issued its findings. it said two thirds of incidents in the past six years related to anti—muslim discrimination, and while the problem's not systemic, the party must act now to root it out. the report said it's damaging to the party and alienates a significant section of society. from the party chairman, an apology.

for anybody who has experienced any hurt as a result of any forms of discrimination in our the party, i do apologise fully. the report is very detailed, it's thorough, and it includes 27 recommendations which we have accepted in full today. most of the incidents were at local level, largely online, but comments borisjohnson made three years ago were flagged. are you going to apologise? the review said comparing women in burqas to letter boxes gave the impression the tories are insensitive to muslim communities. for some, that goes to the heart of the problem. this former tory mep says he experienced anti—muslim prejudice first hand and he's still not convinced the party will get to grips with the issue. i'm sure some senior party figures would want it resolved, but the issue here is the man right at the top. he is far too concentrated on playing to a gallery that is wanting to see him push back against people that make such

complaints — on the basis that we are an irritant. there are some who think this problem runs deep in the conservative party. this review, though, found there is no institutional anti—muslim discrimination, but it does exist, largely at grass—roots level, though it is damaging. the party's been given six weeks to come up with an action plan to address its failings. this former cabinet minister called for this inquiry and thinks change must come from the top. the borisjohnson i know believes in the equal values and respects everyone of any background, any community, but what is going to be most important now, is now that the recommendations are there, right in front of borisjohnson and the party leadership, what do they do next? i think the best thing to do to show that the party will stand up for its values is to accept all the recommendations unconditionally and in full. so it's all eyes on conservative headquarters. the party's promised to address this report's findings in full.

it will be judged on its actions, rather than its words. alex joins us from westminster now. just picking up on your last point there, alex, ok, the report has been published, but clearly the issue will run until we see the response from government.— will run until we see the response from government. huw, i think that is riaht, from government. huw, i think that is right. there _ from government. huw, i think that is right, there are _ from government. huw, i think that is right, there are some _ from government. huw, i think that is right, there are some who - from government. huw, i think that is right, there are some who think | is right, there are some who think there needs to be a wider, deeper look at the extent of the issue within the party, and they are calling for that. there are others who welcomed the findings of this report, because it has led to senior party figures apologising for the offence that has been caused and, crucially, promising to address it. now, this report says there needs to be substantial change to the party's complaint system, code of conduct, training practices, and the timetable for that is tight — within six weeks an action plan, within six months some of those processes

changed, and within one year a review of the progress that has been made. the report's also said he wanted this report to be uncomfortable reading, to spur the party into action, but he did acknowledge that change can be difficult, and he says it is a process that will require a completely new mindset in some quarters of the party. now, the party has accepted the recommendations in full and promised unreservedly to implement them, but they come with some pretty definitive goals against which the party can be measured, and you can bet there are plenty who will be watching to see if the party does deliver on the commitment it has made today to change the way it handles this kind of discrimination where it clearly does still exist. alex, many thanks again, alex forsyth with the latest at once westminster. the conservative mp rob roberts could be suspended from parliament for six weeks, after an independent panel found he'd sexually harassed a member of his staff. mps now have to decide

whether the recommended suspension should go ahead. someone who worked for mr roberts, the mp for delyn in north wales, said he was repeatedly propositioned and was made to feel extremely uncomfortable. mr roberts has apologised. hundreds of women who say they were forced to give up their newborn babies for adoption in the 1950s, �*60s and �*70s because they weren't married have called on the prime minister to offer an apology. the women, who are now in their 70s and 80s, say around a quarter of a million mothers were shamed into handing over their babies by social workers, church groups, doctors and nurses. many were told they were unfit to be mothers, while others were denied pain relief during birth. they've now written to borisjohnson, urging him to follow the lead set by other countries like australia. our correspondent duncan kennedy has the story. the angelic faces of some of those at the centre of this story. a story of social taboo, unmarried

