today at 5pm... the metropolitan police requests key details to be left out of a report into downing street parties, to avoid prejudicing its own investigation. allegations borisjohnson would benefit from scotland yard's intervention are dismissed by a cabinet minister. i would say it would be a very eccentric conspiracy theorist who thought the prime minister being investigated by the police was beneficial to the prime minister. condemnation from those who lost loved ones due to cronavirus. fran hall's late husband spent 30 years as a police officer. he would be watching what's unfolding now with despair because the police police by consent and what's happening at the moment is like a circus. in other news, re—newed pressure on borisjohnson

we will find out how this latest development is playing out. in other news, re—newed pressure on borisjohnson to delay rise in national insurance — but ministers say it's needed to fund health and social care the presidents of russia and france have agreed on the need for de—escalation over the rising tensions on ukraine's borders — we'll be live in kyiv. and a bill legally recognising british sign language as language in england receives government backing. we'll be finding out about what this means for the deaf community. coming up at 5:45pm... we will have this week's cinema releases in the film review.

good afternoon. there's confusion around the publication of the civil servant sue gray's report into lockdown parties in downing street this morning — after the metropolitan police revealed they've asked her to make "minimal reference" to events which they are investigating. her report had been due to be released this week — with many mps saying they were waiting for its contents before taking a firm position on the prime minister's future. now the met has asked ms gray to leave out key details to avoid prejudicing their investigation — although they say they are not asking for its release to be delayed. our political correspondent nick eardley has the latest. getting answers around here isn't always straightforward. what went on in downing street? were covid rules broken? this woman, sue gray, had been expected to deliver her report this week but now it is unclear what happens next after the metropolitan police launched its own investigation and told ms gray to limit what she published. in a statement, the force said...

what i want to see is sue gray's report in full and the investigation finished as quickly as possible because we are in this situation where the whole of government is paralysed because the police are now looking at what the prime minister was getting up to in downing street. downing street says they are not involved but the liberal democrat leader has suggested there had been a stitch—up which could damage politics for generations. sue gray and her team had been speaking with the met to try to figure out what could and could not be put in the public domain. but that process has now been thrown into chaos. the cabinet office was caught by surprise by the statement this morning and now it is not totally clear what can be published, and when that might happen. i think the sue gray report is independent, the government are not interfering with it which is exactly as it should be, and i'm completely confident that between the sue gray

report and the police investigation, everything will be covered. it's important we move on and draw a line under this because there are very important things the government is working on. the political pressure continues, though. borisjohnson�*s predecessor has added her voice, saying in a letter that nobody is above the law and she was angry to hear stories about people at number 10 not properly following the rules. the government wants to move on but this row has dominated at westminster for weeks. after this morning's developments, it's not clear when we will get answers and what it will mean for borisjohnson and his government. nick eardley, bbc news, westminster. earlier we spoke to fran hall from the covid—i9 bereaved families forjustice group — she told us she's disappointed the publication has been delayed. it is frustrating and raging to be

where we are down the line, still waiting for a date for the public inquiry to start, knowing that the evidence isn't being protected because we don't have a date for the public inquiry to start, knowing that the evidence isn't being protected because we don't have the dates, and to hear that the metropolitan police have asked the sue gray team to withhold information which we have all been told to wait for for the last several weeks, we have been told to wait for the sue gray inquiry to come out and now we are not going to be told anything we don't already know because the met have asked them to withhold that specific information. it's infuriating. your husband was a policeman, so does that make you feel in two minds about whether it should be the police taking over the strength and stopping the report coming out? i think what it makes me feel is that he would have been horrified to see this. he served with the met and he believed injustice —— he served with the met and he believed injustice

more than anything. he was a really good police officer. he would be watching what's unfolding now with despair because the police police by consent, and what's happening at the moment is like a circus. all i have heard today is, it's a cover—up, the police are acting for the government, boris is happy this is being kept quiet, kicking it down the road. the feeling is that people hoped the anger will dissipate and wee will all move onto something else and if you're the fury the people felt when they understood people in government were not following the rules willjust ebb away but for the people who are here at the wall every week with empty hearts for the people who have died from covid, we cannot move on. it's infuriating, it's distressing, it's really disappointing. a conservative mp, has accused the metropolitan police of "usurping its position" in relation to the publication

of the sue gray report. here's what sir christopher chope had to say in the commons earlier this afternoon. i thought that it was this house which held the government to account for its policies and not the metropolitan police, and as i made clear earlier, there is no reason for the metropolitan police to be able to require sue gray not to issue her report in an unamended way for the benefit of the prime minister who ordered that report and for this house which is eager to see that report, and it seems that the metropolitan police is usurping its position by seeking to interfere in the affairs of state without there being any criminal offences or any grounds for them carrying out such interference.

