hello. this is bbc news — here are your headlines in the uk and around the world. ukraine has called for a meeting with russia in the next 48 hours to try to avert war, as kyiv�*s ambassador to the uk says the country has�*t given up on ambitions to join nato. it's not the question if, that question is when. unfortunately, it depends not on us and not on russia, but on the family of nato — of all sovereign nations. the wrongful convictions of hundreds of uk post office staff will be examined by a public inquiry opening this morning. were you one of the hundreds of workers affected by the faulty it system?

15—year—old russian figure skater, kamila valieva, will be allowed to carry on competing at the winter olympics in beijing — despite failing a drugs test in december. the mum of british tv presenter, caroline flack, says she still has questions for police over the treatment of her daughter in the weeks before her death. it's now two years and i've still not got an answer. it leaves us really... really sad and really angry. hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. a spokesman for ukraine's president has insisted that the country's ambition tojoin nato, as set out in its constitution, remains an absolute priority.

he spoke after the ukrainian ambassador to the uk had suggested that his nation might make serious concessions and be flexible over its plan to join the military alliance. ukraine has demanded a meeting with russia within the next 48 hours to discuss the build—up of over 100,000 russian troops on its border — but the kremlin has repeatedly denied any intention of an attack. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake has the latest. russian military manpower and firepower on the border with ukraine, proof in plain sight, the us claims, that president putin is preparing for war. american forces arrived in the region yesterday in a show of support to western allies. it's feared military action could come any day, and for the uk, the crisis has reached a criticaljuncture. downing street say the prime minister will continue to receive daily intelligence briefings, speak to more world leaders about the crisis in the coming days

and travel to europe again towards the end of the week. in what number 10 calls a window of opportunity for diplomacy the german chancellor, 0laf scholz, will travel to kyiv today and on to moscow for talks with president putin, who has repeatedly denied intentions to invade. situation is very tense and indeed there are risks of the acceleration and the risks of some substantial developments in the next days. so the question is this wednesday, this thursday, this friday, it doesn't matter, but we certainly see that its upcoming days are going to be critical and everybody is taking this very seriously. at the same time in kyiv, there is no panic and generally in ukraine as a whole. ukraine's president has called for calm and the country's ambassador to the uk suggested it could reconsider its aim to join the nato military alliance. what i'm saying here that we are flexible trying to find the best, best way out. if we have to go

through some serious, i don't know, concessions, that's something we might do. that's for sure. nato defence ministers will meet in brussels this week, and talks are also happening at the un, all part of a push to get russia to step back from the brink, but hopes are not high for any kind of breakthrough. jonathan blake, bbc news. this morning, ukraine's uk ambassador vadym prystaiko, told bbc it was a misunderstanding that ukraine would shelve its nato ambitions. what does that mean, at the moment,

temporary delay in ambitions of membership? what we were talking about, we are not a member of the family yet, we have to look for something else, bilateral agreements with uk, united states. on top of nato, we are looking for some other arrangements which will allow us to survive at this particular time right now. that constitutional _ this particular time right now. that constitutional commitment of ukraine becoming a member of nato, that has not shifted? ha. becoming a member of nato, that has not shifted? ., �* , , ., not shifted? no. but it depends on the readiness _ not shifted? no. but it depends on the readiness of— not shifted? no. but it depends on the readiness of nato _ not shifted? no. but it depends on the readiness of nato itself- not shifted? no. but it depends on the readiness of nato itself to - not shifted? no. but it depends on the readiness of nato itself to get | the readiness of nato itself to get as. it is not happening before wednesday. we have to find the solution right now. we have to find the friendship will stay with us. we also have to work with russia, which we are doing from now on, it is not just the west working for us, we are having negotiations with russia ourselves. but it is nothing to do with nato, we are talking about eastern ukraine, crimea, not about nato.

the british armed forces minister, james heappey says the escalating tension between ukraine and russia has reached a critical point. militarily, we're in a very worrying place. all of the conditions are set for russia to launch an attack on ukraine with no notice, and that's why the travel advice was changed on friday and has been communicated forcefully, as the government can to british citizens in ukraine over the weekend. but that's not to say that this is definitely going to happen. as the prime minister has said, we are at a criticaljuncture where the military threat is imminent. let's speak to our correspondent paul adams in the ukrainian capital, kyiv. does it feel like you are in a country on the verge of war? it still does not. it still feels like a country going about its business. there is a sense now that people are more aware, perhaps more concerned, more alarmed, the reports about embassies reducing their staff, shutting down, some airlines cancelling flights, all of this has

percolated for sure. but ukrainians are not leaving. ukrainians are showing a determination to stick this out. they are saying, as they have told us all along, we have been living with this for eight years. we are used to it, we have been kind of inoculated against fear and panic, which is how a ukrainian novelist did to me when i spoke to him last night. the body politic has accommodated itself to a state of relations with moscow that is familiar. it does not mean that they are not aware that something rather more dramatic than what they are used to could be about to unfold. in terms of this request for a meeting within russia within the next 48 hours, how crucial is that? ukrainians have always argued that they should be talking to russia directly, the russian argument has always been, if you want to talk to anyone, talk to representatives of

all separatist republican —— separatist regions in the east of the country. it will probably fall on deaf ears again, there is confusion here still generated by comments by the ukrainian ambassador in london, indicating some flexibility on question of nato membership. essentially what they seem to be seeing and what he was clarifying this morning, is, as he said, this is not going to happen by wednesday, the date that the americans have cited that the possible moment at which hostilities could begin. in the meantime, what is more urgently required is a strengthening of ukraine's bilateral relations with countries like united states, britain. they are holding to that notion of nato membership in the future, i think they perhaps want to de—emphasise the urgency of nato membership. frankly, they nato rules rather preclude the country already in the middle of an ongoing conflictjoining at all. ukraine has not really began the accession process to nato. it is very distant

prospect. perhaps that is part of what is being expressed today. alar karis is the president of estonia — which has been a nato member since 2004. estonia is bordered by russia amongst other countries. how close do you think we are to war? the situation is quite serious. we are getting more attention on the border. there are more than 150,000 troops already. at the same time, there are military exercise in belarus. the situation is serious. how close are we to war or not? nobody knows that. there is so much speculation. the only person who knows, i guess,

speculation. the only person who knows, iguess, is speculation. the only person who knows, i guess, is president putin. but he does not give an answer. it is difficult to understand what is going on. what he said, and he said it repeatedly, is that he has absolutely no intention of invading ukraine. but his actions would suggest that is certainly a consideration for him. the build—up of those soldiers. that the build-up of those soldiers. that is true. the build-up of those soldiers. that is true- that — the build-up of those soldiers. that is true. that is _ the build-up of those soldiers. that is true. that is why _ the build—up of those soldiers. twat is true. that is why you have to be cautious. build up our defence over here. in estonia, other countries in europe. this is all we can do. all these diplomatic ways of de—escalating the situation, we don't see it at the moment. at the same time, we should continue with diplomatic ways of talking to russia. at the same time, we have to

be ready for deterrence and so forth. this is the only thing russia probably does understand. if russia were to invade ukraine what impact would it have on your country? there is no direct military effect. it is not only estonia. it is a problem for all of europe if this situation escalates in ukraine. {lit situation escalates in ukraine. of course, but i am just wondering, are you concerned about potentially the prospect of citizens of ukraine, perhaps crossing the border to estonia, to get to safety? that is robabl estonia, to get to safety? that is probably one _ estonia, to get to safety? that is probably one thing _ estonia, to get to safety? that is probably one thing we _ estonia, to get to safety? that is probably one thing we have - estonia, to get to safety? that is probably one thing we have to i probably one thing we have to prepare, we are prepared. at the same time, we know that there are thousands of ukrainians who are working temporarily in estonia, and they have families, and they are

probably trying to reach fathers and mothers who are here. at the same time, poland, they are seeing they are ready to accept 1 time, poland, they are seeing they are ready to accept1 million refugees. are ready to accept1 million refugees-— are ready to accept1 million refu~ees. ., ., , ., refugees. how would you prefer to see need to _ refugees. how would you prefer to see need to approach _ refugees. how would you prefer to see need to approach this - refugees. how would you prefer to see need to approach this over - refugees. how would you prefer to see need to approach this over the coming hours and days? is it about being tough, or is it about trying to placate russia's security worries? what nato is going to do is probably, we know when it is going to happen, but nato has its own means to blockade ukraine, and also to send some military provision, which estonia has also done, giving missiles to ukraine, a field hospital to ukraine, together with

germany, and so forth. we have people via who will prepare a ukrainian military forces and so forth. we have several means to help ukraine. ~ . ., , forth. we have several means to help ukraine. ~ . , ., ., ukraine. what about putting nato troo -s in ukraine. what about putting nato troops in ukraine _ ukraine. what about putting nato troops in ukraine when _ ukraine. what about putting nato troops in ukraine when it - ukraine. what about putting nato troops in ukraine when it is - ukraine. what about putting nato troops in ukraine when it is not i ukraine. what about putting nato troops in ukraine when it is not a | troops in ukraine when it is not a member of nato?_ troops in ukraine when it is not a member of nato? that is difficult. this is a matter _ member of nato? that is difficult. this is a matter of _ member of nato? that is difficult. this is a matter of discussion - this is a matter of discussion between ukraine and nato. at the moment i do not see any move in that direction. ~ ., ., , ., moment i do not see any move in that direction. ~ ., ., i. , direction. what would your message be to vladimir— direction. what would your message be to vladimir putin _ direction. what would your message be to vladimir putin right _ direction. what would your message be to vladimir putin right now? - direction. what would your message be to vladimir putin right now? 0ne| be to vladimir putin right now? one messaue. be to vladimir putin right now? one message- one _ be to vladimir putin right now? owe: message. one should de—escalate and take trips away from the border of ukraine, and start diplomatic way of negotiation with nato, and the us, how to proceeds from this point. what concessions would you as a member of nato be prepared to offer to vladimir putin? what member of nato be prepared to offer to vladimir putin?— to vladimir putin? what we can discuss, to vladimir putin? what we can

discuss. i _ to vladimir putin? what we can discuss, i have _ to vladimir putin? what we can discuss, i have said _ to vladimir putin? what we can discuss, i have said this - to vladimir putin? what we can| discuss, i have said this before, to vladimir putin? what we can - discuss, i have said this before, we can discuss transparency, military exercises, from both sides. this is something we can do. truth? exercises, from both sides. this is something we can do.— exercises, from both sides. this is something we can do. why do you see that miaht something we can do. why do you see that might help? _ something we can do. why do you see that might help? it _ something we can do. why do you see that might help? it might. _ something we can do. why do you see that might help? it might. to - something we can do. why do you see that might help? it might. to know. that might help? it might. to know what we're doing _ that might help? it might. to know what we're doing what _ that might help? it might. to know what we're doing what they - that might help? it might. to know what we're doing what they are - what we're doing what they are doing, this is something we are prepared to discuss with russia. but the rest, is a long list of demands, these are not negotiable. thank you for talking to us. that was the president of estonia. it's britain's most widespread miscarriage ofjustice in legal history. a public inquiry into the faulty it system at the post office which led to wrongful convictions of hundreds of post office staff will begin hearing evidence this morning. the retailer provides mail services across the uk. the inquiry will look at whether the post office knew about faults and will also ask how

staff shouldered the blame. between 2000 and 2014, more than 700 post office branch managers were prosecuted, when the faulty accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their tills. 72 former sub—postmasters have had their names cleared, but thousands more lost their businesses and huge sums of money. post office says more than 800 people have so far received offers of compensation but it cannot afford to foot the huge bill. so the government is stepping to facilitate that, with the total expected to run past £1 billion in tax payers money. our business correspondent, colletta smith, has been asking families whose lives were ruined by the scandal what they want from the inquiry. this man ran a post office with his wife in nottinghamshire for five years and then out of the blue

he was arrested and charged with stealing £208,000. from this day, that cell door slamming behind me. very, very hard, you know you've not done anything. i've always said it's not like i got three years, three months, it feels like to me, i've got 14 yearjail sentence because i'm still trying to clear my name. he had three children under ten, and his sentence is thought to be the longest of anyone involved in this scandal because he stuck to his not guilty plea. it's so heartbreaking to hear his story and the impact that it's had on his whole family through these years. and what's almost more unbelievable and why this story is beginning to feel familiar is that he isn't alone. 706 former post office managers were convicted for crimes they didn't commit. slowly, those convictions are being overturned. 72 so far, but thousands more post office staff lost huge sums of money. so it's the government who are stepping in and footing the bill for compensation.

the accounting problems were down to a faulty it system called horizon, and this public inquiry that will run for over a year is supposed to get to the bottom of when it became clear the computer software was at fault. who knew within the post office and why they carried on prosecuting their own staff? the post office says it's sincerely sorry for the scandal and hopes the inquiry will ensure this never happens again. i want somebody on the other side to be charged and jailed like i was. that's what i want, then i am settled. earlier, i asked nick wallis, author of the book "the great post office scandal", if there was a cover up

by the post office. i think there was. i think all the evidence points to the fact that in 2013, the post office board knew it had a serious problem not just with its it system but with its prosecution strategy over the first 13 years of this century. they prosecuted people at the rate of one a week and legal advice came to their attention which made it apparent that some of those prosecutions, many of those prosecutions, could be unsafe. around that time, they did a secret investigation into their it system which raised all sorts of problems within the it system. yet, at the same time, the post office head of security, this came out in court of appeal last year, ordered the shredding of documents in relation to problems with horizon it system. the post office then went through a period of denial whilst journalists were starting to pick up the story between 2013 and 2019. and it was only during high court litigation, where alan bates, the head of thejustice for sub—postmasters alliance and 500 other sub—postmasters put a group litigation together

and in the course of that group litigation the secrets really started to come out and it ended in two judgments which found comprehensively in favour of the post office. in fact, the presiding judge in that case was so concerned about the evidence that he had seen from employees given in previous court cases against sub—postmasters, he referred a file to director of public prosecutions and there is now an ongoing metropolitan police investigation. thus far has anyone at post office, anyone at fujitsu, anyone at the government, taken personal responsibility, collective responsibility for ruining so many lives? no individual person has been censured or held up their hands and said decisions were made in bad faith or that they got it wrong. at the moment the chief executive of the post office and outgoing chairman have apologised to sub—postmasters but no liability was admitted and the apologies are very vague. that is why this inquiry is so important because it will finally see post office executives, government civil

servants, do not forget the post office is wholly owned by the government, and fujitsu engineers cross—examined under oath. this will be the first time we will hear from so many people, so we should eventually end up knowing who knew what and when. this just thisjust in from this just in from moscow. a spokesman from the kremlin has said if ukraine renounce joining spokesman from the kremlin has said if ukraine renouncejoining nato, dropped its ambition to join military alliance called nato, north atlantic treaty 0rganisation, kremlin says that would significantly help to address russia's concerns about security. according to the kremlin, this has been reported by a newsagency, if ukraine dropped its ambition to join nato, the kremlin saying that would significantly help to address russia's security concerns. tomorrow it will be two years since caroline flack took her own life,

a month before she was due to stand trial over the alleged assault of her partner. in the time since her death, caroline's mum christine has criticised the decision by police to charge her, which the bbc now understands will be the subject of an internal investigation. our special correspondent lucy manning reports. a new series of love island. the wait is finally over. caroline flack. we watched her onscreen. but those who really knew her wanted answers about her death. two months before the tv presenter killed herself she had been charged with assaulting her boyfriend. two years on, her mother still doesn't have the answers about the way the police treated her. do you think she was treated differently because of who she was? totally. i just think it was because of who she was, yes.

it was because she was a celebrity? yeah. prosecutors originally said caroline should just be cautioned, but the met pushed for the presenter to be charged. the coroner later said she took her own life because she was facing prosecution and feared the publicity. but it's now two years and i still haven't got an answer. and how does that leave you and the family? it leaves us really, really sad. and really angry. because you want to know why they charged her. she couldn't get over that. she couldn't see a way out. and it was down to that. her mother put these questions to the met. she was so dismayed with their response, she complained

to the police watchdog. it found the met�*s response was not reasonable and proportionate, telling mrs flack, "i do not consider your complaint has been fully addressed." it has ordered the met to do a proper investigation. what do you think about the fact that the police watchdog have forced the met to investigate your queries properly? i think it is disgusting, but i think it is typical of the met as we see it now. there is no trust at all, no trust at all. the met has said it is rare to give a caution in a case of domestic abuse. the force told us the police watchdog found it had answered seven areas of mrs flack�*s complaint, but it had been directed to reinvestigate why it had appealed the decision to caution miss flack. "our thoughts and sympathies remain with caroline's family," it said. but mrs flack feels her daughter,

who had self—harmed that night and had mental health issues, was badly let down. she was fun. she just had these really dark times. as i say, usually, she could get out of it. especially on telly. she loved herjob. i am doing it for caroline because there was so much negative press around. and it won't bring her back, i know it won't bring her back, but i've got to do it for her. more breaking news, to do with the teenage russian skater, who has been told she can continue to compete despite failing a drugs test in december. court of arbitration for sport said if she were suspended it would cause her irreparable harm. this news has come from international olympic committee, they acknowledge this ruling, they say there will not be a medal ceremony for team skating event. kamila valieva and her team won gold. they also say that if she

finishes in the top three of the women's singles competition, tomorrow, there will be no medal ceremony for that either. what they say is this, international olympic committee will in consultation, organise a dignified medal ceremony, once the case of kamila valieva has been concluded. i am confused by that, because i thought the case had be concluded, i thought the conclusion russia could carry on competing. anyway, that is what the ioc are seeing, no medal ceremony for team skating event, the russian team, including kamila valieva, won gold, and they say there will be no medal ceremony if she wins an individual competition tomorrow. let us remind you of what exactly has happened with this story, in terms of the timings. valieva had a drug sample taken from the 2022 russian figure skating championships in saint petersburg, on the 25th of december.

