this is bbc news with ben brown. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. pressure mounts on the uk prime minister — with fresh questions over the revamp of his flat — and the row continuing over downing street christmas parties. it's emerged the current downing street director of communications attended a christmas party in number ten last year which, it's alleged, broke lockdown rules. i feel very comfortable about the prime minister's integrity. clearly, though, i don't feel comfortable about the fact it's been a difficult week for the government. adding to the government's problems — a possible tory backbench rebellion as face masks become compulsory in most indoor public venues in england. the un calls for urgent

aid for madagascar — after a prolonged drought has left more than a million on the brink of starvation. we have a special report. guilty of faking a hate crime, american actor — jussie smollett — is conivcted by a jury in chicago. hello. welcome if you are working in the uk oraround hello. welcome if you are working in the uk or around the world. borisjohnson is facing yet more questions about the party held at downing street last december — despite coronavirus restrictions — after it emerged the man running the government's communications team was one of the guests. it's understood that jack doyle made a speech at the christmas event and handed

out awards to press office staff. number ten has repeatedly denied the party took place or that any covid rules were broken — despite a video emerging on tuesday which showed downing street officials joking about it. in a separate development, mrjohnson�*s adviser on standards is reported to be seeking clarification following claims that the prime minister gave him misleading information about the refurbishment of his downing street flat. and adding to the pressure — conservative backbenchers are expected to mount a substantial rebellion next week over new covid measures. face masks become compulsory in many indoor public venues in england today, and more restrictions will be introduced next week — as lebo diseko reports. a night out in london's west end. at this theatre, covid measures are already familiar. but from this morning, one more is back. anyone wanting to come and see a show will have to wear a mask. i'm happy with it.

well, if you've got to wear it, you've got to wear it. for the owner of this theatre, the new government rules provide clarity and she thinks could help protect her business. i we are delighted that we can stay. open at 100% capacity because none of the big shows can stay open at 50% capacity, which - is what we had before — _ and 100% capacity, we can be open, we can welcome people, - we can keep our industry going. the new mask rules apply to england and bring it in line with the rest of the uk. you'll have to wear a face covering in most indoor public venues, like cinemas, theatres and places of worship. they had already been reintroduced in other places, like hairdressers, shops and public transport. you won't have to wear one in pubs or bars, or if you're exempt for medical reasons. but it's that curtailment of freedoms that worries some conservative mps. they're also angry about covid passports and advice to work

from home, which take effect next week, so much so that they're threatening to vote against them. ijust find it so depressing that we're back reimposing covid restrictions. i mean, they are... they're a lot, a lot... more of a lighter touch than previous episodes of new variants. but here in the capital centre for entertainment, the hope is that these restrictions will save us from even stricter ones in the coming weeks. lebo diseko, bbc news. our political correspondent ione wells has the latest.

at the moment, the issue of the day has been _ at the moment, the issue of the day has been this christmas party last yeah _ has been this christmas party last yeah the — has been this christmas party last year. the government lines so far over— year. the government lines so far over the _ year. the government lines so far over the last eight days or so has been _ over the last eight days or so has been firstly that no party took place. — been firstly that no party took place, and then that no rules were broken. _ place, and then that no rules were broken, with the prime minister himself— broken, with the prime minister himself repeatedly saying that he wasn't _ himself repeatedly saying that he wasn't aware of any gathering, but if it happened then all rules were followed — if it happened then all rules were followed. it hasn't really adequately explain how that could be possible _ adequately explain how that could be possible or how rose be followed when _ possible or how rose be followed when this — possible or how rose be followed when this gathering took place at a time when — when this gathering took place at a time when london was under coronavirus restrictions. the fact that jack— coronavirus restrictions. the fact that jack doyle was at this gathering raises further questions for the _ gathering raises further questions for the government, given he is the one responsible for putting out some of this— one responsible for putting out some of this messaging this week. we understand that jack doyle was at the gathering, giving speeches, handing — the gathering, giving speeches, handing out awards, as well as attending _ handing out awards, as well as attending coronavirus meetings in number— attending coronavirus meetings in number ten attending coronavirus meetings in numberten that evening. number ten that evening. particularly numberten that evening. particularly damaging as well, as we know from _ particularly damaging as well, as we know from the dominic cummings incident _ know from the dominic cummings incident last year, when one of the government's only senior advisers

becomes— government's only senior advisers becomes the story himself, it becomes— becomes the story himself, it becomes a very uncomfortable position— becomes a very uncomfortable position for them. even today, the government's own minister, paul scuiiy, _ government's own minister, paul scully, told the bbc that this had been _ scully, told the bbc that this had been a _ scully, told the bbc that this had been a particularly difficult week for government. | been a particularly difficult week for government.— for government. i feel very comfortable _ for government. i feel very comfortable about - for government. i feel very comfortable about the - for government. i feel very i comfortable about the prime minister's integrity. clearly, though, i don't feel comfortable about the fact it has been a difficult week for the government and we haven't been able to get across the measures on national minimum wage, giving the lowest paid, the fact we are working with the hospitality sector to make sure their rent can get paid, all of those things are getting lost because of this situation. that is what i'm feeling uncomfortable about. . , what i'm feeling uncomfortable about. ., , , about. that is really interesting there, admitting _ about. that is really interesting there, admitting that _ about. that is really interesting there, admitting that the - there, admitting that the government's other announcements this week— government's other announcements this week he believes are being overshadowed by the attention that

has been _ overshadowed by the attention that has been put on this downing street barty~ _ has been put on this downing street party. again, in a way, a point being— party. again, in a way, a point being made about the coming out this week, _ being made about the coming out this week, which is why it is particularly significant that the government's own communications director— government's own communications director is — government's own communications director is one of those he was at that party— director is one of those he was at that party on december the 18th. as 18th. that party on december the 18th. as 18th as— that party on december the 18th. as 18th. as well as this, there is also growing _ 18th. as well as this, there is also growing pressure on the government at the _ growing pressure on the government at the moment from its own conservative mps over plans for those _ conservative mps over plans for those who — conservative mps over plans for those who was at that party on december the 18th. as well as this, there _ december the 18th. as well as this, there is— december the 18th. as well as this, there is also growing pressure on there is also growing pressure on the government at the moment from its own— the government at the moment from its own conservative mps over plans for those _ its own conservative mps over plans for those new covid—19 restrictions in england. — for those new covid—19 restrictions in england, particularly in introduction of covid—19 passports to enter— introduction of covid—19 passports to enter certain events. i understand certain ministers in his own government are also not happy about— own government are also not happy about the _ own government are also not happy about the plans. as you were saying, the mantra from the government on the christmas parties last year has been no rules were broken, that has also been

the mantra on the question of the refurbishment of boris johnson's downing street flat. but that has also been called into question with claims that perhaps the prime minister's's standards adviser was misled by the prime minister, maybe that he's even thinking of resigning, lord geidt. that's right. this is basically in response to an investigation over have a big refurbishment of the prime minister and his wife's flat above number 11 in downing street was refurbished and how that refurbishment was financed. yesterday, the electoral commission fined the conservative party nearly £18,000 for failing to adequately declare how this donation was made and who made the donation. what we do know is that £52,000 was donated to try and put money towards the cost of this refurbishment by the conservative peer lord brownlow. his involvement and the general refurbishment of this flat

was investigated earlier this year by the lord geidt back in may. documents released by the electoral commission say that boris johnson texted _ commission say that boris johnson texted lord brownlow in november last year— texted lord brownlow in november last year asking about donations for the flat _ last year asking about donations for the flat. that has raised further questions — the flat. that has raised further questions about what the prime minister— questions about what the prime minister knew when, and what he declared — minister knew when, and what he declared to his independent adviser. he is facing — declared to his independent adviser. he is facing allegations from the labour— he is facing allegations from the labour party of misleading the pupuc' — labour party of misleading the public, but also misleading his own independent adviser, lord geidt, about— independent adviser, lord geidt, about these allegations. the bbc understands that lord geidt wasn't happy— understands that lord geidt wasn't happy about these revelations but hasn't _ happy about these revelations but hasn't yet — happy about these revelations but hasn't yet seen the full evidence himseif~ — hasn't yet seen the full evidence himself. as we understand it, not considering — himself. as we understand it, not considering going anywhere just yet. certainty, _ considering going anywhere just yet. certainiy, if— considering going anywhere just yet. certainly, if it transpires that he was misled by borisjohnson, then certainty— was misled by borisjohnson, then certainty it — was misled by borisjohnson, then certainly it is thought he may consider— certainly it is thought he may consider resigning his position. in terms _ consider resigning his position. in terms of— consider resigning his position. in terms of what this means for the prime _ terms of what this means for the prime minister as well, number ten is still— prime minister as well, number ten is still insisting the prime minister followed the rules, that

the prime minister wasn't aware of the prime minister wasn't aware of the true _ the prime minister wasn't aware of the true nature of some of these donations— the true nature of some of these donations until this year. they claim — donations until this year. they claim that _ donations until this year. they claim that he hadn't misled his own independent adviser, but i think all of this— independent adviser, but i think all of this is— independent adviser, but i think all of this is adding to the mounting pressure — of this is adding to the mounting pressure on the prime minister this week, _ pressure on the prime minister this week, with — pressure on the prime minister this week, with his now being the latest story to _ week, with his now being the latest story to splash the front pages and contribute — story to splash the front pages and contribute as well to conservative mp anger— contribute as well to conservative mp anger about the government's messaging at the moment. just a bit more on that — messaging at the moment. just a bit more on that story _ messaging at the moment. just a bit more on that story now. _ messaging at the moment. just a bit more on that story now. we - messaging at the moment. just a bit more on that story now. we have - messaging at the moment. just a bit l more on that story now. we have been hearing from the chief whip. he has been talking to bbc local radio, and he said the prime minister "will not have about any parties that took place in downing street last year." he was on bbc radio nottingham, and he that he personally absolutely, categorically did not know about any parties. he suggested that the event on the 18th of november was actually a meeting rather than a party, in which staff discussed dealing with

coronavirus. he defended boris johnson's handling of the whole affair, he said numberio downing street "is a huge, huge building, literally with hundreds and hundreds of offices and rooms. no single person could account for what is happening in these buildings. they are huge buildings." that is the view of the chief whip. as we've heard, people in england will be required to wear face coverings in cinemas, theatres and places of worship from today. dr thomas waite is the deputy chief medical officer for england and explained a little earlier how the omicron variant is spreading — and why the new restrictions are proportionate. it reflects the way that this virus is spreading really so very quickly, notjust here and not just in south africa, who have been really extremely helpful to the rest of the world in sharing this

information early and quickly, but all over the _ world. i think the omicron virus has now been found in at least 60 different countries. there isn't a single marker that allows us to understand or to assess the effectiveness of interventions. it's about the number of cases, how rapidly they're spreading, who they are spreading in, and that is one of the reasons that the vaccine programme has started with people who are most vulnerable. older people, people in care homes, as they're people who are always at risk with this virus or any variants. at risk of severe illness or ending up in hospital. more and more people eligible for the vaccine, and i would really urge people to do so as soon as they have that invitation. professor melinda mills is the professor of demography at the university of oxford. do you think these new restrictions make sense?— do you think these new restrictions make sense? yeah, i think there are multile make sense? yeah, i think there are multiple things _ make sense? yeah, i think there are multiple things coming _ make sense? yeah, i think there are multiple things coming in, _ make sense? yeah, i think there are multiple things coming in, and - make sense? yeah, i think there are

multiple things coming in, and i - multiple things coming in, and i think the public was already a step ahead and asking about different restrictions. face coverings, for example, people were questioning why it was only in public transport and shops. there is no more clarity about different close contact settings that they need to be introduced. and i think we should remember, work from home will be introduced next week. but we have to remember that there is about 15% of the population who cannot work from home, so they have to take public transport, they are in close oximetry, working with clients and customers. so doing things such as wearing a face covering really protects them from being infected. and i think we often forget that as well, that there is a huge exposed population and we know that doing multiple measures will protect everyone, including that group. we have been wearing facemasks for quite a while now, since the pandemic has been going on really.

what is actually the evidence about how effective they are? i what is actually the evidence about how effective they are?— how effective they are? i think there is two — how effective they are? i think there is two things. _ how effective they are? i think there is two things. first, - how effective they are? i think there is two things. first, we i how effective they are? i think- there is two things. first, we might want to question have we been really wearing them? particularly england. since mid—july, there has been a rapid drop if you look across different surveys and cctv and many other sources of data, we have seen a rapid drop in people wearing them. that is the first thing. what is really clear now, and that has been emphasised by chris whitty and others, is that we really have a better understanding of the virus, virus transmission. and how face coverings would work to protect us. there has been multiple studies now, including randomised controlled trials, to show that they are effective. they are effective in protecting transmission, but also somewhat protective for the wearer as well. there have been multiple studies, systematic reviews, there

used to be a discussion earlier on, do they work? now the science, everyone agrees that they really do work. �* ., ., ,., , , everyone agrees that they really do work. �* ., ., , , ., work. and there are also studies on how often we _ work. and there are also studies on how often we wear _ work. and there are also studies on how often we wear them _ work. and there are also studies on how often we wear them in - work. and there are also studies on how often we wear them in this - how often we wear them in this country. compared to other countries in the world. i think we sometimes are quick to blame people, but it is actually messaging as well. people are generally very, very compliant when they are told what to do. we can already see the public reacting, wondering when messages were brought in that didn't seem to make sense, that they had to wear them in one place and not in another place. actually, people are even more compliant than you think. we have noticed, even before face coverings were brought in, people were already

starting to wear them again on public transport, in enclosed crowded settings. i think that whole discussion that people won't do it is misplaced. and also, i think people get frustrated when the discussion goes over to individual liberties and that it is affecting individual rights, which we have seen debated in the house of commons. actually, it is about the rights of people around you. the bus driver, the person that is going to be selling you your christmas presents, the people working at the different shops. these are the people that we also have to protect. it's about public health and protecting the public, notjust about individual rights. it’s protecting the public, not “ust about individual rights. it's one thing wearing _ about individual rights. it's one thing wearing a _ about individual rights. it's one thing wearing a face _ about individual rights. it's one thing wearing a face covering i about individual rights. it's one | thing wearing a face covering on about individual rights. it's one i thing wearing a face covering on a bus ride for ten minutes, but in a theatre, which is now the role from today in england, if you are at a three hour shakespeare play that is a long time to be sitting there in quite a confined area wearing a mask. i quite a confined area wearing a mask. , , , ., ., 4'

mask. i guess we “ust have to think about all mask. i guess we “ust have to think about an of _ mask. i guess we “ust have to think about all of our_ mask. i guess we just have to think about all of our nhs _ mask. i guess we just have to think about all of our nhs workers - mask. i guess we just have to think about all of our nhs workers and i mask. i guess we just have to think. about all of our nhs workers and our public health workers and people on the front line that have to wear these protective coverings and face coverings for hours and hours on end. so i would think, if we want to really keep things going, and i think people are embracing that they can go to theatres, that they can go into cinemas and museums or sports events, so wearing this is costless, it doesn't harm you, so it is actually a fairly simple intervention in order to keep attending these events. and i think that many of us are motivated to keep moving. it is the season where people want to go out and be with others, enjoy events, and i think it is a small price to play.— is a small price to play. good to talk to you- _ two journalists awarded this

year's nobel peace prize have told the bbc that assaults on the free press around the world are getting "exponentially worse". maria ressa and dmitry muratov were recognised by the committee for defending freedom of expression in the philippines and russia respectively. they're both in oslo where they will be officially presented with their awards later. in a moment, we'll hear from our correspondentjon donnison who is in moscow, but first here's howard johnson in manila. maria ressa is a veteran correspondent, she used to work for cnn. but the authoritarian leader of this company accused it of being american owned. many people saw that as a backlash to their hard—hitting reporting on his war on drugs in which thousands of drug addicts and suspected drug dealers were being killed here in manila, and that led to a lot of trolling on social media, she was threatened with rape

