the early indications that we have of this variant is that it may be more transmissible than the delta variant, the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective against it. a new diplomatic row with france, which has cancelled talks with the uk this weekend — the french object to a letter from borisjohnson urging them to take back migrants who cross the channel. i'm ben boulos live in dover. that escalation of the political crisis comes after the deaths of 27 people who were trying to cross the channel on wednesday. i'll have all the latest. four teenage boys are arrested on suspicion of murder after a 12—year—old girl was stabbed to death in liverpool. mps will vote on plans that will see better support for people in england with down�*s syndrome in what could become the first law of its kind in the world. and coming up this hour...

# we are family...# the multi—award winning music producer, nile rodgers, auctions some of his favourite guitars for charity. good morning. urgent travel restrictions are being rushed in for south africa and five neighbouring countries because of concerns about a new strain of coronavirus which scientists fear could be more infectious and better able to evade vaccines. the measures were announced last night even though the variant�*s potential danger is still not fully understood, and only a few dozen cases involving it have been confirmed.

all flights from south africa, namibia, zimbabwe, botswana, lesotho and eswatini are being suspended from midday, and from sunday, travellers arriving in england from those countries will have to quarantine. cases have been identified in south africa, hong kong, botswana so far. but no cases have been confirmed in the uk. the health secretary, sajid javid, said the variant has a significant number of mutations, which means it could be more transmissible, and that current vaccines could be less effective. scientists say the new variant is the "most complex that we've seen" and "the most worrying". our medical editor, fergus walsh, has this assessment of the new variant. the speed at which new and stringent travel restrictions have been imposed show just how seriously this variant is being taken. between 500 and 700 travellers arrive in the uk

from south africa every day. that's where most of the cases have so far been identified and where it appears the variant may be driving a new wave of infection. it may be more transmissible than the delta variant. and the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective against it. now, to be clear, we have not detected any of this new variant in the uk at this point in time, but we've always been clear that we will take action to protect the progress that we have made. the new variant was formally identified only three days ago. genetic analysis shows it has twice the number of mutations as delta, the dominant variant worldwide, including around 30 changes to the spike protein which the virus uses to break into human cells. this makes it dramatically different from the original wuhan strain, on which all current vaccines are based.

but crucially, there is no evidence yet the variant causes more severe disease or that it makes vaccines less effective. it will take two to three weeks before laboratory tests can show whether this is another defining moment in the pandemic, or a false alarm. fergus walsh, bbc news. the transport secretary grant shapps explained why the government implimented the new travel restrictions so quickly bearin bear in mind, variants are reported every single day, that's not unusual but what is interesting about this one, the chief medical officers met yesterday and agreed it is the most significant variant they have encountered and have a lot of concern about the potential for it to escape the vaccine. that's the thing they were concerned about, they came straight to us yesterday, an emergency meeting was held, and we took action immediately to stop those direct flights and british

people coming back, people with citizen or residential rights here. we can cross to our africa correspondent, andrew harding injohannesburg. andrew, what more do we know about this new variant? scientists are pretty worried about it? ,. , , ., ., scientists are pretty worried about it? ,. , , a, ., , it? the scientists are worried. they are particularly _ it? the scientists are worried. they are particularly concerned - it? the scientists are worried. they are particularly concerned about. it? the scientists are worried. they| are particularly concerned about the one thing that they have so far been able to establish which they say is that this is a far more significantly transmissible variant than previous ones so they are basing that on the speed with which the variant has quickly become dominant in south africa, even on relatively low numbers at the moment. we are not really into the fourth wave that is anticipated here. but it has already overwhelmed all the other variants at a speed which looks significantly faster than previous delta, for instance or

the beta variant, the pace with which they took over in south africa so they say that is of concern but they are busy in the laboratory down near durban right now trying to work out the implications of these multiple concerning mutations and whether or not, as you said earlier, and as fergus said, whether or not they will allow this new variant to somehow escape the defence mechanisms that we have in our bodies either from mechanisms that we have in our bodies eitherfrom prior mechanisms that we have in our bodies either from prior infections orfrom vaccinations. but bodies either from prior infections or from vaccinations.— or from vaccinations. but having said that, _ or from vaccinations. but having said that, the — or from vaccinations. but having said that, the authorities, - or from vaccinations. but having i said that, the authorities, despite that concern from the scientists, the authorities in south africa are not happy with these new british government travel restrictions that have been announced? the? government travel restrictions that have been announced?— government travel restrictions that have been announced? they are not ha- have been announced? they are not ha - at have been announced? they are not happy at all- — have been announced? they are not happy at all- the — have been announced? they are not happy at all. the foreign _ happy at all. the foreign minister gave a statement overnight in which she said that this was rushed, premature and she was going to urge the british government to reconsider

this ban. she pointed out the world health organization had not yet established or made a decision on whether or not this was a variant of concern. and there is a deep frustration on two fronts, the first is the pure economic damage this will cause south africa at a time when particularly the tourist industry here was counting on a big influx over the big summer holidays here in the southern hemisphere. the other concern is the feeling here that south africa, because it has such good quality genomic scientists and experts, monitoring these variants, and because it's so quick to share that with the world, it's being punished for a variant that may have nothing to do with south africa is the origin, it may already have spread far beyond that but south africa, because of its scientific successes, it feels here as if it's being singled out and unfairly punished.— as if it's being singled out and unfairly punished. andrew, thank ou. dr susan hopkins, the chief

medical advisor at the uk health security agency and shejoins me now. thank you for joining us. tell us what it is about this variant that is so worrying. the main thing is that we know about the variant so far are the amount of mutations it has, it's got mutations that confer increased transmissibility, infectiousness and tra nsmissibility, infectiousness and our transmissibility, infectiousness and our predicted to evade the immune system from either prior infection orfrom system from either prior infection or from vaccine response. system from either prior infection orfrom vaccine response. clearly, all of that needs further study. we do not know whether prior infection and prior vaccination will protect from hospitalisation, we don't yet know whether the increased cases they are seeing in south africa will stabilise over time. but it is highly concerning, the rapid rate of increase in cases associated with this variant, both at the centre

part of where it was first discovered but also in other provinces in south africa. let's be clear, provinces in south africa. let's be clear. there _ provinces in south africa. let's be clear, there are _ provinces in south africa. let's be clear, there are mutations - provinces in south africa. let's be clear, there are mutations and . clear, there are mutations and variants of the time but this stands out, this is a little bit different? yes, it stands out, it's got 30 distinct mutations which is almost double what is on delta. some mutations are predicted from lab experiments over the last year—and—a—half to be highly difficult to respond to the vaccines that we have right now. some of them have never been seen in a combination like this before and many of them we have seen in various variants of concern so far but it's a complexity of the mutations that we are seeing today and the effect that it may have on both the immune response and transmissibility that a reviewed concern. we response and transmissibility that a reviewed concern.— response and transmissibility that a reviewed concern. we 'ust don't know really whether. h reviewed concern. we 'ust don't know really whether. i— reviewed concern. we just don't know really whether, i mean, _ reviewed concern. we just don't know really whether, i mean, it _ reviewed concern. we just don't know really whether, i mean, it seems - reviewed concern. we just don't know really whether, i mean, it seems to i really whether, i mean, it seems to be more transmissible but we don't know whether it's more dangerous in terms of causing serious illness or

