this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world: the uk's most senior police officer quits. dame cressida dick said she'd been left with "no choice" but to step down as metropolitan police commissioner. it is quite clear that the mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership of the metropolitan police service for me to continue as commissioner. president biden tells american citizens remaining in ukraine to leave, saying he would not send troops to evacuate them should russia invade. it's one of the largest armies in the world. it's a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly. the uk economy rebounds with 7.5% growth last year

canadian truckers block more border crossings to the us in protest against vaccine mandates. and facing bushfires and disease, the koala is listed as endangered across most of the australian east coast. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. here in the uk, the search is on for britain's top police officer after after the sudden resignation of the metropolitan police commissioner, dame cressida dick, last night. she said she'd been left with "no choice" because the mayor of london, sadiq khan, had lost confidence in her ability to tackle failings within the force. she said she was stepping down "with deep sadness and regret".

for his part, the mayor said he was "not satisfied" with dame cressida's response to the scale of change required to "root out" racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying and misogyny in the met. dame cressida has been the uk's most senior police officer for five years — and was the first woman to hold the job. but she'd been criticised for failing to deal with problems within the force as well as presiding over a string of controversies and scandals, including the murder of sarah everard by a serving officer. our correspondent, james reynolds, has this report. the commissioner and the mayor once headed in the same direction, but they have now come to a sudden stop. following contact with the mayor of london today, it is quite clear that the mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership of the metropolitan police service for me to continue as commissioner. he has left me no choice but to step aside.

it is clear that the only way to start to deliver the scale of the change required is to have new leadership right at the top of the metropolitan police. cressida dick has endured a turbulent year. in march 2021, a serving police officer, wayne couzens, used his police powers to kidnap sarah everard from a london street and then rape and murder her. the commissioner's officers broke up a vigil in sarah everard's memory. that event's organisers are glad to see her go. good riddance, but this is where the work begins. just getting rid of cressida dick does not make it a clean slate. there is years and years of systemic racism, sexism, homophobia, and we need someone to come in who is going to recognise that and do the reform. in december, two officers who guarded a murder scene were sentenced to prison terms for sending abusive messages. and then earlier this month, a report revealed that officers

at charing cross police station had shared a racist and misogynistic messages. the mayor believed that the commissionerjust did not get the scale of the problem. but the commissioner's allies disagree. "we feel the way she has been treated is wholly unfair," says the chairman of the metropolitan police federation, ken marsh, "and we did believe that she was the person who could take us through this and brings out the other side." one of cressida dick's most immediate tasks remains unfinished. her officers have yet to complete their inquiry into parties held in downing street during lockdown. and so the met investigates the government as the government picks a new met commissioner. james reynolds, bbc news. here with me now is abimbola johnson, chair of the independent scrutiny and oversight board for the police plan of action

on inclusion and race. what is your take on cressida dick's sudden resignation last night. in the morning she said she would stay on and she was gone in a few hours later. is that the right decision? the motivation behind the change of guard is what is key and it is the fact that sadiq khan laid down the gauntlet and said the scale of reform he needed to see was his priority and he did not have the trust and confidence that she would be the person to lead that. it is a metric which the new commissioner will need to be measured by. we have been talking — will need to be measured by. we have been talking to _ will need to be measured by. we have been talking to some _ will need to be measured by. we have been talking to some people, - will need to be measured by. we have been talking to some people, the - been talking to some people, the chair of the metropolitan police federation who represents police officers who said she was loved by rank and file officers and had me changes and brought more women into

the police force, ethnic minority officers as well.— the police force, ethnic minority officers as well. that may be the case but that _ officers as well. that may be the case but that has _ officers as well. that may be the case but that has to _ officers as well. that may be the case but that has to be - officers as well. that may be the case but that has to be balanced | case but that has to be balanced against the case that the police are there to serve the public and when you look at the service which have come out recently in relation to the views of people from racial minority backgrounds and if they have the view that the metropolitan police is providing the service required. clearly, the message is that it is inadequate and things need to change. inadequate and things need to chance. , ., , ., change. the question is can one erson change. the question is can one person bring _ change. the question is can one person bring about _ change. the question is can one person bring about all _ change. the question is can one person bring about all that - change. the question is can one - person bring about all that change? it is a huge institution and organisation requiring huge cultural change. how hard is thatjob for whoever takes over from cressida dick? it whoever takes over from cressida dick? , , , . dick? it will be very difficult. when we _ dick? it will be very difficult. when we look _ dick? it will be very difficult. when we look at _ dick? it will be very difficult. when we look at the - dick? it will be very difficult. when we look at the media | dick? it will be very difficult. - when we look at the media reports on policing, in 1981, the macpherson report in 1999, the update last

year, the themes have remained consistent. there needs to be a radical change within the internal culture of policing and also in relation to how the police interact with the public. that wider than cressida dick. that came long before her tenure. cressida dick. that came long before hertenure. it cressida dick. that came long before her tenure. it is a symbolism in the change in the metropolitan commissioner and at the same time, even with the most radical person in that position, without having the trust and the engagement amongst the rank and file, we are not going to see any change. it is concerning, i think, to hear that there has been an impetus to transform the leadership in the metropolitan police but the message from within the metropolitan police is that they are loyal to cressida dick without the self reflection that the public want to hear at this point, which is around the factors that led to the lack of confidence that the mayor has expressed an pointing to the tangible things they are going to do

and their dedication to moving towards that over the next few years. that is what people want to see. ., , years. that is what people want to see. . , ., ., ., see. there have been a lot of criticisms _ see. there have been a lot of criticisms of _ see. there have been a lot of criticisms of the _ see. there have been a lot ofi criticisms of the metropolitan police, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, racism, bya minority police, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, racism, by a minority of officers, who do you think would be best to tackle all of that? do you think it is an outsider? someone running anotherforce in think it is an outsider? someone running another force in the think it is an outsider? someone running anotherforce in the uk or somebody who knows the metropolitan police and is from inside the metropolitan police?- police and is from inside the metropolitan police? even the outsiders who _ metropolitan police? even the outsiders who are _ metropolitan police? even the outsiders who are technically l metropolitan police? even the - outsiders who are technically chief constables or former chief constables or former chief constables or former chief constables or people have have been deputy assistant commissioners, when you look at their history, they have been senior leaders within the metropolitan police, it is the largest police force in england and wales, it is a training ground for future officers, it leads the way, the public look to it to lead the way on of these points. in some

ways, it is a false conversation. whoever steps into cressida dick's shoes is someone who has served in the metropolitan police in their career. what we will be looking for, those pushing for reform, a history of speaking truth to power, bring people to the table, can show that they have been at the forefront of these matters not only when it mattered to their career progression, but at points when those types of conversations have not been popular, they have been able to steer the conversation towards this. it is going to take someone who has an engaging informed personality to bring the right people to those discussions and towards the commitment for change. thank you very much for your reflections. the uk defence secretary, ben wallace, will meet his russian counterpart in moscow later as part of diplomatic efforts to lower tensions

on ukraine's border. russia denies that it's planning to invade ukraine, despite the huge build—up of more than a hundred thousand troops in the region. meanwhile president biden has told all american citizens still in ukraine to leave immediately, because — in his words — things could soon go �*crazy�* there. that's a world war when americans and russians start shooting at each other. we are in a very different world than we have ever been in. not even on behalf of simply evacuating americans? no. how do you do that? how do you even find them? this is not like i'm hoping that in fact he is foolish enough to go in. he's smart enough in fact to not do anything that would negatively impact on american citizens. what i have asked is, american citizens should leave, should leave now. we are dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. this is a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly.

yesterday, uk foreign secretary liz truss held a frosty news conference with her russian counterpart. earlier i asked our moscow correspondent, caroline davies, if ben wallace was hoping to find more common ground in today's talks. yes, a relatively frosty meeting between the liz truss and sergei lavrov in russia. we knew it was going to be a relatively difficult meeting because liz truss, before her visit she had emphasised she was going to be discussing sanctions and what would happen to russia if they decided to take further action in ukraine. the initial response to that by sergie lavrov in his opening remarks was russia would not respond to threats and ultimatums. it was not really a great starting point in terms of discussion at least and in the following press conference it sounded like they had not necessarily managed to make a huge amount of common ground. sergei lavrov said

that the conversation with liz truss was like a mute person speaking to a deaf person, they were listening but not hearing one another. she said in response she would not mute in the course of her conversation that she was putting the uk point of view forward. russia consistently says it is not planning to invade, it has no desire for aggression towards ukraine, but from the uk point of view and as the foreign secretary said yesterday, that is something they do not believe given the troop build—up on the russian side of the ukrainian border. in terms of what ben wallace, the defence secretary is walking into today, the first meeting of the defence secretary in moscow for official business for 20 years, this is not necessarily the easiest conversation to be having. he is probably likely to be bringing up talks of sanctions again, so difficult ground for ben wallace as he arrives in moscow. we have seen in the last few

days and weeks all sorts of diplomatic initiatives, emmanuel macron, talking to mr putin and so on, is it making any progress in inverting an invasion? ultimately the russians want a guarantee that ukraine will not be part of nato. is there any room for compromise? those are the big questions. in the broadest sense, has there been any solution, there has not been a resolution about that, no de—escalation on either side. the us, the uk are sending more troops to shore up nato's eastern flank, and we know that they are accusing russia of continuing to build up troops on the russian side. in terms of de—escalation we have not seen that. at the beginning of the week, the french president was optimistic, thought there was space to do a deal with russia, but that has not happened.

it is interesting to hear in the newspapers in russia how the visit yesterday was being received. one of the tabloid newspapers wrote an editorial about it and suggested that it was possible to speak to the americans, the germans, the french, even to the ukrainians but it was very difficult to speak to the british because they were more argumentative and it was difficult to have those conversations at their minds are already made up. not much diplomatically, in the eyes of this commentator. the key point is what is there space to negotiate on given that russia has consistently said it wants to have a cast—iron guarantee that nato will not expand and that ukraine will not be able to join nato, and the us have been emphatic that that is not something that is on the table. the big question is if there is room for negotiation, another way in diplomatic circles they can off

ramp this situation. at the moment there is no resolution on that front and we do not know where these negotiations might go. the headlines on bbc news: the uk's most senior police officer quits. dame cressida dick said she'd been left with "no choice" but to step down as metropolitan police commissioner. president biden tells american citizens remaining in ukraine to leave, saying he would not send troops to evacuate them should russia invade. official estimates released this morning show the uk economy grew by 7.5 percent last year, despite a slight dip in december caused by the omicron variant of coronavirus.

last year's rebound came after a nine point four percent collapse in 2020, as the covid pandemic spread and lockdown rules were imposed. the chancellor rishi sunak has welcomed the data: well, today's figures show that, despite omicron, the economy was remarkably resilient. we were the fastest—growing economy in the g7 last year and are forecast to continue being the fastest growing economy this year. so that shows that our plans for the economy are working. but i know people are worried about rising prices, particularly energy bills, and although these are global challenges, where we can make a difference, of course we are going to act and that's why last week we announced a significant package of support to help millions of families meet those rising bills. our business presenter nina warhurst has spent the morning in nottinghamshire getting reaction from local businesses gdp is the value of everything we make and do collectively. that figure of 7.5%

growth in 2021, well, it is bigger than economists expected. so if you picture economic growth through history, sort of like that, slow and steady. there was that big dip in 2020 and then a big recovery and then another dip at the beginning of 2021, coming back almost now at the point where we were pre—pandemic. they are big numbers to get your head around for the overall economy but it is all about how it impacts us at home. let's have a look and a chat to jonathan. can ijust grab you for a minute? he's an apprentice here. you are living at home at the moment, when you are looking to the year ahead what is the biggest thing on your mind when it comes to finances? i'd say my car insurance because my car insurance is really expensive at the moment. i reckon that obviously that is because of covid. i'm paying quite a lot for a 1.2 litre car so, yeah, that my biggest concern. and when you think about moving out from your parents' home, saving for a house, how do you feel about that? it's kind of scary because nowadays my parents are talking about saving 10,000 to put a deposit on a house,

so me thinking ahead is kind of scary, especially at my age, you know, earning what i am. thank you, jonathan. and that's what lots of households are feeling. yes, the economy has grown but at home, because of inflation, things are feeling a lot tighter. let's have a chat with someone who runs a small business. very nice to see you this morning. you ran a restaurant throughout the pandemic. back in 2020, massive contraction i would imagine. what was 2021 like in terms of growth? well, it started off dark with the winter lock down, so we were forced to just be taking a third of our average weekly turnover. but throughout the year it got easier. a lot of support from the government and by the end, although we have ropey weeks, it is looking a lot more positive. when you are looking ahead to 2022, are you concerned that consumers, that people that come into your restaurant, will have less to spend as their heating bill goes up, their food costs, their transport bills go up? yeah, we are seeing that.

we seem to have a very busy weekends but the rest of the week is really quiet, so we are prioritising going out once a week on a saturday instead ofjust going out a few times a week. so it is almost like those little treats in the weekjave had to be compromised. thank you. and let's talk to nina, who is a professional number cruncher. were you surprised this morning when you heard that growth in 2021 was 7.5%? it was higher, wasn't it, most economists predicted? it was higher because of expectations. it was broadly in line with what we were expecting. i think the message, the overall message of the gdp is that the uk economy started the new year in a slightly stronger position than would have been expected. i think the big question is now what does 2022 hold? what does 2022 hold? because talking to people here on the factory floor, they are really worried that their wages are not keeping up with price increases. and i'm sure that's a valid concern. i think a lot of workers across all sorts of industries are having that

question. so as you just mentioned, we had the highest growth since i believe the early 1940s in 2021. now that coupled up with a big drop in the size of the labour force. they still have about a million workers missing who have either dropped out of the workforce, they could have moved out of the uk, so there is a lot of pressure on wages, which is feeding into the high levels of inflation, along with the higher energy prices and higher input prices overall. so all of that is contributing to a higher price level and a lot of people are wondering just how high of a raise they would need this yearjust to keep up. and the predictions are dated get as high as 7%, even higher, so a national growth would be 5%, they revised it down to 3.75%. there was good news from 2021, higher growth than expected, a tricky year ahead for most households where their

wages will not be keeping up with price increases. in the past hour it's been announced spain will allow in unvaccinated uk teenagers from monday. spain's secretary of state for tourism told the bbc that 12—17 year olds from the uk who haven't been vaccinated against covid will be allowed in from next week if they present a negative pcr test taken within 72 hours on arrival into the country. this is the press release from the spanish tourist office. these are the new rules for the arrival in the whole of spain including the balearic islands and the canary islands. they are committed to making travel to spain a safe and easy experience for our visitors

especially families travelling with children. up to now, british families were cancelling their holidays to spain because children over the age of 12 needed to be double vaccinated. that has now been dropped. that is the latest from the spanish tourist office. australia will reopen its borders for the first time in almost two years on february 21st. vaccinated tourists and other visa holders will be able to travel to the country as prime minister scott morrison eases some of the strictest border controls seen throughout the pandemic. let's talk to philippa harrison, global managing director of tourism australia. you must be delighted. we are so excited to be _ you must be delighted. we are so excited to be welcoming - you must be delighted. we are so| excited to be welcoming travellers back after two long years. tourism is an important part of our visitor economy and we have really been missing our international visitors. it is a big day for us, ten days' time and we are counting. and?

australia has become a hermit kingdom over the last couple of years. we have been managing the pandemic in the way that, you know, i guess, got a lot of commentary around the world. we are in a great spot now. the country has... it is opening up, we are ready to welcome visitors and our old icons are still there, they had been polished, and evenif there, they had been polished, and even if you have been to australia ten times there are still new things to discover when you come back. it is a very big country. how much damage have these two years done to the australian tourist industry and presumably there are essences that have gone out of business because of this? ., , ., ., ., , ., this? that is a good question, tourism is _ this? that is a good question, tourism is so _ this? that is a good question, tourism is so important - this? that is a good question, tourism is so important in - tourism is so important in australia. it employs one in 13 australians, a big employer, we have had the most challenging time as an

industry over the last two years. domestic tourism has really picked up. we have focused our efforts on getting australians to travel around the country —like international travel is used do. we have kept going and over this time we have not only kept going but we have been working on new products and new experiences. we are in good shape, we are resilient, but we need our international visitors back now. this is the announcement, we have just heard it, how long will it take to really get people back in big numbers or the numbers that you saw pre—pandemic? brute numbers or the numbers that you saw rare-pandemic?— numbers or the numbers that you saw pre-pandemic? we have been looking at how other — pre-pandemic? we have been looking at how other markets _ pre-pandemic? we have been looking at how other markets around - pre-pandemic? we have been looking at how other markets around the - at how other markets around the world have opened up and theyjump back to 50% of their pre—pandemic business quite quickly. we are expecting that as well but it will be interesting how you get the second 50%. there is no doubt that people are being very considerate

about how the travel going forward. we think we will get back, it will take a couple of years but we are confident we will get back and thrive because over this period, we have kept an eye on consumer sentiment, there is demand for australia out there, ourjob is to get out there and converted. it is a very beautiful— get out there and converted. it is a very beautiful country. _ get out there and converted. it is a very beautiful country. thank - get out there and converted. it is a very beautiful country. thank you l very beautiful country. thank you very beautiful country. thank you very much. now to canada, where the chaos caused by the protests by lorry drivers is spreading. us—canada border points have been affected, including the ambassador bridge, one of the most important trade corridors between the two countries. samira hussain has the latest. horns blare. for yet another day, lorry drivers furious at vaccine mandates and covid restrictions have blocked the busiest land crossing in north america. itjust keeps going on and on.