and death threats, and then later a slew of court cases. seven charges against her at the moment. i was one of three journalists to win a third being convicted in 2020, that is why she is out on bail. she had to appeal to forecourts to travel to oslo to receive the award today, and her international legal team have called for the philippine government to drop all charges against her, saying they are clearly politically motivated. she is well known but not well known universally here. it will help in a tricky election period. we have elections here in may of next year. currently, the sun of the dictator deposed in 1986, is currently running at polling incredibly well.— currently running at polling incredibly well. currently running at polling incredibl well. , , incredibly well. some breaking news “ust cominu incredibly well. some breaking news just coming into _ incredibly well. some breaking news just coming into us _ incredibly well. some breaking news just coming into us on _ incredibly well. some breaking news just coming into us on the _ incredibly well. some breaking news

just coming into us on the julian - just coming into us on thejulian assange case. we are hearing that the united states have won their appeal in the high court in london over the extradition of the wikileaks founderjulian assange. this is the scene with some supporters outside the royal courts ofjustice. and the american authorities have been bringing a high court challenge against an earlier ruling injanuary that he should not be sent to the united states. the then districtjudge had said that if he was sent to the united states there would be a real and oppressive risk of suicide. but actually then the americans appealed against that and they said that the high court should overturn that and that he should be sent to the united states. we are just hearing the united states have won that appeal at the high court. the court was told by the american lawyers that

blocking julian assunta �*s removal to the united states because of his mental health risks would be the same as... james lewis, qc for the united states has said that the judge had based her decision on his intellectual ability to circumvent suicide preventative measures which begin becoming a trump card for anybody who wanted to oppose their extradition regardless of any resources the other state might have. and that lawyer for the resources the other state might have. and that lawyerfor the united states also told the court that the judge in that earlierjudgment had based her decision entirely on the risk he would be subjected to special administrative measures retained at a super max jail if extradited. but he said actually there had been lots of dramatic

assurances, including that it would consent to him being transferred to australia to serve any prison sentence he might be given, which would change thatjudgment. the american argument thatjulian assange should be extradited to the united states have been successful. james lewis, qc for the united states, told the court that his mental illness does not even come close to being sick severe enough for him not being sent to the united states. lawyers representing julian assange to oppose the american attempt to overturn the block to his extradition, they argue that the assurances overjulian assange to's potential treatment were meaningless, vague. edward fitzgerald for him had said that the qualified unconditional assurances were produced too late to be

properly tested. they were saying he should not be extradited to the united states. but, as we havejust heard in the last few seconds, united states has one that appeal in the high court in london over the extradition of the wikileaks founder julian sands. so what happens next, we will have to wait and see. but edward fitzgerald who was representing julian as unch had said that the earlierjudgment, which was against extradition to the united states, had been carefully considered and a fully reasoned judgment. he said it was clear that thejudge injanuary had scrupulously applied the test. he told the court it was perfectly reasonable to find it oppressive to extradite a mentally disordered person, because his extradition is likely to result in his death. the whole case really centred on whether there was a suicide risk ifjulian

assange is, the wikileaks campaigner, was extradited to the united states. the court was told that blocking his removal to the states because of his mental health risks, the americans were saying, that if he was blocked from extradited, that would reward fugitives in future for fleeing. because you will remember that julian assange is spent several years holed up in the ecuadorian embassy in london. so that is the very latest from the royal court of justice. julian as unch is being held in belmarsh prison ever since 2019, that is after he was carried out at the ecuadorian embassy by police, before being arrested for breaching his bail conditions. he had gone into the ecuadorian embassy backin had gone into the ecuadorian embassy back in 2012 to avoid extradition to sweden. this was to face six offence

allegations which he has always denied and which were actually eventually dropped. the decision we have just heard from the royal courts ofjustice is from lord bernat and lord justice holroyd. they were deciding whether or not to overturn the earlier decision not to extradite him to the united states, and they have decided that actually they go along with what the american lawyers had been arguing, that he should be extradited to the united states, so they have overturned that earlier on courts decision made back injanuary. we are going to have some more analysis on this from our diplomatic correspondent in just a moment. that will also be live from the royal court ofjustice.

the american actor, jussie smollett, has been foud guilty of staging a hate crime against himself. the 39—year—old star of the television drama empire paid two men to attack him in the apparent hope the stunt would raise his profile and boost his salary. he was once a rising star but, for the last three years, jussie smollett has been fighting for his reputation and career. walking into court surrounded by his family, the 39—year—old has always maintained he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack, but a jury didn't believe him. after deliberating for nine hours, they found him guilty of lying to police. after the conviction, prosecutors spelt out the impact this case has had on the city. 26 chicago police officers spent 3,000 hours of time, costing the city well over $100,000, for a fake crime that never occurred. and by the way, a fake crime that denigrates

what a real hate crime is. this story goes back to january the 29th, 2019, just after midnight in central chicago. smollett was known then for his role in the hip—hop drama empire. he had claimed he was set upon by two men, who targeted him for being black and gay. there was huge support for him from celebrities and politicians, including the now vice president, kamala harris. but a police investigation eventually claimed he staged the whole thing and he was arrested. at his trial, prosecutors said he did it to boost his profile and help his tv career. the two alleged assailants, brothers from nigeria, had originally been arrested, but later released by police. they ended up being key witnesses, testifying againstjussie smollett. they said he had paid them to carry out the fake attack, but he repeatedly told the jurors the money was for personal training sessions and there was no hoax.

and still, his team continue to maintain that defence. we feel 100% confident that this case will be won on appeal. unfortunately, that's not the route we wanted, but sometimes that's the route that you have to take to win. jussie smollett now faces a possible prison sentence. huge support for him turned into deep anger when he was charged, with many who once stood by him now accusing him of taking advantage of the pain and anger of racism. nomia iqbal, bbc news, washington. let's bring you more now on the news on julian as let's bring you more now on the news onjulian as unch stop we have been hearing that news from the high court in london, that the united states has won an appeal to have the wikileaks founderjulian assange unch extradited to face criminal

charges including breaking a spying lore and conspiring to hack government computers. we heard from the court the simple announcement, the court the simple announcement, the court the simple announcement, the court allows the appeal. it is to seniorjudges ruling thatjulian assange should indeed be extradited to america. we are hearing the case will now be sent back through the legal procedural pipes to the home secretary for a final rubber stamping, but this all centred around how safe julian assange would be if he were to be sent to the united states. there was an earlier court ruling back injanuary that he should not be sent to the states because there was a real and oppressive risk of suicide, but american lawyers, american government lawyers had said, actually, if you don't send him to the united states because of mental health risks you are rewarding

fugitives for their flight. this was julian assange when he was holed up at the ecuadorian embassy for some seven years, to 2019 when he was taken into police custody for breaking bail conditions. and he has beenin breaking bail conditions. and he has been in belmarsh prison since then. while arguments continue about what to do with him. and he has now, because of this latest high court bid by the us government, which has one that attempts to get him sent to the united states, it looks like he will be heading to the united states, despite those concerns from his supporters. and they are amassed outside the royal court ofjustice this afternoon. they are saying that, actually, if he is sent to the united states, there is a risk of suicide. and that his life couldn't be guaranteed. butjames lewis, the qc representing the united states,

said that if he wasn't sent to the united states and that meant that talking about your mental health could become a trump card for anybody who wanted to oppose extradition, regardless of any of the assurances that were made. the united states had argued thatjulian assange is well enough to be extradited. james lewis qc or the american government told the board thatjulian assange mental illness "does not even come close to being severe enough to support him being sent to the united states". but lawyers representing julian assange had said that the assurances he had been given were meaningless and were very vague. just a quick recap, then on what had happened tojulian assange. he had been charged in

sweden with sex allegations and had gone to the london to avoid being extradited to sweden. sweden eventually dropped the charges but still wanted in the united states on these other charges. the latest in an instalment of a long—running legal saga. an instalment of a long—running legalsaga. let's an instalment of a long—running legal saga. let's go to our diplomatic correspondent who has been following this case. bring us up been following this case. bring us up to date. been following this case. bring us no to date-— been following this case. bring us up to date. basically, we are back where we were _ up to date. basically, we are back where we were before _ up to date. basically, we are back where we were before january. in| where we were before january. in other words, thatjulian assange is still on course to be extradited to the united states to face those charges levelled against him of espionage but they remain a bunch of legal hoops to go through. the ruling today by the two judges sense the case back to the district court where in january a

the case back to the district court where injanuary a judge ruled that since there was a real risk that under the usjustice since there was a real risk that under the us justice system julian assange would be in real danger of committing suicide, that his extradition should be blocked, that was appealed by the united states, the hearing took place in october and thejudges have the hearing took place in october and the judges have essentially agreed with the united states and we'll have to get the precise details of the ruling, but essentially what the american lawyers were arguing was the judge injanuary placed too much reliance on the testimony of one of the julian assange team medical experts who made the case about the real risk of suicide but also that the americans were offering a number of assurances that for example julian assange would not be held in the most extreme form of super max prison, there was a possibility he

could serve out the bulk of his sentence in australia so because of these various countermeasures by the americans, thejudges these various countermeasures by the americans, the judges to date these various countermeasures by the americans, thejudges to date have ruled thatjulian assange, the case is still alive as it were, he would go back to belmarsh prison, be held there while this protracted legal process continues to churn along. the bottom line is he's not going to the united states or anywhere else anytime soon. trio. the united states or anywhere else anytime soon-— anytime soon. no, this is going to take a while. _ anytime soon. no, this is going to take a while, it _ anytime soon. no, this is going to take a while, it goes _ anytime soon. no, this is going to take a while, it goes to _ anytime soon. no, this is going to take a while, it goes to the - take a while, it goes to the district court, we have to be here the medical risks, the risk of suicide, further examination of the american assurances being offered, could all end up in the supreme court before we hear the end of it, so, yes, this is not over at all. in so, yes, this is not over at all. in the short—term, it is a victory for the short—term, it is a victory for

the united states and the defeat for julian assange. it the united states and the defeat for julian assange-— julian assange. it is, and it will be met with — julian assange. it is, and it will be met with howls _ julian assange. it is, and it will be met with howls of _ julian assange. it is, and it will be met with howls of protest . julian assange. it is, and it will. be met with howls of protest from the legions of supporters ofjulian assange who have gathered at every stage of this legal process to voice his support for him, their argument being it is an assault on free speech and journalism and that julian assange is the most persecuted journalist in the world as they see it. they will be outraged by what they are hearing today. yes, this is definitely, for the time being, a victory for the united states. the the time being, a victory for the united states.— the time being, a victory for the united states. . .. ., , , united states. the american lawyers have argued — united states. the american lawyers have argued that _ united states. the american lawyers have argued that if _ united states. the american lawyers have argued that if this _ united states. the american lawyers have argued that if this went - have argued that if this went through, anybody trying to escape justice could just say, well, you know i am a suicide risk, and that could be a trump card. it would be a bad precedent. could be a trump card. it would be a bad precedent-— bad precedent. they were arguing that and they _ bad precedent. they were arguing that and they argued _ bad precedent. they were arguing i that and they argued fundamentally that and they argued fundamentally that whatjulian assange date was not an act ofjournalism, but an act

of theft of espionage, that the securing of these 500,000 documents and their indiscriminate release as the americans would argue it was unconscionable, it put the lives of american sources in various countries at risk, notwithstanding it was shared on alleged american war crimes in iraq. the americans have stuck to their guns throughout. they trick is very openly robust and hostile attitude during the presidency of donald trump, when they turned up the heat onjulian assange, but we are not seeing any change in the wake of thejoe biden presidency. this is thejustice system that feels that whatjulian assange did has to be punished. this has been a long—running saga, it's almost a decade when he first went into the embassy in ecuador because

he was then charged by sweden on sexual assault allegations. it is sexual assault allegations. it is . uite sexual assault allegations. it is quite hard _ sexual assault allegations. it is quite hard to — sexual assault allegations. it is quite hard to keep _ sexualassault allegations. it 3 quite hard to keep up with the progress of this case. those swedish sexual assault charges were very much the focus of everyone's attention for years until they were finally dropped. that is no longer part of the equation at all. sweden is not involved in this whatsoever. this is a case of only whether he should be extradited to the united states to face those espionage charges. whether he not is still a question. charges. whether he not is still a cuestion. . ~ charges. whether he not is still a cuestion. ., ,, , ., , charges. whether he not is still a cuestion. . ~' , . charges. whether he not is still a cuestion. ., ,, , . ., question. thank you very much for all that analysis. _ question. thank you very much for all that analysis. we _ question. thank you very much for all that analysis. we will— question. thank you very much for all that analysis. we will be - question. thank you very much for all that analysis. we will be live i all that analysis. we will be live at the royal court ofjustice if there is any reaction from that. the united nations is warning that madagascar is on the brink of famine. over1 million people on the island of madagascar are battling severe hunger. endemic poverty, poor agricultural

practices and climate changes are cited as some of the causes. our africa correspondent, catherine byaruhanga is one of the few journalists to visit the south of the country — where the un is calling for urgent aid. barely able to stand or walk, bone thin, and fighting off the infections that come from a lack of food. more than one quarter of the children in this district of southern madagascar are malnourished. this boy is 13 years old and should weight 45 kilograms, but is nearly half that weight. mahawazi and mahawani look like toddlers, but the twin girls are actually six years old. their grandmother brought them in this morning for their checkup. it didn't go well. despite months of treatment, they are still severely malnourished. the children do not have food at home, then we avoid the worst for them, but they don't get out of that

situation of malnutrition. it is a ten—mile walk in the scorching heat to get back home, but there is no relief to be found here. ranwasi tells me that despite her best prayers, the rains have failed, wiping out her family's crops and livestock. translation: we couldn't find anything to eat here. _ the vegetation of this area is like you see, no greens and no harvest. we just eat anything as long as it's not bitter. families here have been forced to eat wild fruit, cacti and insects to temporarily fill their stomachs. the world food programme has said this could become the first climate—change famine if the hunger here persists, but some leading climate scientists say there is not a clear link between rising levels of carbon

dioxide and this drought that has destroyed food supplies, though they both agree if global temperatures continue to go up, we could see more severe dry spells in the future. this used to be one of madagascar�*s biggest and longest rivers, but now it's dry and turned into a dust bowl. it illustrates the size of the crisis here. what used to be a vital source of water for millions of people has disappeared. these are scenes you would expect to see when refugees flee war, but here, they are terrorised by a worsening climate. they came from villages where they owned herds of cattle and fed themselves from their gardens. now, they are forced to wait for hand—outs. but it's notjust possessions they have lost.

mahasowa tells me four of his young children died after not eating for a week. translation: they died one by one, day by day. l they starved to death. there was nothing to eat and nothing to drink. this should be the wet season, but i didn't see a drop of rain here during my visit and aid agencies warned the situation will get worse as people eat all that remains in their stores. after decades of self—reliance, there is now very little that stands between families like ranwasi's and outright hunger. catherine byaruhanga, bbc news, madagascar. let's return to the borisjohnson issued this morning. labour has accused

borisjohnson of "taking us for fools" after an official report by the election watchdog, the electoral commission, found the prime minister asked a conservative party donor, lord brownlow, to authorise refurbishment of his downing street flat in november 2020. that appears to contradict a previous account from the prime minister. the electoral commission's report on the flat refurbishment says: "the prime minister messaged lord brownlow via whatsapp asking him to authorise further, at that stage unspecified, refurbishment works on the residence. lord brownlow agreed to do so." and in december 2020, "lord brownlow confirmed to the prime minister that he had approved further works." but mrjohnson had told an earlier investigation, by the independent adviser on ministers' interests, lord geidt, that he did not know how the downing street refurbishment was paid for until media reports emerged in february this year.

