this is bbc news, i'm clive myrie. the headlines at 5pm... as fears grow of an imminent russian invasion of ukraine, borisjohnson warns "we are on the edge of a precipice" as he prepares to speak to president biden within the hour. the signs are, as you've heard from president biden, that they are at least planning something that could take place as early as in the next 48 hours. the public inquiry opens into the wrongful convictions of hundreds of sub—postmasters, accused of theft because of a faulty it system. we need compensation for everybody, we need justice for everyone. we need some people to at least face the consequences of what they've done to us.

the teenage russian skater, kamila valieva, will continue to compete in 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, more than 1a8p per litre. ghostbusters. hey, anybody see a ghost? and ivan reitman, director of comedy hits like ghostbusters, has died. he was 75. good afternoon. borisjohnson has warned we are on the edge of a precipice overtreatment russia's military build—up on the border with ukraine. in a tweet over the past hour,

johnson said there's still time for president putin to step back. he'll speak to president biden by phone in the hour. the foreign secretary, liz truss, says the government is "very clear there could be an imminent invasion of ukraine," after holding a meeting of the government's cobra emergency response committee. meanwhile, a spokesman for ukraine's president, has insisted his country's ambition is still to join nato, as set out in its constitution — despite the ukrainian ambassador to britain suggesting otherwise as a means of avoiding war. russia has long wanted ukraine to drop its desire tojoin the military alliance. moscow now has up to 130,000 troops encircling ukraine, but maintains it has no plans to invade. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. kyiv this morning — another day in a cosmopolitan european capital, normal life continuing despite the dire warnings of invasion. but is this the calm before the storm? 0laf scholz, german's new chancellor, hopes not. he arrived in ukraine for talks with the country's president.

he is due in moscow tomorrow to see president putin, looking for ways out of a confrontation the west fears could end in russian invasion. european leaders say the threat is real and could affect the whole of europe. i think it's extremely serious and tensions are very high because, as you heard already, russian forces are at the ukrainian border at a high readiness, and there are more than 100,000 of them. ukraine has summoned russian officials to a meeting of the organisation for security and cooperation in europe to explain its military build—up. last night, ukraine's ambassador in london suggested one possible concession. he told the bbc his country might give up the goal of nato membership to avert war. this morning, he took it all back.

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. the kremlin, which says russia's security would be threatened by ukrainejoining nato, said abandoning the goal would help address its concerns. but a spokesman said russia—us relations were on the floor. the prime minister in scotland today is due to visit more european capitals this week to show his support for nato allies. downing street said he was also considering further economic and defensive support for ukraine. the signs are, as you've heard from president biden, that they're at least planning for something that could take place as early as in the next 48 hours. that is extremely concerning. and all the while, russian forces prepare and train. these, the latest pictures from the country's defence ministry, showing russian war planes patrolling the border

of belarus and ukraine. james landale, bbc news. let's speak to our correspondent james waterhouse in the ukrainian capital, kyiv. james, i'm interested in what people are thinking over there, because we've got borisjohnson talking about precipices, we've got president biden talking about imminent war, we've got various papers here talking about 48 hours to stop all this happening — what are people over there thinking about all this, with130,000 are people over there thinking about all this, with 130,000 russians on the border?— the border? clive, there are two la ers to the border? clive, there are two layers to my _ the border? clive, there are two layers to my answer. _ the border? clive, there are two layers to my answer. you've - the border? clive, there are two layers to my answer. you've goti the border? clive, there are two - layers to my answer. you've got the political layer, where ukraine is taking the script and rewriting it frantically, the country's security chief has repeated the claim we've heard here in kyiv that he's seen no

intelligence to suggest that russia is planning an invasion. totally the opposite of what the west has been saying, with all those warnings you illustrate will stop the country's police forces have announced they are upping patrols for the next few days, so that at least is one visible sign of preparation. but look around — it is a city getting on with things as normal. president zelinski has been very keen to double down after a very confusing start of the day where his uk ambassador suggested the country's nato ambitions should be scrapped — he said no, that's a core principle of his government, he didn't suggest it might not happen at all for the first time. he was appearing in a conference next to germany's chancellor, he's been accused of being ambiguous in the past but he was forthright today, saying he supported ukraine's europeanjourney supported ukraine's european journey and supported ukraine's europeanjourney and serious sanctions for russia

should invade. so there is a bit of a stronger start from the german leader, and crucially he'll make his way to moscow tomorrow for a sit down with vladimir putin. so those talks to continue. for ukrainians, the fatigue and exhaustion they report about a possible invasion, i'm afraid, will have to continue. james, thank you. let's go to westminster now — our political correspondent nick eardley is there. borisjohnson boris johnson tweeting borisjohnson tweeting in the last few minutes that there is still time for this crisis to be dampened down a little bit? , ~ �* , a little bit? yes, i think there's almost a twin _ a little bit? yes, i think there's almost a twin track _ a little bit? yes, i think there's almost a twin track approach i almost a twin track approach happening in the uk and with its allies at the moment where the ministers are talking about an invasion of ukraine potentially being imminent based on the intelligence that they had,

intelligence that they had, intelligence we've not seen, but various messages from senior ministers today that they think this could happen in the next few days. but at the same time, urging russia to step back from what borisjohnson describes as the precipice. we've heard that from the foreign secretary, liz truss, this afternoon as well, she's been chairing a meeting of the uk's emergency cobra committee looking at what's going on in ukraine, how to get uk citizens out. afterwards she was saying exactly that, that there could be an imminent invasion and britain's need to leave immediately. but also talking about maintaining that line of diplomacy and still urging de—escalation from moscow. have a listen to what she said after that meeting. we listen to what she said after that meetinu. ~ ., , listen to what she said after that meetinu. ~ . , . ., ., meeting. we are very clear that russia is the _ meeting. we are very clear that russia is the aggressor - meeting. we are very clear that russia is the aggressor in - meeting. we are very clear that russia is the aggressor in this l russia is the aggressor in this situation _ russia is the aggressor in this situation. they have 100,000 troops lined up _ situation. they have 100,000 troops lined up on _ situation. they have 100,000 troops lined up on the ukrainian borders. they— lined up on the ukrainian borders. they need — lined up on the ukrainian borders. they need to de—escalate because it will he _ they need to de—escalate because it will he at _ they need to de—escalate because it will be at cost to russia if they invade — will be at cost to russia if they

