and into parties at downing street and into parties at downing street and in whitehall. it has concluded with 126 people being fine. now bbc news it is time for your questions answered. sean corbett is the founder of intsight global and a former intelligence officer. dr aglaya snetkov is the author of russia's security policy under putin. charly calonius—pasternakjoins us from helsinki, where she is a senior research fellow at the finnish institue of international affairs. and live from lviv we have our correspondentjoe inwood. and you have guests with you — young ukrainians from whom we'll hear more in the programme, welcome to the show. let's start with a question

for charly, this is from preethi, who asks... do you think russias war with ukraine, whenever that will end, will lead to a more united europe despite the tragic loss of lives? yes, i do. yes, ido. both yes, i do. both europe as an idea as well as the european union. i think it will be psychological, but also practical in terms of how we cooperate. whether it is on energy, defence, security, i think it is a great tonic also to the kind of post kabul withdraw anxiety we have had in europe and transatlantic relations with the us leadership. from a finnish perspective it is easy to see that it has improved. the uk's response is genuinely improved its image in europe, showing the uk wants to be part of europe, even if it is not part of the eu. europe, even if it is not part of the eu-— of the eu. shorn, let's bring ou in.

marie wants to know... at what point do we in the west, say "enough"? putin is destroying a country and sanctions are not stopping him. when is enough enough? there are two— when is enough enough? there are two aspects of that. the first — are two aspects of that. the first one _ are two aspects of that. the first one i— are two aspects of that. the first one i would hope would be when _ first one i would hope would be when ukraine decides it doesn't need _ when ukraine decides it doesn't need it— when ukraine decides it doesn't need it any more. we are getting _ need it any more. we are getting into different phases of the — getting into different phases of the operation and without the support of west and nato countries in terms of logistics and military capability and intelligence, ukraine would be intelligence, ukraine would be in a much _ intelligence, ukraine would be in a much worse situation than it is— in a much worse situation than it is now — in a much worse situation than it is now. from a purely practical— it is now. from a purely practical perspective if the west— practical perspective if the west said enough is enough now, ithink— west said enough is enough now, ithink ukraine west said enough is enough now, i think ukraine would be very much — i think ukraine would be very much on _ i think ukraine would be very much on the back foot. but there — much on the back foot. but there is— much on the back foot. but there is a _ much on the back foot. but there is a more strategic element to that as well and it leads— element to that as well and it leads to — element to that as well and it leads to what was said before. nato _ leads to what was said before. nato has — leads to what was said before. nato has been arguably contemplated its naval somewhat in recent — contemplated its naval somewhat in recent times and the chaotic withdrawal from afghanistan put

that in _ withdrawal from afghanistan put that in question. it has come together— that in question. it has come together in a very strong way, the coherence is absolutely there. _ the coherence is absolutely there, and if it was not to continue _ there, and if it was not to continue with this, then you would — continue with this, then you would have to ask the question what _ would have to ask the question what is — would have to ask the question what is nato for? there is very much — what is nato for? there is very much a — what is nato for? there is very much a strategic imperative and if the _ much a strategic imperative and if the worst happened and russia _ if the worst happened and russia did take over the whole country. — russia did take over the whole country, then putin is encouraged to look at his own vision — encouraged to look at his own vision of— encouraged to look at his own vision of what he sees as the new— vision of what he sees as the new soviet union and who is next? — new soviet union and who is next? so— new soviet union and who is next? so we have to remain strong _ next? so we have to remain stronu. ., , ., , ., , ., strong. lots of questions from eo - le strong. lots of questions from peeple who — strong. lots of questions from people who want _ strong. lots of questions from people who want to _ strong. lots of questions from people who want to know - strong. lots of questions from people who want to know the l people who want to know the military tactics of ukraine. lets hear from you next, because mark has written in to ask... why doesn't ukraine attack russia's mainland with missiles or drones? in short, it is. the ukrainians don't claim credit for this, they don't say, yes, it is us doing it, but we have seen a number of targets hit in