let's talk about the alleged christmas parties and how it imposes on people's trust of politicians. let's speak to ben page, chief executive of ipsos mori, a marketing research company. what is the evidence on voter's trust at the moment? remember that eo - le trust at the moment? remember that people don't — trust at the moment? remember that people don't trust _ trust at the moment? remember that people don't trust politicians - trust at the moment? remember that people don't trust politicians in - people don't trust politicians in this country anyway, trust in politicians is very low so it takes a lot to make a difference. it is problematic in terms of the pandemic because of this idea of one rule for us and in another rule from everyone else is one of the main reasons why people set in 2020 when they looked at the parcel incident with one of boris johnson's advisors at the parcel incident with one of borisjohnson's advisors about at the parcel incident with one of boris johnson's advisors about why would not follow government advice, there is a problem there with compliance of public health. if

borisjohnson does not compliance of public health. if boris johnson does not tell the truth, it is not know —— new news for people. the conservatives are falling behind in the polls, that is very clear, he is still the favourite in the next general election because of the uphill struggle that labour fees because of structural reasons, but it is surely not good, so many of his problems are now self—inflicted, they are not from the opposition, they are self—inflicted errors one after the other this autumn, that starting to see dissatisfaction in his own ranks and all political careers end in failure, he is edging closer. it is failure, he is edging closer. it is it is interesting, _ failure, he is edging closer. it is it is interesting, it _ failure, he is edging closer. it is it is interesting, it has always been said borisjohnson has cut through with the voters, a thumping majority at the last elections. this idea that it is one rule for the british people and another rule for those in downing street, that has

cut through, that really does get people annoyed, doesn't it? the british public _ people annoyed, doesn't it? tue: british public have been consistently more conservative with a small sea about the pandemic. the lockdown was too late, they tended to believe that public health measures were not strict enough rather than too strict. to see the government openly flaunt, apparently open to launch its own rules is not good. you need to put it in the context that most people never said that the trust politicians to tell the truth. a lot of this is priced in, the attention focused on him, of course, is not necessarily dot—mac the public are not thinking about this waking moment and labour are a few points ahead in the polls but we will need to wait and see for a bit longer to make up our minds about what is happening here. in 2012 in the previous parliament, ed miliband

got 12 percentage points clear of the conservative liberal government at the time, and yet went on to lose. you know, one needs to be a bit cautious about saying this is the beginning of the end for boris johnson but it certainly is not good, his ratings are down and his party are going to be very unhappy with him. his party are going to be very unhappy with him. , ., , ., , with him. his ratings had been relatively good _ with him. his ratings had been relatively good until _ with him. his ratings had been relatively good until quite i relatively good until quite recently. relatively good until quite recently-— relatively good until quite recently. relatively good until quite recentl . , . relatively good until quite recentl. , . recently. yes, the vaccine bounce as the vaccine — recently. yes, the vaccine bounce as the vaccine was _ recently. yes, the vaccine bounce as the vaccine was ruled _ recently. yes, the vaccine bounce as the vaccine was ruled out, _ recently. yes, the vaccine bounce as the vaccine was ruled out, since i the vaccine was ruled out, since then, the economy, of course, was better than projected, and the government has maintained a lead on the economy which is another key metric that you want to look at. until very recently when you ask people who you would prefer as prime minister, borisjohnson or the minister, boris johnson or the labour leader, minister, borisjohnson or the labour leader, borisjohnson was labour leader, boris johnson was always labour leader, borisjohnson was always winning. but the shine is coming off now and he needs to get his act together or he is going to

face a more difficult time, not least with his own party, because the measures to take through parliament will look like they require labour to vote with him, his own party will not support him, his majority will not work because of his mps, because of the hypocrisy they are now witnessing, it is a difficult situation for a government putting through legislation that requires the opposition to support your rather than your own party. thank you very much for your insight and analysis. starbucks workers in upstate new york have voted to form a union. the cafe in buffalo will be the firm's first unionized workplace since unions were de—certified by the company more than three decades ago. a second cafe in the area voted againstjoining — but the workers united union are confident of victory at a third store. in a statement to the bbc, the president of starbucks in north america says the company will continue to find ways to lead on wages and benefits.

from new york, our business correspondent michelle fleury has more. workers at one starbucks outlet in buffalo, new york voted by 19 to eight to form a union. now, it comes after a lengthy and often contentious campaign over unionising three stores in the area. those involved took a moment to savour the victory. we've done it, in spite of everything that the company has thrown at us and we all know that it has been an extensive anti—union campaign by starbucks corporate to try and prevent this from happening. the employees at the elmwood avenue location in buffalo, new york said the next step was to bring starbucks to the bargaining table. among the issues they want addressed, understaffing and insufficient training. while management at the coffee chain opposed the efforts, the campaign enjoyed the support of some high profile politicians such as senator of vermont bernie sanders who tweeted his congratulations,

calling it a historic achievement. it is the first company—owned starbucks out of nearly 9,000 in the united states to be unionised and it comes as workers in many industries are demanding better pay and conditions, particularly given how much they had to endure during the pandemic. the vote represents a particular challenge to the country's restaurant industry where unions are rare. earlier we spoke to richard bensinger — a starbucks union organiser from workers united and casey moore — a starbucks employee known as a �*partner�*. we asked them for their reaction to this victory. i think it ultimately has to do with having a seat and having a voice at the table, you know? starbucks has a symbolic chair at their boards table that represents partners, and every time they make decisions they look at this empty chair and say, "well, what do we think

partners would want?" we thought we should fill that chair, we should have a say in our workplace. we are starbucks, we're the ones that make it what it is today, and working through the pandemic, risking our lives so our customers could have the starbucks experience, we thought that we should have a say in our workplace and have a democracy in our workplace. i think this victory is a victory for all workers. and i think it begins to address the tremendous economic disparity in wage inequality in this country. casey's generation, really... most people have no hope of owning a home or they worked two jobs or pay off student debt. i think this generation, i call them not gen z, i called them gen u for gen union. i think you are looking to unions as a solution. so it's in incredible moment for this country and, i think, for workers around the world. a reaction to that news. the firm

behind the controversial oilfield development of shetland is causing the project. the energy decision comes one week after shale pulled out of the project. this announcement means the project could not progress on the originally planned timescale, and that new fossil fuel projects are pretty controversial and incompatible with action on climate change. the chief executive is still saying he believes it has a robust project. that is big news. the company behind the all fields of shetland is present that project on hold. let me update you on thejulian assange story. the united states has won its

appeal at the high court in london saying thatjulian assange should be extradited to the united states. a reaction from stella morris who is his fiancee, she is saying we will appeal against this decision at the earliest possible moment. thejulian assange campaign will appeal against that victory for the united states at the high court in london. in poland, where fertility rates are among the lowest in the world, a group of women are becoming mothers to fake babies. reborn dolls are hyper—realistic dummies, treated like real children, given a birthing ceremony and even a heartbeat. they help women through infertility, miscarriage and loss of a child, as well as anxiety and depression. polish artist barbara smolinska, who creates the dolls, features on this year's bbc 100 women list. this story, produced and filmed by claire tailyour—hayes. piano music plays

i make reborn dolls, which you could say are substitute children. born from a piece of vinyl, they are dolls that look like real babies. the devil is in the detail, every blood vessel or vein, features that are not typicalfor a doll, but make it look more realistic so that we can compare it to a real baby. the reason why people want these dolls vary. there are collectors, but also people use the dolls for therapy, women who suffer from different types of anxiety, depression or have lost a child or experienced a miscarriage. this is it. there are clothes for my doll.

shortly before my wedding three years ago, i became pregnant. six weeks later, i had a miscarriage. i couldn't get it together. i went to a psychologist, a psychiatrist, itook medicine, but nothing worked. when the doll came, i was shocked. it looked alive. it was painfully identical to a newborn. i was looking at the doll, but in my head, it was the child that was never born. it would bring up a lot of different emotions, not always positive ones. i had a routine with the doll. i would take care of it like a real child. but after a a few months, i slowly started to stop doing a routine

with him. i stopped holding it in my arms too much and stopped changing its clothes regularly. ijust didn't feel the need anymore. i decided to sell the doll to help someone else. i don't think about the miscarriage every day, i manage to maybe not forget it, but push that thought out of my head. we go back to the royal court of justice in central london where there has been an important decision onjulian assange. this is the scene outside the high court. the united states have won an appeal at the high court saying thatjulian assange should be extradited to the united states after washington offered assurances about his treatment in america both pre—and

post trial. julian assange's fiancee has said we will appeal against that decision. you're watching bbc news: there will be more on thatjulian assange decision, the latest in a long running saga. now it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. hello there. it has been a cold start today, an early ice warning across parts of scotland and northern ireland and the far north—west of england has now been lifted but it stays chilly today with temperatures below par for the time of year, mid—single figures for most, but look at the change into the weekend. we start to change air masses, something much milder with values closer to the mid—teens for some of them, so that really will be noticeable. we have lost that weather front across eastern areas which brought all the rain overnight, then it is a bright afternoon, sunshine and showers, blustery across northern and western areas, some heavy hail, thunder, some winteriness over the higher ground.

it is going to be a blustery day, these are mean wind speeds, gusts up to a0 miles an hour across some exposed western coast. a chilly day to come pretty much where ever you are, four to seven degrees. best of the sunshine always across eastern areas. the showers rattle on for a time this evening, then they fade away overnight and many places will be dry with clear spells, lighter winds, turning very cold. but a weather front working into western areas will slowly start to lift those temperatures here for belfast, for plymouth, but really cold further east with a widespread frost, maybe some ice for saturday morning. a cold, crisp but a bright start across eastern parts of the country for saturday. further west, we've got that weather front spilling its way in from the south—west introducing more of a breeze, cloud, outbreaks of rain. temperatures really will be climbing across western areas through saturday afternoon, 12, maybe 13 degrees in belfast and plymouth, but another cold day to come for eastern england and eastern scotland. through saturday night, that warm front continues to journey eastwards, so we are all into warmer air mass, will have this cold front, though,

bringing some rain at times. that front will be working its way northwards during the course of sunday, but we replace the yellow with the orange colours as we move through sunday. some very mild air coming in from the south—west. but it will be pretty moisture laden so a lot of cloud generally on sunday, that weather front spilling its way north, so splashes of rain across northern and western parts of the country, generally dry further east. then you'll be limited to see any sunshine. the odd bright spell here and there, but most places cloudy, those temperatures close to the mid—teens for many of us. as we head through the new week, it stays very mild, those temperatures remaining in double figures for many, but there will often be a lot of cloud around and some rain too.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11. the us government has won it's appeal to extradite wikilea ks founderjulian assange from the uk to the us — where he's wanted over the publication of thousands of classified documents pressure mounts on the prime minister with fresh questions over the revamp of his flat — and the row continuing over downing street christmas parties it's emerged the current downing street director of communications attended a christmas party in number ten last year which, it's alleged, broke lockdown rules. i feel very comfortable about the prime minister is integrity but i don't feel comfortable about the fact it's been a difficult week for the government. adding to the government's problems — a possible tory backbench

rebellion as face masks become compulsory in most indoor public venues in england in scotland, people are being urged to cancel christmas parties — because of a rise in cases of the omicron variant. the chancellor warns of bumps in the road as official figures show the uk economy grew byjust 0.1% in october the wikileaks founder, julian assange, is again facing extradition to the united states, after the american authorities won an appeal at the high court in london. washington wants him to face charges relating to the publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents on the afghanistan and iraq wars. a britishjudge had previously ruled he couldn't be extradited,

over fears he would face highly restrictive prison conditions in the us. but the american authorities have provided assurances about his custody, and judges at the high court now say he can be sent to the us to face trial. a short time ago my colleague ben brown spoke to our diplomatic correspondent paul adams moments after the ruling was delivered. paul adams moments after basically, paul adams moments after we are back where we �* before basically, we are back where we were before january and in other words, julian assage is still on course to be extradited to the united states to face those charges levelled against him of espionage, but there remains a whole bunch of legal hoops to go through and essentially the ruling today by the two judges sends the case back to the district court where in january a the case back to the district court where injanuary a judge ruled that since there was a real risk under the usjustice since there was a real risk under the us justice system julian assange would be in real danger of

committing suicide, that his extradition should be blocked and that was appealed by the united states and the hearing took place in october and the judges have essentially agreed with the united states and we will have to get the precise detail of the ruling, but essentially what the american lawyers were arguing was, one, that thejudge injanuary lawyers were arguing was, one, that the judge injanuary placed too lawyers were arguing was, one, that thejudge injanuary placed too much reliance on the judge injanuary placed too much reliance on the testimony of one of the assange teams medical experts who made the case about the real risk of suicide but also that the americans were offering a number of assurances thatjulian assage would not be held in the most extreme form of supermax prison that there was a possibility he could serve out the bulk of his sentence in australia so because of these various countermeasures by the americans the

judges today have ruled thatjulian assage, the case is still alive as it were and he will go back to belmarsh and continue to be held there while this protracted legal process continues to churn along. 50 process continues to churn along. so the bottom line is he's not going to the bottom line is he's not going to the us or anywhere else any time soon? . , the us or anywhere else any time soon? ., , ., ,, ., ., soon? no, this will take a while and will no soon? no, this will take a while and will go back— soon? no, this will take a while and will go back to _ soon? no, this will take a while and will go back to the _ soon? no, this will take a while and will go back to the district _ soon? no, this will take a while and will go back to the district court i will go back to the district court and we will have the rear here the business about the medical risks, the risk of suicide, probably further examination of the american assurances being offered and this could all end up in the supreme court before we hear the end of it, so this is not over at all. but court before we hear the end of it, so this is not over at all.— so this is not over at all. but in the short _ so this is not over at all. but in the short term, _ so this is not over at all. but in the short term, it's _ so this is not over at all. but in the short term, it's a _ so this is not over at all. but in the short term, it's a victory i so this is not over at all. but in| the short term, it's a victory for the short term, it's a victory for the united states and a defeat for julian assange. it is the united states and a defeat for julian assange-— julian assange. it is and it will be met with howls _ julian assange. it is and it will be met with howls of _ julian assange. it is and it will be met with howls of protest -

julian assange. it is and it will be met with howls of protest from i julian assange. it is and it will be i met with howls of protest from the legions of supporters ofjulian assange who have gathered at every stage of the legal process to voice their support for him in their argument will be that this is an assault on free speech and journalism and julian assange is the most persecuted journalist in the world as they see it. they will be outraged by what they are hearing today but, yes, this is definitely, for the time being, a victory for the united states. let for the time being, a victory for the united states.— for the time being, a victory for the united states. let me read you a brief statement _ the united states. let me read you a brief statement from _ the united states. let me read you a brief statement from the _ the united states. let me read you a brief statement from the editor i brief statement from the editor in chief of wikileaks who said julian's life is once more under grave threat and so is the right ofjournalists to publish material that governments and corporations find inconvenient. this is about the right of a free press to publish without being threatened by a bullying superpower. joining me now is craig barker who is a professor of international law at the london south bank university.