she then travels to tallinn in estonia, where she competes in and wins the european championships. valieva arrives in beijing for the winter olympics on the 1st of february. before helping her team win gold in the figure skating team event, on the 7th. that same day, the world anti doping agency says they've heard reports that the sample, taken by valieva in december contained a drug called tmz. that's a heart medication banned in professional sports. the next day, valieva is provisionally suspended by russia's anti doping agency and the medal ceremony is postponed. however, following valieva's appeals, the suspension is lifted on the 9th of february. she continued to train as normal ahead of a hearing, scheduled for the 13th of february by court of arbitration for sport, an organisation that looks into matters like these. today, we've heard they've decided that no provisional suspension should be imposed on the 15—year—old. the ruling said that

"such late notification was not herfault, in the middle of the olympic winter games". 0ur sports news correspondent, laura scott has all the reaction. there is quite a lot of shock and disappointment in some quarters about this decision. it is worth noting that the three—person panel from the court of arbitration for sport cited what they considered exceptional circumstances in their decision not to impose that provisional suspension on kamila valieva. those are primarily to do with her age, the fact that she is only 15, but also the length of time it took for that drugs test that she took in december to reach a result, which only came through last week, midway through these games. they said they thought that provisional suspension would cause her irreparable harm. it is worth noting that beyond looking at the issue of suspension or no suspension, this panel wasn't tasked with looking at the matter of an apparent anti—doping rule violation, nor the issue of what happens with the medals in the figure skating team event, which is still to be awarded, one week after that competition concluded. we have had a lot of reaction already.

the world anti—doping agency said it is disappointed with the ruling, saying that its rules do not allow for specific exceptions to be made in the mandatory provision of suspensions, including for minors. it also said on the matter of the time it took with that sample, it did expect anti—doping authorities to chase up, with laboratories, samples that need to be prioritised, so that athletes do not come to major events and compete in them. they're saying that their information is that did not happen in the case of the sample of kamila valieva. we have also heard from us olympic and paralympic committee, they say they are disappointed by the decision, they said it appeared to be another chapter in systemic and pervasive disregard for clean sport by russia. yes, valieva is able to return to the ice and she has done so today ahead of competition tomorrow, as she is favourite for the gold medal, but this troubling scandal with a child at its heart is by no means over. police in canada say they've cleared

the remaining protesters blocking a key bridge between canada and the united states and it has now reopened. despite a court order to end the demonstration against covid restrictions, trucks and cars had continued to block the ambassador bridge in ontario. jessica murphy reports. it didn't take that many vehicles to block the busiest land border crossing in canada. demonstrators had been blocking the ambassador bridge for almost a week, part of widespread protests across the country over covid restrictions. but with a vital trade route in jeopardy, this blockade was hard to ignore. the financial impact to now is nearing $3 billion on our national economy, that's huge. after a court in canada granted an injunction to clear the bridge and the province of ontario declared a state of emergency, police moved in. it began a more than 24 hours stand—off but early on sunday officers marched forward with tactical vehicles in tow and most protesters realised it was time to go home. i was hoping it wasn't going to end like this. i was hoping the police would allow us to continue

to peacefully protest. the bridge is really important but our lives are important. police eventually confronted the few holdouts and made 12 arrests. the protesters, they were gathered to get the message out, i believe they got that message out and they were able to do it peacefully. the ambassador bridge may be cleared but other border protests continue. under pressure from the us to address the crisis, prime ministerjustin trudeau spoke on friday. president biden and i both agree that for the security of the people and the economy, these blockades cannot continue. in 0ttawa, protests are still here in the city centre, a demonstration now that has gone on for over two weeks. police say they have plans to resolve the issue. it has really paralysed parts of the national capital, but they are waiting for necessary reinforcements. impatient with the police response, some residents directly told the protesters it was time to go home, but with almost 500 trucks blocking the streets of downtown

ottawa and protesters dug in elsewhere, the success in windsor may prove challenging to replicate. jessica murphy, bbc news, 0ttawa. the headlines on bbc news... ukraine has called for a meeting with russia in the next 48 hours to try to avert war, as kyiv�*s ambassador to the uk says the country hasn't given up on ambitions to join nato contradicting what he suggested ysterday it's not the question if, that question is when. unfortunately, it depends not on us and not on russia, but on the family of nato — of all sovereign nations. the wrongful convictions of hundreds of uk post office staff will be examined by a public inquiry opening this morning. 15—year—old russian figure skater, kamila valieva, will be allowed to carry on competing at the winter olympics in beijing — despite failing a drugs test in december the mum of british tv presenter caroline flack says she still has questions for police over the treatment of her daughter in the weeks before her death.

it's now two years and i've still not got an answer. it leaves us really... really sad and really angry. children's social care as it operates in england is not fit for purpose. a new report by the parents, families and allies network say it alienates families and communities, fails to protect children, and places older children at increased risk of involvement in gangs and sexual exploitation. the report is based on the experiences of parents with children's social care, those who work in children's social care. let's talk to taliah drayak from the parents, families and allies network. and give a talking to us. i think it would be useful if you could explain what children's social care actually is because i want to know more about

it. and family social care is a way that we try to support children and families across our country through su ort families across our country through sunport services — families across our country through support services from _ families across our country through support services from children - families across our country through support services from children with j support services from children with disabilities all the way through to child protection and whenever families are in need of support. ultimately, our social care system is there to help people come over those challenges. hath? is there to help people come over those challenges.— is there to help people come over those challenges. why is this report same children's _ those challenges. why is this report same children's social _ those challenges. why is this report same children's social care - those challenges. why is this report same children's social care is - those challenges. why is this report same children's social care is not. same children's social care is not fit for purpose in england? unfortunately, the system isn't doing what we wanted to do. families aren't getting the support that they need, social workers aren't empowered and resourced to do the jobs that they came to do and ultimately the outcomes for our children are shockingly bad. share ultimately the outcomes for our children are shockingly bad. are you su: caestin children are shockingly bad. are you suggesting that _ children are shockingly bad. are you suggesting that children _ children are shockingly bad. are you suggesting that children are - children are shockingly bad. are you suggesting that children are not - suggesting that children are not helped by social care when they should be? are you suggesting that some children are removed from families when they don't need to be? i think that... the report clearly

shows that the culture of the system needs to change. we have a system of suspicion and we need to move to support based practices and develop community—based resources that social workers are able to support families, navigate away from crisis and into a resilient position. hath? and into a resilient position. why do ou and into a resilient position. why do you believe _ and into a resilient position. why do you believe that _ and into a resilient position. why do you believe that the situation is as it is now? is it down to a lack of resources, money, lack of social workers? t of resources, money, lack of social workers? ~ �* , ., ., , workers? i think it's unfortunately a number of _ workers? i think it's unfortunately a number of different _ workers? i think it's unfortunately a number of different things. - workers? i think it's unfortunately a number of different things. it i workers? i think it's unfortunately a number of different things. it is| a number of different things. it is a number of different things. it is a complex situation, just as families and people are complex. the community care did a survey of 1000 social workers that showed 95% of them feel they are unable to do theirjob because of the impact of cuts. the intent social workers anticipate leaving in the next five years. we have had severe cuts since

2008 or even further back, we had to close home starts, we have closed the centres for families and children, we have less resources for community—based resources and early intervention therapies and caseloads are higher and higher and less time to dedicate to families and that is just a small drop in the bucket but we need to be better supporting families and resourcing social workers to do that. instead ofjust increasing investigations. what workers to do that. instead of 'ust increasing investigationsi increasing investigations. what is our own increasing investigations. what is your own scarring _ increasing investigations. what is your own scarring experience i increasing investigations. what is your own scarring experience of. increasing investigations. what is i your own scarring experience of this area? ~ ., , ., your own scarring experience of this area? ~ ., ., your own scarring experience of this area? ~ . , ., ., area? well, as a parent, i had a child wrongly — area? well, as a parent, i had a child wrongly removed - area? well, as a parent, i had a child wrongly removed who i area? well, as a parent, i had a child wrongly removed who is i area? well, as a parent, i had a l child wrongly removed who is now home and unfortunately, in our situation, there was very little support that could be put into place that was available to allow social workers to safely keep our child at home while they were conducting their investigation. it was a

terrible traumatic experience for all of our children. you terrible traumatic experience for all of our children.— all of our children. you were accused _ all of our children. you were accused of _ all of our children. you were accused of poisoning - all of our children. you were accused of poisoning your i all of our children. you were - accused of poisoning your daughter, wrongly, but it took how long before it became clear that you were absolutely innocent?- it became clear that you were absolutely innocent? about a year, which is a long _ absolutely innocent? about a year, which is a long time _ absolutely innocent? about a year, which is a long time in _ absolutely innocent? about a year, which is a long time in a _ which is a long time in a two—year—old bosman life. and which is a long time in a two-year-old bosman life. and the child was removed _ two-year-old bosman life. and the child was removed you, _ two-year-old bosman life. and the child was removed you, how i two-year-old bosman life. and the child was removed you, how did i two-year-old bosman life. and the | child was removed you, how did you cope with that? —— a two—year—old's life. i did everything i could for my children. ultimately they were everything, the most important people in our world, so we try to work with services, we try to find ways to make matters safe and 0k work with services, we try to find ways to make matters safe and ok for them as possible even though it is scary and how do you explain that to your older children, to your youngest child? you put one foot in front of the other. but it's really hard because there is no support for parents going through that and there is not a lot of support for siblings or even that child. we need more

support for people and we need to look for ways to keep families together while we are working through big challenges, sometimes mountainsides challenges, because separating families causes trauma, it does cause harm, and sometimes that may be necessary but there is a lot of times where i think we could work better together. there is an independent review of social care being carried out right now. what being carried out right now. what would ou being carried out right now. what would you want _ being carried out right now. what would you want from _ being carried out right now. tfgwat would you want from that? we would really like them to prioritise listening to those with lived experiences who understand the problems they are facing. this report comes from the parents and families who are largely silenced in the system but hold key information about how we can help them meet the needs of children. children need their parents and parents want to be what their children need but sometimes they need support and trying to develop that enabled room or office where you have never

experienced any poverty or disability or mental health problems or domestic violence, you are not going to create the solution is needed. we need to work with the people facing these challenges to and the services they need. thahk and the services they need. thank ou ve and the services they need. thank you very much _ and the services they need. thank you very much for _ and the services they need. thank you very much for talking - and the services they need. thank you very much for talking to i and the services they need. thank you very much for talking to us. i you very much for talking to us. thank you for your time today and telling us about the report.- telling us about the report. thank ou. boris johnson will travel to scotland today as part of his "levelling—up" agenda. the prime minister is not expected to meet the scottish conservative leader, douglas ross, after he called for mrjohnson to stand down. 0ur scotland correspondent, james shaw, reports from edinburgh. they submit a surprise. the prime minister has so much on his plate, not least of course the ukraine crisis and party gate, that scandal which rambles in the background. surprising he should come to scotland and to a place that some people might view as hostile territory for boris johnson, given that the leader here

territory for borisjohnson, given that the leader here in territory for boris johnson, given that the leader here in scotland, douglas ross, many other msps at the scottish parliament have said that they don't think borisjohnson should be the prime minister of the united kingdom any more. nevertheless, it seems that he thinks this policy of free is so important to show, from his point of view, the benefits for scotland have been part of the united kingdom and indeed the uk after brexit. this is seen as one of the benefits of brexit, the freeport policy. but it has been modified and adapted for the scottish circumstances. it seems, as a result, of discussions, may be argument, so it has a distinctive scottish character now that there will be free ports in scotland, two of them, a bidding contest, the results of that by the summer, but it will be designed to achieve a couple of important goals for the scottish government. 0ne achieve a couple of important goals for the scottish government. one is reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2045 and the other is enhancing

their employment policies. those are their employment policies. those are the two things got a government has built into this policy which are different to what is happening in other parts of the uk. so, it seems that although they disagree about a lot of things, when it is important, when they think there are benefits for both of them, it turns out that the uk and scottish governments can agree on this policy of green free ports in scotland. the remote chagos islands, in the indian ocean, have been under british control for 50 years but now mauritius, which used to have jurisdiction of them, is trying to claim them back. the united nations says britain must hand them back — but the uk refuses to do so while america uses one of the islands for a military base. 0ur africa correspondent, andrew harding, who is the first journalist to broadcast from the chagos islands, joined some who have returned to theirformer home after decades of exile. farfrom anywhere, a hidden archipelago. these isolated islands have

been strictly off—limits for half a century. boat horn blasts. but, today, rare access and a remarkable homecoming. these chagos islanders were forced to leave by britain in the early 1970s. as their feet touch home sand, the emotions surge. this woman was just 21 and pregnant when the british killed her dog and ordered her to leave. "i'm happy to be allowed home," she says, "but sad that i can't stay." this is a short visit, and there is work to be done. it feels to me like somebody who comes home after a long break and wants to tidy up. is that how you feel? of course, you know, as i said, there's not a better place

than where you were born, where you lived. and now, the group heads inland — the empty decades have turned their thriving village into a lost world. in the ruins of the old church, the mood turns to anger. i'm very angry at the behaviour of the uk government. who didn't respect the fundamental rights of the people. do you feel you've been denied your life here? yes, of course! britain still claims sovereignty over all these ruins, citing security concerns about a nearby american military base. but international law now says britain must let the islanders return permanently, and must not cling onto a piece of its old empire. the international court ofjustice has ruled they have a right to come back — and the failure to allow them to come back is a continuing wrong. actually, i think not allowing people to return to their homes is recognised as a crime

against humanity, and it needs to be sorted out. and so officials from mauritius now prepare their flagpole, boldly staking claim to the chagos archipelago. we are asking britain to wake up to the reality of the situation, that their position is untenable. it is extraordinary to think that these exquisite islands have been cut off from the outside world for half a century. but this visit by the mauritian government has challenged and maybe changed that. it is very difficult now to imagine britain clinging onto its hidden archipelago for that much longer. as for the islanders, they plan to come back here soon — and perhaps for good. andrew harding, bbc news.

nearly one in three prisoners across the world are behind bars without a trial, according to a un report. nigeria is one of the worst cases. about 75% of the country's inmates are still awaiting trial. this causes severe overcrowding of prisons, where conditions inside cells can become deadly. officials say the overcrowding is also partly responsible for a series of recentjailbreaks across the country. the bbc�*s ishaq khalid visited the southern city of port harcourt and spoke to some of the people affected. a long—awaited freedom. patrick moses is rebuilding his life. after spending the last six years in prison without trial. when i came out, ifelt like this is a new world. i'm out now. i'm in a different place.

that place, we cool it hell on earth. it is no good. he was a conductor on a bus when police found two pistols. the passengers who he tells me owned the weapons fled and he was arrested. life in prison was horrific. people die every day, and if you die they won't come and open the door, even if it is in the night. even if it is midnight. wardens will not come and open that door. you stay there with that dead body until the morning. so i have to sleep in the toilet. of nearly 70,000 inmates held in nigerian prisons, more than 51,000 are still awaiting trial due to an ineffective and extremely slow judicial system. this is one of nigeria's maximum security prisons. we have not been allowed to film inside the cells but officials here are telling us that the capacity�*s around 1,000 inmates. currently the number of detainees inside is almost four times the capacity. many stay in for several years without trial. some even die.

that is a common situation across nigeria in correctionalfacilities. officials admit that there is overcrowding in prisons but insist that inmates are properly cared for. people die everywhere. it is not only in prison that people die. most of them are unavoidable cases. most of our inmates don't even die in our facility. most of the deaths is sickness or... joy's husband died in that prison a few months ago. he was arrested in 2018 during a mass police raid. theirson, desire, was only three days old. i remember him when he called me once. when he was in prison. he comforts me. that i should not be crying again. that he is coming back soon.

joy's husband was held for three years without trial. justice was not given to him because he was arrested of what he was innocent of and he was killed in the prison. the family believes he died of mistreatment, but authorities deny this. the government says it is determined to improve nigeria's failing criminal justice system, but for tens of thousands of detainees and their families the pain and trauma is never ending. ishaq khalid, bbc news, port harcourt. the cuban national assembly will soon debate changing the country's "family code" which could see same—sex marriage legalised in a referendum later this year. the debate on gay marriage comes as the cuban government hopes to become the leading gay—friendly tourist destination in the caribbean.