the economic impact could be serious. a quarter of all trade between canada and the united states happens here, or it did until angry truckers decided to intervene. we want freedom. there should be a choice in this country where the... they can't force something new. many people have lost jobs with these lockdowns, and now with these mandates. the protests have forced two of the world's largest car makers to suspend operations, a financial burden that has caught the attention of the white house. i think it's important for everyone in canada and the united states to understand that the impact of this blockage is a potential impact on workers, on the supply chain, and _ that is where we are most focused. it's the focus for local businesses in ottawa, where the original trucker protest continues to upset daily life and commerce. but for the police force, attention has turned to the impending confrontation. on wednesday, they started warning the truckers they would be arrested and forcibly removed if they don't leave on their own.

the response to that threat could dramatically change the carnival atmosphere which has prevailed, all of which seems strange in a country and political system once renowned for its good manners. if canada's protesters can be removed from the roads, then businesses will likely bounce back. and as covid is starting to recede, so are some of those restrictions. but the anger that it has provoked may not be easily dispersed. samira hussain, bbc news, ottawa. meanwhile, france and belgium have promised tough action to prevent planned protests this weekend, along the lines of those in canada. motorists intending to block roads into the french capital to show their anger about coronavirus restrictions have been threatened with fines and jail terms. a fifteen—year—old russian skater at the centre of an olympic doping controversy faces a fight to stay at the winter games in beijing. it's now been confirmed that

kamila valieva tested positive for a banned substance before the games started. the kremlin says it fully supports the teenager. here is the latest. after days of intense media speculation, the international testing agency has now confirmed what we and many other media outlets understood to be the case, which is that the 15—year—old prodigy from russia, kamila valieva tested positive for a banned substance. in a lengthy statement, they revealed that kamila valieva had been drugs tested on christmas day when she was competing at the russian figure skating championships. now, that result hadn't come out. so she was able to compete here in beijing where on monday, she made olympic history, landing two quadruplejumps to help the russian olympic committee win figure skating team gold. now, on tuesday, those medals were meant to be handed out, but they weren't and that is because, on that same day, the swedish

laboratory that was analysing her sample revealed that that sample had tested positive for a banned substance. that meant that kamila valieva was provisionally suspended by the russian anti—doping authorities. then on wednesday, kamila valieva successfully challenged that provisional suspension. but now we know that the international olympic committee and the international skating union are appealing that decision to the court of arbitration for sport, and they are requesting they reimpose that provisional suspension. kamila valieva is the favourite for gold in the women's singles event which begins on tuesday which means this whole process needs to be expedited. we have heard that the russian olympic committee says it is taking comprehensive measures to keep what it described as an honestly—won olympic gold. but, again, another doping controversy here at the olympics engulfing russia.

that is laura scott reporting from beijing. the headlines on bbc news... the uk's most senior police officer quits. dame cressida dick said she'd been left with no choice but to step down as metropolitan police commissioner. president biden tells american citizens remaining in ukraine to leave, saying he would not send troops to evacuate them should russia invade. the uk economy rebounds with 7.5% growth last year. spain relaxes covid restrictions for unvaccinated teenagers from the uk. canadian truckers block more border crossings to the us in protest against vaccine mandates. more now on our top story, as the search begins to replace britain's top police officer. dame cressida dick announced last night that she'll stand down as metropolitan police commissioner, after the mayor of london sadiq khan said he had lost confidence in her ability to tackle failings in the force.

former deputy assistant commissioner at the metropolitan police, stephen roberts, says dame cressida dick made big improvements at the force and shouldn't have gone from the top job. i think it was a very sad end to somebody who has given a0 years of very distinguished police service to the public of london and indeed to the public of the country. her departure will make, or will not make, the world a safer place. it will destabilise the met and frankly she has been dealt with in a very unprofessional, rude fashion. and in reality, cressida's career exemplifies the culture change that has been going on in the met for many, many years. we are at a stage now where we have more women chief officers, more women superintendents, more ethnic minority officers in all ranks and where the force is headed up by a woman,

who has herself suffered undoubtedly from misogyny, from homophobia. and yet, this is the stage at which her career is put rudely to an end. joining me now is danny shaw, former bbc home affairs correspondent and now policing and crime commentator. danny, very good to talk to you. the metropolitan police commissioner has a national role as well as running the metropolitan police, national security and preventing terrorism. but in the end, was it this sort of clash between cressida dick and the mayor of london that read to her —— might lead to her resignation? yes. might lead to her resignation? yes, it was absolutely _ might lead to her resignation? yes, it was absolutely clear _ might lead to her resignation? yes it was absolutely clear that siddique khan no longer have confidence in her ability to do the job and when she loses the confidence of one of her two bosses

who are in effect the mayor of london and the home secretary, her position was untenable and that's why she went. the puzzle for me is why she went. the puzzle for me is why this decision was not made by them at one last summer —— sadiq khan he could have said then i don't have confidence with you. what is change in the last five months is simply the charing cross report or is the little temperature slightly different? the public mood slightly different? the public mood slightly different? ijust wonder. there is clearly a political element to this decision, there is no doubt about that. sadiq khan made the decision, he wrong—footed the home secretary. he has perhaps going to political points in appearing to be decisive and strong so there is a political element to it. but i think in the end cressida's time had probably

come. i think the slew of scandals and failures and problems that had enveloped the force was simply too much for her to handle and she had become the story. and when that an happens it is very difficult to continue. happens it is very difficult to continue-— happens it is very difficult to continue. �* ., . ., continue. and the sort of central char: e continue. and the sort of central charge against — continue. and the sort of central charge against her— continue. and the sort of central charge against her is _ continue. and the sort of central charge against her is that - continue. and the sort of central charge against her is that she i charge against her is that she hasn't done enough to root out what is seen as a culture of racism and misogyny, sexism, homophobia, exemplified, you mention, that charing cross report where police officers at charing cross in london were found to have been exchanging those sort of messages. routing all of that out, it is a huge job for anyone who takes over from her. of course. but what it requires is first of all an acceptance that there is a problem and i think cressida dick's problem was that she didn't really acknowledge that. she saw it either as isolated incidents or pockets of misbehaviour, rather

than a deep—seated cultural problem. and in fact, she knew that there was a problem in there when she came into the role in 2017 because there had been a number of failings and reports before that. but i don't think she really wanted to turn over the stone at the met because she loves the organisation, she respects the officers and staff, she has got great admiration for what they do and ijust think great admiration for what they do and i just think there was a reluctance there to really look underneath because of perhaps what she would find. and also, because part of her mission was to boost morale, was to talk up the officers. because they felt that hadn't happened for some years and she was very good at that and that is why you are seeing today so many met officers and staff who are really supportive of her and devastated by this news because she had amazing support in the organisation. you don't often see that with the leader. she had that but i don't think she saw the bigger picture. i maybe the point is that whoever

comes in, well, we have heard this all day actually, it needs to show some tough love to the mayor and not be so popular among the rank—and—file of police officers. yes, and they will have the ability to do that because there is kind of a clean slate now and they will be able to come in and make their mark and try and make some of those changes that are necessary and overhaul notjust changes that are necessary and overhaul not just the changes that are necessary and overhaul notjust the culture setting the standards and ensuring that bad behaviour is rooted out, people are dealt with. but also on the communications front. the met has got to be more open, it has got to explain what it does better. it has got to have more leaders who are prepared to come to the media on shows like this and explain their actions. for example, over the partygate scandal, i actually think what the met did was right. i think the approach was right letting the cabinet office investigator meant taking over the inquiry but they didn't explain what they were doing. and that to me was symptomatic of a failure to communicate properly. qm.

failure to communicate properly. 0k, 'ust ve failure to communicate properly. 0k, just very briefly, danny, any tips on who it will be taken over from her? will it be an insiderfrom the met or an outsider who has been running anotherforce met or an outsider who has been running another force around the uk? look, there is no clear contender. the one strong internal candidate is neil basu who was formerly in charge of counterterrorism, he is now leading the strategic command course. but it is said and i believe this that priti patel is not keen on him and that could be a sticking point. there are possibly other contenders, martin hewitt from the national police chiefs council, he has done well through the pandemic and is widely respected. so dave thompson from the west midlands police, also a highly respected former officer. and they could be others who previously went for the job when dame cressida got it. stephen kavanagh, he is now with interpol, he came very close to getting it when dame cressida dick got it. i wonder if he might have a chance. ,, , ., ~'

let's get reaction from spain now to the news that covid restrictions for unvaccinated teenagers from the uk are being relaxed, just in time for the start of half term. from monday children over 12 who are notjabbed will need a pcr test taken 72 hours on arrival in spain. at the moment everyone over 12 has to be double—jabbed to enter the country. let's talk to sue aspey, she runs the wigan bar in benalmadena on the costa del sol. sue, good to have you with us. what is your reaction? presumablyjust in time for half term there will be lots more brits coming to spain. it

is marvellous news, it is really, really good news. and i have to say well done spain for bringing this before the easter holidays. we get a lot of families that come over with their children and i was talking to a lady yesterday in fact he was saying that the whole family wouldn't be able to convert easter as they would normally because one child had turned 12 and had onejob but wouldn't have had time to have the second jab in terms come over for the usual annual holiday. so this child now obviously can have the pcr test if it is negative and the pcr test if it is negative and the whole family can come. and that will really be the same for so many people. it will be good for everybody. people. it will be good for everybody-— people. it will be good for eve bod .~ ., , people. it will be good for eve bod. ., everybody. we heard stories about --eole everybody. we heard stories about people cancelling _ everybody. we heard stories about people cancelling their— everybody. we heard stories about people cancelling their holidays - everybody. we heard stories about people cancelling their holidays to | people cancelling their holidays to spain because of that requirement that their kids over the age of 12 had to be double vaccinated and they hadn't been for whatever reason they hadn't been for whatever reason they hadn't had time to get double vaccinated.—

hadn't had time to get double vaccinated. ., , ., ., , vaccinated. yeah, it is marvellous, it is really. — vaccinated. yeah, it is marvellous, it is really, really _ vaccinated. yeah, it is marvellous, it is really, really good _ vaccinated. yeah, it is marvellous, it is really, really good news. - vaccinated. yeah, it is marvellous, it is really, really good news. how| it is really, really good news. how has it been _ it is really, really good news. how has it been for— it is really, really good news. how has it been for you _ it is really, really good news. how has it been for you throughout the pandemic though, running a bar on the costa del sol? it must have been pretty tough at times? filth. the costa del sol? it must have been pretty tough at times?— the costa del sol? it must have been pretty tough at times? 0h, very much so. pretty tough at times? 0h, very much so- obviously — pretty tough at times? 0h, very much so. obviously for _ pretty tough at times? 0h, very much so. obviously for so _ pretty tough at times? oh, very much so. obviously for so many _ pretty tough at times? oh, very much so. obviously for so many people - pretty tough at times? oh, very much so. obviously for so many people all i so. obviously for so many people all over the world but from our personal point of view obviously we were locked down for nearly three months and then once we reopened we did very nearly 12 months open everyday but on occasions we would take 5 euros in eight hours and things like this. you know, it was really... it has really been tough for everybody. but light at the end of the tunnel, there are more people coming over now. there is a lot more british here at the moment, i'm glad to say. we have been quite busy these last two weeks actually. so, yeah, it is very promising. it two weeks actually. so, yeah, it is very promising-— very promising. it is picking up. and i very promising. it is picking up. and i soppose _ very promising. it is picking up. and i suppose we're _ very promising. it is picking up. and i suppose we're really - very promising. it is picking up. l and i suppose we're really talking about the summer, that is the big time for you, isn't it? the mass invasion of tourists. are you kind

of optimistic that the tide is turning and it could be a sum almost as usual in spain?— as usual in spain? yeah. they have been very good _ as usual in spain? yeah. they have been very good over _ as usual in spain? yeah. they have been very good over here - as usual in spain? yeah. they have been very good over here anyway, | as usual in spain? yeah. they have i been very good over here anyway, the authorities. they have made sure that the rules have been in place, that the rules have been in place, that people stay safe, and we have felt very safe all the way through. it has been really good and now that people in britain can come... mil people in britain can come... all riaht, people in britain can come... all right. so. _ people in britain can come... all right, so, really good to talk to. good luck for the rest of the year and let's hope the holiday—makers come back from the uk and elsewhere. sue astbury who runs the wigan bar. coronavirus rules in wales are going to be eased later this month. from next friday — that's a week today — covid passes to access theatres, cinemas and nightclubs will be scrapped. and by the end of the month, face coverings will no longer be needed in many public places such as schools, gyms and cinemas. the welsh government's economy

minister vaughan gething says the plans are being carefully managed. from next week, the requirements to use a covid—19 pass will be removed from the 18th of february. the international covid—19 pass will still be required for travel of course. but domestically, it won't be a requirement. on the 28th of february, the requirement to wearfacemasks will go apart from in retail, health and social care settings and public transport. and we'll then look at our next review, whether the remaining protections can safely be removed from the end of march. so we have got a pathway, so, hopefully, seeing the end of covid, seeing it properly in the rear—view mirror. and it is still about people moving from a place where the law requires people to do things to move into guidance and asking people to exercisejudgment. now, with all of these things, there is, of course, a balance. but because of our relatively stable public health position, because we have seen

a small fall in covid—19 cases again in wales, we think we can safely do this and the choices that the government is making here in wales are supported by the public health guidelines we have received from our chief medical officer as well. so it is it managed, it's a gradual and it's a careful move to get us out of the public protection measures and to make sure we do not see a return to covid—19 and the harm that it has caused and the stratospheric case levels we saw at the turn of the year. that is. vaughan gethin. this weekend marks 25 years since a cargo ship accidentally spilled five million pieces of lego off the cornish coast. even now, lego is still washing up on the shore. it's treasure to some people — especially the rare pieces — but it's also a worrying indicator ofjust how long discarded plastic will last in our oceans. andrew plant went to find out more.

so, it all began back in 1997 when my family were living in an old house by the sea in south devon. tracy williams can spot a piece of lego where others just see seaweed and sand. when did you find your first piece? it was back in �*97, so we started noticing the lego coming in, and it was mainly sea themed pieces, so flippers and scuba tanks and life jackets, or the occasional octopus or black dragon. the pieces that wash up here tell a story that's been unfolding in wave after wave for the past 25 years. one piece became thousands. flippers, boats, even sea rocks that were then colonised before washing ashore. the one on the right was used to create an underwater reef, and it has actually become a little reef. some are common. this is the rarest.

tracy has seen just two green dragons in 25 years. so you worked out that actually there were thousands of some of these pieces? yeah, so there were over 33,000 dragons on this ship. and presumably you have found most of the pieces along the shoreline yourself, but you've neverfound one of these? i've neverfound a green dragon. tell me about the green dragon. so, back in �*97, our next door neighbourfound one of the green dragons, so we were all very envious. but i've neverfound one myself and then this week, a beach cleaner here in north cornwall found one. so, that's it. so, the green dragon. 25 years ago, this ship lost 62 containers 20 miles off the coast. one was full of 5 million pieces of lego. where it washes up now has told scientists much

about the ocean currents, but also about how plastic in our oceans can last notjust for decades but hundreds of years. one of the biggest problems with plastic is it doesn't break down over time. it breaks up. and what we mean by that is it breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces. so all of these bits here that are less than half a centimetre are considered a micro—plastic, and eventually these will break up into smaller and smaller pieces, and become nano—plastic. we have no way of measuring how much is out there in the oceans and how much is coming in on every single tide. but if you ask anyone who looks at the beaches and looks at the micro—plastics, they will tell you just how many thousands of bits there are. fishermen, too, are finding lego pieces in their catches miles out to sea. yeah, this is lethal stuff. this is the packaging you get on pallets. and much more plastic besides. phil has been fishing here for a0 years and he says he now hauls in plastic with almost every catch. we generally pick it up,

the bigger bits of plastic, like the ice sacks and stuff like that, they're all in the pots, they've got 40 in a line. and you get a bit of, three, four foot square bit of plastic, wrapped around the rope. you go another 20, you might not see any more, and the next one you may have a bit. this, a picture of the plastic washed up on just one cornish beach in one day. artist rob arnold collected it and used it to make this, a micro—plastic replica of an easter island statue, a civilisation some think may have collapsed after using up their resources. their resources were running out, and they couldn't get out fishing any more because they had cut down the trees. they had no wood to build fishing boats. it was a total disaster. so, you know, i see it as very

similar to what we're doing now, really. we are also polluting the planet as well as using up all the resources. there is now a worldwide community using social media to map new finds. tracy has even written a book of what has been washed up. finding that first lego brick, the start of her piecing together how plastic stays in our seas, and always hoping, in the seaweed somewhere a green dragon will finally surface. andrew plant, bbc news. let me bring you some breaking news from the labour party. they are saying that the labour mp neil coyle has had the whip suspended following allegations that he made racist comments to a journalist on the parliamentary estate. that is a labour party spokesman saying that