it won't be the end of the arguments in court, but these assurances from the us is responding specifically to the us is responding specifically to the concerns that were raised in the last hearing are pretty comprehensive that they give the guarantees sought, so where does that leave the prospects of an appeal byjulian assange's team? this appeal byjulian assange's team? is the previous report said, there will be a re—examination of the various arguments that have been put and in terms of extradition law, we have an agreement with the us, and it doesn't surprise me that they have made the assurances they have. if we look at it from the us perspective, they will need now to ensure that any process taken against mister assange, were he to be extradited, we are still not clear if that will take place, but in a way they are

under a special duty now and they will be under great scrutiny to make sure that everything that they do is done with his safety in mind, so i think while i understand there will be lots of concern and protest in relation to the freedom of expression arguments we have just articulated in the previous report, i do feel that in some ways this issue will continue until there is a resolution, so while i'm not for a minute suggesting mister assange should give himself up and let the process go on, i think this ruling, and the assurances the us has given in order to secure this ruling will ensure a greater level of protection that might have been the case had

the assurances not been made. somebody is making a statement outside the court, so let's listen in. t outside the court, so let's listen in. , , outside the court, so let's listen in. , ., outside the court, so let's listen in. i will “ust say one thing about this in. i willjust say one thing about this court decision, _ in. i willjust say one thing about this court decision, and - in. i willjust say one thing about this court decision, and it - in. i willjust say one thing about this court decision, and it is i in. i willjust say one thing about| this court decision, and it is this, that there are two absolutely unchallengeable the true facts about british politics. there are two absolutely unchallengeable a true facts about british politics at the moment. one is that there was a party in downing street on the 18th of december, and the other is, that you cannot accept the assurances of the united states government in the case ofjulian assange, as the judges seem to have done today, but to tell you more about what's been happening, first of all, i will ask craig murray who has been following this case from the very beginning to say a few words.—

say a few words. thank you. well, toda 's say a few words. thank you. well, today's judgment _ say a few words. thank you. well, today's judgment was _ say a few words. thank you. well, today's judgment was a _ say a few words. thank you. well, today'sjudgment was a partial- today's judgment was a partial victory— today's judgment was a partial victory in — today's judgment was a partial victory in that the judge found that on the _ victory in that the judge found that on the medical evidence and on the evidence _ on the medical evidence and on the evidence of— on the medical evidence and on the evidence of conditions in american jails. _ evidence of conditions in american jails. the _ evidence of conditions in american jails, the magistrate had made the correct _ jails, the magistrate had made the correct decision in refusing to extradite _ correct decision in refusing to extradite julian assange. however, they said _ extradite julian assange. however, they said based purely on diplomatic assurances _ they said based purely on diplomatic assurances from the us and the diplomatic notes that they accepted the word _ diplomatic notes that they accepted the word of the united states government as to the conditions in which _ government as to the conditions in whichjulian would be held and government as to the conditions in which julian would be held and they said that _ which julian would be held and they said that this is because they were receiving _ said that this is because they were receiving solemn assurances from the state _

receiving solemn assurances from the state well, _ receiving solemn assurances from the state. well, of course, these are solemn _ state. well, of course, these are solemn assurances from the state whose _ solemn assurances from the state whose war — solemn assurances from the state whose war crimes and murder of civilians — whose war crimes and murder of civilians were exposed byjulian assange — civilians were exposed byjulian assange. who cannot accept these kinds _ assange. who cannot accept these kinds of— assange. who cannot accept these kinds of assurances from the government of the united states, and the government of the united states has broken precisely these kind of assurances in other legal cases for which _ assurances in other legal cases for which there — assurances in other legal cases for which there are a series of judgments at the european court of human— judgments at the european court of human rights which were ignored. that is— human rights which were ignored. that is craig murray, a former british diplomat and supporter of julian assange and let's go back to craig barker. well, that sort of cuts to what we were discussing a moment ago about the arguments around freedom of speech versus how the courts are looking at this which is that the united states can apply for extradition and it comes down to issues around safety in the us which has given guarantees.—

has given guarantees. certainly. as mister murray _ has given guarantees. certainly. as mister murray was _ has given guarantees. certainly. as mister murray was saying _ has given guarantees. certainly. as mister murray was saying there, i has given guarantees. certainly. as| mister murray was saying there, we can treat this as another example, as he is saying it of promises being made that will be broken and i am not myself convinced that we can keep moving forward in the way in which we do legal business with other states if we can't accept what they are saying. if we are going to challenge the diplomatic assurance every time it is made, there is an argument that says that diplomatic assurances meaningless and i do believe as a professor of different attic law that we can and should try to ensure that diplomatic assurances are upheld and have some value because if we can't trust other states or we can't at least give them the opportunity to show that

they are capable of making commitments and hold them up, then i wonder where we are supposed to go from there. so while ? sorry to interrupt. from there. so while ? sorry to interrupt-_ from there. so while ? sorry to interrut. ~ ., ., , , interrupt. what will happen then? because julian _ interrupt. what will happen then? because julian assange's - interrupt. what will happen then? because julian assange's partnerl becausejulian assange's partner says they will take it to the supreme court, so what would they need to effectively prove in terms of there being a case for appeal to go to the supreme court? is absolutely certain it will get there? �* ., absolutely certain it will get there? ., , ,. ., there? i'm not sure it is certain. while i there? i'm not sure it is certain. while l have _ there? i'm not sure it is certain. while i have yet _ there? i'm not sure it is certain. while i have yet to _ there? i'm not sure it is certain. while i have yet to see - there? i'm not sure it is certain. while i have yet to see the i while i have yet to see the judgments, i can't comment, but my understanding is that they will refer it back to the district court, so i imagine that will be the next stage in the same arguments will be run that there and with the assurances in place. the point was that this appeal will overturn the district court decision based on the fact that the judge in that first instance did not have these assurances and said if she had the assurances and said if she had the assurances she would have made a different decision and it's going to

go back to see if that similar decision will now be made. and then if that goes against mister assange there will be an appeal from that and potentially going to the supreme court but there will be good reason for the matter to go to the supreme court but given the notoriety of the case and the important legal issues at stake it might be that the supreme court does eventually hear the case which would put the matter to rest, but ultimately the issue now becomes, do we trust the americans and do we believe that there assurances are going to work and they will follow them through. and it's a very difficult thing for a government or even for a supreme court or senior court in the uk to say, actually, we have these diplomatic assurances from the us but we just don't believe that they will be complied with, and that is

the difficult position that the court finds itself in today. thank ou ve court finds itself in today. thank you very much _ court finds itself in today. thank you very much craig _ court finds itself in today. thank you very much craig barker, i you very much craig barker, professor of international law in the london south bank university and let's listen tojulian assange's beyonce who is speaking. {line let's listen to julian assange's beyonce who is speaking. one of the foremost publishers, _ beyonce who is speaking. one of the foremost publishers, journalists i beyonce who is speaking. one of the foremost publishers, journalists of i foremost publishers, journalists of the past 50 years in a uk prison, of being accused of publishing the truth about war crimes, about cia kill teams and in fact every time we have a hearing, we know more about the abusive nature, the criminal nature of this case. julian exposed the crimes of cia torturers and killers, and now we know that those cia killers were planning to kill him as well. how can this court, how

can these courts approve an extradition request under these conditions? how can they accept an extradition to the country that plotted to killjulian, that plotted to kill a publisher because of what he published. this goes to the fundamentals of press freedom and of democracy. we will fight. every generation has an epic fight to fight and this is ours because julian represents the fundamentals of what it means to live in a free society, of what it means to have press freedom, what it means more journalist to do theirjobs without being afraid of spending the rest of their lives in prison. the uk imprisons journalists, their lives in prison. the uk

imprisonsjournalists, they their lives in prison. the uk imprisons journalists, they are imprisoning julian on behalf of a foreign power which is taking an abusive, vindictive prosecution against a journalist, and this is what it is about. i urge everyone to come together and fight forjulian. julian represents all our liberties and all our rights. thank you. that is stella maris, the fiancee of julian assange, and the mother of his two children, saying that this goes to the fundamentals of freedom and democracy. she said the uk is imprisoning a journalist and julian assange, she said, is standing up for the freedom of journalism. assange, she said, is standing up for the freedom ofjournalism. so she says the fight will go on. we will return to that a bit later with more reaction to it. now to politics. borisjohnson is facing yet more

questions about the party held at downing street last december — despite coronavirus restrictions — after it emerged the man running the government's communications team was one of the guests. it's understood that jack doyle made a speech at the chriistmas event and handed out awards to press office staff. number ten has repeatedly denied the party took place or that any covid rules were broken — despite a video emerging on tuesday which showed downing street officials joking about it. the government's chief whip, mark spencer, has said the prime minister "would not have lied" about any parties, and instead suggested the event on 18th december was a meeting about coronavirus. in a separate development, mrjohnson's adviser on standards is reported to be seeking clarification following claims that the prime minister gave him misleading information about the refurbishment of his downing street flat. and tory backbenchers are expected to mount a substantial rebellion next week over new covid measures. the government's chief whip has told the bbc that downing street is so big, no one could possibly know what was happening across the building. speaking to bbc radio

nottingham's sarahjulian, mr. spencer insisted that he personally "absolutely, categorically" didn't know about any parties. iam i am assured that everybody in that building played by the rules, and thatis building played by the rules, and that is why the prime minister has asked the cabinet secretary to do a thorough investigation to find out and establish the facts. this is a huge, huge building, literally with hundreds and hundreds of offices and rooms. no single person could account for what is happening in those buildings. they are huge buildings. when summary makes a serious allegation like there was a christmas party, that requires a proper investigation to establish the facts and it is a serious allegation and i accept that and people would be upset if they thought they were christmas parties. earlier nusrat ghani vice chair of the influential 1922 committee of backbench conservative mps spoke to nick robinson

on bbc radio 4's today programme. everybody has to respond equally to the restrictions and pay the penalty equally of those restrictions are broken. to equally of those restrictions are broken. ., ., , ., broken. to translate, if there were arties in broken. to translate, if there were parties in downing _ broken. to translate, if there were parties in downing street, - broken. to translate, if there were l parties in downing street, someone should _ parties in downing street, someone should pay— parties in downing street, someone should pay a price? yes. should the prime should pay a price? should the prime minister should pay a price? 19s should the prime minister pay a should pay a price? j9s should the prime minister pay a price if he knew— prime minister pay a price if he knew about it? i�*m prime minister pay a price if he knew about it?— prime minister pay a price if he knew about it? i'm here to speak about the uighur _ knew about it? i'm here to speak about the uighur muslim - knew about it? i'm here to speak| about the uighur muslim tribunal. it's quite important considering you are a _ it's quite important considering you are a conservative mp. this is why the investigation will be key. well let's take a closer look at the controversy around the prime minister's flat refurbishment. labour has accused borisjohnson of taking the british public "for fools" after an official report by the electoral commission found he had asked a conservative party donor to authorise the refurbishment of his downing street flat in november last year — contradicting a previous account from the pm. the electoral commission's report on the flat refurbishment says:

well, in response, a conservative spokesman said it was a "technical breach" of the law and the party was considering appealing the ruling. let's speak alastair campbell, is the former director of communications for labour under tony blair. thank you forjoining us. the thank you for “oining us. the government — thank you forjoining us. tj9 government position on this is of course that it was a blind trust that the prime minister had asked to be set up for the refurbishment works and it had been set up, but he was proceeding on the basis that he would not know he was paying for the

refurbishment. what is your view of that? does that mean that therefore if he didn't know, he was being wholly honest when he spoke and said he did not know who was paying for it? ~ :, :, :, he did not know who was paying for it? :, :, , it? well, i have no idea because i wasn't privy _ it? well, i have no idea because i wasn't privy across _ it? well, i have no idea because i wasn't privy across any _ it? well, i have no idea because i wasn't privy across any of - it? well, i have no idea because i wasn't privy across any of those i wasn't privy across any of those conversations. what i do know his borisjohnson conversations. what i do know his boris johnson throughout conversations. what i do know his borisjohnson throughout his life and career is a proven liar and we shouldn't be surprised if he lies to the queens former private secretary because he lied to the queen about the prorogation of parliament and i'm finding this kind of shock and outrage of the fact that suddenly pennies are dropping that we have elected up liar as a prime minister, ifind a shock elected up liar as a prime minister, i find a shock a bit strange because anyone who has known him throughout his life or career knows it. the journalists who have formed over him for as long as they have, they have known it because they worked with him and ourfriends known it because they worked with him and our friends with known it because they worked with him and ourfriends with him and so forth, so i don't think any of us would be surprised that this is the

position we have come to, and by the way i heard the clip with mark harper about downing street being a huge building. it is not. there are actually very few places in downing street where you could reasonably uncomfortably have any sort of gathering, which i understand is the new word for party. very few indeed and the point is that those sorts of gatherings or parties can only happen in an environment where the leadership inside that building allows them to happen. i cannot imagine any set of circumstances whatsoever, none, where anybody who works for a previous prime minister in the middle of a pandemic, where the government havejust in the middle of a pandemic, where the government have just told the country there could be no such gatherings, there could be no such mixing, there could be no such socialising that that would happen. i cannot think of any circumstances. just to come in there, what they are saying is these things had been

happening on a weekly basis and the inference seems to be that they were working together as a tight team, heading to christmas, they are all working under the same roof and if that extends to bringing in some cheese and wine, they might not have seen it in the way that people externally are looking at it. do you think that is a possible explanation?— think that is a possible explanation? think that is a possible exlanation? �* :, :, :, �* think that is a possible exlanation? :, :, :, explanation? i'm afraid i don't, and the trouble — explanation? i'm afraid i don't, and the trouble they _ explanation? i'm afraid i don't, and the trouble they got _ explanation? i'm afraid i don't, and the trouble they got themselves i explanation? i'm afraid i don't, andl the trouble they got themselves into as you cannot believe a word they say, because they have been found lying about so many different situations and honestly, i know the bbc has not yet played it and you're the only national broadcaster not to play. peter stefanovic, the lawyer and activist has set out months ago and activist has set out months ago a video of lies told by boris johnson at the dispatch box. now we are all talking about whether he is found to have broken the ministerial code, blah, blah, blah, he breaks the ministerial code regularly and persistently when he stands at the

dispatch box, says things that aren't true and then doesn't correct the record, so let's please not pretending this is some amazing new phenomenon that we have a lawyer as a prime minister. can phenomenon that we have a lawyer as a prime minister.— a prime minister. can i “ust ask you about the labour i a prime minister. can i “ust ask you about the labour party i a prime minister. can ijust ask you about the labour party who - a prime minister. can ijust ask you about the labour party who say i a prime minister. can ijust ask you| about the labour party who say they will vote with the government on plan b and it could be that labour actually saved boris johnson's skin in terms of losing a vote on that with the scale of the rebellion on the tory benches looking to be somewhere between 60 and a hundred. do you think labour should support the government in that vote? listen, i think that the government in that vote? listen, | think that the — the government in that vote? listen, i think that the country _ the government in that vote? listen, i think that the country does - i think that the country does actually want parliament and parliamentarians to think about the national interest and i heard wes streeting talk about this earlier and he said he was not sporting borisjohnson and he does not believe a word that borisjohnson says, but he was supporting the advice and recommendation of the scientific and medical advisers, so thatis scientific and medical advisers, so that is a judgment they have to make and i think we have to move away

from this whole thing. i'm also sick to death of hearing what tory mps think. ultimately tory mps are the only people who can bring this to some sort of satisfactory conclusion to the country. think about the challenges facing the country. not just coronavirus, but massive inequality are massive problems in the health service, massive mental health crisis and you have russian troops gathering on the ukrainian border and we have no foreign policy worth the name. we have a government thatis worth the name. we have a government that is constantly having to clear up that is constantly having to clear up messes made by the fact that we have in downing street somebody who is utterly unfit to be there. i'm not saying that because this thing is happening now. i've been saying this ever since he was elected. this guy does not have the moral authority to be in downing street, and the more that we cover him, and your profession covers him as this is a normal government, this is an abnormal government doing abnormal

things. sebastian payne is the whitehall editor at the financial times. where do you think the prime minister's moral authority is now? as alistair was talking about there, boris johnson's as alistair was talking about there, borisjohnson's character has been well known by conservative mps and conservative voters for a long period of time and i think there should be no surprise that he is an unconventional prime minister and does not do things in the way normal conservative leaders do but the events of the last week have cut through and it's notjust the usual suspects within the tory party who are unhappy with the prime minister, it's gone well beyond that in this particular phase, and i think we are in a danger zone for the prime minister, but one long—standing ally of him said he has shot five of his nine lives, so so things are getting into it difficult territory for borisjohnson and in terms of his moral authority of the country, the party thing is very damaging and for borisjohnson to go to the house of commons and apologise, this is a

politician who very rarely apologises and finds it very difficult to do so which shows how serious he takes it. the issue of the downing street flat, although it is a bit inside the weeds is a bigger problem for the prime minister because if he has misled on who paid unsolicited the donation for the flat, then he's either going to have to apologise for that or that investigation could be reopened, or there is talk in whitehall that the lord might resign, and if that they will put even more frighteners on conservative mps about what is going on in downing street and does boris johnson have a grip of events. alistair campbell was broadening it out and saying it's notjust about what is happening now, it's about past behaviour of the prime minister. but in terms of how things move forward, how much does it specifically come down to what is happening now and what the outcome is of the specifics in each of these

