this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines at 8. the way the government discharged patients from hospital to care homes at the start of the pandemic is ruled unlawful. matt hancocks claim that the government put a protective ring around care homes in the first wave of— the pandemic was nothing more than a despicable lie. an investigation is under way into claims a conservative mp watched pornography on his mobile phone in the house of commons. the eu warns countries not to russia's demand after moscow cut gas supplies to poland and bulgaria. poland and bulgaria. the dj tim westwood steps down from presenting his capital xtra radio show, following claims of sexual misconduct which he denies.

five police officers face gross misconduct proceedings over the stop and search of team gb athlete bianca williams. music and we meet sam ryder, the uk's new hope for this year's eurovision song contest. it's a very significant day for those families who lost loved ones in care homes in the pandemic. the high court in london has warned that

discharging patients into care homes at the start of the pandemic was unlawful. the ruling was made of the two women took legal action against public health england and health secretary at the time. they say covid patients were discharged from hospitals back to care homes without testing, causing what was called a shocking death toll. in the first wave of the pandemic almost 20,000 care home residents have died with covid—i9. that's more than a third of all people who died with covid during the period. the uk government said it worked tirelessly to protect the public. 0ur social affairs editor alison holt has the story. two women determined to hold the government to account for what they believed was a failure to protect their fathers. today the court said the policies were unlawful. this woman was shocked that hospital patients were discharged without guidance.

she was shocked that hospital patients were being discharged without clear guidance on infection control. she is relieved by today's ruling. i control. she is relieved by today's rulina. ., , control. she is relieved by today's rulina. .,, ., ~ ., ruling. i hope will make a difference _ ruling. i hope will make a difference by _ ruling. i hope will make a difference by ensuring - ruling. i hope will make a | difference by ensuring the ruling. i hope will make a - difference by ensuring the can ruling. i hope will make a _ difference by ensuring the can never happen again. also that the people responsible really understand that they are being held to account, the decisions they made were wrong. but they not only put peoples lives at risk they most certainly actually cause lies. risk they most certainly actually cause lies-_ risk they most certainly actually cause lies-— risk they most certainly actually cause lies. ., , ., cause lies. faye harris whose father also died with _ cause lies. faye harris whose father also died with covid _ cause lies. faye harris whose father also died with covid soon _ cause lies. faye harris whose father also died with covid soon after- also died with covid soon after hospital patients were moved into his karam sees this case is the last things she was able to do for him. we left him there healthy, fit, happy. the last photograph i have of him in his chair smiling and he just disappeared. and no one is answerable. and someone has to answer the questions how could it be allowed to happen? this was a complicated

case, examining a number of laws and policies. but the judgment was very clear about the decision to discharge hospital patients into care homes at the start of the pandemic. it concludes, it was unlawful and irrational. the judgment says there was growing awareness that people could spread the virus without showing symptoms. it also said there was no evidence that ministers including the then health secretary matt hancock considered the risk to care homes. matt hancock's claim that the government threw a protective ring around care homes was nothing more than a despicable lie of which he ought to be ashamed. the judgment sets out what was known about the virus at the start of the pandemic as well as early discussions by government advisors in 2020 the health minister told

parliament that large numbers of people are infectious but asymptomatic and on 13th, the chief scientist said some degree of asymptomatic transmission was likely. a few days later official guidance was published to care homes. right from the start we have tried to throw a protective ring around our care homes. today matt hancock said that the now abolished public health england failed to tell him about asymptomatic transmission and the prime minister also faced questions. will the prime minister apologise to the families of the thousands and thousands of people who died in care homes in the first half of the 2020 and to care workers for the shameful comments he made in 2020 when he said too many care homes didn't follow procedures? the thing we didn't know in particular was that covid

could be transmitted asymptomatically in the way it was. that is something i wished we had known more about. the government says every death is a tragedy. it is put billions of pounds into protective care. we can speak now to nadra ahmed, executive chair of the national care association which represents care homes i like to first get your reaction to the ruling today. i i like to first get your reaction to the ruling today.— the ruling today. i think it was a surrise the ruling today. i think it was a surprise in _ the ruling today. i think it was a surprise in some _ the ruling today. i think it was a surprise in some ways - the ruling today. i think it was a surprise in some ways but - the ruling today. i think it was a surprise in some ways but it's . the ruling today. i think it was a i surprise in some ways but it's the facts that have prevail. it's good to see the two brave women who went forward to take this on behalf of their fathers have been able to bring about a result that we all

knew the facts about. i’m bring about a result that we all knew the facts about.— knew the facts about. i'm 'ust lookin: knew the facts about. i'm 'ust looking through i knew the facts about. i'm 'ust looking through some i knew the facts about. i'm 'ust looking through some ofh knew the facts about. i'm just looking through some of your| looking through some of your recordings of things that you've been saying since 2020. it seems to me that you were warning time and time again, for example in april 2020 was saying that the symptoms are covid symptoms, people should be recovering, there is something wrong here. november2020, we recovering, there is something wrong here. november 2020, we need more testing, may 2021, there was a protective shield, 0ctober testing, may 2021, there was a protective shield, october 2021, upset at workers, care workers being told to get anotherjob. how do you think this is all been handled? it’s think this is all been handled? it�*s appalling. from the outset, there was no thought about social care. the protective ring was around the nhs. and i suspect that was by design. there was everything being done to protect the nhs, we totally understand that. but the expectation

was that social care would be the natural place for people to be supported and looked after. but in order to do that, we didn't have the equipment, ppe was being diverged straight to the nhs, we were fighting for ppe at the outset. people were not listening to us. i think when people say that they didn't know what was happening, if they spoke to or listen to those of us who were making the case every day for providers, they would've known something was wrong. i think it's disingenuous to comment that they didn't know what was going on or they weren't being advised properly. they were in a position of power to listen to advisers and make up power to listen to advisers and make up your mind haven't taken all the evidence, we never met with matt hancock wants. well, i've never met with matt hancock once despite all the calls that we weren't making. we