the labour mp neil coyle has helped the labour mp neil coyle has helped the whip suspended after allegations that he made racist comments to a journalist on the parliamentary estate. we will try to get more details on that as they come into us. now as the winter olympics continue in beijing, australia seem to be leading the way in the skeleton field. joining me from bath, danny holdcroft, head of research, innovation and talent at the british skeleton olympic programme. very good to have you with us. just talk us through how team gb doing in the skeleton the moment.— the skeleton the moment. yeah, i mean obviously _ the skeleton the moment. yeah, i mean obviously we _ the skeleton the moment. yeah, i mean obviously we have _ the skeleton the moment. yeah, i mean obviously we have got - the skeleton the moment. yeah, i mean obviously we have got a - the skeleton the moment. yeah, i i mean obviously we have got a legacy of great success over the last kind of great success over the last kind of six games. unfortunately, this week things happen fallen into place and clicked as we would hope. the

men's side we come into the final day in 13th and 17th. and then overnight the women sit 21st and 22nd. ~ , ., ,, ~' overnight the women sit 21st and 22nd. ~ , ., i. ~ , 22nd. why do you think things haven't clicked? _ 22nd. why do you think things haven't clicked? i _ 22nd. why do you think things haven't clicked? i think- 22nd. why do you think things haven't clicked? i think part . 22nd. why do you think things l haven't clicked? i think part and arcel it haven't clicked? i think part and parcel it is _ haven't clicked? i think part and parcel it is high _ haven't clicked? i think part and parcel it is high performance - haven't clicked? i think part and i parcel it is high performance sport. we were in a great place coming into the games of the back of a test event where we won a silver medal with marcus wyatt. the track is challenging, it is a little bit different to what it was back in october and sometimes, you know, you can't explain certain things and things don't click. brute can't explain certain things and things don't click.— can't explain certain things and things don't click. we are where we are. talk things don't click. we are where we are- talk to — things don't click. we are where we are. talk to us _ things don't click. we are where we are. talk to us about _ things don't click. we are where we are. talk to us about the _ things don't click. we are where we | are. talk to us about the technology behind it and all the preparation that goes into it between winter olympics. that goes into it between winter ol mics. ., , ., that goes into it between winter ol mics. ., ., that goes into it between winter ol mics. ., ,., ., , ., olympics. yeah, it is a four year cle olympics. yeah, it is a four year cycle and _ olympics. yeah, it is a four year cycle and we _ olympics. yeah, it is a four year cycle and we look _ olympics. yeah, it is a four year cycle and we look every - olympics. yeah, it is a four year cycle and we look every single i cycle and we look every single detail. we are creative and innovative programme, we try to push boundaries from coaching on how we work with athletes. it is all geared

to delivering at the games and unfortunately this week things, like i say, were in a great place and the final piece of the jigsaw hasn't quite clicked. final piece of the 'igsaw hasn't quite clicked.— final piece of the 'igsaw hasn't quite clicked. clearly there is a lot of international _ quite clicked. clearly there is a| lot of international competition though in this sport isn't there? it is, it is a fascinating race if you sit from a neutral perspective. the men's race you have got a german who is a twice world champion, seven tenths ahead of the halfway stage and it should be his gold medal to lose. i don't think you can discount chinese athlete with home advantage and a hugely significant more runs than anyone else on the track. so it is going to be an interesting race this afternoon and the women pot side, you mentioned at the top there, an australian having won her first world cup race only a few weeks ago in san moritz leading the way the halfway stage. but this track can spit you out as the canadian athlete found out. she led

after the first run and lost on the second run. you can't count anything on this track, anything can happen so it is going to be a fascinating race. it so it is going to be a fascinating race. , . ~' so it is going to be a fascinating race. , ., ~ i. race. it is indeed. thank you so much for _ race. it is indeed. thank you so much forjoining _ race. it is indeed. thank you so much forjoining us. _ race. it is indeed. thank you so much forjoining us. thank - race. it is indeed. thank you so much forjoining us. thank you | race. it is indeed. thank you so i much forjoining us. thank you for your time. thank you. we are going to take you back to that breaking news that i was mentioning that the labour mp neil coyle has had the whip suspended by the labour party. this is over allegations that he made racist comments to a journalist. our political correspondent ian watson is at westminster. what more can you tell us? ., ., , , , , us? the same and has been issued in the last few — us? the same and has been issued in the last few minutes _ us? the same and has been issued in the last few minutes from _ us? the same and has been issued in the last few minutes from the - us? the same and has been issued in the last few minutes from the labour| the last few minutes from the labour party. it says that the labour party expects the highest standards of behaviour from all of our mps and we take allegations of this sort very seriously. he has been inspected suspended pending an investigation. allegations were made by a journalist who was part of the westminster lobby, a political journalist who said that in the commons bar earlier this week, the strangers bar as it is known, neil coyle made some comments that he was

very uncomfortable with, he was made to feel and comfortable in his workplace, he is from a chinese heritage. there was an uncomfortable conversation about another labour mp, he denied allegations that he received funding from somebody associated with the chinese government. and he used what were described as chinese tropes during the conversation and this was reported to the parliamentary authorities and they have banned neil coyle from the bars of the house of commons for the next six months. we are pursuing this morning whether any action has been taken by the labour party itself. he has now been suspended from the parliamentary labour party pending an investigation, that would mean for example unless the investigation concludes you would have potential difficulty standing as an official labour candidate. but he may well, during the course of that

investigation, but his side of the story. i contacted him this morning and he said he wasn't allowed to talk about this, so he is not commenting to us at this stage. presumably he will be talking to the parliamentary labour party, officials and the opposition whips about exactly what happened during that incident. there were some other reports that he had used robust and offensive language as well to some offensive language as well to some of the other people who were drinking in the bar on a previous occasion as well. but it was this complaint from the journalist which i think has brought matters to a head and he has now been suspended. i'm just briefly, i suppose this is the sort of issue that labour want to be seen to be acting firmly on and dealing quickly and firmly with. well, we know how toxic the allegations of anti—semitism were under the previous labour leader jeremy corbyn. the party of course faced action from the equality and human rights commission. it has had to come at great expense, deal with

some outstanding complaints and cases. so as soon as anything like this occurs then they know they have to act very, very swiftly. as i say, neil coyle will no doubt put his side of the case to the parliament authorities but they are moving i think quickly to suspend him because they know it will be politically toxic not to do so. bill they know it will be politically toxic not to do so.— they know it will be politically toxic not to do so. all right, ian watson, toxic not to do so. all right, ian watson. our — toxic not to do so. all right, ian watson, our political _ toxic not to do so. all right, ian - watson, our political correspondent, thank you very much indeed. bringing us that breaking news that the labour mp neil coyle has had the whip suspended following allegations that he made racist comments to a journalist on the voluntary state. we will be following that story throughout the day. let me just take you quickly to australia because an australian icon, the koala, has been classified as endangered. the number of koalas has fallen sharply along much of the east coast, due to land clearing, bush fires and disease. scientists say the population in the state of new south wales has

decreased by up to 60 percent in the past 11 years. you're watching bbc news... hello. after that frosty start today, it is going to be a beautiful winter's day out there. most places dry with some sunshine. there will be changes ahead as we head into the weekend. they are already gathering out towards the west, this mass of cloud, it usually means one thing, a bit more breeze and there will be outbreaks of rain. that cloud will start to have an influence, taking away the sunshine across western areas during the rest of the day. sunshine turning hazy further east. one or two isolated showers, parts of north—west england, scotland, sleet and snow, but most will stay dry, winds reasonably light although they will be picking up in the west later. and after the frosty start, temperatures this afternoon around the levels they should be for this time of year in february and we've still got the sunshine so it won't feel too bad out there. quite quickly, though, once the sun has gone, frost

will develop towards the south and east, it will lift later. the breeze picks up cloud, outbreaks of rain spilling in across many areas as we go through the night. strong to gale force winds in the west of scotland. maybe touching 60 miles an hour as we head into the second half of the night and into the morning. temperatures by the morning, largely frost—free. but on saturday, a lot more cloud around, brightening up to sunshine and showers in scotland and northern ireland through the day, outbreaks of rain coming and going in northern england, wales, and the south—west which will turn heavier and more persistent through the afternoon, and edging in towards the midlands. east anglia, the south—east, you could stay dry through saturday with hazy sunshine, but across the board, it will be a breezy day. those winds coming in from a south—westerly direction, not a cold direction but it means temperatures will creep up a little bit compared to today. but you have got to factor in not as much sunshine and more wind and more cloud and more rain. then, as we go into saturday evening, the cloud, the rain fizzes a little bit as it pushes towards the south east. it never quite reaches parts of south—east england before it returns northwards as we go through saturday night into sunday. a chance of frost with some clearer skies across the north, but into sunday, all eyes on this developing area

of low pressure as it spills its way in off the atlantic. it is set to bring rain across much of england and wales through the day, very sporadic initially, but turning heavy and persistent from the south—west. biggest question mark, we will have to keep a check on the forecast, just how far north that rain will get. could it get as far as the borders of scotland, northern ireland, or will itjust be a little bit further southwards? 10 degrees maybe but it's not going to feel like that with the wind and the rain. wind strengthening in the south. best of the bright weather, the further north you are with sunshine and showers. once that low pressure has moved through, though, a brighter day on monday, but quite a windy and wet week ahead.

this is bbc news, i'm martine croxall. the headlines at 11.00. the search is on for a new commissioner of the metropolitan police after dame cressida dick resigned, saying she'd been left with "no choice" but to step down. the uk economy rebounds with 7.5% growth last year. spain relaxes covid restrictions for unvaccinated teenagers from the uk. president biden tells american citizens remaining in ukraine to leave, saying he would not send troops to evacuate them should russia invade. it's one of the largest armies in the world. it's a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly. russia says doping claims against the olympic figure skater kamila valieva are a "misunderstanding". her gold medal was not presented on monday, after it was confirmed she failed a drugs test in december.

also this hour, we look at the environmental impact as lego continues to wash up on the shores of cornwall, 25 years on from a cargo ship spill off the coast. good morning and welcome to bbc news. the search is on for a new metropolitan police commissioner — after the sudden resignation of dame cressida dick last night. she said she'd been left with "no choice" because the mayor of london, sadiq khan, had lost confidence in her ability to tackle failings within the force. she said she was stepping down "with deep sadness and regret". for his part, the mayor said he was "not satisfied" with dame cressida's response to the scale of change required to "root out" racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying and misogyny in the met.

dame cressida has been the uk's most senior police officer for five years — and was the first woman to hold the job. but she'd been criticised for failing to deal with problems within the force — as well as presiding over a string of controversies and scandals, including the murder of sarah everard by a serving officer. our correspondentjames reynolds has this report. the commissioner and the mayor once headed in the same direction, but they have now come to a sudden stop. following contact with the mayor of london today, it is quite clear that the mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership of the metropolitan police service for me to continue as commissioner. he has left me no choice but to step aside. it is clear that the only way to start to deliver the scale of the change required is to have new leadership right at the top of the metropolitan police.

cressida dick has endured a turbulent year. in march 2021, a serving police officer, wayne couzens, used his police powers to kidnap sarah everard from a london street and then rape and murder her. the commissioner's officers broke up a vigil in sarah everard's memory. that event's organisers are glad to see her go. good riddance, but this is where the work begins. just getting rid of cressida dick does not make it a clean slate. there is years and years of systemic racism, sexism, homophobia, and we need someone to come in who is going to recognise that and do the reform. in december, two officers who guarded a murder scene were sentenced to prison terms for sending abusive messages. and then earlier this month, a report revealed that officers at charing cross police station had shared a racist and misogynistic messages. the mayor believed that the commissionerjust did not get

the scale of the problem. but the commissioner's allies disagree. one of cressida dick's most immediate tasks remains unfinished. her officers have yet to complete their inquiry into parties held in downing street during lockdown. and so the met investigates the government as the government picks a new met commissioner. james reynolds, bbc news. let's get more detail on this from our home affairs correspondent, daniel sandford. daniel, how clear is it what went on yesterday from the morning where cressida dick saying she was not going to step down to the evening when she did? i going to step down to the evening when she did?— when she did? i don't know if the ma or

when she did? i don't know if the mayor miscalculated _ when she did? i don't know if the mayor miscalculated by - when she did? i don't know if the mayor miscalculated by whetherl when she did? i don't know if the l mayor miscalculated by whether he intended her tojust mayor miscalculated by whether he intended her to just leave or whether he intended to be seen to be putting pressure on the force and for his own political reasons wanted to be seen to be trying to take a grip after the horrific charing cross reports the previous week about officers sending these horrendous misogynistic, homophobic, racist, violence against women texts. that is what pushed him to going on the front foot and being very, very critical, but when he realised she was going to leave, i am not sure. it became clear to me by wednesday night that senior officers in the met felt that he had put her in an almost impossible position. i guess on thursday morning she felt she had to have one moscow and saint she didn't intend to resign but when he essentially sent the message to her that he was not satisfied with her proposals for going forward, then rather than buckling down and saying i will send

you another set of proposals, she said fine, you don't have confidence in me and i'm gone and priti patel, the home secretary, had no idea it was coming. the home secretary, had no idea it was coming-— the home secretary, had no idea it was comin_ . ., .,, ., , was coming. what has the reaction be across the force? _ was coming. what has the reaction be across the force? she _ was coming. what has the reaction be across the force? she was _ was coming. what has the reaction be across the force? she was widely - across the force? she was widely respected. across the force? she was widely resected. ,, , across the force? she was widely respected-— respected. she is interesting because within _ respected. she is interesting because within policing - respected. she is interesting because within policing she l respected. she is interesting | because within policing she is regarded as possibly the best officer of her generation, certainly there is a lot of loyalty amongst many of the rank and file of the police federation in london. they came out very strongly in her support last night. many senior detectives i have spoken to over recent years regard her as the best governor they have had, and certainly very senior officers in her top leadership team are full of respect for her. so there is a sense of a shock. not shocked that she has left because i think people saw it coming, but shocked at how she has been treated in recent weeks by politicians of many different parties, the green party, the labour party and some politicians in the conservative party. the

party and some politicians in the conservative party.— party and some politicians in the conservative party. the irony will not be lost _ conservative party. the irony will not be lost on _ conservative party. the irony will not be lost on her, _ conservative party. the irony will not be lost on her, that - conservative party. the irony will not be lost on her, that she - conservative party. the irony will not be lost on her, that she is . conservative party. the irony will| not be lost on her, that she is the first woman to lead the met, a force which is being accused of misogyny by many external commentators. everybody understands that there is, and has historically been, some cultural problems in policing generally and in the metropolitan police and certainly compared to 30, 40 police and certainly compared to 30, a0 years ago, there has been a lot of cultural change to the job is not done. i think cressida dick's issue is that, was she able to communicate what she was doing, and what she able to realise the urgency of needing to be seen to be changing the culture, it is a little unclear as to what was going on behind—the—scenes but one of the criticisms of the mayor was that she must have known that this report was coming last week. the text messages were sent in 2016, 2017, 2018, and yet when the report comes out, where is the plan for how we are going to

deal with improving the culture in the met? so a lot of work had been done to improve all sorts of areas in the met but whether that was being communicated and whether enough was being done i think is probably how we ended up where we are. in probably how we ended up where we are. . . probably how we ended up where we are, ., ., ., probably how we ended up where we are. ., ., ., ., are. in an idealworld i imagine there will— are. in an idealworld i imagine there will be _ are. in an idealworld i imagine there will be a _ are. in an idealworld i imagine there will be a lot _ are. in an idealworld i imagine there will be a lot of _ are. in an idealworld i imagine| there will be a lot of succession planning as to who will take over when she was due to step down. what happens now? who gets to have a say, given that the metropolitan police is investigating what has been going on in downing street? this is investigating what has been going on in downing street?— on in downing street? this is the bi est on in downing street? this is the biggest problem _ on in downing street? this is the biggest problem we _ on in downing street? this is the biggest problem we have - on in downing street? this is the biggest problem we have in - on in downing street? this is the| biggest problem we have in terms on in downing street? this is the - biggest problem we have in terms of the future of the met because last year there was a decision to be made about whether or not to extend cressida dick's contract and it was decided essentially there was not another suitable candidate for the job. she was widely respected, and although they had been problems, it was still felt she was making progress. the decision was to extend her contract and that is how we are where we are today. having decided

yesterday there was no suitable candidate to replace it, now in a hurry they are going to have to point a candidate from the pool of not a suitable candidate to replace her. we have a force in crisis with very low morale, having lost a very respected leader, and nobody really knows who the candidate is to replace her. there are some good people out there. dave thompson at west midlands police, andy cook was at merseyside police, hugh 0rd, who missed out on the leadership job last time, and several others. but last time, and several others. but last year it was decided that there was not a suitable candidate in the field, and neil basu, who was many people's thought, the former head of terrorism in the uk, counterterrorism in the uk, people thought he was likely to be the person to replace cressida, it was quite clear there were people in government, the home secretary priti patel, the prime minister boris johnson, who didn't want him in that

job. one of the best candidates appears to be wheeled out. for the moment, thank— appears to be wheeled out. for the moment, thank you, _ appears to be wheeled out. for the moment, thank you, daniel- appears to be wheeled out. for the i moment, thank you, daniel sandford. joining me now is former chief superintendent at the metropolitan police, parm sandhu, who's also written a book about prejudice in policing. parm sandhu, thank you forjoining us. how inevitable was it that cressida dick would have to go, given the pressure she was being put under by the mayor of london? good morninu. under by the mayor of london? good morning- thank _ under by the mayor of london? good morning. thank you _ under by the mayor of london? good morning. thank you for _ under by the mayor of london? (limp. morning. thank you for having me on the show. i think that over the last week or so the commissioner was put under a huge amount of pressure and we have to give her credit for being the first woman that led the metropolitan police. however, these issues are not new and i think your reporter has actually mentioned that the report that came out last week in relation to the charing cross incidents, well, that was investigating 2018, so that has been for years in coming. she would have been updated as it came along. sarah

