this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. borisjohnson travels to brussels and warsaw as the uk steps up diplomatic efforts to resolve the ukraine crisis. the uk foreign secretary, liz truss, is in moscow for talks — and has delivered this warning to russia. a war in ukraine would be disastrous for the russian and ukrainian people and for european security, and together nato has made it clear that any incursion into ukraine would have massive consequences. police investigating lockdown parties in downing street are sending questionnaires to more than 50 people to ask them what happened. the ioc refuse to comment on why the medals ceremony for the figure—skating team event

has been delayed at the winter games following reports of a failed drugs test on the russian team. wayne rooney — an incredible career on the pitch — and coping with demons off the pitch — a documentary about his life is released. i was in a bad place and i knew i had to change. i knew i had to get through that struggle, really, and fight, fight for my marriage, fight for my career. also coming up this hour.... new fossils found in a cave in southern france suggest humans and neanderthals could have coexisted for long periods. hello and welcome if you're

watching in the uk or around the world. the uk's foreign secretary, liz truss, has warned the kremlin that a war in ukraine would be disastrous for the russian and ukrainian people, and for european security. she is holding talks with her russian counterpart — while her boss boris johnson is visiting nato headquarters in brussels. he isjust he is just about to start a press conference. he isjust about to start a press conference-— he isjust about to start a press conference. ~ . , , , ., conference. military build-up in and around ukraine. _ conference. military build-up in and around ukraine. russia _ conference. military build-up in and around ukraine. russia has- conference. military build-up in and| around ukraine. russia has amassed more than 100,000 troops with heavy equipment, missiles and key enablers such as command control and medical units. we are closely monitoring russia's deployment in belarus which is the biggest since the end of the cold war. this is a dangerous moment for european security. the number of

russian forces is going up. the warning time for a possible attack is going down. nato is not a threat to russia but we must be prepared for the worst. while remaining strongly committed to finding a political solution. the uk is playing a leading role, delivering militarily and diplomatically. we welcome the offer of more troops, ships and planes to nato and additional troops that you are deploying to poland showing allied solidarity and action. the uk leads to a's battle group in estonia, contributes to nato's air policing and the aircraft carrier hms prince of wales leads nato's maritime force. all of this sends a clear

message that we will defend and protect all allies. we also have active diplomacy with nato leaders working to get russian de—escalation. i welcome your support to ukraine as well as your recent contact with president putin and the visit of the foreign secretary to moscow today. this morning i have sent a letter to foreign minister lavrov reiterating my invitation to russia to continue our dialogue in a series of meetings and the nato russia council to find and the nato russia council to find a diplomatic way forward. we are prepared to listen to russia's concerns and ready to discuss ways to uphold and strengthen the fundamental principles of european security that we all have signed up

to. we have proposed mutual briefings on exercises and policies, ways to increase transparency and reduce risks and military activities, reduce space and cyber threats and a serious conversation on arms control including nuclear weapons and ground—based intermediate and shorter range missiles. these areas represent an agenda for meaningful dialogue. but nato will not compromise on core principles, the rate for each nation to choose its own path and need to's ability to protect all allies. next week ministers will assess options for further strengthening allied security including the possibility of additional battle groups in the south—eastern part of our alliance.

renewed russian aggression will lead to more nato presence, not less. prime minister, thank you again for the uk's strong commitment to the transatlantic alliance and for your strong personal commitment to nato. thank you very much for welcoming us today to nato and great to see you again as ever. when nato was founded more than 75 years ago its members made a commitment to collective security that was unlike anything in previous history. when the pair will involve failed the people of europe made clear they wanted their freedom and their security to be inextricably tied together and that is why nato agreed that any country should be free to pursue the security alliances that that country chose. and we must resist, we must oppose, any return to the days when

the fates of nations are decided over their heads by a handful of great powers. i want to stress that this is notjust about russia, just as nato itself is notjust about russia. of course not. this is about upholding the founding principles of an alliance which perhaps more than any other institution has brought stability and peace, prosperity to the world. and that must be the bedrock of our diplomatic efforts. the gatekeepers might commitment to european security is unconditional and inevitable. we have the biggest defence budget in europe and the second largest in nato. we have contributed more troops than any other ally to nato's enhanced forward presence and today i have agreed with the secretary general a package of support to strengthen

further our collective securities sending troops, planes and ships to defend nato from north to south. earlier this week i met the prime minister of lithuania and i will be travelling shortly to poland and these are countries where everyday these are countries where everyday the population waits with an acute awareness of the threatjust the population waits with an acute awareness of the threat just across their border. and they are countries whose voices and fears must be at the heart of every discussion we have. because i believe that if we can keep a strong grip on the fundamentals, those fundamental principles that define our alliance, and combine strong deterrence with patient diplomacy, then we can find a way through this crisis. but the

stakes are very high and this is a very dangerous moment. and at stake are the rules that protect every nation, every nation, big and small, thank you all very much. we should probably have some questions from the media. ski; probably have some questions from the media. , probably have some questions from the media._ two - probably have some questions from the media._ two weeks . probably have some questions from l the media._ two weeks ago the media. sky news. two weeks ago ou said the media. sky news. two weeks ago you said the — the media. sky news. two weeks ago you said the intelligence _ the media. sky news. two weeks ago you said the intelligence was - you said the intelligence was particularly gloomy when asked about the inevitability of a russian invasion into ukraine. since then the combination of the threat of sanctions, deploying troops to eastern allies, diplomacy has failed to de—escalate the situation. are you coming to the conclusion that president putin actually wants this more? and to the secretary general,

you said this was a dangerous moment for european security. different allies from france to the uk to the us are taking slightly different approaches to dealing with russia. are you concerned about these different approaches sending mixed messages to russia and are you worried differences between partners contender any nato deployment? thanks very much. to answer your question directly about what i think is going on in moscow, the calculations that are being made there, i honestly do not think a decision has yet been taken, but that doesn't mean that it is impossible that something absolutely disastrous could happen very soon indeed, and our intelligence i am afraid to say remains grim and we are seeing the massing of huge

numbers of tactical battalion groups on the borders of ukraine, 70 or more. this is probably the most dangerous moment i would say in the course of the next few days in what is the biggest security crisis that europe has faced for decades and we have to get it right. i think the combination of sanctions and military resolve plus diplomacy is in order and everybody understands, you ask about whether we are right one across the west on sanctions, i think increasingly we are at one and i congratulate germany on the way they have been able to move towards a tougher position, difficult though obviously that is for germany and for the german economy. i think the

uk has been able to help to bring people together with an automatic package of sanctions that would hit russian commercial strategic commercial interests. the tougher those sanctions are the more automatic they are the more chance we have of deterring what i think would be an irrational response but what we are also doing is ensuring that we have... that we engaged the russians' attention, occupy their bandwidth, and we get ready all over the eastern frontier of nato, and thatis the eastern frontier of nato, and that is why you were kind enough to mention all the things that we are doing supporting operation code response up in the north in norway with hms prince of wales, 16 air assault brigade, and estonia doubling the presence, in poland

where i will be going shortly adding another 350 troops, doing our policing in romania, increasing the number of typhoons we are deploying out of cyprus by a squadron of typhoons and we are sending ships to the eastern mediterranean of the type a5. as prefer to we are also putting on standby 1000 troops in preparation for a humanitarian crisis that may take place on nato's eastern frontiers. we are getting ready, making military preparations, getting ready economic sanctions, but also willing to talk, and i think it was summed up very well, there are some things that are

non—negotiable, the idea of that nato must have an open door policy, that the people of ukraine must be able to aspire to nato membership, and then of course there are things that it would be sensible to talk about and things that need to in the uk in the us, everybody, is willing to discuss, including transparency about nato exercises, about nato force posture, about the stationing of missiles, taking progress certainly on the ims area where russia is in breach and making progress on missiles. all those subjects for discussion and far, far to begin a discussion now than to have a catastrophe, so that is what we are pushing for and there is a

lot of effort going on on all those fronts. but whether it is going to pay off now, whether we are going to be successful, i simply cannot say. 0n the unity of the alliance i think but we _ 0n the unity of the alliance i think but we have seen over the last weeks and months _ but we have seen over the last weeks and months is a very united nato where _ and months is a very united nato where we — and months is a very united nato where we stand together both when it comes_ where we stand together both when it comes to _ where we stand together both when it comes to our diplomatic efforts but also when — comes to our diplomatic efforts but also when it comes to the necessary military— also when it comes to the necessary military adaptation we have implemented. 0n the diplomatic efforts_ implemented. 0n the diplomatic efforts all allies agree that we need — efforts all allies agree that we need to— efforts all allies agree that we need to sit down to engage in good faith in_ need to sit down to engage in good faith in talks to try to find a political, _ faith in talks to try to find a political, peaceful solution to the conflict — political, peaceful solution to the conflict. that is the reason why we have _ conflict. that is the reason why we have invited — conflict. that is the reason why we have invited russia for meetings in the format — have invited russia for meetings in the format of the need to rush council, — the format of the need to rush council, why i welcome the nato alliance — council, why i welcome the nato alliance and the uk and other allies engaging _ alliance and the uk and other allies engaging directly with russia. liz

truss— engaging directly with russia. liz truss is_ engaging directly with russia. liz truss is in— engaging directly with russia. liz truss is in russia today and other allies— truss is in russia today and other allies have — truss is in russia today and other allies have reached out. diplomatic efforts— allies have reached out. diplomatic efforts with russia. this is based on a _ efforts with russia. this is based on a unified message which all nato allies— on a unified message which all nato allies have — on a unified message which all nato allies have agreed. we agreed a comprehensive document which was sent to _ comprehensive document which was sent to russia as a common response as a united — sent to russia as a common response as a united response to the legally binding _ as a united response to the legally binding treaties that russia proposed for some weeks ago. this is the agreed _ proposed for some weeks ago. this is the agreed basis. this is the agreed message _ the agreed basis. this is the agreed message exactly as boris said. we list areas — message exactly as boris said. we list areas where we are willing to sit and _ list areas where we are willing to sit and discuss on arms control, missiles — sit and discuss on arms control, missiles and many other issues. the point _ missiles and many other issues. the point it— missiles and many other issues. the point it has— missiles and many other issues. the point it has to be verifiable and balanced — point it has to be verifiable and balanced and we list also some areas where _ balanced and we list also some areas where we _ balanced and we list also some areas where we cannot make compromises especially— where we cannot make compromises especially the right for every nation — especially the right for every nation to choose its own path and the right — nation to choose its own path and the right to — nation to choose its own path and the right to defend and protect all

allies _ the right to defend and protect all allies. the idea to introduce second—class allies who joined after 1997 is _ second—class allies who joined after 1997 is not — second—class allies who joined after 1997 is not acceptable for us. verifiable balanced arms control is something we absolutely are in favour — something we absolutely are in favour of — something we absolutely are in favour of and ready to engage in with russia. briefly, the military adaptation sends a clear signal that russia _ adaptation sends a clear signal that russia has— adaptation sends a clear signal that russia has a choice. they can either choose _ russia has a choice. they can either choose a _ russia has a choice. they can either choose a diplomatic solution and set down _ choose a diplomatic solution and set down but _ choose a diplomatic solution and set down but are features confrontation they will— down but are features confrontation they will pay a high price. they will he — they will pay a high price. they will be economic sanctions, there will be economic sanctions, there will he _ will be economic sanctions, there will be increased nato military presence, the uk is an important part of— presence, the uk is an important part of that, already announced new deployments on top of what the uk has already deployed in the eastern

part of— has already deployed in the eastern part of the — has already deployed in the eastern part of the alliance, and the ukrainian _ part of the alliance, and the ukrainian army defence forces much stronger— ukrainian army defence forces much stronger now than they were in 2014 because _ stronger now than they were in 2014 because they are better equipped, hetter— because they are better equipped, better trained, because they are better equipped, bettertrained, better because they are better equipped, better trained, better command, and i welcome _ better trained, better command, and i welcome that the united kingdom and other— i welcome that the united kingdom and other allies provide support to the ukrainian defence forces so they can defend _ the ukrainian defence forces so they can defend themselves. this is a right— can defend themselves. this is a right for— can defend themselves. this is a right for every nation to defend themselves for self defence and it is good _ themselves for self defence and it is good that nato allies like the united — is good that nato allies like the united kingdom are helping you claim to uphold _ united kingdom are helping you claim to uphold that right. bbc. how much further are you _ to uphold that right. bbc. how much further are you prepared to commit the uk on top of what is already happening? would you for example in the case of an invasion give uk military to support to some kind of insurgency? and if you are found to have broken the low would you resign and can i ask you to address this

directly onto half of people at home? it is not a hypothetical. secretary general, russia is nothing more than 100,000 troops, allies are committing more than 1000 here and 1000 they but as the scale of nato's attempt to protect ukraine anything like a match for what russia may be planning? cm like a match for what russia may be ”lannin ? , ., like a match for what russia may be ”lannin? ,, like a match for what russia may be ”lannin? i. ., like a match for what russia may be ”lannin? ., planning? on your point about what is auoin on planning? on your point about what is going on at _ planning? on your point about what is going on at home, _ planning? on your point about what is going on at home, that _ planning? on your point about what is going on at home, that process i is going on at home, that process must be completed and i am looking forward to it being completed and thatis forward to it being completed and that is the time to see more on that. on your question about what we can do to support uk and further, everybody knows that the uk has been forward delayed in, out in front, in offering support to the ukrainian government —— forward leading.

probably we have 150,000 russian reservists, and it is thejudgment of nature that they will fight and resist very strongly and they have been helped in their preparations for something as catastrophic as this with a lot of training —— ukrainian reservists. 22,000 ukrainian reservists. 22,000 ukrainian soldiers and in the last two or three months we have sent some anti—tank weaponry, 2000 of them. we will consider what more we can conceivably offer but i have to tell you that the ukrainians are well prepared, there are things we have offered that they do not seem to need because they think they have them in enough numbers already. i do not want to rule this out, but at the moment we think that the package

is the right one. ijust want the moment we think that the package is the right one. i just want to stress that it would be an absolute disaster if it were to come to that. and if there were to be serious bloodshed on ukrainian soil. i know that people in russia must be thinking about this as well and i know that in the kremlin and across russia they must be wondering whether it is really sensible to expand the blood of russian soldiers in a war that i think would be catastrophic and also a pointless, tragic and vastly economically costly to russia. all i would say is that this is the moment now to think about another way forward and president putin talks about the indivisibility of security across the european continent, by which he

means that russia cannot be threatened by anything that nato does. i want to stress, nato is not a threatening intimidating or aggressive alliance. that is not what nato does. nato has kept the peace in our continent for so long and achieved so much by being a defensive alliance. that is what nato does. and you cannot promote the indivisibility of peace in the european land mass by putting 130,000 troops on the borders of ukraine. i think there is an opportunity to talk on all the subjects that we just described. it is a very good opportunity for us to put our heads together and try to find ways of reassuring russia without compromising those fundamental principles of nato's

open door policy. i think there is a way through but it must also be accompanied by a de—escalation from russia and the withdrawal of the threats that we are currently seeing. so i think it is time to de—escalate and talk. if seeing. so i think it is time to de-escalate and talk.- seeing. so i think it is time to de-escalate and talk. if you are found to have _ de-escalate and talk. if you are found to have broken _ de-escalate and talk. if you are found to have broken the - de-escalate and talk. if you are found to have broken the low. de-escalate and talk. if you are - found to have broken the low would you stay in number 10? late found to have broken the low would you stay in number10?_ found to have broken the low would you stay in number10? we are going to wait for the — you stay in number10? we are going to wait for the process _ you stay in number10? we are going to wait for the process to _ you stay in number10? we are going to wait for the process to be - to wait for the process to be completed. to wait for the process to be completed-— to wait for the process to be comleted. ., ., , ., , completed. nato is a defensive alliance and _ completed. nato is a defensive alliance and our— completed. nato is a defensive alliance and our purpose - completed. nato is a defensive alliance and our purpose is - completed. nato is a defensive alliance and our purpose is to l alliance and our purpose is to preserve _ alliance and our purpose is to preserve peace, to prevent conflict, and we _ preserve peace, to prevent conflict, and we do _ preserve peace, to prevent conflict, and we do that by standing together as it is _ and we do that by standing together as it is enshrined in our founding treaty— as it is enshrined in our founding treatv an— as it is enshrined in our founding treaty an attack on one ally will trigger— treaty an attack on one ally will trigger an— treaty an attack on one ally will trigger an attack from the whole alliance — trigger an attack from the whole alliance and that is exactly what we are doing _ alliance and that is exactly what we are doing now at this very critical time _ are doing now at this very critical time for— are doing now at this very critical time for european security. 0n the

question— time for european security. 0n the question was whether we are doing enough _ question was whether we are doing enough. we are doing many things at the same _ enough. we are doing many things at the same time. first of all we have all of— the same time. first of all we have all of the _ the same time. first of all we have all of the increased presence in the eastern _ all of the increased presence in the eastern part of the alliance with more _ eastern part of the alliance with more troops, with battle groups, also with — more troops, with battle groups, also with the uk aircraft carriers and american aircraft carriers and more _ and american aircraft carriers and more ships— and american aircraft carriers and more ships and planes, increased presence — more ships and planes, increased presence in — more ships and planes, increased presence in the eastern part of the alliance _ presence in the eastern part of the alliance. second we have increased forces _ alliance. second we have increased forces so _ alliance. second we have increased forces so we can quickly reinforce if needed — forces so we can quickly reinforce if needed. this is a nato response force _ if needed. this is a nato response force but — if needed. this is a nato response force but it— if needed. this is a nato response force but it has been augmented by an announcement from the united kingdom _ an announcement from the united kingdom from the united states, from denmark— kingdom from the united states, from denmark and other countries, who have _ denmark and other countries, who have made — denmark and other countries, who have made it clear that they are ready— have made it clear that they are ready to — have made it clear that they are ready to assign more troops to the nato _ ready to assign more troops to the nato response force so we can reinforce — nato response force so we can reinforce quickly if needed and increase — reinforce quickly if needed and increase the readiness of these forces — increase the readiness of these forces compared to their normal readiness— forces compared to their normal

readiness levels. thirdly we are also _ readiness levels. thirdly we are also now— readiness levels. thirdly we are also now looking into whether we should _ also now looking into whether we should have a more long—term change in our— should have a more long—term change in our posture in the eastern part of the _ in our posture in the eastern part of the alliance. we have battle groups— of the alliance. we have battle groups in— of the alliance. we have battle groups in baltic countries and poland — groups in baltic countries and poland in— groups in baltic countries and poland in the uk is leading the battle — poland in the uk is leading the battle group in estonia and increasing presence in poland but we are considering to have similar battle — are considering to have similar battle groups for instance in the black— battle groups for instance in the black sea — battle groups for instance in the black sea region in romania. part sale of— black sea region in romania. part sale of the — black sea region in romania. part sale of the increased presence, increased — sale of the increased presence, increased readiness, and looking into more — increased readiness, and looking into more long—term changes in our posture _ into more long—term changes in our posture in— into more long—term changes in our posture in the eastern part of the alliance — posture in the eastern part of the alliance. ., _, . , , posture in the eastern part of the alliance. ., , ,, ,, alliance. that concludes this press conference- _ sir andrew wood was the uk ambassador to russia from 1995 to 2000.