let's discuss what voters might be making of all this — joining us from glasgow is professor sirjohn curtice from strathclyde university. good afternoon to you. the polls are showing that party gate, as it's been widely called, is hurting the conservative party. one imagines that the fact that downing street is now under police investigation is not going to help them. that now under police investigation is not going to help them.- not going to help them. that is true, not going to help them. that is true. though. _ not going to help them. that is true, though, it _ not going to help them. that is true, though, it has _ not going to help them. that is true, though, it has to - not going to help them. that is true, though, it has to be said | not going to help them. that is - true, though, it has to be said that if we look at the position in the polls this week, some of them in wake of the announcement, the metropolitan police are investigating, the numbers are not actually worse for the conservatives so far as voting tensions are concerned than they were last week. in fact, if anything, they are up a couple of points. that said, this whole incident, really going back to notjust whole incident, really going back to not just the first round of

whole incident, really going back to notjust the first round of party gait, last month, which was centred around the now infamous video featuring allegra stratton, but also from the previous month. the conservatives were at 40% and where clearly ahead of labour in the polls. even with the minor improvement this week, they are at 33% and are still around six or seven points behind labour in the polls. meanwhile, the prime minister who has got the longest time series on this is now as unpopular as both gordon brown and john major, almost john major, certainly as bad as teresa mae was at her worst. he is a deeply unpopular prime minister and he's got to work out how he is going to recover from this if indeed he's got to work out how he is going to recoverfrom this if indeed he can hang on to the keys of io can hang on to the keys of 10 downing street.— can hang on to the keys of 10 downing street. that is partly, is it, downing street. that is partly, is it. because _ downing street. that is partly, is it, because this _ downing street. that is partly, is it, because this is _ downing street. that is partly, is it, because this is an _ downing street. that is partly, is it, because this is an issue - downing street. that is partly, is it, because this is an issue that'sj it, because this is an issue that's cut through beyond the westminster

bubble. , ., ., , ., bubble. there is no doubt. here are some stats — bubble. there is no doubt. here are some stats and _ bubble. there is no doubt. here are some stats and some _ bubble. there is no doubt. here are some stats and some more - bubble. there is no doubt. here are i some stats and some more qualitative answer to that. the stats, asking people, have you heard anything about this? while nearly two thirds said they have heard an awful lot of ads, probably many people thought too much. virtually everybody says, yes, i've heard something about this. this is a political story that even those who aren't interested in politics have heard about and are noticing. the second thing, if i were to say to you bernard castle, you would immediately say to me, dominic cummings and testing your eyesight. indeed, another story that came out in the last 2a hours, the bernard castle has had twice as many visits from people in the wake of it becoming part of our political culture. the truth is, the phrase "a work event" now also seems to be coming into our culture as a joke

reference to a party. again, another indication of the way in which this story and the ways in which it's being defended have become part of our wider political consciousness then perhaps people are not net necessarily going to forget quickly. i haven't forgot dominic cummings. to that extent, the delay in the release of this reports won't necessarily be to the government's advantage. they can hope the anger will dissipate, but the trouble is, the anger and the revolt of all of this has become so pervasive that it won't be that easy to turn around. 0k, won't be that easy to turn around. ok, very good to talk to. thank you so much. sirjohn curtis from the university. thank you. and just after half past five we will be speaking to sir peter fahy — former chief constable of greater manchester police. theresa may has said she is "angry" at the allegations of parties held in downing street during coronavirus restrictions. the former prime minister

in a letter to a constituent said that "nobody is above the law" according to reports in her local newspaper the maindenhead advertiser. she added "like so many i was angry to hear stories of those in number 10, who are responsible for setting the coronavirus rules, not properly following the rules." the government has again insisted it will put up national insurance in april as planned — despite reports the prime minister is considering a u—turn. ministers say the extra money raised is needed to help clear a backlog of nhs operations in england and to fund social care. some conservative mps want the rise scrapped. the leader of the house of commons jacob rees mogg has been speaking to the political thinking podcast on the subject and he said the money was much needed. it is a difficult choice for the chancellor but we do need to raise funds to pay for the extra nine million scans to get rid of the backlog in the nhs and all those sorts of things.