everard, almost a year ago. the two sisters that were photographed, that was over a year ago. so when the mayor put commission under pressure for a plan, that was not out of the blue, he has been asking since 2018 and if he was not asking for a plan, the commissioner should have been preparing one anyway. going back to one of the other points in relation to there being no suitable candidate last year, that is really unfair on the a3 forces across the country who have got chief constables who are doing very, very good jobs and i think that is really unfair to say. surely at the results spoke for itself, the fact that cressida dick's contract was renewed because there was not deemed to be a better candidate. i there was not deemed to be a better candidate. . , , , , there was not deemed to be a better candidate. .,, , , , , .,, candidate. i was surprised she was aaivin that candidate. i was surprised she was giving that extension. _ candidate. i was surprised she was giving that extension. at _ candidate. i was surprised she was giving that extension. at that - candidate. i was surprised she was giving that extension. at that time j giving that extension. at that time that was sarah everard, the vigil, and maybe that was the way then there was going to hold her to

account, so we don't know how long he has been asking for a plan for so maybe that was the reason. i don't accept there was no suitable candidate and i don't accept there is no suitable candidate still, and a good leader should always be thinking about succession planning, should always be nurturing the next generation. should always be nurturing the next aeneration. , , ., generation. given the number of roblems generation. given the number of problems that _ generation. given the number of problems that i'd _ generation. given the number of problems that i'd be _ generation. given the number of problems that i'd be setting - generation. given the number of problems that i'd be setting the | problems that i'd be setting the metropolitan police at the moment, how is getting rid of the person in charge in quite a hurry with nobody in mind to take over, going to do anything but destabilise the force further? the anything but destabilise the force further? ., . ., , , further? the force was 'ust trundung i further? the force was 'ust trundling along * further? the force was 'ust trundling along and i further? the force wasjust trundling along and there l further? the force wasjust i trundling along and there was further? the force wasjust - trundling along and there was more and more issues coming to light with misogyny, sexism, racism, and unfortunately the commissioner refused to accept the institutional racist label, the institutional corruption label, and any other criticism, and if you don't accept the force isn't perfect, you can't

find a solution. i actually agree with the commissioner going and i agree there should be a new fresh set of eyes looking at the problems and the issues because it is a surprise she went yesterday and i am wondering what will come out next week and the week after. is there something else on the horizon that actually pushed her to go? dame cressida herself _ actually pushed her to go? dame cressida herself said _ actually pushed her to go? dame cressida herself said there - actually pushed her to go? dame cressida herself said there would be more unpalatable incidents that will come to light, so i think you are right there. in terms of what happens next, though, if there is a need to change the culture in the metropolitan police, as we are told, how do you go about doing that? you cannot legislate away people is in great attitude, can you? ida. cannot legislate away people is in great attitude, can you?- great attitude, can you? no, you can't, but _ great attitude, can you? no, you can't. but you — great attitude, can you? no, you can't, but you can _ great attitude, can you? no, you can't, but you can enforce - great attitude, can you? no, you can't, but you can enforce your l can't, but you can enforce your values, and what has happened is that people have been getting away with it. for example the charing cross incidents, nine of those people are still serving police

officers across the met will stop one of them retired and has been given a job as a police staff member. so surely those 1a people should all have been sacked and that is a clear example to everybody else to say, this is not acceptable, because people don'tjust start sharing those sort of crude and hateful messages. they are comfortable in that environment. so that leadership has to come from the top and examples have to be made of individuals who are crossing that line. ., ,,., individuals who are crossing that line. ., ., ~ i., , line. parm sandhu, thank you very much. line. parm sandhu, thank you very much- thank— line. parm sandhu, thank you very much. thank you. _ joining me now is sarahjones, labour mp for croydon and shadow home office minister. sarahjones, sarah jones, thank you sarahjones, thank you forjoining us. conservative mp for west dorset, chris loder, said last night on social media to sack the first woman commissionerfor social media to sack the first woman commissioner for misogyny in the workforce, seriously? i know there are issues but i very much feel for the outgoing commissioner this evening. i sent her our grateful thanks. how uncomfortable is this as

a look for you that this is what is happening to the first female commissioner?— happening to the first female commissioner? ~ ., ., ~ ~._ ., commissioner? well, look, the mayor of london was — commissioner? well, look, the mayor of london was absolutely _ commissioner? well, look, the mayor of london was absolutely right - commissioner? well, look, the mayor of london was absolutely right to - commissioner? well, look, the mayor of london was absolutely right to be l of london was absolutely right to be insisting that reforms were made and changes were made after what has been a series of very difficult reports and events in the metropolitan police that began with sara everard, nick olesen online —— nicole smallman and bibaa henry. the inquiry with the four young men murdered, some of those could have been avoided if the policing operation had been better. we have the daniel morgan inquiry with institutional corruption label put on the police. we have had the iopc report last week which i think it was so horrific in terms of the language that was used. i think the public were right to say we need to see change and i think the mayor of london simply lost confidence that

cressida dick was going to be able to lead the change that was necessary, so he lost confidence in hair and i necessary, so he lost confidence in hairand i think necessary, so he lost confidence in hair and i think it is the right thing that she is has gone but it is sad. she has had decades in the service, she is the first metropolitan commissioner who is a female and she has done some incredible work on terrorism, and violence in london and she has given service. the problems are great and significant and the mayor lost confidence that she was able to deliver the change that was needed. in your view, how was her plan for reform inadequate, what was missing? when horrific things happen the public wants to see an acceptance of the problem and the clear plan as to what was going to happen and i don't think that is what we saw. changes have been made in the police force across the country and it is really

important to say this is notjust across the country and it is really important to say this is not just a metropolitan police problem, there have been problems with very inappropriate whatsapp messages and other issues across the country in lots of different voices so this is a problem the home office need to grip but i think we do need to look at recruitment, we need to look at training, we need to look at how we deal with cases, where there are problems and misconduct when police are in their roles, what happens to them, and how those processes work. those things are bigger than just cressida dick. they are problems we need to look at nationally but it is about leadership and values and saying from the very top, yes, there is a problem and we will put it right and he is a series of measures we will put in place to get that done and that is where i think the mayor of london lost confidence that that was what cressida dick was doing. 5ir that was what cressida dick was doinu. ,, , doing. sir ed davey has said the rime doing. sir ed davey has said the prime ministers _ doing. sir ed davey has said the prime ministers should - doing. sir ed davey has said the prime ministers should have - doing. sir ed davey has said the prime ministers should have no| doing. sir ed davey has said the -

prime ministers should have no role in appointing his successor because of the met�*s investigation into the parties at downing street. what is your view? parties at downing street. what is our view? ~ , , your view? well, it is very difficult — your view? well, it is very difficult when _ your view? well, it is very difficult when the - your view? well, it is very difficult when the prime i your view? well, it is very - difficult when the prime minister is being investigated by the police in a number of levels and in a number of different ways. i would hope that would have nothing to do with this process and that we will have a proper process to get the best person for the job because this is a hugejob, let's be sure. the result the national roles around terrorism and the things that the men to do so we need to get this right. itruihiiie and the things that the men to do so we need to get this right.— we need to get this right. while we have ou we need to get this right. while we have you here. _ we need to get this right. while we have you here, just _ we need to get this right. while we have you here, just need _ we need to get this right. while we have you here, just need to - we need to get this right. while we have you here, just need to ask - we need to get this right. while we | have you here, just need to ask one other question. there is this idea of a ban on alcohol being consumed across whitehall. it is quite clear that it across whitehall. it is quite clear thatitis across whitehall. it is quite clear that it is not a problem in every single department but how wise and move would that be? i was single department but how wise and move would that be?— move would that be? i was a senior civil servant — move would that be? i was a senior civil servant and _ move would that be? i was a senior civil servant and we _ move would that be? i was a senior civil servant and we were _ move would that be? i was a senior civil servant and we were all - civil servant and we were all professional. there were occasions when we went to the pub and there were occasions when it was people's

are both days that we celebrated, although i don't remember there being alcohol in the office. there is a way of behaving where you have a series of grown and leaders who lead. i am a series of grown and leaders who lead. iam not a series of grown and leaders who lead. i am not sure if a ban on alcohol is the answer, maybe it is, but maybe we need to make sure leadership from the top that says, if the rules are being broken in covid case, where they work completely different to normal times, then that needs to be taken seriously, but in normal times, people are doing theirjobs, they have good leaders, good managers, i don't think it would be a problem that you would need to fix in that way. that you would need to fix in that wa _ ,,., ., that you would need to fix in that wa _ ., i, , that you would need to fix in that wa. ., , ., that you would need to fix in that wa. ., , ~ ., way. sarah jones, labour mp for cro don way. sarah jones, labour mp for croydon and _ way. sarah jones, labour mp for croydon and shadow _ way. sarah jones, labour mp for croydon and shadow home - way. sarah jones, labour mp for| croydon and shadow home office minister, thank you very much. thank ou. official estimates released this morning show the uk economy grew by 7.5% last year, despite a slight dip in december caused by the omicron variant of coronavirus. last year's rebound came after a 9.a% collapse in 2020, as the covid pandemic spread and lockdown rules were imposed. the chancellor rishi sunak has welcomed the data. well, today's figures show that,

despite omicron, the economy was remarkably resilient. we were the fastest—growing economy in the g7 last year and are forecast to continue being the fastest growing economy this year. so that shows that our plans for the economy are working. but i know people are worried about rising prices, particularly energy bills, and although these are global challenges, where we can make a difference, of course we are going to act and that's why last week we announced a significant package of support to help millions of families meet those rising bills. ramzan karmali, our business correspondent, joins me now. good figures, says the chancellor, but this will be cold comfort to a lot of people struggling to make ends meet. fin lot of people struggling to make ends meet-— lot of people struggling to make ends meet. .,. ., , ends meet. on the face of it, 7.5% looks like a — ends meet. on the face of it, 7.5% looks like a great _ ends meet. on the face of it, 7.5% looks like a great bounce - ends meet. on the face of it, 7.5% looks like a great bounce back- ends meet. on the face of it, 7.5% looks like a great bounce back and| looks like a great bounce back and it is a bounce back. don't forget 2020, the economy shrank by over 9%. we had the worst performing economy out of the g7 in 2020. i know the prime minister like to say we are the fastest growing at the moment. you might be able to say that,

looking at these yearly figures, but we also had the worst 2020, as well. we should not forget that, as well. but, yes, these figures are encouraging. if you are in the hospitality and retail sectors you may be thinking, where is this growth? we were hit quite hard by the omicron variant, especially those two sectors, and the economy looks like it is recovering. last week the bank of england downgraded its forecast for 2022 growth, saying the economy would grow by 3.75%. so there are headwinds ahead. we have there are headwinds ahead. we have the energy bills and the price cap coming on in april. a lot of people will feel the pinch, as you say. we can talk more about this withjosie dent, managing at economic business research. thank you forjoining us. the figures are better than expected yearly. worse than expected quarterly but better than expected monthly. it would be an economist?!

how do you look at these numbers now? ., ., , ., now? you are right, it is a mixed baa. now? you are right, it is a mixed bag- you — now? you are right, it is a mixed bag. you think _ now? you are right, it is a mixed bag. you think that _ now? you are right, it is a mixed bag. you think that 1% _ now? you are right, it is a mixed bag. you think that 1% quarterly | bag. you think that 1% quarterly growth — bag. you think that 1% quarterly growth for quarter for is average for the _ growth for quarter for is average for the g7. — growth for quarter for is average for the g7, so we are not doing amazingly, _ for the g7, so we are not doing amazingly, not too badly, and we did see that _ amazingly, not too badly, and we did see that slight contraction in december due to omicron, which comes as no surprise, _ december due to omicron, which comes as no surprise, really. many businesses took a hit in terms of customers— businesses took a hit in terms of customers are staying at home to self—isolate because they had to with coronavirus, and so i think the fact it _ with coronavirus, and so i think the fact it was — with coronavirus, and so i think the fact it was only a very small contraction is quite encouraging and we might— contraction is quite encouraging and we might continue to see the effects of that— we might continue to see the effects of that into _ we might continue to see the effects of that into january but i think we will see _ of that into january but i think we will see a — of that into january but i think we will see a recovery from the effects of omicron — will see a recovery from the effects of omicron by february, march, and so overall— of omicron by february, march, and so overall i— of omicron by february, march, and so overall i think it was quite a positive — so overall i think it was quite a positive picture today with that 75% _ positive picture today with that 7.5% growth. the fastest growth since _ 7.5% growth. the fastest growth since world war ii. it is very good news _ since world war ii. it is very good news in _ since world war ii. it is very good news in terms of getting the economy back on— news in terms of getting the economy back on track. the news in terms of getting the economy back on track-— back on track. the economy grew laru el back on track. the economy grew largely down _ back on track. the economy grew largely down to — back on track. the economy grew largely down to consumer- back on track. the economy grew i largely down to consumer spending, that consumer spending will be under

threat as we go into 2022, isn't that right? with things like energy bills, tax in april which will be going up. our economic growth will not be as buoyant in 2022 as 2021, is that fair to say? definitely. brute is that fair to say? definitely. we are forecasting a.5% growth for the year ahead — are forecasting a.5% growth for the year ahead with quite slow growth in quarter— year ahead with quite slow growth in quarter one — year ahead with quite slow growth in quarter one with 0.1%, down from that i%_ quarter one with 0.1%, down from that i% in— quarter one with 0.1%, down from that 1% in queue for that we saw today— that 1% in queue for that we saw today at— that 1% in queue for that we saw today at the end of last year. —— in 04. today at the end of last year. —— in 04 consumer— today at the end of last year. —— in 04. consumer spending is key for qa. consumer spending is key for economic— 04. consumer spending is key for economic growth and most consumers are really— economic growth and most consumers are really feeling the pinch at the moment— are really feeling the pinch at the moment with this cost—of—living crisis _ moment with this cost—of—living crisis and — moment with this cost—of—living crisis and it— moment with this cost—of—living crisis and it will only get worse, really — crisis and it will only get worse, really. with national insurance increase — really. with national insurance increase the energy price cap going up, so — increase the energy price cap going up, so consumers are really struggling and that means they have slightly— struggling and that means they have slightly less to spend at the end of each month once they have paid all of their—

each month once they have paid all of their bills and other sources of econornic— of their bills and other sources of economic activity, and so that will slow growth this coming year, compared to last year.- slow growth this coming year, compared to last year. next week we aet compared to last year. next week we net the compared to last year. next week we get the latest — compared to last year. next week we get the latest jobs _ compared to last year. next week we get the latest jobs data _ compared to last year. next week we get the latest jobs data and - get the latestjobs data and inflation data, as well. how worried should we be about rising inflation and the threat it has on the economy going forward? i and the threat it has on the economy going forward?— going forward? i think inflation is a big concern _ going forward? i think inflation is a big concern for— going forward? i think inflation is a big concern for economists i going forward? i think inflation is a big concern for economists at l going forward? i think inflation is l a big concern for economists at the moment _ a big concern for economists at the moment. the governor of the bank of england _ moment. the governor of the bank of england gotten a bit of trouble recently — england gotten a bit of trouble recently by saying that should not ask the _ recently by saying that should not ask the big wage rises because it can lead — ask the big wage rises because it can lead to more inflation whereas people _ can lead to more inflation whereas people said they need want to meet rising _ people said they need want to meet rising costs but that can create a cycle _ rising costs but that can create a cycle of — rising costs but that can create a cycle of people needing more earnings _ cycle of people needing more earnings to cover the rising cost of living, _ earnings to cover the rising cost of living, but — earnings to cover the rising cost of living, but that in itself can create _ living, but that in itself can create more inflation and you can end up— create more inflation and you can end up with — create more inflation and you can end up with a bit of a spiral and that is— end up with a bit of a spiral and that is what the bank of england is concerned — that is what the bank of england is concerned about. at the moment we are forecasting inflation to peak at around _ are forecasting inflation to peak at around 7% — are forecasting inflation to peak at around 7% in april and gradually reduce — around 7% in april and gradually reduce. that hopefully means it will

not create _ reduce. that hopefully means it will not create too much of an impact to the economy but will create a few difficult _ the economy but will create a few difficult months for consumers. but if the _ difficult months for consumers. but if the bank— difficult months for consumers. but if the bank of england does not get a hand _ if the bank of england does not get a hand on— if the bank of england does not get a hand on inflation by using its policy— a hand on inflation by using its policy levers then there is a risk that we — policy levers then there is a risk that we see that spiral of rising inflation — that we see that spiral of rising inflation due to higher wages and higher— inflation due to higher wages and higher prices. inflation due to higher wages and higher prices-— inflation due to higher wages and higher prices. josie dent from the cbi, thank higher prices. josie dent from the cm, thank you — higher prices. josie dent from the cbi, thank you for _ higher prices. josie dent from the cbi, thank you for your _ higher prices. josie dent from the cbi, thank you for your time. i higher prices. josie dent from the | cbi, thank you for your time. that is all from me.— is all from me. and thank you for ours is all from me. and thank you for yours quite _ is all from me. and thank you for yours quite nice _ is all from me. and thank you for yours quite nice to _ is all from me. and thank you for yours quite nice to see _ is all from me. and thank you for yours quite nice to see you. i the uk defence secretary, ben wallace, will meet his russian counterpart in moscow later, as part of diplomatic efforts to lower tensions on ukraine's border. russia denies that it's planning to invade ukraine, despite the huge build—up of more than a hundred thousand troops in the region. meanwhile president biden has told all american citizens still in ukraine to leave immediately, because — in his words — things could soon go "crazy" there. that's a world war when americans and russians start shooting at each other. we are in a very different world than we have ever been in. not even on behalf of simply