what is your assessment of the threat of war between ukraine and russia? can you hear me? yes. threat of war between ukraine and russia? can you hear me? yes, sorry. i think the russians _ russia? can you hear me? yes, sorry. i think the russians are _ russia? can you hear me? yes, sorry. i think the russians are chancing - russia? can you hear me? yes, sorry. i think the russians are chancing a - i think the russians are chancing a bit too much to make it easy for them to stop but it all depends on an emotional disposition of president putin himself. what do you mean emotional— president putin himself. what do you mean emotional disposition? - president putin himself. what do you mean emotional disposition? well, i president putin himself. what do you | mean emotional disposition? well, he has a choice — mean emotional disposition? well, he has a choice to — mean emotional disposition? well, he has a choice to make _ mean emotional disposition? well, he has a choice to make between - mean emotional disposition? well, he has a choice to make between getting| has a choice to make between getting into a worse mess with a possible military success or backing down. the discussion so far here has been about nato russia in the context that should be but the real context is whether he can conquer ukraine or get submission very quickly. he

is whether he can conquer ukraine or get submission very quickly.- get submission very quickly. he can onl do get submission very quickly. he can only do that — get submission very quickly. he can only do that by _ get submission very quickly. he can only do that by sending _ get submission very quickly. he can only do that by sending in _ get submission very quickly. he can only do that by sending in his - only do that by sending in his troops, yes? and as we had to either chooses the diplomatic solution or military action in ukraine and economic sanctions? bill military action in ukraine and economic sanctions?- economic sanctions? all that follows, economic sanctions? all that follows. so _ economic sanctions? all that follows, so he _ economic sanctions? all that follows, so he has— economic sanctions? all that follows, so he has to - economic sanctions? all that follows, so he has to think. economic sanctions? all that - follows, so he has to think about that, but he also has to think about how long it might take to defeat ukraine and whether having defeated that he can then change the regime into one that suits him. that that he can then change the regime into one that suits him.— into one that suits him. that is a bi ask. into one that suits him. that is a big ask- how _ into one that suits him. that is a big ask. how could _ into one that suits him. that is a big ask. how could he _ into one that suits him. that is a big ask. how could he backdown| into one that suits him. that is a i big ask. how could he backdown on inverted colours and still maintain face? ~ ., , ., inverted colours and still maintain face? ~ ., ., ., face? well, the vc has to maintain is to the russian _ face? well, the vc has to maintain is to the russian people _ face? well, the vc has to maintain is to the russian people who - face? well, the vc has to maintain is to the russian people who do i face? well, the vc has to maintain | is to the russian people who do not want war. he would have to find some excuse such as we are consolidating

ourselves, we are negotiating new versions of security with nato and so on. he would have noticed across the whole spectrum of pick—up discussing this issue the question is essentially what could president clinton accept? what is he trying to achieve? —— putin. some people think it is a show but if it is a shoe it is a helluva show.— it is a show but if it is a shoe it is a helluva show. what do you think ofthe is a helluva show. what do you think of the diplomatic _ is a helluva show. what do you think of the diplomatic efforts _ is a helluva show. what do you think of the diplomatic efforts and - is a helluva show. what do you think of the diplomatic efforts and the - of the diplomatic efforts and the threat of economic sanctions? i personally think they are going to tell him to back off but conquering ukraine are getting in a position of submission is going to be difficult

and bloody. d0 submission is going to be difficult and bloody-— submission is going to be difficult and blood . i. ., 1, , and bloody. do you agree with boris johnson and bloody. do you agree with boris johnson that — and bloody. do you agree with boris johnson that now _ and bloody. do you agree with boris johnson that now is _ and bloody. do you agree with boris johnson that now is the _ and bloody. do you agree with boris johnson that now is the most - johnson that now is the most dangerous moment? i johnson that now is the most dangerous moment?- johnson that now is the most dangerous moment? i would have thou~ht dangerous moment? i would have thought so- _ dangerous moment? i would have thought so- if— dangerous moment? i would have thought so. if you _ dangerous moment? i would have thought so. if you need _ dangerous moment? i would have thought so. if you need today - dangerous moment? i would have thought so. if you need today not| thought so. if you need today not necessarily better for me next month orso necessarily better for me next month or so yes. necessarily better for me next month or so es. . ~' necessarily better for me next month or so es. ., ~ i. necessarily better for me next month or so es. . ~ ,, y necessarily better for me next month orso es. ., ~ , . necessarily better for me next month or so es. ., ~ , . ., or so yes. thank you very much for talkin: to or so yes. thank you very much for talking to us _ or so yes. thank you very much for talking to us and _ or so yes. thank you very much for talking to us and thank _ or so yes. thank you very much for talking to us and thank you - or so yes. thank you very much for talking to us and thank you for- or so yes. thank you very much for| talking to us and thank you for your patience as well. police investigating lockdown parties in downing street and whitehall are to begin contacting people for their accounts of the events. more than 50 people are to be emailed a questionnaire by the metropolitan police, with the prime minister and his wife, carriejohnson, expected to be included. it's after a photograph was published yesterday showing borisjohnson at a christmas quiz, with staff in santa hats, someone wearing tinsel round their neck, and a bottle of what looks like prosecco on the table. earlier i asked our political correspondent, chris mason, what the police email is likely to ask.

in essence, what was your excuse for being at this bash? that is the thrust of the questions. quite a fluffy word, questionnaire, but the police insist it is a formal legal document. you would not think you need to say this but it pleads with those who receive it to answer truthfully about what they were doing and on that basis once they receive the answers to this questionnaire from about 50 recipients who are hovering over their inboxes in westminster in the next day or two expecting this email they will have a week to fill it in and then the police will have to decide whether or not what is said amounts to what they describe as a reasonable excuse for their attendance at a do, and then they will have to decide whether or not to issue a fixed penalty notice, a couple of hundred quid fine, cut in half if paid within a certain number of days. politically of course the huge question is does the prime minister end up with a fixed penalty notice

and can he survive politically if he gets one? remind us, is downing street going to tell us who has got a fixed penalty notice? they have chopped and changed about whether they will tell us if the prime minister gets one. their current position is they will tell us if the prime minister receives a fixed penalty notice. we will see in the next few days if they will acknowledge whether the prime minister has been contacted or not. the expectation is that he will. he has acknowledged he was at some of these parties. just because he is contacted does not mean he will necessarily receive a fixed penalty notice. as for others, i think it will be more perhaps up to them as individuals because it would not be standard practice for the police necessarily to name people who are recipients of a fixed penalty notice but there will be huge interest obviously around this, particularly where photos have seen the light of day and people will be able to be placed in a particular party without fear of contradiction. what is quite striking about

the picture that emerged yesterday courtesy of the daily mirror is that we know the police have a couple of hundred, 300 images the cabinet office passed onto them as a result of sue gray's investigation, so there are a lot of pictures. dominic cummings was teasing yesterday on twitter that in his view there are way better pictures, as he described them, than the one we saw in the mirror with the open bottle of sparkling wine and a giant packet of crisps and a bottle of squirty hand sanitiser in the middle of the table, at that do prior to christmas 2020. there is every prospect at some point that those see the light of day publicly, or if they do not, they allow the police to come to a judgment that potentially there was lots of breaking of the rules. the significance of that photo, it is a virtual christmas quiz. we had already seen a photo of that event. borisjohnson

looked as if he was perhaps thanking people but the met said they were not looking at that particular event and potentially they might now. yes, they are reviewing their decision to not include that as one of the things it was looking into. there were a couple of images we had before courtesy of the daily mirror, one involving the prime minister, the same person we see with tinsel around his neck and someone else with a santa hat on, and an alternative picture in the first tranche of pictures about this event which was a picture of a screen which showed elements of it being virtual even though for a lot of the participants, they were in the same building, just not all in the same room, although clearly quite a few are in the same room here. this additional image adds a bit more context to the occasion because of those crisps and what looks like a hastily opened bottle of sparkling wine. it rather cranks up the idea this

was something of a shindig rather than something you might be able to say the prime minister had stumbled across and was basically a work event. the international olympic committee says a legal matter is delaying the presentation of medals for the team figure skating, which was won on monday by the russian team. the ioc is refusing to comment on allegations in the russian media about a failed drugs test on the winning russian team. 0ur sports correspondent laura scott says speculation is rife in beijing. well, this is fast becoming the major news story here at the beijing winter olympics, and just to recap on how we've got here... on monday afternoon, the team from the russian olympic committee won the figure skating team event, helped by the teenage sensation camilla valieva, making 0lympic history when she landed two quadruplejumps, and the medals in that event, with the gold for the russian olympic committee, silverfor the usa and bronze forjapan, should have been awarded on tuesday evening, but mysteriously that ceremony didn't take place. yesterday, we heard from the international olympic committee

that an active legal case was ongoing and that was the reason for the delay, and today, we were expecting an update on this amid intense media speculation around the world and we didn't get one. the ioc saying they wouldn't be drawn on that speculation. they wouldn't say which athlete or team was involved in this. they wouldn't say which organisation was handling this matter. theyjust called for patience and said it would be resolved as quickly as possible. meanwhile, the athletes who were involved in that team event and others who were involved in future competition have been back in competition and training, but the issue here is that some of the medallists from that team event are due to be flying out of beijing and as yet they haven't got their medals. around 270,000 people in the uk have signed a peition calling for west ham defender kurt zouma to be prosecuted for animal cruelty. two cats of zouma's have been taken

into the care of the rspca. it comes after videos emerged on social media showing the 27—year—old hitting, dropping and kicking one of them. the club says the french international has been fined "the maximum amount possible", £250,000 or two weeks' wages, with the fee being donated to animal welfare charities. 0ur correspondent matt graveling has the latest from outside the london stadium. west ham say that an internal investigation into the video which first appeared on social media on monday evening is now under way. the video shows their french international defender, kurt zouma, kicking and hitting his cats. the club were very quick to condemn the actions and they fined the player two weeks wages, around £250,000. the player has also since apologised. but it raised quite a few eyebrows when 2a hours later, here at the london stadium, with the club taking on watford, the defender was in the starting line—up. they won 1—0 and after the game manager david moyes said he will let the police take on the investigation and he will deal with team selection

and football matters. well, the police have told us an investigation is still ongoing. the rspca are also doing their own investigation and have taken away kurt zouma's cats. but the decision to field the player has been criticised by the wildlife presenter chris packham, who called it an absolute disgrace, and the football presenter gary lineker said it was a tone deaf decision, and now, more than 250,000 people have gone online to sign a petition calling for a prosecution. but it is notjust hurting the player's reputation, it is also costing him, too, and the club, because sponsors have been dropping out. west ham have an american travel firm who have now dropped the club and also another sponsor, vitality, has suspended their sponsorship. kurt zouma himself has lost his sponsorship deal with adidas. now, with the club pushing for champions league places, whether he will be in the starting line—up against leicester on sunday remains to be seen. the number of people in england waiting to start routine hospital treatment has risen

to a new record high. nhs england say a total of 6.1 million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of december 2021. this is the highest number since records began in august 2007. jim reed, our health correspondent, joins me now. we have been warned to expect that this is going to get worse by the health secretary, haven't we? that fiuure, 6.1 health secretary, haven't we? that figure, 6.1 million, _ health secretary, haven't we? that figure, 6.1 million, a _ health secretary, haven't we? trust figure, 6.1 million, a new record, is or what is called routine treatment so we are talking about things like having a hip replacement or cataract removal, that kind of thing. the health secretary warned earlier this week that is likely to continue rising, some people think it could get up above 10 million before it starts to come down again. something is going on today as well and that is in a&e, so i want to take you through what happens when you go to hospital in an ambulance in england. the first step is you get in the ambulance and it arrived at hospital and then in a lot of cases at the moment, the concern is the ambulances have to wait outside

a&e before what is called the handover can take place and you can be given to the doctors. at the moment, they are saying that in the last week, the number of people waiting for more than 30 minutes outside, which is the target, has dropped slightly, it is now around 21% of people, so one in five have to wait outside for more than half an hour. a slight improvement on the week before but that is a concern. then when you go into a&e, there is a target, a very important one, to be seen, treated and discharged, or moved into a ward within four hours. again, you can see the pressure, there is a target of dealing with everyone within that four hours, 95% of people within that time, and the result was 7a% in january, of people within that time, and the result was 7a% injanuary, so again, quite a long way below target. then the key thing really is those people that then get told, look, you are too sick to be treated in a&e, you

have to be moved onto a ward. that is where the real bottleneck appears to be at the moment. the number of people waiting on a&e for more than 12 hours has now hit a record high, to give you an idea, injanuary in england, 16,558 people in a&e waiting for more than 12 hours until a bed became free and that is up from a000 this time last year so it is a quadrupling in long waiting times in a&e for a bed injanuary. what are your theories about why? 0ne what are your theories about why? one of the big things, and you are seeing it in these figures, is something called delayed discharges, something called delayed discharges, so this is people in hospital, in a ward bed, that could be released, but could be discharged... thea;r ward bed, that could be released, but could be discharged... they are better. but could be discharged... they are better- yes. _ but could be discharged... they are better. yes, they _ but could be discharged... they are better. yes, they are _ but could be discharged... they are better. yes, they are ready - but could be discharged... they are better. yes, they are ready to - but could be discharged... they are better. yes, they are ready to be i better. yes, they are ready to be released but _ better. yes, they are ready to be released but the _ better. yes, they are ready to be released but the problem - better. yes, they are ready to be released but the problem is - better. yes, they are ready to be released but the problem is they | released but the problem is they can't be add a lot of the time it is because of the bottleneck in social care. they need to go into a nursing home or they need some kind of care within their home, they can't look after themselves but they can't get it because the care is not there so

they are staying in a hospital bed and the backlog is then one of the reasons why you are seeing this big increase in people who are in a&e waiting for the beds to become free. thank you forjoining us. dr tim cooksley is the president of the society for acute medicine. so what do you think of this rather large increase in the numbers of people waiting 12 hours before they can get into a ward? goad people waiting 12 hours before they can get into a ward? good morning. as jim has can get into a ward? good morning. asjim hasjust _ can get into a ward? good morning. as jim hasjust outlined _ can get into a ward? good morning. as jim hasjust outlined very - asjim has just outlined very clearly, these figures represent tremendous pressures throughout the whole system of primary care and ambulance services, to the emergency department, to general wards and two patients then being discharged back into the community and in each of these fields, colleagues have struggled to give timely and high quality care to patients because of capacity and workforce challenges. so you are saying it is because of not enough staff?—

not enough staff? that is a huge issue, victoria, _ not enough staff? that is a huge issue, victoria, we _ not enough staff? that is a huge issue, victoria, we are _ not enough staff? that is a huge | issue, victoria, we are struggling with staffing levels. the patients we are now looking after have more complex illnesses and they are more acutely unwell and need higher levels of staffing than we are currently able to deliver so we have significant gaps at all levels of workforce and in social care, with doctors, nurses and allied health care professionals. but doctors, nurses and allied health care professionals.— care professionals. but the bottleneck _ care professionals. but the bottleneck jim _ care professionals. but the bottleneckjim was - care professionals. but the - bottleneckjim was describing, that is to do with a lack of capacity and social care, isn't it? and actually, at some point, we need to start marrying up social care and the nhs. absolutely, it is a reflection of challenges throughout the whole system, both in hospitals and in social care. we clearly need social care to be functioning well to enable patients to be discharged from wards but also from emergency departments and acute medical units. 0ften, departments and acute medical units. often, these patients are unwell but not acutely enough to need inpatient hospital care but they need their social care resources to look after these patients safely and therefore they need to be emitted to downstream wards. clearly, these

admissions can be avoided if we can look after patients in their own home with high quality social care and then we can deliver high—quality inpatient hospital care to those who it. . ., , ~ ., ~ inpatient hospital care to those who it. what is it like working in acute medicine at _ it. what is it like working in acute medicine at the _ it. what is it like working in acute medicine at the moment? - it. what is it like working in acute medicine at the moment? it - it. what is it like working in acute medicine at the moment? it is i it. what is it like working in acute i medicine at the moment? it is very challenging — medicine at the moment? it is very challenging and _ medicine at the moment? it is very challenging and all— medicine at the moment? it is very challenging and all my _ medicine at the moment? it is very challenging and all my colleagues l challenging and all my colleagues are finding it very challenging. what does that mean in practical terms, what do you mean? late what does that mean in practical terms, what do you mean? we clearly don't want to — terms, what do you mean? we clearly don't want to be _ terms, what do you mean? we clearly don't want to be seeing _ terms, what do you mean? we clearly don't want to be seeing patients i terms, what do you mean? we clearly don't want to be seeing patients who l don't want to be seeing patients who have been lying in emergency departments for 10—12 hours and that is what we are currently having to do. we want patients to be in their own homes being looked after. we want to be delivering timely care to patients, high quality care, so they get better more quickly and these things are challenging at the moment and colleagues are doing extra shifts because of the workforce gaps and they are tired and exhausted. it is a very challenging environment to work in but colleagues are doing a kameda job, work in but colleagues are doing a kamedajob, doing work in but colleagues are doing a kameda job, doing their best in acute medical unit and working throughout. i acute medical unit and working throughout-— acute medical unit and working throu:hout. ., ., ., , throughout. i have no doubt about that but is there _ throughout. i have no doubt about that but is there a _ throughout. i have no doubt about that but is there a risk _ throughout. i have no doubt about that but is there a risk to - throughout. i have no doubt about that but is there a risk to patient l that but is there a risk to patient safety because of workforce shortages and the fact that the staff are knackered?—

shortages and the fact that the staff are knackered? delays in care clearl can staff are knackered? delays in care clearly can at _ staff are knackered? delays in care clearly can at times _ staff are knackered? delays in care clearly can at times mean - staff are knackered? delays in care clearly can at times mean that i clearly can at times mean that patients don't get better as fast as we would like them too and as far as we would like them too and as far as we would like them too and as far as we would like them too and these are challenges and things we are having to watch very carefully. it is an extremely challenging environment to work in and we know that delays in care and long waits in emergency departments result in worse outcomes for patients. departments result in worse outcomes for atients. . ~ departments result in worse outcomes for atients. ., ,, , ., ., ., for patients. thank you for “oining us. pleasure, i for patients. thank you for “oining us. pleasure, thanki for patients. thank you for “oining us. pleasure, thank you. i for patients. thank you forjoining us. pleasure, thank you. the i us. pleasure, thank you. the president _ us. pleasure, thank you. the president of _ us. pleasure, thank you. the president of the _ us. pleasure, thank you. the president of the society i us. pleasure, thank you. the president of the society for l us. pleasure, thank you. the i president of the society for acute medicine, there. let's talk more about the comments from borisjohnson on the tensions between russia and ukraine. nick beake is in brussels for us. united because britain is a member of nato, the military alliance of dozens of countries and what are they saying to russia today? hello, i think they saying to russia today? hello, i think once — they saying to russia today? hello, i think once again _ they saying to russia today? hello, i think once again we _ they saying to russia today? hello, i think once again we have - they saying to russia today? hello, i think once again we have been i i think once again we have been hearing these words from western powers, talking about the grave situation we are in. some of the