met with officials but never with matt hancock. so it feels really strange that you can get away with saying, we didn't know when you are seeing what's happening post discharge, when you're seeing what's happening in the care homes and there are above average dates occurring for that we got no gp supporting us because that pride get care service was shutting down —— primary care. very few gps were coming out, we didn't have ventilators in our service, we are not trained to do all of that. and yet they thought it was ok to let our struggle on. you yet they thought it was ok to let our struggle on.— yet they thought it was ok to let our struggle on. you said by design, very powerful— our struggle on. you said by design, very powerful words. _ our struggle on. you said by design, very powerful words. moving - our struggle on. you said by design, i very powerful words. moving forward, we heard the report that this is just the beginning of the discretization. there is likely to be a public inquiry. is there any

precedents of guidance that care homes have received or would expect to receive from the government in terms of handling a medical emergency or is that something that should be looked at very seriously moving forward comments should this be the legacy of the pandemic? weill. be the legacy of the pandemic? well, absolutel . be the legacy of the pandemic? well, absolutely- i— be the legacy of the pandemic? well, absolutely. i believe _ be the legacy of the pandemic? well, absolutely. i believe that _ be the legacy of the pandemic? -ii absolutely. i believe that there were some early discussions around that but then social care was dropped from any early discussions because there was a view that this was not impacting the social care sector. we were consistently reassured that actually, this would not affect us and yet there was the contrary evidence saying that vulnerable people were the most at risk. it was a very chaotic picture of what was and was not right. absolutely, it should be a legacy. if you want social care to support the nhs, to deliver what they need

to deliver that you've got to support social care.- to deliver that you've got to su ort social care. a, . support social care. okay. executive kate signature _ support social care. okay. executive kate signature of— support social care. okay. executive kate signature of the _ support social care. okay. executive kate signature of the national- support social care. okay. executive kate signature of the national care | kate signature of the national care association. thank you. i'm joined now byjean adamson. her father aldrick adamson died from covid in a care home early in the pandemic. she's also a spokesperson forthe campaign group covid—i9 bereaved families forjustice. thank you forjoining us give us this evening. briefly tell us the story of your father. he was not one of those discharge patients, was he? no, he wasn't. my father was admitted into a care home 18 months before the pandemic came about. he was admitted they are having had a stroke. he died, he contracted covid in the care home and died two days later in hospital. at that time

there were... we were in lock down and we weren't able to visit him and we weren't able to see him in his dying days. we were fortunate enough to be able to speak to him through the window but it was a far cry from being able to offer him any comfort, just to hold his hand and offer him some support at that time. it’s some support at that time. it's really heartbreaking. your father was a wind rush pioneer. he really heartbreaking. your father was a wind rush pioneer. in was a wind rush pioneer. he was. in the time that _ was a wind rush pioneer. he was. in the time that you _ was a wind rush pioneer. he was. in the time that you are _ was a wind rush pioneer. he was. in the time that you are able _ was a wind rush pioneer. he was. in the time that you are able to - the time that you are able to speak to him, what did he say, was he aware of what was going on? he wasn't, aware of what was going on? he wasn't. he _ aware of what was going on? he: wasn't, he wasn't aware of what was going on. i would speak to him and he would stop but he would listen to me and he would respond in a way that he could. i really don't think

he had an awareness of what was actually going on at the time which is probablyjust as well. you actually going on at the time which is probablyjust as well.— actually going on at the time which is probablyjust as well. is probably 'ust as well. you i know wrote a is probablyjust as well. you i know wrote a letter— is probablyjust as well. you i know wrote a letter of _ is probablyjust as well. you i know wrote a letter of complaint - is probablyjust as well. you i know wrote a letter of complaint asking i wrote a letter of complaint asking questions about how your father contracted the virus in a place where he should have been safe and protected. did you receive answers and what are your thoughts on matt hancock? ~ . ,., hancock? well, i did receive some answers. hancock? well, i did receive some answers 50 _ hancock? well, i did receive some answers. so some _ hancock? well, i did receive some answers. so some of— hancock? well, i did receive some answers. so some of my _ hancock? well, i did receive some| answers. so some of my questions were answered. i'm firmly of the opinion that the care homes were actually operating in very, very difficult circumstances that i actually feel that they did the best that they could given the environment that they were working in. there wasn't any testing at that time in care homes. all the resources in terms of testing, ppe

were being diverted to the nhs. the care homes were really left to struggle, to manage the effects of the pandemic. so it was a case of having to make do at the time. as for matt hancock, i lay the blame firmly at his door and that of 10 downing street. because there was a growing awareness at the time of asymptomatic transmission of the virus yet still, this policy was pushed out there, which ultimately had the effect of ceding the virus into care homes. it was a disastrous

policy and we feel, and i speak for myself and the campaign group, we feel vindicated that the truth has come out. the high court ruling has actually reinforced forest and confirmed what we already knew to be the case. that this policy decision was... it was erroneous. it was disastrous because tens of thousands of people died for that i believe the figures are closer to 40,000 people that died in care homes. throughout the pandemic. it had a disastrous effect. and it's pure negligence, i would say on the half of the government and they need to

be held accountable for this. and we hope that now the inquiry coming along, we are starting the process is now of leading to the inquiry that this will be a significant part of the inquiry, this finding today. it is helpful, it's kind of renewed hope, actually that we can, that we will eventually get justice for hope, actually that we can, that we will eventually getjustice for our loved ones. will eventually get 'ustice for our loved o_ will eventually get 'ustice for our loved _ will eventually get 'ustice for our loved ones. ., ., ,, , ., , . loved ones. jean thank you very much for our loved ones. jean thank you very much for your time — loved ones. jean thank you very much for your time this _ loved ones. jean thank you very much for your time this evening. _ the conservative party is investigating reports that a tory mp watched porn on his mobile phone while sitting next to a female minister in the commons chamber.