evacuating americans? no. how do you do that? how do you even find them? this is not like i'm hoping that if in fact he is foolish enough to go in, he's smart enough in fact to not do anything that would negatively impact on american citizens. what i have asked is, american citizens should leave — should leave now. we are dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. this is a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly. let's talk to sir malcolm rifkind, who served as foreign secretary and defence secretary injohn major's government. thank you very much forjoining us. things could go crazy soon. says president biden. you might not express it quite that way but how would you describe the situation? we are would you describe the situation? - are in a completely don't know the honest situation. president biden doesn't know what will happen, the ukrainian president doesn't know and we may be in a situation where president putin has not made up his mind. all i can give you is a

judgment. i think it is extremely unlikely there will be a general invasion in ukraine from the massed forces of the russian army and the reason for that is very simple. ukraine is a very large country, 1a million people. although the russians could undoubtedly defeat the ukrainian military, that would take some considerable time. the ukrainians are very patriotic and evenif ukrainians are very patriotic and even if part of their country is occupied by russia, they will have an internal insurgency and russia will get bogged down for weeks, months and years to come. i think the real threat is not so much a general invasion on every side of the border, i think what is much more risky is a more limited by the military incursion somewhere near the black sea to try to link up with crimea, orjust general harassment of the ukrainians for quite a considerable time to come. president putin's constant _

considerable time to come. president putin's constant refrain _ considerable time to come. president putin's constant refrain is _ considerable time to come. president putin's constant refrain is i _ considerable time to come. president putin's constant refrain is i have i putin's constant refrain is i have no intention of invading ukraine. iie no intention of invading ukraine. he is no intention of invading ukraine. he: is highly likely to say he is a. no intention of invading ukraine. he is highly likely to say he is a. but i is highly likely to say he is a. but wh ut is highly likely to say he is a. but why put that _ is highly likely to say he is a. but why put that many troops on the border of a neighbouring country it? when these trips were moved there a few weeks ago, a couple of months ago, that was not because something has certainly happened. nato is not considering ukrainian membership, it hasn't even thought about it seriously for 12 years and it is not considering it's now. so that was a deliberate initiative, i think the timing was because president putin is an opportunity is, a cunning, cruel but thoughtful opportunist, and i think because the americans had just pulled out in the most humiliating circumstances from afghanistan and because the us was increasingly preoccupied with china, i think putin thought, maybe this is an opportunity to actually change the map of europe without the americans, without nato reacting in any significant way. if he did have

thatjudgment, boy, he has got it wrong. thatjudgment, boy, he has got it wronu. �* . , thatjudgment, boy, he has got it wronu. �* ., wrong. but he has attracted the attention of— wrong. but he has attracted the attention of president _ wrong. but he has attracted the attention of president biden. i wrong. but he has attracted the. attention of president biden. the white house and the kremlin are the key figures in this, whether ukraine likes it or not.— likes it or not. absolutely. russia is a serious _ likes it or not. absolutely. russia is a serious country. _ likes it or not. absolutely. russia is a serious country. it _ likes it or not. absolutely. russia is a serious country. it is - likes it or not. absolutely. russia is a serious country. it is a - is a serious country. it is a nuclear weapon state and huge vast geographical space. nuclear weapon state and huge vast geographicalspace. of nuclear weapon state and huge vast geographical space. of course if russia or any country of that kind start threatening a war, the rest of the world has to take notice. if france or, the rest of the well... so of course rich is no different to any major country. the difference is that they have aggressive intent. there is no other country, apart from china's threats against taiwan, there is no other major country in there is no other major country in the world contemplating an invasion of its neighbours.— of its neighbours. sergei lavrov was less than complimentary _ of its neighbours. sergei lavrov was less than complimentary about i of its neighbours. sergei lavrov was less than complimentary about ourl less than complimentary about our foreign secretary liz truss and her unprepared visit as he put it. if foreign secretary liz truss and her unprepared visit as he put it. ii it

unprepared visit as he put it. if it had been lord carrington or henry kissinger who had gone he wouldn't have been very different. that is his style. lavrov will not in the current circumstances be complimentary about the foreign minister, a deck from britain or from france who says we will impose severe sanctions if you send troops across the border. of course there was a difference. liz truss, through no fault of her own, has only been in thejob forfive no fault of her own, has only been in the job for five months, sergei lavrov has been there for 18 years. the knowledge of the geography of the part of the world that we are talking about with her knowledge seemed to be somewhat lacking. i think you're being unkind. you referring to sergei lavrov mentioning two relatively obscure russian provinces and liz truss thought he was talking about the donbas which have been more or less occupied by russian supporting separatists. occupied by russian supporting separatists-— occupied by russian supporting searatists. ., ., ., separatists. you have ambassadors and advisers _ separatists. you have ambassadors and advisers sitting _ separatists. you have ambassadors and advisers sitting right _ separatists. you have ambassadors and advisers sitting right next i separatists. you have ambassadors and advisers sitting right next to i and advisers sitting right next to you, that's what they are therefore. sure. and as soon as that confusion

happened, the british ambassador sat next to liz truss correct the situation. that is what happened. we have had a few foreign secretaries who have not been understanding of geography in recent years the. the world is a geography in recent years the. tie: world is a big place and if the person you are speaking with comes up person you are speaking with comes up with an obscure part of your own country, . .. up with an obscure part of your own country,... i don't think i would have been in a stronger position. i was thinking of dominic raab not understanding how important a crossing between dover and calais was. one final question about ukraine. what do you believe would get president putin to back off? if sanctions aren't going to work because he has billions of dollars in reserve, what would work? the startin: in reserve, what would work? the starting point _ in reserve, what would work? tie: starting point has to need to recognise that putin is not a wild fanatic, he is not a war mongers because he enjoys going to war, he

is an opportunist. when he put these arrears demands before as nato, he knew perfectly well they could not be accepted. it was inconceivable that neither would allow russia as to which countries joined later. but he also knows that ukraine is not a candidate for membership at any time, possibly not for ever, certainly not for many years to come. what he is basically up to is to try and prove how robust nato is, how much leadership president biden and plato can provide, and whether they are prepared to punish russia severely if russia continues to harass its neighbours. i think the main point is that, already, we are supplying ukraine with defensive military equipment. although we will not be sending american or british troops, orany

not be sending american or british troops, or any other bits on the ground, we have made it quite clear if ukraine is attacked, it has to be helped to defend itself by the equipment it needs. because otherwise that would be very serious. that hasn't happens in the past. putin will be very aware that ups the stakes considerably. that does not mean he couldn't win a war, but it would mean a lot more russian body bags before he could win a war and that would not please the russian public. put in there past. putin will be very aware that ups the stakes considerably. that does not mean he couldn't win a war, but it would mean a lot more russian body bags before he could win a war and that would not please the russian public. putting those the russian public. putting those the russian public. putting those the russian public does not want a war that results in russian casualties, evenif that results in russian casualties, even if the russians were to win at the end of the day. —— president putin knows. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. lovely winter's day out there at the moment after a frosty start, but sunshine amounts are going to decrease through the day across western areas — cloud increasing here — and elsewhere, the sunshine will start to turn a bit hazier.

isolated shower or two to northwest england, through scotland — a little bit of sleet and snow mixed in with those. but for most, you stick with sunny spells all the way through to the afternoon, and temperatures rising after that frosty start to levels they should be for this stage in early february. a frost will return quite quickly, east anglia and the south east this evening, but lift later on. the breeze picks up — and with that breeze, cloud and outbreaks of rain — scotland, northern ireland, initially — some snow over the hills, spreading into northern england and wales as we go in towards tomorrow morning. strong to gale—force winds in the west, but it all means, not going to be as cold a night tonight or start to tomorrow with a frost in places. but this weekend, expect to see some rain around — particularly across england and wales on saturday, clearing its way southwards then moving northwards once again. frosty start in the north for sunday, and then this area of low pressure could cause some wet and very windy weather on sunday. so after today's sunshine, all change for the weekend — more details coming up later. there is no music. i was busy reading. sport — and for a full round—up

from the bbc sport centre. gavin is here, paying more attention than me. good morning. there's continued controvsery at the winter olympics in beijing, surrounding the doping case involving the 15—year—old russian figure skater, kamila valieva. the world anti—doping agency has confirmed it it intends to lodge an appeal with the court of arbitration for sport, after it came to light that she tested positive for a banned substance back in december. the ioc has already appealed against the lifting of her suspension by the russian anti—doping agency, which allowed her to compete at the games. she helped her team win gold on monday — but the medals have not yet been awarded. she's due to skate in the individual competition on tuesday. we're still waiting for news of british success after more disapppointment today. the curling teams are struggling in their bids to reach the semi—finals, and britain's 20—year run of skeleton medals is coming to an end. andy swiss is in the mountains outside beijing for us. britain have won medals at the

skeleton in the last five winter olympics, but her to say they won't be wearing in the dough here. at the halfway point in the women's events law deas is an 20 first place and her team—mate on 20 seventh place. such disappointment for laura deas, who won a bronze medal in thejung chang a couple of years ago. she has had a tough season and at the speed was just not there. there in had a tough season and at the speed wasjust not there. there in mind britain's competitors in the men's event will all four are also out of the top five, then safe to say britain will not be winning medals here in beijing. it has also not been a great day for britain's curlers. britain's women lost their match against south korea. south korea made a comeback to take the match 7—9. that means that the britain team has lost two out of the first nine group matches. there was also a defeat for britain's men

earlier on, they lost to the usa. the most emotional scenes today was in the mena's half pipe. it was one about the japanese competitor. but perhaps the biggest year was for the great shaun white, competing for the usa and his final event before retiring. for many people, he is the greatest on—board art that has ever been, he has won three olympic titles. today he finished in fourth place. you can see what competing he had meant to him, the end of what has been quite a glittering career for shaun white. andy murray is still struggling to put a run of wins together — he was knocked out of the rotterdam open in the second round. he lost in straight sets to the world number nine, felix auger aliassime. murray was playing his first tournament since an early exit from the australian open. the canadian takes on british number one cameron norrie in the quarterfinals later. the canadian takes on british number one cameron norrie in the quarterfinals later. bahrain will host a formula one

grand prix until at least 2036. it's the longest deal the sport has with any circuit. bahrain was the first middle eastern state to host a race when it made its debut back in 200a. abu dhabi and saudi arabia have since followed. it will stage the season—opening grand prix next month. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. now the phones going off here, i can safely say. on the silage, i'm sure. fully vaccinated passengers arriving into the uk will no longer have to take any covid tests — either before departure or on arrival. the change — which kicked in at four o'clock this morning — means travellers who haven't received at least two vaccine doses will still need to provide proof of a negative covid result — and book a post—arrival pcr test. it comes as hundreds of thousands of people prepare to travel abroad for the half—term break. and this morning it's been announced spain will allow in unvaccinated uk teenagers from monday. spain's secretary of state

for tourism told the bbc that 12—17 year olds from the uk who haven't been vaccinated against covid will be allowed in from next week if they present a negative pcr test taken within 72 hours on arrival into the country. great britain is our main market. we've been always very keen on easing the relations, the restrictions between both countries. so hearing that great britain is going to ease their restrictions for travellers to other countries, it is obviously great news for us. we will be welcoming britons to spain. spain also is doing great effort to perform as a safe country along this pandemic. so, really, we are trying hard between both countries to recuperate, to ease the travel and all the restrictions between both countries.

joining me now is sean tipton, from the assciation of british travel agents. how helpful is this announcement today by spain?— today by spain? incredibly helpful because spain _ today by spain? incredibly helpful because spain is _ today by spain? incredibly helpful because spain is by _ today by spain? incredibly helpful because spain is by far _ today by spain? incredibly helpful because spain is by far the - today by spain? incredibly helpful because spain is by far the most i because spain is by far the most popular overseas destination for us, particularly at this time, people looking for the winter sun, the canary islands. i can imagine people talking again fame, actually, you can come up next week. joking aside, it is because pain is very important for us. but as, very important for them as well.— them as well. great step in right direction. before _

them as well. great step in right direction. before that, _ them as well. great step in right direction. before that, with i direction. before that, with preproduction test that people would have to take. i imagine it would have to take. i imagine it would have been quite a nice list of a nice list ofjuly?— have been quite a nice list of a nice list ofjuly? when you look at the numbers _ nice list ofjuly? when you look at the numbers people _ nice list ofjuly? when you look at the numbers people travelling i nice list ofjuly? when you look at i the numbers people travelling have, quite as good as the people, but they are not far off. that is mainly because of the production of pests. debt reduction of tests. that comes of the a couple of weeks ago that you didn't have to take a predeparture test. we really you didn't have to take a predepa rtu re test. we really are moving in the territory. if you look at the amount of term, i think that is show once you the restrictions that its massive pent—up demand for people wanting to go overseas. i was looking to go a few times too, but i would say the vast majority of people probably haven't been anywhere overseas for people wanting to go overseas. i was looking to go a few times too, but i would say the

vast majority of people probably haven't been speaking from the motorboat travelled nation, we love overseas yet actually now in a can do so. i must stress out yet. whenever be going on holiday, is very important to check what and entry requirements are. if you book through a travel agent or tour operator, that volume. if you are making your own arrangements, i was stressed very strongly going to the foreign office, check the country's advice. we don't want to see people not having done that, only to find out at the airport that they haven't got the right paperwork, just might not necessarily be in at category. things are improving, we are seeing can restrictions on. greece recently said in a pcr test again, they got rid of that. we are definitely moving in that direction. but some

parts of the to have more stringent requirements, someone like. generally speaking, definitely positive news on the right direction. people can cater to have the double bass or if they have children under 18, they wanted to take the case. that is very positive for the uk economy. someone, from the us spends three times as much cap on holiday than someone that stays at home for a staycationing. faithfully, how hard is to go on vaccinated at all? in faithfully, how hard is to go on vaccinated at all?— faithfully, how hard is to go on vaccinated at all? ,., ., , , vaccinated at all? in some examples, ou 'ust vaccinated at all? in some examples, you just can't- — vaccinated at all? in some examples, youjust can't- it— vaccinated at all? in some examples, you just can't. it is _ vaccinated at all? in some examples, you just can't. it is not _ vaccinated at all? in some examples, you just can't. it is not that _ vaccinated at all? in some examples, you just can't. it is not that easy. i you just can't. it is not that easy. it is getting easier. but you are vaccinated coming back to the uk, a

number of tests you have to has been addressed. a predeparture test, to take one after that. so that is getting easier. if i think the epidemic is starting to redress, and lot of the four sections in the summer and will cease to exist back will be back to exist and will be back for the summer and will cease to exist back started. coronavirus rules in wales are going to be eased later this month. from next friday — that's a week today — covid passes to access theatres, cinemas and nightclubs will be scrapped. and by the end of the month, face coverings will no longer be needed in many public places such as schools, gyms and cinemas. but ministers in cardiff say they were surprised by the prime minister's announcement, earlier this week, on plans to lift all restrictions in england. there certainly wasn't a meeting and agreement between chief medical officers across the uk. there is no

meeting between health ministers before that decision was made. all things are have been very involved in the course of the lasting that not take place. it is unusual to get an lot less from the prime minister not take place. it is unusual to get a lot less established before prime minister's questions via a press conference from chris whitty and professor vallance. conference from chris whitty and professorvallance. i conference from chris whitty and professor vallance. i think is, i can look innovative and i say to's changes have went through scientific advice and a discussion for the full cabinet before he settled on a vision of the keep workers safe out of the present. if more now on our top story, as the search begins to replace britain's top police officer. dame cressida dick announced last night that she'll stand down

as metropolitan police commissioner, after the mayor of london sadiq khan said he had lost confidence in her ability to tackle failings in the force. joining me now is councillor susan hall, leader of the greater london assembly conservatives. was simply kind cressida dick under so much pressure that she said that she had no much choice but to go? sadiq khan has handled so badly, there is no way to treat somebody. as it happens, he recommended her for another two years a few months ago. when oral defence .1 of the net, we have had some terrible and for instance, if i can picture that way, all of those living to him then. so i'm not quite sure why he sat on the side he would stop putting her on notice, which was the

wrong way to go about it in my view. she deserves better than that. we did have the charing cross report last week, about which cressida dick would not seem to have much of a growing, even though those problems date back several years. —— much of the. how much should she have had? the point i am making is that sadiq khan has handled less so badly. but surely cressida dick has had plenty of time to develop a force around, she has been imposed for many years now and a lot of these problems have been ingrained before she took over. sadiq khan does not feel she has the pipeline. he sadiq khan does not feel she has the --ieline. . , sadiq khan does not feel she has the --ieline. .,, ., ., pipeline. he was the one who renewed the contract — pipeline. he was the one who renewed the contract a — pipeline. he was the one who renewed the contract a few— pipeline. he was the one who renewed the contract a few months _ pipeline. he was the one who renewed the contract a few months ago, - pipeline. he was the one who renewed the contract a few months ago, he i the contract a few months ago, he was well aware of these things. he had confidence in. i think the way