the islands first 5—star gay hotel has been re—opened after the coronavirus lockdown and another one will be unveiled soon. but activists say the lgbtq—friendly hotels contrast sharply with a recent clampdown on human rights on the island. our cuba correspondent, will grant, reports. there is a new flag flying over one of cuba's luxury hotels, the rainbow banner, the international symbol of gay pride. on a government—organised press tour of the islnd's first hotel aimed primarily at lgbtq tourists, the management said the aim was to create a fully safe space for gay visitors. yet cuba has not always been a welcoming place for the gay community. in the early part of the communist leader fidel castro's rule, homosexual men and women were sent to work camps for supposed re—education. since then, attitudes on the island have markedly improved and the cuban government hopes that enhancing its reputation as

a gay—friendly destination will help to kick—start its economic motor which has been so badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. it's nice to be able to be in a place where you feel welcome and you feel encouraged to be yourself. when we got here, we signed a waiver saying that tolerance is the only way here and that if you are not tolerant of people, you will be asked to leave. beyond the confines of the hotel, however, tolerance has been noticeably absent in cuba in recent months. following island—wide anti—government protests injuly, the authorities have clamped down on all forms of dissent. mass trials of detainees have been held behind closed doors, with the state seeking decades—long prison sentences for some defendants, including minors. in november, a second protest was stopped before it could begin. one of the organisers was forcibly kept inside his home. his attempts to signal to the press outside silenced.

amid such repression, some cuban gay rights activists say the new hotel is an attempt by the state to mask its poor human rights record. translation: i would invite | the hotel guests who of course are very welcome here to investigate a little into the repression we receive as independent activists if we try to do any type of protest or gathering or even a report into human rights, something as simple as that, we are repressed. i would ask them to see all that and to look beyond just the beautiful beaches. amid a sharp slump in its tourism, cuba has doubled down on its pursuit of the gay tourist dollar. another lgbtq hotel is due to open here in the capital havana very soon. it comes as the government is due to put a change to the country's family law before the people, with a referendum on the legalisation of same—sex marriage expected later this year. the hotel may be the first of several gay—friendly hotels

in cuba, yet at this particularly sensitive moment, activists say guests to cuba, whether gay or straight, should be aware of the wider human rights context of the trip. will grant, bbc news, havana. next, we're going to introduce you to ian barr and sue topey, who are 67 and 69. sue had been single for 20 years when she met ian via online dating at the end of 2019. and then... the pandemic hit. so what do you do with only a handful of dates under your belt? do you go into isolation alone? ordo you or do you risk it, moving together and go for it? jayne mccubbin went to meet them. this is ian. and this is susan. and this is the lockdown love story we all need in our lives.

i've met ian and sue twice before, but only at the very worst times of the pandemic and only on zoom. at last, we meet! nice to meet you. today we finally meet face to face. this was the first time we met. 0h. they had been on just a handful of dates when we first spoke to them, just as the country first went into lockdown. we met through online dating. hit it off, i think, straightaway. 0h, we did. yeah. when all this started to happen about covid—19, and i said, shall i move in with you, then? they laugh and on valentine's last year, with the country back in lockdown, we spoke to them again and they were still going strong. we're still here. during lockdown, we decided we'd have a date night every saturday night. we decided to

visit all the places we couldn't visit around the world and have a meal from each country. so we've been to argentina. we've been to california. we went to belgium once and the brown beer stew was not good. so we went again and had mussels. the culinary tour around the world from this very table. it's still happening. we're off to china this weekend. now, fast forward to today, and the big news is that... we are getting married. we're getting married. in honour of your momentous occasion, we've got a surprise. right? i can't say anything but follow me. get your coats. and this is even the coat i bought for the first date. oh, there. oh my word. are we ready for a mystery tour? we are. when they first met, sue had been single for 20 years, ian for seven.

the pandemic hit and they took a gamble. it was the thought of us being either side of the mersey. not together. and that was why you just thought, let's do it. let's do it. life's too short. welcome to st george's. thank you. wow. we've planned something very special. come with me. looking forward. this summer, this is where they will tie the knot. 0h. oh, wow. and to complete their culinary cruise around the world, we've arranged one last stop. it's scouse! yes! this is what we're having for our meal after the wedding. cheers. love you, too. this was a song ian gave to sue just before the pandemic hit, just before their real adventure began.

# what would i do without you? # drawing me in, you kicking me out _ this is the song they will get married to. # no kidding. # can't pin you down. two and a half years ago, none of this was even on the horizon. covid wasn't on the horizon. then i was very lucky to meet someone. i've lost 12 friends during the pandemic. it makes you realise that whenever you've got an opportunity to take something, just grab it. you're never too old and just grab it. grab life when it comes and just enjoy what you can. # all of me loves all of you... we took a huge chance, and i'm so — chuffed is not the right word. happy valentine's, everyone.

and remember, never, ever, ever give up on looking for love. jayne mccubbin, bbc news. that is gorgeous, isn't it? let's bring you a look at the weather now. hello again. as we go through this week, wednesday, thursday and friday are looking particularly windy, something to keep an eye on. low pressure pulling away, still going to be quite breezy. tonight, this ridge of high pressure is with us until the next weather front comes in from the atlantic. so, we do have some rain pushing saudis was through the course of this afternoon. behind it, it will brighten up in northern england, wales and south—west england. the northern ireland and scotland, a mixture of sunshine and showers. some of the showers in the highlands will be wintry, especially on higher ground. gusty winds today,

nothing like we are going to see on wednesday, thursday and friday. they won't be as windy as it was yesterday. temperatures today ranging from about four in the north to nine or ten as we push further south. overnight, the band of rain continues to pull away. under clear skies, temperatures fall and some will see first. then we have this coming in introducing thick clouds, rain and hill snow. temperatures behind it slowly rising but still cold in eastern areas. for the rest of tuesday, that weather front to drift eastwards, the rain will linger longest across southern england and it will turn more showery across north—east scotland. also a lot of dry weather around with a few showers and still wintry in the hills in scotland. later on, the next weather front comes in from the next weather front comes in from the atlantic. during wednesday, we start off on a dry note of then in comes a weather front bringing all this rain, again, preceded by some snow. they will be miles in the

south, temperature 16 or 17 celsius for the win will be a feature, increasingly strengthening through the course of the evening and overnight and through thursday, as you can see from the isobars. later on on thursday, the wind starts to ease a touch in the west. the met office has a yellow weather warning out for the win is valid from 6pm on wednesday to 6pm on thursday. there is a potential for 90 wednesday to 6pm on thursday. there is a potentialfor 90 mph gusts wednesday to 6pm on thursday. there is a potential for 90 mph gusts of wind but widely 60 to 70. the weather continues during their stay, there will be snow so blizzards, south not windy and still will be relatively mild.

this is bbc news, i'mjoanna gosling. the headlines at 11am: a public inquiry is getting under way into how a faulty computer system led to the wrongful convictions of hundreds of post office managers. ukraine has called for a meeting with russia in the next 48 hours to try to avert war, as kyiv�*s ambassador to the uk says the country hasn't given up on ambitions to join nato that is not the question if, that question is when. and unfortunately it depends not on us and unfortunately not on russia, but on the family of nato, of all the sovereign nations. the kremlin says if ukraine renounces its intentions tojoin nato, it would significantly address russia's security concerns in the region. the mum of tv presenter caroline flack says she still has

questions for police over the treatment of her daughter in the weeks before her death. it's now two years and i've not got an answer. it leaves us really... really sad and really angry. no medal ceremony if she wins, but 15—year—old russian figure skater kamila valieva will be allowed to continue competing at the winter olympics, despite failing a drugs test in december. the aa says the average price of petrol at pumps across the uk hit a new record at the weekend, reaching more than 148 pence per litre. good morning, welcome. it's britain's most widespread miscarriage ofjustice in legal history.

a public inquiry into the faulty it system at the post office which led to wrongful convictions of hundreds of post office staff will begin hearing evidence this morning. the inquiry will look at whether the post office knew about faults and will also ask how staff shouldered the blame. between 2000 and 2014, more than 700 post office branch managers were prosecuted when the faulty accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their tills. a total of 72 former sub—postmasters have had their names cleared, but thousands more lost their businesses and huge sums of money. post office says more than 800 people have so far received offers of compensation, but it cannot afford to foot the huge bill, so the government is stepping to facilitate that, with the total expected to run past £1 billion in taxpayer money. our business correspondent, colletta smith, has been asking families whose lives were ruined by the scandal what they want from the inquiry.

this man ran a post office with his wife in nottinghamshire forfive years and out of the blue he was arrested and charged with stealing £208,000. n arrested and charged with stealing £208,000. .. , ., ., £208,000. i can still heated from this da , £208,000. i can still heated from this day. that _ £208,000. i can still heated from this day, that horrible _ £208,000. i can still heated from this day, that horrible slamming l this day, that horrible slamming behind me. very horrible when know you haven't done anything —— still hear it. it felt like i had a 14 yearjail hear it. it felt like i had a 14 year jail sentence hear it. it felt like i had a 14 yearjail sentence because i was trying to clear my name. he had three children under ten. his sentence is thought to be the longest of anyone involved in the scandal because he stuck to his not guilty plea. it is so heartbreaking to hear his story and the impact it has had on his whole family through these years. and what is almost more unbelievable and why this study is beginning to feel familiar is that he is not alone.

706 former post office managers were convicted for crimes they did not commit. slowly those convictions are being overturned — 72 so far. but thousands more post office staff lost huge sums of money. so it is the government who are stepping in and footing the bill for compensation. the accounting problems were down to a faulty it system called horizon. this public inquiry, which will run for over a year, is supposed to get to the bottom of when it became clear the computer software was at fault. who knew within the post office, and why they carried on prosecuting their own staff. the post office says it is sincerely sorry for the scandal and hopes the inquiry will ensure this never happens again. but hajinder, like so many other victims, wants today's inquiry to begin to hold people to account. i want people on the other side to

be charged and jailed like cowboys. that's what i want, then i'm settled. jo hamilton is a former sub—postmistress. she says her life was turned inside out after she was accused by the post office of taking £36,000 from the village shop she ran in hampshire. it's been a very long journey, because myjourney started in 2003, when it started going wrong. but, yeah, we've got there. well, we've got to today anyway. it's far from over but, yeah, it's another step yeah, it's another step along the way. well, i was accused of stealing £36,000 and, basically, when you got to the end of the week in the post office, it would say a number that you should have in your safe, and if you didn't have it, basically you had to make good the shortfall. and when it got so huge that i couldn't make it up, i rang for help and they made me... well, they charged me with stealing 36,000 when i said i couldn't repay it,

because they asked me where it was and basically accused me of stealing it. i guess i'm one of the lucky ones because i've been strong enough cos i had fabulous support from the village. it's affected me in the fact i've had a criminal record for 13 years that i didn't deserve and that impacts on your work, on your finances and everything. my mum and dad aren't here, they weren't here to see my conviction quashed because they both had strokes and died, which i'm convinced was as a result of what happened to me. but i'm one of the lucky ones that i'm still strong enough to be standing here and not completely destroyed because my village had faith in me, which a lot of people didn't fare so well as i did. a former sub—postmistress whose life was turned up side down by what happened to her. she is one of many and we expect the inquiry to start shortly and we will bring you the opening of that inquiry when it

begins. it is a little delayed at the moment, i think there are some technical issues, but we will be hearing from the chair of the inquiry sir wynn williams. a spokesman for ukraine's president has insisted that the country's ambition tojoin nato, as set out in its constitution, remains an absolute priority. he spoke after the ukrainian ambassador to the uk had suggested that his nation might make serious concessions and be flexible over its plan to join the military alliance. ukraine has demanded a meeting with russia within the next 48 hours to discuss the build—up of some 100,000 russian troops on its border, but the kremlin has repeatedly denied any intention of an attack. our political correspondent jonathan blake has the latest. russian military manpower and firepower on the border with ukraine, proof in plain sight, the us claims, that president putin

is preparing for war. american forces arrived in the region yesterday in a show of support to western allies. it's feared military action could come any day, and for the uk, the crisis has reached a criticaljuncture. downing street say the prime minister will continue to receive daily intelligence briefings, speak to more world leaders about the crisis in the coming days, and travel to europe again towards the end of the week. in what number 10 calls a window of opportunity for diplomacy, the german chancellor, olaf scholz, will travel to kyiv today and on to moscow for talks with president putin, who has repeatedly denied intentions to invade. the situation is very tense and indeed there tense and indeed there are risks of the acceleration and risks of some substantial developments in the next days. so the question is this wednesday, this thursday, this friday,

it doesn't matter, but we certainly see that upcoming days are going to be critical and everybody is taking this very seriously. at the same time in kyiv, there is no panic and generally in ukraine as a whole. ukraine's president has called for calm and the country's ambassador to the uk suggested it could reconsider its aim to join the nato military alliance. what i'm saying here that we are flexible trying to find the best, best way out. if we have to go through some serious, i don't know, concessions, that's something we might do. that's for sure. nato defence ministers will meet in brussels this week, and talks are also happening at the un, all part of a push to get russia to step back from the brink, but hopes are not high for any kind of breakthrough. jonathan blake, bbc news. ukraine's uk ambassador, vadym prystaiko, told the bbc it was a "misunderstanding" that ukraine would shelve its nato ambitions.

what i told him, that we are not a member of nato right now, and we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in our conversations with russia. but it has nothing to do with nato, which is enshrined in the constitution. so what does that mean? what does that mean at the moment? does that mean a temporary delay in ambitions of membership? it is not a delay in the ambitions of being in nato. but we were talking about that we are not a member of the family yet. we have to look for something else, like, i don't know, a bilateral agreement with the uk, with the united states. so on top of nato, we are looking for some other arrangement that will allow us to survive at this particular ordeal right now. so, to be clear, that constitutional commitment of ukraine becoming a member of nato, that hasn't shifted? no, but it depends on the readiness of nato itself to get us in. it is not happening before wednesday, so we have to find the solution right now, we have to find the friends that will stay with us.

we also have to work with the russians, which we are doing on our own, which is notjust the west working for us, we are having negotiations with the russians ourselves. but it has nothing to do with nato. we are talking about eastern ukraine, we are talking about crimea, not about nato. alar karis is the president of estonia, which has been a nato member since 2004. the uk is doubling its contribution to the nato force in estonia. he was asked how close we were to a war. i think nobody knows that because there are so many speculations around that i guess the only person who knows is president putin. but he doesn't give an answer. he had given an answer that there is not going to be any war. so it is difficult to understand what is going on in that sense. as you see, all of these diplomatic ways of de—escalating the situation, we don't see it at the moment. at the same time, we should also continue with diplomatic ways

of talking to russia. but at the same time, we have to be ready for deterrents and so forth, because this is the only thing probably that russia does understand. any moment we will hear from paul adams in kyiv and caroline davies in moscow but we will bring you some breaking news from south—western france, nearto breaking news from south—western france, near to marseille. we are heeding there has been an explosion in a building, seven people have died, including two children. that newsjust died, including two children. that news just the french died, including two children. that newsjust the french interior minister is going to travel to the scene that explosion. the detail just coming through. it seems it happened in the early hours of the morning and the interior minister was in montpellier, so he will be going to the scene of that explosion

and think i give my full support to the services and give my thoughts to the services and give my thoughts to the victims and their loved ones. we will keep you updated if we get any more. let's go back to the situation in ukraine. let's speak to our correspondent paul adams in the ukrainian capital, kyiv. what is the latest from there? there has been some toing and froing on whether ukraine would move on this claim to membership of nato? tt is claim to membership of nato? it is fair to say the _ claim to membership of nato? ut 3 fair to say the ambassador in london has somewhat muddied the waters on this because listening to the interview he gave last night on five live, he very much seem to indicate ukraine was willing to be flexible on this. he appeared this morning and hastily appeared to row back on that with the statement also from

the foreign ministry here saying there is no change in ukraine's position. i think the point he was making any clip you plate is it is not going to happen by wednesday, in other words, we have some rather more urgent things to figure out right now than a nato membership. given that the possibility of some kind of attack from russia. yes, this country wants to join nato, it dearly wants tojoin this country wants to join nato, it dearly wants to join nato and support for that has grown over the years in response to russia's pressure. but they recognise it is a very distant prospect at the moment and in the meantime, they want to make sure that they have all the bilateral relationships they can in order to sure shore up their patience and security. —— presents and security. so nato is very much on the back burner.— on the back burner. what is happening _ on the back burner. what is happening there _ on the back burner. what is happening there in - on the back burner. what is happening there in terms i on the back burner. what isj happening there in terms of readiness for what might come? and also, what is happening with people leaving the country because some airlines said they are stopping

flying and it seems ukraine are doing what they can to keep commercial flights going. doing what they can to keep commercialflights going. tt commercial flights going. ut announced measures yesterday to make sure insurance would be covered for airlines that might be concerned about this. we have seen klm suspending flights, some suggestion that other airlines were having similar considerations. there was a bit of speculation that the airport might be forced to close in at the event of a russian attack. none of that has come to fruition so far. ukraine is by and large are staying put —— ukrainians. they are various to conflict with russia, they had been at it, this has been a reality in their lives for the last eight years. we're not seeing any kind of mass flight from kyiv, for example. despite the fact that western embassies, many of them, notjust western embassies, but all sorts of embassies, have been reducing their presence. the bulk of the american embassy, for example, has located hundreds of miles to the west to the

city of lviv. that is percolating through and the people are aware of it, but the government here wants people to stay calm and people are staying calm. and in the light of what the americans in particular are warning could happen as early as wednesday, that is quite a remarkable thing.— wednesday, that is quite a remarkable thing.- wednesday, that is quite a remarkable thing. let's go to caroline davies _ remarkable thing. let's go to caroline davies in _ remarkable thing. let's go to caroline davies in moscow. i remarkable thing. let's go to i caroline davies in moscow. what is the latest from there? there has been a line out of the kremlin this morning that although they accept the comments are from the ambassador to the uk are not official ukrainian policy, that has been made clear from ukraine this morning, a move like that would significantly improve their security concerns. we have improve their security concerns. - have heard from dmitri pascal, the kremlin spokesperson. he does a daily press call —— dmitry peskov, and he pointed out where ukraine to change their position on this, it