the bbc understands that the female minister made the complaint at a regular meeting with female mps and the chief whip last night. here are the thoughts mps from across the house. if they are guilty are genuinely looking at pawn on the front bench when they're supposed be working they need sacking. —— porn. i don't have any qualms about that because they are professionals, we are supposed to set an example in this place and that's absolutely appalling and i am totally shocked by what's happened and ijust want... if it's true, gone. by what's happened and i 'ust want... if it's true, gone. urgently i want... if it's true, gone. urgently i understand _ want... if it's true, gone. urgently i understand the _ want... if it's true, gone. urgently i understand the government - want... if it's true, gone. urgentlyj i understand the government chief whip is _ i understand the government chief whip is doing that and that's the right— whip is doing that and that's the right thing to do. but obviously there _ right thing to do. but obviously there are — right thing to do. but obviously there are people who know who this person— there are people who know who this person is— there are people who know who this person is and i hope that he is able to find _ person is and i hope that he is able to find out— person is and i hope that he is able to find out swiftly and take very swift _ to find out swiftly and take very swift action i have to say, it's a stain on parliament, it's a stain on democracy, — stain on parliament, it's a stain on democracy, somebody thinks it's really— democracy, somebody thinks it's really acceptable and it definitely isn't to _ really acceptable and it definitely isn't to come into a place of work, come into— isn't to come into a place of work, come into a —

isn't to come into a place of work, come into a place of debate where we make _ come into a place of debate where we make laws _ come into a place of debate where we make laws and watch pornography on the mobile _ make laws and watch pornography on the mobile phone, that's disrespectful to their constituents. it's disrespectful to their constituents. it's clear_ disrespectful to their constituents. it's clear they need to be more training — it's clear they need to be more training for— it's clear they need to be more training for mps_ it's clear they need to be more training for mps that _ it's clear they need to be more training for mps that i - it's clear they need to be more training for mps that i want - it's clear they need to be morel training for mps that i want that training — training for mps that i want that training to he _ training for mps that i want that training to be mandatory. - training for mps that i want that training to be mandatory. but. training for mps that i want that. training to be mandatory. but mps need _ training to be mandatory. but mps need to— training to be mandatory. but mps need to know _ training to be mandatory. but mps need to know how— training to be mandatory. but mps need to know how to _ training to be mandatory. but mps need to know how to act _ training to be mandatory. but mps need to know how to act in - training to be mandatory. but mps need to know how to act in a - need to know how to act in a workplace, it— need to know how to act in a workplace, it shouldn't - need to know how to act in a workplace, it shouldn't needj need to know how to act in a - workplace, it shouldn't need saying but he _ workplace, it shouldn't need saying but he clearly — workplace, it shouldn't need saying but he clearly does _ workplace, it shouldn't need saying but he clearly does if— workplace, it shouldn't need saying but he clearly does if it _ workplace, it shouldn't need saying but he clearly does if it is— but he clearly does if it is the case — but he clearly does if it is the case that a _ but he clearly does if it is the case that a very _ but he clearly does if it is the case that a very senior- but he clearly does if it is the case that a very senior tory. but he clearly does if it is the . case that a very senior tory mp but he clearly does if it is the - case that a very senior tory mp has been _ case that a very senior tory mp has been watching _ case that a very senior tory mp has been watching pornography- case that a very senior tory mp has been watching pornography in - case that a very senior tory mp has been watching pornography in the i been watching pornography in the house _ been watching pornography in the house of— been watching pornography in the house of commons. _ been watching pornography in the house of commons. we - been watching pornography in the house of commons. we need - been watching pornography in the - house of commons. we need mandatory training, _ house of commons. we need mandatory training, a _ house of commons. we need mandatory training, a different _ house of commons. we need mandatory training, a different set _ house of commons. we need mandatory training, a different set of— house of commons. we need mandatory training, a different set of culture - training, a different set of culture and we _ training, a different set of culture and we need _ training, a different set of culture and we need to have _ training, a different set of culture and we need to have an— training, a different set of culture and we need to have an example | training, a different set of culture i and we need to have an example set from the _ and we need to have an example set from the top — and we need to have an example set from the top by— and we need to have an example set from the top by a _ and we need to have an example set from the top by a change _ and we need to have an example set from the top by a change in - and we need to have an example set from the top by a change in the - and we need to have an example set from the top by a change in the wayl from the top by a change in the way that the ministerial— from the top by a change in the way that the ministerial code _ from the top by a change in the way that the ministerial code is - that the ministerial code is policed _ let's speak to our political correspondent, ione wells. all this comes at a tough time for cash _ all this comes at a tough time for cash. , , . ., , all this comes at a tough time for cash. ,, all this comes at a tough time for cash. , all this comes at a tough time for cash. especially after 'ust on sunda , cash. especially after 'ust on sunday. the h cash. especially after 'ust on sunday, the valence _ cash. especially afterjust on sunday, the valence on - cash. especially afterjust on i sunday, the valence on sunday publish an article care and claims

by one conservative mp that the deputy labour leader angela rayner had tried to distract the prime minister by crossing and uncrossing her legs, comets widely condemned across the political spectrum as being misogynistic. since then many female mps up and speaking out about sexism, harassment, they claim they have experience across west minister during the dayjob. these allegations just part of the latest revelations to come out of this conversation in the last week. also notable as well, something raised by green mp in the house of commons todayit green mp in the house of commons today it was, she was saying thousands of mps also currently under investigation for bullying and harassment by parliaments independent complaint system including three cabinet ministers being investigated for sexual misconduct. in terms of this allegation about a particular tory and p watching pornography in the house of commons, the conservative chief whip who's in charge of disciplines that they are going to