invade ukraine. it's notjust the cost _ invade ukraine. it's notjust the cost of— invade ukraine. it's notjust the cost of a — invade ukraine. it's notjust the cost of a long—running war, but the sanctions _ cost of a long—running war, but the sanctions we — cost of a long—running war, but the sanctions we would impose which would _ sanctions we would impose which would he — sanctions we would impose which would be severe, which would target oligarchs _ would be severe, which would target oligarchs and companies across russia — we've heard a lot of that, that the cost for moscow of an invasion would be huge. we've heard borisjohnson saying for weeks that he thinks the ukrainians will fight back and there will be a significant military cost for russia. but i think if an invasion does happen, something you could expect to happen quite quickly in london is for details of new sanctions to be announced. and what you are hearing from the uk government today is those warnings that they are prepared to hit moscow, to hit president boudin's allies in the pocket quickly with sanctions —— president putin. hick. sanctions -- president putin. nick, thank you — joining me now is alexander vershbow, the us ambassador to russia between 2001—2005, and also a former

ambassador to nato. hello to you, thanks very much indeed forjoining us. 0nly mr putin knows for sure, but what do you think the likelihood is of all those troops being used in anger, as it were, on the border and russia invading ukraine?— were, on the border and russia invading ukraine? well, i think that the likelihood _ invading ukraine? well, i think that the likelihood of _ invading ukraine? well, i think that the likelihood of an _ invading ukraine? well, i think that the likelihood of an invasion - invading ukraine? well, i think that the likelihood of an invasion is - the likelihood of an invasion is high, but by no means inevitable. i think the capabilities are clearly in place. we can't read putin's mind, but my impression is he still hasn't made a final decision on actually giving the orders to invade. we saw today a little bit of a crack light in the door regarding diplomacy. they had the staged meeting between putin and laffer of in which he said that there were at least some ideas coming from the west that were worth exploring on

the table, and this implies we have some days or weeks while diplomacy continues to run its course. so it putin may be worried that the west is more united than he would've expected. you may be taking seriously the threat of sanctions, and of course he doesn't want to risk lots of casualties that could be very unpopular back in russia. so for a lot of reasons, he seems to be hesitating, and we need to do everything we can to deter him from making that fateful decision and convince him that there is a diplomatic solution, maybe not everything that he's dreamed of, but something that could allow him to withdraw his troops and de—escalate. i wonder if he's hesitating because he's not entirely sure what he'll get out of an invasion. so first of all, if he does invade, if anything, nato will try to bolster its

position in eastern europe, and he'll have a rest of country that he'll have a rest of country that he'll have a rest of country that he'll have to subdue. you mentioned body bags probably heading back to russia — those ukrainians who do not want an invasion and who do not feel close to moscow, which is the vast majority of the population, they will feel that they want to get closer to the west even more. i wonder what he did get out of invading ukraine?— wonder what he did get out of invading ukraine? clive, that's exactly right. _ invading ukraine? clive, that's exactly right, and _ invading ukraine? clive, that's exactly right, and i _ invading ukraine? clive, that's exactly right, and i think - invading ukraine? clive, that's exactly right, and i think that i invading ukraine? clive, that's - exactly right, and i think that some russians are even asking those same questions, including a very famous russian military hardliner who i'm surprising myself to even quote him, but he's making clear that this is an unnecessary war, that ukraine doesn't pose any threat to russia, nato poses no military threat to russia, and all putin will be seen to be doing is making internal

enemies of the ukrainian people. meanwhile, i think russian politicians and intellectuals are also scratching their heads, "why are we in this crisis? it's been totally manufactured by mr putin." and it has the risks of casualties, long—term occupation which may be difficult to sustain. and of course, nato is also building up on russia's border in ways it hadn't considered in two decades. so putin is making the situation even worse even measured against his own objectives. you mentioned this a little earlier, the suggestion that there could be serious casualties for him, and also the possibility that he perhaps has overplayed his hand, that he did not expect the west to be as united as it has been because he walked into syria, he walked into crimea, he is killed british citizens on the streets of our country and perpetrated cyber attacks all over

the place — and frankly, he's got away with it all. has he overplayed his hand this time around because the west has decided there's got to be a line in the sand? i the west has decided there's got to be a line in the sand?— be a line in the sand? i think that's true. _ be a line in the sand? i think that's true. he _ be a line in the sand? i think that's true. he hasn't - be a line in the sand? i think that's true. he hasn't paid i be a line in the sand? i think that's true. he hasn't paid a | that's true. he hasn't paid a serious price for the earlier aggression, the attempted assassination of the family on the british territory and he got the idea he could divide and conquer in his relations with the west. but i thinkjust in recent days, despite the efforts to engage mr putin in a dialogue, he's brushed this aside. the next target of opportunity will be the german chancellor, but it looks like germany is joining be the german chancellor, but it looks like germany isjoining ranks with the mainstream in nato, and i think this is not what putin anticipated. the sanctions being prepared by the us, the uk and the european union will be far more sweeping than anything russia has ever experienced before. russia has