would be an answer to russian concerns, in his words. however, he also spelt out the fact that he knew the ambassador had been asked to come out by the ukrainian government to clarify his position. they did not necessarily view this as a change in ukraine's position on this. it is particularly crucial because this has been where these talks have consistently got stuck. backin talks have consistently got stuck. back in december, russia issue demands about what it wanted to see to de—escalate the situation in key amongst those was a cast—iron guarantee that ukraine would not be allowed to join nato. guarantee that ukraine would not be allowed tojoin nato. that guarantee that ukraine would not be allowed to join nato. that was something nato, the us very adamantly said was not on the table. so it it was something the people were willing to discuss and be flexible about, you can see why that would have caused headlines this morning but the fact

the ambassador seems to have rowed back from it and russia has seen the fact he seems to have rowed back from it suggests it is not the aerialflexibility from it suggests it is not the aerial flexibility we from it suggests it is not the aerialflexibility we might from it suggests it is not the aerial flexibility we might have thought yesterday.— aerial flexibility we might have thought yesterday. caroline, thank ou. -- thought yesterday. caroline, thank you- -- the — thought yesterday. caroline, thank you- -- the area — thought yesterday. caroline, thank you. -- the area of— thought yesterday. caroline, thank you. -- the area of six _ thought yesterday. caroline, thank you. -- the area of six ability. i you. —— the area of six ability. just a final thought from paul. t0 just a final thought from paul. to underline, as caroline said, this is an unlikely— underline, as caroline said, this is an unlikely avenue. there are zero chance _ an unlikely avenue. there are zero chance right — an unlikely avenue. there are zero chance right know of ukraine renouncing its chance to join nato. it renouncing its chance to join nato. it will _ renouncing its chance to join nato. it will remain a stated position of the ukrainian government, even though— the ukrainian government, even though they may say this is not something that is for this week. another— something that is for this week. another thing to bear in mind, the german_ another thing to bear in mind, the german chancellor, although schultz, had arrived _ german chancellor, although schultz, had arrived in town this morning and is meeting _ had arrived in town this morning and is meeting with president zelensky i’ili'lt is meeting with president zelensky right now— is meeting with president zelensky right now —— olaf scholz and he will travel _ right now —— olaf scholz and he will travel into — right now —— olaf scholz and he will travel into moscow tomorrow. he has not one _ travel into moscow tomorrow. he has not one of— travel into moscow tomorrow. he has not one of the key players in this drama. _ not one of the key players in this drama. but— not one of the key players in this drama, but has one card in his pocket— drama, but has one card in his pocket when he travelled to moscow, the future _ pocket when he travelled to moscow, the future of the nord stream 2 gas line pipe _ the future of the nord stream 2 gas line pipe from russia to germany. he has refused _ line pipe from russia to germany. he has refused to save where it is part of the _ has refused to save where it is part of the sanctions pack the west is contemplating but he may be up the state and _

contemplating but he may be up the state and private when he meet mr putin _ state and private when he meet mr putin tomorrow.— state and private when he meet mr putin tomorrow. thank you, paul and caroline. the headlines on bbc news... a public inquiry is due to get under way shortly into how a faulty computer system led to the wrongful convictions of hundreds of post office managers. russia says ukraine dropping ambitions tojoin nato would help to ease tensions in the region, but a spokesman for ukraine's president says membership remains an absolute priority. two years after the tv presenter�*s death, caroline flack�*s mum says she still has questions about how police treated her daughter. we will stay with that. tomorrow it will be two years since caroline flack took her own life — a month before she was due to stand trial over the alleged assault of her partner. in the time since her death, caroline's mum, christine, has criticised the decision by police to charge her, which the bbc now understands will be the subject of an internal investigation.

our special correspondent lucy manning reports. a brand—new series of love island. the wait is finally over. caroline flack — we watched her onscreen. but those who really knew her wanted answers about her death. two months before the tv presenter killed herself, she had been charged with assaulting her boyfriend. two years on, her mother still doesn't have the answers about the way the police treated her. do you think she was treated differently because of who she was? totally. i just think it was because of who she was, yes. it was because she was a celebrity? yeah. prosecutors originally said caroline should just be cautioned, but the met pushed for the presenter to be charged. the coroner later said she took her own life because she was facing prosecution and feared the publicity.

but it's now two years and i still haven't got an answer. and how does that leave you and the family? it leaves us really... really sad. and really angry, because you want to know why they charged her. she couldn't get over that. she couldn't see a way out. and it was down to that. her mother put these questions to the met. she was so dismayed with their response, she complained to the police watchdog. it found the met�*s response was not reasonable and proportionate, telling mrs flack, "i do not consider your complaint has been fully addressed". it has ordered the met to do a proper investigation. what do you think about the fact that the police watchdog have forced the met to investigate

your queries properly? i think it's disgusting, but i think it's typical of the met as we see it now. there's no trust at all, no trust at all. the met has said it is rare to give a caution in a case of domestic abuse. the force told us the police watchdog found it had answered seven areas of mrs flack�*s complaint, but it had been directed to reinvestigate why it had appealed the decision to caution miss flack. "our thoughts and sympathies remain with caroline's family," it said. but mrs flack feels her daughter, who had self—harmed that night and had mental health issues, was badly let down. she was fun. she just had these really dark times. as i say, usually, she could get out of it, especially on telly. she loved herjob. i'm doing it for caroline because there was so much negative press around. and it won't bring her back,

i know it won't bring her back, but i've got to do it for her. the teenage russian skater at the centre of a failed drugs test before the winter olympics will be allowed to continue to compete at the games. the court of arbitration for sport made the decision after a hearing and said preventing kamila valieva from competing would have caused her "irreparable harm". let's take a look back through the timeline of events. valieva had a drug sample taken from the 2022 russian figure skating championships in st petersburg on the 25th of december. she then travels to tallinn in estonia, where she competes in and wins the european championships. valieva arrives in beijing for the winter olympics on the first of february before helping her team win gold in the figure skating team event on the seventh. that same day, the world anti—doping agency said they'd heard reports that the sample, taken by valieva in december

contained a drug called tmz. that's a heart medication banned in professional sports. the next day, valieva is provisionally suspended by russia's anti—doping agency and the medal ceremony is postponed. however, following valieva's appeals, the suspension is lifted on the 9th february. she continued to train as normal ahead of a hearing, scheduled for the 13th of february by court of arbitration for sport, an organisation that looks into matters like these. today, we've heard they decided that no provisional suspension should be imposed on the 15—year—old. the ruling said that "such late notification was not herfault in the middle of the olympic winter games". let's speak to the former director of ethics and anti—doping at uk sport michele verroken. she's now the founding director of the sporting integrity consultancy. welcome, thank you forjoining us. what is your reaction to this decision?— what is your reaction to this decision? . , , ., , decision? certainly, it is a very frustrating _ decision? certainly, it is a very frustrating situation _ decision? certainly, it is a very frustrating situation for - decision? certainly, it is a very i frustrating situation for everybody concerned. most importantly for the

athlete, who is now considered a protected person under the new world anti—doping code. but we are seeing that perhaps there is an expectation that perhaps there is an expectation that young athletes will be treated almost the same as adult athletes, but the ad hoc panel decided that we actually had to look at fairness to actually had to look at fairness to a young person, so that is really unprecedented. so what would it mean, then? unprecedented. so what would it mean. then?— unprecedented. so what would it mean, then? , ., ., ., , mean, then? does it mean that any ounu mean, then? does it mean that any young person _ mean, then? does it mean that any young person would _ mean, then? does it mean that any young person would not _ mean, then? does it mean that any young person would not be - mean, then? does it mean that any young person would not be barred l mean, then? does it mean that any i young person would not be barred for failing a drugs test? weill. young person would not be barred for failing a drugs test?— failing a drugs test? well, i think it means we _ failing a drugs test? well, i think it means we have _ failing a drugs test? well, i think it means we have to _ failing a drugs test? well, i think it means we have to really i failing a drugs test? well, i think it means we have to really make| failing a drugs test? well, i think i it means we have to really make sure our procedures are very tight and we do not allow this situation —— the situation to arise. it really is most incredible that an athlete is competing at a game is when people didn't realise that her sample had yet to be a nice —— at a games. the

russian disciplinary anti—doping committee have tried to act in terms of fairness because there was no time for her to mount any defence about whether the suspension should be imposed provisionally. and similarly, the panel. this still means that this athlete will be facing and obviously everybody has announced they are going to investigate the circumstances, as they shed when it is a young person. look at their entourage, the circumstances. that has led a 15—year—old to use such a serious substance. iiit 15-year-old to use such a serious substance-— substance. in the meantime, she continues to _ substance. in the meantime, she continues to compete, _ substance. in the meantime, she continues to compete, but i substance. in the meantime, she continues to compete, but if i substance. in the meantime, she continues to compete, but if she | continues to compete, but if she wins a medal, there will be no medal ceremony. what is your reaction to that decision?— that decision? again it is unprecedented - that decision? again it is unprecedented but i that decision? again it is i unprecedented but probably that decision? again it is - unprecedented but probably fair because we are trying to be fair to everybody. should she win a medal, we are awarding something that could very well be taken back. anti—doping

needs to understand how to work its own rules. we do have retrospective justice. there is a ten year statute of limitations so any medal could be removed up to ten years after. and we need to understand that is how, at the moment, how the system operates and that does not sound fair at all because we really want to prevent cheats from taking part in the sport and we really need systems that do deal with things promptly. and if there is a justification for the use of the substance or an inadvertent use of the substance, then we find that information out quickly and resolve the matter, but for most athletes, hugely frustrating because it is a ten year wait, potentially, for justice. ten year wait, potentially, for 'ustice. ~ . ., ~ ten year wait, potentially, for 'ustice. ~ . ., ,, sir keir starmer has confirmed he received death threats after the prime minister's untrue claims that the labour leader failed to prosecutejimmy savile.

he was speaking on bbc radio newcastle this morning and when asked about whether reports about the threats were true, this is what he said. um... yes. i do not like talking about this because i've got young children and, therefore, it's very important for me to say that what the prime minister said was wrong, it was very wrong. he knew exactly what he was doing. there's been a right—wing conspiracy theory for some time that is complete fabrication. he fed into that. that has caused difficulty, but my preference, if i may, is not to talk about that because, as i say, i've got young children and i don't particularly want them to hear too much of what may or may not be said about me. keir starmer on the radio this morning. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. the met office has a yellow weather warning out for wednesday and thursday for some potentially

damaging and disruptive winds — with exposure, up to 90 mph across parts of scotland, but widely we're looking at 60—70 mph. now, today what we've got is a band of rain which is pushing towards the south—east. it will brighten up later in south—west england, wales and northern england, but for northern ireland and scotland, you have a day of sunshine and showers. some of the showers will be wintry on the hills in scotland and it's going to be a breezy day. through this evening and overnight, we say goodbye to the rain. there will be clear skies for a time before more rain comes in from the west with some hill snow. it will actually be a little bit milder by the end of the night than the start of the night in the west, but it will still be cold in the east. now, tomorrow, a weather front moves west to east, slowest to clear the rain from the south of england. the rain turning more showery in the north of scotland. then we're looking at some dry weather, some sunshine, with top temperatures of ten.

hello this is bbc news. the headlines...

ukraine has called for a meeting with russia in the next 48 hours to try to avert war, as kyiv�*s ambassador to the uk says that is not the question if, that question is when. and unfortunately it depends not on us and fortunately not on russia, but on the family of nato, of all the sovereign nations. the kremlin says if ukraine renounces its intentions tojoin nato, it would significantly address russia's security concerns in the region. a public inquiry is getting under way into how a faulty computer system led to the wrongful convictions of hundreds of post office managers. the mum of tv presenter caroline flack says she still has questions for police over the treatment of her daughter in the weeks before her death. it is now two years and i've still not got an answer. it leaves us really, really sad and really angry. no medal ceremony if she wins, but 15—year—old russian figure skater kamila valieva

will be allowed to continue competing at the winter olympics — despite failing a drugs test in december. the aa says the average price of petrol at pumps across the uk hit a new record at the weekend, reaching more than 148p per litre. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's chatam patek. as you've been hearing, 15—year—old russian skater kamila valieva has been told she can continue competing at the winter olympics, after sport's highest court ruled she shouldn't be suspended. valieva's future at the games had been unclear after news emerged that she'd failed a drugs test in december. however, the court of arbitration for sport says the fact she's under 16 means she's a "protected person" and preventing her from skating at the games would have cause her "irreparable harm". well, the decision has been criticised by the world anti—doping agency

and the us olympic committee, but valieva will now compete in the individual figure skating event, which takes place tomorrow. she's favourite to win gold. former olympic champion robin cousins says the situation is far from over. she has been training the whole time here even with the media circus around her bed at 15 years old, it will be a tough ask for the championship. looking at the big picture, decisions have been made to look into, the question is back in russia regarding the training camp because it is not only kamila valieva, there are five other members of the russian team that train at this camp, what happened? how did it happen? and making sure from an international skating point of view that it never happens again. well, the international olympic committee says while they accept the decision, it doesn't clear valieva of anti—doping, only that she can continue to compete whilst

the process of examining december�*s positive sample goes on. because of that, the ioc says there will not be a medal ceremony for the figure skating team event — in which valieva was part of the russia team that won gold. the ioc also says there'll will be no ceremony if valieva medals in the individual event. all ceremonies will be arranged once the case has been concluded. to action at the games today there, and there has finally been some good news for gb on the slopes, where there'll be two brits in tomorrow's slopestyle final. both 17—year—old kirsty muir here and her british team mate katie summerhayes made it through qualifying. muir finished in sixth and will be hoping for even more tomorrow, perhaps challenging for the medals. muir finished fifth last week in the big air competition, but this is her stronger event. britain's men remain in a strong position to reach the semi finals of the team curling event. they got their fifth win of the round robin stage with a very close victory over switzerland, which they had to wait until the final stone to secure. bruce mouat clearing out the swiss red stone to secure the final point

gb needed for a 6—5 win. to football — where newcastle's hopes of avoiding relegation from the premier league have suffered a setback. the club have confirmed kieran trippier has suffered a fractured foot. the defender scored the only goal in their win against aston villa yesterday and has played a key role in their recent run of three successive wins. england's rugby head coach eddiejones says there's no limit on how good marcus smith can be as he helped his side get back on track in the six nations. the fly—half scored their first try and kicked four conversions as england cruised to a 33—0 bonus point victory against italy in rome. england are second in the table behind france, who've won both their games. there was late drama in america overnight, as the los angeles rams won the super bowl for just the second time. and their victory was secured withjust over a minute remaining, this touchdown from cooper kupp sealing a 23—20 win

against the cincinnati bengals. and from los angeles to arizona, where golfers had to take cover at the latest event on the pga tour. after hitting a hole in one, carlos ortiz says he was hit with a beer can, with numerous cans being thrown onto the course. it is allowed though — fans are renowed for throwing drinks here on the 16th tee — to reward good shots in the tournament. and plenty took advantage of it. that's all the sport for now. we're just we'rejust going to we're just going to go straight to the public inquiry which isjust getting under way into the public inquiry which is 'ust getting under wa- the public inquiry which is 'ust getting under way into how a faulty com - uter getting under way into how a faulty computer system _ getting under way into how a faulty computer system led _ getting under way into how a faulty computer system led to _ getting under way into how a faulty computer system led to the - getting under way into how a faulty i computer system led to the wrongful convictions of hundreds of post office managers. this is inquiry chair. a ~ office managers. this is inquiry chair. ., , office managers. this is inquiry chair. . i, chair. make a very significant contribution _ chair. make a very significant contribution to _ chair. make a very significant contribution to the _ chair. make a very significant contribution to the inquiry's l chair. make a very significant i contribution to the inquiry's work.