but you wouldn't weep if he postponed it. sorry? i think governments have to have a set purpose and a clear course and we cannot be buffeted by every wind, so it's important to recognise the need to raise the money that we are determined to spend. i'm joined now by dr miatta fahnbulleh, chief executive of the left of centre think tank, the new economics foundation. good afternoon to you. what do you think? should this national insurance rise go—ahead in the way that it's being planned? the insurance rise go-ahead in the way that it's being planned?— that it's being planned? the first thin i that it's being planned? the first thing i would _ that it's being planned? the first thing i would say _ that it's being planned? the first thing i would say is _ that it's being planned? the first thing i would say is we _ that it's being planned? the first| thing i would say is we absolutely need to invest in health and social care. both sectors are on their knees after a decade of underinvestment. that has to be a priority. the question for me is how do you raise the funding for that in the fairest possible way? the plan

changes to national insurance are the least fair way you could do this because it disproportionately hits those on low and middle income earners at the height of the cost—of—living crisis. for me, it doesn't make any sense. the government has other options to raise the money it needs for health and social care.— and social care. what are those 0 tions? and social care. what are those options? ? _ and social care. what are those options? ? for— and social care. what are those options? ? for example, - and social care. what are those options? ? for example, if- and social care. what are those options? ? for example, if you| and social care. what are those - options? ? for example, if you look at national— options? ? for example, if you look at national insurance _ options? ? for example, if you look at national insurance contributions, | at national insurance contributions, those that are earning, higher earners are earning over 50000 and only pay 2% of national insurance. why not equalise and make it 12% like the rest of us pay? or pension at the moment don't pay national insurance? when i get them to pay 12%? that would raise about the same as the government's reforms in. pensioners must be among the poor members of society?— members of society? relative pensioners. — members of society? relative pensioners. you _ members of society? relative pensioners, you know, - members of society? relative pensioners, you know, are . members of society? relative . pensioners, you know, are better members of society? relative - pensioners, you know, are better off then, for example, some people in then, for example, some people in the labour market. the other option the labour market. the other option the government has, for example, is

to equalise the rate of tax for people who earn their work earnings from wealth with those who earn their earnings from working and pay. that would raise somewhere between 15-20,000,000,000. so there that would raise somewhere between 15—20,000,000,000. so there are options. unfortunately, the government has gone for the least progressive option in order to find the much needed investment for health and social care.— the much needed investment for health and social care. from what ou health and social care. from what you see committee _ health and social care. from what you see committee think- health and social care. from what you see committee think this - health and social care. from what you see committee think this is l health and social care. from what you see committee think this is a | you see committee think this is a policy the government will stick by, ministers insist that they are, but we know that there are undercurrents of, well, disquiet. i we know that there are undercurrents of, well, disquiet.— of, well, disquiet. i think it will be really hard. _ of, well, disquiet. i think it will be really hard. we _ of, well, disquiet. i think it will be really hard. we are - of, well, disquiet. i think it will be really hard. we are about i of, well, disquiet. i think it will be really hard. we are about to enter into a period where there is going to be a real squeeze on people. it's going to be brutal. and when the government has other choices it can make, i think it's going to be hard for them to stand up going to be hard for them to stand up against us. the important thing to say is this is one measure. they will have to do more through this in

order to help protect people against the bite against the cost of living. that goes to bolstering social security for those of the lower end. we go back to that £20 cut that the government put in place which i think was complete folly, but today our organisation committee economics foundation arguing that they are about million people who at the moment are losing out on about 7000 a year because they are not claiming universal credit that they are entitled to. if you had a system of auto enrolment, that would plug that problem. there are things the government can do to protect people and help people. it's a question of political wealth. we are not seen it right now. political wealth. we are not seen it riaht now. ., ~ tensions over ukraine remain high — with russia's foreign minister this morning saying his country's interests couldn't be ignored — while insisting moscow did not want war. earlier, presidentjoe biden warned there is a "distinct possibility" that russia might invade ukraine next month.

