this is bbc news. i'm reeta chakrabarti. the headlines — the public inquiry into the manchester arena bombing has concluded there were serious shortcomings in security at the venue on the night of the attack. there were a number of opportunities to identify salman abedi's activities as being suspicious on the night before he detonated his bomb. 22 people died in the attack, including martyn hett. his mother has been campaigning for all public venues to have some level of counterterrorism measures in place. now the recommendations have to be acted upon by the government, so that all venues have basic security and so that no other families have to go through what we have. in other news, a man is found guilty of murdering two

women 21 years apart. the uk has seen its biggest daily rise in covid—19 cases in over 11 months. this week on bbc news, - reporting from right across the uk looking at life through the pandemic and asking how your community- and your business has been affected. today, i'm in beautiful somerset talking to the local wedding - industry and asking how they've been coping. i and a bid to break a 36—year record for the fastest rail journey between london and glasgow fails by 21 seconds.

good afternoon, and welcome to bbc news. fewer people would have been killed in the manchester arena bombing if there hadn't been a series of security failings. that's the damning conclusion of the inquiry�*s first report into the attack. the report says salman abedi should have been identified as a threat. it highlights a series of missed opportunities to spot the threat and intervene before he carried out the suicide attack in may 2017 which killed 22 people and injured hundreds more. the operators of the manchester arena, the security firm showsec and british transport police were all blamed for those missed opportunities. 15 minutes before the bomb was detonated, a member of the public had raised concerns about abedi to security at the arena. the report calls for urgent improvements to existing security arrangements at the manchester arena and supports the introduction of a new martyn�*s law, named after one of the victims of the attack, martyn hett.

the law would force all public venues to have some level of counterterrorism measures in place. the chair of the inquiry panel, sirjohn saunders, said mistakes and shortcomings allowed the attack, but overall responsibility for it rested with abedi. there were serious shortcomings in the security provided by those organisations which had responsibility for it and also failings and mistakes by some individuals. when the mistakes and shortcomings set out in the report are considered, it needs to be at the forefront of that consideration that responsibility for what happened and for causing so many deaths and serious injuries lies with salman abedi, the suicide bomber, and his brother, hashem, who assisted with the preparations. hashem abedi is now serving sentences of life imprisonment

for offences including the murders of 22 people. the brothers intended to cause as much harm as they could. no other person or organisation acted with the intention of causing any injury or with any idea their action or lack of action would or could assist a suicide bomber carrying out his evil intentions. the home secretary, priti patel, said her thoughts were with the families, friends and victims. she said... and she went on to say...

martyn hett�*s mother, figen murray, welcomed the report and said she was determined to make martyn�*s law a reality. so, first of all, i'm really, really humbled with the report and really impressed with it. and i said it to the irt team upstairs, i'm really so, so humbled to see that the entire report is steeped in deep respect for us as families. and that's really touched me. i'm very grateful for that. so, it's clear from the first report of the inquiry that venue security needs to be improved to help prevent further terrorist attacks. i, along with other supporters of martyn's law, welcome the recommendation that ensuring sufficient protection and preparation for any potential incident is required for venue owners. the past nine months have been extremely difficult

for all of the families as we listened to what happened on that night. but now after this report, we are one step closer to ensuring that a difference can be made. now the recommendations have to be acted upon by the government, so that all venues have basic security and so that no other families have to go through what we have. i would like to thank the inquiry staff, the incredible judge, the authorities, the government and all of those who have helped champion martyn's law. but while the report focuses on venue security, martyn's law goes beyond this to make the safety of all public venues a priority. we should not have to live in fear, and i'm determined to make this law a reality. let's go live now to danny savage, who is at manchester magistrates�* court, where the inquiry has been sitting. and has been sitting. a terrible atrocity, terrible

grieving and a terrible atrocity, terrible grieving for the families, but do they feel some sort of satisfaction at this first report from the inquiry? at this first report from the inuui ? ., ~ ., ~' , at this first report from the inuui ? ., ~' ., ~ , ., inquiry? you know, i think they do it, and talking _ inquiry? you know, i think they do it, and talking to _ inquiry? you know, i think they do it, and talking to some _ inquiry? you know, i think they do it, and talking to some of - inquiry? you know, i think they do it, and talking to some of them i inquiry? you know, i think they do. it, and talking to some of them and also their_ it, and talking to some of them and also their legal— it, and talking to some of them and also their legal representatives - also their legal representatives this afternoon, _ also their legal representatives this afternoon, i— also their legal representatives this afternoon, i think - also their legal representatives this afternoon, i think there . also their legal representativesl this afternoon, i think there was always— this afternoon, i think there was always the — this afternoon, i think there was always the worry _ this afternoon, i think there was always the worry in _ this afternoon, i think there was always the worry in the - this afternoon, i think there was always the worry in the back- this afternoon, i think there was always the worry in the back of. always the worry in the back of their_ always the worry in the back of their mind _ always the worry in the back of their mind that— always the worry in the back of their mind that something - always the worry in the back of their mind that something like | always the worry in the back of. their mind that something like a public— their mind that something like a public inquiry _ their mind that something like a public inquiry like _ their mind that something like a public inquiry like this _ their mind that something like a public inquiry like this may- their mind that something like a public inquiry like this may not i public inquiry like this may not quite _ public inquiry like this may not quite get — public inquiry like this may not quite get to— public inquiry like this may not quite get to the _ public inquiry like this may not quite get to the nub _ public inquiry like this may not quite get to the nub of - public inquiry like this may not quite get to the nub of it, - public inquiry like this may not quite get to the nub of it, getl public inquiry like this may not i quite get to the nub of it, get to the heart — quite get to the nub of it, get to the heart of— quite get to the nub of it, get to the heart of the _ quite get to the nub of it, get to the heart of the matter- quite get to the nub of it, get to the heart of the matter and - quite get to the nub of it, get to the heart of the matter and may quite get to the nub of it, get to - the heart of the matter and mayjust read a _ the heart of the matter and mayjust read a bit _ the heart of the matter and mayjust read a bit delicately— the heart of the matter and mayjust read a bit delicately around - the heart of the matter and mayjust read a bit delicately around what - read a bit delicately around what actually — read a bit delicately around what actually happened. _ read a bit delicately around what actually happened. they- read a bit delicately around what actually happened. they don't i read a bit delicately around what l actually happened. they don't feel that at— actually happened. they don't feel that at all — actually happened. they don't feel that at all. they— actually happened. they don't feel that at all. they feel _ actually happened. they don't feel that at all. they feel as _ actually happened. they don't feel that at all. they feel as though - actually happened. they don't feel that at all. they feel as though sir| that at all. they feel as though sir john saunders _ that at all. they feel as though sir john saunders has— that at all. they feel as though sir john saunders has listened - that at all. they feel as though sir john saunders has listened to - that at all. they feel as though sir john saunders has listened to all i john saunders has listened to all these _ john saunders has listened to all these marry— john saunders has listened to all these many days— john saunders has listened to all these many days and _ john saunders has listened to all these many days and countless i john saunders has listened to all - these many days and countless hours of evidence _ these many days and countless hours of evidence and — these many days and countless hours of evidence and reached _ these many days and countless hours of evidence and reached a _ these many days and countless hours of evidence and reached a very - of evidence and reached a very reasonable _ of evidence and reached a very reasonable conclusion- of evidence and reached a very reasonable conclusion in- of evidence and reached a very reasonable conclusion in theirl reasonable conclusion in their minds. — reasonable conclusion in their minds. which _ reasonable conclusion in their minds, which gives— reasonable conclusion in their minds, which gives them - reasonable conclusion in their. minds, which gives them some satisfaction. _ minds, which gives them some satisfaction, yes, _ minds, which gives them some satisfaction, yes, but - minds, which gives them some satisfaction, yes, but they- minds, which gives them some satisfaction, yes, but they of. satisfaction, yes, but they of course — satisfaction, yes, but they of course have _ satisfaction, yes, but they of course have had _ satisfaction, yes, but they of course have had to _ satisfaction, yes, but they of course have had to go - satisfaction, yes, but they of. course have had to go through satisfaction, yes, but they of- course have had to go through an awful— course have had to go through an awful atrocity _ course have had to go through an awful atrocity to _ course have had to go through an awful atrocity to get _ course have had to go through an awful atrocity to get to _ course have had to go through an awful atrocity to get to this - course have had to go through an| awful atrocity to get to this point. so, awful atrocity to get to this point. so. i_ awful atrocity to get to this point. so. ithink— awful atrocity to get to this point. so, i think they— awful atrocity to get to this point. so, i think they are _ awful atrocity to get to this point. so, i think they are satisfied - awful atrocity to get to this point. so, i think they are satisfied thatl so, i think they are satisfied that he has _ so, i think they are satisfied that he has criticised _ so, i think they are satisfied that he has criticised organisations. so, i think they are satisfied that. he has criticised organisations and also pointed — he has criticised organisations and also pointed out _ he has criticised organisations and also pointed out some _ he has criticised organisations and also pointed out some individualsl also pointed out some individuals for their— also pointed out some individuals for their actions— also pointed out some individuals for their actions involved - also pointed out some individuals for their actions involved in - also pointed out some individuals for their actions involved in the l for their actions involved in the night — for their actions involved in the night and _ for their actions involved in the night and i_ for their actions involved in the night. and i think— for their actions involved in the night. and i think the - for their actions involved in the| night. and i think the strongest for their actions involved in the i night. and i think the strongest of the schism — night. and i think the strongest of the schism in _ night. and i think the strongest of the schism in what _ night. and i think the strongest of the schism in what was _ night. and i think the strongest of the schism in what was said -