that's as much as i have to say in opening. it is very likely you will not hear me speak again today other than to say it is time for a break or something like that. i am now going to ask the queens counsel, counsel to the inquiry, to make his opening statement. on friday 23rd april last year, the court _ on friday 23rd april last year, the court of— on friday 23rd april last year, the court of appeal criminal division quashed — court of appeal criminal division quashed the convictions of 39 men and women who had worked for the post office — and women who had worked for the post office limited or its predecessors which i am going to call pol— predecessors which i am going to call pol in — predecessors which i am going to call pol in a various number of roles — call pol in a various number of roles but _ call pol in a various number of roles. but all of the appellants had been charged with offences of theft,

fraud, _ been charged with offences of theft, fraud, false accounting and were prosecuted by the publicly owned public _ prosecuted by the publicly owned public pol in which they relied for their livelihoods. they had all been convicted _ their livelihoods. they had all been convicted of crimes allegedly committed during the period 2000 to 2012. those that pleaded guilty or were convicted following a trial had a grim _ were convicted following a trial had a grim punishments imposed upon them including _ a grim punishments imposed upon them including in_ a grim punishments imposed upon them including in some cases immediate sentences— including in some cases immediate sentences of imprisonment. lives were _ sentences of imprisonment. lives were ruined, families were torn apart _ were ruined, families were torn apart. families were made homeless and destitute. reputations were destroyed. not least because the crimes— destroyed. not least because the crimes of— destroyed. not least because the crimes of which the men and women were convicted, theft, fraud, and false _ were convicted, theft, fraud, and false accounting, all involved

acting — false accounting, all involved acting dishonestly. people who were an important respected and integral part of— an important respected and integral part of the — an important respected and integral part of the local communities that they served were in some cases shunned — they served were in some cases shunned a— they served were in some cases shunned. a number of men and women sadly died _ shunned. a number of men and women sadly died before the state publicly recognised that they were wrongly convicted — recognised that they were wrongly convicted. their prosecutions were founded _ convicted. their prosecutions were founded upon an assertion that the computerised accounting system horizon. — computerised accounting system horizon, used in branch post offices and operated by fujitsu was reliable when _ and operated by fujitsu was reliable when in _ and operated by fujitsu was reliable when in fact it was not. what's more. — when in fact it was not. what's more. the _ when in fact it was not. what's more, the publicly owned company responsible for bringing the prosecutions, pol, knew that it was not. prosecutions, pol, knew that it was not in _ prosecutions, pol, knew that it was not in what — prosecutions, pol, knew that it was not. in what you may in due course conclude _ not. in what you may in due course conclude is— not. in what you may in due course conclude is the worst miscarriage of justice _ conclude is the worst miscarriage of justice in_ conclude is the worst miscarriage of justice in recent british legal

history. _ justice in recent british legal history, these convictions were based — history, these convictions were based on — history, these convictions were based on failures of investigation and failures of disclosure. the court — and failures of disclosure. the court of — and failures of disclosure. the court of appeal described these as so egregious as to make the prosecution an affront to the conscious _ prosecution an affront to the conscious of the court. since then other— conscious of the court. since then other convictions where they relied on the _ other convictions where they relied on the integrity of temper might have _ on the integrity of temper might have been quashed and continue to be quashed _ have been quashed and continue to be quashed. this inquiry has been established to understand and to acknowledge what went wrong in relation — acknowledge what went wrong in relation to horizon. it will build upon _ relation to horizon. it will build upon the — relation to horizon. it will build upon the findings that have already been found by the courts, it by seeking — been found by the courts, it by seeking to establish who knew what and when _ seeking to establish who knew what and when. it will assess whether the commitments made by pol within the subsequent mediation settlement have been properly delivered. and assess whether— been properly delivered. and assess whether the processes and information provided by pol to

postmasters are sufficient. it will examine — postmasters are sufficient. it will examine the historic and current governments and whistle—blowing governments and whistle— blowing controls — governments and whistle—blowing controls. along with julian governments and whistle—blowing controls. along withjulian blake, catcher _ controls. along withjulian blake, catcher hodge and ruth kennedy, i sacked _ catcher hodge and ruth kennedy, i sacked as _ catcher hodge and ruth kennedy, i sacked as counsel to the inquiry. as you may— sacked as counsel to the inquiry. as you may know, and others not, our role is _ you may know, and others not, our role is to— you may know, and others not, our role is to assist you in the conduct of your— role is to assist you in the conduct of your investigation. —— i act as counsel— of your investigation. —— i act as counsel to — of your investigation. —— i act as counsel to the inquiry. also appearing today are the following representatives of our participants, chrisjacobs, instructed for a large number— chrisjacobs, instructed for a large number of— chrisjacobs, instructed for a large number of supposed masters and mistresses. number of supposed masters and mistresses-— number of supposed masters and mistresses. , , ,, ., , mistresses. this is the qc and he is outlinin: mistresses. this is the qc and he is outlining now _ mistresses. this is the qc and he is outlining now who _ mistresses. this is the qc and he is outlining now who is _ mistresses. this is the qc and he is outlining now who is going - mistresses. this is the qc and he is outlining now who is going to i mistresses. this is the qc and he is outlining now who is going to be i outlining now who is going to be coming up. i think the first person to be speaking when he stops is a man and wife have lost their livelihoods after they were falsely

accused after accounting errors. we heard this was the worst miscarriage of justice heard this was the worst miscarriage ofjustice in recent british history and the inquiry is about understanding what happened and what went wrong. and also more details from the inquiry chair who said that they are hoping to hear evidence from 50 to 60 witnesses over the course of the inquiry which will sit in london, also scotland and northern ireland and in wales and leeds. he sought to ensure appropriate members speak to many those affected and at the speak of the more of unusual adverse impacts that have occurred. that is the start of the inquiry and we will be back there a little bit later to hear some of the evidence. the rac sys petrol prices have hit a record high reaching 148.02p

a litre on average across the uk. the rise comes a week after oil giant bp published its highest annual profit in eight years amid mounting pressure on the sector as the cost—of—living crisis deepens. joining me now is simon williams, spokesperson for the rac. welcome, thank you forjoining us. so why are prices at this level now? the price of oil has risen, teetering on the brink of $100 a barrel and it has gone up drastically since life has come a bit mask to normal as we emerge from the pandemic. and unfortunately this is meaning bad news for drivers because obviously high oil prices means higher prices generally, the exchange rate is also important because fuel is traded in dollars so we see the pound to be strong against the dollar, it is about $1.36 to the pound and not the best

and that has an effect. and the tensions between russia and ukraine, russia being the third biggest oil producer in the world, kind of causing problems with the oil market, there is lots of nerves around what should happen if things escalate and supply could be affected and that is why the prices have risen. 50 affected and that is why the prices have risen. affected and that is why the prices have risen-— have risen. so it could get worse, potentially? _ have risen. so it could get worse, potentially? we _ have risen. so it could get worse, potentially? we could _ have risen. so it could get worse, potentially? we could see - have risen. so it could get worse, potentially? we could see record| potentially? we could see record etrol and potentially? we could see record petrol and diesel _ potentially? we could see record petrol and diesel prices - potentially? we could see record petrol and diesel prices being i potentially? we could see record| petrol and diesel prices being set on a daily basis to the coming weeks. they are very quick to move on the wholesale price, they will normally do that extremely quickly, whereas in the farthing market, they are slow, as we saw in december when we were drastically over paying for fuel because retailers were taking 16p a margin and we were effectively paying as if we had... they have absorbed the increases to date and

now things are pretty much back to normal in terms of their margins but unfortunately the price of oil looks like it is going higher still. and like it is going higher still. and is there a guarantee they will keep their margins at that low level? there is no guarantee at all unfortunately. the big sea supermarkets who dominate retailing are very much responsible for that. the smaller retail follow their lead, understandably so because they don't sell as much fuel. the biggest supermarkets selling around 50% of all fuel sold in the uk so they are very much leading the way so we need them to act responsibly and play fair. , ., them to act responsibly and play fair. , . , ., . fair. there is a research indicating eo - le fair. there is a research indicating people are _ fair. there is a research indicating people are using _ fair. there is a research indicating people are using their _ fair. there is a research indicating people are using their cars - fair. there is a research indicating people are using their cars less i people are using their cars less because of the cost of petrol. is that something you see? government drivin: that something you see? government driving figures — that something you see? government driving figures show _ that something you see? government driving figures show things _ that something you see? government driving figures show things are - driving figures show things are getting much more back to normal. we know a lot of people are now working from home on a regular basis so the commute is not in the same levels

but people actually driving more for leisure, making more use of their cars at weekends and in the evenings. things are changing but i think it will take some time before the true picture is fully known. thank you very much forjoining us. police have launched an urgent appeal after a man described as a "dangerous sex offender" escaped from a prison in lincolnshire. officers believe 56—year—old paul robson, who went missing from hmp north sea camp yesterday, could be anywhere in the country. the public are being urged not to approach him. nearly one in three of women invited to cervical cancer screenings don't take up the offer of being tested, according to new research. a new nhs campaign is urging anyone eligible in england between the ages of 25 and 64 to go for an appointment. the study of 3000 women found that embarrassment is the most common reason not to attend.

police in canada say they've cleared the remaining protesters blocking a key bridge between canada and the united states and it has now reopened. despite a court order to end the demonstration against covid restrictions, trucks and cars had continued to block the ambassador bridge in ontario. jessica murphy reports. it didn't take that many vehicles to block the busiest land border crossing in canada. demonstrators had been blocking the ambassador bridge for almost a week, part of widespread protests across the country over covid restrictions. but with a vital trade route in jeopardy, this blockade was hard to ignore. the financial impact to now is nearing $3 billion on our national economy, that's huge. after a court in canada granted an injunction to clear the bridge and the province of ontario declared a state of emergency, police moved in. it began a more than 24—hour stand—off but early on sunday officers marched forward

with tactical vehicles in tow and most protesters realised it was time to go home. i was hoping it wasn't going to end like this. i was hoping the police would allow us to continue to peacefully protest. the bridge is really important but our lives are important. police eventually confronted the few holdouts and made 12 arrests. the protesters, they were gathered to get the message out, i believe they got that message out and they were able to do it peacefully. the ambassador bridge may be cleared but other border protests continue. under pressure from the us to address the crisis, prime ministerjustin trudeau spoke on friday. president biden and i both agree that for the security of the people and the economy, these blockades cannot continue. in ottawa, protests are still here in the city centre, a demonstration now that has gone on for over two weeks. police say they have plans to resolve the issue. it has really paralysed parts of the national capital, but they are waiting for necessary reinforcements. impatient with the police response, some residents directly told

the protesters it was time to go home, but with almost 500 trucks blocking the streets of downtown ottawa and protesters dug in elsewhere, the success in windsor may prove challenging to replicate. jessica murphy, bbc news, ottawa. more storms are due to hit the uk later this week. storm dudley has triggered a yellow weather warning for large parts of scotland and northern england, moving on to wales later. friday's storm, named eunice, is also expected to cause some disruption. our weather presenter chris fawkes has more information on this. two coming in quick succession. yes, and actually — two coming in quick succession. yes, and actually in _ two coming in quick succession. yes, and actually in the _ two coming in quick succession. yes, and actually in the last _ two coming in quick succession. 1a: and actually in the last hour, there has already been an upgrade to the warning said dudley and it has been upgraded to amber and this is before hits. that is from 6pm to thursday —— 6pm on wednesday. these are very powerful storms, top wind gusts

about 90 miles an hour, the second one could have some heavy snow as well. let me show you what will happen. this is the first of these storms, storm dudley and you see the and the weather warning they're affecting parts of northern ireland, scotland, that is where we are expecting the strongest wind gusts to be. and one of the reasons the winds are so strong with this particular system is because the isobars which control the windows are really straight, exhilarating wind is a little bit more than if they were curvy or bending. that is where we will get the strongest winds from that. but right off the back of that, the next some system comes through for friday, this is tom eunice, very powerful winds, this isjust a tom eunice, very powerful winds, this is just a yellow weather morning at the moment but as confidence grows in the arrival of this, we may well see further upgrades to that warning, possibly to amber and beyond, very strong winds again, up to 80 miles an hour, but the risk of snow. it depends on

the track of the low, where the snow risk is, but a rough stab at the moment, we could be looking up to 30 centimetres with the strong winds, very poor driving conditions, blizzards and blowing of the snow as well. �* , ., ., 1' 1' blizzards and blowing of the snow as well. �* , ., ., ~' ~' , well. and the winds look like they will affect everywhere, _ well. and the winds look like they will affect everywhere, then. i well. and the winds look like they will affect everywhere, then. the | will affect everywhere, then. the stron . est will affect everywhere, then. twa: strongest winds will come will affect everywhere, then. tue: strongest winds will come to the south of the centre you can see there, so places like northern ireland, northern england, southern scotland, north wales, perhaps the north midlands, that zone at risk of greatest winds but that is the storm for friday for suppers we get closer and more of the computer model simulations, the position of the change a bit and so to cut the zone with the strongest winds. make no mistake about it, these are two very powerful storms that will bring damage and disruptive weather later in the week. ., 1' damage and disruptive weather later in the week. ., ,, damage and disruptive weather later in the week-— in the week. thank you very much, chris. it's the thing that keeps actors up at night.

imagine walking onto stage not knowing your lines — and without a single minute of rehearsal. but that's exactly what a host of celebrities, including sir ian mckellen and dame emma thompson are doing on purpose, in order to save a london theatre. matt graveling went along to catch the show. it is a performer�*s worst nightmare. you are on stage but you don't know your next line. just in time. but it was not that had forgotten his work. because he's never seen it. instead, in this unique show, a man hiding in a side room was feeding these one—liners. you will us person to see the captain alive, where you not? myjob is not to be nervous. there are the

ones normally who are nervous and it is so sweet because these are people at the top of their game coming in and saying... but also if there is a mistake you have not anticipated, making sure they feel as supported as possible as quickly as possible. the show is being performed at the park theatre in north london. this intimate venue with around 200 seats like many others was hit hard by the pandemic but they are hoping these shows will help to their running costs. with a little help from 41 different celebrity inspectors including gillian anderson, sanjeev bhaskar, emma thompson, sue perkins, ross kemp, ronan keating and maureen lipman. t ross kemp, ronan keating and maureen liman. 1' ross kemp, ronan keating and maureen liman. ~ ., , ., , lipman. i think lots of people think, surely _ lipman. i think lots of people think, surely we _ lipman. i think lots of people think, surely we give - lipman. i think lots of people think, surely we give them i lipman. i think lots of people | think, surely we give them the script— think, surely we give them the script really and it is a gimmick we are saying — script really and it is a gimmick we are saying that but the reality is that is _ are saying that but the reality is that is the — are saying that but the reality is that is the joy of the ask, there is no preparation, you have never seen

the script— no preparation, you have never seen the script and i call them up, this is the _ the script and i call them up, this is the concept, you need to turn up at 730 _ is the concept, you need to turn up at 730 you — is the concept, you need to turn up at 7.30 you give up a couple of hours — at 7.30 you give up a couple of hours of— at 7.30 you give up a couple of hours of your day, you don't have to prepare _ hours of your day, you don't have to prepare anything. it hours of your day, you don't have to prepare anything-— prepare anything. a recent study by sheffield university _ prepare anything. a recent study by sheffield university estimates i prepare anything. a recent study by sheffield university estimates the l sheffield university estimates the arts, culture and heritage sectors suffered a 60% decline during covid restrictions, so selling out these fundraising shows has been a lifeline was that i have not done anything like it before, every show is different every night so acting in it, it keeps you on your toes and you have to react to anything put in front of you. and it is notjust the cast are being kept on their toes. with audience members completely unaware of who they will be seeing until the show starts.— until the show starts. really en'o in: until the show starts. really enjoying it. _ until the show starts. really enjoying it, having - until the show starts. really enjoying it, having a - until the show starts. really enjoying it, having a good i until the show starts. really i enjoying it, having a good time, really— enjoying it, having a good time, really missed being in an audience. i really missed being in an audience. iwasn't _ really missed being in an audience. i wasn't expecting it to be so unprepared _ iwasn't expecting it to be so unprepared it— i wasn't expecting it to be so unprepared. it is _ i wasn't expecting it to be so unprepared. it is so - iwasn't expecting it to be so unprepared. it is so very- i wasn't expecting it to be so i unprepared. it is so very obvious. ouite _ unprepared. it is so very obvious. quite a _ unprepared. it is so very obvious. quite a lot— unprepared. it is so very obvious. quite a lot of— unprepared. it is so very obvious. quite a lot of the _ unprepared. it is so very obvious. quite a lot of the time, _ unprepared. it is so very obvious. quite a lot of the time, you - unprepared. it is so very obvious. quite a lot of the time, you don't| quite a lot of the time, you don't know— quite a lot of the time, you don't know what— quite a lot of the time, you don't know what is— quite a lot of the time, you don't know what is going _ quite a lot of the time, you don't

know what is going on. _ quite a lot of the time, you don't know what is going on. lots i quite a lot of the time, you don't know what is going on.— quite a lot of the time, you don't know what is going on. lots of fun, it feels cruel _ know what is going on. lots of fun, it feels cruel watching _ know what is going on. lots of fun, it feels cruel watching them - know what is going on. lots of fun, it feels cruel watching them being l it feels cruel watching them being played with by the other actors but it is a lot of fun.— it is a lot of fun. how was it toda ? it is a lot of fun. how was it today? i — it is a lot of fun. how was it today? i think _ it is a lot of fun. how was it today? i think almost i it is a lot of fun. how was it i today? i think almost anyone it is a lot of fun. how was it - today? i think almost anyone rises today? i think almost anyone rises to the occasion. _ today? i think almost anyone rises to the occasion. it _ today? i think almost anyone rises to the occasion. it is _ today? i think almost anyone rises to the occasion. it is a _ today? i think almost anyone rises to the occasion. it is a bit - today? i think almost anyone rises to the occasion. it is a bit like i to the occasion. it is a bit like doing — to the occasion. it is a bit like doing charades. kind of wonderful and terrifying at the same time. even _ and terrifying at the same time. even though you have this thing in your yeah. — even though you have this thing in your yeah, you are speaking as their luy your yeah, you are speaking as their guy reading — your yeah, you are speaking as their guy reading the lines simultaneously. and you might miss something _ simultaneously. and you might miss something that in this situation, whatever— something that in this situation, whatever you do will be great. let's get more now on one of the biggest events in world sport — american football's super bowl. it's been won by the los angeles rams playing at their home stadium. an estimated global audience of 100 million people tuned in to watch a match famed for its half—time entertainment. and this year's stars included maryj blige, 50 cent, dr dre and eminem. music: the next episode