look into this and all parties seem to have suggested that this would be a stackable offence with labour, lib dems, smp all saying it would be a stackable offense. certainly the jury stackable offense. certainly the jury same action would be taken of the who the culprit is as well. we are also hearing that the chancellor rishi sunak has been speaking. tell us more about this. the chancellor today was speaking to the online form answering questions by some of the users about the cost of living. 0ne the users about the cost of living. one particular, that is made headlines this evening is saying it would be silly to announce more energy bills now for the justification for saying that is that it would be better to wait until autumn to see what energy prices were like them. when the igg prices were like them. when the igg price is set to go up again however, these comments have been met with a bit of backlash from opposition parties with labour, smp and lib dems are calling for an emergency budget to try and essentially do more to help people with the rising cost of living, rising energy bills

rising inflation as well for the particularly these comments drawn criticism for opposition, calling the jets are criticism for opposition, calling thejets are out of touch at a time when many people are struggling to pay the bills. brute when many people are struggling to pay the bills-— pay the bills. we will leave it there for _ pay the bills. we will leave it there for now. _ sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's tulssen. good evening to everyone. liverpool are up against villarreal in the opening leg of their champions league semi—final at anfield. the reds are still in with a chance of winning four competitions this season having already claimed the league cup while they're in to the fa cup final and sit second in the premier leagiue. currently goal is. 0ne game in the championship, middlesbrough hosting cardiff city knowing victory would taken them to within two points of the play off places as the season nears its conclusion. 0ne millupjust 0ne mill up just before they half hour mark.

the quarter—finals continue at the world snooker championship in sheffield this afternoon. it's been a close match so far but mark williams of wales has just taken the lead against china's yan bingtao — came from behind to reach the final after 813 211win. ronnie 0'sullivan was the first to book his place in the semi—finals. he made it look easy in the end as he finshed with a 126 break to beat scotland's stephen maguire13—5. if 0'sullivan wins the title it'll be his seventh, which will take him level with stephen hendry as the most successful player in the tournament's history. so we know 0'sullivan and williams are through to the semi—finals. there are two more places to be decided withjudd trump up against stuart bingham and john higgins taking on jack lisowski. trailing by ten — eight. this is live on bbc four and you'll

find live coverage of both tables on the bbc sport website and iplayer. former england hooker tom youngs has retired from professional rugby union with immediate effect at the age of 35. the leicester tigers veteran has been on leave since october to care of his sick wife — tiffany. he played 215 times for leicester, won 28 england caps and featured for the british and irish lions. youngs said he always planned on this season being his last and that he had no regrets. tigers fans will get to say goodbye on saturday — he'll lead the team out ahead of their premiership game with bristol. we are nowjust days away from a real moment of history. on saturday night, the world famous madison square garden in new york will be headlined by female fighters for the very first time. ireland's katie taylor will go toe to toe with the puerto rican amanda serrano — in a bout billed as the biggest fight in women's boxing history. i think this is probably the biggest fight in boxing right now. it's

obviously a history making moment as well. the first time a female fighter has headlined madison square garden and its history. this is a moment of history on saturday night, the biggest fight of female boxing in history. it's a privilege to be part of it. i'm so excited,, ijust can't wait for it. there is a big appetite for female fighters out there. it shows that the sport is grown so much over the last few years was up it is for fort familiar to people, never seen seem doing enact female size, never seen card as well. seem doing enact female size, never seen card as well-— seen card as well. pulled out of the madrid open _ seen card as well. pulled out of the madrid open with _ seen card as well. pulled out of the madrid open with a _ seen card as well. pulled out of the madrid open with a shoulder- seen card as well. pulled out of the madrid open with a shoulder injury. j madrid open with a shoulder injury. she's been a fine form and won her fourth consecutive title she's 123 fourth consecutive title she's123 games for the 20—year—old from poland said her body needs a rest. fast bowler anya shrubsole has signed for southern vipers as a player—coach. it comes just weeks after she announced her

international retirement. the 2017 world cup winner willjoin up with charlotte edwards — and said she's incredibly grateful to be given the responsibility to work with some young and exciting bowlers. still no — note between deiola and rialto. more on the bbc sport website but that is all your support for an hour. doesn't thank you very much for that. were going to bring to not bring you breaking news that's coming to us from the lancashire police service. this is concerning the disappearance of katie can you cover the 33—year—old mum of two who went missing on friday morning at half past 9, april 22. lancashire police have confirmed that a man has been charged with murder, her murder. this is katie kenyon, 30 three—year—old, a little bit of the statement here. following consultation with the detectives from like shares majorforce, major

investigation team, they had this evening charged a man with the murder of the missing mum katie kenyon. the man is been named as andrew barfield, 50 years old he is due to appear at blackburn magistrate court at 10am tomorrow, thursday april the 28th. her family have been made aware of this latest development. a man has been charged with the murder of katie kenyon, the 33—year—old mother of two who disappeared on friday. and to note that she had been found dead. let's turn to the latest on the conflict in the ukraine. president putin has warned that russia will respond immediately to any country attempting to interfere in the war. speaking to parliamentarians in st. petersburg. mr putin said he had all the tools to respond and he had already chosen his likely approach. during the day

the european union accused bosco of economic blackmail and of escalating the war by cutting off russian gas supplies to poland and bulgaria. 0ur russia editor steve rosenberg reports from st. petersburg. the venice of the north, they call it. it was peter the great who built st petersburg, to make russia look and feel european. today, though, the gulf between russia and europe is growing ever wider. in the st petersburg palace, the president... vladimir vladimirovich putin. ..vladimir putin was addressing lawmakers. from them, a sign of loyalty, the z, symbol of russia's offensive in ukraine. from him, a warning to ukraine's western allies. translation: if anyone from the outside intends

to interfere in what is happening, then they should know this — if they create threats for us, threats of a strategic nature, our retaliation, counter strike, will be instantaneous. we have all the necessary instruments, ones that no one else can boast of. all the decisions on this have already been taken. across town, another decision announced. state energy giant gazprom had shut off gas supplies to poland and bulgaria, an escalation condemned across europe. the european union has accused russia of using gas as an instrument of blackmail. it said that was unjustified and unacceptable. but russia is unrepentant. in fact, the speaker of parliament here said, "good, let's cut off the gas now to all countries who are hostile to russia." talking of hostile...