night. and i think the strongest of the schism in what was said todayj the schism in what was said today was aimed — the schism in what was said today was aimed at— the schism in what was said today was aimed at british _ the schism in what was said today was aimed at british transport - was aimed at british transport police. — was aimed at british transport police. who _ was aimed at british transport police, who he _ was aimed at british transport police, who he believed - was aimed at british transport police, who he believed the i was aimed at british transport. police, who he believed the five officers — police, who he believed the five officers on — police, who he believed the five officers on duty— police, who he believed the five officers on duty that _ police, who he believed the five officers on duty that evening - police, who he believed the five . officers on duty that evening were not doing — officers on duty that evening were not doing their _ officers on duty that evening were not doing theirjobs _ officers on duty that evening were not doing theirjobs properly, - officers on duty that evening were i not doing theirjobs properly, were not doing theirjobs properly, were not actually — not doing theirjobs properly, were not actually doing _ not doing theirjobs properly, were not actually doing what _ not doing theirjobs properly, were not actually doing what they - not doing theirjobs properly, were| not actually doing what they should have been — not actually doing what they should have been. there _ not actually doing what they should have been. there should _ not actually doing what they should have been. there should have - not actually doing what they should j have been. there should have been not actually doing what they should i have been. there should have been an officer— have been. there should have been an officer in— have been. there should have been an officer in the _ have been. there should have been an officer in the foyer— have been. there should have been an officer in the foyer for— have been. there should have been an officer in the foyer for half— have been. there should have been an officer in the foyer for half an - officer in the foyer for half an hour— officer in the foyer for half an hour or— officer in the foyer for half an hour or so _ officer in the foyer for half an hour or so before _ officer in the foyer for half an hour or so before the - officer in the foyer for half an i hour or so before the explosion, officer in the foyer for half an - hour or so before the explosion, and perhaps— hour or so before the explosion, and perhaps if— hour or so before the explosion, and perhaps if there _ hour or so before the explosion, and perhaps if there was _ hour or so before the explosion, and perhaps if there was him _ hour or so before the explosion, and perhaps if there was him a _ hour or so before the explosion, and perhaps if there was him a memberl hour or so before the explosion, and. perhaps if there was him a member of the public— perhaps if there was him a member of the public who— perhaps if there was him a member of the public who raised _ perhaps if there was him a member of the public who raised concerns - perhaps if there was him a member of the public who raised concerns to - the public who raised concerns to one of— the public who raised concerns to one of the — the public who raised concerns to one of the security _ the public who raised concerns to one of the security stewards - the public who raised concerns to one of the security stewards mayj one of the security stewards may have _ one of the security stewards may have been— one of the security stewards may have been actually— one of the security stewards may have been actually going - one of the security stewards may have been actually going on - one of the security stewards may have been actually going on to i one of the security stewards may have been actually going on to al have been actually going on to a police _ have been actually going on to a police officer— have been actually going on to a police officer instead _ have been actually going on to a police officer instead and - have been actually going on to a. police officer instead and perhaps it would _ police officer instead and perhaps it would have _ police officer instead and perhaps it would have been _ police officer instead and perhaps it would have been a _ police officer instead and perhaps it would have been a very- police officer instead and perhapsl it would have been a very different outcome _ it would have been a very different outcome if — it would have been a very different outcome if that _ it would have been a very different outcome if that had _ it would have been a very different outcome if that had been- it would have been a very different outcome if that had been the - it would have been a very differentj outcome if that had been the case. now, _ outcome if that had been the case. now. of— outcome if that had been the case. now. of course, _ outcome if that had been the case. now, of course, hindsight- outcome if that had been the case. now, of course, hindsight is- outcome if that had been the case. now, of course, hindsight is as i outcome if that had been the case. | now, of course, hindsight is as ever a wonderful— now, of course, hindsight is as ever a wonderful thing _ now, of course, hindsight is as ever a wonderful thing but _ now, of course, hindsight is as ever a wonderful thing but i've _ now, of course, hindsight is as ever a wonderful thing but i've families. a wonderful thing but i've families to honestly— a wonderful thing but i've families to honestly feel— a wonderful thing but i've families to honestly feel as _ a wonderful thing but i've families to honestly feel as though - a wonderful thing but i've families. to honestly feel as though something has been _ to honestly feel as though something has been achieved _ to honestly feel as though something has been achieved today, _ to honestly feel as though something has been achieved today, their- has been achieved today, their concerns— has been achieved today, their concerns have _ has been achieved today, their concerns have been _ has been achieved today, their concerns have been taken i has been achieved today, their concerns have been taken on. i has been achieved today, their- concerns have been taken on. they've -ot concerns have been taken on. they've got to _ concerns have been taken on. they've got to the _ concerns have been taken on. they've got to the bottom _ concerns have been taken on. they've got to the bottom about _ concerns have been taken on. they've got to the bottom about —— _ concerns have been taken on. they've got to the bottom about —— what i got to the bottom about —— what actually — got to the bottom about —— what actually happened _ got to the bottom about —— what actually happened and _ got to the bottom about —— what actually happened and we - got to the bottom about —— what actually happened and we are i got to the bottom about —— what i actually happened and we are hearing from the _ actually happened and we are hearing from the mother— actually happened and we are hearing from the mother of— actually happened and we are hearing from the mother of the _ actually happened and we are hearing from the mother of the victim - actually happened and we are hearing from the mother of the victim that i from the mother of the victim that there _ from the mother of the victim that there could — from the mother of the victim that there could be _ from the mother of the victim that there could be a _ from the mother of the victim that there could be a change _ from the mother of the victim that there could be a change in - from the mother of the victim that there could be a change in the i from the mother of the victim that there could be a change in the lawj there could be a change in the law that comes — there could be a change in the law that comes about _ there could be a change in the law that comes about from _ there could be a change in the law that comes about from this - there could be a change in the law that comes about from this to i that comes about from this to something _ that comes about from this to something like _ that comes about from this to something like this _ that comes about from this to something like this from i that comes about from this to - something like this from happening again _ something like this from happening again so _ something like this from happening again. so satisfaction _ something like this from happening again. so satisfaction from - something like this from happening again. so satisfaction from the i again. so satisfaction from the families— again. so satisfaction from the families involved. _ again. so satisfaction from the families involved. you- again. so satisfaction from the families involved.— again. so satisfaction from the families involved. ., , , families involved. you must remember there is a lot — families involved. you must remember there is a lotto — families involved. you must remember there is a lot to digest _ families involved. you must remember there is a lot to digest here _ families involved. you must remember there is a lot to digest here but - there is a lot to digest here but this is the first report and there are still to further stages to go in this inquiry. i are still to further stages to go in this inquiry-— this inquiry. i mean this is been auoin on this inquiry. i mean this is been going on for— this inquiry. i mean this is been going on for many _ this inquiry. i mean this is been going on for many months i this inquiry. i mean this is been