# you are rolling with the d—r—e. # yeah, yeah, yeah. ya'll know what they say is. cheering. # go, go, go # bottle full of bub # mama, got what you need, if you need to feel the buzz # i'm into havin' sex, i ain't into makin' love # so come give me a hug if you into gettin' rubbed # ah! # no more drama. # let me tell you about my life # painkillers only put me in the twilight # it's the highlight # this opportunity comes once in a lifetime - # you better lose yourself. # # it's the d-r-e. # cheering

now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. we've got some stormy conditions potentially met— conditions potentially met conditions potentially office warnin- of that. we h. got met office warning of that. we have not the met office warning of that. we have got the rain — met office warning of that. we have got the rain pulling _ met office warning of that. we have got the rain pulling away _ met office warning of that. we have got the rain pulling away from i met office warning of that. we have got the rain pulling away from the i got the rain pulling away from the south—east of england, rain moving across scotland, northern england and wales, heading towards the south—east and topped and tailed by some showers. lots of dry weather through the night and another weather system coming in from the west with hill snow as well. it will be cold in the east, temperatures picking up through the night the in west. tomorrow of the rain pushes from the east to the west, lingering in the far south of england and turning showery across the far north—east of scotland. behind it, sunshine, showers continue across the highlands will be wintry, high is between three and 10 degrees. looking ahead, generally from the

midweek on, it will turn about much stormier with gusts as much as 90 miles an hour.

this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines at midday: a public inquiry into how a faulty computer system led to the wrongful convictions of hundreds of post office managers has started in london. of post office managers lives of post office managers were ruined, families wert torn lives were ruined, families were torn apart. families were made homeless and destitute. reputations were destroyed. ukraine has called for a meeting with russia in the next 48 hours to try to avert war, as kyiv�*s ambassador to the uk says the country hasn't given up on ambitions to join nato. that is not the question if, that question is when. and unfortunately it depends not on us and unfortunately not on russia, but on the family of nato, of all the sovereign nations. the kremlin says if ukraine renounces its intentions tojoin

nato, it would significantly address russia's security concerns in the region. almost two years since the tv presenter took her own life, the mum of caroline flack says she still has questions about how police treated her daughter in the weeks before her death. no ceremony if she wins a medal, but 15—year—old russian figure skater kamila valieva will be allowed to continue competing at the winter olympics, despite failing a drugs test in december. the aa says the average price of petrol at pumps across the uk hit a new record at the weekend, reaching more than 148 pence per litre. the public inquiry has opened into one of the biggest miscarriages ofjustice in british legal history.

in the last hour, the chief counsel to the inquiry has give a grim summary of the human impact of the scandal that led to innocent post office branch managers being convicted, and many sent to jail. it was a faulty post office it system that led to the wrongful convictions. between 2000 and 2014, more than 700 post office branch managers were prosecuted, when the accounting software made it look as though money was missing from their tills. a total of 72 former sub—postmasters have had their names cleared, but thousands more lost their businesses and huge sums of money. post office says more than 800 people have so far received offers of compensation, but it cannot afford to foot the huge bill. the government is stepping to facilitate that, with the total expected to run past £1 billion in taxpayers' money. this inquiry will look at what post office executives knew, when they knew it, and how branch

managers ended up shouldering the blame. our correspondent colletta smith reports. hajinder ran a post office with his wife in nottinghamshire for five years and then, out of the blue, he was arrested and charged with stealing £208,000. i can still here it this day, that cell door slamming behind me. very horrible when know you haven't done anything. it felt like i had a 14 yearjail sentence because i was trying to clear my name. hajinder had three children under ten. his sentence is thought to be the longest of anyone involved in the scandal because he stuck to his not guilty plea. it is so heartbreaking to hear his story and the impact it has had on his whole family through these years. and what is almost more

unbelievable and why this story is beginning to feel familiar is that he is not alone. 706 former post office managers were convicted for crimes they did not commit. slowly those convictions are being overturned — 72 so far. but thousands more post office staff lost huge sums of money. so it is the government who are stepping in and footing the bill for compensation. the accounting problems were down to a faulty it system called horizon. this public inquiry, which will run for over a year, is supposed to get to the bottom of when it became clear the computer software was at fault, who knew within the post office, and why they carried on prosecuting their own staff. the post office says it is sincerely sorry for the scandal and hopes the inquiry will ensure this never happens again. but harjinder, like so many other victims, wants today's inquiry to begin to hold people to account. i want people on the other side to be charged and jailed like i was. that's what i want,

then i'm settled. colletta smith, bbc news, in chesterfield. in his opening statement, the counsel to the inquiry, jason beer has given a summary of the human impact of the scandal on those affected. of the human impact the of the human impact reason why we have commen hearings the reason why we have commenced the hearings over the inquiry by listening to the accounts of those who were, and continue to be affected, by the flaws in horizon and the flaws in the approach to it is they must be front and centre in this inquiry. although the underlying subject matter of any inquiry is information technology, this inquiry is not, and will not become, in a dry, technical investigation into an it project gone wrong. that is because it is an

inquiry that is about people. it is about people who's mental and physical health has been impacted, but people who's marriages have failed, about people who thought of taking their own lives. and in some cases, who took their own lives. that is the opening ofthe their own lives. that is the opening of the inquiry- _ their own lives. that is the opening of the inquiry. we _ their own lives. that is the opening of the inquiry. we will— their own lives. that is the opening of the inquiry. we will take - their own lives. that is the opening of the inquiry. we will take you i their own lives. that is the opening of the inquiry. we will take you --| of the inquiry. we will take you —— bring you any updates on the inquiry. the duchess of cornwall has tested positive for coronavirus, clarence house has announced. last week the plains of wales are tested positive and is self—isolating. —— prince of wales. camilla, at that time, tested negative for coronavirus. clarence has said, but now we have just heard she has tested positive for coronavirus. previously, buckingham palace did not confirm whether the

queen has tested positive or negative, citing her medical privacy. but he had met the queen two days prior to testing positive himself. but the latest is that the duchess of cornwall has now tested positive for coronavirus. a spokesman for ukraine's president has insisted that the country's ambition tojoin nato, as set out in its constitution, remains an absolute priority. he spoke after the ukrainian ambassador to the uk had suggested that his nation might make serious concessions and be flexible over its plan to join the military alliance. ukraine has demanded a meeting with russia within the next 48 hours to discuss the build—up of some 100,000 russian troops on its border, but the kremlin has repeatedly denied any intention of an attack. our political correspondent jonathan blake has the latest. russian military manpower and firepower on the border with ukraine — proof in plain sight, the us claims, that president putin

is preparing for war. american forces arrived in the region yesterday in a show of support to western allies. it's feared military action could come any day. and for the uk, the crisis has reached a criticaljuncture. downing street say the prime minister will continue to receive daily intelligence briefings, speak to more world leaders about the crisis in the coming days, and travel to europe again towards the end of the week. in what number 10 calls a window of opportunity for diplomacy, the german chancellor, olaf scholz, will travel to kyiv today and on to moscow for talks with president putin, who has repeatedly denied intentions to invade. the situation is very tense and indeed there are risks of the acceleration and risks of some substantial developments in the next days. so the question is this wednesday, this thursday, this friday, it doesn't matter, but we certainly

see that upcoming days are going to be critical and everybody is taking this very seriously. at the same time in kyiv, there is no panic and generally in ukraine as a whole. ukraine's president has called for calm and the country's ambassador to the uk suggested it could reconsider its aim to join the nato military alliance. what i'm saying here that we are flexible trying to find the best, best way out. if we have to go through some serious, i don't know, concessions, that's something we might do. that's for sure. nato defence ministers will meet in brussels this week, and talks are also happening at the un, all part of a push to get russia to step back from the brink, but hopes are not high for any kind of breakthrough. jonathan blake, bbc news. ukraine's uk ambassador, vadym prystaiko, told the bbc it was a "misunderstanding" that ukraine would shelve its nato ambitions. what i told him, that we are not

a member of nato right now, and we are ready for many concessions and that is what we are doing in our conversations with russia. but it has nothing to do with nato, which is enshrined in the constitution. so what does that mean? what does that mean at the moment? does that mean a temporary delay in ambitions of membership? it is not a delay in the ambitions of being in nato. what we were talking about is that we are not a member of the family yet. we have to look for something else, like, i don't know, a bilateral agreement with the uk, with the united states. so on top of nato, we are looking for some other arrangement that will allow us to survive at this particular ordeal right now. so, to be clear, that constitutional commitment of ukraine becoming a member of nato, that hasn't shifted? no, but it depends on the readiness of nato itself to get us in. it is not happening before wednesday, so we have to find the solution right now, we have to find the friends that will stay with us. we also have to work with the russians,

which we are doing on our own, which is notjust the west working for us, we are having negotiations with the russians ourselves. but it has nothing to do with nato. we are talking about eastern ukraine, we are talking about crimea, not about nato. the uk ambassador to ukraine, vadym prystaiko who will be coming on to talk to me in at this hour. let's speak to our correspondent paul adams in the ukrainian capital, kyiv. there is this coal from ukraine for a meeting within —— a call from ukraine for a meeting with russia within the next 48 hours. what ukraine for a meeting with russia within the next 48 hours. what are our within the next 48 hours. what are your expectations _ within the next 48 hours. what are your expectations are _ within the next 48 hours. what are your expectations are that? - within the next 48 hours. what are your expectations are that? pretty | your expectations are that? pretty low. it is a call that has been made in the past and russia's generally, response has been talk to the separatists down in the donbas, that is where your problem lies. the pro—russia separatists and those two

breakaway republics are, essentially, russian stooges, and that his not really where the government here wants to have a dialogue, ukraine thinks. they want to talk where they think the problem comes from, that is the kremlin. i would not expect to see that dialogue happening any time soon. those are comments from ukraine's ambassador to the uk, perhaps there could be some movement around ukrainian membership of nato, he said that is not the case this morning, the message has come out of a ukraine similarly. what is your reading of this? t a ukraine similarly. what is your reading of this?— reading of this? i think the fact that he is returning _ reading of this? i think the fact that he is returning time i reading of this? i think the fact that he is returning time and i reading of this? i think the fact i that he is returning time and time again this morning to talk to the bbc indicates that, perhaps, he feels, or maybe has been told, that he muddied the waters are somewhat in his interview last night. the view heroes, and ijust heard it, i was chatting in moment to go to former prime minister, that nato

membership is an absolutely core requirement and demand of any ukrainian government. it is in their constitution and has been for the last few years. and they are absolutely not going, as the kremlin has suggested this morning, helpfully, to renounce any claims nato membership. there may be a question about the timing. ukraine has not even begun to fulfil any kind of criteria that would be required for nato membership. she is also a country currently engaged in an ongoing military conflict and that, according to some, would preclude ukrainejoining data at all. so it is a fairly theoretical discussion, even though it has acquired this enormous political significance —— would preclude ukrainejoining nato at significance —— would preclude ukraine joining nato at all. we significance —— would preclude ukrainejoining nato at all. we have heard from the ambassador in london as well and here that right now it is not what we need to be talking about this week. we have rather more immediate concerns on our mind. ilet immediate concerns on our mind. let me 'ust immediate concerns on our mind. let me just read out some material we mejust read out some material we have just got through from the prime

minister's spokesman saying the uk is going to explore every possible avenue to talk russia back from the path of invasion. the spokesman would not get into details of when an invasion could take place but said the uk would be as transparent as possible about its intelligence. the spokesman said the information available was painting a fairly clear picture of the build—up of russian military forces and any uk's and will remain in the country with british nationals being urged to leave through commercial means. around that transparency in intelligence, it has been quite remarkable how quickly the intelligence has been put out there? yes. this has been one of the most extraordinary aspects of the last few weeks. this is very much being led by the united states and also involving britain. you remember the case a few weeks ago when britain said it had uncovered a plot to install a pro—russian politician here in the event of a collapse of

the government. i think the strategy, as i understand it, from both britain and the united states has been the moment they spot anything that has a kind of part of the russian playbook, whether it is a plot to install a puppet regime, whether it has a plan to have some kind of false flag operation down any donbas that might provide a triggerfor to lodge some any donbas that might provide a trigger for to lodge some kind any donbas that might provide a triggerfor to lodge some kind of military intervention, the moment they spot any of this,, normally that stuff away to be held very tightly within intelligence circles, they are putting it out. they are saying to the kremlin, we see you, we know what you're doing, you're not going to take us by surprise. this kind of pre—emptive use of intelligence is a very unusual feature of this crisis. what we don't know is whether it is working. and just to get a bit of clarity from you, pull, and what you mentioned about if there were to be ongoing conflict, that would be a

situation which would mean ukraine could notjoin nato. how important, potentially, a fact is that? because thatis potentially, a fact is that? because that is that conflict in donbas and if that is an issue that would mean there can be no membership for ukraine of nato, obviously russia could potentially get its way through that being a situation that injures. t through that being a situation that in'ures. 1' through that being a situation that in'ures. ~' ., through that being a situation that in'ures. ~ ., , ,., ., injures. i think from a's point of view, injures. i think from a's point of view. that _ injures. i think from a's point of view, that ongoing _ injures. i think from a's point of view, that ongoing simmering, | injures. i think from a's point of i view, that ongoing simmering, fairly low—level conflict, it does not come at huge cost for moscow, is a huge tool. it does, theoretically, preclude ukraine from joining nato. a membership has to be approved by all the existing members and i do not think... i think there are several who would not look favourably on the idea of welcoming a country which is currently at war with russia, let's face it, that is what the state of play is right now. but it is also a tool for keeping ukraine destabilised, divided, and

of on the back foot. that has been the policy for the last eight years. and what we don't know and keep coming back to over and over again is what does vladimir putin want to do now? what is this build for? is it too, a part of ukraine? is it to compel the west, the united states in particular, into a whole new discussion about european security question make what is at? me discussion about european security question make what is at?- question make what is at? we 'ust don't question make what is at? we 'ust dont know. — question make what is at? we 'ust don't know. thank i question make what is at? we 'ust don't know. thank you i question make what is at? we 'ust don't know. thank you very i question make what is at? we just don't know. thank you very much, j don't know. thank you very much, paul adamsjoining us don't know. thank you very much, paul adams joining us live from kyiv. borisjohnson is in scotland today and he's commented on the ukraine crisis. i think the evidence is pretty clear, you have 100,000 trips amassing on the ukrainian border and there are all sorts of other signs that show there are serious preparations for the invasion and

we've got to respect that and realise this is a very, very dangerous, difficult situation, we are on the edge of a precipice, but there is still time for president putin to step back and for everybody to engage in dialogue, for conversation to take place and for the russians to avoid what i think everybody, certainly everybody in the uk, can see would be a disastrous mistake, disastrous for russia. do you think innovation could be hours, days away? the signs are, as yet seen from president biden, there are at least planning for something that could take place as early as the next 48 hours. that is extremely concerning. what we need to do is make sure that president putin understands the economic consequences, the political consequences of doing this. and i think what needs to happen is the world needs to learn the lesson of 2014. if you remember, russia took

eastern ukraine, it took crimea, but we didn't really do enough to divest, to move away from dependence on russian hydrocarbons. and what i think all european countries need to do right now is get nord stream out of the bloodstream. get that, yank out that hypodermic drip feed of a russian hydrocarbons that is keeping so many european economies going. we need to find alternative sources of energy and we need to get ready to impose some very, very severe economic controversies —— consequences in russia. [30 economic controversies -- consequences in russia. do you agree with the defence _ consequences in russia. do you agree with the defence secretary _ consequences in russia. do you agree with the defence secretary there i consequences in russia. do you agree with the defence secretary there is i with the defence secretary there is a whiff of munich in the air, and if so, who is trying to appease president putin question make i think it is very important we all stand together. stand think it is very important we all stand together.— think it is very important we all stand together. think it is very important we all stand touether. �* . , ., . stand together. and that we show a united front. _ stand together. and that we show a united front, particularly _ stand together. and that we show a united front, particularly when i stand together. and that we show a united front, particularly when it i united front, particularly when it comes to economic sanctions and the uk, as you know, has been in the lead in a bring your allies together so there is a tough package of

sanctions, but also...- so there is a tough package of sanctions, but also... what about appeasement? — sanctions, but also... what about appeasement? is _ sanctions, but also... what about appeasement? is someone i sanctions, but also... what about appeasement? is someone trying j sanctions, but also... what about i appeasement? is someone trying to appeasement? is someone trying to appease the president question make i think it is very important to the west should stand united. and west should stand united. and particularly — west should stand united. and particularly that _ west should stand united. iwc particularly that nato west should stand united. ch particularly that nato should stand united and it is. it has been really encouraging to see the way countries have pulled together. but you're not endorsing those comments? what i am saying is it is important for the west stand together. i think the defence secretary is absolutely right to say it is very important that we've got to be strong, we had to be resolute, and we have to be united. ts to be resolute, and we have to be united. , ., ., united. is there no deal with president — united. is there no deal with president putin _ united. is there no deal with president putin that - united. is there no deal with president putin that would i united. is there no deal with. president putin that would be preferable to work question i think it is very important that we have a dialogue, that we had a conversation, but glenn, what we can't do is trade away the sovereign rights of ukrainian people to aspire to nato membership. that rights of ukrainian people to aspire to nato membership.— to nato membership. that is something — to nato membership. that is something that _ to nato membership. that is something that was a - to nato membership. that is. something that was a massive to nato membership. that is -