death? ., ., ., , terms of causing serious illness or death? ., ., , ~ ., ., death? no, and as people know at this point. — death? no, and as people know at this point. by _ death? no, and as people know at this point. by the _ death? no, and as people know at this point, by the time _ death? no, and as people know at this point, by the time we - death? no, and as people know at this point, by the time we know i this point, by the time we know about hospitalisations and deaths, we are two to four weeks down the line, and we could delay the incursions of that virus into the country and i say delay because i think it's highly likely we will see spread if it's so transmissible, as we have seen in the previous alpha and delta waves. i think what we will advise people to do is take the best opportunity as soon as possible, boosting your immune response both in antibodies and in the t—cells that they provoke, is the t—cells that they provoke, is the best way of fighting this variant so far. if the best way of fighting this variant so far.— the best way of fighting this variant so far. ., ., ~ variant so far. if we need to tweak the various _ variant so far. if we need to tweak the various vaccines _ variant so far. if we need to tweak the various vaccines so _ variant so far. if we need to tweak the various vaccines so they - variant so far. if we need to tweak the various vaccines so they can . the various vaccines so they can combat this particular variant, how quickly can that be done? i combat this particular variant, how quickly can that be done?- quickly can that be done? i think the vaccine _ quickly can that be done? i think the vaccine manufacturers - quickly can that be done? i think the vaccine manufacturers are i the vaccine manufacturers are looking very closely at all of the variance and seeing how fast they can do it. the government as part of the g7 programme, have put out a 100

day challenge from the recognition of a new virus and variant to having something ready, that will be much faster than we have done previously. it is just over 300 days to have a vaccine started to be delivered to people's arms from the point of identifying the original wuhan strain. but it still will take time and in taking time, what we need to do is boost vaccine doses and slow the spread of this around the globe to allow us an opportunity to study it more. in to allow us an opportunity to study it more. , ., , , it more. in terms of studying the s - read, it more. in terms of studying the spread. we _ it more. in terms of studying the spread, we have _ it more. in terms of studying the spread, we have seen _ it more. in terms of studying the spread, we have seen the - it more. in terms of studying the - spread, we have seen the government suspending flights from six southern african countries, is that a sensible precaution? i suppose there is the chances variant is already here. i is the chances variant is already here. ., is the chances variant is already here. ~' u, ., _ is the chances variant is already here. ~' ., ., here. i think we cannot say for definite it _ here. i think we cannot say for definite it is _ here. i think we cannot say for definite it is not _ here. i think we cannot say for definite it is not here, - here. i think we cannot say for definite it is not here, we - here. i think we cannot say for definite it is not here, we do l here. i think we cannot say for l definite it is not here, we do not have evidence it is here yet, we have evidence it is here yet, we have not identified in any gene sequencing and we are sequencing and giving results on more than 30,000

cases every week, huge amount. but there is travel from south africa across the globe. there are many rising cases in south africa at the moment. so we will need to be very aware and look very carefully at all of the data coming through. fine aware and look very carefully at all of the data coming through. one of the concerns _ of the data coming through. one of the concerns is _ of the data coming through. one of the concerns is actually _ of the data coming through. one of the concerns is actually vaccination | the concerns is actually vaccination levels in africa are still pretty low, aren't they, relatively? how worried are you about that, and should be be doing more to help african countries get vaccinated? absolutely. the roll—out of vaccines in africa is extremely important. we know in south africa they have a highly immune population from previous waves and vaccination on top of that will no doubt boost their immune responses so increasing vaccination in south africa will definitely help mitigate. people watchin: definitely help mitigate. people watching this _ definitely help mitigate. people watching this will _ definitely help mitigate. people watching this will be _ definitely help mitigate. people | watching this will be concerned, perhaps even alarmed by news of this new variant. what should people do? is there anything they can do in terms of their behaviour? i is there anything they can do in terms of their behaviour? i think

the first thing — terms of their behaviour? i think the first thing is _ terms of their behaviour? i think the first thing is to _ terms of their behaviour? i think the first thing is to say _ terms of their behaviour? i think the first thing is to say the - terms of their behaviour? i think. the first thing is to say the people have behaved with amazing caution over the last year almost two years. this pandemic is not over. so as we are in the winter months, as we see high amounts of virus circulating, we recommend people continue to take caution, recommend that they do regular lateral flow tests so they detect the virus, get a test if they have symptoms. if they need to isolate, then do so effectively, if they are contact traced, do what they are contact traced, do what they are contact traced, do what they are asked to do and of course, take the booster dose is required. finally, measures such as hand hygiene, face coverings, and ventilation if you are in enclosed spaces are critical to prevent transmission and those are the things we recommend now for this variant as we would for any other. this was always predicted, that we might have variance that would kind of not us off course and particularly dangerous variance that would come along now and then so in

some ways, this is not unexpected. absolutely right. we are still learning to live with this virus, still learning about it and it is still learning about it and it is still mutating quite a lot. we have some time to go before it becomes part of our normal warfare that we deal with infectious diseases and viruses every year. i think the fact is that we need to expect that over the next few months, that we will see more variance. but our responses with the vaccine and with new antiviral drugs are also going to help us get life back to normal. very good to speak to you. doctor susan hopkins. and at 11.30, we'll be answering your questions on the new coronavirus variant, emerging in south africa. do send them in to us on twitter, using the hashtag bbc your questions, or by emailing yourquestions@bbc. co. uk. that's coming up just after 11.30.

a 12—year—old girl has been killed in a stabbing incident in liverpool city centre last night. officers were called at about half—past eight to reports of an assault on church street, where they found the girl collapsed on the ground. she was taken to alder hey children s hospital but died a short time later. four teenage boys from toxteth have been arrested on suspicion of murder. investigators have named the victim as ava white and say a home office postmortem will be carried out to establish the cause of her death. they believe ava and her friends were involved in an argument before the incident. officers say church street was very busy as the incident happened shortly after the christmas tree lights were switched on, and they are appealing for anyone who saw what happened to contact them. a 24—year—old man has been charged with murder in connection to the disappearance of 18—year—old

bobbi—anne mcleod. cody ackland from the southway area of plymouth, has been charged with murder. he's due to appear at plymouth magistrates court later today. last night, a candlelit vigil was held close to where the 18—year—old was last seen alive. the royal college of emergency medicine has warned of a "crisis" in patient care and safety this winter, as a&e departments struggle to cope. a survey by the college found ambulances were being forced to queue daily outside the majority of hospitals before they could unload patients. under nhs guidance, handovers should be completed within 15 minutes. the government says extra funding is being provided to boost staff numbers in key areas. the headlines on bbc news... flights from six countries in southern africa will be suspended after the discovery

of a new and potentially more dangerous variant of coronavirus. scientists are said to be deeply concerned because the new variant could evade immunity. four teenage boys are arrested on suspicion of murder after 12—year—old ava white was stabbed to death while with friends in liverpool. france's interior minister says he'll no longer meet the home secretary this weekend after borisjohnson made a number of demands on france to tackle the crisis of people crossing the channel in small boats. priti patel had been scheduled to attend a meeting on sunday in the aftermath of the drowning of 27 people on wednesday. the french interior ministry described as unacceptable a letter by mrjohnson outlining steps to prevent crossings.