individual situations that are all colliding? individual situations that are all collidin: ? :, , :, colliding? the next two things to look at next _ colliding? the next two things to look at next week _ colliding? the next two things to look at next week are _ colliding? the next two things to look at next week are the - colliding? the next two things to look at next week are the vote i colliding? the next two things to | look at next week are the vote on the coronavirus restrictions and for conservative mps, that is what they are most wound up about. in the last boat we had 30 mps rebelled on the reintroduction of self isolation from those returning abroad and we are well past that and there is even talking westminster of 100 mps rebelling and if you had a huge rebellion on that scale with these measures going through on labour votes, that's a very dangerous situation for any prime minister to be in, so that's the first thing to watch on tuesday. the next thing is the by—election on thursday in north shropshire. this is a seat where they normally waive the conservative vote count and they had a majority of 23,000 but the bookmakers now say the liberal democrats are the favourite to win that by—election and i would be very shocked if they do win it, but if they do run the conservatives close or win it, those two things will say to the conservative party that the prime

minister doesn't have the moral authority over coronavirus restrictions and he does not have the authority and the winning capability and the wider public but you put those two together and things could get dicey but in some respects borisjohnson is quite lucky that it's almost christmas and westminster will go away for its brake and temperatures will cool and in the new year you can imagine we have some kind of relaunch, some kind of reset may be in terms of how downing street operates and personnel changes and may be a new approach from borisjohnson but obviously these inquiries into the flat refurbishment and the parties in downing street will go on into next year, and they are both out of the prime minister's hands and it is simon case, the cabinet secretary, looking into the downing street parties and the lord looking out the refurbishment of the downing street flats, and those are not within his control, so it's hard to see where it goes, but this has been a very damaging week for borisjohnson, no doubt about it and you listen to that clip earlier in the 1922

executive, and she found it difficult to say that she trusted and had confidence with the prime minister and and had confidence with the prime ministerand in and had confidence with the prime minister and in private i can tell you that people are saying it in much more vociferous terms. thank ou, much more vociferous terms. thank you. sebastien _ much more vociferous terms. thank you, sebastien payne. _ now it's time for a look at the weather. hello there. it is a chilly end to the working week but things are set to turn much milder through this weekend. today, though, a cold one, bright, lots of sunshine around, particularly the eastern side of the country, one or two showers here. most of the showers will be across northern and western areas. they will be blustery, some heavy with hail and thunder, certainly some wintriness over the hills. these are mean wind speeds — gusts will be higher than that around northern and western coasts, up to a0 miles an hour in one or two locations. it's a chilly day wherever you are, four to eight degrees — that's below par for the time of year. some of the showers rattle on this

evening and then most of them fade away overnight. northern, central and eastern areas will be cold with clear skies, a widespread frost but a weather front pushing into western areas will start to lift those temperatures, but there will be more cloud, breeze and outbreaks of rain here. it's a cold start to saturday morning across eastern areas, but that milder air will spill to most places on saturday and by sunday, we are all in that milder air, temperatures close to the mid—teens celsius, but there will be a lot of cloud around. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. the us government has won it's appeal to extradite wikileaks founderjulian assange from the uk to the us — where he's wanted over the publication of thousands of classified documents. pressure mounts on the prime minister — with fresh questions over the revamp of his flat — and the row continuing over downing street christmas parties. it's emerged the current downing street director of communications attended a christmas party in number ten last year which, it's alleged, broke lockdown rules. adding to the government's problems — a possible tory backbench rebellion as face masks become compulsory in most indoor public venues in england.

in scotland, people are being urged to cancel christmas parties — because of a rise in cases of the omicron variant. sport and a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. it's been a much better day for england in the first ashes test, but they still trail by 58 runs at the close on day 3 in brisbane. travis head hit 152 in australia's first innings before they were bowled out for 425. in reply england reached 220 for 2 withjoe root and dawid malan both closing in on centuries. here's our sports correspondentjoe wilson. brisbane, an expanding sporting city, it will host the olympics, ashes cricket, let's remember is a marathon. england began the third day of this test still trying to

take australian wickets, optimism and energy running on empty. stokes was fit enough to bowl, travis head was thrilled to bat. thus stood the match, australia built a lead of 278, travis head made 152 and all that was just the start. now england batted. rory burns, a touch from the glove and that was him going for 13. a glance of the bat and he was outjust when he was settling in. 2021 has been a record—breaking year of run scoring forjoe root. the captain's 50 here was greeted by plenty of england fans, well, it is queensland. dawid malan was passed 52. now this was getting interesting. encouraging. as the shadows lengthened, the lead reduced, evening came, joe root and

dawid malan remained. with two days to come, it felt like a victory to bejust 38 runs behind. —— 58 runs. first practice is just getting under way in abu dhabi for sunday's grand prix that will decide the formula one world championship. lewis hamilton and max verstappen are level on points at the top of the standings heading into the final race. red bull's verstappen only top because he's won 9 races to hamilton's 8. there have been some changes to the circuit. whichever driver crosses the line first, takes the title, or, if neither car finishes then it's

verstappen's. premier league has asked all premier league clubs to return to covid precautions. leicester city have cases in their squad. norwich have said they have covid related issues. this is near the highest level since the beginning of the pandemic. still winning masks indoors. we are still very careful about social distancing in our dressing room, everywhere. also, a very high vaccination rate.

these sort of things you have to do, not losing 13 or so people to the virus. people in england will be required — from today — to wear face coverings in cinemas, theatres and places of worship. it's all part of the new plan b restrictions that were announced by the government this week. there are also new vaccine passport requirements. greg parmley is the ceo of live which is the trade body for live music.

we think the introduction of plan b results in an unfair double standard. it allows people to go to crowded bars without having to prove covid status. i would caveat that with saying that after prolonged closure throughout the pandemic, support for venues to remain open at full capacity. we are heartened to see that the government has listens to our argument including the use of lateralfull to our argument including the use of lateral full testing. to our argument including the use of lateralfull testing. we to our argument including the use of lateral full testing. we are still waiting for the finer points from government at the moment to find out what some of the operational details are going to be. the what some of the operational details are going to be— are going to be. the first and you mentioned _ are going to be. the first and you mentioned was _ are going to be. the first and you mentioned was the _ are going to be. the first and you mentioned was the inequality i are going to be. the first and you mentioned was the inequality in i mentioned was the inequality in terms of how these rules are being applied. are you saying that they should not be applied anywhere or there should be applied anywhere —— everywhere? latte there should be applied anywhere -- everywhere?—

everywhere? we think it should be one or the other. _ everywhere? we think it should be one or the other. if— everywhere? we think it should be one or the other. if you _ everywhere? we think it should be one or the other. if you are - everywhere? we think it should be one or the other. if you are sat i everywhere? we think it should be one or the other. if you are sat in i one or the other. if you are sat in a busy pub for three or four hours, sat next to other people, there's lots more close proximity and crowd movements than if you are sat in a seated venue. that said, we are working with government to make sure that the sector can remain open. it is a double edged sword. in sector can remain open. it is a double edged sword.— sector can remain open. it is a double edged sword. in terms of caettin to double edged sword. in terms of getting to a _ double edged sword. in terms of getting to a situation _ double edged sword. in terms of getting to a situation where i double edged sword. in terms of getting to a situation where life i getting to a situation where life can go back to people being able to get out, an important part of it is vaccination. and when the vaccination. and when the vaccination certificates were brought in in france it did lead to people that wanted to go to events who had not thought they needed to get the vaccine getting it. do you see that as an aspect of the bigger picture?

see that as an aspect of the bigger icture? :. . see that as an aspect of the bigger icture? ., , see that as an aspect of the bigger icture? :, , :, picture? that is part of the intention. _ picture? that is part of the intention. with _ picture? that is part of the intention. with the - picture? that is part of the i intention. with the certification brought in in scotland. we have not seen a significant uptick in numbers getting vaccinated as a result in scotland where the scheme has already been brought in. i am not sure there is evidence they are. in france the use of vaccine passports is much broader. my understanding, if you want to go to a restaurant or bar, you have to have it for that. also, across the country, music venues and events have a restaurant or bar, you have to have it for that. also, across the country, music venues and events have ready tried and tested ways of people to be safe. many venues are already asking for proof of negative test or vaccination in order to get into the venue stop thank you. in scotland, people are being urged to cancel christmas parties — because of a rise in cases of the omicron variant. public health scotland says a number of outbreaks have been linked to christmas festivities, but the hospitality industry says

the advice has come like a bolt from the blue. here's simonjones. just over two weeks to go until the big day. the party season would normally be in full swing, but in scotland, people are being asked to think again. the medical director of public health scotland, said... "i appreciate that everyone is keen to celebrate this festive season, particularly after the pressures of the last 20 months. but by postponing some plans, we can all do our bit to protect ourselves and our loved ones." more than two million people have had a boosterjab in scotland, but public health officials say we still need to learn more about the severity of the disease caused by omicron and the effectiveness of the vaccines. speaking before the plea to postpone parties, scotland's national

clinical director said there are important steps people can take to protect themselves and their families. i will be lateral flow testing before i do any dinners or if i go out. or if i have my family round. my family will be doing lateral flow tests before they come for christmas dinner, i won't be checking my mum's certificate at the door. but my mum will be lateral flow tested before she comes and she's fully vaccinated. so that seems to me to be a small price to pay to be able to have a family christmas. the scottish government says it's urging everyone to follow the advice of public health scotland, but it remains advice, not a legal ban. the hospitality sector, though, says the christmas and hogmanay trade has been left in tatters. doesn't mean to say that people go home, put their pyjamas on and go to bed. all you're doing is driving them into the offices, where it may not be the safest places. you drive them into homes for people to party. we are social animals and that's just the way we are. borisjohnson said on tuesday that he didn't want people to cancel christmas events, but the differing advice is leading to a lack of clarity in the run—up to christmas. simon jones, bbc news. wales' first minister mark drakeford will give details of his

government's three—week review on covid. our correspondent in wales tomos morgan sent us this update vaccine centres will be open for longer to make sure people are vaccinated more quickly. there will be no more restrictions for the time being. that mark drakeford will be asking people to wear face masks and restaurants when they are not sitting down. people ask people to take lateral flow when they go out to meet of the christmas period. the welsh cabinet has stopped short of asking people to cancel their christmas parties, like they have done in scotland. there is a warning from the welsh government that if things do take a turn for the worse that they will have to put restrictions in place. the covid passes have been in place in wales for a number of weeks already. it

was further than plan b measures in england. in wales you need a covid pass to go to cinema or theatre. masks have been in place throughout the entire pandemic, they have never gone away in public and social settings. and working from home guidance has not changed either. a number of measures coming in in england have been in place in wales for some time. the welsh government today will not be bringing in any more restrictions this lunchtime, but mark drakeford will be warning that if things get worse there might be some before christmas. two other things to mention. yesterday there was a report on an online website that the first minister, in a meeting with whitehall officials, and other heads of the other home nations, has called for a lockdown between christmas and new year. that was turned down, it was said, by ministers in westminster. the welsh government was asked about this. they said they would not comment on leaked reports and also said, for

the time being, they would not be more restrictions in place. this morning on bbc radio, a care home manager in wales has voiced concern on the care home industry and said if there are fears about omicron variant spelling so quickly in wales that restrictions could be put in place on a care home visits over the festive period, just like last year. new figures show that in october, the uk economy grew more slowly than analysts had expected. the value of all goods and services produced in the country increased byjust 0.1%. it's a marked slowdown since september when the economy grew by 0.6%, according to figures released by the ons. our economics correspondent andy verity says the recent petrol crisis may have played a role. to some extent it is a supply chain

issues. we have got a changing picture for the economy. for most of this year it was a record—breaking growth as we bounced back from the contraction of the pandemic. the office for budget responsibility forecast in october that the economy would grow by 6.5% this year. it is unlikely that it will grow that quickly now. we have got a changing outlook as well for interest rates. just a few weeks ago there was a confident prediction there would be one in november and one in december. now, that december rate rise looks unlikely. that is partly because we have got this slowing economy. remember, these figures showing a slowdown in october, are before the omicron variant really kicks in, before the new restrictions were put in place, that will inevitably slow down economic growth to some extent. a very different picture to what we

had at the beginning of the year for the economy. families in england will see a greater squeeze on household finances next year according to bbc research, with council tax expected to rise at the same time as national insurance. the bbc spoke to 152 local authories that deliver social care, and two thirds of them said they were considering a rise in council tax. our political correspondent alex forsyth has more details. ryan is an entertainer. he's also a dj, an artist, and he's employed as a youth worker. he has multiplejobs, but he says finances are still tight. it's hit us hard with a constant rise in utility bills, especially gas and electricity. everything isjust a constant worry at the moment. and sort of became reliant on credit cards to be able to survive. ryan lives in norten in north yorkshire, and his council tax could be going up next year. another growing bill on the pile. it's always on my mind.

i never, ever stop thinking about paying things off and it's hit me very hard. the council here, like many, is facing rising costs and demand for services. there's particular pressure on care for children and adults. the government is already putting up national insurance to help pay for social care. but initially, most of that will go to the nhs. so some councils say they're still facing funding shortfalls. if you look at the ten—year record of this council, i think we have been moderate in our increases. but there comes a point where, in actualfact, those people who are on lower incomes are probably the people that we need to increase council tax to raise money to actually provide the services to help them. council tax has been creeping up in recent years because the government has told local authorities they can increase it by a certain amount to bring in money to help pay for services. so it isn'tjust this authority, north yorkshire. in fact, two thirds of councils across england have told us they're looking at putting up

council tax next year too. no final decisions have been taken but councils are expecting to be able to increase tax by up to 3% from april. that is less than in recent years. it could mean an average of around £40 more on bills. it all depends on where you live. some councils in the north say lower property values, which council tax is based on, means they can raise less than in parts of the south. if council tax was the only source of council funding, poorer areas would lose out. but actually councils get a lot of their funding directly from government. and how that money is distributed will be crucial in making sure that poorer areas don't see their funding fall behind. the government says it's investing £5.1t billion over the next three years to improve the lives of those who receive care, as well as an additional 1.6 billion in core local government funding for each year, which will allow councils to increase their spending on vital public services.

back in north yorkshire, there is understanding about the need to pay for services, but some worry, too. we don't like it going up, but we're happy with the service we get, to be honest. i don't mind paying more council tax if it means more help for the elderly, infirm, care budgets and police and fire brigade. i have no qualms about it. do you mind paying a bit more if it means you get a good service? no, i hate paying more. i'm a single parent, so it's ridiculous. i my council tax is crazy. it's £120 a month and i even struggle to pay that. - councils won't set their tax rates until next year, but the prospect of another bill going up doesn't for many feel very bright. alex forsyth, bbc news, north yorkshire. now to the bbc�*s 100 women series — and the bbc�*s found almost 90% of female members of afghanistan's last parliament have left the country. just a handful of the 69 elected female officials remain and many of those are in hiding, living in fear. tom donkin reports.

following a path with no destination. as a young member of afghanistan's parliament, serena was once a vocal defender of women's rights. she is now a refugee living in a camp. it is hard to fathom how quickly life has changed. she doesn't know where her family are headed next. three months ago i couldn't imagine at all i would be a refugee. i have suffered a lot. ifeel pain. i have been through better days. and i am still in a bad situation. but whenever i am reminded of what every afghan is going through now i forget my pain. a bbc investigation has found that of the 69 female members of afghanistan's parliament almost 90% have now left the country, with most of those now living in europe. just nine remain

inside the country, uncertain of their future. outside of amsterdam another politician who fled contemplates what next. once a strong voice in the parliament and the spokesperson to the president, this woman continues to make the food which reminds her of home. but she is going back, willing to campaign for the education of girls inside the new afghanistan. i love my people. i think it is better that i am where my people needs me more than ever. also, if we want to accomplish our goals we have to fight for it, we have to work for it. the presence of women in government after the fall of the taliban in 2001 changed afghan society. today that society is fractured. most of the country's female leaders now spread across europe, north america and the middle east, leaving afghan women struggling to be heard under the taliban once more.