it comes as uk businesses and organisations are being urged to boost their their defences in case cyber attacks linked to the conflict over ukraine have an impact here. nato secretary—generaljens stoltenberg says that the alliance was ready to increase its troop presence in eastern europe and was watching very closely as russia moves soldiers and weapons in belarus. we are also ready to step up, as we actually now do, our military presence in the eastern part of the alliance to prevent any misunderstanding or room for miscalculations about nato's ability and readiness to protect all allies. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet is in kyiv. what is the government in the ukraine making of this war of words? well, you mentioned how the

secretary—general is watching the situation closely. so many world leaders are watching the situation closely, but no one can be watching more closely than the ukrainians themselves, including president zelensky who spoke to the press today, a huge press that has gathered here from around the worlds to report on this deepening crisis. he began his remarks with one of his main message is, essentially "calm down. at the situation now as far as he sees it is not that different from what it was last year. he says we have been living with this crisis for the past eight years. ever since the annexation of crimea by russian forces and russian backed separatists moving into eastern ukraine, but he did acknowledge the tensions for more than 100,000 russian troops on the border and said there was a possibility of a new war with ukraine, but it wasn't certain. but when it comes to that war, who will fight at? and that is

one of his main concerns that no one else will be fighting the war for ukrainians or in their name. so he asked for more clarity from nato. there should be security guarantees. when _ there should be security guarantees. when we _ there should be security guarantees. when we are talking about nato, we should _ when we are talking about nato, we should go deeper into detail. i know that some _ should go deeper into detail. i know that some members of nato don't like us going _ that some members of nato don't like us going into this detail, but we want _ us going into this detail, but we want to— us going into this detail, but we want to have something specific. we need to— want to have something specific. we need to have something that we can count— need to have something that we can count on _ need to have something that we can count on. ., , need to have something that we can count on. . , ., , count on. there have been military reinforcements _ count on. there have been military reinforcements sent _ count on. there have been military reinforcements sent to _ count on. there have been military reinforcements sent to ukraine - count on. there have been military reinforcements sent to ukraine by | reinforcements sent to ukraine by the united states, by britain and many expressions of support for ukraine. the telephone lines have been burning between moscow and ukraine between france and russia today. everyone is talking about it, but all the while, more than 100,000

russian troops on the border as well as all of that heavy equipment. the question many are asking tonight is how long can those troops stay there in the dead of winter before something happens?- in the dead of winter before something happens? in the dead of winter before somethin: ha -ens? . ,, , ., , something happens? thank you very much. our chief _ something happens? thank you very much. our chief international - much. our chief international correspondent live for us in kyiv. officials at the uk health security agency say a new version of the omicron coronavirus variant appears to be spreading easier than the original one. our health correspondent katharine da costa is here. how alarmed should we be by this? the watchword really is caution. the uk health security agency has been keeping a close eye on new emerging variance, the version of the omicron variant has been designated a variant has been designated a variant under investigation, that is why they are trying to learn more about it. so far, about 1000 cases have been confirmed in england. that is really small. if you think about the daily infections that we

reports, about 90,000, most of those are omicron, every single day, so 1000 is still quite small. scientists, what they look for, is it more severe? and it spread more quickly? does it evade vaccines? so far, no data to say that it is more severe than omicron. the early data is showing that it's spreading more quickly than the original version. they looked at contact tracing data and found it was spreading more quickly within households. while growth advantage can fluctuate in the early data, so that's why they are saying it is important to be cautious because this is really early data. i think it has a substantial growth advantage. that s - reads substantial growth advantage. that spreads more _ substantial growth advantage. that spreads more quickly. it _ substantial growth advantage. that spreads more quickly. it spreads i spreads more quickly. it spreads more quickly. — spreads more quickly. it spreads more quickly, basically. - spreads more quickly. it spreads more quickly, basically. as - spreads more quickly. it spreads more quickly, basically. as i - spreads more quickly. it spreads| more quickly, basically. as i say, this is still early days and things may change as they learn more about it, but the encouraging thing is that the vaccines are still working. after two or three doses, it still providing protection against