going on for many months and| this inquiry. i mean this is been| going on for many months and it this inquiry. i mean this is been i going on for many months and it will going on for many months and it will go on for many months more yet. so they will be looking at the emergency response from the services that not most of that with the next date and that may come out later this year or early next year, and there will be a further look at what was none of the security and things beforehand. intelligence and that kind of thing. so there are more stages in this nothing people thought that perhaps the end of this report, there will be one big volume of findings but it's not. it's going to come in stages so we will be standing here again in future months talking about the next stage of this inquiry, which is very thorough comes was talking to for witnesses to try and get to the truth of exactly what happened that night. danny, many thanks. a little earlier we spoke tojohn cooper qc, who represents some of the bereaved families. in many respects, some of the

protect regime has been a clear way forward and the chairman made some remarks about that this morning. and there are some clear responsibilities particularly on big venues to make sure their security arrangements are properly orchestrated and that if they are not, there will be severe thank his brother for not doing so. but there are a lot of occasions here throughout the life of this tragedy where things that should have been done were not done. in one of the important things sticking to the future is that those private enterprises responsible particularly for big corporate enterprises actually do theirjob and make sure to a degree of diligence required that people that attend these big venues expect to be kept safe and simply have an enjoyable night out watching their favourite artists are safe. the reality here is that as a result of this tragedy, clearly young people and adults who are just simply turning up to pick them up were not safe. and that is because

of catastrophic failings. these are not tinkering set the ages if i may put it that way. these are catastrophic failures which need to be addressed and as the chair said, this inquiry will run at least until the end of this year and the chair has said in his report in the interests of accountability and transparency, his words, accountability and transparency, he will be monitoring what it emendations are taken up and if they are not, he has indicated in his report that he will want to know why. report that he will want to know wh . ., report that he will want to know wh . . . , report that he will want to know wh . . ., , ., , report that he will want to know wh. . ., report that he will want to know why. that was the lawyerjohn cooper who is representing _ why. that was the lawyerjohn cooper who is representing the _ why. that was the lawyerjohn cooper who is representing the bereaved i who is representing the bereaved families. responding to the inquiry report, the arena's operators, smg, have released a statement. it reads...

it goes on to say... a statement from british transport police chief constable lucy d'orsi said...

here's our north of england correspondentjudith moritz with the background to the case. i don't know how close i was to death on the night. maybe it's good that i've got no memories of it. 0k... paul price was at manchester arena when the bomb went off. and keep pushing. push, push for us. he just survived. but it's notjust his own injuries that paul has had to cope with.

it's also overwhelming grief. his partner, elaine mciver, did not survive, one of 22 people murdered that night. she was the love of my life. i was the love of her life. elaine was a police officer, and her dedication to herjob as a detective constable has given paul a very personal take on the police's actions before the bombing. in particular, he's been upset to discover that, against instructions, there was no police officer in the foyer when the concert ended and the bomb exploded. four british transport police officers were standing together at victoria station next door. the inquiry as a whole, it's been hard. i didn't want to be let down by btp, but i was, and i think that hurt more than anything. because elaine was a police officer. and again, after the explosion, you know, there was heroics and they stepped up,

but the failings before the explosion was unforgivable as far as i'm concerned. the btp officers on duty that night have since been commended for their heroism after the explosion. the force has also accepted the attack happened on its watch and it let the public down. but what about the private companies responsible for security at the arena? this is the journey that the bomber, salman abedi, took into the foyer, and up these stairs, to a carefully researched hiding place, out of sight for nearly one hour, in a cctv blind spot. two teenage stewards became aware of abedi after a member of the public raised concerns, but they didn't challenge him. both were employed by showsec, who did security for the arena operators, smg. i will never forget —

when ijoined, one of the senior managers in showsec, he said to me, "john, don't expect too much from these people, because if they weren't here, they would be flipping burgers." some very young... some very young, inexperienced, never seen angry people in their lives, difficult, difficultjob for them. the inquiry�*s heard that stewards, largely casual workers, received unpaid training which they could click through in seconds on their mobile phones. smg has accepted some shortcomings, but denies blaming others or putting profit over safety. showsec has also admitted falling short, but said its errors had not contributed to the bombing. going to court daily at the moment, trying my best anyway. figen murray has been keeping a video diary during the inquiry. if you can't have a glass of prosecco on your way to the tube station, when can you? her son, martyn hett, was murdered at the arena. his loss has totally changed figen's life. what do you think martyn

would make of all this? he would find it very amusing that his 60—year—old mother is an activist. he would, really. figen is pushing for martyn's law, a new duty on venues to put counterterrorism measures in place. at any big venue, you have to provide so many toilets. there's laws on how hot the food has to be in the canteen. yet there is no law on security, it's just a recommendation, and thatjust cannot be right. later this year, we'll find out exactly how each of the 22 victims died and if any could have been saved. four years after that night at manchester arena shattered so many lives, there is still a long road ahead. judith moritz, bbc news, manchester. and later on the bbc news channel, you can see a special programme about some of the key security failings that enabled salman abedi to carry out his attack.