language is becoming increasingly family. if i pull out a few things which struck me listening to that press conference between boris johnson and jens stoltenberg, the nato secretary general, boris johnson described it as being a very dangerous moment we face, he said it is probably the most dangerous moment in what is the biggest security crisis europe has faced for decades. he said what had to be done was western powers had to resist any attempt to return to the dark days when the fate of nations would be decided over the head by a handful of very powerful nations. he said it was notjust about russia, it was about upholding the founding principles of nato. the prime minister was asked if he thought vladimir putin would attack ukraine. he said he said he did not know at this point. he was also asked about whether there are divergences of opinion within the western alliance. we have seen some suggestion that germany, france, are pursuing different paths, the idea of any

kind of sanctions coming together, that could be quite tricky. the prime minister said he commended the new german chancellor 0laf scholz for taking what he described as a tougher stance on nord stream two, the gas pipeline which will run from russia to germany. it has been constructed for the most part but the gas has not been turned on yet and actually, president biden, in an illustration of how this is such a big international, geopolitical issue, president biden suggested the german position would become a lot stronger. we got more of the words we have been hearing in the past couple of weeks. asked by our colleague laura kuenssberg whether the uk would send more military support to ukraine, the prime minister did not rule that out. he said he thought the ukrainians were very well equipped and they had to climb some of the office britain had been making behind—the—scenes. i thought that was an interesting insight into how the two sides are working. finally, jens stoltenberg, the head of nato, described it as a

dangerous moment for european security. the number of russian forces in the area is going up. the warning time for a possible attack is going down. he said nato is not a threat to russia but we must be prepared for the worst.- threat to russia but we must be prepared for the worst. thank you for “oininu prepared for the worst. thank you forjoining us- _ 15 million homes in the uk are in need of better insulation, with two in every three leaking heat, according to the climate change committee. it says the way out of the current energy crisis is renewables — wind, waves, the sun — as well as better insulation for draughty houses. robjones has spent £36,000 pounds insulating his home in manchester, let's speak to him now. where did you get the money from? we where did you get the money from? - borrowed £30,000 from a governance team that existed when we did the work seven years ago and that was an interest—free loan that we are paying off over 20 years under £6,000 came from our own savings. what have you done to your home and why is it better? aha,

what have you done to your home and why is it better?— why is it better? a lot of insulation _ why is it better? a lot of insulation is _ why is it better? a lot of insulation is the - why is it better? a lot of insulation is the simple l why is it better? a lot of- insulation is the simple answer. why is it better? a lot of— insulation is the simple answer. we insulated under the floors, in the roof, external wall insulation, insulated under the floors, in the roof, externalwall insulation, on the outside of ores and internal on the outside of ores and internal on the front of the house where we did not want to spoil the frontage. —— on the outside of walls. ii not want to spoil the frontage. -- on the outside of walls.— on the outside of walls. if anyone else wants _ on the outside of walls. if anyone else wants to _ on the outside of walls. if anyone else wants to do _ on the outside of walls. if anyone else wants to do the _ on the outside of walls. if anyone else wants to do the same, i on the outside of walls. if anyone else wants to do the same, howl on the outside of walls. if anyone i else wants to do the same, how can they because i think this game you took advantage of does not exist any more? ~ , ,., , took advantage of does not exist any more? ~ , ., took advantage of does not exist any more? absolutely and since we did the work seven _ more? absolutely and since we did the work seven years _ more? absolutely and since we did the work seven years ago, - more? absolutely and since we did the work seven years ago, a i more? absolutely and since we did | the work seven years ago, a variety of government schemes have come and gone and usually ended in a bit of a disaster. 0bviously, at the moment, with energy prices rising, the news we have just had from the ukraine, it is important we reduce how much energy we use, particularly gas. 0ur gas went down by a0% when we did the works. it originally saved us about £600 per year and it is now over £1000 per year because energy prices have risen so much. i5 £1000 per year because energy prices have risen so much. is it £1000 per year because energy prices have risen so much.— have risen so much. is it really? it is worth it- — have risen so much. is it really? it is worth it. how— have risen so much. is it really? it is worth it. how many _ have risen so much. is it really? it is worth it. how many years i have risen so much. is it really? it is worth it. how many years is i have risen so much. is it really? it is worth it. how many years is it . is worth it. how many years is it going to take to recoup the money if i can put it like that? i went

because when we did it, it was 70 as it would have taken but now that has more than halved because the price of energy has gone up so much. the work we did — of energy has gone up so much. tie: work we did also meant of energy has gone up so much. ti9: work we did also meant we were giving money to the local labour market and improving skills in the construction workers in the area instead of paying it to energy companies. instead of paying it to energy companies-— instead of paying it to energy comanies. ~ :. w ,, , companies. what was your energy efficiency standard _ companies. what was your energy efficiency standard of _ companies. what was your energy efficiency standard of your - companies. what was your energy efficiency standard of your home i efficiency standard of your home before you did the work? originally, the house is — before you did the work? originally, the house is over _ before you did the work? originally, the house is over 100 _ before you did the work? originally, the house is over 100 years - before you did the work? originally, the house is over 100 years old i before you did the work? originally, the house is over 100 years old and | the house is over 100 years old and it was a e rating. the house is over100 years old and it was a e rating.— it was a e rating. how do you find that outcome _ it was a e rating. how do you find that outcome is _ it was a e rating. how do you find that outcome is people _ it was a e rating. how do you find that outcome is people watching | it was a e rating. how do you find i that outcome is people watching want to find out what the energy efficiency of their home is, how can you find the rating? you efficiency of their home is, how can you find the rating?— you find the rating? you can go oane you find the rating? you can go online yourself— you find the rating? you can go online yourself and _ you find the rating? you can go online yourself and try - you find the rating? you can go online yourself and try to i you find the rating? you can go| online yourself and try to assess you find the rating? you can go i online yourself and try to assess it but estate agents do the assessment frequently now as well so if you are thinking about getting evaluation for your house, they will do an epc for your house, they will do an epc for you. for your house, they will do an epc for ou. . :. for your house, they will do an epc for ou. , ., , , :, ., for you. there is a suggestion, a notion that _ for you. there is a suggestion, a notion that all _ for you. there is a suggestion, a notion that all houses _ for you. there is a suggestion, a notion that all houses are - for you. there is a suggestion, a notion that all houses are going | for you. there is a suggestion, a i notion that all houses are going to need to meet a certain energy efficiency rating at some point, i don't know when that is. before they are sold. and if they don't meet the

energy efficiency rating, then perhaps the cost of how much it would be to make it energy efficient should be knocked off the asking price? it should be knocked off the asking rice? . :. should be knocked off the asking rice? , :, , ., price? it is an interesting idea, particularly _ price? it is an interesting idea, particularly as _ price? it is an interesting idea, particularly as energy - price? it is an interesting idea, particularly as energy prices i price? it is an interesting idea, l particularly as energy prices take up particularly as energy prices take up so much more of people's household bills now. most houses by 2030 or even 2050, will have already been built and are pretty old and are in need of retrofitting. we need more builders capable of doing the work, the more work that is done, the cheaper it will get, the cheaper the cheaper it will get, the cheaper the materials will get and it makes a lot more sense for the country as a lot more sense for the country as a whole. :. ~ a lot more sense for the country as a whole. :, ,, i. :, :, , a whole. thank you for “oining us. en'o a whole. thank you for “oining us. enjoy your — a whole. thank you for “oining us. enjoy your toasty _ a whole. thank you forjoining us. enjoy your toasty warm _ a whole. thank you forjoining us. enjoy your toasty warm home i a whole. thank you forjoining us. enjoy your toasty warm home and j a whole. thank you forjoining us. i enjoy your toasty warm home and your cheaper bills. enjoy your toasty warm home and your cheaper bills-— cheaper bills. thank you very much. goodb e. now, the fossil of a human tooth found in southern france suggests human beings may have arrived in europe more than 10,000 years before previously thought. rebecca wrag sykes is an archaeologist and honorary fellow at the university of liverpool.

hello. so how big a deal is this? it is a really big deal. we have had a lot of changes, light, dramatic changes in the past ten years, really, around the narrative of how early homo sapiens, that is us, dispersed out of africa and interacted with neanderthals. basically, it happened a lot earlier than we used to think. this is a really big deal because it seems it still took as a long time to get into europe which is one of the heartlands of where the neanderthals are. this is a really important find. not only because they are there earlier but also because they are only there for a short time and then the animals replace them again. how does this help when it comes to our understanding of the human race and our evolution?— and our evolution? well, it is interesting — and our evolution? well, it is interesting because - and our evolution? well, it is interesting because the i and our evolution? well, it is interesting because the kind | and our evolution? well, it is i interesting because the kind of archaeology in this already looked unusual, it did not fit with what we know for neanderthals so having this identification of a tooth as being homo sapiens is really nice but it

is important because some of the questions about why we eventually replaced neanderthals are still hugely debated and the technology might be part of that. some of the artefacts from this particular layer are very tiny little stone points which are too small for the kind of spheres neanderthals used. they might be from darts or bows and arrows. that kind of technology might be part of this as well so it is nice to see that. but also, i think it makes us question the idea that we swept in and just replaced neanderthals immediately. this site is not saying that, it is saying maybe there was a brief movement into europe, and then those people are gone again. what happened to them? neanderthals are there afterwards. but we also know there is interbreeding, this is around the same time, 55,000 years ago, the time at which some of the late interbreeding which we still have a genetic legacy of today, that is when that was happening. it is such a complicated picture, much more than we used to think but also

really interesting.— really interesting. really interesting! _ really interesting. really interesting! do - really interesting. really interesting! do you i really interesting. really interesting! do you think really interesting. really i interesting! do you think there really interesting. really - interesting! do you think there will be any more fossils found like this one that can help our understanding? that is the question. we have some material from about 10,000 years more recently at the eastern fringes of europe and that is quite a recent find. but in terms of whether we might find anything else in europe, potentially? archaeology is always about new discoveries but we go back to old site and reassess old connections with some of the new technologies we have now, we can identify tiny little fragments of bone using genetic methods now. that is a possibility, that we might pick things out. but i think the archaeology from this age is so distinctive as well, that is a real difference from what we see with neanderthals.— difference from what we see with neanderthals. :, ,, , :, :, :, neanderthals. thank you for “oining us. voting has begun in india's most populous state, uttar pradesh, one of five federal states holding assembly elections this month. the chief minister of the state is a close ally

of prime minister narendra modi, with the election considered a key test for the hindu nationalist bjp two years before national polls. voting will take place over seven phases, to accomodate the state's vast 200 million strong population, with a result expected in early march. in the states, a new bill that would ban discussion of sexual orientation in primary schools in florida has been criticised by the white house. people who oppose the parental rights in education bill have dubbed it the "say no to gay" bill. they warn that it will stigmatise lgbt people and those issues. supporters of the legislation, including governer ron desantis, say it's about preserving the rights of parents. we've seen instances of students being told by different folks in school,

oh, you know, don't worry, don't pick your gender yet, do all this other stuff, they won't tell the parents about these discussions that are happening. that is entirely inappropriate. and we need... schools need to be teaching kids to read, to write, they need to teach them science, history. let me first say that every parent, as one myself too, hopes that our leaders will ensure their children's safety, protection and freedom. and today, conservative politicians in florida rejected those basic values by advancing legislation that is designed to target and attack the kids who need the support the most, kids from the lgbtqi+ community. anti—vaccine protesters clashed with police outside new zealand's parliament on thursday. dozens were arrested after demonstrators who have laid siege to the legislature over the past three days were ordered to move on. the protests began in solidarity with the freedom convoy in canada. you're watching bbc news.

now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. the weather north to south today is quite event. in the north, a potent area of low pressure moving from west to east, taking rain, snow, hail and thunder with it, and strong winds, gusting to gales or gale force and the strong winds from the west and east through the day. in northern ireland, a few showers and blustery wind. the rain clears to the south of england and we are looking at some sunny spells coming through but also a few showers in the west. it is going to feel cold, 3-9 but the west. it is going to feel cold, 3—9 but when you add on the wind—chill, for some, it will feel sub zero. tonight, low pressure pushing down the east coast with clear skies. a few wintry showers towards the west and a widespread frost. in the snowfield in scotland, temperatures could fall away as low as —10 so the risk of some ice first thing. a beautiful start to the day with a lot of sunshine. a few showers in the west. the wind will pick up through the afternoon as the

cloud arrives, followed by the rain later. 0nce cloud arrives, followed by the rain later. once again, it is going to feel cold.

this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall. the headlines at 11: borisjohnson warns that europe faces its "biggest security crisis" for decades, as russian troops continue to mass on its border with ukraine. the stakes are very high and this is a very dangerous moment. and at stake are the rules that protect every nation, every nation, big and small. former prime minister sirjohn major is about to deliver a speech on the issue of trust and standards in a democracy, as police investigating lockdown parties in downing street say they'll start sending questionnaires to more than 50 people this week. we'll bring you that live from central london in the next few minutes. after yesterday's critical comments from the london mayor,

we'll hear shortly from the metropolitan police the metropolitan police commissioner, dame cressida dick. new figures reveal a record 6.1 million people were waiting to start routine hospital treatment in england at the end of last year. also coming up this hour: new fossils found in a cave in southern france suggest humans and neanderthals could have coexisted for long periods. good morning and welcome to bbc news. the former conservative prime minister sirjohn major is about to make a keynote speech in central london on the issue of trust and standards in a democracy. it comes on the day that police investigating lockdown parties in downing street have said they'll start sending questionnaires to more than 50 people this week.

let's hearfrom sir john major right now. i'm delighted to be here and i think it is an apt time to talk about the subject i am about to address. we are living at the moment to a time of uncertainty and political turbulence, both overseas and at home. at home, we tend to take democracy for granted, we should not. it is far more complex than simply having the right to vote. in many countries at the moment, there is a widespread discontent for the governed and democracy in many places is in retreat. and nor is it in a state of grace in the united kingdom. in the last decades of the 20th century, the number of democratic countries drew quite dramatically, the arbiter of civil liberties freedom has classified 110 countries as democratic. indeed democrats were so confident that their way of government with the way for the future, that they stopped arguing for it. and their confidence

was premature. in each of the last 15 years, democracy has shrunk a little as political and civil liberties have been diminished. in many countries, democracies never taken root. where it has committed risks being weakened by populism, often with xenophobia. it is challenged by protest groups or new or more extreme political movements. even our grave lies in the united states are facing populist attacks on their democracy. —— our allies in the united states. when they sneeze, we often catch their cold. a good democratic government has a duty to deliver unwelcome messages which is not easy, not easy and a world in which politicians are under continuous scrutiny through an uncontrolled internet, 2a hour media and an increasing number of inpatient special interest groups. and why is made to deter critics to

win votes and when these promises are not max, the public loses a little faith. the hard truth is i garment can do much, but not everything. —— when these promises are not met. if politicians admit it is an impossible task, they earn trust and respect. the discontent rose when inequality widens or problems seem unsolvable. the benefit of the doubt, that most precious of all political commodities is lost when governments seem to be failing. in the last 20 years, a financial crash, unpopular wars, faltering globalisation as an unfair distribution of the benefits of growth have all contributed to the present sour resentment of government. 0ur democracy here in the uk has always been among the

strongest and most settled in the world. it rests on the conviction that the united kingdom government acts for the well—being of all four of our nations. with nationalism growing in scotland, wales and northern ireland, not everyone shares that conviction. 0ur northern ireland, not everyone shares that conviction. our system relies also upon respect for the laws are made in parliament, upon an independentjudiciary, upon acceptance of the conventions of public life and on self restraint powerful. if any of that delicate balance goes astray, as it has, as it is, our democracy is undermined. and our government is culpable in small but important ways for failing to honour those conventions. where governments do fall short, canned is the best means of binding up support

but that must be freely offered, not dragged out under inquiries. if it is not wholehearted and convincing, the loss of public trust can be swift and unforgiving. we have seen that playing out in recent weeks. trust in politics is low, eroded by foolish behaviour and leaving a sense of unease about the way in which our politics is conducted. too often, ministers have been evasive and the truth as it seems to be optional. when ministers respond to legitimate questions from the public, from inquisitors, from the media, with preprepared sound bites or half—truths or misdirection or wild exaggeration, then respect the government and politics dies just a little more. misleading replies to questions invites disillusion. 0utright lies breed contempt. in our

democracy, we are lucky. we are able to speak truth to power. but if democracy is to be respected, power must also speak truth to be people. and yet in recent years, they have not been doing so. there has been cynicism about politics from the dawn of time. we are told that politicians are all the same and this untruth conditions are elected to condone lies as though they were the accepted currency of politics. but all eyes are just not acceptable. to imply otherwise is to cheapen public life and its land at the vast majority of elected politicians who do not knowingly mislead. —— lies arejust not acceptable. summit do mislead and their behaviour is corrosive. it

tarnishes both politics and the reputation of parliament. it is a dangerous trend. if lies become commonplace, truth ceases to exist. what and who then can we believe? the risk is nothing and no one. and where are we then? parliament is an echo chamber, lies can become accepted as fact, which has the speaker pointed out, has consequences for policy and reputation. that is why deliberate lies to parliament have been fatal to political careers and must always be so. trust in the word of our leaders in parliament, if it is lost, then trust in government will be lost also. at number ten, the prime minister and officials broke lockdown laws. brazen excuses were dreamt up. day after day, the public was asked to believe the

unbelievable. ministers were sent out to defend the indefensible, making themselves look gullible or foolish as they did so. collectively, this has made the government look distinctly shifty, which has consequences that go far beyond political unpopularity. no government can function properly if it's word is treated with suspicion. a recent report by the constitutional unit ucl tells us that the public trust in the courts more than the civil service, the civil service more than parliament and parliament more than the prime minister. the lack of trust in the elected portion of our democracy cannot be brushed aside. parliament has a duty to address this and correct this. but if it does not, and trust is lost at home, our politics is in no man's land, in disarray, broken. if trust in our

word is lost overseas, we may no longer be able to work effectively with friends and partners for mutual benefit or even security. unfortunately, that trust is being lost. and our reputation overseas has fallen because of our conduct. we are weakening our influence in the world. we should be wary. even a casual glance at overseas shows our reputation is being shadowed, a nation that loses friends and allies becomes a weaker nation. and when ministers attack or blame foreign governments to gain a populist support at home, we are simply not taken seriously. megaphone diplomacy merely increases hostility overseas. international trust may not be easy to reclaim. 0ur way of life is built

around the maintenance of law. the public expect, expect, our government to work within the law and within the expected rules of public life. it was unprecedented when the government broke the law by proroguing parliament, presumably to avoid debates on brexit that might not have gone as they wish. i had promised in a bbc interview that if the government attempted to muzzle parliament, i would challenge their action in court. and so i did. though not as swiftly as the civil rights campaigner miller. lawyers presented the cases separately to the supreme court. they were upheld unanimously by the supreme court who