..russia continued to attack ukraine. here, with cruise missiles. there are russians who oppose this operation, but public protest is dangerous. sasha knows that. she has been charged with spreading fake news about the russian army. she is accused of replacing supermarket price tags with anti—war messages. for that, she faces up to ten years in prison. sonia, her partner, believes it is a case that says so much about russia. translation: what this tells us is that freedom of speech - in our country is being stamped out, political repression has got worse, and that people who are against the war are being persecuted and put in prison. what those in power here demand is unflinching support for the offensive in ukraine, and for russia's

confrontation with the west. steve rosenberg, bbc news, st petersburg. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello. a lot more fine weather to come for the uk in the next few days, but the days will look very different depending on where you are because not all areas will see the sunshine. some will be stuck with some quite persistent cloud, particularly down the eastern side of the uk as we're going to tend to keep pulling from quite a thick bank a cloud sitting out in the north sea and dragging that cloud westwards on the breeze. the cloud sitting to the east overnight, though, does mean the temperatures should stay above freezing, whereas central and western parts of the uk look ripe for a frost first thing thursday. maybe rural lows —2, —3. sunshine to get the day under way in the west, but the cloud does come across by the time we get into the afternoon. cloud bubbling up across northern ireland and scotland could produce the odd light shower. the temperatures down the north sea coast, 10—11 degrees. further west, and we're

looking at highs of 15—16. does look like we will see some rain, though, for northern ireland and scotland on saturday, and potentially some showers further south for england and wales on sunday. but looking fine at the moment for bank holiday monday. the way the government discharged patients from hospital to care homes at the start of the pandemic is ruled unlawful matt hancock's claim that there was a protective ring around care homes and the first wave of pandemics was nothing more than a despicable lie. an investigation is under way into claims a conservative mp watched pornography on his mobile phone in the house of commons a man is charged with the murder of missing mother katie kenyon who went missing in burnley last friday the eu warns countries not to give

in to russia's demands to pay for its energy in roubles — after moscow cut gas supplies to poland and bulgaria the dj tim westwood has stepped down from presenting his capital xtra radio show, 'untilfurther notice', following claims of sexual misconduct. the former radio1 dj, who's 64, has strenuously denied allegations of predatory sexual behaviour and touching, allegations made by seven women. 0ur entertainment correspondent lizo mzimba told us what capital xtra have said. following the claims that have recently come to light, tim westwood has stepped down from his show until further notice. this follows the allegations made in a bbc guardian

investigation that had seven different women accusing westwood of predatory sexual behaviour and touching and abusing his position in the music industry to exploit them. we have to say, of course the spokesperson for mr westwood said that he is a highly respected, highly successful dj and that he strenuously denies an entirety, the series of allegations made against him. and it's also been him stepping down from his extra evening show and across the country, birmingham and dj across the country, birmingham and dj sets that he was due to play in the near future in dj sets that he was due to play in the nearfuture in the bbc director general of ten david describes the allegations as being appalling and he said he had seen no evidence of complaints made to the bbc because, of course, during the period of some these complaints was when he was working at the bbc where he was a

big name on bbc radio1 working at the bbc where he was a big name on bbc radio 1 and radio1 extra for almost 20 years and ten dv also up you would for anyone to come forward if they had any things they wish to say about tim westwood and his time at bbc but we do know that he denies all allegations made against him. the foreign secretary, liz truss, will call on the west to double down on its support for ukraine. in a speech in london she is expected to say that the government in kyiv should be given western heavy weapons like tanks and aircraft because —— in her words —— we will neverfeel safe again if vladimir putin succeeds. liz truss will be speaking at mansion house in london later. let's get some analysis on it's implicatons and talk to sean corbett— a former professional intelligence officerfor the royal air force — and ceo of intelligence consultancy company intsight global.

thank you forjoining us on bbc news. first off, what do you make of what she is saying, how do you read that? as it as simple as providing aircraft to ukraine?— that? as it as simple as providing aircraft to ukraine? after take the context of the _ aircraft to ukraine? after take the context of the increased _ aircraft to ukraine? after take the context of the increased rhetoric i context of the increased rhetoric thatis context of the increased rhetoric that is going on at the moment. but still calibrated. does increasing the pressure and now, obviously, the second phase of the operation where heavy weapons like artillery and maybe air crafts come to in the moment. though always help but they may be decisive. pond moment. though always help but they may be decisive.— may be decisive. and underestimation of how far vladimir _ may be decisive. and underestimation of how far vladimir putin _ may be decisive. and underestimation of how far vladimir putin will- may be decisive. and underestimation of how far vladimir putin will go - may be decisive. and underestimation of how far vladimir putin will go or - of how far vladimir putin will go or how much resistance ukraine would put up. going back to the beginning of march. poland said they want to