the manchester arena inquiry: security in the spotlight is on at 8:30pm this evening and also on the bbc iplayer. the headlines on bbc news — the public inquiry into the manchester arena bombing has concluded there were serious shortcomings in security at the venue on the night of the attack. a man is found guilty of the murders of two women 21 years apart. the uk has seen its biggest daily rise in new covid—19 cases in nearly four months. over 11,000 rise in new covid—19 cases in nearly four months. 0ver11,000 new infections reported yesterday. paul givan of the democratic unionist party has been confirmed

as the new first minister of northern ireland despite a rebellion against his nomination from within the dup. he replaces arlene foster, who stood down on monday. michelle o'neill of sinn fein has resumed herjob as deputy first minister. senior dup members were unhappy about a decision by the party leader, edwin poots, to proceed with the nomination after a deal was struck with sinn fein to reassemble the stormont executive. 0ur correspondent danjohnson is at stormont now. is it right that edwin coots is facing some internal trouble already? facing some internal trouble alread ? , facing some internal trouble alread? , facing some internal trouble alread ? , , already? he could be. there has been some internal— already? he could be. there has been some internal upset _ already? he could be. there has been some internal upset in _ already? he could be. there has been some internal upset in the _ already? he could be. there has been some internal upset in the dup i already? he could be. there has been some internal upset in the dup as i some internal upset in the dup as there has been some upset about the way they got paul givan put in his first minister. sinn fein were blocking the nomination of paul givan initially because they were not happy about assurances that have been given about protection and promotion of the irish language here in northern ireland. late last night, there was a deal hammered out

with the northern ireland secretary which basically enabled the uk government to promise that if there is no progress here in northern ireland on that irish language issue by october, the uk government will legislate for it at westminster. that brought sinn f in on side to support paul givan in the office of first minister, but the rest of the dup we understand, the majority of the politicians in that party, opposed that sort of deal that their leader edwin poots had done. so edwin poots has got his man paul givan nominated and confirmed in the office of first minister, but at what cost to his leadership was meant there is a meeting of party members and officials coming on at the minute where there is talk about a potentially a vote of no—confidence in his leadership. in terms of devolve government, they have actually been able to crack on and start making some decisions here today. the first priority was addressing the easing of lock demonstrations here in northern ireland and the executive has made the decision to delay that by a

couple more weeks. so to some extent, things are back on the road and decisions are being made but the cost to edwin poots in terms of confidence in his leadership could be quite substantial. there is a serious rebellion by members of the dup and by other unionists who were not happy but the deal that was done late last night. this not happy but the deal that was done late last night-— late last night. this is an extraordinary _ late last night. this is an extraordinary situation i late last night. this is an i extraordinary situation because edwin poots is only being leader of the party for a few weeks and it's the party for a few weeks and it's the unusual situation as well of the first minister not being the leader of the party. first minister not being the leader of the party-— of the party. yes, so when edwin poots took _ of the party. yes, so when edwin poots took over _ of the party. yes, so when edwin poots took over three _ of the party. yes, so when edwin poots took over three weeks - of the party. yes, so when edwin poots took over three weeks ago | of the party. yes, so when edwin i poots took over three weeks ago as leader of the dup from arlene foster, he said he did not want to be first minister, he was going to appoint somebody else to thatjob and paul givan was his preferred candidate, a protege of his. he said in the chamber here today that paul givan was somebody who would come into his office as a young politics student eager to get involved and he sort of nurtured paul givan over many years while he is a member of the website of assembly here and accountable for that. so the website of assembly here and accountable for that. 50 paul givan was very much the preferred

candidate even of the democratic and his party has been bitterly divided since arlene foster was forced to withdraw. so edwin poots has been treading a difficult line. he first of all had to bring sinn f in on cited support paul givan in the office of first minister and managed to do that getting in confirmed today alongside michelle o'neill as deputy, but now he seems to have upset a huge number of senior members of his own party. and what they will now do in terms of confidence in the leader and his ability to make decisions in the next few weeks could be decided at the meeting that's going on across belfast right now. {lila the meeting that's going on across belfast right now.— belfast right now. 0k, dan, many thanks. belfast right now. 0k, dan, many thanrs- our— belfast right now. 0k, dan, many thanks. our correspondent - belfast right now. 0k, dan, many thanks. our correspondent dan i thanks. our correspondent dan johnson there at stormont for us. the covid epidemic in england grew in the two and a half weeks tojune the 7th, driven mainly by younger age groups who are not yet vaccinated, according to new data. researchers from imperial college london say the spread of the delta variant contributed to the rise. katharine da costa has more. every month, thousands of swab tests are sent out as part of the react study looking at prevalence

of covid across england. the latest analysis looks at the situation from the end of may to the first week ofjune, involving more than 100,000 volunteers. it found the virus is spreading rapidly, driven by the delta variant first detected in india. the study shows around one in 670 tested positive for the virus, and rates were highest among young people aged between 5—12, and 18—24, most of whom have not had the vaccine. but researchers say that there are promising signs of good protection in fully vaccinated older age groups. it's really important that if people are offered the opportunity to get a vaccine, that they have the first dose and then they have the second dose. and the protection is very high. so, the issue here is that we've got exponential growth being driven by the younger people, and it's really important to get those vaccines out to the younger adults, and that's the plan in the next four

weeks, is to do that. there are encouraging signs. in some areas with high infection rates, like here in blackburn, the spread of growth is starting to slow. do you have any serious medical conditions? a big push to vaccinate should help to further reduce the spread. the latest survey by the office for national statistics suggests people who do test positive after vaccination are less likely to have symptoms, and have less of the virus in their body. it's hoped that means a lower chance of passing it on. the hospitalisations, - although they are increasing at the moment, they're much lower than you would've expected - with the number of cases that we've seen, even from a few— months ago, and, if indeed this rate of increase in case numbers - continues to decline, - i think everything's looking pretty good, to be honest. delaying england's unlocking untiljuly 19th pushes us closer to the summer holidays.

it's hoped that will help turn the tide on infections, buying time to offer more first and second doses, and flatten this latest wave. katherine da costa, bbc news. the latest government figures on the coronavirus show that 11,007 were reported in the past 2a hours. that's the highest level for four months. a further 78 deaths were recorded, and more than 1300 people were admitted to hospital with covid. more than 195,000 people received their first vaccine in the past 2a hours, with over 234,000 people getting their second dose. that means more than 30.5 million people have now had both doses. and coming up in a few minutes, we'll be in taunton, where alice baxter has spent the day looking at how the local wedding industry has been impacted by the pandemic.