ruled the government's actions were unlawful. it was the court said impossible to conclude there was any reason, let alone a good reason, fair proroguing parliament for five weeks in the run—up to brexit. the prime minister said he disagreed with the court. and the then leader of the house accused the supreme courtjudges of, i quote, a constitutional code. the government accepted the verdict but in bad faith. it did not apologise and nor did it mend its ways. it went on to introduce legislation, giving the government the power to break international law, albeit as one minister conceded, i quote, international law, albeit as one minister conceded, iquote, in international law, albeit as one minister conceded, i quote, in a limited but specific way, and quite. fortunately, this issue fell away, but it was a proposal that should never have been put forward. the government then cut overseas aid,

which parliament had set in legislation at a gross domestic product without the prior approval of parliament to do so, although in fairness to the government, that was obtained retrospectively sometime later. it is the government that fought a referendum to protect the sovereignty of parliament and the sanctity of domestic law. not, it seems, from themselves. all of this is against the backdrop of the prime minister being investigated for several apparent breaches of the ministerial code. he chose to ignore critical reports, rejected advice from his independent adviser on ministerial standards he resigned as a result. and attempted, but failed, to overturn a unanimous standards select committee report that condemned the behaviour of a voluntary colleague and friend. it

may be possible to find excuses for each of these lapses and others, but all of them taken together tell a different tale. the prime minister and our present government not only challenged the law, seemed to believe that they and they alone need not obey the rules, traditions, conventions, call them what you well, of our public life. the charge, the repeated charge, that there is one law for the government and one for everyone else, is politically deadly and it has struck home. our democracy requires that the truth and the law should be respected and obeyed, above all by the government. but sometimes it seems that even if it is obeyed, it is not always respected. when a

leading tabloid labels judges enemies of the people, thenjustice secretary did not lead to their defence. cabinet ministers publicly disparaged activist lawyers and attacked judges for exceeding their authority. it gives credence to the belief amongst the legal profession that the government may wish to usherin that the government may wish to usher in the compliantjudiciary. it should back off. the late lord bingham, one of our greatestjudges, once remarked our countries where the judges always agreed with the government, they are not countries in which any of us would wish to live. that was true then and it remains true today. there have also been legislative assaults on civil rights. not all of them successful. the government briefed but rode back

from a serious attack on a judicial review, but the intent was there and may return. it proposed legislation to allow the police to stop and search anyone at a protest meeting without any cause for suspicion. attempted to legislate to allow the police to impose conditions on a protest march is likely to be noisy. these are not the only examples i can think of. apart from being almost certainly unworkable, such proposals will have alienated the public from the police. i'm old enough to recall anti poll tax marchers, and anti—brexit much as that attracted huge numbers and were most certainly noisy. with those had been banned under those sorts of legislation is? because the intent was not to prevent the public going

about their normal lives, they were the public expressing deeply felt opposition to government policy. much as may be uncomfortable to any government, protest marches are a safety belt for democracy and free speech. democracy should treat them with care. the government was lucky. lucky that the house of lords rejected these proposals, but there is no certainty they will not return in another bill. such as the denial of civil rights is wrong in principle and in practice. if the power of the state grows and the protection of the law diminish, the liberties of the individual full. the mother of parliaments should simply not permit this. we british are a kindly people. when appeals are a kindly people. when appeals are made for those in distress at

home or abroad, the good heart of our nation responds with compassion and with generosity, but increasingly, across the western world, populist pressure leads to governments to be less generous to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. at present, an astonishing estimated 70 million people are displaced, three times as many as at the end of the second world war. in the end of the second world war. in the next 30 years, climate change may force a further 1a3 million people to leave their homes. to this we must add unknown numbers of families freeing from intolerable hardship and repression. the problem is huge and the problem is growing. it needs a collaborative and international solution to help deal with refugees. and also, to protect

the target communities that now bear the target communities that now bear the burden of this enlarged immigration. without a such approach, the next generation will be left to face an unsolvable problem. in america, they build walls to keep migrants out. in europe, they build camps to keep them in. here in the uk, the government wishes to remove british citizenship from dual nationals without any notice or right of appeal. it proposes also serious action against criminal gangs that traffic migrants, and rightly so in my view. but it also proposes to criminalise the migrants themselves. we really should search our souls before we do this. can it really be a crime, it really be a crime to be frightened, homeless, desperate, destitute, fleeing from persecution or war orfamine or hardship? can it

really be a crime across half the world on foot, dangerous waters in an unsafe boat, in the hope of finding a better life? of course if the numbers are too large this creates an appalling problem for local host communities, surely to seek sanctuary from an unbearable life cannot morally be treated as a crime. yet the government borders bill proposes to punish asylum seekers who take an unsanctioned route with a jail sentence of up to four years. there must be a better way to protect areas such as kent than filling our prisons. present for these refugees is punishment without compassion. —— prison for

these refugees. i do sympathise with these refugees. i do sympathise with the awful problem facing the government on this issue. but these proposals are not naturaljustice and seem to me to be decidedly un—british. i hope the government will reconsider. we in the uk have long been admired for having the highest standards in public life. we are not perfect. there is, was, no golden age, but for generations we had been seen from abroad as a setting an example for others to follow. many years ago in the wake of a scandal that became known as cash for questions, i set up the nolan committee. nolan set out guidelines to guard against poor behaviour. recently and a very competitive reports, the committee, now under the chairmanship of lord evans, reported that we need more

vigorous enforcement of ethical standards. it would be reassuring if the appointment of the guardians of ethics was fully independent and where appropriate, with new powers to initiate, investigate and report, that should be put on a statutory basis. in a foreword to this report, i endorse to the committee's recommendations in full and i hope the prime minister will accept them without delay. if he were to agree to this, it would make a start, it would help to regain the uk's reputation with the standard for democracy, fairness, honesty and pragmatic common sense in protecting our national interests. that reputation, built up by our predecessors, is invaluable to our national interests. it should be protected, not demolished. the style

of our present government sometimes creates its own problems, not least for them. creates its own problems, not least forthem. it looks creates its own problems, not least for them. it looks at enemies where there are none or it has a habit of choosing the wrong enemies. most recently, it has been waging campaigns against the civil service and the bbc. in neither case this is wise orjustified or even in the government's own best interests. the civil service as a support structure to government, treating it as a hostile block which seeks to undermine the government is both foolish and wrong. is for the bbc, it is a crucial part of our overseas soft power and the policy of undermining it and starving it of fundsis undermining it and starving it of funds is self—defeating for uk national interests. ministers should remember that both these institutions are more trusted than

the government itself. the government should focus their attentions on reforms to improve public life. finally, there is rarely a good time for a bad idea, but sometimes, when faced with the alternatives, a bad idea can appeal. so it is with the funding of politics. the present funding of our democratic system leaves it prey to special interests. the conservative party is too dependent upon business and a small number of very wealthy donors. the labour party has a different range of donors. this carries risks that the search politics. many people believe, sometimes wrongly, but not always, that honours are offered further

reward of the funding a democratic system, that donors are given access to ministers and thus able to influence policy to their own advantage. it is a perception that corrupts our system. the honours system is cheapened and the political system is made to look corrupt. this damages democracy. it is time to refocus on how our politics is funded. the system needs cleansing. it must never be the plaything of the rich, yet no one wants their politics fully funded by the state, certainly i don't. but i do think changes are necessary. legislation should limit funding by individuals, by companies, by trade unions, that no one can reasonably claim would entitle the donor to favours, rewards or undesirable

access. donors must not be seen to sway policy through an open cheque book. if a restriction on donations means an increased level of public funding of political parties, elections, referendums, then so be it. i do not personally like this outcome, but it is the lesser of the evils and despite my distaste for it, is a price worth paying if it removes any suggestion of corrupt advantage and restores the reputation of representative democracy. 0ne reputation of representative democracy. one man, one vote, is a sound principle. this essential fairness should not risk being undermined by any one man and his money. our democracy is a fragile structure. it is not an impenetrable fortress. if no one challenges what is wrong or does not fight for what

is wrong or does not fight for what is right, the protection of democracy depends upon parliament upholding the values we have as individuals and the trust we aspire as a nation. the values are eternal, democracy is a lifelong companion, not a passing fancy. trust, integrity and values are the structure upon which our democracy is valued. if they are rooted in our politics and in our way of life, they provide a pathway to take any child from the backstreet of youth to the pinnacle of ambition. we must protect this way of life. it is more precious than any government, any political party or an individual. for many years, travelling the world, i have been received as a

representative of the most stable democracy of the world. the uk was seen as the democracy tested by time, his virtues had built the mother of parliaments and a free, independent and fair legal system that was widely copied. all held together by a language that united the world. we were seen as the freest of nations, safe in our island with allies and partners in every corner of the world. it was a position of influence, built up over centuries. envied, praised and copied. all of this gave the united kingdom a unique position in the world. it was not simply the influence of military or political power, but the influence of example, which is as important as trust. and trust matters. it matters the self—respect, it matters for gentle

persuasion, it matters for hard, uncomfortable decisions. it matters that our parliament, it matters to our country, it matters to our united kingdom, it matters and how we are perceived by others near and far, friend orfoe, and it matters for the long—term protection and well—being of our democracy. thank you very much. well-being of our democracy. thank you very much-— well-being of our democracy. thank you very much. thank you very much indeed. you very much. thank you very much indeed- may — you very much. thank you very much indeed- may l _ you very much. thank you very much indeed. may i ask _ you very much. thank you very much indeed. may i ask you _ you very much. thank you very much indeed. may i ask you a _ you very much. thank you very much indeed. may i ask you a few - you very much. thank you very much indeed. may i ask you a few things . indeed. may i ask you a few things and i_ indeed. may i ask you a few things and i will— indeed. may i ask you a few things and i will come to be questions in the room — and i will come to be questions in the room. we are delighted to have a live audience. we are just beginning to get— live audience. we are just beginning to get back— live audience. we are just beginning to get back so that, also loads of questions — to get back so that, also loads of questions are coming in online. thank— questions are coming in online. thank you — questions are coming in online. thank you very much, do keep sending them _ thank you very much, do keep sending them some _ thank you very much, do keep sending them. some terrific ones already, i will make _ them. some terrific ones already, i will make them both up. john major, you make _ will make them both up. john major, you make occasional statements about

the state _ you make occasional statements about the state of _ you make occasional statements about the state of government, state democracy, why this one now? | the state of government, state democracy, why this one now? i think really because — democracy, why this one now? i think really because i— democracy, why this one now? i think really because i thought _ democracy, why this one now? i think really because i thought it _ democracy, why this one now? i think really because i thought it was - really because i thought it was necessary. i'm not suggesting that our democracy is in danger of collapse, that is not what i'm saying. what i am saying is there's a sufficient disregard for the way in which have traditionally governed and handled the conventions of public life and that disregard is potentially damaging. if you take a break out of a wall, the wool is weakened and eventually collapses. if you see bricks in the way of which we conduct public life and politics being taken out, you should speak before the wall collapses and thatis speak before the wall collapses and that is really the background to this morning's speech. you spent ouite a this morning's speech. you spent quite a bit _ this morning's speech. you spent quite a bit of _ this morning's speech. you spent quite a bit of your— this morning's speech. you spent quite a bit of your speech - this morning's speech. you spent quite a bit of your speech early i this morning's speech. you spent| quite a bit of your speech early on talking _ quite a bit of your speech early on talking about lies. do you think the prime _ talking about lies. do you think the prime minister has misled parliament?— prime minister has misled parliament? :, �* , , ., ., parliament? that's being examined at the moment- — parliament? that's being examined at the moment- if— parliament? that's being examined at the moment. if you'll— parliament? that's being examined at the moment. if you'll forgive - parliament? that's being examined at the moment. if you'll forgive me i i the moment. if you'll forgive me i want to focus on democracy, is

bigger than the prime minister, not going to do with the personalities of one man, nor do i think the prime minister is the only person who is culpable, if it did is shown to exist at the present time. the prime minister is a number ten. let me postulate a thought here. it's a very unlikely thought. if mrs thatcher and her time had been seen to behave in the way the present prime minister has had, i can't imagine... let us assume she had. i would tell you what would have happened, the cabinet secretary would have been around straightaway to tell her she could not do it, and so would mr whitelaw, lord carrington, sirjeffrey howe and many other senior and witty members of the cabinet, and that would have applied to others. if i had done it i would have had douglas hurd, ken clarke, never mind others in number ten telling me you just cannot do that. now, nobody in the cabinet

seems to be saying, or indeed the cabinet secretary, seems to be saying that to the present prime minister. and that is a weakness in number ten. minister. and that is a weakness in numberten. if minister. and that is a weakness in number ten. if people are presented very bluntly, if people speak the absolute truth the prime minister and say, look, you may be making a mistake, you may not realise but we really don't do things this way and we really can do this, then it's likely to stop. if the prime minister has been given that advice and not accepted it, then i don't understand why the people giving that advice have not resigned. if he has not been given that advice either by other members of the cabinet or the cabinet secretary i think it is reasonable to ask why not? :. ~ think it is reasonable to ask why not? :, ~' , :, , think it is reasonable to ask why not? :. ~ ,, , . think it is reasonable to ask why not? :, ,, , . :, ., not? thank you very much for that. let me use — not? thank you very much for that. let me use that _ not? thank you very much for that. let me use that as _ not? thank you very much for that. let me use that as a _ not? thank you very much for that. let me use that as a prompt - not? thank you very much for that. let me use that as a prompt to i not? thank you very much for that. | let me use that as a prompt to pick up let me use that as a prompt to pick up a question from alex allan, not to stranger— up a question from alex allan, not to stranger himself to the inner workings — to stranger himself to the inner workings of government. he says the size of— workings of government. he says the size of dinner number ten team any number— size of dinner number ten team any numberof— size of dinner number ten team any number of special advisers increased

hugely— number of special advisers increased hugely since your prime minister and he -- _ hugely since your prime minister and he -- there's— hugely since your prime minister and he —— there's now been the announcement of a new office. what do you _ announcement of a new office. what do you see _ announcement of a new office. what do you see the advantages and disadvantages of this? alex allen was my principal _ disadvantages of this? alex allen was my principal private - disadvantages of this? alex allen l was my principal private secretary, someone i have the utmost admiration for, and was indeed the official who resigned when his advice to the prime minister on the behaviour of a minister was not accepted. during the time alex was in number ten with me, we had i think between 85—95 people in number ten. i had thought the figure was coming up to 200. i did see in an article the other day and may be considerably higher than that. i cannot for the life of me conceive in the way number ten works that it can work credibly with that number of people, most of whom must have a job that probably doesn't need doing and certainly ought not to be done inside downing street. so i don't know what the prime minister means by setting up an office of

prime minister, i thought we'd always had one. it's an interesting phrase to call the office of the prime minister, wejust phrase to call the office of the prime minister, we just used to call at number ten. and had 70 people who worked very close, we knew one another very well, relationships became personal over the years in which i was there and i know that apply to other prime ministers as well. it sounds a little like a gimmick, like to see exactly what the office of the prime minister means. i think we had made a mistake, i think a mistake has been made in bringing in so many special advisers. there is a rover special advisers, but i do rather think they ought to be competent and advise on the basis of experience, not on the basis of intellect, however great —— there is a role. experience is needed when dealing with government, someone to say hang on, we tried that before and it doesn't work, or i have spent my life time, an

adviser might say in the insurance industry, what you're proposing has drawbacks. that is really what you need to number ten, not lots of clever young people running around with ideas and political ambitions of their own. so i will wait and see what the office of prime minister really means. let what the office of prime minister really means-— what the office of prime minister really means. let me ask you one more because _ really means. let me ask you one more because of— really means. let me ask you one more because of coming - really means. let me ask you one more because of coming to i really means. let me ask you one i more because of coming to questions in the _ more because of coming to questions in the room — more because of coming to questions in the room. about the powers of parliament. — in the room. about the powers of parliament, whether they are enough. 0ne sing _ parliament, whether they are enough. 0ne sing is— parliament, whether they are enough. 0ne sing is the power of the prime minister— 0ne sing is the power of the prime minister now so great that parliament is no longer a sovereign? and there _ parliament is no longer a sovereign? and there are several. and thank you for that— and there are several. and thank you for that one _ and there are several. and thank you for that one from alex toal on whether— for that one from alex toal on whether we need to end first past the post— whether we need to end first past the post voting for westminster and local elections and replace it with pr. ., ~ :, , local elections and replace it with pr. ., ~ , pr. let me take those points in turn. pr. let me take those points in turn- the _ pr. let me take those points in turn. the power _ pr. let me take those points in turn. the power of _ pr. let me take those points in turn. the power of the - pr. let me take those points in turn. the power of the prime i turn. the power of the prime minister, spoke in my speech about self restraint. the power of the prime minister is possibly too

great, if there is no self restraint. if there is self restrain either through innate instinct or because of the advice of those around the prime minister, then i think the present pirates of the prime minister are probably as they should be. —— the present powers. if there is no restraint there is a case of looking at it. things have changed handing more power to parliament, the growth of the select committees set up when i first went into parliament in the late 1970s, early 1980s, and the setup has resulted in much power. they regularly report on government, they are all—party but regularly report on every government with constructive criticism, even though half the members will be a member of the governing party, and that is a great improvement. i think they have been a great success and that is something in parliament that has worked very well. i think there are reforms to parliament, sometimes look at prime minister's question time and it looks more like a

circus, the attempt to hold the prime minister to account, i think there are ways of reforming that, other reforms that may also be necessary. the parliament does keep it under review in the shoot. there is nothing that concerns me seriously about the powers that parliament had. select committees are taking more powers, i think that is right. so i don't think i would make many suggestions there. as to the voting system, i'm not going to be tempted this morning.— be tempted this morning. another time then. let's _ be tempted this morning. another time then. let's take _ be tempted this morning. another time then. let's take some - time then. let's take some questions. time then. let's take some questions-— time then. let's take some questions. time then. let's take some uestions. ., ., , : : questions. jonathan gleick, bbc news. questions. jonathan gleick, bbc news- you _ questions. jonathan gleick, bbc news. you have _ questions. jonathan gleick, bbc news. you have been _ questions. jonathan gleick, bbc news. you have been very i questions. jonathan gleick, bbc. news. you have been very critical today— news. you have been very critical today of— news. you have been very critical today of the — news. you have been very critical today of the current _ news. you have been very critical today of the current prime - news. you have been very critical. today of the current prime minister, accusing _ today of the current prime minister, accusing him — today of the current prime minister, accusing him of— today of the current prime minister, accusing him of breaking _ today of the current prime minister, accusing him of breaking the - today of the current prime minister, accusing him of breaking the law- today of the current prime minister, | accusing him of breaking the law and actions _ accusing him of breaking the law and actions which — accusing him of breaking the law and actions which undermine _ accusing him of breaking the law and actions which undermine democracy. can you _ actions which undermine democracy. can you be _ actions which undermine democracy. can you be clear— actions which undermine democracy. can you be clear whether— actions which undermine democracy. can you be clear whether you - actions which undermine democracy. can you be clear whether you think i can you be clear whether you think those _ can you be clear whether you think those are _ can you be clear whether you think those are things _ can you be clear whether you think those are things boris _ can you be clear whether you think those are things boris johnson i those are things borisjohnson should — those are things borisjohnson should take _ those are things borisjohnson should take responsibility- those are things borisjohnson should take responsibility for. those are things boris johnson i should take responsibility for and resign, _ should take responsibility for and resign, or— should take responsibility for and resign, or should _ should take responsibility for and resign, or should be— should take responsibility for and resign, or should be removed - should take responsibility for and i resign, or should be removed from office _ resign, or should be removed from office overwhat _ resign, or should be removed from office overwhat would _ resign, or should be removed from office overwhat would be _ resign, or should be removed from office overwhat would be your- office overwhat would be your

message _ office overwhat would be your message to _ office overwhat would be your message to conservative - office overwhat would be your message to conservative mps office overwhat would be your- message to conservative mps weighing up message to conservative mps weighing up whether— message to conservative mps weighing up whether to — message to conservative mps weighing up whether to do — message to conservative mps weighing up whether to do that? _ message to conservative mps weighing up whether to do that? [it— message to conservative mps weighing up whether to do that? [it wes - message to conservative mps weighing up whether to do that?— up whether to do that? it was the su - reme up whether to do that? it was the suweme court. _ up whether to do that? it was the supreme court, not _ up whether to do that? it was the supreme court, not me, - up whether to do that? it was the supreme court, not me, he - up whether to do that? it was the supreme court, not me, he said. up whether to do that? it was the i supreme court, not me, he said he broke the law. fin supreme court, not me, he said he broke the lava— broke the law. on lockdown laws. that was the _ broke the law. on lockdown laws. that was the line _ broke the law. on lockdown laws. that was the line i _ broke the law. on lockdown laws. that was the line i was _ broke the law. on lockdown laws. that was the line i was referring l that was the line i was referring to. ~' i, that was the line i was referring to. ~' ,, t, , that was the line i was referring to. i, i, h, that was the line i was referring to. i, i, , , to. lockdown laws are still being investigated. _ to. lockdown laws are still being investigated. we _ to. lockdown laws are still being investigated. we have _ to. lockdown laws are still being investigated. we have to - to. lockdown laws are still being investigated. we have to wait. to. lockdown laws are still being l investigated. we have to wait and see whether the prime minister has given an accurate version of what happened to parliament or not. i'm not going to get sidetracked into that. my purpose today was to deal with the structures of defending and promoting democracy, not dealing with the individual failures of any possible failures of any one man, and in any event, the point i made a moment ago, about those surrounding the prime minister, who must be culpable to stop if mistakes have been made in terms of lockdown laws, it is not only one man who is culpable, there are a lot of other people who are culpable who should have told them this should not happen and did not. so the culpability goes widely. i am not here to pronounce on the fate of any individual this morning.