he has gone about getting rid of, the media, if you like, is the wrong way to do about it. for whatever reason with you think cressida dick has been a bad job, she still deserves to be treated in a correct way if you intend to replace. confidence and the police itself doesn't believe that at the, it is down to an all—time low of 50%, it has never been that bad. for sadiq khan to at this rate has actually made the situation worse. how important _ made the situation worse. how important you _ made the situation worse. how important you think _ made the situation worse. how important you think it - made the situation worse. how important you think it is for somebody being in charge of it is not part of its recent history? —— beenin not part of its recent history? —— been in charge of the net. i not part of its recent history? -- been in charge of the net. i think the will been in charge of the net. i think they will take — been in charge of the net. i think they will take all _ been in charge of the net. i think they will take all applicants i been in charge of the net. i think they will take all applicants on i they will take all applicants on merit. i both hope that they will deal the whistle—blowing aspect of things much better. i question the deputy commissioner and a couple months ago and asked if there is a

thickness of the system and anonymity, he said there wasn't. i suggested that that was put in place. it will mean things could get was before they get better, actions have to be taken for some of these issues sorted out so that public confidence increases. it has sadiq khan's job to keep us all safe and make us all feel safe, and he will be taken for some of these issues sorted out so that public confidence increases. it sorted out so that public confidence increases. . , sorted out so that public confidence increases. ., , ,,., ., �* , sorted out so that public confidence increases. ., , ., �* , ., , increases. it has sadiq khan's 'ob to keep us — increases. it has sadiq khan's 'ob to keep us eu �* increases. it has sadiq khan's 'ob to keep us all safe i increases. it has sadiq khan's 'ob to keep us all safe and i increases. it has sadiq khan's 'ob to keep us all safe and make i increases. it has sadiq khan's job to keep us all safe and make us | increases. it has sadiq khan'sjob. to keep us all safe and make us all feel safe, and he the film presumably on. how important is that the prime minister is not involved in the appointment of the next great commissioner giving the investigation into the downing street parties? the investigation into the downing street arties? , ., ., , street parties? the investigations will carry on- _ street parties? the investigations will carry on. priti _ street parties? the investigations will carry on. priti patel— street parties? the investigations will carry on. priti patel will- street parties? the investigations will carry on. priti patel will work| will carry on. priti patel will work with the pair to find somebody to head of the biggest service we have in the country. the amount of work is done via servers,

counterterrorism, as an example, has absolutely valued and we don't talk about the good thing is that the met. presenter: a labour backbencher has had the party whip suspended following allegations that he made racist comments to a journalist on the parliamentary estate. neil coyle, the mp for bermondsey and old southwark, has been accused of using offensive language in conversation with a reporter at strangers' bar, who said it caused him to feel "uncomfortable in my place of work." he's also been suspended from the bars on the parliamentary estate pending an investigation. this weekend marks 25 years since a cargo ship accidentally spilled five million pieces of lego off the cornish coast. even now, lego is still washing up on the shore. it's treasure to some people, especially the rare pieces, but it's also a worrying indicator ofjust how long discarded plastic will last in our oceans. andrew plant went to find out more. when did you find your first piece? it was back in '97. so, we started noticing the lego coming in, and it was mainly sea—themed pieces,

flippers and scuba tanks, little life jackets, the occasional octopus or a black dragon. tracy williams can spot a piece of lego where others just see seaweed and sand. the pieces that wash up here tell a story that's been unfolding in wave after wave for the past 25 years. one piece became thousands. flippers, boats, even sea rocks, that were then colonised before washing ashore. some are common. this is the rarest. tracy has seen just two green dragons in 25 years. so, there were over 33,000 dragons on this ship. and presumably you have the most of the pieces along the shoreline yourself, but you've neverfound one of these? i've neverfound a green dragon. tell me about the green dragon. so, back in '97, our next door neighbourfound one

of the green dragons. and then this week, a beach cleaner here in north cornwall found one. so, that's it. so, the green dragon. 25 years ago, this ship lost 62 containers 20 miles off the coast. one was full of five million pieces of lego. where it washes up now has told scientists much about the ocean currents — but also about how plastic in our oceans can last notjust for decades, but hundreds of years. so, all of these bits here that are less than half a centimetre are considered a micro—plastic, and eventually these will break up into smaller and smaller pieces, and become nano—plastic. we have no way of measuring how much is out there in the oceans and how much is coming in on every single tide. but if you ask anyone who looks at the beaches and looks at the micro—plastics, they will tell you just how many thousands of bits there are. there is now a worldwide community using social media to map new finds. tracy has even written a book of what's been washed up. finding that first lego brick —

the start of her piecing together how plastic stays in our seas, and always hoping, in the seaweed somewhere, a green dragon will finally surface. andrew plant, bbc news. during the lockdown, we saw a lot of choirs doing their thing on zoom — and making a greatjob of it. during the lockdown, we saw a lot of choirs doing their thing on zoom — and making a greatjob of it. however, you just can't beat singing together in the same room. thankfully, many groups are doing just that. aileen clarke went to watch scotland's oldest male voice choir in action. # you were always on my mind.# they might not be standing shoulder to shoulder yet, but the clydebank male voice choir are happy to open

plenty of windows if it means they can open their song books. this choir lost a good friend to covid and he is much in their thoughts. we lost a very important part of our choir, one of our members, that died very early on in the start of the pandemic and we miss him very much. we couldn't sing at the funeral of pat and we couldn't even go to his funeral. so that was, that was quite sad. this is a choir built on friendship as well as phrasing. gordon was widowed three years ago and his fellow singers were a huge source of support. so how good is it to be back singing now? absolutely marvellous. amongst your pals? yeah, absolutely marvellous, ijust love the choir and i love being here on a tuesday. 100 miles south of clydebank in rural dumfries and galloway, another singing session is getting under way. here in castle douglas, the choir didn't meet up for around 18 months because of the pandemic but now they're back up and running

and they say their doors are open to anyone who loves to sing. # i am sailing, i am sailing. it's a chance to just let go of everyday life, and we're getting as good as we can and we're enjoying singing. # i never thought i'd miss you # half as much as i do. just being ourselves again, getting a wee bit back of life. i know it's not properly back but we're getting there. i'm on my own, so it was pretty tough. and i missed the company. the company is great and i enjoy the singing. you can see from the crowd here, they're all having fun, _ they're enjoying themselves. # hallelujah. a sentiment very much echoed in clydebank. the fact that we can practice now makes a big difference.

it puts a spring back in your step? it does. well, some of them don't have any spring left, but! you can cut that bit! an australian icon, the koala, has been classified as endangered. the number of koalas has fallen sharply along much of the east coast due to land clearing, bush fires and disease. scientists say the population in the state of new south wales has decreased by up to 60% in the past 11 years. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. hello. after that frosty start today, it is going to be a beautiful winter's day out there. most places dry with some sunshine. there will be changes ahead as we head into the weekend. they are already gathering out towards the west, this mass of cloud, it usually means one thing, a bit more breeze and there will be outbreaks of rain.

that cloud will start to have an influence, taking away the sunshine across western areas during the rest of the day. sunshine turning hazy further east. one or two isolated showers, parts of north—west england, scotland, sleet and snow, but most will stay dry, winds reasonably light although they will be picking up in the west later. and after the frosty start, temperatures this afternoon around the levels they should be for this time of year in february and we've still got the sunshine so it won't feel too bad out there. quite quickly, though, once the sun has gone, frost will develop towards the south and east, it will lift later. the breeze picks up cloud, outbreaks of rain spilling in across many areas as we go through the night. strong to gale force winds in the west of scotland. maybe touching 60 miles an hour as we head into the second half of the night and into the morning. temperatures by the morning, largely frost—free. but on saturday, a lot more cloud around, brightening up to sunshine and showers in scotland and northern ireland through the day, outbreaks of rain coming and going in northern england, wales, and the south—west which will turn heavier and more persistent through the afternoon, and edging in towards the midlands. east anglia, the south—east, you could stay dry through saturday with hazy sunshine, but across the board,

it will be a breezy day. those winds coming in from a south—westerly direction, not a cold direction but it means temperatures will creep up a little bit compared to today. but you have got to factor in not as much sunshine and more wind and more cloud and more rain. then, as we go into saturday evening, the cloud, the rain fizzes a little bit as it pushes towards the southeast. it never quite reaches parts of south—east england before it returns northwards as we go through saturday night into sunday. a chance of frost with some clearer skies across the north, but into sunday, all eyes on this developing area of low pressure as it spills its way in off the atlantic. it is set to bring rain across much of england and wales through the day, very sporadic initially, but turning heavy and persistent from the south—west. biggest question mark, we will have to keep a check on the forecast, just how far north that rain will get. could it get as far as the borders of scotland, northern ireland, or will itjust be a little bit further southwards? 10 degrees maybe but it's not going to feel like that with the wind and the rain. wind strengthening in the south. best of the bright weather, the further north you are with sunshine and showers.

once that low pressure has moved through,

this is bbc news, i'm martine croxall. the headlines at 12. the search for a new met police commissioner gets under way after dame cressida dick's dramatic resignation. one former superintendent criticises her leadership after recent scandals. you didn't see any real direct leadership, some ethical leadership to hold the rogue cops to account. the uk economy rebounds with 7.5% growth last year spain relaxes covid restrictions for unvaccinated teenagers from the uk. president biden tells american citizens in ukraine to leave now, citing increased threats of russian military action. russia hits back at doping claims against the olympic figure skater kamila valieva, after her gold medal was withheld. and later this hour, we look at the environmental impact as lego continues to wash up

on the shores of cornwall, 25 years on from a cargo ship spill off the coast. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the search is on for a new metropolitan police commissioner — after the sudden resignation of dame cressida dick last night. she said she'd been left with "no choice" because the mayor of london, sadiq khan, had lost confidence in her ability to tackle failings within the force. she said she was stepping down "with deep sadness and regret". for his part, the mayor said he was "not satisfied" with dame cressida's response to the scale of change required to "root out" racism, sexism, homophobia, bullying and misogyny in the met. dame cressida has been the uk's most senior police

officer for five years — and was the first woman to hold the job. but she'd been criticised for failing to deal with problems within the force — as well as presiding over a string of controversies and scandals, including the murder of sarah everard by a serving officer. our correspondentjames reynolds has this report. the commissioner and the mayor once headed in the same direction, but they have now come to a sudden stop. following contact with the mayor of london today, it is quite clear that the mayor no longer has sufficient confidence in my leadership of the metropolitan police service for me to continue as commissioner. he has left me no choice but to step aside. it is clear that the only way to start to deliver the scale of the change required is to have new leadership right at the top of the metropolitan police. cressida dick has endured

a turbulent year. in march 2021, a serving police officer, wayne couzens, used his police powers to kidnap sarah everard from a london street and then rape and murder her. the commissioner's officers broke up a vigil in sarah everard's memory. that event's organisers are glad to see her go. good riddance, but this is where the work begins. just getting rid of cressida dick does not make it a clean slate. there is years and years of systemic racism, sexism, homophobia, and we need someone to come in who is going to recognise that and do the reform. in december, two officers who guarded a murder scene were sentenced to prison terms for sending abusive messages. and then earlier this month, a report revealed that officers at charing cross police station had shared racist and misogynistic messages. the mayor believed that the commissionerjust did not get the scale of the problem. but the commissioner's allies disagree.

one of cressida dick's most immediate tasks remains unfinished. her officers have yet to complete their inquiry into parties held in downing street during lockdown. and so the met investigates the government as the government picks a new met commissioner. james reynolds, bbc news. a report into the serial killer stephen port found that the metropolitan police fundamentally failed in its investigation of his crimes and made assumptions about the lifestyles of young gay men which contributed to port being able to continue killing. one of his victims, daniel whitworth, was found with a note that port had written to make his death look like a suicide. daniel's partner, ricky waumsley, told the today programme on radio a about his experience

of the met�*s investigation. first, the police told us it could be suicide. they asked us to look at the suicide note to verify the handwriting. daniel's dad, adam, he wasn't sure whether it was his handwriting or not. so we asked them if they would be able to get an expert to look at it. i supplied a sample of his handwriting and they said he would but they never did. shifter handwriting and they said he would but they never did.— handwriting and they said he would but they never did. after the report into the investigation _ but they never did. after the report into the investigation as _ but they never did. after the report into the investigation as a - but they never did. after the report into the investigation as a whole i into the investigation as a whole into the investigation as a whole into not— into the investigation as a whole into notjust daniel's made but the other— into notjust daniel's made but the other murders, as well, after that came _ other murders, as well, after that came out, — other murders, as well, after that came out, did you meet dame cressida ? i

came out, did you meet dame cressida 7 came out, did you meet dame cressida 2 y , , came out, did you meet dame cressida ? i did, yes, 'ust before christmas. what was ? i did, yes, just before christmas. what was that _ ? i did, yes, just before christmas. what was that like? _ ? i did, yes, just before christmas. what was that like? yeah, - ? i did, yes, just before christmas. what was that like? yeah, it i ? i did, yes, just before christmas. what was that like? yeah, it went. what was that like? yeah, it went to... it what was that like? yeah, it went to--- it went— what was that like? yeah, it went to... it went ok. _ what was that like? yeah, it went to... it went ok. she _ what was that like? yeah, it went to... it went ok. she came - what was that like? yeah, it wentj to... it went ok. she came across friendly and, you know... she said she was going to look into improving the met police, but i didn't really have much faith in her. hand the met police, but i didn't really have much faith in her.— the met police, but i didn't really have much faith in her. and why was that? because _ have much faith in her. and why was that? because of _ have much faith in her. and why was that? because of the _ have much faith in her. and why was that? because of the scale - have much faith in her. and why was that? because of the scale of - have much faith in her. and why was that? because of the scale of what l that? because of the scale of what had happened or because of that meeting? — had happened or because of that meeting? a had happened or because of that meetint ? �* , ., had happened or because of that meetint ? ~ , ., had happened or because of that meetint ? �* , ., , had happened or because of that meetint?�* , ., , meeting? a bit of both. there is so much homophobic, _ meeting? a bit of both. there is so much homophobic, sexist - meeting? a bit of both. there is so much homophobic, sexist and i meeting? a bit of both. there is so | much homophobic, sexist and racist stuff going on within the met police right now that i don't think she is capable of sorting out these issues stops i am so when you heard this news yesterday, what did you think? my news yesterday, what did you think? my first thought was, about time. she definitely needed to go.

earlier our home affairs correspondent, daniel sandford, explained that the details around dame cressida's announcement she was stepping down are not quite clear. i don't know if the mayor miscalculated, whether he intended her to just leave or whether he intended to be seen to be putting pressure on the force and for his own political reasons wanted to be seen to be trying to take a grip after the horrific charing cross reports the previous week about officers sending these horrendous misogynistic, racist, homophobic, violence—against—women texts. that was what pushed him to going on the front foot and being very, very critical, but when he ——foot and being very, very critical, but whether he realised she was going to leave, i am not sure. it became clear to me by wednesday night that senior officers in the met felt that he had put her in an almost impossible position.

i guess on thursday morning she felt she had to have one last go and say she didn't intend to resign but when he essentially sent the message to her that he was not satisfied with her proposals for going forward, then rather than buckling down and saying i will send you another set of proposals, she said fine, you don't have confidence in me and i'm gone. and priti patel, the home secretary, had no idea it was coming. what has the reaction been across the force? she was widely respected. she is interesting because within policing she is regarded as possibly the best officer of her generation, certainly there is a lot of loyalty amongst many of the rank and file of the police federation in london. they came out very strongly in her support last night. many senior detectives i have spoken to over recent years regard her as the best governor they have had, and certainly very senior officers in her top leadership team are full of respect for her. so there is a sense of a shock.