a lot of cash reserves, it won't bring him to his knees overnight, but i think these sanctions cutting off russia from key technologies through export controls, it will hurt the russian economy in ways that previous sanctions had not. for all these reasons, it putin may need to rethink and maybe look again at some of the diplomatic options that the us and nato allies have put on the table. ~ ., , the us and nato allies have put on the table. ~ . , ., the table. what is it that he actually fears? _ the table. what is it that he actually fears? is _ the table. what is it that he actually fears? is it - the table. what is it that he actually fears? is it really . the table. what is it that he i actually fears? is it really the movement east of nato, which claims it's a defensive alliance? 0r movement east of nato, which claims it's a defensive alliance? or is it the rise, or spread of democracy from ukraine across the border into russia, that potentially threatens his hold on power? is that what we are really talking about? i his hold on power? is that what we are really talking about?— are really talking about? i think it's the latter _ are really talking about? i think it's the latter much _ are really talking about? i think it's the latter much more - are really talking about? i think it's the latter much more than i

it's the latter much more than nato's endless expansion, as putin describes, because there's no such thing as endless expansion by nato. the last country anywhere near russia thatjoined nato was back in 2004, when the baltic states, romania, bulgariajoined 2004, when the baltic states, romania, bulgaria joined nato. that's almost two decades ago, and there's been no material threat to russian security during that time. but i do think it is ukraine who is still at the centre of putin's nightmares. he does worry that ukraine will succeed in turning away from russia and integrating with the rest in the family of democratic nations which makes ukraine much more resistant to russia, domination and subversion. and of course, the idea that ukraine could concede as a democratic nation is ultimately a existential threat... because a slavic nation with 44 million people building pluralism and a prosperous economy, and the russian people will

say, "why can't we have that? why do we have to have despotism imposed on us by president putin?" he wants to control ukraine so these nightmare scenarios don't happen. we control ukraine so these nightmare scenarios don't happen.— control ukraine so these nightmare scenarios don't happen. we have to leave it there. _ scenarios don't happen. we have to leave it there, good _ scenarios don't happen. we have to leave it there, good to _ scenarios don't happen. we have to leave it there, good to talk - scenarios don't happen. we have to leave it there, good to talk to - scenarios don't happen. we have to leave it there, good to talk to you i leave it there, good to talk to you and get your perspective, thank you. you're welcome. a long—awaited public inquiry, into one of britain's biggest miscarriages ofjustice has begun hearing evidence. more than 700 post office branch managers were wrongly convicted and thousands lost their businesses, when faulty accounting software, made it look as if money had gone missing from their tills, and they'd stolen it. here's charlotte gallagher. a moment for celebration after years of anguish and struggle. jo hamilton, here on the right, is just one of the innocent people whose lives were ruined because of a faulty post office it system.

her conviction was quashed last year, but now it's time for answers from this public inquiry. 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. in total, 706 former sub—postmasters 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 amounts of money, so the government will foot the bill for compensation. the it system at the centre of this scandal is called horizon, developed by the software firm fujitsu. essentially, it couldn't add up properly, so post office managers were accused of stealing sums

of money that never existed. lives were ruined, families were torn apart. families were made homeless and destitute. reputations were destroyed. this public inquiry beginning today is aiming answer these questions — when did it become clear horizon wasn't working? and why did senior managers keep blaming sub—postmasters when the issues emerged? no—one has been held responsible so far. for the victims, the answers can't come soon enough. and there's been emotional evidence so far. i was the only man who ran the post office seven days a week. they did not pay me saturday, sunday. i used to open the post office at eight o'clock in the morning and shut at eight o'clock at night. of course, i took permission from the post office because it was such an important business. i said, "i'll work seven days a week". and i was the only post

office in the country which was running all seven days. the post office has said sorry to victims, but many people want more than an apology. charlotte gallagher, bbc news. tom hedges was sub—postmaster at a post office near skegness from 1994—2010, but was sacked after being accused of false accounting. hello to you, thanks very much indeed for being with us. just tell us about what happened to you, the specific circumstances in which you were accused of theft?— specific circumstances in which you were accused of theft? hello, clive sto es, were accused of theft? hello, clive step yes. it's _ were accused of theft? hello, clive step yes. it's a _ were accused of theft? hello, clive stop yes, it's a great _ were accused of theft? hello, clive stop yes, it's a great day _ were accused of theft? hello, clive stop yes, it's a great day today, i l stop yes, it's a great day today, i really am celebrating that we can finally start the process to allocate blame, as i see it, anyway, for this. allocate blame, as i see it, anyway, forthis. i allocate blame, as i see it, anyway, for this. i was one of the very first post offices in the country to

have the verizon system installed backin have the verizon system installed back in 1999. and after about a year or 18 months when it seemed to work quite well, i started getting small discrepancies but they were always the wrong way. and, because of our now proved unfair contract, i had to dip into my pockets to make those arise. and eventually over the years, from 2001 up to 2010, these losses kept occurring and they got larger and larger until 2010. the auditors arrived one day with claims that there were £23,500 missing from my till. i disputed the fact that it was never there in the first place. i was suspended on the spot, i was

2-3 i was suspended on the spot, i was 2—3 weeks later called it to doncaster to and area office and summarily dismissed, and a few weeks later i was called again to that office and grilled by investigators, post office investigators. in a few weeks later, i received a summons to appear in court, and i ended up being, earlyjanuary appear in court, and i ended up being, early january 2011, appear in court, and i ended up being, earlyjanuary 2011, being convicted of theft being, early january 2011, being convicted of theft for false accounting, given seven months of a suspended prison sentence but i had to serve 120 hours community service and pay £1000 for the post office's costs for prosecuting me. and that's how i entered this story. it