mothers and forced adoptions. we became intimate, and i got pregnant. it was 1965. veronica smith was one of those unmarried women. it was seen as so shameful she was sent to a mother—and—baby home. she even wrote fake airmail letters to her father, claiming she was working in spain. my mother didn't tell my father because she said it would kill him. so he never knew? no. ever? never. diana de vries became pregnant at 16. she says she was shamed by a social worker. "you'll give your child to a proper mummy and daddy, because you can't possibly be a parent to your child." "you're not fit to be a mother." anne keen became pregnant at 17, and says even as she gave birth,

she was denied pain relief on purpose. when i asked for help, i wasn't given any help for pain. in fact, i was told, i remember, "you will remember this, so as you won't be wicked again, you bad girl." "you won't be wicked again." diana de fries says in her delivery room, a nurse was equally heartless. she said, "this baby's flagged for adoption." "i'll take her away." and i can remember yelling, and saying, "please bring her back, bring her back," and they left me there for four hours. i canjust remember lying there, thinking it'd be better to die. but i didn't die.

the pressure on unmarried women to give up their babies came from social workers, churches, doctors and nurses. tonight's debate is about the... ann keen, who later became an mp, says it amounted to one thing. it was coercion. the phrase was, "this will be for the best." "this will be for the best for the baby, this will be the best for you." "because if you really love this baby, you will make sure that he has a different life and not with you." for most birth mothers, the moment of giving up their baby was the worst. some women can never forget the day. she was asleep. she never woke up. and they took her from me and gave her to the people

who were waiting in the next room to adopt her. and that was it. how could that have happened to me? but my mum was waiting for me downstairs, and we went shopping. we went shopping. i loved her so much. i still love her. i'm her mum. legal experts believe around 250,000 unmarried women in britain were pressured into handing over their babies in the three decades after the second world war. many now say they should receive a government apology. that is what happened to a quarter of a million women in australia. ..takes responsibility and apologises. other governments have since followed. now, birth mothers in britain

have written to borisjohnson, asking for an official apology here. a historical injustice is what happened to us. other countries have recognised it, and it's high time ours did. well, it would be very good if somebody said "i'm sorry". it would be so powerful. to show people that what happened to us was wrong. the government says it accepts forced adoptions did take place but says laws have changed since that era. many women, like veronica smith, didn't have any more children, and she says it is time someone said sorry. what have you missed out on? i don't know how to mother. i don't know how to, because i haven't... and it's notjust me, it's thousands, thousands of women.

it was so wrong. veronica smith ending that report by duncan kennedy, and tomorrow we will hear from some of the children who were adopted. borisjohnson has warned there will be consequences for belarus, following the forced re—routing of a ryanair flight on sunday in order to capture one of the passengers on board. roman protasevich, a well—known critic of the belarus regime, was detained on sunday. a video has since been released of the 26 year—old journalist in custody, which appears to have been filmed under duress. the ryanair flight was on its way from athens to vilnius in lithuania when it was forced to divert to minsk, the capital of belarus. the uk government have now ordered aircraft to avoid belarus airspace, and it's banned airlines from belarus from using british airspace. our moscow correspondent

sarah rainsford joins us from minsk. and, sarah, just wondering, is there a sense there of the growing international pressure on the regime? international pressure on the reuime? ., ., ., , regime? no, huw, the authorities here are still _ regime? no, huw, the authorities here are still insisting _ regime? no, huw, the authorities here are still insisting there - regime? no, huw, the authorities here are still insisting there was l regime? no, huw, the authorities here are still insisting there was aj here are still insisting there was a genuine security threat to that ryanair flight, genuine security threat to that ryanairflight, that genuine security threat to that ryanair flight, that essentially rya nair flight, that essentially belarus ryanair flight, that essentially belarus stepped in to save the day, and the fact that there was a well—known dissident on—board, a man wanted by authorities here, they are saying that was pure coincidence. but international condemnation has been increasing, and tomorrow will see a meeting of the un security council to discuss what happened, but bear in mind russia has a seat there, and russia is the big backer of president alexander lukashenko here in belarus. but as for the opposition, opposition voices here in this country now, what they are saying is that what happened to that flight really has thrown a spotlight on their everyday lives here, the