my colleague ben boulos is following developments for us in dover. good morning to you. good morning. how different — good morning to you. good morning. how different the _ good morning to you. good morning. how different the situation _ good morning to you. good morning. how different the situation is - good morning to you. good morning. how different the situation is from i how different the situation is from just 2a hours ago, i was standing here this time yesterday, the talk was all about cooperation, working together. a unity of purpose in trying to deter people from making the perilous crossing and to deal with the problem of human traffickers who are putting people's lives at risks in those flimsy boats, as we saw on wednesday, in which 27 people tragically lost their lives trying to reach the shores of dover, having set off from northern france. 2a hours on and the political tone is a lot more terse. gone is the talk of cooperation. retracted, the invitation by france to the uk home secretary priti patel to the uk home secretary priti patel to attend talks there with her

counterpart at the weekend. and it seems to be centred on the letter by borisjohnson to president emmanuel macron. what has angered the french government so much? let's talk about what was in the letter in more detail with our correspondent simon jones. hejoins me now here in dover. what was it about the letter, was at the fact it was an open letter, the contents of it, do we know? i letter, the contents of it, do we know? ., letter, the contents of it, do we know? ~' ,., letter, the contents of it, do we know? ~ ,., ., , letter, the contents of it, do we know? ~ ., , ., , know? i think both, to be honest, re know? i think both, to be honest, pretty extraordinary _ know? i think both, to be honest, | pretty extraordinary developments this morning because last night, boris _ this morning because last night, borisjohnson wrote to this morning because last night, boris johnson wrote to emmanuel macron_ boris johnson wrote to emmanuel macron and his message was unless the government started thinking of new ideas, there will be more catastrophes in the channel. he said people _ catastrophes in the channel. he said heapie are _ catastrophes in the channel. he said people are rightly asking, politicians both here and in france whether_ politicians both here and in france whether enough was done to prevent such tragedies and he came up with a 5-point _ such tragedies and he came up with a 5-point plan — such tragedies and he came up with a 5—point plan. i think a couple of interesting _ 5—point plan. i think a couple of interesting points orjoint patrols, so he _ interesting points orjoint patrols, so he wanted border force officers and their— so he wanted border force officers and their french colleagues to patrol— and their french colleagues to patrol together out there in the channet — patrol together out there in the channel. and also, the idea of returning _ channel. and also, the idea of returning people almost immediately

they reach the uk, back to france. so they reach the uk, back to france. 50 a _ they reach the uk, back to france. 50 a returns — they reach the uk, back to france. so a returns agreement, those were some _ so a returns agreement, those were some of— so a returns agreement, those were some of the _ so a returns agreement, those were some of the five ideas in this letter— some of the five ideas in this letter but _ some of the five ideas in this letter but he decided to make it public— letter but he decided to make it public and the tone of this letter was almost like, we put these ideas to you _ was almost like, we put these ideas to you many— was almost like, we put these ideas to you many times before but you have _ to you many times before but you have always rejected them and that has not _ have always rejected them and that has not gone down well at all with the french— has not gone down well at all with the french authorities. they are saying _ the french authorities. they are saying this _ the french authorities. they are saying this letter was inappropriate, they did not like the tone of— inappropriate, they did not like the tone of it. — inappropriate, they did not like the tone of it, and the meeting that was scheduled _ tone of it, and the meeting that was scheduled between the home secretary priti patel— scheduled between the home secretary priti patel and her french counterpart, priti patel has now been _ counterpart, priti patel has now been told — counterpart, priti patel has now been told you are not welcome. where does that leave — been told you are not welcome. where does that leave things _ been told you are not welcome. where does that leave things in _ been told you are not welcome. where does that leave things in terms - been told you are not welcome. where does that leave things in terms of i does that leave things in terms of the efforts to partly deter people from risking their lives and making that crossing in those flimsy boats? and also, the bigger picture of dealing with the people smuggling and the human traffickers? ithink and the human traffickers? i think this is really _ and the human traffickers? i think this is really putting _ and the human traffickers? i think this is really putting things - and the human traffickers? i think this is really putting things back i this is really putting things back quite _ this is really putting things back quite a — this is really putting things back quite a long distance because as you said, _ quite a long distance because as you said. all— quite a long distance because as you said. all the — quite a long distance because as you said, all the talk yesterday was this need — said, all the talk yesterday was this need is cooperation between the science _ this need is cooperation between the science and _ this need is cooperation between the science and it appeared that dialogue was taking place between

the two _ dialogue was taking place between the two sides and the meetings were scheduled _ the two sides and the meetings were scheduled. now we are told that meeting — scheduled. now we are told that meeting is cancelled sol scheduled. now we are told that meeting is cancelled so i think questions about where we go from here _ questions about where we go from here the — questions about where we go from here. the transport secretary grant shapps _ here. the transport secretary grant shapps was — here. the transport secretary grant shapps was speaking this morning and he said _ shapps was speaking this morning and he said that france would change its mind because he says the issue of people _ mind because he says the issue of people crossing the channel is not something that one nation can really solve _ something that one nation can really solve on _ something that one nation can really solve on its — something that one nation can really solve on its own accord. a meeting will take _ solve on its own accord. a meeting will take place on sunday. without priti patel~ — will take place on sunday. without priti patel. that is going to bring together— priti patel. that is going to bring together the french interior minister, his counterparts from belgium. — minister, his counterparts from belgium, germany and also from the netherlands. and i think that really shows— netherlands. and i think that really shows there has to be cooperation internationally but at the moment, the uk _ internationally but at the moment, the uk seems frozen out of that and the uk seems frozen out of that and the danger— the uk seems frozen out of that and the danger is while there is all this political backlash, while there is disappointing and really these bad war— is disappointing and really these bad war of words between the sides, potentially _ bad war of words between the sides, potentially more people will die out there in_ potentially more people will die out there in the channel. a potentially more people will die out there in the channel.— there in the channel. a very stark reminder. — there in the channel. a very stark reminder, simon, _ there in the channel. a very stark reminder, simon, there - there in the channel. a very stark reminder, simon, there is - there in the channel. a very stark reminder, simon, there is a i there in the channel. a very stark. reminder, simon, there is a human tragedy at the centre of all of

this. hank you for the moment. that was the pushback from the french government after that letter that borisjohnson government after that letter that boris johnson wrote, government after that letter that borisjohnson wrote, that open letter that was published to president macron. let's find out what the reaction is at westminster to the french withdrawal of the invitation to priti patel, the home secretary? damian grammaticas our political correspondent joins secretary? damian grammaticas our political correspondentjoins us. as the uk government said anything in response to the french decision? we have heard this morning both from downing _ have heard this morning both from downing street sources and the transport — downing street sources and the transport secretary grant shapps he was out _ transport secretary grant shapps he was out doing interviews, what he said was— was out doing interviews, what he said was that he hoped that the french— said was that he hoped that the french would reconsider and reinstate _ french would reconsider and reinstate the invitation that as you heard _ reinstate the invitation that as you heard simon say, the uk view is that countries _ heard simon say, the uk view is that countries have to cooperate here. that this — countries have to cooperate here. that this is — countries have to cooperate here. that this is a sure problem. that the priority— that this is a sure problem. that the priority saving lives, that's what _ the priority saving lives, that's what downing street said as well.