it's two months since it became illegal for under—18s in england to receive dermalfillers or botox—style injections for cosmetic reasons. but a bbc investigation found some beauty practitioners are still offering them to younger teenagers via social media. our health correspondent anna collinson has been speaking to liv, who had lip filler when she was 16, before the ban. when i looked in the mirror, when i was like 1a, 15, 16, ijust didn't like my smile. i didn't like the fact you could see my gums. ifirst got lip filler when i was 16. now 19, liv has visited multiple practitioners for lip fillers. she often found them on social media. some were still in training. they'll be discounted usually, like a lot, a lot cheaper and it's obviously more directed at people that are younger, that probably have less money. so it, like, attracts them to come forward and be like, "oh, yeah,

"you can practise on my lips." mps have called the nonsurgical beauty industry the wild west with no mandatory training needed to buy or inject fillers. complications can include disfigurement and even blindness. it's illegal for under—18s to receive fillers for cosmetic reasons in england, but is the law working? we created a social media account for a fictitious teenager, called jenny, including a unique image of a 16—year—old girl, generated by an artificial intelligence program. facebook says marketplace listings must not promote the sale of cosmetic procedures, butjenny was able to send hundreds of lip—filler requests. so more than 180 businesses replied tojenny and the majority of responses were no. here's an example. "hi, jenny. "sorry, but i can't take you in as you're "under the age of 18." but we found more than one in five beauticians appeared willing.

we shared our findings with some of those who fought for the under—18 ban. that's devastating. so it's either absolute negligence or they're completely unaware and either factor actually poses a significant risk. these people should not be practicing because it's really unethical. following our investigation, facebook says it's now blocked certain search terms to make it harder for its users to find treatments like fillers. the government says businesses who do not check clients' ages will face prosecution. liv supports the ban but understands the pressures to look a certain way. when i was 15, 16, you look at someone that's getting all these likes and you're like, "well, why am i not?" so it's like, "well, i'm going to make myself "look like that then,

because that's what everyone "wants me to look like." people are making filters that make your lips bigger. they change your entire face. they are so damaging. hello there. it has been a cold start today, an early ice warning across parts of scotland and northern ireland and the far north—west of england has now been lifted but it stays chilly today with temperatures below par for the time of year, mid—single figures for most, but look at the change into the weekend. we start to change air masses, something much milder with values closer to the mid—teens for some of them, so that really will be noticeable. we have lost that weather front across eastern areas which brought all the rain overnight, then it is a bright afternoon, sunshine and showers, blustery across northern and western areas, some heavy hail, thunder, some wintriness over the higher ground. it is going to be a blustery day, these are mean wind speeds, gusts up to a0 miles an hour across some exposed western coasts. a chilly day to come pretty much whereever

you are, four to seven degrees. best of the sunshine always across eastern areas. the showers rattle on for a time this evening, then they fade away overnight and many places will be dry with clear spells, lighter winds, turning very cold. but a weather front working into western areas will slowly start to lift those temperatures here for belfast, for plymouth, but really cold further east with a widespread frost, maybe some ice for saturday morning. a cold, crisp but bright start across eastern parts of the country for saturday. further west, we've got that weather front spilling its way in from the south—west introducing more of a breeze, cloud, outbreaks of rain. temperatures really will be climbing across western areas through saturday afternoon, 12, maybe 13 degrees in belfast and plymouth, but another cold day to come for eastern england and eastern scotland. through saturday night, that warm front continues to journey eastwards, so we are all into warmer air mass, will have this cold front, though, bringing some rain at times. that front will be working its way northwards during the course of sunday, but we replace the yellow with the orange colours as we move through sunday.

some very mild air coming in from the south—west. but it will be pretty moisture laden so a lot of cloud generally on sunday, that weather front spilling its way north, so splashes of rain across northern and western parts of the country, generally dry further east. then you'll be limited to see any sunshine. the odd bright spell here and there, but most places cloudy, those temperatures close to the mid—teens for many of us. as we head through the new week, it stays very mild, those temperatures remaining in double figures for many, but there will often be a lot of cloud around and some rain too.

this is bbc news. the headlines. the us government has won its appeal to extradite wikileaks founderjulian assange from the uk to the us — where he's wanted over the publication of thousands of classified documents we of classified documents will fight. every generatior an we will fight. every generation has an epic fight to fight, and this is ours, becausejulian represents the fundamentals of what it means to live in a free society. of what it means to have press freedom. pressure mounts on the prime minister with fresh questions over the revamp of his flat and the row continuing over downing street christmas parties. it's emerged the current downing street director of communications attended a christmas party in number ten last year which, it's alleged, broke lockdown rules.

i feel very comfortable about the prime minister's integrity but i don't feel comfortable about the fact it's been a difficult week for the government. adding to the government's problems — a possible tory backbench rebellion as face masks become compulsory in most indoor public venues in england in scotland, people are being urged to cancel christmas parties because of a rise in cases of the omicron variant. first minister nicola sturgeon is expected to give a covid briefing shortly. twojournalists, one from the phillipines and the other from russia, are receiving the nobel peace prize shortly for "their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression."

we can take you to the ceremony where the journalists are being presented with the nobel prize, maria ressa from the philippines and dmitry muratov from russia and there is the ceremony live in oslo. the last time one a journalist a nobel prize was in 1935, so nearly 100 years later, those two journalists are getting the nobel peace prize. and this is the start of that ceremony which they will be being presented with the prize. ok, we will go back a little bit later, but we will leave the ceremony for now. the wikileaks founder, julian assange, is again facing extradition to the united states,

after the american authorities won an appeal at the high court in london. washington wants him to face charges relating to the publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents on the afghanistan and iraq wars. a britishjudge had previously ruled he couldn't be extradited, over fears he would face highly restrictive prison conditions in the us. but the american authorities have provided assurances about his custody, and judges at the high court now say he can be sent to the us to face trial. julian assange's fiancee stella moris gave an emotional speech outside the high court after thejudgement. this goes to the fundamentals of press freedom and democracy. we will fight. every generation has an epic fight. every generation has an epic fight to fight and this is ours, becausejulian represents the fundamentals of what it means to live in a free society, of what it means to have press freedom, of what it means for journalists means to have press freedom, of what it means forjournalists to do their

jobs without being afraid of spending the rest of their lives in prison. the uk imprisons journalists. they are imprisoning julian on behalf of a foreign power which is taking an abusive, vindictive prosecution against a journalist, and this is what it is about. i urge everyone to come together and fight forjulian. julian represents all our liberties and all our rights. a short time ago my colleague ben brown spoke to our diplomatic correspondent paul adams moments after the ruling was delivered. basically, we are back where we were before january and in other words, julian assage is still on course to be extradited to the united states to face those charges levelled against him of espionage, but there remains a whole bunch of legal hoops to go through and essentially the ruling today by the two judges sends

the case back to the district court where injanuary a judge ruled that since there was a real risk under the us justice system julian assange would be in real danger of committing suicide, that his extradition should be blocked and that was appealed by the united states and the hearing took place in october and the judges have essentially agreed with the united states and we will have to get the precise detail of the ruling, but essentially what the american lawyers were arguing was, one, that thejudge injanuary placed too much reliance on the testimony of one of the assange teams medical experts who made the case about the real risk of suicide but also that the americans were offering a number of assurances that julian assage would not be held

in the most extreme form of supermax prison, that there was a possibility he could serve out the bulk of his sentence in australia so because of these various countermeasures by the americans the judges today have ruled that julian assange, the case is still alive as it were and he will go back to belmarsh and continue to be held there while this protracted legal process continues to churn along. so the bottom line is he's not going to the us or anywhere else any time soon? no, this will take a while and will go back to the district court and we will have to re—hear the business about the medical risks, the risk of suicide, probably further examination of the american assurances being offered and this could all end up in the supreme court before we hear the end of it, so this is not over at all. but in the short term,

it's a victory for the united states and a defeat forjulian assange. it is and it will be met with howls of protest from the legions of supporters ofjulian assange who have gathered at every stage of the legal process to voice their support for him in their argument will be that this is an assault on free speech and journalism and julian assange is the most persecuted journalist in the world as they see it. they will be outraged by what they are hearing today but, yes, this is definitely, for the time being, a victory for the united states. joining me now is nick vamos a lawyer and former head of extradition at the crown prosecution service. where does this go from here now the us has given the assurances that were sought on the safety of him?

with respect to your reporter, i don't think it is quite as he describes. and the high court has said two things, first of all that the magistrates' court should have given the americans time to put the assurances together before she made the final decision and that would mean that the appeal wouldn't have been necessary and then they would have reconsidered it and they would have reconsidered it and they would have reconsidered it at a high court and these assurances completely satisfy any concerns that the districtjudge had about the risk of mister assange committing suicide and she would be obliged to look at the question different had she received the assurances so she sent it back to the districtjudge with the and not order the expedition had she not followed the correct process

in the first place so the short version is on the risk of suicide, this case is over. but version is on the risk of suicide, this case is over.— this case is over. but mister assange _ this case is over. but mister assange has _ this case is over. but mister assange has reserved i this case is over. but mister assange has reserved the l this case is over. but mister. assange has reserved the right this case is over. but mister- assange has reserved the right to try and appeal on all of the other matters he raised in the magistrates' court where he lost the first time around. host magistrates' court where he lost the first time around.— first time around. how does the issue of freedom _ first time around. how does the issue of freedom of _ first time around. how does the issue of freedom of speech i first time around. how does the l issue of freedom of speech come first time around. how does the i issue of freedom of speech come into that because that is the argument that because that is the argument that his supporters are making, but as we've been discussing, this has boiled down to issues around his safety. it boiled down to issues around his safe . :. . :. boiled down to issues around his safe . :, :, boiled down to issues around his safe . :, , :, :, :, safety. it has at the high court and with respect _ safety. it has at the high court and with respect to _ safety. it has at the high court and with respect to ms _ safety. it has at the high court and with respect to ms morris, - safety. it has at the high court and with respect to ms morris, this i safety. it has at the high court and j with respect to ms morris, this was not issues in a free society and those arguments were raised at the magistrates' court the first time around so it was argued it was a political offence and political motivated and freedom of speech and journalistic protections were engaged and whole host of other arguments to try to destroy the

heat, but he has in theory, the districtjudge, has the opportunity to appeal the points he lost the first time round and there is a technical argument out whether he can be allowed to do that, but those arguments, he will try and reinstate them on a fresh appeal, but his stay in prison looks over now. host them on a fresh appeal, but his stay in prison looks over now.— them on a fresh appeal, but his stay in prison looks over now. how do you see the arguments _ in prison looks over now. how do you see the arguments playing _ in prison looks over now. how do you see the arguments playing in - in prison looks over now. how do you see the arguments playing in this i see the arguments playing in this case? he see the arguments playing in this case? :,, , ,:, , case? he lost very soundly in the magistrates' _ case? he lost very soundly in the magistrates' court _ case? he lost very soundly in the magistrates' court on _ case? he lost very soundly in the magistrates' court on all- case? he lost very soundly in the magistrates' court on all of- case? he lost very soundly in the magistrates' court on all of those arguments and the problem is that there is oversee a lot of political heat around the story and it's a fascinating story and in constitutional terms it raises interesting questions about freedom of speech and journalistic protections, but in the narrow question of extradition where you have an event is recognised in the us and uk as being a legitimate charge that the state can bring again somebody for hacking and

associated acquiring of state secrets, the court really doesn't want to go there and there was a political motivation behind and all of the political heat is interesting for the medium of the exhibition court, i suspect that this case has only twists and turns that i suspect assange will lose again. host only twists and turns that i suspect assange will lose again.— assange will lose again. how long can the whole _ assange will lose again. how long can the whole process _ assange will lose again. how long can the whole process take? it i assange will lose again. how long i can the whole process take? it could be u- to can the whole process take? it could be up to another— can the whole process take? it could be up to another six _ can the whole process take? it could be up to another six months - can the whole process take? it could be up to another six months if i can the whole process take? it could be up to another six months if he i can the whole process take? it could be up to another six months if he is| be up to another six months if he is allowed to launch that cross—appeal. if he isn't and the court decides he had his chance and lost first time round there is no appeal points left, it could be over injanuary and the us marshals will be sending over their planes and they will be getting ready for him and if there is no appeal left, he will go on the aeroplane but we had a phrase when i was working in the expedition department that extradition isn't over until the wheels are up on the

plane because anything can happen at the last second.— the last second. thank you very much. borisjohnson is facing yet more questions about the party held at downing street last december — despite coronavirus restrictions — after it emerged the man running the government's communications team was one of the guests. it's understood that jack doyle made a speech at the christmas event and handed out awards to press office staff. number ten has repeatedly denied the party took place or that any covid rules were broken — despite a video emerging on tuesday which showed downing street officials joking about it. this morning, the government's chief whip, mark spencer, told the bbc the prime minister "would not have lied" about any parties, and instead suggested the event on 18th december was a meeting about coronavirus. in a separate development, mrjohnson's adviser on standards is reported to be seeking clarification following claims that the prime minister gave him misleading information about the refurbishment of his downing street flat. and tory backbenchers are expected to mount a substantial rebellion next week over new covid measures.

the government's chief whip has told the bbc that downing street is so big, no one could possibly know what was happening across the building. speaking to bbc radio nottingham's sarahjulian, mr spencer insisted that he personally "absolutely, categorically" didn't know about any parties. i am assured that everybody in that building played by the rules, and that is why the prime minister has asked the cabinet secretary to do a thorough investigation to find out and establish the facts. this is a huge, huge building, literally with hundreds and hundreds of offices and rooms. no single person could account for what is happening in those buildings. they are huge buildings. when somebody makes a serious allegation like there was a christmas party, that requires a proper investigation to establish the facts and it is a serious allegation and i accept that and

people would be upset if they thought they were christmas parties. more reaction to the political issues around the christmas party and coronavirus coming up, but if you're watching us on bbc two, it's time to say goodbye and i hope you have a good afternoon. on covid, some new statistics in, so let me bring you the latest and we are hearing that the prevalence of covid 19 infections were steady at around one in 60 people in the week ending the first of december and it's just come through from the office for national statistics and not enough to be able to estimate prevalence in the community. let's go back to politics. and the rebellion over

covert measures with potentially 100 tory mps and is being speculated they could vote against the government. earlier nusrat ghani, vice chair of the influential 1922 committee of backbench conservative mps spoke to nick robinson on bbc radio 4's today programme. let's take a listen. everybody has to respond equally to the restrictions and pay the penalty equally if those restrictions are broken. to translate, if there were parties in downing street, someone should pay a price? yes. should the prime minister pay a price if he knew about it? i'm here to speak about the uighur muslim tribunal. it's quite important considering you are a conservative mp. this is why the investigation will be key. let's cross to holyrood where the first minister of scotland nicola sturgeon is updating the scottish parliament on covid—19.

as you can see, i'm joined today by the chief medical officer and the national clinical director and throughout this pandemic and particularly at key stages of it, i've tried, we have tried, very hard to be open and upfront with you about the challenges and uncertainties confronting us so that you can better understand, if not always agree with, i accept, the difficultjudgments and decisions difficult judgments and decisions that difficultjudgments and decisions that we have had to make. and i'm afraid this is another moment when such frankness is really important. the purpose of today's update is to level with you on what we know so far about the spread in scotland of the new omicron variance. and also to share our estimate at this stage of what we are likely to face in the days and weeks to come. we face a renewed and severe challenge in the face of the omicron variance.