some news we have had justin, a statement by the mayor of greater manchester in response to that first report from the manchester arena bombing inquiry which was heavily critical of it security arrangements. he starts off talking about how this is initially difficult day for the families who have lost loved ones and those injured on that night in may 2017. and he goes on to say there are wider lessons for us all. it is sadly clear that the country was underprepared for an attack of this nature outside london and that security arrangements at large—scale events were insufficient. he goes on saying i am encouraged the chair has called for an overhaul of the law in relation to security of venues and this is an endorsement of the outstanding campaigning work of the mother of martin hatt, who was one of the victims. the government will have artful support in legislating for a protected duty which here in greater manchester will always be

known as martyn's law which will always remind us of each and every one of the 22 lives that were lost at night. the estimate from the mayor of greater manchester andy burnham. a man's been found guilty of the murders of two women 21 years apart. gary allen was convicted at sheffield crown court of murdering samantha class in hull in 1997 and elena grlakova in rotherham in 2018. jo makel has been following the case. well, gary allen is one of the most violent offenders that humberside police have ever had to deal with, and they have never let go of their conviction that he was guilty of the murder of samantha class. but this is a case which has had several twists and turns along the way, and it is a very interesting case because of the double jeopardy. he was acquitted of samantha's murder in 2000 and retried based on new and compelling evidence. and it's the first time that that

evidence has largely been based on a key confession he made to an undercover officer. the confession of a killer. gary allen telling an undercover officer he had killed samantha class. 2a years ago, he strangled and beat her and put her in the humber, hoping she'd never be found. i just want to really thank the family, samantha's children, that have been really strong and dignified throughout this 24—year ordeal. gary allen is a very dangerous man. he poses a significant risk to females. he has had violent outbursts all his life. he has a deep—seated

hate for sex workers. he does pose a risk to the public, and he should spend the rest of his life in prison. a 25—year—old local man was arrested in hull yesterday morning and is being questioned here at hessel police station. humberside police first caught gary allen in 1998, but detectives have faced several twists and turns through the legal system. in 2000, at this same court in sheffield, he stood trial for samantha's killing, but the jury gave a majority verdict of not guilty. a free man, he travelled to plymouth, but within weeks, he'd attacked two more sex workers. he was squeezing my throat. obviously, i was trying to fight him off. - then he got me in a headlock and dragged me back- and i fell on the floor. i he still carried on hitting me, i and i wasjust screaming, i was. jailed for ten years, gary allen told probation officers he thought sex workers were scum and the lowest of the low. and when he returned to our area after release, humberside police were so concerned,

it launched operation misty, to monitor him with undercover officers. their role was just to build that relationship with gary allen and set a scene where he may either confess or may give some information. that confession gave the police new hope. crucially, the law on double jeopardy had changed. new and compelling evidence meant a defendant could be prosecuted again for the same crime. but yorkshire's chief prosecutor says they only had one chance and there were doubts. it was thought that compelling was the likes of dna which was an absolute clear indicator of proof. the confession to an undercover police officer, which was done in a covert way, not with a caution and all of those usual safeguards,

was not compelling in and of itself. and the decision was taken that we wouldn't ask the court of appeal to set the acquittal aside. so, no retrial in 2012. and, tragically, gary allen went on to kill again. in 2018, he strangled elena grlakova in rotherham and left her body in a watery ditch. similar murders, the same suspect and the undercover confession — now all were enough to put gary allen back on trial. well, at sheffield crown court today, a jury found gary allen unanimously guilty of both murders. and after all of those twists and turns, this finally brings an end to 24—year wait forjustice for samantha class's family. but the police's interest in gary allen doesn't end there. the south yorkshire police force and the national crime agency are now looking at other unsolved attacks on women, looking at where gary allen was at the time

to see whether there are any other crimes that could be linked to this violent offender. now it's time for a look at the weather with helen willetts. good afternoon. the humid air remains across southern and eastern areas. that's the area most likely to see a few further sharp downpours, but for the majority, it's bright, there's some sunny spells around and it's a little fresher. just a few showers as well for the north and the west, but temperatures further south and east with more cloud around today won't be quite as high, but the humidity is, which means that the evening and the night will be uncomfortable. a close night once again for sleeping. further rumbles of thunder, further showers just migrating northwards with time across central and eastern areas, so there could be some quite lively downpours at times and an uncomfortable night. but for most again, with the humidity having diminished, it will be a nicer night for sleeping. and therefore a brighter day again tomorrow with some sunshine, but we are watching to developments to the south.

we could see some really quite heavy rain migrating northwards across the bulk of england, pushing towards the welsh borders. and although the temperatures are down on those of today, it'll still be muggy out and about. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. the public inquiry into the manchester arena bombing has concluded, there were serious shortcomings in security at the venue on the night of the attack. 22 people died in the attack including martyn hett, his mother has been campaigning for all public venues to have some level of counterterrorism measures in place. in other news, a man is found guilty of murdering two women 21 years apart. the uk has seen its biggest daily rise in new coronavirus cases in nearly four months, over11,000 coronavirus cases in nearly four months, over 11,000 new infections

were recorded yesterday. a bid to break a 36 year record of for the fastest railjourney between london and glasgow fails by 21 seconds. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. england and scotland are putting their final preparations together, ahead of tomorrow's euro 2020 group game — a huge match for both, england opened their tournament with a win. but for scotland the pressure is on, to stay in the tournament. john watson is at wembley for us with all the build up. john, how are the teams looking, and will scotland feel confident, knowing they really need a result. good afternoon from wembley. as a reason for optimism for scotland and their fans not least because steve clarke will be the disappointment of that defeat against the czech republic. but he felt that whilst the result was not there there were certain elements of the performance that were and he will hopefully look to build on that as they arrive here

for that crucial game here tomorrow. i guess the big? a wrong —— revolves around karen, and scotland and fans will be desperate if he's available for selection. a crucial element in that side and one of their genuine world—class players. for england as well i guess the big? centres around defence as well. harry maguire the social defender declares himself fit this week. he has not played since may nine but gareth southgate seem they should be able to call upon him tomorrow if required and you would imagine that would see the mess out. whatever way you look at it it's a match which needs no introduction. such a fierce rivalry and passion play, it's going to be a very intriguing contest come tomorrow. aha, intriguing contest come tomorrow. a big day for the fans travelling to watch that match. dispatch has plenty history, doesn't it? it does