downing — what downing street said as well. downing street pointing out that they want to cooperate, these are ideas _ they want to cooperate, these are ideas that— they want to cooperate, these are ideas that they put before and saying — ideas that they put before and saying it — ideas that they put before and saying it was for the french to explain — saying it was for the french to explain why they had uninvited priti patel but— explain why they had uninvited priti patel but i— explain why they had uninvited priti patel but i think part of the problem we hear from the french side is exactly— problem we hear from the french side is exactly that these ideas were put before _ is exactly that these ideas were put before and — is exactly that these ideas were put before and we had, i think yesterday, as much as there was talk of cooperation, it was very important when president macron said yesterday— important when president macron said yesterday morning that the uk should not, yesterday morning that the uk should not. he _ yesterday morning that the uk should not, he said, instrumental lies a tragic— not, he said, instrumental lies a tragic situation for political purposes. getting at some of the french— purposes. getting at some of the french sensitivities, i think, at feeling — french sensitivities, i think, at feeling that the uk was trying to transfer— feeling that the uk was trying to transfer the sort of responsibility to france — transfer the sort of responsibility to france or the blame to france and the french— to france or the blame to france and the french view, now, the uk of course _ the french view, now, the uk of course saying this has to be a shared — course saying this has to be a shared issue but the french view i think— shared issue but the french view i think is— shared issue but the french view i think is that these solutions that the uk _ think is that these solutions that the uk is — think is that these solutions that

the uk is putting forward had been made _ the uk is putting forward had been made and — the uk is putting forward had been made and put before, rejected before by france _ made and put before, rejected before by france and therefore, putting them _ by france and therefore, putting them again in a public quite like this after— them again in a public quite like this after the deaths of 27 people was putting the french in a difficult _ was putting the french in a difficult position so a french government spokesman this morning said, government spokesman this morning said. he _ government spokesman this morning said, he said, was totally out of place _ said, he said, was totally out of place he — said, he said, was totally out of place. he said we have had enough of the externalisation of problems, as soon as— the externalisation of problems, as soon as borisjohnson has the externalisation of problems, as soon as boris johnson has a the externalisation of problems, as soon as borisjohnson has a problem he considers— soon as borisjohnson has a problem he considers europe should take care of it _ he considers europe should take care of it and _ he considers europe should take care of it. and the idea of sending people — of it. and the idea of sending people back to the eu, to france, that was— people back to the eu, to france, that was explored before, the uk had that was explored before, the uk had that power— that was explored before, the uk had that power as a member of the eu that poweras a member of the eu under— that poweras a member of the eu under eu— that poweras a member of the eu under eu dublin that power as a member of the eu under eu dublin regulations, they were _ under eu dublin regulations, they were called, lost it after brexit, has sought to new agreements but those _ has sought to new agreements but those have not been forthcoming and the eu _ those have not been forthcoming and the eu view— those have not been forthcoming and the eu view on that has been well, that was— the eu view on that has been well, that was an — the eu view on that has been well, that was an unbalanced ask because the uk _ that was an unbalanced ask because the uk was — that was an unbalanced ask because the uk was seeking to return people but i the uk was seeking to return people but i guess— the uk was seeking to return people but i guess what with the

obligations and return? so the difficulty— obligations and return? so the difficulty now i think the uk government has, saying it would like to seek— government has, saying it would like to seek cooperation. but the french side, _ to seek cooperation. but the french side, particularly, obviously, very angered— side, particularly, obviously, very angered by— side, particularly, obviously, very angered by this letter. and president macron is speaking right now at— president macron is speaking right now at a _ president macron is speaking right now at a meeting with the italian prime _ now at a meeting with the italian prime minister and so we may well hear more — prime minister and so we may well hear more from him and possibly more from downing street later. thank hear more from him and possibly more from downing street later.— from downing street later. thank you for that update. _ from downing street later. thank you for that update. let's _ from downing street later. thank you for that update. let's get _ from downing street later. thank you for that update. let's get the - for that update. let's get the european perspective now. our europe correspondentjessica parker is in cali, and i suppose it's important to point out while the uk has been frozen out of the stocks at the weekend, they are still going ahead with france, belgium, the netherlands and the european union? yes, here on sunday. but as we just heard. _ yes, here on sunday. but as we just heard. the _ yes, here on sunday. but as we just heard, the uk home secretary will

not be _ heard, the uk home secretary will not be there, that is currently the situation. — not be there, that is currently the situation, we will have to see how things— situation, we will have to see how things develop over the next couple of days _ things develop over the next couple of days but you're right. germany, the netherlands, belgium, the european commission ministers from those _ european commission ministers from those countries will come here to discuss _ those countries will come here to discuss the — those countries will come here to discuss the issue and i think this is part— discuss the issue and i think this is part of— discuss the issue and i think this is part of a — discuss the issue and i think this is part of a french push to try and point _ is part of a french push to try and point out — is part of a french push to try and point out that from their view, this is a shared — point out that from their view, this is a shared european problem. why? because _ is a shared european problem. why? because some of the people who end ”p because some of the people who end up here _ because some of the people who end up here on— because some of the people who end up here on the coast of northern france _ up here on the coast of northern france and — up here on the coast of northern france and try and make that incredibly dangerous journey across the channel, they will have entered the channel, they will have entered the eu _ the channel, they will have entered the eu via _ the channel, they will have entered the eu via another country. so that is why— the eu via another country. so that is why president macron, the french president. _ is why president macron, the french president, has talked about the need to reinforce _ president, has talked about the need to reinforce support for the european union external borders. so that discussion will go on. and involving — that discussion will go on. and involving as well the european commission who will want to have a role in _ commission who will want to have a role in trying to co—ordinate any efforts — role in trying to co—ordinate any efforts because of course, this is all part— efforts because of course, this is all part of— efforts because of course, this is all part of a _ efforts because of course, this is all part of a wider migration crisis that takes— all part of a wider migration crisis that takes many different forms. and brings— that takes many different forms. and

brings various complications of course — brings various complications of course we _ brings various complications of course we have also seen a huge issue. _ course we have also seen a huge issue. very— course we have also seen a huge issue, very different set of circumstances, on the poland belarus border— circumstances, on the poland belarus border as— circumstances, on the poland belarus border as well. sol circumstances, on the poland belarus border as well. so i think there is increasingly on the agenda, this issue _ increasingly on the agenda, this issue of— increasingly on the agenda, this issue of migration which has been an issue _ issue of migration which has been an issue for— issue of migration which has been an issue for a _ issue of migration which has been an issue for a long time and of course the problem that have been here or not new _ the problem that have been here or not new. but we saw a particularly tragic _ not new. but we saw a particularly tragic day — not new. but we saw a particularly tragic day on wednesday. and at least _ tragic day on wednesday. and at least 27— tragic day on wednesday. and at least 27 people lost their lives, a couple _ least 27 people lost their lives, a couple of — least 27 people lost their lives, a couple of days on now, it seems all of that— couple of days on now, it seems all of that talk— couple of days on now, it seems all of that talk ofjoint cooperation at least _ of that talk ofjoint cooperation at least between britain and france seems _ least between britain and france seems to— least between britain and france seems to be crumbling.- seems to be crumbling. jessica, thank you- _ seems to be crumbling. jessica, thank you. for _ seems to be crumbling. jessica, thank you. for years, _ seems to be crumbling. jessica, thank you. for years, people i thank you. foryears, people smugglers have been sending people across the channel but in lorries. that route also fraught with danger, you may remember in 2019, 39 vietnamese people were found dead in the back of a refrigerated lorry.