costs for prosecuting me. and that's how i entered this story.— howl entered this story. it beggars belief, howl entered this story. it beggars belief. time. _ howl entered this story. it beggars belief, time, and _ howl entered this story. it beggars belief, time, and obsolete - howl entered this story. it beggars belief, time, and obsolete does. i howl entered this story. it beggars| belief, time, and obsolete does. to belief, time, and obsolete does. to be clear, at the beginning you tried to make up those costs out of your own pocket. l to make up those costs out of your own pocket-— own pocket. i reckon that i worked out something _ own pocket. i reckon that i worked out something like _ own pocket. i reckon that i worked out something like £60,000 - own pocket. i reckon that i worked out something like £60,000 for. own pocket. i reckon that i worked. out something like £60,000 for my own pocket over those nine years. jese. to own pocket over those nine years. jese. ., . ~' , own pocket over those nine years. jese. ., , ., , jese. to make up the shortfalls - i had to borrow _ jese. to make up the shortfalls - i had to borrow a _ jese. to make up the shortfalls - i had to borrow a lot _ jese. to make up the shortfalls - i had to borrow a lot of _ jese. to make up the shortfalls - i had to borrow a lot of that. - jese. to make up the shortfalls - i had to borrow a lot of that. when i jese. to make up the shortfalls - i j had to borrow a lot of that. when i lost myjob, it threw us into terrible, terrible financial state. in fact, we got away with not going bankrupt literally by the skin of our teeth. ~ ., , ., bankrupt literally by the skin of ourteeth. ~ ., , ., , our teeth. who should carry the can for this, our teeth. who should carry the can for this. who _ our teeth. who should carry the can for this, who do _ our teeth. who should carry the can for this, who do you _ our teeth. who should carry the can for this, who do you blame? - our teeth. who should carry the can for this, who do you blame? i- for this, who do you blame? i believe the people at the for this, who do you blame? l believe the people at the top, but not just the ones believe the people at the top, but notjust the ones that believe the people at the top, but not just the ones that were there laterally, but those they are at the beginning. i saw some evidence that, backin beginning. i saw some evidence that,

back in 1999, before that horizon system was rolled back in1999, before that horizon system was rolled out— back in 1999, before that horizon system was rolled out— and i say we were one of the first branch is to get it — where fujitsu were warning the board, the post office board that it was full of bugs. it was delayed for a couple months, then they asked the question again, and fujitsu said, "well, we fixed about half of them," and the post office said," oh, let's go for it," and they launched it. and they knew from day one that it wasn't good. the?c day one that it wasn't good. they knew from _ day one that it wasn't good. they knew from day — day one that it wasn't good. they knew from day one. _ day one that it wasn't good. they knew from day one. that's - day one that it wasn't good. they knew from day one. that's the i knew from day one. that's the evidence i've _ knew from day one. that's the evidence i've seen. _ knew from day one. that's the evidence i've seen. yet, - knew from day one. that's the evidence i've seen. yet, do i knew from day one. that's the | evidence i've seen. yet, do you think this _ evidence i've seen. yet, do you think this public _ evidence i've seen. yet, do you think this public inquiry - evidence i've seen. yet, do you i think this public inquiry beginning today will get to the bottom of this? ~ , . ., , today will get to the bottom of this? ~ , . .,, ., , this? well, i very much hope it does because - all _ this? well, i very much hope it does because - all are _ this? well, i very much hope it does because - all are court— this? well, i very much hope it does because - all are court cases, - this? well, i very much hope it does because - all are court cases, both i because — all are court cases, both my personal ones in the joint one i was part of, we've all been fighting against the post office limited, a

corporation. because that's the legal entity, that's the way you have to do it in law. but we all know that corporations and companies are run by people, it is people that make those decisions. and in our case, they made some awful, tragic decisions which affected mine and hundreds of other people's lives in a very detrimental way. the people who are responsible _ a very detrimental way. the people who are responsible are _ a very detrimental way. the people who are responsible are trying - a very detrimental way. the people who are responsible are trying to i who are responsible are trying to hide behind some computer software? they are trying to hide behind the software and they are trying to hide behind corporate law and any other way that they can wriggle out of it. but morally, and i think legally, they stink to high heaven. you received a _ they stink to high heaven. you received a suspended jail sentence, other people actually did go to jail, some people have died before

being exonerated and having their reputations cleaned as it were. what would make you feel vindicated and would make you feel vindicated and would make you feel vindicated and would make you feel that you finally got to the end of this road? well. got to the end of this road? well, at the moment, _ got to the end of this road? well, at the moment, i've _ got to the end of this road? well, at the moment, i've got - at the moment, i've got lawyers fighting my case for full compensation. in fact, fighting my case for full compensation. infact, i meeting with them in about ten day's time to put that case finally together to present to the post office, so i hopein present to the post office, so i hope in my particular case, i should get a significant payout because it has cost me an awful lot of money over the years. secondly, want those people that made those disastrous decisions at least have the spotlight shone completely on them.

if it is proof that they've done things wrong, then i got a suspended jail sentence, several other people actually went to jail — well, don't you think that's right that they should face the same sanction that they forced on us when they knew we had done nothing wrong? we they forced on us when they knew we had done nothing wrong?— they forced on us when they knew we had done nothing wrong? we will see what happens. it's — had done nothing wrong? we will see what happens, it's been _ had done nothing wrong? we will see what happens, it's been discovered i what happens, it's been discovered as one of the biggest miscarriages ofjustice in recent british legal history. so we will see what happens. tom, i'm sorry to hear your story and that of all the others, but thanks very much forjoining us on bbc news, it's much appreciated. thank you very much, clive, good afternoon. thank you very much, clive, good afternoon-— the motoring organisation the aa says the average petrol price across the uk hit a new record high over the weekend. it stood at over £1.48 a litre — while diesel has now risen to over £1.51—and—a—half a litre. 0ur correspondent katy austin explains. tensions around ukraine aren't the only thing that had been pushing up wholesale prices. another big one is the resurgence in demand, as global

economies have reopened, but concerns around the potential for conflict have definitely driven those prices up further, because of the impact it could have on supply. it doesn't happen overnight, but these increases do feed through into the amount drivers here pay for their fuel at the pump, and motoring groups say that yesterday the average cost per litre of petrol went above 148 pence, surpassing the previous record, set in november. they say diesel has also hit a record high. the rac thinks retailers are keen to pass on the wholesale increases quickly, and aa said the cost of living crisis had been up yet another notch. this does come as households and businesses are facing various cost pressures. inflation running at a 30—year high and increses to energy bills on the way. the petrol retailers association — which represents independently owned