symptomatic disease for this and the original omicron variant. much more research is needed. they say that the uk is in quite a good position because the amount of genome sequencing carried out here and they can react and respond quite quickly. infections are still at high rates and people should still be cautious as restrictions are eased, so consider still wearing masks to get your vaccinations and to carry on testing regularly.— your vaccinations and to carry on testing regularly. thank you very much for that _ testing regularly. thank you very much for that update. _ some measures put in place to tackle coronavirus are easing today in wales. there are changes for people wishing to go to nightclubs and restaurants — and social distancing rules have also been relaxed. our wales correspondent tomos morgan is in cardiff with further details: today is the last stage of the road map set out by first minister mark drakeford in bringing wales back to alert level zero, so the main points, social distancing measures have now been scrapped in wales,

much to the delight of hospitality and workplaces, and the rule of six has been scrapped along with nightclubs being able to reopen. they were the first, the last to reopen last year and the first shut and now they can reopenjust in time for the six nations in a few weeks here in wales. and of course the work from home rule, which was still a legal requirement, has now been made just guidance only. a few things remain in place, those being that masks will still need to be worn in shops and hospitals and public transport, and vaccine passes will still be needed in cinemas and theatres and for large events. first minister mark drakeford has said they have been able to ease the restrictions because the peak of the omicron wave has passed here and the number of cases has been reducing more rapidly than the rest of the uk. the next review into the covid measures, into masks and vaccination passes, will be on the 10th of february.

thomas morgan reporting there. british sign language is a step closer to becoming a legally recognised language in england, after a bill proposing the changes was backed in the house of commons. the measures were included in a private member's bill which has the backing of strictly come dancing champion and eastenders actress rose ayling—ellis. the bill was introduced by the labour backbencher rosie cooper. clearly, much of this is because of strictly. deaf people can do anything, my dad always said, even be impossible, such as winning strictly when you can't hear the music. that ten second claims she gave into the hearing world, she gave into the hearing world, she gave the hearing world into deafness when the music stopped was truly momentous. people became aware and

interested in bsl like never before. i know we have much support across the house, so let me say, this bill isn't about politics. after more than 230 years, this bill is about doing the right thing. so, in closing, i would like to say to the minister thank you for supporting this bill, thank you. let's discuss more with ryan lewis, chief executive of deafway, a charity based in preston supporting the deaf community. ryan is profoundly deaf and i we'll speak to him with a little help from his interpreter, emma, who will translate my questions for us and relay ryan's answers. just to explain, we cannot see anna, she is behind the camera so that she can face ryan to translate for him. good afternoon to you both, ryan and anna, ryan, just in terms of this bill that is going through the

commons at the moment, how much practical difference will it make to you and others who face the same situation as you?— you and others who face the same situation as you? yeah, i would like to sa it's situation as you? yeah, i would like to say it's a — situation as you? yeah, i would like to say it's a real, _ situation as you? yeah, i would like to say it's a real, real _ situation as you? yeah, i would like to say it's a real, real positive - to say it's a real, real positive step for the entire of the deaf community, but not only that, it will improve education, access to public transport, medical domains and many more, so there will be lots of changes to be made now going forward example, like i said, things becoming more accessible for the deaf community, for deaf people, and thatis deaf community, for deaf people, and that is what it's really important, that is what it's really important, that it that is what it's really important, thatitis that is what it's really important, that it is a language, it's taken a long time and will take a time going forward to make those changes and we have to then step in and we have to be collaborative with us. we have to share information and how to move forward and create that accessibility for us. forward and create that accessibili for us. , , ,., accessibility for us. give us some real examples — accessibility for us. give us some real examples of _ accessibility for us. give us some real examples of where - accessibility for us. give us some real examples of where it - accessibility for us. give us some real examples of where it will. accessibility for us. give us some i real examples of where it will make a real difference that bsl is

recognised as a language. aha, recognised as a language. practical example. think about everyday life, think about yourselves, so there are barriers with us at public transport, trains, platforms, sometimes come to the neck something comes out on the speaker, you see people running in a flurry you think what on earth has happening? what is going on and we missed trains. that's a simplistic practical example but is a barrier. he said the things we need to improve, access for the deaf community and deaf people. things need to be visual or on a screen, for example. need to be visual or on a screen, for example-— for example. you have lived with our for example. you have lived with your deafness — for example. you have lived with your deafness for _ for example. you have lived with your deafness for a _ for example. you have lived with your deafness for a considerable | your deafness for a considerable time, i understand you have two brothers who are also profoundly deaf. what sort of difference will it make to you personally? yeah, i was born deaf. _