let's speak to dr paola campana, professor in criminology and complex networks. those routes were made less viable when security was tightened at the port of calais. when security was tightened at the port of calais-— port of calais. presumably that is what is driving _ port of calais. presumably that is what is driving more _ port of calais. presumably that is what is driving more people i port of calais. presumably that is what is driving more people to i port of calais. presumably that is| what is driving more people to try and make the crossing by boat? yes. and make the crossing by boat? yes, hood and make the crossing by boat? yes, good morning- _ and make the crossing by boat? yes, good morning. absolutely correct. the other— good morning. absolutely correct. the other options have been made much _ the other options have been made much more — the other options have been made much more difficult if not impossible. what we are observing now is _ impossible. what we are observing now is a _ impossible. what we are observing now is a shift in the way smuggling happens _ now is a shift in the way smuggling happens. and it's a shift to much more _ happens. and it's a shift to much more visible smuggling, if you like. boats— more visible smuggling, if you like. boats are _ more visible smuggling, if you like. boats are much more visible. compared _ boats are much more visible. compared to crossing in the back of lorries _ compared to crossing in the back of lorries. which also explains why in this sense. — lorries. which also explains why in this sense, we are seeing higher numbers— this sense, we are seeing higher numbers now. this sense, we are seeing higher numbers now—

this sense, we are seeing higher numbers now. ., , , ., , , numbers now. that is the problem but what do you — numbers now. that is the problem but what do you think _ numbers now. that is the problem but what do you think the _ numbers now. that is the problem but what do you think the answer - what do you think the answer is? what can be done? that what do you think the answer is? what can be done?— what can be done? that is the million dollar _ what can be done? that is the million dollar question. - what can be done? that is the million dollar question. in i what can be done? that is the i million dollar question. in a sense, it is a _ million dollar question. in a sense, it is a complex issue. because you have _ it is a complex issue. because you have many— it is a complex issue. because you have many moving parts. as your correspondence and pointed out correctly. — correspondence and pointed out correctly, what we observe in the channel _ correctly, what we observe in the channel is — correctly, what we observe in the channel is the last leg of a much longer— channel is the last leg of a much longerjourney. ajourney channel is the last leg of a much longerjourney. a journey that can io longerjourney. a journey that can go through— longerjourney. a journey that can go through a number of european countries — go through a number of european countries. and as well as countries like belarus, turkey, libya. from a law enforcement perspective, at this macro— law enforcement perspective, at this macro level, you have more microlevel issues at the border, in calais _ microlevel issues at the border, in calais and — microlevel issues at the border, in calais and on the channel. and that is also _ calais and on the channel. and that is also a _ calais and on the channel. and that is also a very— calais and on the channel. and that is also a very difficult, it is a massive _ is also a very difficult, it is a massive headache for the law enforcement. because if we look at the smuggling organisations, these organisations are rather small, rather— organisations are rather small, rather simple and crucially, they are interchangeable so you can

arrest. — are interchangeable so you can arrest. you _ are interchangeable so you can arrest, you can dismantle one organisation but then, another can quickly— organisation but then, another can quickly feed in. | organisation but then, another can quickly feed in-_ quickly feed in. i am not sure if ou quickly feed in. i am not sure if you have _ quickly feed in. i am not sure if you have seen _ quickly feed in. i am not sure if you have seen the _ quickly feed in. i am not sure if you have seen the letter i quickly feed in. i am not sure if you have seen the letter that l quickly feed in. i am not sure if i you have seen the letter that the uk prime minister sent to the french president outlining five steps he thinks would help solve the problem. if so, what do you make of those points, do any of them resonate with you? i points, do any of them resonate with ou? .. points, do any of them resonate with ou? ., , , ._ you? i read the letter yesterday ni . ht and you? i read the letter yesterday night and l _ you? i read the letter yesterday night and i have _ you? i read the letter yesterday night and i have to _ you? i read the letter yesterday night and i have to say, - you? i read the letter yesterday night and i have to say, i i you? i read the letter yesterday night and i have to say, i was i night and i have to say, i was surprised _ night and i have to say, i was surprised to see such a letter was made _ surprised to see such a letter was made public. because normally, this type of— made public. because normally, this type of negotiation happens behind closed _ type of negotiation happens behind closed doors. for political and diplomatic sensitivities. but ultimately, the steps that were suggested, includingjoint ultimately, the steps that were suggested, including joint patrols and sending people back, also some of the _ and sending people back, also some of the steps have been taken at other— of the steps have been taken at other borders, for instance, the greece — other borders, for instance, the greece turkey border works exactly that way. _

greece turkey border works exactly that way, there is an agreement between — that way, there is an agreement between the eu and turkey, basically, allows for the eu to repatriate migrants to turkey. and in return. — repatriate migrants to turkey. and in return, the eu offers some assistance _ in return, the eu offers some assistance and money to turkey. so, in a sense. _ assistance and money to turkey. so, in a sense, there is a menu of options — in a sense, there is a menu of options there that needs to be explored. and as was rightly pointed out, cooperation is key here. and the fact— out, cooperation is key here. and the fact that the uk minister will not be _ the fact that the uk minister will not be in — the fact that the uk minister will not be in calais on sunday is a big issue _ not be in calais on sunday is a big issue because clearly, the uk, the british— issue because clearly, the uk, the british government, needs to be at this table _ british government, needs to be at this table together with france, the netherlands, germany and belgium. thank you very much. as i was saying, the tone of conversation, of political discourse about this between the uk and france has turned

so dramatically, as quickly as the tide turns at sea, within the last 24 tide turns at sea, within the last 2a hours. it remains to be seen whether it will turn back in time to stop any more tragedies happening as people tried to cross the channel. studio: thank you very much. we've just been hearing from president macron, he was asked about the letter from macron, he was asked about the letterfrom borisjohnson macron, he was asked about the letter from borisjohnson about migrants crossing the channel and president macron has said, i am surprised when things are not done seriously. we are not whistle—blowers. president macron saying he's surprised when things are not done seriously. the french are not done seriously. the french are clearly very angry with what borisjohnson said in that letter and the tone of it. i don't know if we can see some pictures of president macron, who is speaking right now at the moment and has been reacting to that letter from boris johnson, calling on france to do

more to tackle the migrants crossing the channel and the french are very angry with the tone and contents of that letter, the fact it was made public and as a result of that they have cancelled talks with priti patel on sunday. president macron saying he is surprised when things are not done seriously, a reference to boris johnson's are not done seriously, a reference to borisjohnson's letter to the french government. more on that diplomatic spat between london and paris and also the latest on the variant from southern africa. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. good morning. serious weather on the way. storm arwen is working its way in. strong winds into tomorrow but it's across eastern scotland, north—east england where the greatest impact could be felt. an amber warning is in place

with a risk to life, property and also a potential for travel disruption. the rest of today, that north—east will start to see the rain and snow become relentless with blizzards over the mountains. a scattering of showers across the rest of the country but sunny spells, sunny scotland and northern england which i was turning wintry as it turns colder. the winds pick up as it turns colder. the winds pick up later today and tonight. widespread gales, the strongest of the winds with some significant snowfall in the north pennines. that could cause problems with travel plans. sleet and snow moving further southwards. a chilly start. tomorrow, when the across the board with those winds easing in western areas with a few showers and more rain, sleet and snow to come in the east. it's going to feel subzero tomorrow. hello this is bbc news with me ben brown.