petrol station forecourts — has issued a statement from its executive director gordon balmer. if work has set the price of oil will if work has set the price of oil wil , , , . ., ., will be sub'ect to further volunteer ld as will be subject to further volunteer ld as tensions _ will be subject to further volunteer ld as tensions over _ will be subject to further volunteer ld as tensions over ukraine - ld as tensions over ukraine continue. joining me now is howard cox, the founder of fairfuel uk, which campaigns for fairer prices at the pumps. hi there, howard, thanks for being with us. there's not much anyone can do about or in ukraine apart from vladimir putin, and that's affecting the prices. it’s vladimir putin, and that's affecting the rices. �* , . ., vladimir putin, and that's affecting the rices. �*, . ., , ., the prices. it's nice to be on your show, the prices. it's nice to be on your show. clive- _ the prices. it's nice to be on your show, clive. the _ the prices. it's nice to be on your show, clive. the important - the prices. it's nice to be on your show, clive. the important thing| show, clive. the important thing here is that the whole process of pump pricing is very opaque, nobody knows what happens when oil goes up where the exchange rate changes. and that particular process has, for years and years, not been transparent. we are calling for transparency, and the government knows very well that despite the last 12 years of a freeze in duty which we've been very instrumental in achieving, the government itself could cut fuel duty and help people

out because they are enjoying a gargantuan amount of vat because of the high prices. but gargantuan amount of vat because of the high prices-— the high prices. but you're not suggesting _ the high prices. but you're not suggesting that _ the high prices. but you're not suggesting that the _ the high prices. but you're not suggesting that the price - the high prices. but you're not suggesting that the price risesj suggesting that the price rises we've seen over the weekend are nothing to do with ukraine? it’s nothing to do with ukraine? it's artl nothing to do with ukraine? it�*s partly nothing to do with ukraine, there's no doubt that geopolitical events are influencing the price of oil. most of our oil comes from the middle east which is not involved in any war whatsoever. so the important thing here is for the government to understand — and theyjust allow this to happen — is for prices to skyrocket completely, went prices go up, they're like a rocket, and when they come down, they're like a feather. i'm working with backbench mps to try to introduce an independent price monitoring company. it's a no—brainer at the moment, they are enjoying huge fat

returns because of prices. is moment, they are enjoying huge fat returns because of prices.— returns because of prices. is their profiteering? _ returns because of prices. is their profiteering? there _ returns because of prices. is their profiteering? there is _ returns because of prices. is their| profiteering? there is profiteering coin: profiteering? there is profiteering auoin on, profiteering? there is profiteering going on. it's _ profiteering? there is profiteering going on. it's not _ profiteering? there is profiteering going on, it's not happening - profiteering? there is profiteering going on, it's not happening at. going on, it's not happening at forecourt garage levels, there still working within fine margins. but you saw last week, shell and bp getting huge profits through no management or marketing skill or their ability, they got a duty increase coming out of covid and lockdowns going away, demand is increasing, then there's the geopolitical events which we've spoken about. all these things are a perfect storm for the speculators further up the fuel supply chain to actually price willy—nilly. we've got to get on top of this because these are essential fuel supplies for everyone. 37 million uk drivers rely on prices, and so does our inflation. �* rely on prices, and so does our inflation. . , ., rely on prices, and so does our inflation-— rely on prices, and so does our inflation. . , ., , , ., , inflation. are you suggesting as well that is _ inflation. are you suggesting as well that is not _ inflation. are you suggesting as well that is not just _ inflation. are you suggesting as well that is notjust the - inflation. are you suggesting as i well that is notjust the company's profiteering, but the government through vat? l profiteering, but the government through vat?— profiteering, but the government throu~h vat? ., ., , ., through vat? i hate to use the word profiteering — through vat? i hate to use the word profiteering with _ through vat? i hate to use the word profiteering with them, _ through vat? i hate to use the word profiteering with them, but - through vat? i hate to use the word profiteering with them, but they - profiteering with them, but they are. because for every time you fill

up are. because for every time you fill up your vehicle, something like 50-60% up your vehicle, something like 50—60% goes to the government. 20% is vat, and the vat is also on the fuel duty, it's double taxation. the government knows they've gotten billions more in vat returns because of the high price of oil and when we are filling up. all we are asking them is to cut fuel duty 3— 5p are filling up. all we are asking them is to cut fuel duty 3— sp to help hard—pressed motorists, that puts more money into people's pockets and small businesses to increase consumer spending, and inflation will go down.— increase consumer spending, and inflation will go down. howard, good to talk to you- _ inflation will go down. howard, good to talk to you. cheers. _ the world—anti doping agency says it's disappointed by the decision, to allow a 15—year—old russian figure skater who failed a drugs test, to continue competing at the winter olympics. kamila valieva's positive result in december, only came to light last week, after she'd helped russia win the team skating event in beijing.

the court of arbitration for sport has ruled that because of valieva's age, and the timing of the test result announcement, she should be treated as an exceptional case. laura scott has the latest from beijing. let's talk now to sir craig reedie who is former president of the world anti—doping agency and former chairman of the british olympic association. because she's 15. because she's15. she's a kid. yeah and there are _ because she's15. she's a kid. yeah and there are regulations _ because she's15. she's a kid. yea and there are regulations for situation to deal with that. it's a tragedy that somebody of that age is accused of taking a substance that is on a prohibited list. but i'm afraid the russian anti—doping agency acted perfectly directly by suspended her, that's what they should've done, she appealed and

almost immediately lifted that suspension. there are three other organisations versus the international 0lympic organisations versus the international olympic committee secondly the international skating union which has a responsibility for the whole sport. and sadly, it's the anti—doping agency. and we rather believe that the arbitrators looking at this case did not follow properly the rules set down. and those rules state that suspensions will apply to minors as well as to everybody else. it's very regrettable that were here but the effect of the decision is that she can now take part in competitions later this week which is an even bigger problem for the ioc. , ., is an even bigger problem for the ioc. ,., ., �* , is an even bigger problem for the ioc. ., h. ., is an even bigger problem for the ioc. ., , ioc. ok, so that's clear. they should have _ ioc. ok, so that's clear. they should have been _ ioc. ok, so that's clear. they should have been entered - ioc. ok, so that's clear. they - should have been entered despite the fact that she is underage. but is there something a little bit fishy