russia. there was talk on russian social media of these mystery fires, where are they coming from? i have to say ukrainians don't admit to it, clearly they are sending helicopters and drones into russian country, taking out key strategic targets, taking out things like oil depots and logistic places. it is hard to know what is exactly going on. but the reason we are seeing more of it is because of the most strategic and tactical aims of the ukrainians. whilst their territory is under direct assault, their aims have to do things to carry out things that make their fate easier, rather than things that are vindictive and an assault on russia for the sake of it. so we see them taking out targets that essentially make the war effort within ukraine's border easier by making russia's task more difficult. it is risky. to be on the offensive is much more dangerous than being on the defensive, so i think ukrainians are doing it, but they are doing it in a measured

way, in a way that makes sense, rather than whenever they have an opportunity. filtrate rather than whenever they have an opportunity-— an opportunity. we have had questions — an opportunity. we have had questions from _ an opportunity. we have had questions from all _ an opportunity. we have had questions from all over - an opportunity. we have had questions from all over the l questions from all over the world. and, joe, you have some guests with you as well who want to ask some questions. let's start with lana. lana, we will get you to ask your question, but first tell us about yourself. i your question, but first tell us about yourself.- your question, but first tell us about yourself. i am lana and a director _ us about yourself. i am lana and a director of _ us about yourself. i am lana and a director of a _ us about yourself. i am lana and a director of a municipali and a director of a municipal art centre and we had a shelter in our— art centre and we had a shelter in our centre in the first weeks _ in our centre in the first weeks of— in our centre in the first weeks of war.— in our centre in the first weeks of war. ., , weeks of war. one of the things --eole weeks of war. one of the things peeple are _ weeks of war. one of the things people are interested _ weeks of war. one of the things people are interested in - weeks of war. one of the things people are interested in is - weeks of war. one of the things people are interested in is the l people are interested in is the issue around mental health and you have been helping people who have been moved on because of the war. how have you seen this will affect people.- this will affect people. mental health? people _ this will affect people. mental health? people are _ this will affect people. mental health? people are shocked i this will affect people. mental. health? people are shocked and people — health? people are shocked and people need help and need to be listened — people need help and need to be listened to about stories about their— listened to about stories about their life. _ listened to about stories about their life, but in several months _ their life, but in several months we will see people who will become ill because of this war and — will become ill because of this war and they will have some mentat— war and they will have some mental health illness and we should — mental health illness and we should be ready for it and we should — should be ready for it and we should work with psychologist,

with art — should work with psychologist, with art therapy, and make pieces— with art therapy, and make places for art therapy and drama _ places for art therapy and drama therapy, sol places for art therapy and drama therapy, so i hope we will do — drama therapy, so i hope we wiii do it— drama therapy, so i hope we will do it in lviv in our space _ will do it in lviv in our space-— will do it in lviv in our sace. ., , ., ., will do it in lviv in our sace. ., ., space. what question would you like to ask _ space. what question would you like to ask the _ space. what question would you like to ask the panel? _ space. what question would you like to ask the panel? my - like to ask the panel? my question _ like to ask the panel? my question is _ like to ask the panel? my question is how to protect our country— question is how to protect our country from some informational bombs, — country from some informational bombs, from propaganda? because we can— bombs, from propaganda? because we can take part in work but we cannot— we can take part in work but we cannot take part in this information drama now. and how we can— information drama now. and how we can protect our people from not becoming a closed society, to help — not becoming a closed society, to help culture, but not to dose _ to help culture, but not to close it _ to help culture, but not to close it for everyone customer thank— close it for everyone customer thank you _ close it for everyone customer thank yon-— thank you. clive, perhaps you would like — thank you. clive, perhaps you would like to _ thank you. clive, perhaps you would like to answer- thank you. clive, perhaps you would like to answer that - would like to answer that question on miss information. it is important because misinformation is nothing you and we have seen it with the