the headlines. flights from six countries in southern africa will be suspended after the discovery of a new and potentially more dangerous variant of coronavirus. scientists are said to be deeply concerned because the new variant could evade immunity. a new diplomatic row with france, which has cancelled talks with the uk this weekend — the french object to a letter from borisjohnson urging them to take back migrants who cross the channel. four teenage boys are arrested on suspicion of murder after 12—year—old ava white was stabbed to death while with friends in liverpool. sport and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre, here's sarah. good morning. after three weeks in charge,

tottenham manager antonio conte is getting to grips with the job at hand, saying "we have to be better in everything". those quotes followed their 2—1 loss to ns mura — the lowest ranked team in the europa conference league — which left their hopes of qualifying, for the next stage, hanging by a thread. spurs were down to ten men, and had equalised in the second half through harry kane, but the slovenian side scored with the last kick of the game to earn all three points. ns mura had lost all four previous games in this, the third tier of european club football. so, after the game, manager antonio conte told the press that he did not like what happened. in the europa league,

leicester have moved to the top of their group after a 3—1win over legia warsaw — but are still likely to need a win over napoli in their final game to secure qualification to the knockout stages. west ham are through though and have topped their group — winning 2—0 at rapid vienna. andre yarmolenko with his first of the season before captain mark noble added a second with a penalty. celtic�*s europa league dream is over after they lost 3—2 to bayer leverkusen in germany. celtic will drop down to the europa conference league. while at ibrox, a calamitous pass gifted alfredo morelos his second goal as rangers beat sparta prague 2—0 to advance through to the knockout stages — in giovanni van bronkhorst�*s first game as new manager. now, could manchester united, follow the lead of liverpoool and chelsea, where german managers have worked wonders. united are close to appointing ralf rangnick, as interim manager on a six—month contract, following the departure of ole gunnar solsjkaer on sunday.

united have agreed terms with the 63—year—old german but not with lokomotiv moscow, where he is head of sports and development. rangnick won the german cup with schalke in 2011 and took rb leipzig to the final eight years later. with the ashes less than two weeks away, australia have announced batsman tim paine will be taking a break from all forms of cricket for an indefinite period of time — due to concerns over his mental health. paine resigned as captain last week — after details of a historical investigation into texts to a female colleague were revealed — but he had remained in the squad. however, he's decided now to step away from the sport — with paine's manager saying they are "extremely concerned for his, and his wife's well—being." meanwhile, bowler pat cummins will captain the australian side for the series with england, which starts on december 8th. former captain steve smith will take up the role of vice captain. cummins admits scrutiny

around the role is scary — but he was never going to turn down the opportunity. some parts of it are daunting but you can't stay in bed all day worrying about some of these things. concentrating on more of the comic yeah, there's so much positive with this role, so much i think i can bring to it. trying not to overthink it and just trying to be me. what a night it was for great britain's men's basketball team, who got their world cup qualifying journey off to a perfect start in newcastle. they beat one of the top ten sides in the world, greece, 78—69. so, to put this into context, the last time that happened was 37 years ago. they next face turkey on sunday, trying to reach the world cup in two years' time. it's happened again in the snooker. an amateur player has beaten one of the pros, and big names,

after shaun murphy lost earlier this week to the amateur si jiahui, he said amateurs shouldn't be allowed in professional competitions. now the reigning champion, neil robertson, who agreed with murphy, has been knocked out of the uk championship by another amateur, john astley, who was able to sink shots like this. he is a former professional, who's highest ranking was 65, and he won by six frames to two in york. that's all the sport for now. we have more on president macron's reaction to the letter from boris johnson on how the french need to do more to tackle the number of migrants crossing the channel and the french are clearly angry. they've cancelled talks on the subject on sunday with the british

home secretary priti patel and president macron, who is in rome at the moment, said because of this letter that was published from boris johnson, communications between leaders should not take place on twitter. i am surprised by the methods when they are not serious, said mr macron. we are not whistle—blowers, ministers will work seriously to solve a serious issue with serious people. that is why the interior minister will meet his eu counterparts and the eu commission to work on this topic. but they are not meeting the british home secretary. so, the french interior minister will be meeting his eu counterparts but not the british home secretary. president macron saying communications shouldn't take place on twitter and also that, i am surprised by the methods when they are not serious. quite an attack from president macron about the letter from from president macron about the letterfrom borisjohnson

from president macron about the letter from borisjohnson that has been made public. mr macron very irritated by that. another line of breaking news, this is on the new covid variant emerging from southern africa and the health secretary shandy javid will be making a statement on that —— sajid javid. he is going to be updating mps on the new plated variant. it's causing some concern. —— that new covid variant. let's get more now on the emergence of a new coronavirus variant of "serious concern" which scientists fear could be more transmissible and better able to evade vaccines. strict travel restrictions have been brought in for south africa and five neighbouring countries because of concerns. dr charlotte houldcroft is an infectious diseases expert working out of the university of cambridge and joins us now. could you tell us more about the variant, why is it different from other mutations we have seen since the pandemic began? goad other mutations we have seen since

the pandemic began? good morning. one of the things _ the pandemic began? good morning. one of the things that _ the pandemic began? good morning. one of the things that worries - the pandemic began? good morning. one of the things that worries us i the pandemic began? good morning. one of the things that worries us is l one of the things that worries us is actually the constellation of variants that are seen together. the spike protein is the part that helps it to get into cells and there's quite a substantial of mutations within the spike protein of this new variant, many of which we've seen before but we've not seen so many of them together and i think that's one of the things worrying scientists stop of the things worrying scientists sto_ .. of the things worrying scientists sto_ ., , ., 4' of the things worrying scientists sto_ ., ,., ~ g; :: stop there are something like 30 mutations- _ stop there are something like 30 mutations. why _ stop there are something like 30 mutations. why does _ stop there are something like 30 mutations. why does that - stop there are something like 30 mutations. why does that make | stop there are something like 30 l mutations. why does that make it more dangerous, because it can hook on? the spike protein can hook on more easily? it’s on? the spike protein can hook on more easily?— more easily? it's a range of different — more easily? it's a range of different things. _ more easily? it's a range of different things. some i more easily? it's a range of different things. some of l more easily? it's a range of- different things. some of these changes might allow the virus to get into cells more easily, hitting on as you just mentioned. some of these variants are in regions of the spike protein that antibody drugs are predicted to bind to, and others of

these variants might be important for how antibodies bind to the spike protein. but we haven't had time, it's so new, that scientists haven't had time to do all the experiments to test these theories about the new variant and they are currently doing that at the moment. it variant and they are currently doing that at the moment.— that at the moment. it looks to be more transmissible _ that at the moment. it looks to be more transmissible but _ that at the moment. it looks to be more transmissible but we - that at the moment. it looks to be more transmissible but we don't l that at the moment. it looks to be i more transmissible but we don't know if it's more dangerous in the sense that it makes us more sick or it kills people more easily. completely true. one kills people more easily. completely true- one thing _ kills people more easily. completely true. one thing i _ kills people more easily. completely true. one thing i would _ kills people more easily. completely true. one thing i would say - kills people more easily. completely true. one thing i would say is - kills people more easily. completely true. one thing i would say is that i true. one thing i would say is that south africa has fantastic sequencing facilities and has done an amazing job spotting this variant. it's been found in some other parts of africa and actually this is a region of the world where vaccine coverage is very low, which is something that all countries around the world are partly responsible for. and if it's spreading quickly, it's spreading in populations that have low immunity