offer their planes to support ukraine there was resistance from the us. i now do you think you're likely to hear these words from liz truss that we do need to offer more help? truss that we do need to offer more hel- ? ., , truss that we do need to offer more hel. ? ., , ., truss that we do need to offer more help? that is what she is alluding to may be- _ help? that is what she is alluding to may be- the — help? that is what she is alluding to may be. the only _ help? that is what she is alluding to may be. the only real- help? that is what she is alluding to may be. the only real option i help? that is what she is alluding j to may be. the only real option is for countries that have the same types of aircraft that they already operate, specifically 20 nines because he had to train on the aircraft and be familiar with it and there is no prospect of the uk giving aircraft to them because they just would not be able to operate them or be able to service them or prepare them. so we're looking at of the same. and there's been numerous spare parts of those types of air crafts that are in ukraine and the scene of the last couple weeks that they're more ukrainian aircraft and there were two weeks ago and that's quite remarkable of the of the operation. but that in itself, it is

significant, but it is not overwhelming. we are going into the second phase here and it's going to be a war of attrition. before, you are looking at operations in urban areas where things like tanks, artillery even. crete but not so great at targeting. but the dawn —— donbas. and there's more artillery and grounds and aircraft that are probably more reason why the aircraft discussion is come on. what we are far better off giving is the artillery that we have been talking about, long—range artillery, and systems that are really going there. —— anti—aircraft systems.

they are not ruling out training ukrainian pilots are britishjets they are not ruling out training ukrainian pilots are british jets to go behind them. providing support. but president putin said earlier today, he said he would respond to any countries immediately that interfered and also spoke of hostility coming towards russia and also what it takes to provoke president putin and how it is we can react. what is hostility and what is the redline? is react. what is hostility and what is the redline?— the redline? is a lot of analysts lookinl the redline? is a lot of analysts looking at _ the redline? is a lot of analysts looking at it — the redline? is a lot of analysts looking at it right _ the redline? is a lot of analysts looking at it right now. - the redline? is a lot of analysts looking at it right now. they i the redline? is a lot of analysts| looking at it right now. they did use the rich strategic and so, for me, what would actually threaten his power base and you'd be looking at, i think in terms of redlines, but we couldn't see is western equipment being operated by western people will make a decisive impact on having to say withdrawal from

ukraine and equally, and he attacks on russian soil by western forces or nato forces. there are indications of prince ukrainians would try to sabotage events over the border but certainly not nato._ certainly not nato. within the raf, and also intelligence, _ certainly not nato. within the raf, and also intelligence, at _ certainly not nato. within the raf, and also intelligence, at the - and also intelligence, at the beginning of this conflict, the us very keen to share their intelligence and told us about what they were learning and the implications of that. is there still a huge role to play in terms of intelligence in defeating russia? yes, and there's two levels of that, the highly classified granularity intelligence that i do not know but i would imagine is being shared with ukrainian so they can understand where the enemy is and what the intent is. and quite a new phenomenon where this intelligence being used and declassified use the

—— within the campaign. the thing is, we would not put out misinformation and so, what we would say is, the truth, the ground truth is being used for this is obviously putin in particular willjust lie through his teeth. just putin in particular will 'ust lie through his teeth. just looking background. — through his teeth. just looking background, and _ through his teeth. just looking background, and her- through his teeth. just looking background, and her long - through his teeth. just looking i background, and her long career, through his teeth. just looking - background, and her long career, did you ever conceive that you would see a situation like this taking place and with that knowledge, what is your assessment of the risk levels of where this is going was yellow i'm older than i looked, so ijoined when the war was still up for subs only by a couple of years but we were very well rehearsed in terms of the defence doctrines and deterrence

doctrines that are now coming back into the vernacular. to doctrines that are now coming back into the vernacular.— into the vernacular. to answer your luestion, into the vernacular. to answer your question. if— into the vernacular. to answer your question. if i _ into the vernacular. to answer your question, if i thought _ into the vernacular. to answer your question, if i thought i _ into the vernacular. to answer your question, if i thought i would - into the vernacular. to answer your question, if i thought i would be i question, if i thought i would be looking at the same scenario now, i probably would've laughed to be honest. but it is serious but i think it is also calibrated and at the end of the day, there are rational actors out here and with the west now going a little bit more canny about what it is saying rather than trying redlines and being slightly vague which of the different deterrence. it has to be credible enough to keep the opposition guessing. i credible enough to keep the opposition guessing.- credible enough to keep the opposition guessing. i will pick up on that in a _ opposition guessing. i will pick up on that in a moment. _ opposition guessing. i will pick up on that in a moment. but - opposition guessing. i will pick up i on that in a moment. but president zelensky, when he first started talking, his virtual comments, he did mention about the implications that all of the societal and global security and the model was inadequate. i'm expecting to hear

something about this from liz truss earlier but not only are they excepting that but going back to strategy, can there be any advantage if dominance of the skies is not achieved? because we are talking about that aviation and military support. the russian air force, a lot of question marks in terms of their performance, but air domination, air superiority, their performance, but air domination, airsuperiority, how domination, air superiority, how important domination, airsuperiority, how important is this? for domination, air superiority, how important is this?— domination, air superiority, how important is this? for this stage, it's absolutely _ important is this? for this stage, it's absolutely critical _ important is this? for this stage, it's absolutely critical in - important is this? for this stage, it's absolutely critical in the - it's absolutely critical in the russian air force hasn't not performed very well at all. but they're calibrating into use and it's one of which we have not seen so far. the strategic deliberate targeting of what we call deep space and some logistics, fuel supplies, railway station sticking out. that is basically targeting this and the more we can do to stop them,, attacking the logistics, the better.