indeed. worth _ plenty history, doesn't it? it does indeed. worth pointing _ plenty history, doesn't it? it does indeed. worth pointing out - plenty history, doesn't it? it does indeed. worth pointing out that i plenty history, doesn't it? it does i indeed. worth pointing out that the last time the two teams played here was back in 1999, and it was scotland who came away with a victory on that day. they one 1—0. there have been to rub the case of the similar this time around. the last time they faced each other was in a world cup european qualifier backin in a world cup european qualifier back in 2017 and scotland came so close to achieving what would be another memorable victory that day were it not for harry kane's late goal. eitherway were it not for harry kane's late goal. either way you look at the fans arriving en masse, scotland fans arriving en masse, scotland fans travelling down or you've seen them arriving in london today. we expect them in the thousands, but worth pointing out there's no fan park in the city for them to watch the match cua to see of course where there will gather, we imagine pubs across london but certainly there will be some 3000 scotland fans here and alums of the england support it's going to be for a very special atmosphere. it's going to be for a very special

atmosphere-_ it's going to be for a very special atmosphere. thank you very much indeed for that. _ denmark are back in action, in copenhagen five days after star player christian eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch, in their opening game against finland. and what a start they had against belgium. yussuf poulsen scoring after two mins, capitalising on some poor defending by the world number one ranked side. these pictures here are from denmark. fans outside the copenhagen ground there and they're paying tribute after the tenth minute there after the game was stopped by the players to show support for erickson. he will be fitted with a heart starting device after his collapse. andy murray has been knocked out in the second round of the queens club tournament in straight sets, by matteo berrettini. the italian, who's the number

one seed at queens, took advantage of unforced errors from murray, breaking his serve twice to win the first set. and berrettini used his big serve to good effect in the second, murray looked a little short of match practice at the top level as the italian won 6—3 6—3 and will face another brit — dan evans next. that's all the sport for now. four—years—ago, owen carey was celebrating his 18th birthday at a byron burger restaurant — at the o2 arena, when he suffered a fatal allergic reaction. since then, his family have been campaigning for a law in his name, which would see restaurants having to clearly display allergens on menus. today, they've been meeting with the ceo of bryon. owen's dad, pauljoins us now. i see you have got a picture of on there next to you. very tragic story and we are very sorry for your loss.

very important to point out that owen had a conversation with the waiter that he, who was serving him, about the fact that he had allergy. and yet was given this meal. yes indeed. owen _ and yet was given this meal. yes indeed. owen is _ and yet was given this meal. yes indeed. owen is well aware and yet was given this meal. i2; indeed. owen is well aware of his allergies and on the day he was with his elder brother and his brother—in—law and everyone make sure that the waiter was told that he had allergy specifically dairy, somehow things went wrong and the waiter did not react to that perhaps we don't know because they were unable to track him or her down. the menu did not state that the grilled chicken was marinated in buttermilk. he had some, he reacted and had an anaphylactic reaction and a few hours later he died. therefore we want owen's law. to make it mandatory for all restaurants to state allergens on the face of the

menu, that's really important thing. and we also want there to be a compulsory requirement for the waiter to ask the customer but do you have allergies? it's double prompted approach which we think is a gap in the regulations. the good news is this afternoon we met with. .. news is this afternoon we met with... i news is this afternoon we met with... ., , , news is this afternoon we met with... ., , ., news is this afternoon we met with... , ., ., ., with... i was 'ust about to ask you how did it — with... i wasjust about to ask you how did it go? _ with... i wasjust about to ask you how did it go? very _ with... i wasjust about to ask you how did it go? very good. - with... i wasjust about to ask you how did it go? very good. he - with... i wasjust about to ask you how did it go? very good. he has| how did it go? very good. he has aareed to how did it go? very good. he has agreed to support _ how did it go? very good. he has agreed to support the _ how did it go? very good. he has agreed to support the law, - how did it go? very good. he has agreed to support the law, he - agreed to support the law, he excepts the need for and he would like to see some enhancement to it. which make it even safer for consumers. we have to persuade the food standards agency to enact changes to the food information regulations from 2014, but he clearly regulation five that needs to be changed.. you clearly regulation five that needs to be changed. ._ clearly regulation five that needs to be changed.. you want this to be ado ted

to be changed.. you want this to be adopted across _ to be changed.. you want this to be adopted across the _ to be changed.. you want this to be adopted across the sector? - to be changed.. you want this to be adopted across the sector? we - to be changed.. you want this to be | adopted across the sector? we want the law to be _ adopted across the sector? we want the law to be changed _ adopted across the sector? we want the law to be changed and _ adopted across the sector? we want the law to be changed and laws - the law to be changed and laws always take time to be changed. in the meantime together with byron and another example is witherspoons whom they already do this so witherspoons do already and we don't want other leading brands to adopt the law in advance of it becoming a law that would be fantastic outcome for us all. and would save lives for sure. this will bring to mind for people natasha's law, and it's worth pointing out that natosha who several a fatal reaction from a product, the law has been changed in orderfor prepacked product, the law has been changed in order for prepacked goods and take away goods to be labelled, but the difference here is that you want these details to be put onto printed menus in seeded areas. yes indeed. how that is — menus in seeded areas. yes indeed. how that is done _ menus in seeded areas. yes indeed. how that is done is _ menus in seeded areas. yes indeed. how that is done is for _ menus in seeded areas. yes indeed. how that is done is for discussion, i how that is done is for discussion, it can be in the form of words, the actual allergens there are 14 of

them prescribed by law, create a of symbols or numbers, it beyond the menu which is either on a chalkboard commit can be a two piece of paper oran commit can be a two piece of paper or an app, it could be a notebook of some sort. it has got to be in writing at the point of ordering on the menu where the prices are obviously included. and other descriptions of what is on offer and thatis descriptions of what is on offer and that is where we want those allergens to be stated because that is where people make their decisions about what they are going to eat, and the case in this situation was that it was not there, he was falsely reassured that the chicken was safe to eat, it wasn't and he died. and that's what we want to stop happening again.— died. and that's what we want to stop happening again. thank you very much, we stop happening again. thank you very much. we are — stop happening again. thank you very much, we are obliged _ stop happening again. thank you very much, we are obliged to _ stop happening again. thank you very much, we are obliged to you - stop happening again. thank you very much, we are obliged to you for- much, we are obliged to you for sharing all of that with us. thank you.

a new lawsuit accuses the company behind one of the world's most popular pornography websites of running a criminal enterprise. pornhub markets itself as a mainstream site for adult content, attracting 130 million users a day world wide. that's reportedly more than the daily global reach of netflix or amazon. lawyers for more than 30 women have told our us partner broadcaster, cbs news, that they are now suing pornhub�*s parent company mindgeek. they accuse it of exploiting them for profit and hosting and promoting graphic videos of rape, and indecent images of children, in an effort to drive up revenue. one of the women involved in the lawsuit, has been speaking to cps. i will never, ever be able to recover the emotional pain that this has caused me. the emotional pain that this has caused me— the emotional pain that this has caused me. , , caused me. her ex-husband faces criminal charges _ caused me. her ex-husband faces criminal charges for _ caused me. her ex-husband faces criminal charges for secretly - criminal charges for secretly recording a video of them having sex and posting it to pornhub without her consent. and posting it to pornhub without her consent-— her consent. everybody had seen everything _ her consent. everybody had seen everything about _ her consent. everybody had seen everything about me. _ her consent. everybody had seen everything about me. and - her consent. everybody had seen everything about me. and that'sl her consent. everybody had seen - everything about me. and that'sjust everything about me. and that's just a very private moment. and it's a