about the fact that the positive drugs result, only came out in the last ten, 14 days while the olympics are on? instead it would've been way easier to drop kamila valieva at the games hadn't started. if the results and come back in december when the test was done. the and come back in december when the test was done-— test was done. the test was done i understand — test was done. the test was done i understand around _ test was done. the test was done i understand around the _ test was done. the test was done i understand around the 25th, - test was done. the test was done i understand around the 25th, 26 . understand around the 25th, 26 of december. it was a competition test from a competition run in st. petersburg. the anti—doping organisation that if they have any concerns that they wish to flag up to the analysing laboratory that this case it needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible. it would appear that they didn't do so.

regrettably and unfortunately the analysis was subject to substantial employment novels because of a covid problem. 0bviously employment novels because of a covid problem. obviously we would prefer none of that happened but it did. she wasn't banned, nobody has dealt with the situation yet. the only situation is after the suspension which is correct under the rules we don't think it's been applied properly. in the situation where we are where we are but it will take time to go through all of this. the ioc i understand have declared there will be no metal presentations in the two skating events in which the young later could take part. that's very regrettable for all of the athletes taking part. it's regrettable for the olympic games but at the end of the day, it's really quite wrong for the ioc to hiring a metal around of —— hang

around someone's neck to somebody under a doping section.— under a doping section. thank you. we will get — under a doping section. thank you. we will get a _ under a doping section. thank you. we will get a bit _ under a doping section. thank you. we will get a bit sport _ under a doping section. thank you. we will get a bit sport now. - all the action itself. there've been mixed fortunes for great britain's curlers on day 10 of the winter olympics in beijing. the women's play—off hopes have been dented by a 7—3 loss to canada. it means eve muirhead, vicky wright, jen dodds, and hailey duff may well need to win all three of their remaining matches to qualify for the semi finals. they next play japan tomorrow morning. we are still well and truly in the competition, we've got three games left and need to get three wins out there and of course we'll be doing everything we can to get those three wins. i think we can't get too down after that loss

and we still need to stay positive, because as i say, we weren't bad, like, wejust weren't on the right side today. but britain's men remain one win away from the semi finals of the team curling event. it was a close contest with switzerland and they needed bruce mouat to clear out the swiss red stone in the final end to secure a 6—5 victory. it's been a familar story at these games — another of great britain's medal hopes have struggled — this time in the 2 man bobsleigh. things did not got to plan for brad hall, the pilot, and nick gleeson. after their first two runs they're in 11th place. but they can still turn things around, though they'll need to be almost perfect tomorrow if they're to get a medal. it's frustrating, we wanted to be a few places higher but made a couple of mistakes in the middle of the track, lost speed speed so unfortunately we are not higher up but we don't deserve to be at the moment, so hope to go back and see where we went wrong and try to make the corrections for tomorrow. there's been some good news for team gb on the slopes —

where there'll be two brits in tomorrow's women's freeski slopestyle final. 17—year—old kirsty muir here and her british team mate katie summerhayes made it through qualifying. muir finished in sixth and will be to do even better tomorrow, while summerhayes qualified in 10th. muir and summerhayes are two of the medal hopes — as is james woods, who's set to compete in the freestyle skiing slopestyle event tomorrow but things aren't looking good for the former world champion at the moment. woods finished fourth at the last winter olympics but just hours before the slopestyle event he's put out a message on social media saying he's "full of painkillers and strapped up in bed" because of a back injury and is unable to move. he added... "hopefully i wake up from a good sleep feeling ready for action." and just one more line to bring you from the winter games — there was disapointment today for katie 0rmerod — who failed to qualify

for the final in the big air. she finished 25th after falling on two of her three runs. four premier league players who play for argentina have been given two match international bans following the abandoned world cup qualifier against brazil last september. tottenham's cristian romero and giovani lo celso — who joined villarreal on loan injanuary — and aston villa pair emiliano martinez and emiliano buendia were accused of giving false information on their covid—19 declarations when entering brazil for the game. next at a high level meeting today — formula 1's governing body failed to make any proposals following its inquiry into the dramatic events at last year's abu dhabi grand prix. the title deciding race ended in controversy, with questions around whether the rules were correctly followed when max verstappen beat lewis hamilton to the championship on the final lap. the fia said today that its analysis of what happened is still ongoing, with an announcement on changes to race management expected later this week.

and former great britain rugby league player and coach johnny whiteley has died at the age of 91. whiteley was part of test series wins over australia with the lions as both player and coach, and was part of three world cup squads between 1954 and 1960. he also won the championship and played in challenge cup finals with hull for whom he scored 156 tries in 417 games, and coached both hull fc and hull kr. we'll have more for you in sportsday at half past six. police are hunting a sex offender who escaped from jail in boston, in lincolnshire. paul robson, who's 56, was serving a life sentence after being branded �*a menace to females' but was in an open prison. for more on this, we spoke to our reporter, caroline bilton.