0n the ground attack, they have some tactical abilities and it is vital that we stop is operating in behalf to use strategic defence systems and they have asked for and are being provided as well. the russians do not get control of the skies, which they have not done yet. a new service has been in wales, which allows pharmacists to prescribe some medications as a way of trying to relieve the pressure on gps. patients suffering from some acute illnesses, such as respiratory infections or gout, can bypass the doctor's surgery and go straight to community pharmacies. scotland is aiming to deliver a similar service but by contrast, england is yet to adopt this approach. our health editor, hugh pym reports from newport.

can you just open your mouth, jack, and i'll have a look at your tonsils. jack has tonsillitis. he is being examined byjonathan. but this isn't a gp surgery, it's a pharmacy in newport. jonathan is trained to prescribe medication as well as being a pharmacist. take one or two, up to four times a day. the has given painkillers to jack, which means there is no need to go to a gp. i think it's brilliant, i think it will help a lot of people because gps are quite hard to get into at the moment so probably will relieve a bit of the pressure off them. i spent years referring people to the gp for conditions that i knew i could treat myself and now i'm in the position i can do that. patients have much better access to care and the added benefit is you know you are freeing up gp appointments for more complicated patients. local gp practices are reaping the benefits. have you referred any patients to the pharmacy today? - this surgery refers around 25 minor

ailment patients each week to the pharmacist. that is 100 gp appointments saved each month and more time for doctors to visit seriously ill patients in their homes. we are finding that demand is outweighing capacity and so anything that relieves some of the pressure on general practice is very welcome. at times, some medicines are in short supply. right now there are stock problems with hormone replacement therapy — hrt — which can lead to distressing delays for women needing repeat prescriptions. when you think about, for example, the shortages and the hrt issues that we are currently facing, having a pharmacist prescriber, being able to prescribe alternative medicines without the patient having to wait to see the gp, is a great thing for the patient. health professionals in local communities agree this is an important move towards improved services but it will take time and the bigger picture at right now is that there are significant stresses across ambulance services, hospitals and the wider nhs,

here in wales and across the uk. it's bad everywhere, really. the wards are full. that means there is pressure on the a&es, which means that people cannot even get into a treatment room, they are often being treated on trolleys, and the ambulance people are looking after acutely ill patients in car parks. the welsh government says staff sickness in the nhs has added to the pressures. unlocking the potential of highly skilled health staff is important, but only part of the solution. hugh pym, bbc news, newport. the chancellor rishi sunak has been cleared by the prime minister's indepedent ethics adviser of breaching the ministerial code in relation to his family's financial interests. the chancellor referred himself to the watchdog, after facing questions about his wife's tax status and some of her shareholdings, as well mr sunak�*s previous possession of a us green card which grants rights to permanent

residency in the us. the headlines on bbc news. the way the government discharged patients from hospital to care homes at the start of the pandemic is ruled unlawful a man is charged with the murder of missing mother katie kenyon who went missing in burnley last friday an investigation is under way into claims a conservative mp watched pornography on his mobile phone in the house of commons five metropolitan police officers will face disciplinary charges in a gross misconduct hearing over the stop and search of the team gb sprinter bianca williams — and her partner — in london two years ago. it follows an investigation by the police watchdog, the independent office of police conduct. 0ur correspondent adina campbell is following the case.

well, we now know the five officers involved are an acting police sergeant and four police constables. they're all facing gross misconduct proceedings after bianca williams and her partner ricardo dos santos were stopped injuly 2020. now, the iopc, that's the police watchdog the independent 0ffice of police conduct, they have been looking at a number of allegations which include whether reasonable force was used against the couple and if the couple were treated differently, less favourably, because of their race. the couple were stopped in north—west london onjuly the 4th in 2020. at the time of the search, their three—month—old baby son was in the back of the car. they were separated from him while in handcuffs. footage of that search was widely shared on social media. it was shared by their coach, linford christie, who of course is a former 100—metre olympic champion. the couple believe that they were racially profiled and say that they were targeted

because they're black and also because of the type of car they were driving at the time, which was a mercedes. the couple have welcomed today's decision and say the couple have welcomed today's decision and say that they hope this will lead to the met being more open, more honest and more reflective about cultural racism. the london mayor, sadiq khan, has also welcomed today's decision, and he says he hopes there's no further delay with these proceedings. if these allegations are proven, the officers could be sacked. the hearings are expected to take place by the end of this year. the passport office says the delays are because of a large backlog after brexit and covid. the prime minister is warning the service could be privatised if things do not improve. the shadow home secretary raised the issue of passport delays with an urgent question in the house of commons this afternoon

my constituents fear their honeymoon may now be wrecked because their passports haven't arrived, even though they applied in plenty of time. we've had cases of people cancelling jobs, parents trying to get holiday for a sick child, waiting since january, huge, long delays by the passport office and by the contractor, tnt. the message today on the one—week fast—track service says, "system busy, please try again later", and the online premium service has no appointments anywhere in the country. so, people can't get urgent travel such as to go to funerals or to urgent events. so, the minister has said more passports are being processed and that is clearly welcome, but it is clearly not enough. this increase in demand this year was totally predictable. the home office was asked in 2020 and 2021 what it was doing to plan, but people are already losing holidays, trips to see loved ones and thousands of pounds that they have spent in good faith.

because of the lack of planning at the passport 0ffice and at the home office, which is in danger of becoming a stay—at—home office instead for people this summer. the home office minister, kevin foster, says the government is taking action to improve theissues as of the 1st of april, there are over 4000 staff in passport production roles. and as i say, we're in the process of recruiting another 700. i'd also again make the point that 90% of applications were completed within six weeks, and the service standard is ten weeks. my advice to anyone who is looking to go on holiday this summer is exactly what i said the other day, which is to get your application in now. so, we are making a range of efforts — staff are working weekends, on incentivised overtime, and certainly we are confident that we will not need to change the ten—week target. but, as i've made the point, this is a record level of demand and a record output.