not shock that she has left because i think people saw it coming, but shock at how she has been treated in recent weeks by politicians of many different different parties — the green party, the labour party and some politicians in the conservative party. the irony will not be lost on her, that she is the first woman to lead the met, a force which is being accused of misogyny by many external commentators. everybody understands that there is — and has historically been — some cultural problems in policing generally and in the metropolitan police, and certainly compared to 30, a0 years ago, there has been a lot of cultural change but thejob is not done. i think cressida dick's issue was that, was she able to communicate what she was doing, and was she able to realise the urgency of needing to be seen to be changing the culture,

it is a little unclear as to what was going on behind the scenes but one of the criticisms of the mayor was that she must have known that this report was coming last week. the text messages were sent in 2016, 2017, 2018, and yet when the report comes out, where is the plan for how we are going to deal with improving the culture in the met? so a lot of work had been done to improve all sorts of areas in the met, but whether that was being communicated and whether enough was being done i think is probably how we ended up where we are. in an ideal world i imagine there will be a lot of succession planning as to who will take over when she was due to step down. what happens now? who gets to have a say, given that the metropolitan police is investigating what has been going on in downing street? this is the biggest problem we have in terms of the future of the met because last year there was a decision to be made about whether or not to extend cressida dick's contract and it was decided essentially there was not another suitable candidate for thejob. she was widely respected, and although there had been

problems, it was still felt she was making progress. the decision was to extend her contract and that is how we are where we are today. having decided yesterday there was no suitable to replace her last year, now in a hurry they are going to have to appoint a candidate from the pool of not—suitable candidates to replace her. we have a force in crisis with very low morale, having lost a very respected leader, and nobody really knows who the candidate is to replace her. there are some good people out there. dave thompson at west midlands police, andy cook who was at merseyside police, hugh 0rd, who missed out on the leadership job last time, and several others. but last year it was decided that there was not a suitable candidate in the field, and neil basu, who was many people's thought — the former head of terrorism in the uk,

counterterrorism in the uk — people thought he was likely to be the person to replace cressida dick, it was quite clear there were people in government — the home secretary priti patel, the prime minister borisjohnson — who didn't want him in thatjob. so one of the best candidates for thejob appears to be ruled out. the home secretary has been writing on the london evening standard about the resignation of dame cressida dick. she said, i express my thanks yesterday to dame cressida for his service as she announced her resignation. leading the met is a privilege with enormous and unique responsibilities, the first duty is to protect the public, the people, the streets of our capital, making london a safer place to live, work and visit. she goes on to say, following a series of appalling incidents and too many historical cases involving seven met police officers, it is clear that strong and decisive new leadership —— saving met police officers. be in no

doubt that a new leader must tackle these issues. i will appoint a commissioner who will deliver results for the public that our police serve and represent. priti patel as home secretary is responsible for appointing the new commissioner of the metropolitan police, but with the involvement of the mayor of london, currently sadiq khan giving due regard to his views. fully vaccinated passengers arriving into the uk will no longer have to take any covid tests — either before departure or on arrival. the change — which kicked in at four o'clock this morning — means travellers who haven't received at least two vaccine doses will still need to provide proof of a negative covid result — and book a post—arrival pcr test. it comes as hundreds of thousands of people prepare to travel abroad for the half—term break. and this morning it's been announced spain will allow in unvaccinated uk teenagers from monday. spain's secretary of state for tourism told the bbc that 12—17—year—olds from the uk who haven't been vaccinated against covid will be allowed in from next week if they present

a negative pcr test taken within 72 hours on arrival into the country. great britain is our main market. we've been always very keen in easing the relations, the restrictions between both countries. so hearing that great britain is going to, well, ease their restrictions for travellers to other countries — it is obviously great news for us. we will be welcoming britons to spain. spain also has been doing great effort to perform as a safe country along this pandemic. so really, we are trying hard between both countries to recuperate, to ease the travel and all the restrictions between both countries.

earlier i spoke to sean tipton, from the assciation of british travel agents about what this means for the travel industry. spain is by far the most popular overseas destination for us, particularly at this time, people looking for the winter sun, the canary islands. numbers were down that i can imagine the conversation. it will be speaking to their 15 or else in, say you cannot come, you're not staying with your grandparents you can come to tenerife. joking aside, it is because pain is very important for us. but as, very important for them as well. great step in right direction. before that, with the reduction in tests, that must have been quite a nice boost. ii tests, that must have been quite a nice boost-— nice boost. if you look at the numbers _ nice boost. if you look at the numbers of— nice boost. if you look at the numbers of people _ nice boost. if you look at the

numbers of people travelling nice boost. if you look at the i numbers of people travelling over half term, they are not quite as good as they would have been pre—pandemic but they are not far off and that is mainly because of the reduction in the tests you need to take. if you are double vaccinated or under 18, none at all currently, so that is great news. that comes on the back of a few weeks ago when for the same category as you didn't need a free departure test, as well. that was even better, if anything, something that really worried people. we are moving in the right direction will stop if you look at the numbers of people going, hundreds of thousands over half term, that goes to show once you start lifting restrictions there is a massive pent—up demand from people wanting to go overseas. i was lucky enough to go a few times over the pandemic, when we were allowed to go to certain destinations but i would say the vast majority of people probably haven't been anywhere overseas for over two years. generally speaking, we are the most well travelled nation on the planet. we love going on holiday overseas and now we are now in a position where we can do so much more easily.

i would stress, though, we are not totally out of the woods. wherever you are going on holiday it is very important that you check what their own entry requirements are. book through a travel agent, a tour operator who will do that and put you in the right direction so you can do it yourself. if you are making your own arrangements, go to the foreign office, check the travel advice for the country you are going to, go to entry requirements and they will tell you what you need to know. what we don't want to see our people not having done that, only find out at the airport that they don't have the right paperwork or they might not necessarily be in the right category. things are improving, we are seeing countries removing restrictions rather than imposing them. greeks recently said you would need a pcr test to get in, mostly because of the omicron varied. they have now got rid of that so we are definitely moving the right direction but some parts of the world have much more stringent requirements, some parts of the world have much more stringent requirements, somewhere like new zealand said it would only welcome foreign tourists from october this

year. generally speaking, definitely positive moves in the right direction. the headlines on bbc news... the search for a new met police commissioner gets underway after dame cressida dick's dramatic resignation. spain relaxes covid restrictions for unvaccinated teenagers from the uk president biden tells american citizens in ukraine to leave now, citing increased threats of russian military action. the defence secretary, ben wallace, will meet his russian counterpart in moscow later, as part of diplomatic efforts to lower tensions on ukraine's border. russia denies that it's planning to invade ukraine, despite the huge build—up of more than a hundred thousand troops in the region. meanwhile president biden has told all american citizens still in ukraine to leave immediately, because — in his words — things

could soon go 'crazy�* there. that's a world war when americans and russians start shooting at each other. we are in a very different world than we have ever been in. not even on behalf of simply evacuating americans? no. how do you do that? how do you even find them? this is not like i'm hoping that in fact he is foolish enough to go in. he's smart enough in fact to not do anything that would negatively impact on american citizens. what i have asked is, american citizens should leave, should leave now. we are dealing with one of the largest armies in the world. this is a very different situation and things could go crazy quickly. let's speak to our correspondent james waterhouse, in the capital, kyiv. any idea how many americans are in ukraine who may need to heed this warning? i ukraine who may need to heed this warnin: ? ., , ukraine who may need to heed this warnin: ? ~' , ., warning? i think in terms of civilians or— warning? i think in terms of civilians or embassy - warning? i think in terms of civilians or embassy staff, l warning? i think in terms of l civilians or embassy staff, the numbers are a few. what we are seeing, we have often heard this

sense of this language of agency from the us about, to quote the us secretary of state, antony blinken, seeing an invasion could happen imminently, in the coming days, and that includes during the baking winter olympics. there has been no end of that, for the first time this week we have seen a bit more of a mirroring of tone from the government of ukraine, foreign saying he has seen intelligence shows russian troops, more russian troops gathering along the border on top of that estimated 100,000 figure. we have thejoint military exercises to the north in belarus involving an estimated 30,000. they have been causing big security worries. now to the south in the black sea, the border authority has warned of russian naval exercises, missile exercises which you came —— ukraine describes as a blocking of exports causing economic and

problems to the country. there have been reports of partial remission cancellation in the sea as a fluff that legacy of as of that i would hardly call that an escalation. hates hardly call that an escalation. how sympathetic _ hardly call that an escalation. how sympathetic be — hardly call that an escalation. how sympathetic be of _ hardly call that an escalation. how sympathetic be of this message from president biden to the us citizens, given they went very happy that the us and uk withdrew embassy staff quite some time ago? == us and uk withdrew embassy staff quite some time ago?— us and uk withdrew embassy staff quite some time ago? -- they were not happy- — quite some time ago? -- they were not happy- it _ quite some time ago? -- they were not happy- it was — quite some time ago? -- they were not happy. it was a _ quite some time ago? -- they were not happy. it was a real _ quite some time ago? -- they were not happy. it was a real source i quite some time ago? -- they were not happy. it was a real source of l not happy. it was a real source of frustration and president zelensky has been talking about the psychological pressure. the defence secretary of the uk, ben wallace, announced to support this morning, more helmets, body armour and combat boots will be sent here. we have had 130 tonnes of us weaponry arrive as part of that $200 million security package, but we are seeing, and yes we are seeing more nato troops moving to the region, but crucially

not here on ukrainian soil. what ministers here really want, and what they have long called for, our immediate economic punishment to put pressure off invading and for what it has done with the occupied territories in the east through russian backed militants. president macron of france suggested a solution through the minsk peace agreement, but both sides have accused each other of not honouring it, the ukraine wants the board it secured first. she wants is territory to be given special status and for local elections be which is and for local elections be which is a nonstarterfor president zelensky�*s government. for a nonstarter for president zelensky's government. for the moment, thank _ zelensky's government. for the moment, thank you _ zelensky's government. for the moment, thank you very - zelensky's government. for the moment, thank you very much, j zelensky's government. for the i moment, thank you very much, james waterhouse. sport, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, gavin. there's continued controvsery at the winter olympics in beijing, surrounding the doping case involving the 15—year—old russian figure skater kamila valieva. the world anti—doping agency has confirmed it it intends to lodge an appeal with the court of arbitration for sport, after it came to light that she tested positive for a banned substance back in december.

the ioc has already appealed against the lifting of her suspension by the russian anti—doping agency, which allowed her to compete at the games. she helped her team win gold on monday — but the medals have not yet been awarded. she's due to skate in the individual competition on tuesday. great britain's 20—year run of medals in skeleton is about to end, after a really disappointing day. laura deas, bronze medallist four years ago, is in 21st place after the first two runs, with brogan crowley, even further behind. britain's men are also way out of the medals. it's been suggested there may be a problem with the equipment — deas said she couldn't work out what went wrong and she was clearly devastated. ididn't i didn't have the speed, i don't know why. i feel like i didn't have the speed, i don't know why. ifeel like i executed a really good game plan. sometimes in this sport you just can't explain everything and i don't know where the speed went today. it has been a very tough two years for everybody and i think i should be very proud

of the fact that i'm here, i have made it to the start line, i am healthy, i have got a great team around me and my family and friends at home are so supportive so i couldn't be more thankful for that. great britain's men's and women's curling teams both suffered defeats today — the men lost to the defending champions, the united states — they're playing norway now and lead 1—0. the women were beaten by south korea. and it was a tough one to take — they led by one going into the penultimate end but they conceded four, and that cost them the match. they've now lost two of their three matches and face an uphill task to make the semi—finals. we've seen the end of an era in beijing today. shaun white — the flying tomato, due to his flowing red hair brought his glittering snowboarding career to an end. he just missed out on a medal in the half—pipe, finishing fourth — but he does have three golds to his name, as well as countless x—games titles. he's 35 now, though, and he said "i'm happy. what a life, what a career, what a legacy to leave behind".

that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. see you later, thank you. official estimates released this morning show the uk economy grew by 7.5% last year, despite a slight dip in december caused by the omicron variant of coronavirus. last year's rebound came after a nine point four percent collapse in 2020, as the covid pandemic spread and lockdown rules were imposed. the chancellor rishi sunak has welcomed the data. well, today's figures show that, despite omicron, the economy was remarkably resilient. we were the fastest—growing economy in the g7 last year and are forecast to continue being the fastest—growing economy this year. so that shows that our plans for the economy are working. but i know people are worried about rising prices, particularly energy bills, and although these are global challenges, where we can make a difference, of course we are going to act and that's why last week we announced a significant package of support to help millions of families meet those rising bills. coronavirus rules in wales are going to be eased later this month. from next friday —

that's a week today — covid passes to access theatres, cinemas and nightclubs will be scrapped. and by the end of the month, face coverings will no longer be needed in many public places such as schools, gyms and cinemas. but ministers in cardiff say they were surprised by the prime minister's announcement, earlier this week, on plans to lift all restrictions in england. there certainly wasn't a meeting, an agreement between chief medical officers across the uk. there was no meeting between health ministers before this change was made. all the things that have been very normal during the course of the last two years didn't take place, and it was unusual to have this announcement made by the prime ministerjust before prime minister's questions, rather than a press conference flanked by chris whitty and patrick vallance. i think the question as to why that hasn't happened, and why no public health advice has been provided to underpin the changes been made in england, is a matter that, of course, the uk government will need to provide. but here in wales, i can look anybody and everybody in the eye and say today's changes have gone through that process —

scientific evidence and advice, chief medical officer advice, and a proper discussion between the whole cabinet before we settled on a position to help keep wales safe, and hopefully move us out of the emergency phase of the pandemic. minister for the ministerfor the economy minister for the economy of wales, vaughan gething. the labour mp neil coyle has been suspended from the party, following allegations he made racist comments to a journalist in a house of commons bar. a labour spokesperson said the party took such allegations very seriously and that an investigation was under way. in a statement, mr coyle described his comments as "insensitive", adding that he has "apologised to everyone involved". us officials have urged canada's government to use its federal powers to end a blockade by truckers protesting against covid restrictions. us—canada border points have been affected, including the ambassador bridge, one of the most important trade corridors between the two countries. samira hussain has the latest. horns blare.

for yet another day, lorry drivers furious at vaccine mandates and covid restrictions have blocked the busiest land border crossing in north america. itjust keeps going on and on. the economic impact could be serious. a quarter of all trade between canada and the united states happens here, or it did until angry truckers decided to intervene. we want freedom. there should be a choice in this country where the... there should be a choice in this country whether... they can't force something new. many people have lostjobs with these lockdowns, and now with these mandates. the protests have forced two of the world's largest car makers to suspend operations, a financial burden that has caught the attention of the white house. i think it's important for everyone in canada and the united states to understand what the impact of this blockage is — potential impact on workers, on the supply chain, and that is where we are most focused. it's the focus for local

businesses in ottawa, where the original trucker protest continues to obstruct daily life and commerce. but for the police force, attention has turned to the impending confrontation. on wednesday, they started warning the truckers they would be arrested and forcibly removed if they don't leave on their own. the response to that threat could dramatically change the carnival atmosphere which has prevailed, all of which seems strange in a country and political system once renowned for its good manners. if canada's protesters can be removed from the roads, then businesses will likely bounce back. and as covid is starting to recede, so are some of those restrictions. but the anger that it has provoked may not be easily dispersed. samira hussain, bbc news, ottawa. meanwhile, france and belgium have promised tough action to prevent planned protests this weekend, along the lines of those in canada. motorists intending to block roads into the french capital to show their anger about coronavirus restrictions have been threatened with fines and jail terms.

now it's time for a look at the weather with stav. cani can i ask you where this is where will you know? i can i ask you where this is where will you know?— can i ask you where this is where will ou know? ~' , ., ., will you know? i knew you were going to do that. will you know? i knew you were going to do that- i— will you know? i knew you were going to do that. i know _ will you know? i knew you were going to do that. i know where _ will you know? i knew you were going to do that. i know where this - will you know? i knew you were going to do that. i know where this is. i to do that. i know where this is. this is kew gardens in london. thank ou, thank this is kew gardens in london. thank you. thank you- _ this is kew gardens in london. thank you, thank you. tell _ this is kew gardens in london. thank you, thank you. tell us _ this is kew gardens in london. thank you, thank you. tell us about - you, thank you. tell us about the weather. i will do, thank you very much. glorious _ weather. i will do, thank you very much. glorious conditions, i weather. i will do, thank you very much. glorious conditions, blue l much. glorious conditions, blue skies ahead, for many it has been a cold start, widespread high trust across central and northern areas but it is leading to a lovely afternoon. most places will stay dry so just the odd shower across northern and western areas. the cloud will build up out west, this is the high pressure has brought the cold, dry day today. this new area of low pressure will bring wet and windy weather through tonight at that weekend. it stays dry central, southern, eastern areas of refined and today, wet and windy across northern and western areas overnight. overnight northern and western areas overnight in heavy rain at times, chilly night to come in the south—west but elsewhere much milder than previous nights. through

saturday it will be windy again, outbreaks of rain, heavy across wales into parts of northern england, more sunshine and showers for scotland and northern ireland will stripped stay dry because east anglia had to after dark. just beware if you are, widespread gales particularly in the north and west of the temperatures slowly recovering as we pick up the south—westerly atlantic air. highs of 9 or 10 degrees across southern and western areas. hello this is bbc news with martine croxall. the headlines: the search for a new met police commissioner gets underway after dame cressida dick's dramatic resignation. the uk economy rebounds with 7.5% growth last year spain relaxes covid restrictions for unvaccinated teenagers from the uk. president biden tells american citizens in ukraine to leave now, citing increased threats of russian military action. russia hits back at doping claims against the olympic figure skater, kamila valieva, after her gold medal was witheld. and in around 15 minutes, we'll take

a look at the environmental impact of plastic in our oceans as lego continues to wash up on the shores of cornwall 25 years on from a cargo ship spill. western leaders have been shuttling to moscow in an effort to keep the lines of communication open. the british defence secretary ben wallace is meeting his russian counterpart in moscow later today as part of diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. ahead of the meeting, mr wallace took part in a wreath—laying ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier by the kremlin wall.

earlier i spoke with sir malcolm rifkind, who served as foreign secretary and defence secretary injohn major's government, i asked him how he would describe the situation. we are in a completely don't know the situation, that's the honest position. president biden doesn't know what will happen, the ukrainian president doesn't know and we may be in a situation where president putin has not made up his mind. all i can give you is a judgment. i think it is extremely unlikely there will be a general invasion in ukraine from the massed forces of the russian army and the reason for that is very simple. ukraine is a very large country, 1a million people. although the russians could undoubtedly defeat the ukrainian military, that would take some considerable time. the ukrainians are very patriotic and even if part of their country is occupied by russia, they will have an internal insurgency and russia will get bogged down for weeks, months and years to come. i think the real threat is not so much a general invasion on every side of the border, i think what is much more risky is a more limited by the military incursion somewhere near the black sea to try to link up with crimea, orjust general harassment of the ukrainians for quite a considerable time to come.