liz bates, channel 4 news. a general theoreticat— liz bates, channel 4 news. a general theoretical question _ liz bates, channel 4 news. a general theoretical question about _ theoretical question about government. _ theoretical question about government. if _ theoretical question about government. if any- theoretical question about government. if any prime| theoretical question about - government. if any prime minister theoretical question about _ government. if any prime minister is found _ government. if any prime minister is found to _ government. if any prime minister is found to have — government. if any prime minister is found to have broken _ government. if any prime minister is found to have broken the _ government. if any prime minister is found to have broken the law, - government. if any prime minister is| found to have broken the law, should they resign? — found to have broken the law, should they resign? that— found to have broken the law, should they resign?— they resign? that has always been they resign? that has always been the case. thank _ they resign? that has always been the case. thank you, _ they resign? that has always been the case. thank you, over - they resign? that has always been the case. thank you, over here. i forgive me, would you like to say who you _ forgive me, would you like to say who you are. sky forgive me, would you like to say who you are-— forgive me, would you like to say who you are. sky news. sirjohn, in our who you are. sky news. sirjohn, in your speech — who you are. sky news. sirjohn, in your speech you _ who you are. sky news. sirjohn, in your speech you make _ who you are. sky news. sirjohn, in your speech you make a _ your speech you make a determination, - your speech you make a determination, you - your speech you make a determination, you see| your speech you make a l determination, you see at your speech you make a _ determination, you see at number ten the prime _ determination, you see at number ten the prime minister— determination, you see at number ten the prime minister and _ determination, you see at number ten the prime minister and officials - the prime minister and officials broke _ the prime minister and officials broke lockdown _ the prime minister and officials broke lockdown laws, - the prime minister and officials broke lockdown laws, that's - the prime minister and officials broke lockdown laws, that's a i broke lockdown laws, that's a statement _ broke lockdown laws, that's a statement you _ broke lockdown laws, that's a statement you make - broke lockdown laws, that's a statement you make withouti broke lockdown laws, that's a - statement you make without waiting for the _ statement you make without waiting for the police to pronounce, - for the police to pronounce, so why are you _ for the police to pronounce, so why are you treing— for the police to pronounce, so why are you being coy? _ for the police to pronounce, so why are you being coy? you _ for the police to pronounce, so why are you being coy? you are - for the police to pronounce, so why are you being coy? you are making| for the police to pronounce, so why. are you being coy? you are making an

argument— are you being coy? you are making an argument that— are you being coy? you are making an argument that the _ are you being coy? you are making an argument that the prime _ are you being coy? you are making an argument that the prime minister- argument that the prime minister broke _ argument that the prime minister broke a _ argument that the prime minister broke a law, _ argument that the prime minister broke a law, you _ argument that the prime minister broke a law, you see _ argument that the prime minister broke a law, you see people - argument that the prime minister broke a law, you see people who| broke a law, you see people who misiead — broke a law, you see people who misiead at — broke a law, you see people who mislead at the _ broke a law, you see people who mislead at the dispatch - broke a law, you see people who mislead at the dispatch box - broke a law, you see people who l mislead at the dispatch box should resign, _ mislead at the dispatch box should resign, why— mislead at the dispatch box should resign, why are _ mislead at the dispatch box should resign, why are you _ mislead at the dispatch box should resign, why are you not _ mislead at the dispatch box should resign, why are you not being - mislead at the dispatch box should l resign, why are you not being played with your— resign, why are you not being played with your language _ resign, why are you not being played with your language today? _ resign, why are you not being played with your language today?— with your language today? there's a distinction between _ with your language today? there's a distinction between lying _ with your language today? there's a distinction between lying to - distinction between lying to parliament and breaking the laws, the prime minister shown —— if he has shown to live, and i mean deliberately lie, not make a mistake and what they said, if it is found he has deliberately lied, it has always been the case that prime ministers resign. as far as lockdown laws are concerned, there seems little doubt that they have been broken, that is liable to a filing of a couple of hundred pounds, and quite what the proposition for that will be, we will have to wait for the peace report, and i don't think it would be prudent wise or afraid of me tojudge it would be prudent wise or afraid of me to judge that, and it would be prudent wise or afraid of me tojudge that, and i don't intend to. of me to judge that, and i don't intend to-_ of me to judge that, and i don't intend to. i, ,, , i, ii, intend to. thank you. i will come back any moment _ intend to. thank you. i will come back any moment to _ intend to. thank you. i will come back any moment to in _ intend to. thank you. i will come back any moment to in the - intend to. thank you. i will come | back any moment to in the room. please _ back any moment to in the room. please keep them coming. let me take a couple _ please keep them coming. let me take a couple coming in. do you think the prime _ a couple coming in. do you think the prime minister should immediately si-n prime minister should immediately sign up _ prime minister should immediately

sign up to — prime minister should immediately sign up to all the recommendations that the _ sign up to all the recommendations that the committee of standards in public— that the committee of standards in public life — that the committee of standards in public life that you set up in 1994? you already setting your speech yes. iwonder— you already setting your speech yes. i wonder if— you already setting your speech yes. i wonder if you can take that further— i wonder if you can take that further say what might cause that to come _ further say what might cause that to come about? —— you said in your speech— come about? —— you said in your speech yes~ _ come about? -- you said in your speech yes— come about? -- you said in your speech yes. come about? -- you said in your seech es. i, , i, speech yes. proposals, there was a 2019 report — speech yes. proposals, there was a 2019 report by _ speech yes. proposals, there was a 2019 report by the _ speech yes. proposals, there was a 2019 report by the select _ speech yes. proposals, there was a | 2019 report by the select committee on standards in public life that has not been responded to by the government. three years on. that has not been responded to at all. it would be quite a good idea to get that out the drawing to say what it said, look at what it said in response as a matter of courtesy. the report of lord evans, who was a recent speaker here i believe, the report late last year is with the prime minister now and makes some very clear—cut recommendations. not all of them will be easy for the prime minister to —— swallow, because it takes prerogative from him in some cases and puts it an

independent hands and those independent hands and those independent hats would be given under lord evans' the prerogative of legislative parliamentary approval. 50 i do think the prime minister so i do think the prime minister would be wise to accept that. wise to accept it in his own defence. if he turns it down, and then his face with the very difficult decision and makes one that is widely unpopular, he will face a storm of criticism. you can avoid that. you can avoid that by handing this power to the people recommended by lord evans. we need the people who run the ethics committee who keep an eye on what happens in public life, firstly they should be independently appointed, there should be an independent chairman of the committees that appoint them, they should notjust be deciding who you want to run off, and try and promote him, it should be an independent process. that

process, that committee should have statutory backing, so it can initiate investigations of its own and its reports can and should be accepted by the prime minister of the day. that protects public life and also protects the prime minister, and i don't think it helps when these issues come up from time to time. sometimes a huge fuss is made out of something very little. those huge forces are damaging. they are damaging to government. they are damaging to the respective government. and they are damaging to ministers as well. that can be avoided. my view is quite clear, having carefully studied lord evans' recommendations and understanding some of them will be difficult for the prime minister, i think it would be wise to accept them all and accept them without qualification and as soon as possible. lets come back to the — and as soon as possible. lets come

back to the room. _ and as soon as possible. lets come back to the room. bbc— and as soon as possible. lets come back to the room. bbc newsnight. | back to the room. bbc newsnight. you've talked _ back to the room. bbc newsnight. you've talked about _ back to the room. bbc newsnight. you've talked about boris - back to the room. bbc newsnight. l you've talked about boris johnson's you've talked about boris johnson's government— you've talked about boris johnson's government and _ you've talked about boris johnson's government and lying _ you've talked about boris johnson's government and lying but _ you've talked about boris johnson's government and lying but i- you've talked about boris johnson's government and lying but i have . you've talked about boris johnson'sl government and lying but i have not heard _ government and lying but i have not heard a _ government and lying but i have not heard a specific— government and lying but i have not heard a specific chargesheet - government and lying but i have not heard a specific chargesheet againstj heard a specific chargesheet against a specific— heard a specific chargesheet against a specific individual, _ heard a specific chargesheet against a specific individual, so _ heard a specific chargesheet against a specific individual, so can- heard a specific chargesheet against a specific individual, so can i- heard a specific chargesheet against a specific individual, so can i ask- a specific individual, so can i ask you the — a specific individual, so can i ask you the following? _ a specific individual, so can i ask you the following? dead - a specific individual, so can i ask you the following? dead boris i you the following? dead boris johnson — you the following? dead boris johnson tie _ you the following? dead boris johnson lie or— you the following? dead boris johnson lie or tell— you the following? dead boris johnson lie or tell the - you the following? dead boris johnson lie or tell the truth i you the following? dead boris i johnson lie or tell the truth when he said _ johnson lie or tell the truth when he said that _ johnson lie or tell the truth when he said that if— johnson lie or tell the truth when he said that if we _ johnson lie or tell the truth when he said that if we leave _ johnson lie or tell the truth when he said that if we leave the - he said that if we leave the european _ he said that if we leave the european union _ he said that if we leave the european union we - he said that if we leave the european union we would i he said that if we leave the i european union we would be he said that if we leave the - european union we would be richer he said that if we leave the _ european union we would be richer by £350 mitiion— european union we would be richer by £350 million a — european union we would be richer by £350 million a week? _ european union we would be richer by £350 million a week? did _ european union we would be richer by £350 million a week? did he - european union we would be richer by £350 million a week? did he lie - european union we would be richer by £350 million a week? did he lie or- £350 million a week? did he lie or tell the _ £350 million a week? did he lie or tell the truth — £350 million a week? did he lie or tell the truth when _ £350 million a week? did he lie or tell the truth when he _ £350 million a week? did he lie or tell the truth when he said - £350 million a week? did he lie or tell the truth when he said after. tell the truth when he said after signing — tell the truth when he said after signing the _ tell the truth when he said after signing the northern _ tell the truth when he said after signing the northern ireland - signing the northern ireland protocol— signing the northern ireland protocoi he _ signing the northern ireland protocol he downplayed - signing the northern ireland protocol he downplayed the | signing the northern ireland - protocol he downplayed the prospect of great _ protocol he downplayed the prospect of great britain _ protocol he downplayed the prospect of great britain and _ protocol he downplayed the prospect of great britain and northern - of great britain and northern ireiand — of great britain and northern ireland checks? _ of great britain and northern ireland checks? and - of great britain and northern ireland checks? and did - of great britain and northern| ireland checks? and did boris johnson — ireland checks? and did boris johnson tie _ ireland checks? and did boris johnson lie or— ireland checks? and did boris johnson lie or tell— ireland checks? and did boris johnson lie or tell the - ireland checks? and did boris johnson lie or tell the truth i ireland checks? and did boris . johnson lie or tell the truth when questioned — johnson lie or tell the truth when questioned about _ johnson lie or tell the truth when questioned about the _ johnson lie or tell the truth when questioned about the first - johnson lie or tell the truth when questioned about the first party. johnson lie or tell the truth whenl questioned about the first party in downing _ questioned about the first party in downing street, _ questioned about the first party in downing street, he _ questioned about the first party in downing street, he said _ questioned about the first party in downing street, he said there - questioned about the first party in| downing street, he said there was questioned about the first party in . downing street, he said there was no party? _ downing street, he said there was no party? if— downing street, he said there was no party? if you — downing street, he said there was no party? if you think— downing street, he said there was no party? if you think he _ downing street, he said there was no party? if you think he lied _ downing street, he said there was no party? if you think he lied in - downing street, he said there was no party? if you think he lied in any- party? if you think he lied in any one of— party? if you think he lied in any one of those _ party? if you think he lied in any one of those instances, - party? if you think he lied in any one of those instances, is- party? if you think he lied in any one of those instances, is that l party? if you think he lied in any one of those instances, is that a j one of those instances, is that a fairjudgment _ one of those instances, is that a fairjudgment try— one of those instances, is that a fairjudgment by you _ one of those instances, is that a fairjudgment by you or- one of those instances, is that a fairjudgment by you or as - one of those instances, is that a fairjudgment by you or as his i fairjudgment by you or as his allies— fairjudgment by you or as his allies would _ fairjudgment by you or as his allies would say, _ fairjudgment by you or as his allies would say, is _ fairjudgment by you or as his allies would say, is this - fairjudgment by you or as his allies would say, is this part i fairjudgment by you or as hisl allies would say, is this part of fairjudgment by you or as his i allies would say, is this part of a 30 year— allies would say, is this part of a 30 year vendetta _ allies would say, is this part of a 30 year vendetta by— allies would say, is this part of a 30 year vendetta by you - allies would say, is this part of a 30 year vendetta by you against| 30 year vendetta by you against boris _ 30 year vendetta by you against borisjohnson _ 30 year vendetta by you against borisjohnson which _ 30 year vendetta by you against boris johnson which dates - 30 year vendetta by you against boris johnson which dates backi 30 year vendetta by you against i boris johnson which dates back to when _ boris johnson which dates back to when you — boris johnson which dates back to when you were _ boris johnson which dates back to when you were prime _ boris johnson which dates back to when you were prime minister, . boris johnson which dates back to| when you were prime minister, he boris johnson which dates back to - when you were prime minister, he was brusseis _ when you were prime minister, he was brussels correspondent, _ when you were prime minister, he was brussels correspondent, and _ when you were prime minister, he was brussels correspondent, and in- when you were prime minister, he was brussels correspondent, and in his - brussels correspondent, and in his words, _ brussels correspondent, and in his

words. he — brussels correspondent, and in his words. he used _ brussels correspondent, and in his words, he used to— brussels correspondent, and in his words, he used to lob— brussels correspondent, and in his words, he used to lob grenades. brussels correspondent, and in his. words, he used to lob grenades into the conservative _ words, he used to lob grenades into the conservative party? _ words, he used to lob grenades into the conservative party? if— words, he used to lob grenades into the conservative party? if i - words, he used to lob grenades into the conservative party?— the conservative party? ifi go back to his the conservative party? ifi go back to his reporting. — the conservative party? ifi go back to his reporting, i _ the conservative party? ifi go back to his reporting, ithink— the conservative party? ifi go back to his reporting, i think to - the conservative party? ifi go back to his reporting, i think to find - to his reporting, i think to find distinction between lie, his reporting was often wildly mistaken and short of fact. he was once given and short of fact. he was once given an invitation from a senior foreign office official, and that if he was putting any more stories into the public arena, he could check with the foreign office and this official would check that they were factually accurate before he posted them. and his response to the person concerned was it might be one phone call to many. 50 he was certainly mistaken on the european issue, whether that was a lie or whether it was a mistake, i don't know. it was certainly wrong. it was certainly wrong. i have not noticed an extra 350 million being locked up on a weekly basis towards the health service. i have noticed billions and billions and billions is the current

cost of brexit. i did hear courtesy of the bbc this morning of the problems of the pig farmers and the fact that large numbers of pigs are now being slaughtered without going through the food chain. there are problems like that in many other areas. the difficulties for import and export are now absolutely acute. these are all subjects for another day, not today. i'm tempted this morning but i resisted the temptation, so you are relating me in a direction i don't wish to go this morning. sorry, your third point was? this morning. sorry, your third point was?_ this morning. sorry, your third oint was? g; :: i, point was? the 350 million, when he sinned in point was? the 350 million, when he signed in northern _ point was? the 350 million, when he signed in northern ireland _ signed in northern ireland protocotm _ signed in northern ireland protocol. . ._ signed in northern ireland rotocol... �* i, i, protocol... i'm glad i asked. you may remember— protocol... i'm glad i asked. you may remember in _ protocol... i'm glad i asked. you may remember in 2016 - protocol... i'm glad i asked. you may remember in 2016 that - protocol... i'm glad i asked. you| may remember in 2016 that tony protocol... i'm glad i asked. you - may remember in 2016 that tony blair and i went together, an unlikely duo you may think, went together to northern ireland to warn of the dangers to northern ireland of the

protocol. and of the peace process. and to the peace process. we warrant then, and as i recall, not too gently told by the then secretary of state for northern ireland and the then leader of the dup that neither mr blair nor i do anything about ireland and we should pipe down. it looks as though we might have known a little about it from the difficulties that exist at the present time. the northern ireland protocol was arguably one of the worst pieces of negotiation that we have seen in recent history. it is causing an enormous amount of trouble. whether anyone deliberately misled about that i can't say. certainly they were mistaken. but it does help if you sign treaties if you understand them before you sign them. i, ~ you understand them before you sign them. i, ,, , i, you understand them before you sign them. i, ~' , i, , you understand them before you sign them. i, ,, , i, , i you understand them before you sign them. i, ~ , i, , i , you understand them before you sign them. i, , i , them. thank you very much. did you have a question? _