far in excess of what we have seen before. and for those who have compelling and compassionate reasons to travel, such as funerals or family ill—health, we will expedite their applications. the duke of york has been stripped of his freedom of the city. councillors voted for the decision after he paid an undisclosed sum to settle a sexual assault case in the united states. some of them have called on the prince to relinquish his duke of york title. andrew was given the freedom as a wedding present from york in 1987 and he is the first person ever to have it removed. a bill that recognises british sign language as a legal language in england, scotland and wales is a step closer to becoming law. this afternoon it passed its final reading in the house of lords. having now cleared its final round of parliamentary scrutiny it is due to go for royal assent.

the reality tv star and former glamour model — katie price — has appeared before magistrates in crawley charged with breaching a restraining order. the 43—year—old is accused of breaching a restraining order against ex—husband kieran hayler�*s fiancee, michelle penticost, in january. ms price, from west sussex, pleaded not guilty and requested a crown court trial. the eurovision song contest will soon be upon us — and this year it takes place in italy. it's been 13 years since the uk finished in the top 10 — but hoping to change that is the essex singer sam ryder. 0ur music correspondent, mark savage, went to meet him before he heads to turin. the uk's recent track record at the eurovision song contest has been pretty miserable. the united kingdom, zero points. in 2019 and 2021, we took last place, but that looks set to change this year.

sam ryder�*s song space man is currently one of the favourites to win with bookmakers. # i'm in space, man...# for people who don't know the sam ryder story, tell us about... ..tell us about growing up. i grew up in a house of music, not that my parents were musicians, but theyjust loved music. so, it's records playing constantly. earth, wind and fire, beautiful south, queen. and, like, even now, they listen to the same records, like, full blast. i mean, full blast, when they're like cleaning the house or mowing the lawn. my neighbours all know. the records will be playing so loud, so they can still hear it over the lawnmower. sam came to fame during lockdown, after he started posting cover versions on the video—sharing website tiktok. i'd been working in construction for years and years and then sort of started singing at weddings. it took, you know, lockdown to happen, for all the weddings and stuff to be cancelled, all of us to be stuck indoors, for me to sort of think, you know, i don't want to stop singing just because i can't sing

at people's weddings now. but how am i going to do that? and it was, i guess, kind of a digital way of me flicking through a record collection. the first video was hit me, baby, one more time by britney spears. i sang it as high as i could in my mum's kitchen. and it all started snowballing from there. # lose my mind! # so give me a sign. # hit me baby one more time...# and alicia keys, you covered one of her songs? yeah! yeah, i honestly thought that was — you know deep—fake stuff, i thought someone was messing with me. and like someone, i don't know, has figured out how to be alicia keys. # but everything means nothing...# beautiful soul, beautiful person. and they don't have to do that, you know? like, kind of encourage someone who is just an emerging artist

coming through the ranks. it changes everything for that artist. the last two times the uk has been to eurovision, we've come in last place. that either puts more pressure on you or it gives you complete freedom because you can't do any worse. oh, yeah. so, where do you fall on that scale? it's so... i think if you tell yourself you've got pressure... i mean, with my personality, i think you're starting off on the wrong third. singing and songwriting and performing, it shouldn't be about a scoreboard. # i'm up in space, man...# mark savage, bbc news. now, it's time for a look at the weather. hello. lots more dry weather to come for the uk in the days ahead. we're still talking about a deficit of rainfall across much of england and wales, up to 70% deficit across southern counties of england. here's somerset wednesday afternoon, covered in cloud, but no rain

falling and some very dry fields. scotland definitely had more sunshine through wednesday afternoon, but as you can see, looking pretty dry here as well because of this area of high pressure. it means we haven't had any significant rain recently, and we're not likely to, really, certainly through thursday and friday. where we have cloud and where we don't is the biggest question in our forecast as we look at the next couple of days. we can see on satellite imagery this bank across the north sea is fairly stubborn. we also know that around the high, it will tend to drift westwards. into the small hours of thursday, though, many central and western parts of the uk will stay under clear skies. so, a frost to start thursday, perhaps lows as low as —2 where you see the blue shading on the map. there's that cloud first thing thursday. it gradually drifts its way westwards as the hours go by. perhaps a few breaks forming further east. some cloud building across northern ireland and scotland. that could give the odd isolated shower. temperatures just 10—11 on the north sea coast. further west, in the

brightness, 15—16 degrees, a shade up on wednesday. for friday, no massive changes. we've still got high pressure. we've still got a lot of dry weather. we're still going to see that cloud drifting westwards across england and wales. i think a greater chance of seeing some showers across central scotland, though, on friday. a little bit warmer once again. temperatures just edging up to 17 degrees there for cardiff and glasgow. it's as we get to the start of the weekend, though, that things do begin to move a little. the high sinks south, and it looks like on saturday, we will see an area of low pressure bringing some rain into scotland and northern ireland. the highs can be stubborn, so we will be keeping a close eye on how this element of the forecast plays out closer to the time. however, it does look like any rain will be pretty short—lived as the low dives south and fades away through sunday. so, some scattered showers across england and wales for the second half of the weekend. then for bank holiday monday, high pressure makes it look like things will be dry once again. perhaps, though, more mobile as the week plays out. it looks we'll see some rain pulling in.

the high's never too far away, but by friday, i think we might be saying goodbye to it.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. the west turn up the heat on russia with renewed calls to send planes and heavy weapons to ukraine. today president putin warned the west to keep out of the way or suffer the consequences. tonight in london the foreign secretary liz truss will say it is time for the west and all free nations to be more assertive. an investigation is under way in the house of common over a claim that one conservative mp was watching pornography on his mobile phone while in the chamber. madeleine albright is remembered in washington. president biden led the tributes. there was no greater champion of freedom he said than america's first female secretary of state. tonight with the context, from california, nato's former

deputy secretary general rose gottemoeller and the chief