something that was a massive game for us. you remember what happened in 1980, we had a free europe, we could decide their own futures 1990. and you have no plans to travel to moscow yourself? t and you have no plans to travel to moscow yourself?— moscow yourself? i will be doing eve hint moscow yourself? i will be doing everything i _ moscow yourself? i will be doing everything i can _ moscow yourself? i will be doing everything i can to _ moscow yourself? i will be doing everything i can to help - moscow yourself? i will be doing everything i can to help the i everything i can to help the diplomatic process and i will be talking to various leaders, including joe biden very soon. back home, including joe biden very soon. back home. you're _ including joe biden very soon. back home, you're considering ending all covid cells isolation requirements, do you have at the evidence to back that up? —— cells isolation requirements. will you still ensure testing is free if you go ahead, especially when devolved government might not follow your lead? t thihk might not follow your lead? i think the situation _ might not follow your lead? i think the situation with _ might not follow your lead? i think the situation with covid _ might not follow your lead? i think the situation with covid is - might not follow your lead? i think the situation with covid is a - the situation with covid is a numbers remain high, but it is clear that omicron is much less dangerous than delta. you can see the numbers going down in the hospitals and the numbers and i see you have been nothing like what we have seen it with delta —— icu. roughly we have

been taking the same strategy and i know people try to make a lot of small differences and i understand that completely overall, the uk has really been working very, very effectively together. on testing, which is important, we will make sure we continue to work with our colleagues in scotland.— colleagues in scotland. we'll testina colleagues in scotland. we'll testing remain _ colleagues in scotland. we'll testing remain free? - colleagues in scotland. we'll testing remain free? we i colleagues in scotland. we'll testing remain free? we will| testing remain free? we will continue to _ testing remain free? we will continue to work— testing remain free? we will continue to work with - testing remain free? we will continue to work with our i testing remain free? we will- continue to work with our colleagues in scotland, but the similarities in our approach vastly outweigh the differences. i our approach vastly outweigh the differences-_ our approach vastly outweigh the differences. ., , ., �* ., differences. i have been told i'm at a time, differences. i have been told i'm at a time. but — differences. i have been told i'm at a time. but do _ differences. i have been told i'm at a time, but do you _ differences. i have been told i'm at a time, but do you want _ differences. i have been told i'm at a time, but do you want to - differences. i have been told i'm at a time, but do you want to talk - a time, but do you want to talk about scotland? i am happy to. so you're here in scotland, you have done a deal with scottish government on the free ports. what you say to critics that argue that will simply draw investment away from elsewhere. i don't think so. and i think if you look at the attitude of the scottish government, it has been fantastic. i think they have really got the point and they can see the advantages of the free ports. i'm not allowed to give away the locations, but they

can genuinely drive huge numbers of jobs. here in rosyth, you have a fantastic thing going on with the type 31 frigate building programme and that is going to drive 2500 jobs here in scotland. and many, many more can be created with free ports. and i might say, iforgot to more can be created with free ports. and i might say, i forgot to say earlier on, relevant to ukraine, as i am sure you saw earlier on, the minesweepers you were filming early on, they are actually going to ukraine as part of any uk's effort to support that country. what to support that country. what authority do _ to support that country. what authority do you _ to support that country. what authority do you have - to support that country. what authority do you have left - to support that country. what authority do you have left in l authority do you have left in scotland when the bulk of your own msps wanted to see the back of your? i'm working very hard with colleagues in scotland on a joint agenda of uniting and levelling up and living for the people of the whole uk. and i think we are very proud, collectively, of what the uk government has come at all levels, done to get as they covid very effectively so that we now have the fastest—growing economy in the g7

last year and this year, plus we're working together great projects which we're able to do now, such as at the free ports, and such as investment in rosyth. you at the free ports, and such as investment in rosyth. you are under olice investment in rosyth. you are under police investigation. _ investment in rosyth. you are under police investigation. have _ investment in rosyth. you are under police investigation. have you - police investigation. have you completed your questionnaire and will you publish in full? mil completed your questionnaire and will you publish in full?— will you publish in full? all of that is in _ will you publish in full? all of that is in process _ will you publish in full? all of that is in process -- - will you publish in full? all of that is in process -- all- will you publish in full? all of that is in process -- all of. will you publish in full? all of| that is in process -- all of that that is in process —— all of that process has to be completed before i say more but i look forward to seeing more in due course. it is say more but i look forward to seeing more in due course. it is at the questionnaire _ seeing more in due course. it is at the questionnaire in _ seeing more in due course. it is at the questionnaire in question - seeing more in due course. it is at| the questionnaire in question when seeing more in due course. it is at l the questionnaire in question when i look forward to seeing more in due course. and just on cressida dick,... course. and 'ust on cressida dick,... , , course. and 'ust on cressida dick,... , u, course. and 'ust on cressida dick,...— course. and 'ust on cressida . nick, . . .— are course. and 'ust on cressida dick,... , ., ., ., are ou dick,... this is a marathon! are you ha - dick,... this is a marathon! are you happy with — dick,... this is a marathon! are you happy with the _ dick,... this is a marathon! are you happy with the way _ dick,... this is a marathon! are you happy with the way citic _ dick,... this is a marathon! are you happy with the way citic can - dick,... this is a marathon! are you happy with the way citic can handle | happy with the way citic can handle the cressida dick situation —— sadiq khan? and you will have no hand in the appointment of a successor? what the appointment of a successor? what i can say about — the appointment of a successor? wuat i can say about cressida dick, i have known her for many years and she has played a remarkable role as

the first female head of the metropolitan police. i thank her for all her service. it goes back a long time. and i would not want any other issues to cloud what i think, overall, it is a very considerable record of public service to this country. record of public service to this count . �* ., , , , country. and do 'ust very, very finall , country. and do 'ust very, very finally. the — country. and do just very, very finally, the opposition - country. and do just very, very finally, the opposition leader l country. and do just very, very i finally, the opposition leader keir starmer has confirmed he has received death threats following what you said in the house of commons aboutjimmy savile. do you feel responsible for that? and would you like to take the opportunity to apologise? i you like to take the opportunity to a-ioloise? ., ., you like to take the opportunity to a halo ise? ., ., ., apologise? i have said more than enouih apologise? i have said more than enough about _ apologise? i have said more than enough about that _ apologise? i have said more than enough about that issue. - apologise? i have said more than enough about that issue. but - apologise? i have said more than enough about that issue. but as. enough about that issue. but as johnson, enough about that issue. but as johnson. a _ enough about that issue. but as johnson, a wide-ranging - enough about that issue. but as i johnson, a wide-ranging interview johnson, a wide—ranging interview there. let's go to our scotland correspondent, james shaw. that interview underlying where the pen is a good, whatever he wants to talk about, there are a lot of issues on his plate —— the prime minister goes. his plate -- the prime minister ioes. ., , ., his plate -- the prime minister uoes. ., , ., ~'

his plate -- the prime minister 1 oes. ., , ., " , goes. that is true and i think it is really striking _ goes. that is true and i think it is really striking when _ goes. that is true and i think it is really striking when you - goes. that is true and i think it is really striking when you think- that ukraine is at the forefront of his mind at the moment that that crisis. this could change their next couple of days but yet he comes to scotland to talk about free ports. a site here, which you can see behind me, is one of the places, one of the candidate places for one of the two free ports and that there is going to be. i guess what borisjohnson is trying to say is that even with all theseissues trying to say is that even with all these issues that he is dealing with, crisis on the international stage, yet the domestic agenda, the levelling up agenda is still really important. i think it is significant that this is actually a deal between the uk government and the scottish

government. the way free ports are going to work in scotland, they will be green free ports, so not exactly the same as they are going to be in other parts of the united kingdom. the scottish cabinet priorities will be put into that process as well, achieving 80 by 2045 of carbon emissions and also fair employment practices. so it is a different policy that is happening in scotland, but again, the fact that borisjohnson is here and a large number of people in his party in scotland think he should no longer be by minister yet, he will not be meeting the leader of the scottish conservatives, douglas ross —— no longer be prime minister. it is a flying visit and he will not be here for long, he has made his mark, appeared in scotland and, as i say, showing that these are domestic issues matter and he can focus on those. that is the way he would like us to see it, even though he has that whole list of other problems that whole list of other problems that glenn was asking him about in that glenn was asking him about in that interview. thank you, james. now it's time for a look at the weather with helen willetts. not one but two storms on their way for us this week. they will both impact with some quite significant

weather, disruptive and damaging as well. at the met office now have that amber warning in force for storm dudley. that hits first wednesday into thursday, a very stormy night, battered with those winds, gusting up to potentially 90 mph. at the moment, we have got the winds are starting to ease away, a chilly. it was quite a windy day, and we have the rain is across central and eastern areas of england continuing its progress southward through the day. the brighter skies follow, if your showers around. the wind is 80 away, becoming drier towards the west. temperatures are probably just about average. a degree or two above average for most of us but it does feel chillier compared with the mild weather we had yesterday. as we move through tomorrow night, a quieter spell free time. then we have this next band of rain coming in so we will a chilly have a touch of frost initially. a bit icy with the hill is now coming in and then we have that stormy weather to come. the warnings are on the website.

hello this is bbc news with joanna gosling the headlines... a public inquiry into how a faulty computer system led to the wrongful convictions of hundreds of post office managers has started in london. lives were ruined, families were torn apart. families were made homeless and destitute. reputations were destroyed. ukraine has called for a meeting with russia in the next 48 hours to try to avert war, as kyiv�*s ambassador to the uk says the country hasn't given up on ambitions to join nato that is not the question if, that question is when. unfortunately not on russia, but on the family of nato, of all the sovereign nations. the kremlin says if ukraine renounces its intentions tojoin nato, it would significantly address russia's security concerns in the region.

camilla, the duchess of cornwall, has tested positive for coronavirus. no ceremony if she wins a medal, but 15—year—old russian figure skater, kamila valieva, will be allowed to continue competing at the winter olympics — despite failing a drugs test in december. the aa says the average price of petrol at pumps across the uk hit a new record at the weekend, reaching more than 148—pence per litre. tomorrow it will be two years since caroline flack took her own life, a month before she was due to stand trial over the alleged assault of her partner. in the time since her death, caroline's mum christine has criticised the decision by police to charge her, which the bbc now understands will be the subject of an internal investigation. our special correspondent lucy manning reports.

a brand—new series of love island. the wait is finally over. caroline flack — we watched her onscreen. but those who really knew her wanted answers about her death. two months before the tv presenter killed herself, she had been charged with assaulting her boyfriend. two years on, her mother still doesn't have the answers about the way the police treated her. do you think she was treated differently because of who she was? totally. i just think it was because of who she was, yeah. it was because she was a celebrity? yeah, yeah. prosecutors originally said caroline should just be cautioned, but the met pushed for the presenter to be charged. the coroner later said she took her own life because she was facing prosecution and feared the publicity. but it's now two years and i still haven't got an answer.

and how does that leave you and the family? it leaves us really... ..really sad. and really angry, because you want to know why they charged her. she couldn't get over that. she couldn't see a way out. and it was down to that. her mother put these questions to the met. she was so dismayed with their response, she complained to the police watchdog. it found the met�*s response was not reasonable and proportionate, telling mrs flack, "i do not consider your complaint has been fully addressed". it has ordered the met to do a proper investigation. what do you think about the fact that the police watchdog have forced the met to investigate your queries properly? i think it's disgusting,

but i think it's typical of the met as we see it now. there's no trust at all, no trust at all. the met has said it is rare to give a caution in a case of domestic abuse. the force told us the police watchdog found it had answered seven areas of mrs flack�*s complaint, but it had been directed to reinvestigate why it had appealed the decision to caution miss flack. "our thoughts and sympathies remain with caroline's family," it said. but mrs flack feels her daughter, who had self—harmed that night and had mental health issues, was badly let down. she was fun. she just had these really dark times. as i say, usually, she could get out of it, especially on telly. she loved herjob. i'm doing it for caroline because there was so much negative press around. and it won't bring her back, i know it won't bring her back, but i've got to do it for her.

ukraine has called for a meeting with russia over tensions on its border. as many as 130,000 russian troops are positioned within reach of ukraine's borders but russia still denies it's planning to attack. i will speak to the ambassador to the uk soon. here with us is petro rewko, chair of the association of ukrainians in great britain. do you feel war is inevitable? we ho -e do you feel war is inevitable? we hope not. — do you feel war is inevitable? , hope not, we really helping out and we hope diplomacy will win through. we don't want a war, we believe europe doesn't want a war and we sincerely believe the russian people do not want a war.— do not want a war. people you know from loved — do not want a war. people you know from loved ones _ do not want a war. people you know from loved ones in _ do not want a war. people you know from loved ones in ukraine, - do not want a war. people you know from loved ones in ukraine, what i do not want a war. people you know from loved ones in ukraine, what is| from loved ones in ukraine, what is the approach they are taking? izieri; the approach they are taking? very distressed and _ the approach they are taking? , distressed and concerned about family members, my wife and i still

have cousins in ukraine, the last time we managed to visit ukraine was in october 2019 and then covid came along so it restricted visits. we are very concerned because she war commence on ukrainian territory, it would be a massive humanitarian disaster in ukraine which we beat dyas boro are already giving up to assist ukraine with medical equipment, food and clothing should this occur. what do you think should be done to this occur. what do you think should be done ., , ., ., ., ., this occur. what do you think should be done ., , ., ., ., . ~ ., be done to try to avoid war? what sort of concessions _ be done to try to avoid war? what sort of concessions would - be done to try to avoid war? what sort of concessions would be - sort of concessions would be acceptable? there is discussion around membership of nato, for instance. i am around membership of nato, for instance. iam not around membership of nato, for instance. i am not a politician. around membership of nato, for instance. iam not a politician. i am someone who instance. i am not a politician. i am someone who— instance. i am not a politician. i am someone who dearly loves a country even — am someone who dearly loves a country even though _ am someone who dearly loves a country even though i _ am someone who dearly loves a country even though i was - am someone who dearly loves a country even though i was born | am someone who dearly loves a - country even though i was born here, dearly loves the country of my parents and grandparents. wejust hope they can sit round a table, thrash this out and diplomacy winds. the troops go to barix and peace

remains in ukraine which has been a sovereign state for the last 30 years, but unfortunately last eight years, but unfortunately last eight years it has still been in a state of war with the annexation of crimea and the taking of the east and region. and the taking of the east and reiion. �* ., . ~ ., region. i'm going back to the situation in _ region. i'm going back to the situation in ukraine - region. i'm going back to the situation in ukraine and - situation in ukraine and humanitarian crisis can be obvious for what happens to people, the loved ones you know, what are they suggesting they would do? would they stay? go to neighbouring countries? would they want to come here if they have family?— have family? they would probably like to be evacuated _ have family? they would probably like to be evacuated here - have family? they would probably like to be evacuated here to - have family? they would probably like to be evacuated here to the i have family? they would probably l like to be evacuated here to the uk if that was possible if war broke out. they don't really want to do that, they love in ukraine, they are ukrainians and want to live in their free ukraine. but it would be heartfelt by many ukrainians are family members were evacuated here to the uk. ., ~ , family members were evacuated here to the uk. ., ~ y., , .