them. thank you very much. did you have a question? the _ them. thank you very much. did you have a question? the daily _ them. thank you very much. did you have a question? the daily mirror. . have a question? the daily mirror. i've not a have a question? the daily mirror. i've got a few _ have a question? the daily mirror. i've got a few questions. - have a question? the daily mirror. i've got a few questions. you - have a question? the daily mirror. i've got a few questions. you have been _ i've got a few questions. you have been utterly— i've got a few questions. you have been utterly condemning - i've got a few questions. you have been utterly condemning of- i've got a few questions. you have been utterly condemning of the i been utterly condemning of the impact — been utterly condemning of the impact boris _ been utterly condemning of the impact borisjohnson _ been utterly condemning of the impact boris johnson and - been utterly condemning of the impact boris johnson and his i impact borisjohnson and his government— impact borisjohnson and his government have _ impact borisjohnson and his government have had - impact borisjohnson and his government have had on - impact borisjohnson and hisj government have had on our international— government have had on our international standing - government have had on our international standing in - government have had on our international standing in the| government have had on our- international standing in the world, what do _ international standing in the world, what do you — international standing in the world, what do you think _ international standing in the world, what do you think it _ international standing in the world, what do you think it would - international standing in the world, what do you think it would take - international standing in the world, what do you think it would take for| what do you think it would take for us to— what do you think it would take for us to be _ what do you think it would take for us to be able — what do you think it would take for us to be able to _ what do you think it would take for us to be able to rebuild _ what do you think it would take for us to be able to rebuild that - us to be able to rebuild that reputation? _ us to be able to rebuild that reputation? would - us to be able to rebuild that reputation? would we - us to be able to rebuild that reputation? would we need| us to be able to rebuild that. reputation? would we need a us to be able to rebuild that - reputation? would we need a new cabinet, _ reputation? would we need a new cabinet, a — reputation? would we need a new cabinet, a new— reputation? would we need a new cabinet, a new prime _ reputation? would we need a new cabinet, a new prime minister? i reputation? would we need a new. cabinet, a new prime minister? and if boris _ cabinet, a new prime minister? and if boris johnson _ cabinet, a new prime minister? and if boris johnson were _ cabinet, a new prime minister? and if boris johnson were to _ cabinet, a new prime minister? and if borisjohnson were to resign, - if boris johnson were to resign, hypotheticatty. _ if boris johnson were to resign, hypothetically, how— if boris johnson were to resign, hypothetically, how long - if boris johnson were to resign, hypothetically, how long do - if borisjohnson were to resign, | hypothetically, how long do you think— hypothetically, how long do you think it — hypothetically, how long do you think it would _ hypothetically, how long do you think it would take _ hypothetically, how long do you think it would take us _ hypothetically, how long do you think it would take us to - hypothetically, how long do you think it would take us to rebuild that? _ think it would take us to rebuild that? and — think it would take us to rebuild that? and just— think it would take us to rebuild that? and just for— think it would take us to rebuild that? and just for clarification, i think it would take us to rebuild . that? and just for clarification, do you think— that? and just for clarification, do you think he — that? and just for clarification, do you think he should _ that? and just for clarification, do you think he should resign, - that? and just for clarification, do you think he should resign, if- that? and just for clarification, do you think he should resign, if the| you think he should resign, if the metropotitan _ you think he should resign, if the metropolitan police _ you think he should resign, if the metropolitan police were - you think he should resign, if the metropolitan police were to - you think he should resign, if the metropolitan police were to find i you think he should resign, if the i metropolitan police were to find him to have _ metropolitan police were to find him to have broken — metropolitan police were to find him to have broken the _ metropolitan police were to find him to have broken the law— metropolitan police were to find him to have broken the law is? _ metropolitan police were to find him to have broken the law is? i- metropolitan police were to find him to have broken the law is?— to have broken the law is? i won't answer to have broken the law is? i won't answer the _ to have broken the law is? i won't answer the last _ to have broken the law is? i won't answer the last point. _ to have broken the law is? i won't answer the last point. i'm - to have broken the law is? iwon't answer the last point. i'm not- to have broken the law is? i won't. answer the last point. i'm not going to cut away everything else i've been sing about democracy to provide one headline like that, so i won't answer that point. the earlier point about regaining our standards, it is about regaining our standards, it is a matter of how we collectively behave. how we deal with the honouring of international agreements we have signed. how we begin to take a lead in the

international community on events that have wide international interest. for example, the foreign secretary today is in moscow meeting her counterpart. i welcome that. the prime minister had a brief conversation, i gather, with president putin about ukraine, but the president of france had a five—hour meeting across the desk. now that would typically have been others. in years gone by in the foreign affairs council, when there was discussions over russia, it was the british foreign secretary, it was the douglas hurd of the day or the robin cook of the day he would have led to discussions. we've left europe competition illustration of how i do not think her weight in the international community is as strong as it was, our ways we would wish it to be. that takes a while. people

look at us and they look at our standards in government and they look at what we do and what we say and how we behave and they react to what we do and say. and so it can be rebuilt. i hope it will be rebuilt. it's more than personalities, is the policies of the government and the behaviour of the government as a whole across a whole range of different issues that will actually rebuild the trust. there are international things that need someone to propose them. i'm not sure the west has a leader at the moment in the way we traditionally have had. there is the opportunity for different countries to take the lead on different issues. i would like to see our country doing so, looking at some of the international problems in trying to convene people to come together to try and solve those problems. i gave the illustration of trying to find an international concordia on how to deal with the rising tide of

migration from africa and elsewhere thatis migration from africa and elsewhere that is causing immense difficulties for europe and elsewhere and others. it won't be easy, terribly difficult, iwill it won't be easy, terribly difficult, i will be a hard grind and unless someone starts rigging the international community together, nothing will happen. —— bringing the international community together. as the years go on the problem will worsen and it will become almost impossible to solve it. i would like to see britain looking at initiatives like that. perhaps that is about to happen. i think it would be in our interest to look at issues like that and to try and take the lead. we may fail. other countries may not be prepared to play ball and join us in those, that's entirely possible. we should try. i think government should do that and i think it earned respect when they try, even when other governments are not willing to join them in the endeavour. i gariiiii governments are not willing to 'oin them in the endeavour.i them in the endeavour. i will try and net them in the endeavour. i will try and get two _ them in the endeavour. i will try and get two more _ them in the endeavour. i will try and get two more from - them in the endeavour. i will try and get two more from the - them in the endeavour. i will try|

and get two more from the room them in the endeavour. i will try i and get two more from the room at the end _ and get two more from the room at the end but— and get two more from the room at the end but i want to take some online — the end but i want to take some online. some terrific questions. the speech by the former prime minister sirjohn major talking about truth and trust in politics, saying flies become commonplace truth ceases to exist and there is consequence for policy and reputation. if trust in the word of our leaders in parliament is lost, then trust in government will be lost as well. joining me now is the former chairman of the committee on standards in public life, sir alistair graham. what did you make of what sirjohn major had to say? it what did you make of what sirjohn major had to say?— major had to say? it was a very wide-ranging _ major had to say? it was a very wide-ranging speech _ major had to say? it was a very wide-ranging speech from - major had to say? it was a very - wide-ranging speech from everything wide—ranging speech from everything about democracy to refugees to the

police and new pieces of legislation. what i thought was interesting on the particulate issue was his reference —— party gate, his reference to what other party ministers would have done if the allegations against the prime minister referred where margaret thatcher or sirjohn major, the very key heavyweight political figures would have immediately intervened with the prime minister to stop this happening. an implication there that perhaps we haven't got the strong enough political figures perhaps we haven't got the strong enough politicalfigures in our cabinet these days to impose some restraint on the prime minister's activities. i thought that was quite

activities. i thought that was quite a powerful point, which we should ask ourselves whether the cabinet is sufficiently peopled with political figures of sufficient authority to restrain the prime minister. mont; restrain the prime minister. many secial restrain the prime minister. many special advisers, _ restrain the prime minister. many special advisers, we _ restrain the prime minister. many special advisers, we are _ restrain the prime minister. many special advisers, we are hearing, which sirjohn that was a bad idea, not that all of them could be doing anything particularly useful. and the fact that as you say, we all need a critical friend. the fact that as you say, we all need a criticalfriend. this is a conservative talking about the current conservative government, amongst the wider issue of democracy. what monsty thinks that the government has done of late has caused you concern?— caused you concern? well, my worry with the prime _ caused you concern? well, my worry with the prime minister— caused you concern? well, my worry with the prime minister is _ caused you concern? well, my worry with the prime minister is that - caused you concern? well, my worry with the prime minister is that he i with the prime minister is that he does seem to have breached the ministerial code. in that the evidence seems to be pretty strong that he knowingly misled parliament about the parties in 10 downing

street because he came later to apologise for having attended a party, yet he has not resigned, and conservative members of parliament don't seem to have plucked up the courage to have force a new election for a new leader of the conservative party, and therefore a new prime minister. so that really does worry me. i was worried about what was, i think, a breach of one of the seven principles of public life, in terms of the refurbishment of parliament, because the first principle is about putting the public interest before the private interest, and here of course we know the electoral commission had to find the conservative party for not properly declaring donation that had been made —— fine. and from the whatsapp

messages we saw that the prime minister had been in discussion with a donor about the refurbishment of the flat, so it is those lack of integrity moments, declining authority by the prime minister, what looks like knowingly misled parliament about the particular situation. 5ir parliament about the particular situation. , g i, parliament about the particular situation. , i i, i, , situation. sirjohn reluctant to be drawn on that, _ situation. sirjohn reluctant to be drawn on that, waiting _ situation. sirjohn reluctant to be drawn on that, waiting for- situation. sirjohn reluctant to be drawn on that, waiting for the - situation. sirjohn reluctant to bel drawn on that, waiting for the met police to reveal what they are found. if you cannot force a government to implement change and to tidy house, isn't itjust then down to the electorate finally to vote for a different partyjust briefly? it vote for a different party 'ust briefl ? , i, i, briefly? it is down to the electorate, _ briefly? it is down to the electorate, but - briefly? it is down to the - electorate, but unfortunately they may have to wait one or two years before they are given an opportunity. and therefore i think we can ask conservative members of

parliament to take personal responsibility for deciding whether the current leader of the conservative party has breached the rules through your code, has broken regulations that were in place at the time, and behaved in a way that is undermining the standing of the government. and the standing of the conservative party, as all the recent opinion polls are now showing. recent opinion polls are now showing-— recent opinion polls are now showina. �* ,, i, i, , showing. appealing to their better nature. showing. appealing to their better nature- we _ showing. appealing to their better nature. we appreciate _ showing. appealing to their better nature. we appreciate you - showing. appealing to their better nature. we appreciate you talking | showing. appealing to their better i nature. we appreciate you talking to us, thank you very much. more reaction to sirjohn major's speech in the next hour. the weather north to south it is quite different, important area of not pressure in the north moving west to east, taking rain, snow,

hail and thunder with it. strong wind is gusting to gales of gale force, strong winds moving to the east of the day. for a northern ireland if future showers and blustery wind, rain cleaning to south of england and some sunny spells coming through, some showers in the west. will feel cold, 3—9 , but when you add only one shell, for some it will feel sub zero. tonight low pressure pushes down the east coast, clear skies, a few wintry showers towards the west and a widespread frost. in snow fields in scotland, temperatures as low as -10. the scotland, temperatures as low as —10. the risk of ice first thing in the morning, a bootable search of the morning, a bootable search of the day with a lot of century, a few showers in the west. the wind will pick up through the afternoon at a cloud rise followed by rain later on and it will once again feel cold.

this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall. the headlines: former prime minister sirjohn major delivers a damning speech on borisjohnson and the impact his government is having on the uk's standing around the world. the prime minister and our present government not only challenged the law, but seemed to believe that they and they alone need not obey the rules, traditions, conventions, call them what you will, of our public life. borisjohnson warns that europe faces its "biggest security crisis" for decades, as russian troops continue to mass on its border with ukraine. the stakes are very high and this is a very dangerous moment. and at stake are the rules that protect every nation, every nation, big and small.

the metropolitan police commissioner, dame cressida dick, says she's doing all she can to root out toxic individuals and teams but has no intention of quitting herself. i have already said, if you have those attitudes or behaviours, get out now. otherwise we will find you and i have a whole new team which will be helping me. new figures reveal a record 6.1 million people were waiting to start routine hospital treatment in england at the end of last year. new fossils found in a cave in southern france suggest humans and neanderthals could have coexisted for long periods.

good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. sirjohn major says borisjohnson and his officials "broke lockdown laws" over parties held in downing street. the conservative former prime minister accused the government of feeling it "need not obey the rules", adding, "outright lies breed contempt." sirjohn's comments come while12 gatherings are still being investigated by the metropolitan police. mrjohnson, who is coming under pressure to quit, said he was looking forward to the process being completed. in a speech to the institute for government think tank, sirjohn said... "ministers were sent out to defend the indefensible, making themselves look gullible or foolish." sirjohn, who was in office from 1990 to 1997, added...

.."traditions, conventions, call them what you will, of public life." joining me now is our political correspondent helen catt. a speech which many in number ten will be listening intently no doubt. yes, he has made several interventions before but the timing of this one is interesting to say the least. we know it is a precarious time to the prime minister, the fact that sirjohn has said he wants to come out and say this now in this speech he made about trust and standards in democracy doesn't feel quite significant. also, the language he has chosen to use in this speech is particular strong. has chosen to use in this speech is particularstrong. —— has chosen to use in this speech is particular strong. —— does feel quite significant. you talked about some of the events in the last 20 years of politics creating what he said was a sour resentment. he also emphatically talked about the actions of this particular government and what he felt that was

doing to britain's reputation on the world stage and as he has said before, but he chose to use really strong language, particularly when it came to talking about those lockdown party allegations. have a listen to this. at numberten, the prime minister and officials broke lockdown laws. brazen excuses were dreamt up. day after day, the public was asked to believe the unbelievable. ministers were sent out to defend the indefensible, making themselves look gullible or foolish as they did so. collectively, this has made the government look distinctly shifty, which has consequences that go far beyond political unpopularity. interestingly, he was asked after that speech about that, what he said there about breaking lockdown rules, and he did seem to soften it slightly. he then said there seemed little doubt that lockdown laws had

been broken, but he was not going to prejudge the police's outcome, which was a slight softening of what he said there. he was very clear though that if borisjohnson had been found to have deliberately misled parliament, he was very clear it had to be deliberate, that was a resigning matter that they prime minister and it always should be. he did notjust talk minister and it always should be. he did not just talk about the current accusations, he also spoke about some of the policy he does not necessarily agree with and also ran through some of the other actions of the government that he had been concerned by. he talked about things like the decision to probe parliament, if you can think back that far, some of the other things that far, some of the other things that happened in between, and then he said this... the that happened in between, and then he said this. . .— he said this... the prime minister and our present _ he said this... the prime minister and our present government - he said this... the prime minister and our present government not. he said this... the prime minister. and our present government not only chatienged _ and our present government not only challenged the law, but seemed to believe _ challenged the law, but seemed to believe that they and they alone need _ believe that they and they alone need not — believe that they and they alone need not obey the rules, traditions, conventions, callthem need not obey the rules, traditions, conventions, call them what you well, _ conventions, call them what you well, of— conventions, call them what you well, of our— conventions, call them what you well, of our public life. the charge, _ well, of our public life. the charge, the repeated charge, that

there _ charge, the repeated charge, that there is— charge, the repeated charge, that there is one law for the government and one _ there is one law for the government and one that everyone else is politically deadly and it has struck home~ _ politically deadly and it has struck home our— politically deadly and it has struck home. our democracy requires that the truth _ home. our democracy requires that the truth and the law should be respected and obeyed above all the government. but sometimes it seems that even— government. but sometimes it seems that even if— government. but sometimes it seems that even if it is obeyed, it is not always— that even if it is obeyed, it is not always respected. of that even if it is obeyed, it is not always respected.— that even if it is obeyed, it is not always respected. of course, what is interestin: always respected. of course, what is interesting about _ always respected. of course, what is interesting about that _ always respected. of course, what is interesting about that claim, - always respected. of course, what is interesting about that claim, the - interesting about that claim, the idea of there being one rule for the government and one of everyone else, is of course that is exactly labour, tag line. to hear him say that is pretty striking. when he was being asked questions he then did step back from saying this is not all about one man, but he also said it goes wider than that. he was quite critical of the cabinet and suggested that either the cabinet were not giving the sort of advice that he would have expected to have

received as prime minister was said margaret thatcher would have received as prime minister, even though people are saying look we just can't do that, or he said if borisjohnson was getting that advice and it was being ignored, he could not understand why he had not seen resignations from cabinet. 50 some pretty strong words there. talked about the nolan committee on standards in public life which he set up, and recently the committee has reported that the uk needs a more rigorous enforcement of ethical standards, but how is that brought about when it is this government that we need to usher the men. this is what he that we need to usher the men. this is what he is — that we need to usher the men. “m s is what he is saying, needs to be put in place. —— need to usher them in? he said at the time limit was because he felt it was necessary there was significant disregard for there was significant disregard for the way things should be done in his view and felt he needed this intervention to urge the governance to go forward with the committee's proposals to stop the bricks coming

out of the wall. that was the point of his intervention here and he is urging ligament to go ahead and accept those. for urging ligament to go ahead and accept those-_ urging ligament to go ahead and acce -t those. i, i, i, ,, accept those. for the moment, thank very much- — we arejust we are just hearing that the prince of wales, prince charles, has tested positive for covid. he is now self isolating, they made this announcement on social media. prince charles had covid at the beginning of the pandemic in march 2020 and at the time he said he had got away lightly. we do not know whether he is particularly poorly this time, let's hope not, no one wants anyone to suffer with two bad symptoms, and we're also in terms of scotland, pupils in secondary schools will no longer need to wear face coverings and classrooms from february the 28, nicola sturgeon,

the first minister, has announced that this morning. again further lifting of measures in at scotland. borisjohnson is warning that the ukraine crisis is "at its most dangerous moment" as he spoke of the importance of a diplomatic push in the coming days. the prime minister has been holding talks with nato secretary—general jens stoltenberg in brussels. the foreign secretary, liz truss, has warned the kremlin that a war in ukraine would be disastrous for the russian and ukrainian people, and for european security. she's been holding talks with her russian counterpart, sergei lavrov. russia continues to deny it has any plans to attack ukraine. this map shows where russian soldiers are stationed around ukraine — each red dot represents thousands of troops. those black dots are military units that have recently been sent to the area. also, russia and belarus, who are close allies and both border ukraine, have started 10 days

ofjoint military drills. last week, president biden sent us troops to poland, germany and romania. speaking at a joint press conference with nato chief jens stoltenberg in brussels, the uk prime minister borisjohnson said it's the "biggest security crisis europe has faced for decades." the uk's commitment to european security is unconditional and immovable. we have the biggest defence budget in europe and the second largest in nato. we have contributed more troops than any other ally to nato's enhanced forward presence and today i agreed with the secretary general a package of support to strengthen further our collective security, sending troops, planes and ships to defend nato from north to south. but the stakes are very high and this is a very dangerous moment. and at stake are the rules that protect every nation, every nation, big and small.