the alarm was raised at 7am yesterday morning, here at the north sea camp open prison on the outskirts of boston. when it became clear that robson was missing. 56—year—old robson was serving a life sentence for the attempted rape and indecent assault of a woman. this was a serious offence, he had got into her home through the cat flap and had put a pillowcase over her head and attacked her at knife—point. lincolnshire police describing him today as dangerous. also admitting that he could be anywhere in the country right now. this is an open prison, here on the outskirts of boston, of the lincolnshire fens and its used as a minimum security prison. the ministry ofjustice said it is only used to house prisoners that have been risk—assessed and deemed suitable for an open prison and yet, today,

lincolnshire police have issued offender and while he presents a particular danger to women and young children, they believe he can cause real harm to anyone that he comes across. they have asked that if anyone sees robson, that they do not approach him and they do not try to apprehend him. lincolnshire police have told us that they are pursuing different lines of inquiry, but they are very keen to talk to anybody who may have seen paul robson and to let them know via 999, but clearly questions being asked today as to why such a dangerous offender was here at this open prison in lincolnshire. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has confirmed he's received death threats, following boris johnson's false claim, that he failed to prosecute the paedophile jimmy savile. sir keir had to be shielded by police from an angry mob outside parliament last week,

and says the prime minister's slur has "fed into" a "right—wing conspiracy theories." police are investigating, the online death threats. the duchess of cornwall is self—isolating after testing positive for covid—19. in a statement, clarence house said "we continue to follow government guidelines". the duchesses' husband, the prince of wales, cancelled an event after testing positive for the virus on thursday. let's return to our top story now and the tension on the ukraine/russia border and the diplomatic efforts to avoid a conflict in the region. 0lga is a journalist who is based in here. thanks forjoining us. i was talking to our correspondent a bit earlier and i want to get a sense of what people were feeling, how people were coping with all the news that there are troops on the border and war is imminent and so on and so

forth. i wonder how you are feeling. thank you for having me. the situation has been going on for weeks and months now for the ukraine receiving warnings about an imminent russian invasion, russian attack that might happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. so the anxiety definitely has been mounting. and at the same time, people somehow are used to living with this imminent threat in a way. in general, you don't cease panicking, no food shortage, no queues at the atm to withdraw cash. some people actually, ukrainian journalist found out today that influential businessmen actually have left ukraine over the last weekend. but the majority of the population stays put. if they decide to leave the capital or leave eastern ukraine to go visit

relatives or someone to spend time in western ukraine there are some people who do it but it's a tiny minority. in general all the other people are staying where they live and they are not moving anywhere. is and they are not moving anywhere. is there perhaps a sense that if vladimir putin and his men do invade that they will confine themselves to the east of the country? is there a sense that perhaps that's what ukraine believes he's interested in rather than taking over the whole nation? it’s rather than taking over the whole nation? �* , ., , rather than taking over the whole nation? v .,, ~' , nation? it's the most likely scenario — nation? it's the most likely scenario that _ nation? it's the most likely scenario that they - nation? it's the most likely scenario that they would i nation? it's the most likely - scenario that they would attack from the occupied territories in the donbas in order to expand the territory under their control and to push gm towards concession. roger of course has eight military superiority and ukrainian armed forces in the last eight years and they've been receiving also military deliveries assistance from the uk,

from the baltic countries in the last weeks. so certainly what is not lacking in his spirit and determination to resist among the ukrainian armed forces will stop evenif ukrainian armed forces will stop even if russia manages to attack and try to conquer some part of ukrainian territory it will not be a victory in the long run. it will be very difficult for russia to hold this territory under control. york invents to _ this territory under control. york invents to be _ this territory under control. york invents to be a _ this territory under control. york invents to be a counter- this territory under control. york invents to be a counter attack or some kind of insurgency that would make it very difficult for vladimir putin going onto the country? i putin going onto the country? i think there will be massive resistance in ukraine. even in the eastern regions of the ukraine which are historically closer to roger, people over the last eight years since russia first attacked ukraine change their opinions a lot. now many people there, they see what was happening and what is happening in the territories occupied by russia and the donbas and they want to leave i don't want this to

themselves. the humanitarian catastrophe, impoverishment, there is a big support for the ukrainian government, big desire to resist and to oppose any russian invasion even in these eastern regions of ukraine. not to speak about other parts of the country. not to speak about other parts of the country-— the country. very interesting indeed. thank _ the country. very interesting indeed. thank you _ the country. very interesting indeed. thank you for - the country. very interesting j indeed. thank you forjoining the country. very interesting - indeed. thank you forjoining us. as fears grove and imminent bars johnson warns were on the precipice as he holds talks with the us president. a public inquiry into the wrongful convictions of hundreds of postmasters accused of theft because of a faulty it system. the average pace of petrol pumps across the uk has a new record at the weekend. more than 140 per leader. it'll be two years

tomorrow since the tv presenter took her own life before she was due to a central of the as a result of a partner. her mum is always criticise the position by police to charge or which the bbc now understands will be the subject of an internal investigation. 0ur be the subject of an internal investigation. our special correspondent lucy manning has more. love island the weight is finally... love island the weight is finally- - -_ love island the weight is finall ., ., . finally... carolyn fleck, we watch her on screen. _ finally... carolyn fleck, we watch her on screen. but _ finally... carolyn fleck, we watch her on screen. but those - finally... carolyn fleck, we watch her on screen. but those who - finally... carolyn fleck, we watch i her on screen. 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. ijust think it differently because of who she was? totally. i just think it was differently because of who she was? totally. ijust think it was because of who she was. it totally. i just think it was because of who she was.— totally. i just think it was because of who she was. it was because she was a celebrity? _ of who she was. it was because she was a celebrity? yeah. _ of who she was. it was because she was a celebrity? yeah. prosecution| was a celebrity? yeah. prosecution originally said caroline should just be cautioned but the met push 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 sad. and really angry because you want to know why they charged her. she can get over that, she couldn't see a way out. and it was down to that.