president putin's constant refrain is i have no intention of invading ukraine. he is highly unlikely to say he was about to invade. but why put that many troops on the border of a neighbouring country? when these troops were moved there a few weeks ago, a couple of months ago, that was not because something has suddenly happened. nato is not considering ukrainian membership, it hasn't even thought about it seriously for 12 years and it is not considering it's now. so that was a deliberate initiative, i think the timing was because president putin is an opportunist, a cunning, cruel but thoughtful opportunist, and i think because the americans have just pulled out in the most humiliating circumstances from afghanistan and because the us was increasingly preoccupied

with china, i think putin thought, maybe this is an opportunity to actually change the map of europe without the americans, without nato reacting in any significant way. if he did have thatjudgment, boy, he has got it wrong. but he has attracted the attention of president biden. the white house and the kremlin are the key figures in this, whether ukraine likes it or not. absolutely. russia is a serious country. it is a nuclear weapon state and huge vast geographical space. of course if russia or any country of that kind start threatening a war, the rest of the world has to take notice. if france or, the rest of the world... so of course russia is no different to any major country. the difference is that they have aggressive intent. there is no other country, apart from china's threats against taiwan, there is no other major country in the world contemplating an invasion of its neighbours.

the 15—year—old russia skater at the centre of an olympic doping controversy faces a fight to stay at the winter games in beijing. it's now been confirmed that kamila valieva tested positive for a banned substance before the games started. our sports news correspondent, laura scott, has the latest from beijing. after days of intense media speculation, the international testing agency has now confirmed what we and many other media outlets understood to be the case, which is that the 15—year—old prodigy from russia, kamila valieva tested positive for a banned substance. in a lengthy statement, they revealed that kamila valieva had been drugs tested on christmas day when she was competing at the russian figure skating championships. now, that result hadn't come out. so she was able to compete here in beijing where on monday, she made olympic history, landing two quadruplejumps to help the russian olympic committee win figure skating team gold.

now, on tuesday, those medals were meant to be handed out, but they weren't and that is because, on that same day, the swedish laboratory that was analysing her sample revealed that that sample had tested positive for a banned substance. that meant that kamila valieva was provisionally suspended by the russian anti—doping authorities. then on wednesday, kamila valieva successfully challenged that provisional suspension. but now we know that the international olympic committee and the international skating union are appealing that decision to the court of arbitration for sport, and they are requesting they reimpose that provisional suspension. kamila valieva is the favourite for gold in the women's singles event which begins on tuesday which means this whole process needs to be expedited. we have heard that the russian olympic committee says it is taking comprehensive measures to keep what it described as an honestly—won olympic gold. but, again, another doping controversy here at the olympics engulfing russia.

this weekend marks 25 years since a cargo ship accidentally spilled five million pieces of lego off the cornish coast. even now, lego is still washing up on the shore. it's treasure to some people — especially the rare pieces — but it's also a worrying indicator ofjust how long discarded plastic will last in our oceans. andrew plant went to find out more. when did you find your first piece? it was back in '97. so, we started noticing the lego coming in, and it was mainly sea—themed pieces, flippers and scuba tanks, little life jackets, the occasional octopus or a black dragon. tracy williams can spot a piece of lego where others just see seaweed and sand. the pieces that wash up here tell a story that's been unfolding in wave after wave for the past 25 years. one piece became thousands. flippers, boats, even sea rocks, that were then colonised

before washing ashore. some are common. this is the rarest. tracy has seen just two green dragons in 25 years. so, there were over 33,000 dragons on this ship. and presumably you have the most of the pieces along the shoreline yourself, but you've neverfound one of these? i've neverfound a green dragon. tell me about the green dragon. so, back in '97, our next door neighbourfound one of the green dragons. and then this week, a beach cleaner here in north cornwall found one. so, that's it. so, the green dragon. 25 years ago, this ship lost 62 containers 20 miles off the coast. one was full of five million pieces of lego. where it washes up now has told scientists much about the ocean currents — but also about how plastic in our oceans can last notjust for decades, but hundreds of years.

so, all of these bits here that are less than half a centimetre are considered a micro—plastic, and eventually these will break up into smaller and smaller pieces, and become nano—plastic. we have no way of measuring how much is out there in the oceans and how much is coming in on every single tide. but if you ask anyone who looks at the beaches and looks at the micro—plastics, they will tell you just how many thousands of bits there are. there is now a worldwide community using social media to map new finds. tracy has even written a book of what's been washed up. finding that first lego brick — the start of her piecing together how plastic stays in our seas, and always hoping, in the seaweed somewhere, a green dragon will finally surface. andrew plant, bbc news. tom hardy, dolly parton and ryan reynolds have all given it a go. now the duchess of cambridge is the latest person to read the cbeebies bedtime story. we can give you an exclusive

look at how she did. our senior royal correspondent, sarah campbell, has been giving some young fans a sneak preview. wow, what an encouraging tale. we can all feel scared sometimes. just like our little owl friend plop. this book is the owl who was afraid of the dark. ready to start the book? the story of plop, the little owl who was afraid of the dark, has been enchanting children for decades. plop conquers his fears with the help of a little boy, a kindly lady, and even a black cat. plop conquers his fears with the help of a little boy, a kindly lady, and even a black cat. i love, i love it because he's called plop. i like this page. i like the fireworks. and then what did the cat say? it's all about overcoming fears and growing emotionally. very much the theme of children's mental health week, and a lesson the staff at this london nursery agree is vital for youngsters.

especially for the children in this age, the three and four—year—olds. because we always trying to empowerthem here, that if they do have a problem, they need to speak about it, they need to approach the stuff that we have here, their parents, even their peers. speak about it and get help if they need it. this is what this book touches about that touches on in a lot of detail. so plop is a great role model? plop is a great role model, yes! so, we're going to watch a video of the duchess of cambridge. it was one of catherine, the duchess of cambridge's favourite books as a child and she now reads it to her three children. her bedtime story was filmed in the garden at kensington palace, a royal addition to mark the 20th anniversary of cbeebies and cbbc. wow, what an encouraging tale. we can all feel scared sometimes, just like our little owl friend plop. but, as mrs barn owl said, it's better to find out about the things that scare us before we make up our mind.

and with the help of others, we can often face things that worry us. look at you, so many words! the importance of communication, particularly in the early years, has been consistently promoted by the duchess. two years ago, she spoke to louise minchin and other parents about why she was backing the bbc�*s tiny happy people campaign. earlier this year, she was in south london making fruit kebabs, and finding out about the challenges and issues facing young families. the story of an anxious little owl resonates more than 50 years after it was written. even if these four—year—olds don't quite understand the subtleties. the book's illustrator couldn't be more delighted the duchess chose to tell plop's story. she couldn't have picked a better book, because it is about that little owl who is overcoming his fears and anxieties. he's going out and he is talking to a number of different people about the subject, and i think it's good for people to talk.

i do not bottle things up. so i think she hit the nail on the head by the choice of book. and the fact that she loved that story as a child herself, now she reads it to her own three children, i mean, it's brilliant. and with the help of others... so, tuck the children in and settle down with the duchess on sunday evening. night night, and sleep tight. sarah campbell, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news: the search for a new met police commissioner gets underway after dame cressida dick's dramatic resignation. one former superintendent criticises her leadership after recent scandals. the uk economy rebounds with 7.5% growth last year. spain relaxes covid restrictions for unvaccinated teenagers from the uk. the home secretary, priti patel,

has warned that the next met police commissioner faces "stark challenges." dame cressida dick announced last night that she is to stand down from the post after a criticisms of how the force is run. writing in london's evening standard ms patel says whoever takes over must tackle institutional issues. she also expressed her commitment to selecting the right leader. former deputy assistant commissioner at the metropolitan police, stephen roberts, says dame cressida dick made big improvements at the force and shouldn't have gone from the top job i think was a very sad end to somebody who has given of very distinguished police service to the public of london and indeed to the public of the country. her departure will not make the world a safer place. it will destabilise the met. and frankly, she's been dealt

with in a very unprofessional, rude fashion. in reality, cressida's career exemplifies the culture change that's been going on in the met for many, many years. we are at a stage now where we have more women chief officers, more women superintendents, more ethnic minority officers in all ranks and where the force is headed up by a woman who has herself. who has herself suffered undoubtedly from misogyny, from homophobia. and yet this is the stage at which a career is put rudely to an end. joining me now is shabnam chaudhri who is a former detective superintendent at the met police (os) to at the met police (os) what extent do you agree w stephen to what extent do you agree with stephen roberts who? like there are some points i agree with. what i would say is that cressida dick as a woman of integrity. she

would say is that cressida dick as a woman of integrity.— would say is that cressida dick as a woman of integrity. she has changed histo b woman of integrity. she has changed history by becoming _ woman of integrity. she has changed history by becoming the _ woman of integrity. she has changed history by becoming the permission i history by becoming the permission of the biggest police force in the country. i'm not sure about the fact that the do poor and minority officers following me is leaving. we change within the organisation, the culture of the prc row that has been exposed in the public from the terms of misogyny and sexism. we fact is a institutional racism still exists and the police service in general. i think was that stephen roberts says there have been significant changes, there have been significant changes, there aren't of changes that have been made. it is a long way for these changes to happen. this because cressida dick to step down, it mean we will record tomorrow morning holebas has changed. whoever takes over has a huge blow decline.

—— to climb. takes over has a huge blow decline. -- to climb-— -- to climb. what type of person should take _ -- to climb. what type of person should take over? _ -- to climb. what type of person should take over? should - -- to climb. what type of person should take over? should it i -- to climb. what type of person should take over? should it be . should take over? should it be somebody from outside the metropolitan police who can bring fresh pair of eyes to be false? i think it would be good to have an independent person in policing. somebody with a huge amount of experience that can bring a fresh pair of eyes into the service that does not have the. so they can come from a completely different perspective, with different skills and help reshape the organisation. now is the time. i agree the way it time was

quite surprising, given sadiq khan extension programme year on one johnson and priti patel. there is obviously what happened last week and subsequently resulted before attempting for a resignation yesterday. attempting for a resignation yesterday-— attempting for a resignation esterda . ., . , ., ., yesterday. how credible he had to ut yesterday. how credible he had to put someone _ yesterday. how credible he had to put someone in _ yesterday. how credible he had to put someone in charge _ yesterday. how credible he had to put someone in charge of- yesterday. how credible he had to put someone in charge of those i yesterday. how credible he had to i put someone in charge of those that have a promising background? the fact is, have a promising background? the fact is. the — have a promising background? tue: fact is, the organisation have a promising background? tte: fact is, the organisation is have a promising background? tt;e: fact is, the organisation is in their late entries are old rivals. when you compare it at that level, have some serious leadership skills. you will have a number of senior officer standing by your side. they are the ones who have all the experience. yourjob isjust to strategically take the organisation for a team of officers and basically had to move forward. there is a cultural shift that we to happen

across promising, protecting the metropolitan police. you across promising, protecting the metropolitan police.— metropolitan police. you have thou . ht metropolitan police. you have thought of _ metropolitan police. you have thought of the _ metropolitan police. you have thought of the past _ metropolitan police. you have thought of the past about - metropolitan police. you have thought of the past about how metropolitan police. you have - thought of the past about how unfair that you are teaching your career because of the city, in,. how do you are teaching your career because of the city, in,. how do you change those ingrained attitudes we have heard about that half institutionalised, there are institutionalised, ? institutionalised, there are institutionalised,? t institutionalised, there are institutionalised, ?- institutionalised, there are institutionalised, ? ~ :, institutionalised,? i think we have not the of institutionalised,? i think we have got the of the _ institutionalised,? i think we have got the of the culture _ institutionalised,? i think we have got the of the culture change - institutionalised,? i think we have| got the of the culture change itself is not titrated to support many officers. i think from the top, who is probably leadership, to what of managers so that when people are making complaints, they are white, black, female or otherwise, that they are supported and given space to speak these subjected to discrimination, isolation, victimisation and or there is

permission, or progression of his wanting to stay in the post they had actually applied. it is at the of policing that it is issue. the fact is, what happened at charing cross is, what happened at charing cross is not unique. i think will be far more pockets of the organisation perhaps eyes. belgium's leading art museum has returned a painting that it's held for more than 70 years — after it was looted by the nazis. the work belonged to a jewish couple who fled their home in frankfurt in 1938. throughout europe there are still many works of art that have yet to be returned to the descendants of their original owners. the bbc�*s tim allman reports. archive: in a mountain l cave near berchtesgaden, goring's secret treasure trove - was located by american soldiers... nobody really knows just how much art was looted by the nazis — thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, of paintings and sculptures. the original owners dead or missing. but decades later, at least one work

of art is going back to where it belongs. flowers, by the german artist, lovis corinth, was the property of gustav and emma mayer. it was left behind when the couple fled to belgium, and then britain, just before the war began. but returning it to their descendants was not an easy task. it's very difficult, the family doesn't have an image of the painting, and the museum does not know that it comes from the mayer family. so both parties have to come together to make a connection. this entire exhibition is of works likely to have been stolen by the nazis. many museums and galleries have been criticised for not doing enough to return them. translation: these works all have different stories, i but we've put them together because they're all linked to the war, and they all pose a problem of providence in some way. it was important to

highlight this problem. this is not a simple exercise. no. but the family of gustav and emma mayer believe it is vital nonetheless. tim allman, bbc news. during the lockdown, we saw a lot of choirs doing their thing on zoom — and making a greatjob of it. however, you just can't beat singing together in the same room. thankfully, many groups are doing just that. aileen clarke went to watch scotland's oldest male voice choir in action. # you were always on my mind.# they might not be standing shoulder to shoulder yet, but the clydebank male voice choir are happy to open plenty of windows if it means they can open their song books. this choir lost a good friend to covid and he is much in their thoughts.

we lost a very important part of our choir, one of our members, that died very early on in the start of the pandemic and we miss him very much. we couldn't sing at the funeral of pat and we couldn't even go to his funeral. so that was, that was quite sad. this is a choir built on friendship as well as phrasing. gordon was widowed three years ago and his fellow singers were a huge source of support. so how good is it to be back singing now? absolutely marvellous. amongst your pals? yeah, absolutely marvellous, ijust love the choir and i love being here on a tuesday. 100 miles south of clydebank in rural dumfries and galloway, another singing session is getting under way. here in castle douglas, the choir didn't meet up for around 18 months because of the pandemic but now they're back up and running and they say their doors are open to anyone who loves to sing. # i am sailing, i am sailing.

it's a chance to just let go of everyday life, and we're getting as good as we can and we're enjoying singing. # i never thought i'd miss you # half as much as i do. just being ourselves again, getting a wee hit back of life. i know it's not properly back but we're getting there. i'm on my own, so it was pretty tough. and i missed the company. the company is great and i enjoy the singing. you can see from the crowd here, they're all having fun, _ they're enjoying themselves. # hallelujah. a sentiment very much echoed in clydebank. the fact that we can practice now makes a big difference. it puts a spring back in your step? it does. well, some of them don't have any spring left, but! you can cut that bit!

in a moment, the bbc news at one with jane hill, but first it's time for a look at the weather with stav danaos. hello, there. we saw a widespread frost across the uk to start our friday morning — a little bit of mist and fog around, too — but essentially it's been dry and sunny for all areas, and it's going to continue so into the second part of the day, as well. just a bit more cloud building up across western areas as this new area of low pressure starts to move in. this will bring wet and windy weather into the start of the weekend, but this is the ridge of high pressure which brought us the cold, dry and sunny weather through friday. temperatures by the end of the day reaching five to nine degrees after that cold, frosty start — that's around the seasonal norm. so a fine end to the day for many central and eastern areas, but out west, the area of low pressure starts to move in, bringing wetter and windier weather — a bit of snow over the hills of scotland for a while as it bumps into the cold air — but temperatures will recover by the end of the night, it will turn milder here,

but under clearer skies across the southeast — another chilly night to come here. so saturday's a very different—feeling today compared to friday. it'll be windierfor all, more cloud, outbreaks of rain — particularly across northern and western areas. some heavy across parts of wales, particularly south wales, in towards northwest england. sunshine and showers for scotland and northern ireland — here we'll see gales — and some drier weather across the southeast of england. i think it'll stay dry here until after dark. temperatures coming up a little bit, as well — highs of nine or ten degrees, certainly across southern and western areas. it turns wetter and windier for southeast england through saturday night, and then into sunday we look to the southwest, a new area of low pressure which will bring another round of wind and rain, and this is going to affect large parts of england and wales — gales across the southwest through the channel and the channel islands, and heavy rain pushes its way northwards to all areas but the far north of scotland. temperatures again on the mild side, particularly across the south — highs here of nine to 11 degrees. now that area of low pressure pushes out into the north sea for monday, then we're in a run of cold north—northwesterly wind, so it's

a slow, improving day, i think — once we lose the wind and the rain across eastern areas, we should see quite a bit of sunshine around, but there will be some showers around, too, blowing in on this fairly brisk northwest wind. they will be wintry over northern scotland — where it will be chilly here — but, actually, a cooler day to come across the board. then after monday, the rest of the week, it remains unsettled, with areas of low pressure pushing off the atlantic to bring very windy weather at times with widespread gales

the search is on to find a new commissionerfor the uk's largest police force after the resignation of dame cressida dick. campaigners have welcomed her decision to stand down and say now is the time for change. what we will be looking for, those of us who are pushing for reform, is somebody who has a history of speaking truth to power. this lunchtime, the home secretary has said people across the country must have confidence in the integrity of police officers. we'll have the latest. also on the programme... better than expected — the uk economy rebounded from the pandemic last year, growing by 7_5%_ but warnings remain about rising inflation. as the government says it wants more

disabled people in work over the next five years, we hear about some of