it make to you personally? yeah, i was born deaf. it's _ it make to you personally? yeah, i was born deaf. it's two _ it make to you personally? yeah, i was born deaf. it's two deaf - was born deaf. it's two deaf daughters, they are both deaf, profoundly deaf. they face the same barriers as i have. that for me is the way forward. it's changes for them, changes for their future generation. we have fought long and hard for them to have this access, so that is positive and that is the future that is the step forward. apologies to your daughters. . it looks as if this tale is making its way through the commons. what do you hope for in a few years time if it does become law close how would life be different for you and your daughters?— be different for you and your daughters? there are loads of thins. if daughters? there are loads of things- if i'm _ daughters? there are loads of things. if i'm honest, - daughters? there are loads of things. if i'm honest, there i daughters? there are loads of| things. if i'm honest, there are loads of things. people will have varying views on this on how things should change. i will give you my experience, education, that's number one, we are talking about the

curriculum, bsl should be incorporated into that curriculum. that would help massively for the young people out there to participate, to learn our language, to have that information come as we do the chinese, french, german, spoken languages, this isjust one example. spoken languages, this is 'ust one examle. ., ~ i. , spoken languages, this is 'ust one examle. ., ~ , . example. 0k, thank you very much indeed. example. 0k, thank you very much indeed- that _ example. 0k, thank you very much indeed. that is _ example. 0k, thank you very much indeed. that is ryan, _ example. ok, thank you very much indeed. that is ryan, chief- indeed. that is ryan, chief executive and also emma, his interpreter. thank you so much. thank you very much. this is bbc news. the headlines: the metropolitan police requests key details to be left out of a report into downing street parties to avoid prejudicing its own investigation. a cabinet minister ahs dismissed allegations borisjohnson would benefit from scotland yard's intervention. condemnation from those who lost loved ones due to coronavirus, as uncertainty about when the downing street party report will be published.

re—newed pressure on boris johnson to delay rise in national insurance — but ministers say it's needed to fund health and social care. the president of pressure and france agreed on the need for de—escalation over the rising tensions on ukraine borders. and a bill legally recognising british sign language as language in england receives government backing. the derby county milder rain rooney has turned down the chance to be interviewed for the vacant everton job. he says he has got an important role trying to keep darby in the championship. they're in the relegation zone after going into

administration. everything is boyhood club and he to playing spells there. i boyhood club and he to playing spells there-— boyhood club and he to playing spells there. i believe i will be a premier league _ spells there. i believe i will be a premier league manager- spells there. i believe i will be a premier league manager and i l spells there. i believe i will be a - premier league manager and i believe and ready for that 100% and one in the future it would be great but i've got a job here which is an importantjob to me. katie i've got a job here which is an important job to me. important “0b to me. kyle walker is auoin to important job to me. kyle walker is going to miss— important job to me. kyle walker is going to miss both _ important job to me. kyle walker is going to miss both legs _ important job to me. kyle walker is going to miss both legs of- important job to me. kyle walker is going to miss both legs of the - going to miss both legs of the champions league knockout tie next month and the first leg of their quarterfinal should they get that far. he lay flapping increase the odds one match magnify the lead card he picked up in theirfinal group game to three. european football governing body described in under a silver as assault. the faa are going

to up the prize money in the fa cup from next season and chelsea on £39,000 from their run to last season final when they lifted the trophy just over i% season final when they lifted the trophyjust over i% of what season final when they lifted the trophy just over i% of what the men's winner got. the boss described the disparity is unacceptable but if a board say they have agreed a significant increase to the prize money to support the competition continued development. we know the line—up for the men's final at the australian open and rough and let out a little take on medvedev on sunday. to win a record breaking 21st grandson of singles title. they race to the first couple of sets in his semifinal and said it was some of the best and if for a long time. and to dig deep after dropping the third set against the italian but his experience came through in the end and took the matching for 35 and he could go on and make history in that final on sunday. medvedev came