to the uk. thank you very much indeed for _ to the uk. thank you very much indeed forjoining _ to the uk. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. _ to the uk. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. can - to the uk. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. can i- to the uk. thank you very much indeed forjoining us. can i add, to the uk. thank you very much l indeed forjoining us. can i add, if indeed for 'oining us. can i add, if an one indeed forjoining us. can i add, if anyone wishes... _ indeed forjoining us. can i add, if anyone wishes... you _ indeed forjoining us. can i add, if anyone wishes... you can - indeed forjoining us. can i add, if anyone wishes... you can find - anyone wishes... you can find details on our website and facebook pages. . let's talk to ukrainian ambassador to the uk vadym prystaiko. thank you forjoining us. you set a cat amongst the pigeons with your comments last night when you said that nato membership for ukraine could potentially be something that would be considered. what is the clear position? we discussed with your colleagues, it was the outrage in kyiv and i have so many calls, i am seriously considering the ukrainian future am seriously considering the ukrainianfuture in am seriously considering the ukrainian future in nato can am seriously considering the ukrainian future in nato can be a baraiainin ukrainian future in nato can be a bargaining chip. _ ukrainian future in nato can be a bargaining chip. i— ukrainian future in nato can be a bargaining chip. i was _ ukrainian future in nato can be a bargaining chip. i was discussing j bargaining chip. i was discussing with a journalist, he was asking a couple of times whether we can contemplate an idea that it will become, and as diplomats we can

discuss many things. the important part is not what is being thought, but we are doing. it's backed a conversation about nato, in the future. we have tried to get into nato for 20 years and we hope it would allow us to avoid any war in ourfuture would allow us to avoid any war in our future history because we have been suffering. all of those ukrainians around the globe, millions, many left after the second world war, being occupied at that time, so those people appeared fleeing from the war. indie time, so those people appeared fleeing from the war. we cannot have it aaain. fleeing from the war. we cannot have it again- so — fleeing from the war. we cannot have it again. so when _ fleeing from the war. we cannot have it again. so when you _ fleeing from the war. we cannot have it again. so when you say _ fleeing from the war. we cannot have it again. so when you say it's - fleeing from the war. we cannot have it again. so when you say it's back - it again. so when you say it's back a healthy conversation about the membership of nato, what you mean? one of the devices in the conversation this morning as the saying if ukraine did renounce joining nato, it would significantly help to address russia's security concerns. �* ., help to address russia's security concerns. ~ ., ., �* �* concerns. again, told the bbc, i have to minimise _ concerns. again, told the bbc, i have to minimise two _ concerns. again, told the bbc, i have to minimise two words, . concerns. again, told the bbc, i | have to minimise two words, yes concerns. again, told the bbc, i -

have to minimise two words, yes no. with nato, we tried, maybe didn't try hard enough to get into, we had to reform ourselves to the ways like your armed forces, our society should clear itself from the corruption... 50 should clear itself from the corruption. . .— should clear itself from the corrution... ., should clear itself from the corrution... . ., corruption... so you are saying that ukraine should _ corruption... so you are saying that ukraine should have _ corruption... so you are saying that ukraine should have been - corruption... so you are saying that ukraine should have been stepping | corruption... so you are saying that i ukraine should have been stepping up its efforts tojoin ukraine should have been stepping up its efforts to join nato? itighten ukraine should have been stepping up its efforts to join nato?_ its efforts to 'oin nato? when i was talkini its efforts to join nato? when i was talking about _ its efforts to join nato? when i was talking about concessions, - its efforts to join nato? when i was talking about concessions, i - its efforts to join nato? when i was talking about concessions, i meant| talking about concessions, i meant the minsk policies which is different from nato, we are in negotiations with russia with difficult concessions. indie negotiations with russia with difficult concessions. we discussed esterda difficult concessions. we discussed yesterday these — difficult concessions. we discussed yesterday these issues... - difficult concessions. we discussed yesterday these issues... the i yesterday these issues... the message was... you were clear yesterday that nato membership was noted for negotiation but you were talking about the minsk process and whether that might be something. i whether that might be something. i explained that their security risk of russia which they are talking about, they are not big or higher

because all of the neighbours already are in nato, it is not like something new to them. {line already are in nato, it is not like something new to them. one thing i did think about — something new to them. one thing i did think about after— something new to them. one thing i did think about after we _ something new to them. one thing i did think about after we discussed . did think about after we discussed yesterday on where the conversation went later was you indicated that the constitution would have to be rewritten for the minsk process to actually go forward. 50 that obviously implies that the constitution can be changed. the position out of ukraine this morning as nato membership is non—negotiable because it is enshrined in the constitution.— because it is enshrined in the constitution. ., . . , constitution. you are digging really dee -. constitution. you are digging really deep- there _ constitution. you are digging really deep- there is _ constitution. you are digging really deep. there is nothing _ constitution. you are digging really deep. there is nothing about i constitution. you are digging really deep. there is nothing about the l deep. there is nothing about the part of nato. white russians wanted in the minsk, that would come from the state to the federal state with a special status for this region. the nato was never mentioned so those are two different and that is yesterday's problem, they are

different processes. we are talking about concessions on the changes to the constitution in the area of eastern ukraine occupied by russians. $5 eastern ukraine occupied by russians-— eastern ukraine occupied by russians. a ., . russians. as long as that is a problematic _ russians. as long as that is a problematic area, _ russians. as long as that is a problematic area, the - russians. as long as that is a l problematic area, the prawns, russians. as long as that is a i problematic area, the prawns, the understanding is ukraine could not become a member of nato anyway because nato countries would not agree to that. so you are in a position where what you want, what was promised some time ago actually is not going to be achievable without the minsk card resolving that situation and the alternative is a russia sitting on the border right now saying there will be war if it doesn't get those assurances? not saying there will be war, saying there is no intention of war but there is no intention of war but there are troops there insinuating otherwise. you are in a difficult position considering the nato membership which is the protect thing but looks like it is an

impossibility anyway. for ukrainians, _ impossibility anyway. for ukrainians, it _ impossibility anyway. for ukrainians, it is - impossibility anyway. for ukrainians, it is very i impossibility anyway. fr?" ukrainians, it is very simple, we understand that we are not building this coalition between the uk and the us, here we wanted to be part of the us, here we wanted to be part of the same family as everybody else, feeling safer. i understand that many nations are not willing to provide a ukraine's future in nato because of different reasons and all of them are threatened by russia. but we think we are not posing any threat to them within nato or without. we want to live where we are not threatening them at all. within eight or without. what we have to do is find out how to defend ourselves before this wednesday. some comments coming in from sergei lavrov, the russian foreign minister saying the responses from eu and

nato to russian security proposals have not been satisfactory. sergei lavrov has said we can see a way to move forward with talks, our proposals should be taken into account as a whole. we will try to get responses from america to unanswered questions. and we are just getting these various lines through. there is no clarity from this and what russia is suggesting at this point but all those seem to lead back to ukraine's position within nato. indie lead back to ukraine's position within nato._ within nato. we 'ust want to understand _ within nato. we 'ust want to understand how i within nato. we just want to understand how we - within nato. we just want to understand how we will i within nato. we just want to understand how we will be l within nato. we just want to i understand how we will be able to survive if we are not in something bigger than ourselves. how can we face a big adversary like russia? you are currently facing a real threat from russia and you are not in nato? ., , ., threat from russia and you are not in nato? . , . ., in nato? that is what the whole conversation, _ in nato? that is what the whole conversation, yes, _ in nato? that is what the whole conversation, yes, didn't i in nato? that is what the whole conversation, yes, didn't know| in nato? that is what the whole i conversation, yes, didn't know about seven years of war so i had to tell

him all of the things nato included. and that is what we have been talking about, the situation with what is going on in the east of ukraine with that conflict and now the situation escalating. you say you want security guarantees. is there an alternative to membership of nato? indie there an alternative to membership of nato? ~ , ~ of nato? we tried everything. when we became independent _ of nato? we tried everything. when we became independent in - of nato? we tried everything. when we became independent in our- we became independent in our declaration we were told we were trying to build our state, defending ourselves, we tried different things. we signed so many documents with russia, like the station in crimea. nothing happened. wejust can't find anything we can trust signed by russia and paper. —— on paper. in signed by russia and paper. -- on --aer. , .. signed by russia and paper. -- on --aer. , ., . ,

paper. in terms of what might be done now to _ paper. in terms of what might be done now to avert _ paper. in terms of what might be done now to avert conflict, i paper. in terms of what might be done now to avert conflict, a i paper. in terms of what might be | done now to avert conflict, a nato membership are being be kind of key part on the table, where do you see talks now? do you think they can be discussions? i talks now? do you think they can be discussions?— discussions? i believe there is still a possibility _ discussions? i believe there is still a possibility with - discussions? i believe there is still a possibility with the i still a possibility with the position of... we still believe that even wednesday is not the doom date... frankly speaking we have scheduling time on wednesday waiting for the reports of something catastrophic. we hope this can be really avoided. d0 catastrophic. we hope this can be really avoided.— catastrophic. we hope this can be really avoided. do you believe that there is any _ really avoided. do you believe that there is any way — really avoided. do you believe that there is any way ukraine _ really avoided. do you believe that there is any way ukraine could i there is any way ukraine could become a member of nato as long as putin is in charge in russia? indie putin is in charge in russia? we have been _ putin is in charge in russia? , have been trying for 20 years was that i would like to shorten this period was up in 2008 we were promised, 13 years already. that is the best guarantee we can have, but

unfortunately we can scratch on the door of nato, he militating to beg, but we still haven't had an answer from then, there is no consensus among nations around the table. some of the nations were in the same block of soviet led bloc but some of them forgot how terrible it was. but some of them like the baltic states, poland, our neighbours, they remember it on the level of human memory and support us each and every time the stop canada, us, uk, some nations apart us. 50 time the stop canada, us, uk, some nations apart us.— nations apart us. so you would rather go _ nations apart us. so you would rather go to — nations apart us. so you would rather go to war _ nations apart us. so you would rather go to war than - nations apart us. so you would rather go to war than to - nations apart us. so you would rather go to war than to say i nations apart us. so you would i rather go to war than to say that ukraine... indie rather go to war than to say that ukraine- - -_ rather go to war than to say that ukraine... ~ ., ., ., . . ukraine... we will not go to war. we are not going — ukraine... we will not go to war. we are not going to _ ukraine... we will not go to war. we are not going to war. _ ukraine... we will not go to war. we are not going to war. everything i ukraine... we will not go to war. we are not going to war. everything we | are not going to war. everything we are not going to war. everything we are doing to avoid this. but if are not going to war. everything we are doing to avoid this.— are doing to avoid this. but if nato membership _ are doing to avoid this. but if nato membership is _ are doing to avoid this. but if nato membership is the _ are doing to avoid this. but if nato membership is the only _ are doing to avoid this. but if nato membership is the only thing i are doing to avoid this. but if nato membership is the only thing that| are doing to avoid this. but if nato i membership is the only thing that is going to avert it, some sort of movement on that position and you say you will not do it... movement on that position and you say you will not do it. . .— say you will not do it... imagine our situation _ say you will not do it... imagine our situation is _ say you will not do it... imagine our situation is that _ say you will not do it... imagine our situation is that we - say you will not do it... imagine our situation is that we agree i say you will not do it... imagine l our situation is that we agree with the russians on something and everybody believes the position is

ok, everything is fine, they return 0k, everything is fine, they return to barix, what would stop them coming next month if we are not a part of something bigger that will allow us to defend ourselves? he will lose interest, the bbc will lose interest and they will come next month. lose interest and they will come next month-— lose interest and they will come next month. ., ~ , ., , . ., next month. thank you very much for 'oinin: us. the uk tax authority has seized three non—fungible tokens as part of a probe into a suspected a vat fraud involving 250 alleged fake companies. three people have been arrested in the first seizure of an nft by uk law enforcement. we're going to talk now to bernadine brocker wieder who is an nft investor and art historian. she's a proponent of tech innovation in the art world. that is an nft behind you? absolutely, by an australian artist. i have never seen one like that. quite extraordinary to see it. tell

us about the potential there in nfts forfraudulent us about the potential there in nfts for fraudulent activity.— for fraudulent activity. absolutely. i think it is a _ for fraudulent activity. absolutely. i think it is a little _ for fraudulent activity. absolutely. i think it is a little bit _ i think it is a little bit complicated because up to this point, the tax system didn't explain very well how you should handle your tax with this new technology so honest mistakes have been made but there are also lots of ways you can scan people, deceive them, to sell them things that are not true or what some people call a rogue poll where you think you are buying something that you have actually bought nothing. that something that you have actually bought nothing.— something that you have actually bou~ht nothinu. ., , ~ bought nothing. that sounds like the kind of obvious _ bought nothing. that sounds like the kind of obvious flaw _ bought nothing. that sounds like the kind of obvious flaw with _ bought nothing. that sounds like the kind of obvious flaw with it. - bought nothing. that sounds like the kind of obvious flaw with it. how - kind of obvious flaw with it. how does one get around that? the truth is that once — does one get around that? the truth is that once the _ does one get around that? the truth is that once the authority _ does one get around that? the truth is that once the authority start - is that once the authority start understanding the technology, it will be pretty easy to investigate because everything on the block chain is transparent. so i always say, it is always the worst place to

be committing crimes because there is an immutable ledger of every action you have done and people will be able to track what you have done in your crypto wallet. who be able to track what you have done in your crypto wallet.— in your crypto wallet. who is buying them and why? _ in your crypto wallet. who is buying them and why? you _ in your crypto wallet. who is buying them and why? you have _ in your crypto wallet. who is buying them and why? you have a - in your crypto wallet. who is buying them and why? you have a really i them and why? you have a really beautiful one behind you but obviously, i have no idea how much it is worth, but some of them are with huge amounts of money. what do people do with them? i with huge amounts of money. what do people do with them?— people do with them? i think they are increasingly _ people do with them? i think they are increasingly living _ people do with them? i think they are increasingly living digital - are increasingly living digital lives and they want digital assets for that. lives and they want digital assets forthat. i lives and they want digital assets for that. i love that i have artwork as my background today but there are people who are buying these so they far investment rather than enjoyment and that is also where often the scams are similar to the initial coin offerings, the icos we sell in 2018, once you have a mechanic for people to be able to invest their money and think they are going to

get a huge return, then people take advantage of that and often sell things that are not real or a scammer. things that are not real or a seamen— things that are not real or a scammer. ., . , ., ., ., scammer. how much is that one word behind you? — scammer. how much is that one word behind you? it — scammer. how much is that one word behind you? it is _ scammer. how much is that one word behind you? it is definitely _ scammer. how much is that one word behind you? it is definitely not - behind you? it is definitely not millions. it _ behind you? it is definitely not millions. it is _ behind you? it is definitely not millions. it is a _ behind you? it is definitely not millions. it is a bit _ behind you? it is definitely not millions. it is a bit different. millions. it is a bit different because this artist decided to sell this in sections, so i own one fragment of the artwork so it is slightly complex. but that is the wonder of nft technology, you can have lots of different structures of how you own these assets.- have lots of different structures of how you own these assets. thank you so much for — how you own these assets. thank you so much forjoining _ how you own these assets. thank you so much forjoining us. _ now let us introduce you to ian barr and sue topey, who are 67 and 69. sue had been single for 20 years when she met ian via online dating at the end of 2019. and then the pandemic hit. so what do you do with only a handful of dates under your belt? do you go into isolation alone? or do you risk it all and take the plunge? jayne mccubbin went to meet them. this is ian.

and this is susan. and this is the lockdown love story we all need in our lives. i've met ian and sue twice before, but only at the very worst times of the pandemic and only on zoom. at last, we meet! nice to meet you. today we finally meet face to face. this was the first time we met. 0h... they had been on just a handful of dates when we first spoke to them, just as the country first went into lockdown. we met through online dating. hit it off, i think, straightaway. 0h, we did. yeah. when all this started to happen about covid—i9, and i said, "shall i move in with you then?"

and on valentine's last year, with the country back in lockdown, we spoke to them again and they were still going strong. we're still here. during lockdown, we decided we'd have a date night every saturday night. we decided to visit all the places we couldn't visit around the world and have a meal from each country. so we've been to argentina. we've been to california. we went to belgium once and the brown beer stew was not good. so we went again and had mussels. the culinary tour around the world from this very table. it's still happening. we're off to china this weekend. now, fast forward to today, and the big news is that... we are getting married. we're getting married. in honour of your momentous occasion, we've got a surprise. right? i can't say anything but follow me. get your coats.

and this is even the coat i got for the first date. are we ready for our mystery tour? we are. when they first met, sue had been single for 20 years, ian for seven. the pandemic hit and they took a gamble. it was the thought of us being either side of the mersey. not together. and that was why you just thought, let's do it. let's do it. life's too short. welcome to st george's. thank you. wow. we've planned something very special. come with me. looking forward. this summer, this is where they will tie the knot. 0h. oh, wow. and to complete their culinary cruise around the world, we've arranged one last stop. it's scouse! yes! this is what we're having for our meal after the wedding. cheers.

love you. love you, too. this was a song ian gave to sue just before the pandemic hit, just before their real adventure began. # what would i do without your smart mouth drawing me in? and this is the song they will get married to. # got my head spinning, no kidding. # can't pin you down. two and a half years ago, none of this was even on the horizon. covid wasn't on the horizon then. i was very lucky to meet someone. i've lost 12 friends during the pandemic. it makes you realise that whenever you've got an opportunity to take something, just grab it. you're never too old! and just grab it, grab life when it comes and just enjoy what you can. # cos all of me loves all of you.

we took a huge chance, and i'm so — chuffed is not the right word. # give your all to me. happy valentine's, everyone. and remember, never, ever, ever give up on looking for love. jayne mccubbin, bbc news. in a moment, the bbc news at one with clive myrie, but first it's time for a look at the weather. two stance coming, causing damage and disruption, the reason we are seen such a powerful low pressure is coming in, the strength of the jet in the upper atmosphere driving the deepening lows across our shores. slightly different areas affected.

for the rest of the day, continuing to see the rain easing southwards, wintry showers following in the mouth, sunny spells in the breeze starts to ease away but it is a little on the chilly side compared with yesterday even though temperatures are a bit above average. then the showers, the rain continues to ease away the night under a ridge of high pressure, the winds fall light, likely to see for us to temporarily and some ice where the daily buzz migraine. soon after midnight, the next area of rain and hill snow matching enough the atlantic so a mobile weather picture with one area of rain after another and strong winds. initially brightness in the south—east, that fades, the rain drags its heels to clear but in between, sunny spells and a scattering of showers and temperature is very similar to those of today. by the end of the day tomorrow, already the next area of rain and whether system approaches the west of ireland. this is this area of low pressure, the first

storm, dudley, looks really nasty across parts of scotland, northern ireland and northern england by the time we get a tea—time. initially we will see dry weather first thing, before that rain becomes more widespread, some hill snow, but look at how mild it is across southern parts of the and potentially. but it has prompted an amber warning from the met office because we are expecting winds of 90 miles an hour in some exposed locations but hitting the likes of southern and central scotland, northern england and northern ireland even into thursday morning so really giving a battering here. then it quietens down later before the next storm, this one could affect areas further south across much of england and wales but fringing and northern ireland, scotland with a significant amount of snow and blizzards to go with it in the in the north. the warnings are on the website.

today at one: the west again warns moscow any ukraine invasion will cause massive sanctions, seriously affecting russia's economy. more shuttle diplomacy, as european leaders visit ukraine, with borisjohnson warning an invasion could be imminent. this is a very, very dangerous, difficult situation. the signs are, as you heard from president biden, that they are at least planning for something that could take place as early as in the next 48 hours. we'll be live in kyiv and moscow. also on the programme: the search for the truth — the public inquiry into the wrongful convictions of hundreds of sub—postmasters, accused of theft, begins today.

we need compensation for