very vulnerable moment. and it's just, it's hard to come to terms with that the world has seen that. yet people continue to see it even after aubrey contacted pornhub to remove the video. a complete representative challenged her asking how do you know this is you could give told him that it's me and i met this is up there, and that i recognise myself and recognise my bed. it is me and the need to take it down immediately. and did they? know. , , , it down immediately. and did they? know. , ,, it down immediately. and did they? know. ,, , know. the process took days but even after pornhub — know. the process took days but even after pornhub took _ know. the process took days but even after pornhub took on _ know. the process took days but even after pornhub took on the _ know. the process took days but even after pornhub took on the video - know. the process took days but even after pornhub took on the video she i after pornhub took on the video she says copies popped up on other pawn sites. i says copies popped up on other pawn sites. ., , sites. i would find it reuploaded with a different _ sites. i would find it reuploaded with a different name. - sites. i would find it reuploaded with a different name. by - sites. i would find it reuploaded with a different name. by other| with a different name. by other --eole? with a different name. by other people? it _ with a different name. by other people? it would _ with a different name. by other people? it would constantly - with a different name. by other - people? it would constantly sharpen these websites. _ people? it would constantly sharpen these websites. if— people? it would constantly sharpen these websites. if you _ people? it would constantly sharpen these websites. if you could - people? it would constantly sharpenj these websites. if you could address these websites. if you could address the ceo or executives _

these websites. if you could address the ceo or executives at _ these websites. if you could address the ceo or executives at pornhub i these websites. if you could address| the ceo or executives at pornhub and tell them what this experience is like from this side, what would you tell them? ., ., , .. tell them? how would they like it if it was someone _ tell them? how would they like it if it was someone they _ tell them? how would they like it if it was someone they loved? - tell them? how would they like it if it was someone they loved? their l it was someone they loved? their child, their sister. they have got to take steps to prevent this from ever happening to anybody ever again. mindgeek announced changes last december mindgeek announced changes last december — removing millions of unverified videos, banning downloads and adding an id requirement for people posting videos. these were changes company executives addressed earlier this year in a government hearing in canada. sexual material and child abuse material has no place on our platform. it material has no place on our platform-— material has no place on our latform. ., , platform. it makes us lose money. it is ruins the — platform. it makes us lose money. it is ruins the brand _ platform. it makes us lose money. it is ruins the brand we _ platform. it makes us lose money. it is ruins the brand we have _ platform. it makes us lose money. it is ruins the brand we have been - is ruins the brand we have been trying _ is ruins the brand we have been trying to— is ruins the brand we have been trying to build for over a decade. let's speak now to the lawyer for the group of women taking action against mindgeek — michael bowe. good afternoon geo. i understand you

have filed this case in the last few hours and representing 34 women against pornhub in california. is there a reason for this being filed in california?— there a reason for this being filed in california? . .. , in california? some technical inside leual in california? some technical inside legal baseball _ in california? some technical inside legal baseball there, _ in california? some technical inside legal baseball there, but _ in california? some technical inside | legal baseball there, but mindgeek, the bulk of its revenue in the united states is in california. and a number of the plaintiffs victims are in california. 50 a number of the plaintiffs victims are in california.— a number of the plaintiffs victims are in california. so we have heard from one of— are in california. so we have heard from one of the _ are in california. so we have heard from one of the victim _ are in california. so we have heard from one of the victim who - are in california. so we have heard from one of the victim who came l from one of the victim who came forward they are speaking to cps. the central allegation here that you are making is that the business model is to include legal content in order to increase traffic and people coming to the site and then thereby increase revenue. what further evidence to have to substantiate that? ~ ., evidence to have to substantiate that? . ., ., ~ evidence to have to substantiate that? ~ ., ., ~ ., that? we have talked to, well there is common — that? we have talked to, well there

is common sense _ that? we have talked to, well there is common sense and _ that? we have talked to, well there is common sense and then - that? we have talked to, well there is common sense and then there's i that? we have talked to, well there| is common sense and then there's if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck and you see what they are doing for ten years, and they take, this is not something thatjust slips by. this is a company whose, who described himself as a search engine optimisation company. they know that their job is to engine optimisation company. they know that theirjob is to know what's on that site, and this stuff was ubiquitous on that site, and so if it is on your site and you know it's on your site and you have the power not to put it on your site but it's there, it would number one would fairly conclude that it's because you want it there. and then of course at the complaint makes clear we've been investigating this for a year and we have talked to many witnesses from whistle—blowers and otherwise and that there is uniformity here, and it's not exotic. a standard internet revenue model. the problem here is that expands into content and stuff that

is illegal. expands into content and stuff that is illeaal. ., ., is illegal. you mentioned whistle-blowers, - is illegal. you mentioned whistle-blowers, how i is illegal. you mentioned. whistle-blowers, how part is illegal. you mentioned i whistle-blowers, how part it is illegal. you mentioned - whistle-blowers, how part it was whistle—blowers, how part it was that in you putting your case together?— together? witnesses and whistle-blowers - together? witnesses and whistle-blowers are - together? witnesses and l whistle-blowers are always whistle—blowers are always important. our complaint is about 180 pages long, it's externally detailed and in the states as release of the you would not have that type of evidence until we were well into a case and into discovery, it's one of our specialties to do that before we file the case, and a critical element of that is to find people who know and who will talk to you. people who know and who will talk to ou. �* ,, , ., ., people who know and who will talk to ou. m, ., , ., people who know and who will talk to ou. �* ,, ., , ., ., you. cbs sought a statement from mindueek you. cbs sought a statement from mindgeek and _ you. cbs sought a statement from mindgeek and they _ you. cbs sought a statement from mindgeek and they said _ you. cbs sought a statement from mindgeek and they said any - mindgeek and they said any suggestion the company tolerates illegal content is patently false, but you are suggesting that in fact it has been tolerated. thea;r but you are suggesting that in fact it has been tolerated.— it has been tolerated. they have been saying _ it has been tolerated. they have

been saying that _ it has been tolerated. they have been saying that forever, - it has been tolerated. they have been saying that forever, and i been saying that forever, and they've been saying it vehemently for the last year and a half, and yet when the new york times took a peek at the website the new york times found that illegal nonconsensual content was all over the site and they did not spend much time to find out. as soon as that story came out visa and mastercard said they were going to do investigation and a few days later they discontinued the relationship with them because in the two or three day investigation they also found that the site was awash in this type of content. so over and over again dozens and hundreds of women and reports come out, investigators, business partners and anyone who looks at it finds that site was contaminated with this content. so you can either believe that evidence or you can believe them saying you don't see what you

see and hear. them saying you don't see what you see and hear-— see and hear. thank you very much for talkin: see and hear. thank you very much for talking to _ see and hear. thank you very much for talking to us. _ well in a statement to cbs, mindgeek said... but the centre says victims and survivors continue to 'express frustration' with mindgeek�*s record of removing abusive content. the company still doesn't confirm to cbs the consent of everyone who appears in videos posted to the site.