russian public and it is vital to ensure that society is open and visible. finland and sweden have been trying to educate the public and educating schoolchildren to be able to be critical and aware about what they are hearing on the type of pictures they are seeing, to be aware of propaganda. in the case of ukraine they have had years of it so they are more alert and more able with things coming through from russia. it is important to ensure what type of information we are

receiving. as lana said we have to make sure that we don't close our society. a closed society is what we have in russia and that is terrible for society on the ground. we have had quite a few questions in regarding nato. one of our viewers got in touch to know how the nato integration process would work if turkey vetoes sweden and finland. charly, do you want to take this one? sure. if turkey continues to veto — sure. if turkey continues to veto finland and sweden will not he — veto finland and sweden will not be members. it is the nature _ not be members. it is the nature of— not be members. it is the nature of nato as a holy consensus organisation. this seems exceedingly unlikely, though _ seems exceedingly unlikely, though. this is not what the hell— though. this is not what the hell the _ though. this is not what the hell the turkish president wants— hell the turkish president wants to die on. but he may

extract— wants to die on. but he may extract something from someone and it— extract something from someone and it may— extract something from someone and it may not be sweden or finland _ and it may not be sweden or finland. he wants something from — finland. he wants something from the _ finland. he wants something from the united states or germany. if somehow it continues, what we see so far, ever— continues, what we see so far, ever deeper co—operation between finland and sweden, but also finland and the uk who 'ust also finland and the uk who just the _ also finland and the uk who just the other week signed another— just the other week signed another document regarding very much _ another document regarding very much closer security cooperation, and of course the us. cooperation, and of course the us but — cooperation, and of course the us but i — cooperation, and of course the us. but i think in this particular case turkey wants something from someone and as soon _ something from someone and as soon as— something from someone and as soon as that is given or something is given, finland and sweden's — something is given, finland and sweden's membership will go for it. and a follow up, charly, and this might be a pretty quick one to answer, adrian wants to know how many nato members it would take to expel turkey from the alliance? well, the nato washington treaty— well, the nato washington treaty does not have a process for this — treaty does not have a process for this. there has been some speculation that if the 29 current— speculation that if the 29 current members, not turkey,

would — current members, not turkey, would agree that turkey is in nraterial— would agree that turkey is in material breach of its obligations under the treaty, that— obligations under the treaty, that would effectively freeze out or — that would effectively freeze out or suspend turkey. this has never— out or suspend turkey. this has never been _ out or suspend turkey. this has never been formally discussed, so there — never been formally discussed, so there is— never been formally discussed, so there is no mechanism to do it and _ so there is no mechanism to do it and that _ so there is no mechanism to do it and that is why we are in the — it and that is why we are in the position where we are right now _ the position where we are right now. ~ . . the position where we are right now. ~ ., ., ., , ., now. we have had lots of questions _ now. we have had lots of questions around - now. we have had lots of questions around nato. l sean, lets bring you in here, we've got another nato related question. ellis asks, if any of the nato countries, old or new members, was attacked, then would the uk be forced into war? not necessarily war, though it is a good question. it is based around the idea of collective defence, which is what the whole founding of nato was all about. nato is based on ia articles of which the relevant one in this case is article five, which is misinterpreted at times, but it does say that if one of the nations is attached, and that means a tacked on its home territory, then the others are obliged, if

requested and if they agree, to go to its aid. nato is the tennents' organisation above or on the idea is that its power and cohesion will prevent nations from attacking other nato nations. if there was an attack and if the request did come out and article five was declared, then there is a graded scale of responses. diplomacy first, reinforcing borders, but if it really came to it and the agreement was there, yes, absolutely, the uk, and all the nations, which have to go to work with the belligerent, up until the point peace and stability was gained. let's bring injoe again who is with victoria now. victoria, introduce yourself to everyone and ask your question. my everyone and ask your question. my name is victoria and i am a creator—