because of the much greater and faster transmissibility of this new variant, we may be facing, indeed we may be starting to experience a potential tsunami of infections. now, we are not alone in that, far from it, everything i am about to share with you about the situation in scotland is broadly reflected in the data for the rest of the uk as well and although i am not familiar with the data elsewhere, i would suspect it is reflected there as well. we have just suspect it is reflected there as well. we havejust published suspect it is reflected there as well. we have just published an evidence paper which seeks to provide you with more detail about the omicron variant here in scotland at this stage and you can find that evidence paper online on the scottish government website or twitter feed. scottish government website or twitterfeed. i am going to come back to more detail in that and to tell you what we do know about and what we expect from omicron and i will do that shortly. firstly, as i

usually do, i am going to briefly summarise the statistics. 5018 are positive cases were reported yesterday, 9.3% of all tests carried out. this is the figures from one day but as you can see, it is a sharp rise on the average of around 2800 per day that we have been reporting recently. it underlines ourfear that reporting recently. it underlines our fear that a new wave may indeed be starting. 573 people are currently in hospital with covid, five if than yesterday and a0 people in intensive care, one more than yesterday but there is always a time lag between rising cases and rising numbers of people in hospital and intensive care. sadly, a further 19 deaths have been reported in the past 2a hours and that takes the total number of deaths under the daily definition to 9700 and seven and i want to send my condolences to anyone who has lost a loved one. i

am pleased to report, and this is important and will become increasingly important in the weeks to come, that the vaccination programme continues apace,1t,358,725 people now have a first toast, 3,967,477 are now double dosed and we have also now very significantly past 2 million booster or third doses administered in scotland, to be precise 2,000,915. on first second third and booster doses, we are still the most vaccinated part of the uk and i want to record my thanks to everyone involved in organising and delivering this vaccination programme. without a doubt this is the biggest peacetime logistical exercise that has ever been undertaken in scotland. in relation to the omicron variant, specifically, as of five yesterday,

there were 110 confirmed cases in scotland and to give some context to that, ten days ago we reported a total of nine confirmed cases. now, these are confirmed cases and by that we mean that omicron has been confirmed through genomic sequencing. there are two reasons why confirmed cases representjust the tip of the iceberg and should not really be looked at as the best indicator of the true prevalence of the variant in scotland right now. the first reason is because genomic sequencing take some time, much longer than processing a pcr test and there is a time lag in these figures, but secondly, while in scotland we do a lot of genomic sequencing, not all tests or indeed can be analysed in that way. a much better indicator of whether it cares is omicron or not is whether pcr test shows specific genetic

characteristics, known as the s chain drop out and you may have heard us talk about that previously. around 95% of all scotland are analysed in a way that allows us to know this. almost all tests that do show the s—gene dropoutjust now will be the omicron variant. these figures help to give a much better sense of the true scale of the variant in scotland at this stage. what they show is that omicron right now is rising exponentially and what we are seen in the data just now is perhaps the fastest exponential growth that we have seen in this pandemic so far. in the final week of november, if we look at all of the covid cases recorded in scotland, there were no days when the proportion of cases with the s—gene dropout was higher than 1%. however, by last sunday, the 5th of december, this had risen to 2% and on tuesday it was just over 4% and

on tuesday it was just over 4% and on wednesday it was almost 7% and todayit on wednesday it was almost 7% and today it is 15.5%. you might think these are still relatively low percentages, but consider that trend, this is doubling on a very rapid basis and our estimate at this stage is that the doubling time for omicron cases is between two and three days and actually it may be closer to two days and three days. if that continues, and we have no reason at this stage to expect that it will not, omicron is going to very quickly overtake delta as the dominant strain in scotland and i think we can now say with some confidence that we expected to overtake delta within days, not weeks. we estimate that this may be as early as the very beginning of next week. you might be asking why does that matter? it matters because omicron has a much higher or number, higher transmissibility than the

delta variant which for some time now has been the dominant strain in scotland and much of the world and the r number in scotland in recent weeks has been hovering around one and we like it to be below one but hovering around one is not the worst place to be and of course we have been seeing a decline in cases in scotland in recent weeks. however, the r number associated with omicron is likely, we think, to be well over two and possibly closer to three. as and when omicron becomes the dominant strain, as it is the process of doing, the r number associated with it will then increasingly become the r numberfor scotland as a whole and as a result, our estimate is that the r number overall in scotland is likely to rise and possibly to rise above two. all of these estimates are british —— are based on limited data in scotland and we have been analysing that ghostly and other data

available from south africa and elsewhere and what it all means is in ourjudgment right now, it is no longer a question of if we are facing a surge in cases, we believe that it facing a surge in cases, we believe thatitis facing a surge in cases, we believe that it is virtually certain. health protection teams are working really hard, through contact tracing, testing and isolation to slow the spread of omicron cases and i want to thank them for their excellent work and everyone across the population who will be following their advice, population who will be following theiradvice, but population who will be following their advice, but that the nature of transmission and the nature of a variant that is even more transmissible than what has come before means that we do expect to see a rapid rise in cases in the days and weeks ahead. this is driven by the transmissibility of this variant, figures we are seen here in scotland are consistent with data from around the world and provide a considerable degree of certainty that omicron is significantly more transmissible than the delta variant. the best expert advice at

this stage tells us that omicron is more capable of re—infecting people who have had the virus previously and based on preliminary laboratory trials the best evidence suggest they can evade, to some extent, the commune —— the immunity conferred by vaccination and i want to underline triple underline this point, that does not mean that the vaccinations were not significantly help us. less effective is not the same, nowhere near the same as vaccinations been ineffective and booster doses in particular will help retain a higher level of vaccination efficiency, so getting your vaccinations, including your booster, remains absolutely crucial. we don't yet know whether omicron cases cause more or less serious illness than the delta variant but one of the most important points i need to set out today, it is a

matter of basic and brutal arithmetic. even if the variant is generally less severe for most people, and we still don't know if thatis people, and we still don't know if that is the case but even if it is, for some people it will still cause serious illness, hospitalisation and some people will die, but the overall impact point here is even if a smaller percentage of people overall than is the case for delta require hospital treatment, a small percentage and a smaller percentage of a bigger number will still result in a massive number of cases who might need hospital care and given the volume of people who could be infected by omicron because of its greater transmissibility, even if greater tra nsmissibility, even if most greater transmissibility, even if most of those cases are mild, the number of cases with serious illness amongst those will put a massive strain on the ability of the nhs to

cope. the numbers of people becoming even mildly affected and having to isolate will put significant strain on the economy and critical services and we are starting to see this already. today there are 60 scotland cancellations due to staff shortages and these shortages are mainly due to covid and as you might have seen already today, many staff at an accident and emergency unit in lanarkshire are having to isolate through no fault of theirs after attending a social event and becoming infected, so all this means that omicron is an immensely concerning development, even if it proves slightly less severe than delta, it is concerning for the world. i wanted to set this out today not to try to scare people but today not to try to scare people but to provide the context for the difficult decisions that all

governments might have to take in days to come and to do what i have always tried to do and level with you and tried to share the rationale for those decisions. we in the scottish government will consider our next steps carefully but are mindful in the face of this virus, especially a more transmissible variant, of the need to act quickly. we'll discuss matters on a four nations basis. i am very mindful that anything we do including some of what i am saying today has an economic and financial impact for businesses and uk funding arrangements mean we have no choice but to look to the treasury to act and that is a point i will raise with the uk government in a cobra meeting this afternoon. it is worth noting, as i illustrated a moment ago, that not acting will also have ago, that not acting will also have a financial and economic impact as more people get infected and have to

be away from work but the impact of not acting would be less managed and so more damaging. i will keep you and parliament fully updated in the years ahead but there are two points i want to briefly make before i conclude in the first is in response to advice i received last night. given that omicron is now becoming dominant, our response to it has to become more general because it will quickly be the case that most people who have covid have the omicron variant and we must do all we can in that context to break the transmission shines, so from tomorrow our advice will be that all household contacts of any confirmed covid case should isolate for ten days regardless of their vaccination status and even if they initially get a negative pcr test. i know that this is not easy and we will obviously keep it under review and

ensure careful exemptions for critical services but we believe this to be essential at this moment to help slow transmission. the non—household contacts should continue to isolate pending a pcr result. if that is negative they can't leave isolation as long as they are double vaccinated. secondly i want to refer to the advice of public health scotland made public late yesterday afternoon that people should think about deferring work christmas parties. this is not easy advice to give or two here but it is incumbent on public health experts to set out clearly and frankly the risks we face and it is incumbent on me and the government to pay attention to that advice. there is a significant risk of omicron and we are already seeing the reality of christmas parties or events with lots of people becoming super spreaders and if that happens, lots

of people get infected and if these are work events, as well as the risk to individual health there is a risk to individual health there is a risk to the ability of the workplace to operate as people have too isolate and i have already cited the train cancellations and accident and emergency unit in lanarkshire as examples of that, so public health advice which i have no alternative but to agree with given the evidence of risk i have shared with you is that we should all think more carefully about unnecessary contacts, especially in crowded places, and it would be sensible to do fair work christmas parties. i know this is a big impact on businesses which is why we are pressing the uk government for financial support but once again we face a situation that frankly it has no easy options. we note that any additional protective measures has

social and economic harm is after more than two years of this pandemic but we also know that early action is needed when dealing with this virus, in fact acting early is often the best way of acting proportionately, so we cannot rule out further measures and i'm afraid we cannot avoid the advice i have shared with you today. i will continue to do all i can to be upfront and open with you in the days ahead and i continue to be grateful for the responsibility the majority of people are showing. for now, i will end with a plea to abide by all the current protections we have in place. it's more important than ever, and doing that gives us the best chance of minimising the need for further protections so i want to stress again what those coven protections are. please get vaccinated. what i have set out to you today is grim to hear, i

understand that but vaccination means we are in a better position than last year and a better position, vastly better than we would be without it so please get your vaccination, first, second, or booster dose as soon as you can. it is the single best thing we can do and if it it is not too late if you have not already. second, test yourself often. if you are going to meet other people, test yourself before you do. if you are asking someone around to your home or are meeting them for lunch or a drink with test yourself and stressed the importance of the people you are meeting during the same. do that even if you were going out for christmas shopping. evidence suggest lateral flow tests are as effective as identifying omicron covid case as delta cases so were an important way of helping us find out if we might

have the virus if we don't have symptoms so if we take these tests and if we are positive, if we isolate and get a pcr test we significantly reduce the risk of passing the virus on to others. you can get lateral flow devices online, nhs uniform, they will be e—mailed to your home or get them from a pharmacy or test centre. they will be made available in other places, shopping centres and garden centres but they are already easy to get and to use —— nhs informed. finally please comply with all the other protections. it's more important than ever you were your face covering on public transport and shops and hospitality. keep windows open when you meet people indoors. i know that is not an easy thing to ask in scotland in december but it makes a difference and follow all the advice on hand hygiene and cleaning services, and please work

from home if you can. if you were working from home at the start of the pandemic, please do so now and employers, if that was the case for your staff please enable it now. this is not a briefing any of you would have wanted to hear and not one i wanted to deliver, especially not as we approach christmas, just as i am sure all of you long for the date you never have to see me or any of us at this podium for a covid briefing again, i long never have to do another covid briefing but we face a challenging period ahead and the only way through it is to gather with a shared understanding of what we need to do and a shared willingness to do it for our own site and for the safety of all those around us. a key thing to remember is even with omicron we know the things we can do to make a difference so please get vaccinated,

test yourself regularly and follow all the other rules and guidelines and that will help us get through, even with everything i have said today i hope it will help us have a christmas more normal than last year but above all a christmas that is safe and allows us to go into the new year still hoping for that but at spring ahead. thank you for bearing with me today, i know i have shared a lot of information. we will go to questions now and i will ask gregor and jason to answer more of the questions so they can share at the expert advice they have given me. first, ailing clerk from the bbc. :, ~ me. first, ailing clerk from the sac. :, ~ ,:, me. first, ailing clerk from the sac. :, ~ i. , me. first, ailing clerk from the sac. :, , ~ , ~ bbc. thank you, first minister. are ou able bbc. thank you, first minister. are you able to — bbc. thank you, first minister. are you able to help — bbc. thank you, first minister. are you able to help the _ bbc. thank you, first minister. are you able to help the public- bbc. thank you, first minister. are you able to help the public by i you able to help the public by giving — you able to help the public by giving them _ you able to help the public by giving them more _ you able to help the public by giving them more guidance . you able to help the public byl giving them more guidance on you able to help the public by- giving them more guidance on what is meant by— giving them more guidance on what is meant by christmas _ giving them more guidance on what is meant by christmas parties _ giving them more guidance on what is meant by christmas parties because l meant by christmas parties because these _ meant by christmas parties because these wiii— meant by christmas parties because these will take — meant by christmas parties because these will take different _ meant by christmas parties because these will take different forms. - meant by christmas parties because these will take different forms. it i these will take different forms. it might— these will take different forms. it might be — these will take different forms. it might be at— these will take different forms. it might be at lunch _ these will take different forms. it might be at lunch in _ these will take different forms. it might be at lunch in a _ these will take different forms. it might be at lunch in a restaurantl might be at lunch in a restaurant with six— might be at lunch in a restaurant with six peogte _ might be at lunch in a restaurant with six people who _ might be at lunch in a restaurant with six people who then - might be at lunch in a restaurant with six people who then go - might be at lunch in a restaurant. with six people who then go home might be at lunch in a restaurant - with six people who then go home or it might _ with six people who then go home or it might be _ with six people who then go home or it might be a — with six people who then go home or it might be a dinner— with six people who then go home or it might be a dinner dance _ with six people who then go home or it might be a dinner dance or- with six people who then go home or it might be a dinner dance or a - with six people who then go home or it might be a dinner dance or a trip. it might be a dinner dance or a trip to the— it might be a dinner dance or a trip to the pub— it might be a dinner dance or a trip to the pubemi— it might be a dinner dance or a trip

to the pub and given— it might be a dinner dance or a trip to the pub and given what- it might be a dinner dance or a trip to the pub and given what you - it might be a dinner dance or a tripl to the pub and given what you have told us, is — to the pub and given what you have told us, is it— to the pub and given what you have told us, is it your— to the pub and given what you have told us, is it your decision- to the pub and given what you have told us, is it your decision that - told us, is it your decision that you dont— told us, is it your decision that you don't want— told us, is it your decision that you don't want people - told us, is it your decision that. you don't want people socialising told us, is it your decision that - you don't want people socialising at all with— you don't want people socialising at all with their— you don't want people socialising at all with their workmates _ you don't want people socialising at all with their workmates at - you don't want people socialising at all with their workmates at the - all with their workmates at the moment? _ all with their workmates at the moment? �* , g, , moment? i'm trying to be proportionate _ moment? i'm trying to be proportionate and - moment? i'm trying to be proportionate and clear, l moment? i'm trying to be proportionate and clear, i | proportionate and clear, i understand how difficult this is and we are focusing on work events for the reason that we have examples already that these are resulting in quite a rapid spread of this and that poses a risk to individual health but is also posing a big risk to workplaces, whether private or public sector so that is why we are focusing on that at the moment. the bigger the event, the more those risks are real and dinner dances for example, clearly the number of people would pose a risk. my advice would be to consider deferring work christmas events. if they are small events that you wish to go ahead with, notwithstanding what i have

said, make sure you are testing yourself before you go and everybody in the group is testing themselves. we will try to put as much guidance around this is possible, we are in a rapidly evolving situation and i have to make that clear but we also have to make that clear but we also have to make that clear but we also have to rely, as we have done so well over the past two years, we have to rely on the good judgment and sense of the public as well and i have had every reason to have my confidence in the good judgment and sense of the majority of the scottish population strengthened in these past two years so i would give as much guidance as possible that the reason i am setting out the risks is to give the public as much ability as possible to make sensible judgments. this is a variant that is going to come and forgive the nontechnical language, run riot through notjust the scottish

population, most of the cases will be mad but the bigger the number, even a smaller percentage going into hospital will pose a real risk so let's all just hospital will pose a real risk so let's alljust be sensible, take precautions and try to do everything we can to slow it down. having said i would give more to gregor and jason, i will not do that, gregor and thenjason. we jason, i will not do that, gregor and then jason.— and then jason. we have been witnessing _ and then jason. we have been witnessing quite _ and then jason. we have been witnessing quite a _ and then jason. we have been witnessing quite a remarkable j and then jason. we have been - witnessing quite a remarkable rise in cases, especially over the last week and one of the features of that, the information coming from the imt that has taken place up and down the country is that transmissibility of this variant between different people and if we look at some of the detail we are seeing, attack rates for secondary infection which are 70 or even 90% of people who come into contact with infectious case coming down with

omicron infection themselves, so not only is it those who work contacts of those cases but it's placing people at risk of infection themselves and the key question that anyone should ask themselves, especially when it comes to socialising with colleagues, is if i do this and i come into contact with an infection, or will it cause a problem for me and for those i work with because i am in no doubt with the infection rates we are seeing, it's increasingly likely we will be coming into contact with people who were either infectious because they are presymptomatic or have mild symptoms that haven't two pieces of data to emphasise, the attack rate is the percentage of people in the room you from a single index case.