her mother put these questions to the max. she was so dismayed with their response she complained to the police watchdog —— met. it found the met response was not reasonable or portion it saying... it's 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? l watchdog have forced the met to investigate?— investigate? i think it's disgusting. _ investigate? i think it's disgusting. i _ investigate? i think it's disgusting. ithink- investigate? i think it's disgusting. i think it's. investigate? i think it's - disgusting. i think it's typical of the met. there is no trust at all. no trust at all.— no trust at all. the met has said it's rare to _ no trust at all. the met has said it's rare to give _ no trust at all. the met has said it's rare to give a _ no trust at all. the met has said it's rare to give a caution - no trust at all. the met has said it's rare to give a caution in - no trust at all. the met has said it's rare to give a caution in a - it's rare to give a caution in a case of domestic abuse. the horse told us the police watchdog found it had answered seven areas of the complaint but it had been directed to reinvestigate and why it had appealed the decision to cautioned miss flack. 0ur appealed the decision to cautioned miss flack. our thoughts and sympathy remained 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 issues was badly let down. she was fun- she just _ issues was badly let down. she was fun. she just had _ issues was badly let down. she was fun. she just had these _ issues was badly let down. she was fun. she just had these really - issues was badly let down. she was fun. she just had these really darkl fun. she just had these really dark times. as i say, usually she could get out of it. especially on tele. she loves herjob. i'm doing it for caroline because it was so much negative press around. and it won't bring her back, i know it will bring her back. but i've got to do it for her. the film director and producer, ivan reitman, who made the comedies, "ghostbusters", "twins" and "kindergarten cop", has died at his home in california. he was 75. born in what is now slovakia, he grew up in canada, with his big break coming in 1978, producing the comedy, national lampoon's animal house. 0ur entertainment correspondent, lizo mzimba, looks back at his life. # if there's something' strange in the neighbourhood... ghostbusters was a phenomenon.

# ghostbusters! when teenagers became cinema's most lucrative audience in the 1970s and 1980s, reitman had an almost unique understanding of their tastes. he slimed me. that's great! toga, toga, toga! his first big success was producing the raucous national lampoon's animal house in 1977. the movie, about an out—of—control fraternity, incorporated some of reitman's own experiences of college and helped begin audiences' tastes for gross—out comedy. i'm a zit — get it? he turned to directing. his working relationship with bill murray, which reached its peak with ghostbusters, began with reitman directing him in films like meatballs and stripes. where the hell have you been, soldier? training, sir! what kind of training, son? army training, sir!

he also developed a strong partnership with arnold schwarzenegger. reitman cast him injunior, kindergarten cop, and theirfirst film together, twins. my name isjulius, and i'm your twin brother. 0h, obviously! the moment i sat down, i thought i was looking into a mirror! have you missed us? and last year, he produced ghostbusters sequel, afterlife. he was a film—maker who changed the course of cinema forever. ivan reitman who's died at the age of 75. one of the highest profile sporting events in the world, american football's super bowl, has been won by the los angeles rams, who beat the cincinnati bengals. prince harry and hollywood stars including charlize theron, jennifer lopez and ben affleck, watched from the stands, along with an estimated global audience of well over a hundred million people. for the first time, the event famed for its half—time entertainment, featured a celebration of hip hop,

with performances from snoop dogg, maryj blige, and eminem. here's our los angeles correspondent, sophie long. music

some of the half—time entertainment there at the half—time entertainment there at the super bowl. the half—time entertainment there at the super bowl. now it's time for a look at the weather. second how to super bowl ever in california. here in the uk its stormy weather that's moving our way. notjust one but to name storms later on this week. the first one dudley arriving later on wednesday overnight into thursday. another one of friday. it's all because we've got a really strong at stream that's pushing right away across the uk. it looks up area of bring impact of the days ahead. notjust yet though, things calm down overnight, showers and the ease with wacom skies were clear for a and the ease with wacom skies were clearfor a while. band of wet weather coming in from the west that will bring some snow into some parts of scotland over the mountains. at the chile head of that for a while

but those temperatures will live by a few degrees by the end of the night. for many this rain won't last long. it was away fairly quickly it out into the north sea, up into the northern island of scotland so wet weather could linger towards more southern parts of england into the afternoon. sunshine follows, a few mainly in scotland and those could be a bit wintry over the high ground for the temperature was looking very similar numbers to what we had today. it will tend to cloud over in northern ireland during the afternoon and we got another weather system coming in from the atlantic. this can bring some rain across many parts of the country during tuesday evening and tuesday night tending to move away later on in the night. possibility of a bit of snow over some higher parts of scotland for top it is good to be a bit colder in northern scotland but otherwise it should be fairly mild elsewhere and breezy as well. the windy weather is yet to arrive. the winds will start to pick up during wednesday as we see some more rain coming in from the atlantic, mainly to northern and western parts of the uk. as a win strengthens we get more of a west or south westerly wind and briefly it's going to be extremely mild across

southeastern parts of the uk. but the main story is the strength of the main story is the strength of the wind. that's because we get our first named storm arriving later wednesday, overnight into thursday morning, dad of course is to warm dudley. we've got warnings for the arriving later wednesday, overnight into thursday morning, that of course is to warm dudley. we've got warnings for the met office covering many parts of the uk. focus on the amber warning from the met office, this is the strongest of the winds and this is where there'll be more impacts overnight into the early part of thursday. the winds you gradually ease down during thursday, many places will be dry with some sunshine, few showers. still got wetter weather in scotland that means more snow over the high ground. temperature was on thursday, seven to 12 degrees. but it's only a brief respite because as we head into friday with scott the next deepening area of low pressure heading our way. this is going to be tracking at a little bit further south across the uk, could have stronger winds more widely across england and wales and some snow potentially in the north.

the evidence is clear, russia plans to invade ukraine — the warning from borisjohnson. as russia continues war games on ukraine's border, diplomatic efforts are redoubled, the prime minister has talks with the us president. this is a very dangerous situation. with the us president. we're on the edge of a precipice. with the us president. there with the us president. is still time for vladimir putin there is still time for vladimir putin to step back. russia denies it will invade and says diplomacy should continue. we report from moscow and kyiv. also tonight: 0ne family's long quest forjustice as the inquiry opens into how hundreds of post office managers were wrongfully convicted for theft. undercover footage shared with bbc panorama shows dairy cows being abused on a farm in wales. the 15—year—old russian sensation of the winter olympics is controversially allowed to continue competing despite failing a drugs test.