my name is victoria and i am a creator in _ my name is victoria and i am a creator in those of culture in lviv — creator in those of culture in lviv my— creator in those of culture in lviv. my question is about nuclear— lviv. my question is about nuclear weapons and is it true that— nuclear weapons and is it true that ukrainian's tests mean nuclear— that ukrainian's tests mean nuclear weapons and without our specialists these weapons could stop working? is it true? yes. great — stop working? is it true? yes. great question, thank you so much for that. perhaps that is one for you, sure about ukraine and nuclear weapons.— one for you, sure about ukraine and nuclear weapons. thank you, victoria. this _ and nuclear weapons. thank you, victoria. this leads _ and nuclear weapons. thank you, victoria. this leads back - and nuclear weapons. thank you, victoria. this leads back to - victoria. this leads back to the — victoria. this leads back to the misinformation campaign. as far as _ the misinformation campaign. as far as i _ the misinformation campaign. as far as i am — the misinformation campaign. as far as i am aware there are no nuclear— far as i am aware there are no nuclear weapon capabilities in ukraine _ nuclear weapon capabilities in ukraine. they agreed to get rid of them — ukraine. they agreed to get rid of them with the declaration, i can't _ of them with the declaration, i can't remember what it was, but they— can't remember what it was, but they agreed to get rid of them. i they agreed to get rid of them. i don't — they agreed to get rid of them. i don't think there is an issue

there — i don't think there is an issue there the _ i don't think there is an issue there. the safety of nuclear power — there. the safety of nuclear power it _ there. the safety of nuclear power it might be a different issue — power it might be a different issue and we need to protect that— issue and we need to protect that at— issue and we need to protect that at all costs, which is why there — that at all costs, which is why there is— that at all costs, which is why there is a _ that at all costs, which is why there is a lot of concern when chernobyl _ there is a lot of concern when chernobyl got taken over by the russian — chernobyl got taken over by the russian forces and now again. while — russian forces and now again. while we _ russian forces and now again. while we are talking about nuclear— while we are talking about nuclear weapons, of course it is something we are worried about— is something we are worried about because russians in doctrine, how they are taught, can actually use tactical nuclear— can actually use tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefields. they have never done — battlefields. they have never done it— battlefields. they have never done it yet and it would be something of a last resort and for putin— something of a last resort and for putin it would be a sign of desperation, so we are a long way— desperation, so we are a long way from _ desperation, so we are a long way from that yet.— desperation, so we are a long way from that yet. sean, thank ou so way from that yet. sean, thank you so much- _ way from that yet. sean, thank you so much. i _ way from that yet. sean, thank you so much. i think— way from that yet. sean, thank you so much. i think it - way from that yet. sean, thank you so much. i think it was - way from that yet. sean, thank you so much. i think it was the | you so much. i think it was the budapest memorandum that dealt with nuclear weapons. let's bring into question from peter. it is an interesting one. he wants to know... he wants to know... over the last few weeks there have been several news items from varying sources that suggest putin may be seriously or terminally ill.

is there any basis in fact for these stories? rumours of putin was not health have been flying around now for a number of years and there were also the same rumours around the pandemic and the health stories search every few weeks. does he have thyroid cancer? does he have parkinson's? that has fascinated the public. we don't know. nothing has been proven. of course the kremlin does not tell us anything, so the mystery remains. in a sense what it shows is a few things about the regime and how much we know about them. one, which is how much misinformation we have, so we don't know. we are aware how much this war has been instigated and carried out by putin himself but at the same time we know little about his state of health at this stage. we don't get the sort of

information we get for example about american presidents or even the french ones. i think the other element is how focused we are on the figure of him in this entire affair. whether he is healthy, whether he is not, it really matters in a sense for the future development of the war, for any potential negotiations and what happens thereafter. now, i think in practice we are going to have to wait and see whether he is terminally ill or not. he is clearly not a young man. but i think it does point to the pivotal nature of this putin figure and how people would like to know more about what is going on inside the kremlin. joe, we'll come back to you here, because mark asks how does ukraine defend its last sea ports and protect its shipping routes? specifically odesa is the issue here _ specifically odesa is the issue here and _ specifically odesa is the issue here and the way it protects it