from tomorrow all household contacts of any confirmed case of covid should isolate, even if vaccinated or if it is a negative covid test. a big change in terms of all household contacts of any confirmed covid case in scotland. nicola sturgeon reiterating the message yesterday that people living in scotland should think about deferring christmas parties. she said we should think more carefully about unnecessary contacts. she said it is going to have an impact economically and the scottish and is pressing the uk government for financial support. she also said she cannot rule out further measures and reiterated that we should test before meeting up or going out for

shopping. that is the latest from the scottish and on covid. we are beginning to get news on the inquests on four young men killed. what is the news? the background to this is that these four young gay men in their early 20s were all killed by a serial killer. this inquest has been going on for a couple of months. it has been looking at the police investigations into those four deaths. thatjury has reached their conclusions. the four victims. the

inquest has concluded that feelings by metropolitan police probably contributed to the death of the second victim of stephen port who was murdered in august 2014. the jury was murdered in august 2014. the jury has reached a conclusion on that question that is put to them during this inquest and they have concluded that feelings by the metropolitan police probably contributed to the death of stephen port�*s second victim, who was murdered by stephen port in august 2014. we are still waiting to hear further answers to questions that were put to the jury. during this inquest the jury heard about significant failings by metropolitan police in the way that they handled

the investigations into these four young men, notjust one or two mistakes that were made, a catalogue of mistakes that were made by officers. the metropolitan police during this inquest apologised during this inquest apologised during the inquest for those mistakes that were made. they were often very simple mistakes. they had failed tojoin the often very simple mistakes. they had failed to join the dots often very simple mistakes. they had failed tojoin the dots in often very simple mistakes. they had failed to join the dots in terms of trying to link stephen port to the deaths of these four young gay men. also, this is something thejury deaths of these four young gay men. also, this is something the jury has not been asked to consider during the deliberations, but the families believe that there was bias against the four young men because they were 9“- the four young men because they were gay. the metropolitan police said during the inquest that there has not been any prejudice at all but later apologised for the mistakes that were made during the investigations. we are waiting to hear from the court in terms of the

rest of those answers to the questions. but we have in the last few moments heard from the jury conclusion is that they have found that feelings by the metropolitan police probably contributed to the death of stephen port�*s second victim, who was murdered in august 2014. and that will be very hard for their loved ones of that victim and for the other families there to here. what is the reaction, has to be in any visible reaction as this has all been happening? we are going to hearfrom been happening? we are going to hear from the family after these conclusions have been read to court but we know that the family are outraged at what they say is the incompetence of the police. they believe that stephen port could

have been stopped from killing the three young men after the first victim was discovered. they are also very angry. they believe that there was bias by officers because these four young men in their 20s work day. the metropolitan police has denied there was any prejudice. but they are outraged as well, the family members and loved ones, they say that some of those metropolitan police officers who were identified for the independent office for police contact in terms of their performance that it failed in those standards, some of these officers who were part of the investigations into the deaths of these four young men, have since been promoted, and they believe that they should have been sacked. we are going to hear, once the conclusions have been read here, we are going to hearfrom a family members. we are also going to hearfrom the assistant family members. we are also going to hear from the assistant commissioner of the met police as well. they have

already apologised during this inquest for the mistakes they made during these investigations. let us go back to the fresh questions facing the prime minister over a gathering in downing street the week before last christmas. the prime minister is director of communications attended the event. it is understood he gave a speech to up it is understood he gave a speech to up to 30 people and handed out awards. the event is one of three government gatherings under review. borisjohnson government gatherings under review. boris johnson told government gatherings under review. borisjohnson told the house of commons earlier this week he has been repeated the issue there had been repeated the issue there had been no party. earlier the labour leader said he is not fit for office. it is important that we get to the bottom of this. this isjust the latest allegation. we have had to lie upon lie in relation to the party is going on in downing street. the prime minister is not fit for office. people are paying the price for this. office. people are paying the price forthis. i office. people are paying the price for this. i am office. people are paying the price forthis. lam happier

office. people are paying the price for this. i am happier in northumberland is talking to people who have been hard—hit by the storms, really suffering. their question is, where is the governments? the government is not there because the government is up to its neck in dishonesty. does this matter? it to its neck in dishonesty. does this matter? ., , , matter? it absolutely matters. should he _ matter? it absolutely matters. should he resign? _ matter? it absolutely matters. should he resign? he - matter? it absolutely matters. should he resign? he is- matter? it absolutely matters. should he resign? he is not. matter? it absolutely matters. i should he resign? he is not fit for office _ should he resign? he is not fit for office. because he is not fit for office — office. because he is not fit for office he — office. because he is not fit for office he will not resign. the auestion office he will not resign. the question is _ office he will not resign. the question is for _ office he will not resign. the question is for tony - office he will not resign. inez question is for tony members office he will not resign. the: question is for tony members of office he will not resign. iu9: question is for tony members of the cabinets, tory mps, to ask themselves, are they prepared to put up themselves, are they prepared to put up with this? he is not going to be fit for office, are they prepared to go through the degrading of themselves and their party, to go out to the media, to have to defend the indefensible four months to come? orare the indefensible four months to come? or are they going to have the courage to say, you are not fit for office. he is not fit for office. i do not think he will resign. that is because he is not fit for office. his own party needs to look at the damage that he is doing. we are in

the middle of a pandemic. trust in the middle of a pandemic. trust in the prime minister really matters. yet trust is at an all—time low. that is the human consequence of the dishonesty of this prime minister. the question is, do you personally think he should resign? i the question is, do you personally think he should resign?— think he should resign? i don't think he should resign? i don't think he should resign? i don't think he is— think he should resign? i don't think he is fit _ think he should resign? i don't think he is fit for _ think he should resign? i don't think he is fit for office. - think he should resign? i don't think he is fit for office. do - think he should resign? i don't think he is fit for office. do i i think he is fit for office. do i think he is fit for office. do i think borisjohnson will resign? i do not, he is not fit for office, therefore his party has to ask questions. look, we have got lie after lie, dishonesty after dishonesty, a prime minister who says there was not a party. now he is investigating a party that he says did not happen. cabinet secretary investigating whether a party happened in the prime ministerown building. he could in that investigation now by admitting that investigation now by admitting that it happens, getting the cabinet secretary back during the work of the government on the subject of resignation, allegra stratton has resigned over the leaked video, what

about the downing street director of communications, should he resign? he has got to look carefully at his position. the information about him attending the party, if that is accurate, it seems to be attending the party, if that is accurate, it seems to he obviously has got to consider his position. the facts are evolving. we are looking at more information. we are talking about a number of parties. remember, this despite it's also hard, this was a time when all the rest of the public were playing by the rules, many people did not see loved ones over christmas. some people did not see their loved ones ever again. people did not see their loved ones everagain. forthem, to people did not see their loved ones ever again. for them, to learn that whilst they were going through that, there were parties going on in downing street is contemptuous and insulting to them.— insulting to them. should the investigation _ insulting to them. should the investigation be _ insulting to them. should the investigation be widened - insulting to them. should the investigation be widened to l insulting to them. should the - investigation be widened to include parties? i investigation be widened to include arties? :, :, ~ ., parties? i do not think that the rime parties? i do not think that the prime list _ parties? i do not think that the prime list is — parties? i do not think that the prime list is going _ parties? i do not think that the prime list is going to _ parties? i do not think that the prime list is going to get - parties? i do not think that the prime list is going to get away| parties? i do not think that the - prime list is going to get away with an investigation that looks at the

only party that he didn't go to. whatever parties were going on, and it looks at number of parties, they should all be looked at. because the public deserve answers to this. the neat honesty on this. i would like the premise to come to parliament and be honest about it. we do not need an elaborate enquiry. this is not some great mystery. did a party happen in your building, prime minister, yes or no?— happen in your building, prime minister, yes or no? then move to plan b on — minister, yes or no? then move to plan b on monday, _ minister, yes or no? then move to plan b on monday, what _ minister, yes or no? then move to plan b on monday, what concerns| minister, yes or no? then move to l plan b on monday, what concerns do you have about that? i plan b on monday, what concerns do you have about that?— you have about that? i have talked to government _ you have about that? i have talked to government scientists - you have about that? i have talked to government scientists about. you have about that? i have talked| to government scientists about the new variant and i think that we do need the measures that are being proposed for next week. therefore we, the labour party, will support those measures. obviously we are being urged to vote against them because there is a rebellion on the government side, but in this pandemic we have always put the public interest, public health, first, that is what we will do next

week, in supporting these measures. what about the tory rebellion, if it is sizable, i likely to change your mind on that? it is sizable, i likely to change your mind on that?— is sizable, i likely to change your mind on that? it is always tempting if it is a sizeable _ mind on that? it is always tempting if it is a sizeable rebelling _ mind on that? it is always tempting if it is a sizeable rebelling to - mind on that? it is always tempting if it is a sizeable rebelling to try - if it is a sizeable rebelling to try to take the political advantage of that. i think that is the wrong thing to do any pandemic because it is very important that the labour party acts in the national interest. having listened to the medical advisers i am convinced it is in the national interest that we support these measures, therefore that is what we will do. we have had now a response from borisjohnson on his communications director attending the party as has been reported this morning. it has emerged she handed out awards at that alleged christmas party. seeing borisjohnson has that alleged christmas party. seeing boris johnson has full confidence that alleged christmas party. seeing borisjohnson has full confidence in jack doyle to continue in his role as communications director. when askedif as communications director. when asked if about confidence the official spokesman replied, yes,

when asked if he had offered his resignation, the spokesman said, not that he was aware of. and full confidence in adviser ed oldfield after he appeared in the footage that prompted allegra stratton to resign. let as go back to the inquest into the deaths of the victims of the serial killer stephen port. our home affairs correspondent has this report on the background to the case. all murdered with a date rape drug. police could have stopped the killing. the men's bodies were all discovered in the same area over a period of less than a year and a

quarter but detectives did notjoin the dots. quarter but detectives did not 'oin the dots. , :, , ., the dots. they did not investigate. the did the dots. they did not investigate. they did not _ the dots. they did not investigate. they did not do — the dots. they did not investigate. they did not do the _ the dots. they did not investigate. they did not do the sort _ the dots. they did not investigate. they did not do the sort of - the dots. they did not investigate. they did not do the sort of things. they did not do the sort of things you'd expect a police officer to do. they did not do theirjob. it began injune 2014 when the they did not do theirjob. it began in june 2014 when the first victim was found dead outside the flat of stephen port. it was stephen port who had called the ambulance. almost immediately the police errors started mounting up. the mistakes are too many to list but they went on for 15 months before stephen port was finally arrested for murder. by that time, three other young men were also dead. after the first victim died and stephen port reported the body, detectives missed this record in the police database, recording a man who had been barely able to walk. and this report. the mother of a victim

is convinced a better police investigation would have stopped stephen port within weeks of the death of her son. mi stephen port within weeks of the death of her son.— death of her son. all the other victims would _ death of her son. all the other victims would have _ death of her son. all the other victims would have been - death of her son. all the other victims would have been safe l death of her son. all the other| victims would have been safe if death of her son. all the other- victims would have been safe if they could have been bothered to investigate the murder. stephen port was arrested — investigate the murder. stephen port was arrested on _ investigate the murder. stephen port was arrested on suspicion _ investigate the murder. stephen port was arrested on suspicion of - investigate the murder. stephen port was arrested on suspicion of lying - was arrested on suspicion of lying about moving the body of the victim but investigation of the death went no further and he remained on bail, three to kill again. ten weeks later, a second body was found, in a church graveyard, less than 400 metres from stephen port�*s front door. it was another gay man in his 20s. detectives did not connect the two deaths and did so little that the officer tasked with policing with the family of the victim never spoke to them. just over three weeks later, in the same corner of the scene graveyard, the body of a third victim was found. he had what

appeared to be a suicide note around his neck, in which he also said he had taken the life of the second victim. detectives accept that what was written when simple checks would have shown he was nowhere nearby when the second victim died. police were telling the family that he had killed himself and the second victim when in fact he had been murdered. angry and upset, and distressed. it has had tragic consequences. in march 2015, stephen port was jailed for lying to police about moving the first victim's body. for now the killing stopped. so that any further investigation of the first three deaths. in september 20 15, three months after stephen port was released from prison, the body of a fourth victim was found, metres from where the previous two bodies had been discovered. this time there was

cctv, recovered not by detectives, backed by a parks police officer on his bike, it showed the dead man beating a tall stranger in the middle of their night, but it still took the assistance of the sister of the victim to persuade officers to be a public appeal. we the victim to persuade officers to be a public appeal.— the victim to persuade officers to be a public appeal. we asked and we were told no- — be a public appeal. we asked and we were told no. we _ be a public appeal. we asked and we were told no. we asked _ be a public appeal. we asked and we were told no. we asked again, - be a public appeal. we asked and we were told no. we asked again, we i were told no. we asked again, we were told no. we asked again, we were told no. eventually they listened to us and they did act. thank god they did do that. obviously then we find out who that was. ~ :, ~' :, obviously then we find out who that was. ~ :, ~ :, ,., :, ., obviously then we find out who that was. ~ :, ~ :, ., ., was. working from google late at niuht was. working from google late at ni . ht and was. working from google late at night and making _ was. working from google late at night and making handwritten - was. working from google late at i night and making handwritten notes the sisters had spotted many of the key suspicious factors linking the deaths that the police had missed. the told me they now want some of the incompetent officers involved to be sacked. , , :, :, , be sacked. they should not be in the osition be sacked. they should not be in the position they — be sacked. they should not be in the position they are _ be sacked. they should not be in the position they are in. _ be sacked. they should not be in the position they are in. they _ be sacked. they should not be in the position they are in. they should - position they are in. they should not have theirjob. we have ended up with anxieties and things we did not even know existed. sleepless nights. goggle spot. our entire world tipped upside down. but they get promoted.

they get to carry on their lives. that is shocking. it is very shocking. the metropolitan police has refused to accept that the deaths of the four men were investigated so badly because they were gay, that officers either made prejudice assumptions and did not care about the men, but it has agreed that officers were on competence, describing some of the errors as astonishing. the one o'clock news are just a few moments. now, the weather. a little bit chilly out there. a cold northwest wind bringing showers to north—western coast of the uk. temperatures seven celsius. they will drop tonight. skies are clear. eastern and central areas of the uk

will see a frost. even larger towns and cities will be around freezing or below. milder air advancing or below. milderairadvancing in the west. wet weather through the morning and afternoon. it will not be a very inviting day out there tomorrow even though it is relatively mild. it is cloudy and damp. it will turn milder as we go through the course of the weekend into next week. temperatures in one or two spots across the south and southeast could be 14 celsius.

failings by the metropolitan police meant the serial killer stephen port was free to kill again, after the death of his first victim. all those who died were gay men in their 20s — they were murdered by stephen port, now serving life in prison. it does make you angry and upset, yeah, and distressed because it's obviously had tragic consequences, you know. we'll have the latest reaction live from the inquests. also this lunchtime: the prime minister faces further questions about a gathering in number 10 last christmas after it emerges that his director of communications was present. the american actorjussie smollett is found guilty of lying to police —

after staging a hate crime against himself.