. good afternoon to you. so just tell us what sort of situation you find yourselves in. i tell us what sort of situation you find yourselves in.— tell us what sort of situation you find yourselves in. i think we are at a real 11th _ find yourselves in. i think we are at a real 11th hour— find yourselves in. i think we are at a real 11th hour situation. - find yourselves in. i think we are l at a real11th hour situation. many at a real 11th hour situation. many of the companies that make up the edinburgh fringe, which is not a publicly funded festival, everyone that comes there comes of their own risk, and many of the companies and venues have not been able to trade since august 2019. they could put on a viable option this year if the distancing was reduced to one metre, but at two metres it's just not viable and not possible to sell tickets and make money, or even break even in that space. so we urgently are asking scottish government to reconsider the two metre distancing. we government to reconsider the two metre distancing.— metre distancing. we should hear more information _ metre distancing. we should hear more information next _ metre distancing. we should hear more information next week. - metre distancing. we should hearl more information next week. what metre distancing. we should hear. more information next week. what is the last date at which you can

feasibly go ahead because of that we can certainly go ahead with a digitalfringe plan. we've got a number of activities planned and two metres distancing outdoors. it's the venues and companies, and what's really at risk and it's a triple whammy because they cannot trade this year. they are not eligible for the cultural recovery funds, and there no long—term strategy for how we get ourselves out of this. we got a few days to make the decisions. i think we are almost passed that point already. but next week the social distancing review is happening, the first minister is do to make herjudgements on that, so this moment is critical for us. to make herjudgements on that, so

this moment is criticalfor us. you this moment is critical for us. you can see of — this moment is critical for us. you can see of course _ this moment is critical for us. you can see of course that _ this moment is critical for us. you can see of course that the government has to balance the desires and wishes of business and theatre with the need to reopen safely. i mean i would not be a politician right now. we are not asking for any special treatment, this is the real point. we are asking to be treated the same as the hospitality sector we see the bars and restaurants can be you can go to and restaurants can be you can go to a theatre and have to sit to metre distance and then at the interval go into the foyer and have a drink and a bar at one metre distance. we have not been given an explanation of why the performing arts sector has been treated differently. thank you very much, the ceo of the edinburgh festival fringe society. an attempt to break the 36—year—old record for the fastest rail journey between london and glasgow has failed. avanti west coast's royal scot train

arrived at glasgow centraljust 21 seconds behind the record of three hours, 52 minutes and 40 seconds set in december 1984. tim dunn is a historian and broadcaster — he was on the train. they were so close, yet so far. it's disappointing of course but you know today was about showing that we were trying to be a record from many years ago but a lot of people come together and he helped get the train through and upgrade the west coast main line and raise money to charities for children and the development fund and it's also here to show the railways are still here and there open for business and can transport people between the two countries and at great speed and comforts. it was loads of fun either way. now, more evidence that dogs can indeed be man's best friend. when the emergency services were called to a vulnerable woman who was on bridge over a motorway this week in devon — it was digby, a three

year old labradoodle, who prevented tragedy. digby was originally hired to help relieve anxiety among firefighters, but he showed he was also adept at diffusing distress. fiona lamdin has the story. well, meet digby, he is a three—year—old labradoodle. he is the first fire and rescue therapy dog used in the uk. and this week, on tuesday, he was part of a team who helped save a young woman for life. well, let's come over to his handler. matt, just tell me, what happened on tuesday? ok, so there was a multi—agency response to a situation where an individual was in a really vulnerable position physically and emotionally. and despite the best efforts of police negotiators and the response with lots of specialist capability and skills and assets, such as hydraulic platforms and specialist rescue road teams,

the individual wasn't willing to engage or allow any of those assets or resources to come close to where they were located. so it took some creative thinking by the services that were there, and someone came up with the idea that perhaps digby could come along and engage with the individual and perhaps help resolve the situation. so, received a call, we came along and the police negotiators were able to introduce digby to the individual. they responded really positively and then, through conversation, were willing to get to a place of safety. and it saved her life. so digby knew no different. he's just a fluffy dog. he loves life, he loves people and he was only too willing just to go over and say hello to someone else. well, you can see how calm he is, how obedient he is. and on that note, back to you. lovely creature. now it's time for a look at the weather with helen willetts. good afternoon.

very little changes in the weather where you are, i think throughout the rest of the day because it's a slow—moving weather situation. yes, those showers will affect different areas, but there's sunshine as well towards the north and west. it's a much fresher day across western parts of england and wales, but we still have the humid air and the chance of some downpours across central and eastern areas. a little bit of sunshine's coming through, but generally temperatures aren't as high because we've got more cloud around. still, it'sjust as muggy, though, with high levels of pollen. in fact, very high levels of pollen for some now that we're into grass season as well, very uncomfortable. now, as we go through this evening and overnight, we've still got those thundery downpours that we're being warned of. could be some quite torrential downpours as we've seen already, and there's the potential for further pulses to come up or to drift northwards across central and eastern areas through the night. so, it's here that it'll be uncomfortably close for sleeping again, but most will notice a much fresher night and a more comfortable night for sleeping. temperatures falling into low single figures for parts of scotland and northern ireland, and again here, plenty of sunshine for the day on friday and starting in north—western areas.

but look at this curl of potoentially thundery rain we think which is going to drift its way northwards and westwards. so, with more cloud around again, thicker cloud in the rain, although temperatures will be down, it'll still feel pretty muggy if you're out and about across central and eastern areas. pollen levels may not be quite so high because of that rain, but where we do have the sunshine further north, still high to very high in some places. chances are we could see some for the football tomorrow evening at wembley. and through the night as well, we continue to see that rain pulsing its way northwards and westwards and eventually clearing out of the way. so, one or two showers, though, will follow into saturday, potentially in northern and western areas, but after quite a grey, dampish start, it looks promising, or the more promising day of the weekend for drier weather. by this stage, it's a little bit fresher, but we'll still have some mugginess hanging on across england and wales. with those pulses of rain, we're still dragging up that humid air still. into saturday night as well, another pulse of potentially wet weather works its way northwards, so it looks like the wetter day of the weekend, sunday.

and even following that, because it's still warm air, we could have some thundery downpours as well. but, as i say, the devil's in the details as we go into this weekend but it is looking more unsettled. eventually we will lose the humidity, temperatures will be down to more normal levels for the time of year. for this time of year.

today at six. the manchester arena attack — an official report highlights missed opportunities to prevent deaths. 22 people were killed — the report says fewer people would have died were it not for security failures. everybody concerned with security at the arena should have been doing theirjob in the knowledge that a terrorist attack might occur on that night... they weren't. the bomber, salman abedi, should have been identified as a threat — the report blames british transport police, the operators of the arena and a security firm. the bomber, salman abedi, should have been identified as a threat — today, our heartbreak turns to anger. this enquiry has rightly found that we were failed on every level.