is by— here and the way it protects it is by having significant naval defences. its navy has been significantly, or is significantly, or is significantly outgunned, by the russians. it has got a number of ways— russians. it has got a number of ways to _ russians. it has got a number of ways to defend it. firstly it has — of ways to defend it. firstly it has harpoon anti—ship missiles _ it has harpoon anti—ship missiles and we saw them very effectively deployed in taking out the — effectively deployed in taking out the flagship of the russian fleet — out the flagship of the russian fleet. although they don't have the capacity to take on the russians in a naval battle, they— russians in a naval battle, they have the advantage of being — they have the advantage of being the defender and that is something right across this conflict _ something right across this conflict we have seen ukrainians deployed a very successful effect. they are well — successful effect. they are well fortified, they are well du- well fortified, they are well dug in— well fortified, they are well dug in and they have got their logistics — dug in and they have got their logistics right. it is not so much _ logistics right. it is not so much a _ logistics right. it is not so much a question of how do they defend — much a question of how do they defend the ports, but how costly— defend the ports, but how costly would it be for russia to attack— costly would it be for russia to attack them? everyone will have — to attack them? everyone will have seen the scenes in the d-day— have seen the scenes in the d—day landings. there are very difficult — d—day landings. there are very difficult procedures and it is very— difficult procedures and it is very costly for the attacker. i think— very costly for the attacker. i think for— very costly for the attacker. i think for the russians to attempt anything like that would _ attempt anything like that would be really costly. in

terms _ would be really costly. in terms of the shipping route they— terms of the shipping route they are _ terms of the shipping route they are blockaded at the moment so their ships can't get through. — moment so their ships can't get through, but at the same point 0desa — through, but at the same point odesa does not seem to be in any imminent risk of falling. joe is — any imminent risk of falling. joe is saying russia has more weapons than ukraine, let's bring sean back in ukraine, now, kris has asked whether russia has more firepower to draw on? it isa it is a well worded question because it is about fire power as opposed to pure numbers. you hear about _ as opposed to pure numbers. you hear about how _ as opposed to pure numbers. gm. hear about how many forces they have got left and on paper they still have a reasonable amount left. but we tend to talk about battalion tactical groups, a coherent unit that can fight on its own without other support. according to russian sources they said they deployed 168 of these to start with, which is

pretty much all they have got. we assess they are probably down to about 80 now and that is including the forces that got hit quite hard and were redeployed and had to constitute from different ones. they are pretty much in terms of the combat power on the ground, they are pretty committed now. they have not got a lot left. in terms of actual capability, missiles and that sort of stuff, a lot of talk about air strikes, but a lot of those are actually long—range ballistic missiles. they must be getting reasonably short of those. they are using some very strange weapons in very strange ways. anti—ship missiles they are using on a ground to ground role and they are starting to deploy some of their equipment used for research and development, so they are clearly struggling. it is worth saying they have got the rest of russia to look after, so they have got france in a number of different places

and they have to be defended, particularly when you have got need reinforcing its eastern flank. they are committed in places like syria. final point is when you are talking about fighting power it is notjust about trips, there is a moral component, orthe about trips, there is a moral component, or the will to fight, and we have seen many incidences of russian troops, some of them who did not know what they were doing there, many of them do not believe in what they are doing at all, whereas the ukraine forces are fighting for their very existence.— fighting for their very existence. . ~' , ., , . existence. thank you very much for that. joe let's return to you. i have a third goes, roman. mr; joe let's return to you. i have a third goes, roman. my name is roman and _ a third goes, roman. my name is roman and my — a third goes, roman. my name is roman and my question - a third goes, roman. my name is roman and my question is - a third goes, roman. my name is roman and my question is can i a third goes, roman. my name is| roman and my question is can we assume _ roman and my question is can we assume if— roman and my question is can we assume if ukraine with the help of our— assume if ukraine with the help of our western partners can liberate — of our western partners can liberate the occupied