from previous infection or vaccination which makes it hard to predict what it would do in a highly vaccinated population. if rare predict what it would do in a highly vaccinated population. if we decide it's re vaccinated population. if we decide it's pretty dangerous, _ vaccinated population. if we decide it's pretty dangerous, can - vaccinated population. if we decide it's pretty dangerous, can the i it's pretty dangerous, can the scientists tweak the vaccines we have to counter it and if they can do, how long might that take? l do, how long might that take? i think you would have to speak do, how long might that take? l think you would have to speak to aim vaccine expert on that one but there are already trials going on of variants of the existing vaccines that already incorporate some of the mutations we've seen in this new variant that worry us. there is the potential that there is already mrna vaccine candidates out there that are in trials that can start to produce and give to people as booster shots if it turned out to be necessary, which we don't currently know. .. . necessary, which we don't currently know. ., , ., ., , ., know. there are these mutations and variants with — know. there are these mutations and variants with the _ know. there are these mutations and variants with the virus _ know. there are these mutations and variants with the virus all _ know. there are these mutations and

variants with the virus all the - variants with the virus all the time, and it's not unexpected in that sense. it could be more serious than other ones we've seen and more transmissible but this is the sort of thing we are going to have to get used to. . of thing we are going to have to get used to. , ~ ., of thing we are going to have to get used to. , ,. ., ., , , used to. yes, we know from studying seasonal coronaviruses, _ used to. yes, we know from studying seasonal coronaviruses, the - used to. yes, we know from studying seasonal coronaviruses, the ones i seasonal coronaviruses, the ones that cause colds and flu symptoms, that cause colds and flu symptoms, that they do mutate all the time at a reasonably steady rate and they change over time. over a decade, they change enough to escape from they change enough to escape from the immunity we build up to cause a reinfection in healthy people. the difference with the virus causing covid is that it's a new human pathogen and is still adapting very rapidly to be the most successful pathogen it can be. we might be seeing changes accumulating under more evolutionary pressure in this new coronavirus than in the seasonal coronaviruses we are used to. we do expect them to mutate, and that's one of the reasons the uk does so

much sequencing in order to try and spot these mutations early, as was the case with the alpha variant spotted in kent.— england could become the first country in the world to introduce legislation which would mean better support for people with down syndrome's. mps will debate the proposed bill in the commons later today. if passed, it would mean that public bodies like councils, schools and job centres would be required to specifically recognise the needs of people with the condition. our disability affairs correspondent nikki fox reports. pull, pull, pull. tom is pumping iron at the gym. yeah, one more. the 17—year—old has down's syndrome. he is working towards a career as a fitness instructor, and he's already whipping me into shape. is that a cheating sit—up? yeah. what if i let go with my hands? yes, that's better. is that better?

yes. eight, nice, tom, nine, last one. do you feel like you've got a lot fitter? yes, i get fit all the time. in my muscles, in my stomach, so it's been, like, it's been really good, really. but being a lean, mean fighting machine is not all tom wants from life. what is your dream, tom? i want to be a fitness coach, and i want to get a wife. a baby, a dog, a beard, and management, and a new flat. in no particular order! yes, absolutely. at one stage he wanted to ride a motorbike, which i hope he's dropped. so he's keen to do those things. i'm a huge believer in, it's about opportunities. and that's what, as a parent, that's what we try and provide any child. but i think for the child with down's syndrome, you have to work harder. 0k, do you want

a slice of cake, tom? yes. here we go. the aim of the bill is to make life easier for thousands of people like tom. are you doing any sports? it will ensure they get the right support when it comes to education, employment, health and social care. for too long, people have very much been marginalised from society and really there's been tremendous stigma towards people with down's syndrome. i think the bill isjust, you know, it's the beginning. it's not going to solve everything overnight, but it will at least recognise people with down's syndrome and i'm particularly excited that people with down's syndrome will actually have an opportunity, have a platform to be heard at westminster. given all the arguments around down's syndrome, which, as you know, are complex, i think to get recognition in the law for the first time is important in itself. there's been such an incredible level of support, i've now got support from all parties in the house of commons, and let me say at the moment that's a fairly rare thing to get. are you surprised it's taken this long, liam? a bit.

but then it's not happened anywhere at all. in fact, if we pass this bill into law, we will be the first country in the world. the reason that i fell in love with him is because he's absolutely gorgeous. heidi and james have been married for over a year. they've got life sussed. i've got severaljobs. so i work at british heart foundation. i'm volunteering for coventry city of culture. and i also work in the cafe on friday. heidi is a leading campaigner for people with down's syndrome. she is backing the bill because she knows just how important it is. it's all about making it easier for people with down's syndrome. that's all we want, we want easy lives for them. from the start of their life to the end of their life. and that's what i want forjames, and for anyone. i don't want you to see us as a problem, i want you to see us as heidi. because our syndrome doesn't define us. i'm heidi, i'm not down's syndrome. i'm heidi.

what would you hope for, for other people with down's syndrome in the future? that they would work hard, they'd get married and enjoy life. it is estimated there are around a7,000 people with down's syndrome in the uk. thanks, tom! as it stands, the bill only applies to england, but it's hoped if it's passed, other nations will follow suit. well done! nikki fox, bbc news. joining me now are fionn crombie angus, who is part of the down's syndrome policy group which has been developing this new bill, and fionn's fatherjonathan angus. thank you both. why would this new law be important? what do you hope it can achieve?—

it can achieve? well, first of all, hood it can achieve? well, first of all, good morning- _ iama i am a founding member of the national down's syndrome policy group. along with heidi and james. what have you contributed to the group? _ what have you contributed to the group? i — what have you contributed to the arou - ? .. what have you contributed to the a-rou? ., , group? i have contributed the chrou's, group? i have contributed the group's. what's _ group? i have contributed the group's, what's it _ group? i have contributed the group's, what's it called... i group? i have contributed the l group's, what's it called... our slohan. group's, what's it called... our slogan- the — group's, what's it called... our slogan. the great _ group's, what's it called... our slogan. the great slogan, i group's, what's it called... our i slogan. the great slogan, changing the narrative. _ slogan. the great slogan, changing the narrative. what's _ slogan. the great slogan, changing the narrative. what's important i the narrative. what's important about that _ the narrative. what's important about that for _ the narrative. what's important about that for you? _ the narrative. what's important about that for you? because i l the narrative. what's important i

about that for you? because i love stories and — about that for you? because i love stories and not _ about that for you? because i love stories and not many _ about that for you? because i love stories and not many people withl stories and not many people with down's syndrome have great life stories. . ., ., ., down's syndrome have great life stories. ., ., . ., stories. indeed. jonathan, changing the narrative _ stories. indeed. jonathan, changing the narrative is _ stories. indeed. jonathan, changing the narrative is the _ stories. indeed. jonathan, changing the narrative is the slogan. - stories. indeed. jonathan, changing the narrative is the slogan. in i the narrative is the slogan. in terms of fion and your experience, why does that narrative need to be changed? what problems have you faced as a family?— changed? what problems have you faced as a family? there have been man . faced as a family? there have been many- for — faced as a family? there have been many. for example, _ faced as a family? there have been many. for example, when - faced as a family? there have been many. for example, when you've i many. for example, when you've finished — many. for example, when you've finished secondary school, fion can tell you _ finished secondary school, fion can tell you about the frustration of not being — tell you about the frustration of not being welcomed into the college of your— not being welcomed into the college of your choice and with the studies you wanted — of your choice and with the studies you wanted to study but what was being _ you wanted to study but what was being offered was day service programme. the people who organised them said _ programme. the people who organised them said to my wife and i, if your son comes — them said to my wife and i, if your son comes to— them said to my wife and i, if your son comes to be with us, and it won't _ son comes to be with us, and it won't be — son comes to be with us, and it won't be for— son comes to be with us, and it won't be for decades to come, we can keep him _