through a tight match and it went for sets as well. he had to compose himself after an angry tirade towards the umpire. the russian accusing his father approaching him from the crowd. medvedev who is the top seed in melbourne and novak djokovic's absents is going for a second grandson title in a row and he beat the serbian to win the us open last september. i am he beat the serbian to win the us open last september.— he beat the serbian to win the us open last september. i am going to -la aaain open last september. i am going to play again against — open last september. i am going to play again against one _ open last september. i am going to play again against one of _ open last september. i am going to play again against one of the - play again against one of the greatest and i'm going to play someone going for the 21st psalm so last time ref nadal was watching near the tv i don't know who he was cheering for but i think novak will be watching this one in two days. captain had knight came to the rescue for england on the second day

of the ashes test. catherine grant claimed another five—week wickets call for a country before australia declared. the only batter who really made a meaningful contribution and an unbeaten century as they closed on 235 402 runs behind. australia will retain the ashes if they win. it opened with a buggy but produced four birdies nrl and added three more to move to nine under par. that'sjust two more to move to nine under par. that's just two shots behind the leaderjustin hardy. murray michael wyatt went around 866 and the eagle helped him into the top ten. one of five players at seven on there at seven under the halfway stage. the saracenss director is going to take a breakfrom saracenss director is going to take a break from the sport for medical reasons in a statement they say people will always come first at our

club and mark will be given all the support and time he needs. the coaching staff led by the head coach will take over in his absence starting with sunday's game with wasps in the premiership. that's all for now. let's return now to our top story this hour. as confusion surrounds the publication of the civil servant sue gray's report into lockdown parties in downing street — after the metropolitan police's intervention. the force revealed it has asked her to make "minimal reference" to events which they are investigating. her report had been due to be released this week — with many mps saying they were waiting for its contents before taking a firm position on the prime minister's future. with me now is sir peter fahy, he's a former chief constable of greater manchester police. thank you forjoining us.

metropolitan police not asking for a delay in the publication of the reports but for certain details to be kept back, what do you think of this? �* , ., ., be kept back, what do you think of this? �*, ., ., ., , , ~ , this? it's major details being kept back because _ this? it's major details being kept back because they _ this? it's major details being kept back because they are _ this? it's major details being kept back because they are asking - this? it's major details being kept back because they are asking for. back because they are asking for minimal reference to those events which have been referred to them. so you can see from the plaintiff the it would leave a huge hole in her report and act in the metropolitan police may be concerned that if her report was issued in full and there was a full description of those particular events that she had referred to the police then that would make the public and politicians think everybody was automatically almost guilty of breaching the regulations are as the police have to look at it independently and with a fresh pair of eyes and the criminal investigator makes a and what they know is this legislation was rushed and was draughted and there were a lot of ambiguities in it but the difficulty is the public

understandably have made their own judgements that the law was broken because this is the way the law was promoted by the politicians at the time and some confusion about the guidance so overall this is a really difficult situation and it's hard to see how the metropolitan police can get a win—win situation out of this and they are trying to get to a position where they can have at least a clear route to carry out this investigation and interview the people they want to interview without all the other details being out there but obviously factoring that they are risking the accusation that they are risking the accusation that somehow there contributing to what some see as whitewash. there are questions _ what some see as whitewash. there are questions about _ what some see as whitewash. there are questions about the _ what some see as whitewash. there are questions about the pension - what some see as whitewash. there are questions about the pension and brow about sue gray and the timing they are investigating not investigating until very recently.

an explanation for that it said it would appear that they did not anticipate all the complexities that have now emerge particularly after the prime minister gave very clear assurance that the reports would be very quickly published and act in the difficulty that the metropolitan faces is that the public are concerned with that huge gap in political accountability and the police are being asked to do that with a criminal offence and what was supposed to be a straightforward way of dealing with that and that has not become incredibly complex and i think they're trying to reach a situation where they are able to take this independent view of that based on their understanding and their experience of trying to force this legislation whatever the outcome is there will be subject to the police should not delay and will be others that the priests should be involved at all and others that say