everyday reality in belarus, the dire and dangerous situation for political activists in the country. just today, seven political activists were sentenced to long prison sentences from four to seven years, and we saw another video clip which appeared to be another false confession, this prime from mr protasevich's girlfriend, who was travelling on the flight and was also detained here in minsk. so really showing just how difficult it is now for people to speak out, and how dangerous it is, and no wonder that people are so worried, they are telling me that theyjust don't know who could be next. telling me that they 'ust don't know who could be next._ who could be next. sarah, many thanks, who could be next. sarah, many thanks. for— who could be next. sarah, many thanks, for the _ who could be next. sarah, many thanks, for the latest, _ who could be next. sarah, many thanks, for the latest, sarah - thanks, for the latest, sarah rainsford there in minsk. today is the first anniversary of the murder of george floyd, the african—american who was killed by a police officer in minneapolis. the images of the incident shocked people around the world, prompting global protests against racism and police brutality. members of the floyd family have been meeting

president biden at the white house, while in minneapolis a celebration of mr floyd's life has been organised. our north america correspondent nick bryant reports. taking a knee in the place that george floyd was killed. a symbol of what's become a global struggle. an act of remembrance that lasted nine minutes and 29 seconds — the duration of his murder. chanting: one, two, three, four! police violence no more! - the march for racial justice must often seem like a never—ending journey — with milestones along the way but no end point in sight. chanting: george floyd, george floyd! _ that's certainly how it feels a year on from the murder of george floyd. protesters are angry they haven't seen more change. we are hunted in america just for being black, and that's not good, it's time for a change. i got a black boy, a son, a two—year—old.

i shouldn't have to teach him to put his hands up when he sees the police. i'm marching because these are racially motivated murders that this state and other states, the united states of america has committed against our people, and enough is enough. and i'm marching in solidarity with other families, because their days of hurting our people and these racially motivated murders are over with. policing is going to change... at a rally outside the courthouse where his murderer, derek chauvin, was found guilty, the floyd family's lawyer demanded landmark legislation. we must use this opportunity to get the george floyd justice in policing act passed, so we can prevent some of these unnecessary, preventable, unjustifiable, illegal and unconstitutional killings of our people! tonight, the family metjoe biden at the white house, but congress has failed to meet today's presidential deadline

for police reform to be enacted. he's not happy about it not being met, but all in all, he just wants the bill to be right and meaningful and that it holds george's legacy intact. let me hear your voice! change! change hasn't come fast enough for these modern—day civil—rights protesters. black lives... matter! and on the first anniversary of george floyd's murder, the mantra of their movement sounds still like an anguished cry. black lives... matter! such a swirl of emotions today, frustration, anger, sorrow, abject fear at one point because there was gunfire in the street behind me, 30 shots rang out, although we don't think the memorial was the target. and it speaks to america's problems — gun violence and police killings.

america just seems to be stuck in a loop right now that itjust can't seem to escape. nick, many thanks again, nick bryant, our north america correspondent, in minneapolis. football, and the england manager, gareth southgate, has described the side's situation in the run—up to the european championship as more complicated than any other country. he's announced a 33—man provisional squad for the euros, which has to be reduced to 26 players by the 1st ofjune. our sports editor, dan roan, has more details. and dier does it! three years ago, england went almost all the way, reaching the world cup semifinals. having proved such a success in his first major tournament in charge, gareth southgate's now preparing for his second. but the manager's delayed naming his final squad for the euros, and today he told me why. we do have less time with our players than any of the other nations. we've basically got eight or nine days with the full squad, and that's it. we've still got 12 to play

in european finals, and we've got four players who are either injured currently or returning from injury. we can make better decisions with a little bit more time. with injury concerns over the likes of manchester united's harry maguire, there's chances for others — brighton defender ben white one of four uncapped players in the provisional squad, and having been controversially dropped from the last selection, liverpool star trent alexander—arnold is included for now. we've got some really exciting talent. i don't think we're, for this team, at its peak yet. there's a lot of growth still to come of this team. the last euros saw england suffer one of their most humiliating defeats, crashing out against minnows iceland. but since then, southgate has introduced exciting young talent, giving the team a new sense of belief. we want to go and try and win this tournament. we know we are not the favourites for that. we feel, on our day, we can beat any of the other teams. 25 years ago, england's paul gascoigne unforgettably did this against old rivals scotland in the euros.