won't be for decades to come, we can keep him safe. and i thought to myself. — keep him safe. and i thought to myself, how would i convince fionn that that _ myself, how would i convince fionn that that was a good choice in life, as an _ that that was a good choice in life, as an 18—year—old, if the top as an18—year—old, if the top priority— as an18—year—old, if the top priority is— as an 18—year—old, if the top priority is safety? it wasn't something i think that most 18—year—old boys would be looking for, 18—year—old boys would be looking for. quite — 18—year—old boys would be looking for, quite the opposite really. and my wife _ for, quite the opposite really. and my wife and i really felt like fionn is so _ my wife and i really felt like fionn is so ambitious and he wants what other— is so ambitious and he wants what other people his age want in life. he wants — other people his age want in life. he wants to be recognised for his skills. _ he wants to be recognised for his skills. he — he wants to be recognised for his skills, he wants to develop them, he wants— skills, he wants to develop them, he wants to _ skills, he wants to develop them, he wants to be — skills, he wants to develop them, he wants to be able to give to society and you _ wants to be able to give to society and you want to have a great life. yes _ and you want to have a great life. yes. ., .. , . and you want to have a great life. yes. ., ., , , ., ., yes. unfortunately, there is a lot of hindrances _ yes. unfortunately, there is a lot of hindrances in _ yes. unfortunately, there is a lot of hindrances in place _ yes. unfortunately, there is a lot of hindrances in place and - yes. unfortunately, there is a lot of hindrances in place and we i of hindrances in place and we believe — of hindrances in place and we believe that doctor liam fox's bill, if passed. — believe that doctor liam fox's bill, if passed, will help in that way. yes _ if passed, will help in that way. yes. ., . ., if passed, will help in that way. yes. ., .., i. , if passed, will help in that way. yes. ., , ., yes. fionn, could you tell us from our yes. fionn, could you tell us from your point — yes. fionn, could you tell us from your point of— yes. fionn, could you tell us from your point of view _ yes. fionn, could you tell us from your point of view the _ yes. fionn, could you tell us from your point of view the problems i yes. fionn, could you tell us from i your point of view the problems you have faced, the difficulties you have faced, the difficulties you have faced, the difficulties you have faced as well.—

have faced, the difficulties you have faced as well. yes. well, i'm passionate — have faced as well. yes. well, i'm passionate about _ have faced as well. yes. well, i'm passionate about animals, - have faced as well. yes. well, i'm passionate about animals, i i have faced as well. yes. well, i'm passionate about animals, i wantl have faced as well. yes. well, i'm i passionate about animals, i want to study zoology. i want to be the next david attenborough. i've had to do it on my own because universities exclude people with down's syndrome. they do now but your mum and i often say to— they do now but your mum and i often say to you. _ they do now but your mum and i often say to you, one day we will look back— say to you, one day we will look back and — say to you, one day we will look back and everyone will see how wrong we were _ back and everyone will see how wrong we were to _ back and everyone will see how wrong we were to say, this group in society— we were to say, this group in society can't continue their education in the areas that they wish _ education in the areas that they wish because they don't fit, they don't _ wish because they don't fit, they don't achieve in a certain narrow band _ don't achieve in a certain narrow band of— don't achieve in a certain narrow band of intellectual skills and one day, band of intellectual skills and one day. as— band of intellectual skills and one day, as has been the case with so

many— day, as has been the case with so many other— day, as has been the case with so many other groups in society, you and people — many other groups in society, you and people like you will be welcome in university. and people like you will be welcome in university-— in university. jonathan, this would be the first — in university. jonathan, this would be the first law _ in university. jonathan, this would be the first law in _ in university. jonathan, this would be the first law in the _ in university. jonathan, this would be the first law in the world, i i be the first law in the world, i think. it only would apply to england for a start but how much of a milestone with this be, do you think? . .. a milestone with this be, do you think? . ., , ., . think? quite a significant one. we are still hoping — think? quite a significant one. we are still hoping that _ think? quite a significant one. we are still hoping that the _ think? quite a significant one. we are still hoping that the devolved | are still hoping that the devolved nations— are still hoping that the devolved nations mightjoin and hoping that other— nations mightjoin and hoping that other countries will be inspired by this and _ other countries will be inspired by this and that it will be taken up. so, this and that it will be taken up. so. if— this and that it will be taken up. so, if passed, this will give guidance _ so, if passed, this will give guidance to local authorities on how to include _ guidance to local authorities on how to include people with down's syndrome in all of their policies and it— syndrome in all of their policies and it will— syndrome in all of their policies and it will recognise people with down's — and it will recognise people with down's syndrome as a specific group with common characteristics, for example — with common characteristics, for example with a particular learning profile _

example with a particular learning profile. even though, like in any other— profile. even though, like in any other group, there is a great diversity— other group, there is a great diversity amongst people with down's syndrome _ diversity amongst people with down's syndrome. you know people whose -ifts syndrome. you know people whose gifts are _ syndrome. you know people whose gifts are very apparent. actors and authors _ gifts are very apparent. actors and authors and — gifts are very apparent. actors and authors and politicians and fitness instructors. and you also have friends — instructors. and you also have friends whose gifts are really only known _ friends whose gifts are really only known by — friends whose gifts are really only known by their family and people who take a _ known by their family and people who take a deep interest in them. yes. we believe — take a deep interest in them. yes. we believe that _ take a deep interest in them. yes. we believe that with _ take a deep interest in them. is; we believe that with england passing this bill. _ we believe that with england passing this bill, that it will unlock potential for all of them and it really— potential for all of them and it really is — potential for all of them and it really is something that is deserved. people with down's syndrome deserve better. so deserved. people with down's syndrome deserve better. so good to talk to you- — syndrome deserve better. so good to talk to you. fionn _ syndrome deserve better. so good to talk to you. fionn and _ syndrome deserve better. so good to talk to you. fionn and jonathan. i talk to you. fionn and jonathan. fionn, your ambition to be the next david tempra, i'm sure you will achieve that. really good to talk to you.

now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. some lively conditions, lots of weather elements to get through. the greatest impact is from the wind. likely later tonight and into tomorrow morning. eastern scotland and north—east england have an amber warning in place. risk to life, property, travel and power disruption and rough seas. winds are picking up today, lots of sleet and snow. lizards in the grampians this afternoon. some of us will get away with a dry day. when she showers in northern ireland, a chilly day for all. tonight gail is developed across the country. stockist winds into the end of the night in the north—east of england. into tomorrow, rain, sleet and snow in the eastern half of england and it could be across the pennines accompanied by gales in the morning. travel disruption across the

pennines. rain and snow mix still in eastern areas tomorrow. further because the new variant could e' areas 1munity. because the new variant could e' areas tomorrow. further north and west brighter conditions but feeling much, much colder. because the new variant could e' areas tomorrow conditions north and west brighter conditions but feeling much, much colder. could evade immunity. this is bbc news ? i'm ben brown. this is bbc news ? i'm ben brown. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world... flights from six countries in southern africa will be suspended after the discovery of a new and potentially more dangerous variant of coronavirus. dangerous variant of coronavirus. scientists are said to be deeply concerned because the new variant