they have allowed people to get away with it because of those weaknesses so i think it's a very complex situation the metropolitan police are in and whatever happens they will face criticism. fishd are in and whatever happens they will face criticism.— are in and whatever happens they will face criticism. and there were auestions will face criticism. and there were questions about _ will face criticism. and there were questions about the _ will face criticism. and there were questions about the metropolitan | questions about the metropolitan police that are in downing street that are guarding the gates and whether why didn't he pick up on anything. whether why didn't he pick up on an hina. ~ ., .,. whether why didn't he pick up on an hina. ~ ., ., anything. metropolitan police have liven an anything. metropolitan police have given an explanation _ anything. metropolitan police have given an explanation of _ anything. metropolitan police have given an explanation of that - anything. metropolitan police have given an explanation of that and i given an explanation of that and those offices will not know what's going on within the building and places like the cabinet room but it is something the metropolitan police would have to be a full explanation of and at the end of all this we are led to believe some of those offices have given evidence or accounts to sue gray and i would imagine again the metropolitan police want to be able to do that again in which would criminal investigation process without necessarily as they would see it being prejudice by those accounts coming out in the report

but we need to be clear there is no legal reason why the support cannot be published. legal reason why the support cannot be published-— doubts have emerged about the timing of a positive covid test novak djokovic used to enter australia, to defend his australian open title. the world men's number one was originally given an exemption from rules which bar unvaccinated people — after he produced evidence of having had covid in december. but the bbc has found a discrepancy on the serial numbers of his test certificates. matt graveling has the details. this was novak djokovic's chance to win his tenth australian open, and with it the most grand slams ever achieved in men's tennis. upon arrival in melbourne onjanuary fifth, and confirming he was unvaccinated, his visa was revoked by the government. the serbian was given

an exemption to play, having tested positive for coronavirus in mid—december. in an attempt to overturn the decision, djokovic's legal team presented two covid test certificates to a federal court in australia. the first, shown to be taken on december 16th, shows a positive result. the second, taken six days later, shows a negative result. a german research company questioned why the unique confirmation code on the earlier test was higher than the later one. the bbc has investigated if codes on tests done in serbia are generated in a chronological order. a total of 56 test certificates were collected, and their unique confirmation codes plotted against the date of each result. in all cases studied, the earlier the result, the lower the unique code for the corresponding test. the only outlier of the codes plotted was novak djokovic's positive test on december 16th.

according to the bbc�*s graph, this confirmation code would suggest a test sometime between the 25th and december 28th. one data specialist said, "there is always the possibility for a glitch, but if this was the case, i don't know why the authorities would not say that." to try and explain this discrepancy, the bbc has approached novak djokovic's team, serbia's institute of public health, and its office of information technology, but has yet to have a response. matt graveling, bbc news. a teenager has appeared in court, charged after two jewish men were violently attacked in north london. the police said the incident is being treated as a hate crime. the hearing took about 25 minutes. 18—year—old malaki thorpe spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address. he has been charged with two counts of racially

or religiously aggravated bodily harm and one count of possession of an offensive weapon. it relates to an incident on wednesday night in haringey in which twojewish men were attacked. they were each treated in hospital for injuries. malaki thorpe indicated not guilty pleas on all counts. the court remanded him into custody and the case has been sent to wood green crown court for trial in march. we will have the latest on the australian open. choosing instead to remain with derby. as the club fights for survival both on and off the pitch. that is all to come in sports day at

6:30 p:m.. now it's time for the film review. hello and welcome to the film review on bbc news. to take us through this week's cinema releases is mark kermode. so mark, what do we have this week? it isa it is a packed week. we have parallel mothers which is a new film. we have a new british hurry movie, amulet. and sing two all singing animals.— movie, amulet. and sing two all singing animals. that is quite the mixture. sell— singing animals. that is quite the mixture. sell parallel— singing animals. that is quite the mixture. sell parallel mothers, i singing animals. that is quite the i mixture. sell parallel mothers, not that excitement about this latest film. �* ., that excitement about this latest film. ~ . ' :: that excitement about this latest film. �* ., ' i: ., ., ., ., film. and a 90 minute ovation rate remiered film. and a 90 minute ovation rate premiered at _ film. and a 90 minute ovation rate premiered at venice. _ film. and a 90 minute ovation rate premiered at venice. parallel- premiered at venice. parallel mothers is about single mother is

sharing of them together in a hospital and the give birth together and their babies go into observation and their babies go into observation and when they leave hospital they swap phone numbers. and perhaps a bit more, here is a clip.

so