our europe correspondent nick beake is in brussels with this analysis. once again, we have been hearing these words from western powers talking about the sort of grave situation we are in and some of the language is becoming increasingly familiar. if i just pull out a few things which have struck me listening to that press conference between boris johnson and jens stoltenberg, the nato secretary general. borisjohnson described it as being a very dangerous moment we face. he said it is probably the most dangerous moment in what is the biggest security crisis europe has faced for decades. and he said what had to be done was western powers had to resist any attempt to return to the dark days when the fate of nations would be decided over their heads by a handful of very powerful nations and he said it was notjust about russia, it was about upholding the founding principles of nato. the prime minister was asked if he thought vladimir putin would attack ukraine. he said he simply did not know at this point. he was also asked about whether

there are divergences of opinion within the western alliance. we have seen some suggestion that germany, france are pursuing different paths and the idea of any sort of sanctions coming together, that could be quite tricky. and the prime minister said he commended the new german chancellor, olaf scholz, for taking what he described as a tougher stance on nord stream 2, this is the gas pipe which will run from russia to germany. it is being constructed for the main part, but the gas has not been turned on yet, and actually it was president biden in an illustration of how this is such a big international geo—political issue, it was president biden who suggested the german position would become a lot stronger, so we got more of the words we have been hearing in the past couple of weeks. asked by our colleague laura kuenssberg whether the uk would send more military support to ukraine, the prime minister did not rule that out. he said that he thought the ukrainians were very well equipped. in fact, they had actually declined some of the offers that britain had been making behind the scenes,

so i think that was an interesting insight into how the two sides are working. finally, justjens stoltenberg, the head of nato, he described it as a dangerous moment for european security. the number of russian forces in the area is going up, the warning time for a possible attack is going down. he said nato is not a threat to russia, but we must be prepared for the worst. let's talk to bbc russian's petr kozlov in moscow. let's talk to bbc russia's petr kozlov in moscow. liz truss, the foreign secretary, is visiting her counterparts, what could she hope to achieve? well, as we all know. — could she hope to achieve? well, as we all know, the _ could she hope to achieve? well, as we all know, the meeting _ could she hope to achieve? well, as we all know, the meeting between i we all know, the meeting between lavrov and british foreign secretary just ended. we have seen the press

secretary and as we understand it was quite tough negotiations. lavrov told this was the conversation between the blind and the death. according to russian foreign ministry, we understand he was quite unsatisfied with the position which was taken by the british foreign secretary. —— between the blind and the deaf. in fact, he repeated a well—known russian position about the situation around ukraine, security issues, situation around russian military drills which russian military drills which russian foreign ministry always stresses as drills on the russian territory, inside the russian border, so he says russia has the right to do this. he border, so he says russia has the right to do this.— border, so he says russia has the right to do this. he can't have been surrised right to do this. he can't have been surprised by _ right to do this. he can't have been surprised by her— right to do this. he can't have been surprised by her message. - right to do this. he can't have been surprised by her message. what. right to do this. he can't have been i surprised by her message. what sort of negotiator is lavrov usually? he

is of negotiator is lavrov usually? he: is quite an russian diplomats, he has been in the service since 2004 and before that he used to work in the us security council in new york. he speaks three languages, english being one of them, and he is also a close vladimir putin ally who conducts foreign policy. what is also very important to know is that lavrov is the second politician in russia compared with popular t, the second after vladimir putin and competes with the second position only with the defence minister. —— compared with popularity. that is unimportant and interesting fact. what is i think distress is that the

situation with the russian drills that caused quite a huge geopolitical struggle allowed foreign policy to turn back the patient demands concerning the military control, the nato open door policy, the demands which russia was repeating a year ago but it was not taken into consideration. —— that is an important fact. now they say that this could be a success.— this could be a success. thank you very much- _ the headlines on bbc news: the former prime minister sirjohn major has delivered a damning speech on borisjohnson and the impact his government is having on the uk's standing around the world. borisjohnson has warned that europe faces its "biggest security crisis" for decades as russian troops continue to mass on its

border with ukraine. new figures reveal a record 6.1 million people were waiting to start routine hospital treatment in england at the end of last year. sport and a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. we are nearly a week into the winter olympics in beijing, and team gb are still waiting for theirfirst medal. they do have high hopes in the curling. after defeat to switzerland in their opening round robin match, the women are back on the ice, against sweden. they have one end and it is currently at school is on that one. —— currently scholars. the men's team finished strongly to beat italy 7—5 — bruce mouat sending down the final stone. britain are ranked first in the world so there's a lot of expectation on their shoulders. they'll be back tomorrow for matches

against the usa and norway. the ten competing teams play each other once, with the top four going through to the semi—finals. great britain's huw nightingale made his olympic debut in the snowboard cross but he went out in the first round. he and charlotte bankes will be back for the mixed team event on saturday. the men's gold medal was decided by millimetres after an incredible climax — canada's eliot grondin took an early lead, but alessandro haemmerle of austria reeled him in and it came down to a photo—finish. they needed it too. haemmerle taking it byjust two—hundredths of a second. ireland captainjonny sexton will miss their six nations match against france this weekend because of a hamstring injury. both won their opening games of the tournament and sexton had originally declared himself fit despite a bruising encounter with wales. but the fly half will be replaced in the ireland team byjoey carbery

in paris on saturday. heather knight will captain a 15—strong squad for england's defence of the women's world cup in new zealand. knight led the side to victory in 2017 and the squad includes seven players involved in that win, as well as all—rounder emma lamb, who made her one—day debut in the women's ashes which ended this week without a single win for england. england's andrew wilson is in early contention at golf�*s ras al khaimah classic, as the first round draws to a close. he's two shots behind the leader ryan fox. and david drysdale is a further shot back, on six under par. he's one of five players who started opened with a 66 — a group which also includes fellow scot robert macintyre. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. thank you very much. now, yesterday we reported on the mounting pressure on the met police commissioner, cressida dick, over handling of key events during recent years. this includes a man who was a serving metropolitan police officer, who abducted, raped and strangled sarah everard. the force faced severe criticism

over their policing of a vigil held in clapham common, london. a pair of met police constables, who took photos of two murdered sisters, nicole smallman and bibaa henry. they shared the images on whatsapp groups. both officers were jailed for 33 months each. and anthony walgate, jack taylor, gabriel kovari and daniel whitworth, four gay men were killed by stephen port. a coroner's report identified "basic investigative failings" by the scotland yard into their deaths. let's talk to our correspondent danjohnson. what has the commissioner been saying? absolutely, it is a regular phone and she takes part in on bbc radio london but particularly timely after those comments from the mayor of london yesterday. cressida dick said enough is enough, she accepted that this had been a bad time for the force. she said the reputation of the met police had been tarnished,

but she was determined to root out any individuals with the sorts of attitudes and behaviours that have been laid bare. she accepted it is notjust a couple of isolated incidents, notjust a few bad apples, but also at pains to say there are good people in the force and she believes she has done a positive role in transforming attitudes in the force in the five years that she has been in office. she was asked directly by one listener if she would leave the job, here's what she had a say in response. i have actually no intention of going — i have actually no intention of going on— i have actually no intention of going on do believe i am and have been, _ going on do believe i am and have been, actually, for the last five years— been, actually, for the last five years leading a real transformation in the _ years leading a real transformation in the met — years leading a real transformation in the met. we have a service now which _ in the met. we have a service now which is, _ in the met. we have a service now which is, i— in the met. we have a service now which is, i am absolutely certain, more _ which is, i am absolutely certain, more professional, fairer, more transparent, more accountable and closer— transparent, more accountable and closer to _ transparent, more accountable and closer to its — transparent, more accountable and closer to its communities and more effective _

closer to its communities and more effective in— closer to its communities and more effective in for example reducing violent— effective in for example reducing violent crime, which has been going down _ violent crime, which has been going down year— violent crime, which has been going down year on year on year, bucking the national— down year on year on year, bucking the national trend. we have been performing and we have good people in the _ performing and we have good people in the main. i have been transforming the way people are, who the people _ transforming the way people are, who the people are and the way they conduct — the people are and the way they conduct themselves. a the people are and the way they conduct themselves.— conduct themselves. a defiant defence of _ conduct themselves. a defiant defence of her _ conduct themselves. a defiant defence of her own _ conduct themselves. a defiant defence of her own record - conduct themselves. a defiant defence of her own record but| defence of her own record but acceptance there is more to do and she accepted that they could be further embarrassing or disgusting revelations to come from the force because there are these ongoing reviews into different aspects of culture attitudes within the ranks of the metropolitan police, but cressida dick certainly saying today she is determined to make those improvements, she is not going anywhere. improvements, she is not going an here. i. improvements, she is not going anywhere-— the number of people in england waiting to start routine hospital treatment has risen to a new record high. nhs england say a total of 6.1 million people were waiting

to start treatment at the end of december 2021. this is the highest number since records began in august 2007. our health correspondentjim reed says many a&e patients are now having to wait for up to four hours outside wards. ambulances have to wait outside amd before what is called a handover can take place and you can be given to the doctor. —— a and e. they are saying in the last week the number of people waiting for more than 30 minutes outside, which is the target, has dropped slightly. it is now around 21% of people, so one in five having to wait outside for more than half an hour. slight improvement on the week before, but thatis improvement on the week before, but that is a concern. when you go into a&e, there is a target then to be seen, treated and discharged or moved into a ward within four hours. again, you can see the pressure, there is a target of dealing with everyone within that four hours, but to dealing with 95% of people with

95% of people within that four hours. pupils and teachers in secondary schools in scotland will no longer need to wear face coverings in classrooms from february the 28th. legislation on face coverings, vaccine passports, and requiring businesses to minimise spread of the virus was due to expire on the 28th february. but it now looks set to be extended to the 24th september. deputy first ministerjohn swinney says ministers will continue to assess the rules every three weeks. the move came hours after borisjohnson announced all covid rules in england could be removed by the end of this month. joining me now is professor andrew watterson, an expert in public health at the university of stirling. welcome, what is your view of this announcement by borisjohnson that england could to see the end of the restrictions at the end of this month? . . restrictions at the end of this month? , , i, month? on the basis of the information _ month? on the basis of the information that _ month? on the basis of the information that we - month? on the basis of the information that we have i month? on the basis of the i information that we have got, month? on the basis of the - information that we have got, it looks like a leap into the unknown.

it is not a done deal yet, because there was a reference to the fact that the figures it would need to improve, but if you compare the figures across the uk, the position in england and northern ireland is really not good. the figures are significantly higher than elsewhere and would not appear to justify at the moment taking the action that is being proposed. there is also a good deal of confusion i think already about how it will be implemented and what it means, for instance, the prime minister in a statement i think made reference to urging people to stay at home if they were covid positive, which is not the same as saying that is an end of a self isolation, so there is confusion and i think the evidence at the moment would not support the action that is likely to be proposed. 50 action that is likely to be proposed— action that is likely to be --roosed. i, i, proposed. so in light of what you 'ust said proposed. so in light of what you

just said about _ proposed. so in light of what you just said about england, - proposed. so in light of what you just said about england, what - proposed. so in light of what you just said about england, what is| just said about england, what is your view on a scotland's approach, that they are going to perhaps extend some of the measures till the end of september? i do extend some of the measures till the end of september?— end of september? i do not think the are end of september? i do not think they are talking _ end of september? i do not think they are talking about _ end of september? i do not thinkj they are talking about necessarily enforcing the measures. i think what they are saying is they need the powers, it would be good to have the powers, it would be good to have the powers with regard to the things you have mentioned about schools and about businesses and about vaccine certification, so they are not necessarily applying them, but what they are saying is if there is for instance an increase or there are particular problems, it would be wise to have those measures in place, so it is not throwing the switch and turning everything off, as is being proposed in england. i think it is going along in a much more sensible and cautious manner, so it controls art being eased, but they are being eased gradually and thatis they are being eased gradually and that is the way to avoid a possible uptick, that is the way to avoid new

variants coming in, that is the way to protect workers and school staff and school children.— and school children. yes, it gives them the scope, _ and school children. yes, it gives them the scope, doesn't - and school children. yes, it gives them the scope, doesn't it, - and school children. yes, it gives them the scope, doesn't it, to i them the scope, doesn't it, to tighten things again if they need to? looking at other parts of europe, how different are their approaches to that which boris johnson seems to be indicating? recently a paper was produced was looking across europe and the analysis was that what we want is in fact a low incidence covid policy, in other words we should be trying to drive down the numbers significantly lower than they are in england for instance at the moment and that is the way forward. yes, we note that denmark and sweden and norway have various proposals about ending all restrictions, but quite what that means at the moment again is not clear. their belief is that with lots of vaccination and with

less serious infections occurring with regard to omicron, they will be safe, but the world health organization has had a rather different view and again, advocating cautious progress rather than, as i say, throwing the lever and letting everything out. say, throwing the lever and letting everything out-— say, throwing the lever and letting everything out. thank you so much for our everything out. thank you so much for yourtime- _ and we'll be putting all your questions on the plans to end self—isolation for people with covid in your questions answered. you can get in touch on twitter using the hashtag bbcyourquestions, or email at yourquestions@bbc.co.uk. that will be at half past two this afternoon. the discovery of the fossil of a human tooth in southern france may drastically change theories of whether our species, homo sapiens, was responsible for wiping out an earlier human

species, the neanderthals. the tooth fossil suggests that modern humans arrived in europe from africa 54,000 years ago, more than 10,000 years earlier than had previously been thought. that would suggest that they lived alongside neanderthal populations for several thousands of years before the neanderthals died out. joining me now is chris stringer who's a research leader in human origins at the natural history museum in london origins at the natural history museum in london. how big a discovery as this? it how big a discovery as this? it is a big discovery- _ how big a discovery as this? it is a big discovery. as _ how big a discovery as this? it is a big discovery. as you _ how big a discovery as this? it is a big discovery. as you said, - how big a discovery as this? it is a big discovery. as you said, it - does indicate it is much earlier than we thought, so it is notjust a few thousand years before they disappeared, it is possibly 15,000 years and of course at this discovery also suggests there may be yet more surprises to come. what yet more surprises to come. what sort of research _ yet more surprises to come. what sort of research will _ yet more surprises to come. what sort of research will you _ yet more surprises to come. what sort of research will you now - yet more surprises to come. what sort of research will you now be doing in light of this fossil? what sort of question is does it trigger for you? sort of question is does it trigger foryou? i sort of question is does it trigger for ou? ~ i. sort of question is does it trigger for ou? ,, i, , for you? i think that even the site itself has for you? i think that even the site itself has a _ for you? i think that even the site itself has a lot _ for you? i think that even the site itself has a lot more _ for you? i think that even the site itself has a lot more information | for you? i think that even the site | itself has a lot more information to

give us about this time period, so it is a rich site in terms of archaeology, in terms of human fossils. now it is possible to get dna from a very fragmentary material and even from the cave sediments, so that dna could tell us for sure when the neanderthals and humans were there and possibly whether they were interacting with each other. yes. interacting with each other. yes, that would _ interacting with each other. yes, that would be _ interacting with each other. yes, that would be fascinating. - interacting with each other. yes, that would be fascinating. as it thought then that up until now they did not? iterate thought then that up until now they did not? ~ ~ i. thought then that up until now they did not? ~ ~' i, , did not? we knew that interbreeding was auoin did not? we knew that interbreeding was going on — did not? we knew that interbreeding was going on somewhere, _ did not? we knew that interbreeding was going on somewhere, because i did not? we knew that interbreeding i was going on somewhere, because we today, most of us have about 2% of neanderthal dna in our genomes, and that interbreeding is thought to have occurred body between 40 and 60,000 years ago, but the viewers it was mostly happening in western asia and that is where they would have first met the neanderthals. we thought there was only going on in europe between about 40 and 45,000

years ago, but now this wine from southern france suggest these populations could have been meeting each other much earlier. —— this find from southern france. now it can be from the same time period because modern human genomes from this time period in other parts of europe and in a jet suggest that the interbreeding was coming into morning humans but was not going into the neanderthals, so that is strange, it is asymmetric. we really know very little of how it happened, where these friendly encounters or something more hostile? we really do not know and these are all questions we have for the future.

it instead of the single how certain can you be when you make statements about something that happened so long ago where evidence is patchy? that happened so long ago where evidence is atch ? i, , i, happened so long ago where evidence is atch ? i, ,i, ,

is patchy? that is a very good oint. is patchy? that is a very good point- of _ is patchy? that is a very good point. of course, _ is patchy? that is a very good point. of course, a _ is patchy? that is a very good point. of course, a single - is patchy? that is a very good| point. of course, a single find is patchy? that is a very good - point. of course, a single find like this makes a big difference, so we can anticipate there will be more surprises to come, but what it shows us is the picture in western europe is not that different from elsewhere, so we know that modern humans were spreading eastwards and going into asia, they were even getting to australia by this time period, and so western europe seemed an anomaly. it looked like the neanderthals were keeping humans out. now we know that even western europe was receiving modern human dispersal is at this earlier time, so it actually puts western europe more into the picture we have for the rest of asia and southeast asia, with modern humans spreading early on, but not having a total great, not taking over from the existing populations for some time. so it is more nuanced instead of humans having a total superiority and neanderthals are disappearing quickly, actually there is a long period of coexistence, the groups may have been even exchanging not

only dna that may be exchanging ideas with each other, so this is a different view of how we took over and they may even have had bows and arrows which would have given a big technological advantage in hunting and potentially against other humans, but that was not enough to keep them there. they still disappeared, so it shows as the fragility of some of these human occupations at this time period. fascinating, thank you very much. it's time for a look at the weather. a very pretty picture. i don't know what it is. it really depicts what is going on across england and wales, mind you it's a different story further north. if the period of low pressure, bringing gales, heavy snow, but further south scenes

like this, more sunshine. cleared away from the south taking the cloud with it. here is this potent area of low pressure moving to the north and the isobars squeezing. sleet and snow certainly over the hills, strong winds and wintry showers are slowly clearing away from the east coast of the country. overnight and it is going to turn much colder under clear skies, it is going to turn much colder under clearskies, risk it is going to turn much colder under clear skies, risk of ice after the day's rain sleet and snow. tomorrow promises to be a lovely crisp sunny sort of day after that for a start, temperatures rising. went showers across the north—west of the country, cloud will tend to build up out west ahead of the weather system which will arrive during the weekend. those temperatures, despite the cold start, reaching heights of 4—8 , around the seasonal norm. hello. this is bbc news with martine croxall. the headlines... the former prime minister sirjohn

major has delivered a damning speech on borisjohnson and the impact his government is having on the uk's standing around the world. the prime minister and our present government not only challenge the law, but seem to believe that they and they alone need not obey the rules, traditions, conventions, call them what you will, of our public life. borisjohnson has warned that europe faces its "biggest security crisis" for decades as russian troops continue to mass on its border with ukraine. new figures reveal a record 6.1 million people were waiting to start routine hospital treatment in england at the end of last year. the prince of wales has tested positive for covid—19 and is now self—isolating. clarence house says prince charles received the positive result this morning and has subsequently postponed a visit to winchester.

is—million—homes in the uk are in need of better insulation — with two in every three leaking heat, according to the climate change committee. it says the way out of the current energy crisis is renewables — wind, waves, the sun — as well as better insulation for draughty houses. our climate editor, justin rowlatt, reports. you have lots of heat coming out of the window here and under this window, stairs, probably go the radiator here. that is money coming to your wall. why mac using this thermal camera we can find out whose houseis thermal camera we can find out whose house is radiating heat. the thermal camera we can find out whose house is radiating heat.— house is radiating heat. the lighter the ima . e, house is radiating heat. the lighter the image. the _ house is radiating heat. the lighter the image, the more _ house is radiating heat. the lighter the image, the more heat- house is radiating heat. the lighter the image, the more heat is- house is radiating heat. the lighterl the image, the more heat is looking out. i, i, , i, i, out. look at that, there is a lot cominu out. look at that, there is a lot coming out _ out. look at that, there is a lot coming out there. _ out. look at that, there is a lot coming out there. is _ out. look at that, there is a lot coming out there. is easy - out. look at that, there is a lot. coming out there. is easy pickings for me and — coming out there. is easy pickings for me and marrying _ coming out there. is easy pickings for me and marrying here - coming out there. is easy pickings for me and marrying here in - for me and marrying here in manchester, the government estimates some 15 million uk homes could benefit from better insulation. that is to end every three. —— two in

every three. is to end every three. -- two in every three-— is to end every three. -- two in every three. it's exciting. love a aood bit every three. it's exciting. love a good bit of _ every three. it's exciting. love a good bit of draft _ every three. it's exciting. love a good bit of draft hunting. - every three. it's exciting. love a good bit of draft hunting. here i every three. it's exciting. love a | good bit of draft hunting. here is the difference _ good bit of draft hunting. here is the difference insulation - good bit of draft hunting. here is the difference insulation can - good bit of draft hunting. here is i the difference insulation can make. this house is definitely losing less heat, _ this house is definitely losing less heat, especially from the weak spots we identified on the other houses. would _ we identified on the other houses. would just— we identified on the other houses. would just look what it took to give the house and insulation makeover. there is insulation inside the room here, the windows are double glazed, and the space under the floors is insulated to. up here at the top of the house the entire roof area has been insulated as well. the walls used to look like this, bare brick, they have put in the wood fibre external insulation, and the windows are double glazed. in external insulation, and the windows are double glazed.— external insulation, and the windows are double glazed. in monetary terms it saved are double glazed. in monetary terms it saved 4096 — are double glazed. in monetary terms it saved 40% of _ are double glazed. in monetary terms it saved 40% of our _ are double glazed. in monetary terms it saved 4096 of our gas _ are double glazed. in monetary terms it saved 4096 of our gas on _ are double glazed. in monetary terms it saved 4096 of our gas on the - it saved 40% of our gas on the heating and made a big difference to the comfort of the house as well, so the comfort of the house as well, so the variability of the temperature

through the day, the way it feels in terms of air quality and sort of comfort really improved. the family ma be comfort really improved. the family may be insulated _ comfort really improved. the family may be insulated from _ comfort really improved. the family may be insulated from the - comfort really improved. the family may be insulated from the energy i may be insulated from the energy price hikes we all face, and know they are doing the right thing by they are doing the right thing by the climate, but here's the problem. it will still take at least 20 years to cover the 36 grand it cost. but if it's hard for middle—class homeowners to afford insulation, it is even tougher for local authorities like blackpool. energy efficient homes are popular with tenants. i efficient homes are popular with tenants.- but _ efficient homes are popular with tenants.- but blackpooll tenants. perfect. but blackpool sent tenants. perfect. but blackpool spent £33,000 — tenants. perfect. but blackpool spent £33,000 insulating - tenants. perfect. but blackpool. spent £33,000 insulating gene's one—bedroom flat. m072? spent £33,000 insulating gene's one-bedroom flat.— one-bedroom flat. now it feels absolutely _ one-bedroom flat. now it feels absolutely brilliant. _ one-bedroom flat. now it feels absolutely brilliant. if - one-bedroom flat. now it feels absolutely brilliant. if you - one-bedroom flat. now it feelsj absolutely brilliant. if you don't need _ absolutely brilliant. if you don't need to — absolutely brilliant. if you don't need to go out, you can stop then. the council— need to go out, you can stop then. the council reckons it would cost £125 million to bring all blackpool�*s social housing up to the

standard, and remember, jean is the one who benefits from lower energy bills, not the council! fin one who benefits from lower energy bills, not the council!— bills, not the council! on scale, to net stuff bills, not the council! on scale, to get stuff to _ bills, not the council! on scale, to get stuff to be _ bills, not the council! on scale, to get stuff to be carbon _ bills, not the council! on scale, to get stuff to be carbon neutral, - get stuff to be carbon neutral, there is a big bill and we would need support. any housing provider need support. any housing provider need support. any housing provider need support. you need support. any housing provider need sopport-_ need support. you mean the government _ need support. you mean the government is _ need support. you mean the government is to _ need support. you mean the government is to give - need support. you mean the government is to give you i need support. you mean the - government is to give you cash? yeah, there needs to be granted to make it happen, scale.— yeah, there needs to be granted to make it happen, scale. when you ask wh so few make it happen, scale. when you ask why so few homes _ make it happen, scale. when you ask why so few homes in _ make it happen, scale. when you ask why so few homes in britain - make it happen, scale. when you ask why so few homes in britain are - make it happen, scale. when you ask why so few homes in britain are well| why so few homes in britain are well ventilated, here is the answer. worked like this isjust ventilated, here is the answer. worked like this is just so expensive. last year the government scrapped its 1.5 billion green homes grant scheme, and as yet, there is no replacement. so while those on the lowest incomes to get help, there is very little assistance for everyone else to insulate their homes. joining me now is danielle belton, director of saving energy ltd.

thank you very much forjoining us. we were reporting last week, of course, that people are going to see their energy bills rise when the price cap goes up in april. what difference is that made to the number of people who are contacting you for help?— you for help? well, the phones have been inundated _ you for help? well, the phones have been inundated with _ you for help? well, the phones have been inundated with people - you for help? well, the phones have been inundated with people looking | been inundated with people looking for advice and information on what they can do to really help them reduce the impact at that price increases going to have. it is unprecedented how many calls we have received over the last few weeks. where do you start giving someone advice? what is the most obvious thing they should do? his advice? what is the most obvious thing they should do?— advice? what is the most obvious thing they should do? as stated in that video. — thing they should do? as stated in that video, insulation _ thing they should do? as stated in that video, insulation is _ thing they should do? as stated in that video, insulation is the - thing they should do? as stated in that video, insulation is the key i that video, insulation is the key thing, insulating the home is essentially wearing a coat and a woolly hat, the same as when we go out in the cold. it is so important to go for a fabric first approach. whilst some insulation is expensive,

there are others that are relatively low—cost, loft insulation being the main one. it's the cheapest measure to install, the quickest and argue bay has one of the biggest impacts immediately, so there are certainly things people can do that are affordable to make a huge difference. has affordable to make a huge difference.— affordable to make a huge difference. a , difference. as you say, some people could probably _ difference. as you say, some people could probably do _ difference. as you say, some people could probably do it _ difference. as you say, some people could probably do it themselves - difference. as you say, some people could probably do it themselves or. could probably do it themselves or with not much help. there are some very expensive options that may be off—putting to some people, but if you are going for the full works, belt and braces, what else would you suggest? belt and braces, what else would you su~est? �* , belt and braces, what else would you su~est? ~ , i, suggest? absolutely, the solid wall insulation suggest? absolutely, the solid wall insulation is — suggest? absolutely, the solid wall insulation is the _ suggest? absolutely, the solid wall insulation is the main _ suggest? absolutely, the solid wall insulation is the main driver- suggest? absolutely, the solid wall insulation is the main driver for - suggest? absolutely, the solid wall insulation is the main driver for a i insulation is the main driverfor a lot of our properties in the uk because the properties are solid brick construction. that's the expensive one but makes a huge difference. once you've got that fabric first approach, that's when you look at the renewables, the better heating, the innovative products. there is no point in putting solar panels on your roof if your property is leaking energy through the walls and the roof,

essentially. the same with air sauce, ground source, is absolutely essential your property is insulated first, to maximise any potential savings you could make.- first, to maximise any potential savings you could make. what sort of hel is savings you could make. what sort of help is therefore _ savings you could make. what sort of help is therefore people _ savings you could make. what sort of help is therefore people that - help is therefore people that arguably, the people who really need this help, to keep their homes warm are those who are in your property? can they afford to put these in place themselves spice for can they afford to put these in place themselves spice for people in fuel poverty. — place themselves spice for people in fuel poverty, there _ place themselves spice for people in fuel poverty, there has _ place themselves spice for people in fuel poverty, there has always - place themselves spice for people in fuel poverty, there has always been | fuel poverty, there has always been grants available and hopefully there always will be. right now housing associations and councils can apply for funding. associations and councils can apply forfunding. there is also associations and councils can apply for funding. there is also funding that homeowners can apply for, and one of the biggest problems is that people just don't know that funding is out there for them and it's down to companies like mine to really promote them, but that is quite isolated because we only promote in the areas that we work, so it becomes quite postcode orientated. there are fans out there, there are

ways to get subsidised or free of charge insulation measures, it's just about knowing where to look for them. i, i , , i, i, them. how much better insulated our newer homes — them. how much better insulated our newer homes in _ them. how much better insulated our newer homes in your— them. how much better insulated our newer homes in your view? _ them. how much better insulated our newer homes in your view? well, - them. how much better insulated our newer homes in your view? well, it's| newer homes in your view? well, it's a challenging — newer homes in your view? well, it's a challenging question, _ newer homes in your view? well, it's a challenging question, because - newer homes in your view? well, it's a challenging question, because on i a challenging question, because on paper they should be much better, these standards, the building regs are much higher in your properties, but it all comes down to the way and who constructs them, essentially. i think management of that is absolutely vital and policing of that. it is not unusual for us to attend a property that is ten or 15 years old that should be incited to a high standard, but is not. —— insulated to a high standard. they should have a much higher epc rating on paper. should have a much higher epc rating on --aer. i. ~' should have a much higher epc rating on --aer. i. ~ , i, should have a much higher epc rating on --aer. i. ~ , should have a much higher epc rating on --aer. i. ~' , i i, on paper. thank you very much for talkin: to on paper. thank you very much for talking to us- _ let's go back to our top story, and former conservative prime minister sirjohn major has said borisjohnson and his officials

"broke lockdown laws" over parties held in downing street. mrjohnson, who is coming under pressure to quit, said today he was looking forward to police concluding their inquiry into 12 gatherings in downing street and whitehall. earlier i spoke to the former chairman of the committee on standards in public life, siralistair graham — and asked his reaction, to what sirjohn major had to say. it was a very wide—ranging speech from everything about democracy to refugees to the police and new pieces of legislation. what i thought was interesting on the party gate issue was his reference to what other cabinet ministers would have done if the allegations against the prime minister referred, margaret thatcher, alsojohn major, the very key heavyweight political figures

would have immediately intervened with the prime minister to stop this happening. an implication there that perhaps we haven't got the strong enough political figures perhaps we haven't got the strong enough politicalfigures in our cabinet these days to impose some restraint on the prime minister's activities. i thought that was quite activities. i thought that was quite a powerful point, we should ask ourselves whether the cabinet is sufficiently peopled with political figures of sufficient authority to restrain the prime minister. mani; restrain the prime minister. many secial restrain the prime minister. many special advisers, _ restrain the prime minister. many special advisers, we _ restrain the prime minister. many special advisers, we are _ restrain the prime minister. many special advisers, we are hearing, which sirjohn that was a bad idea, not that all of them could be doing anything particularly useful. and as you say, we all need a critical friend. this is a conservative talking about the current conservative government, amongst that wider issue of democracy. what

amongst the things this government have done of late has caused you concern? ~ , i, , concern? well, my worry with the prime minister _ concern? well, my worry with the prime minister is _ concern? well, my worry with the prime minister is that _ concern? well, my worry with the prime minister is that he - concern? well, my worry with the prime minister is that he does - concern? well, my worry with the i prime minister is that he does seem to have breached the ministerial code. in that the evidence seems to be pretty strong that he knowingly misled parliament about the parties in 10 downing street. because he came later to apologise for having attended a party, yet he has not resigned. and conservative members of parliament don't seem to have plucked up the courage to have forced a new election for a new leader of the conservative party, and therefore a new prime minister. so that really does worry me. i was worried about what was, i think, a

breach of one of the seven principles of public life, in terms of the refurbishment of parliament, because the first principle is about putting the public interest before the private interest. and here, of course, we know the electoral commission had to find the conservative party for not properly declaring donation that had been made —— fine. and from the whatsapp messages we saw that the prime minister had been in discussion with a donor about the refurbishment of the flat, so is the lack of integrity, declining authority the prime minister, and what looks like knowingly misled parliament about a particular situation... 5h knowingly misled parliament about a particular situation. . .— particular situation... sirjohn was reluctant to _ particular situation... sirjohn was reluctant to be _ particular situation... sirjohn was reluctant to be drawn _ particular situation... sirjohn was reluctant to be drawn on - particular situation... sirjohn was reluctant to be drawn on that, - reluctant to be drawn on that, waiting for the met police to reveal

what they found us up if you cannot force a government to implement change in tidy house, is it down to the electorate finally to vote for a different party, just briefly? it is different party, 'ust briefly? it is down to the — different party, just briefly? it 3 down to the electorate, but unfortunately they may have to wait one or two years before they are given an opportunity, and therefore i think we can ask the conservative members of parliament to take personal responsibility for deciding whether the current leader of the conservative party has breached the ministerial code, has broken regulations that were in place at the time, and behaved in a way that is undermining the standing of the government and the standing of the conservative party, as all the recent opinion polls are now

showing. a reminder that clarence house has said prince charles has tested positive for culver. he was meant to be visiting winchester today but has had to postpone that visit sadly —— tested positive for covid. he was at the british museum last night, seen there with the duchess of cornwall, meeting government ministers, got the result back this morning saying he had tested positive, had had covid—19 at the beginning of the pandemic in march 2020 and at the time said he thought he got away quite lightly, so we don't know whether he is symptomatic, not feeling very well at the moment, but we have been told he has tested positive. it's been 20 years since wayne rooney took football by storm as a 16 year old at everton.

an amazing career as both manchester united and england's record goal scorer, followed. but, off the pitch, mental health issues and booze took their toll, and at points led him to fear for his life. wayne rooney's been talking to sally nugent. wayne, the film is really very, very honest. why did you decide to do it and why now? i just felt it was an opportunity for people to see me, to see the real me. the good moments, the bad moments, which, of course, have been there as well, and then for people to judge me on knowing a bit more about me, which i feel is more fair. we've always grew up quicker than what we were meant to, really, ithink. coleen is such a big part of the film. you met as children, were married very,

very young, and what comes across in the whole of the film is that you have this tremendous partnership. how important has she been in the last 20 years? we have a good relationship, and we're friends, obviously, as well. and there is a good balance to the relationship, especially now, into how we are as parents with the four children. and there's been difficult moments we've had, of course, which has obviously come through me and the mistakes i've made and i speak about that in the documentary as well. you're both very, very honest about the dark times, about times you were unfaithful in your marriage. did you have to fight to save your relationship with coleen? yeah, of course. and i think the easy thing for me to do wasjust give up and give up on everything, really. but you get to a point, and i was struggling, i was really struggling,

i was in a bad place. and i knew i had to change, i knew i had to get through that struggle, really, and fight, fight for my marriage, fight for my career. i forgive him. but, yeah, but it wasn't acceptable. but no, it's not something that, you know, if it comes up, we talk about it like we're talking about it now. i haven't got the anger that i did at the time. coleen knows there's been influences, in terms of, why i've made mistakes, in terms of... i don't mean people, i mean alcohol. there is a really interesting moment when you say this, you say, "i could sit at home and have a glass of red wine but no good would come of that". what do you mean by that? yeah, because i knew if i have one glass of wine,

it leads to two, three, four, and then, that's when i know that once that happens, no good can come from that. i think about the dressing rooms that you've been in, particularly that manchester united dressing room. was there never a time when anyone put their arm around you and said, "i can help"? no. 10—15 years ago, you couldn't, i couldn't go into the dressing room and say "i'm struggling, i'm struggling with alcohol, i'm struggling mental health—wise". i couldn't do that. and when you say you were struggling, what was the darkest time? what was your fear at that point? probably death. i think, you know, as i said before, you make mistakes, which i did, and that could have been girls, it could have been drink—driving which i have done, it could have been killing someone. you could kill yourself. and that's a bad place to be. so i knew i needed help, i knew i had to get that help,

in order to save myself, but also to save my family. rooney. oh, brilliant goal! coming on for that first game for everton, you really are just a child, aren't you? what would you say to that boy now? you're not prepared. i always thought i was prepared for the football, to play, and i felt i was good enough obviously to play. but for everything else around it, i was nowhere near prepared. rememberthe name! wayne rooney! and what do you regret the most? a lot. i think there's a lot. but i also think that sometimes when things happen that you've got to learn from it. wayne, thanks very much indeed. thank you. and you can watch �*rooney�*, the documentary on prime video from tomorrow.

time for a look at the weather. much of the south of the uk will be drier today with some sunshine, one or two showers around. further north in a different story, will be with rain, sleet, snow and even gales or severe gales at times because of this pilton area of low pressure moving across the north of the uk, this is the weather front that brought the cloud and rain to southern areas during the opening period. a lot of dry weatherfor england during the opening period. a lot of dry weather for england and wales, just a few showers pushing into north—western areas. for northern ireland, for north of england and scotland is very windy through the afternoon period with sleet and snow, critically on the hills were in the sorts of winds it will be drifting and also blustery conditions. the blustery day further south. temperature wise, on the cool site, but when you factor in the wind on the north, colder than those temperature suggest. rain, sleet, snow and severe gales clear with me since colin, north—east england to the evening, overnight, clearskies and lighter winds, will turn much

colderfor and lighter winds, will turn much colder for all. and lighter winds, will turn much colderfor all. the and lighter winds, will turn much colder for all. the widespread frost, even a hard cross across central and northern parts of the country. there will be a few want showers across western scotland to start friday, otherwise for most it's a lovely, dry, cold, bright, crisp day. plenty of sunshine into the afternoon. after the co—star, it will be a chilly day with temperatures of 4—8 . that area of high pressure is very short lives, low pressure takes over as we head into the start of the week, lots of isobars on the charts, going to turn window for all, and these weather fronts bringing outbreaks of rain, heavy rain and western hills. south—eastern quadrants of the country staying driest and brightest the longest, by the end of the day we will start to see some rain. temperature slowly recovering, highs of 9-10 temperature slowly recovering, highs of 9—10 across southern and western areas. through saturday night returns a little drier, a few showers around but for sunday, we

got another area of low pressure sweeping in from the south—west. we start with variable cloud, some sunshine, one or two showers, then it starts to turn white turn windier across wales, midlands, southern england to the day. some of the rain will be heavy and persistent, will turn milder in the south, further north jelly with sunshine and showers.

invasion of ukraine. as russia begins new military exercises in the region, the prime minister says this is the biggest security crisis europe has faced for decades. the stakes are very high and this is a very dangerous moment. and at stake are the rules that protect every nation — every nation — big and small. and the foreign secretary is in moscow, where she's been telling the russian government it must pull back its troops if it's serious about diplomacy. we'll be reporting from moscow, kyiv and westminster. meanwhile, at home borisjohnson under new pressure over alleged