territories, will it mean the end — territories, will it mean the end of— territories, will it mean the end of the war? we territories, will it mean the end of the war?— territories, will it mean the end of the war? we will pass that won _ end of the war? we will pass that won over _ end of the war? we will pass that won over to _ end of the war? we will pass that won over to you. - end of the war? we will pass that won over to you. in - end of the war? we will pass that won over to you. in a i end of the war? we will pass. that won over to you. in a way i wish that won over to you. in a way i wish that — that won over to you. in a way i wish that was _ that won over to you. in a way i wish that was the _ that won over to you. in a way i wish that was the case. - i wish that was the case. whatever the final agreement, whether or not it includes crimea, for example, it will need to be one that the russian leadership can accept. i think your second part of the question about the geopolitical kind of setup thereafter, that almost requires a new russian regime, a regime that recognises that it has lost. it has lost because ukrainians have fought and the west rather collectively has supported ukraine. so i think it requires the russians to understand this, political leadership, and at the same time europe has to make very clear that there is a

european perspective for ukraine, not that ukraine becomes an eu member very quickly, but that ukraine is given eu membership perspective this summer. that i think will be the key in this geopolitical game uncertainly am not alone in finland hoping that this will be the case. i have never seen this much support for almost anything in finland as i have no witness in ukraine and for ukraine to be part of europe in this geopolitical game. europe in this geopolitical came. , ., ., game. interesting to hear your ersonal game. interesting to hear your personal perspective _ game. interesting to hear your personal perspective and, - personal perspective and, roman, a great question. john says how will it be possible for us to live with, or have any relations with russia after

this? ., , ., ., this? that is an important question _ this? that is an important question and _ this? that is an important question and it _ this? that is an important question and it is - this? that is an important question and it is vital - this? that is an important question and it is vital for| this? that is an important i question and it is vital for us to ponder what that means. in practice, i think until a different regime is in power, thatis different regime is in power, that is highly unlikely. by the time being and the foreseeable future russia is frozen out. here we can look for example at iran. iran under sanctions, here we can look for example at iran. iran undersanctions, or north korea. we are basically talking about where on the spectrum is russia? how close is it to iran? it is under much better sanctions. or how much closer is it to north korea? diplomatic relations and economic relations will be very difficult whilst putin is still in power. something to remember, and this is where the example of iran helps, is just because we have no relations with russia or that russia is frozen out does not mean it disappears. in the middle east iran, despite being under

sanctions, it continued to play a major role in somewhere like syria. so we will have to still have the russian question, particularly in europe, even if diplomatic relations are not restored. russia will continue to be an important player in eurasia and it will continue to be a meddler. it will continue to threaten its neighbours even if some of them are able to join nato. just because we don't restore diplomatic relations does not mean that russia goes away. but i think realistically until the putin regime somehow is changed i think it will be difficult to see a rapprochement between russia and the west, and especially russia and ukraine. let's return to the ground and the tactics on both sides. joe, if you could take this one from luciano who is asking something

specific. but he is not the only one who e—mailed us with this question. why is the ukrainian army not blowing up the crimea bridge, thus discontinuing russia's resupply?— discontinuing russia's i’esu-nl? , , resupply? this is an absolutely hue resupply? this is an absolutely huge bridge. — resupply? this is an absolutely huge bridge. l _ resupply? this is an absolutely huge bridge, i believe - resupply? this is an absolutely huge bridge, i believe it - resupply? this is an absolutely huge bridge, i believe it is - huge bridge, i believe it is the longest one in europe and it cost many billions and it was built after the annexation of 201a. the honest truth is we don't quite know, but probably because it would be very difficult to do. people go on the assumption it is a bridge and a couple of missiles and it would come down. taking down bridges is a lot harder than people would imagine. in terms of the strategic aims that the ukrainians have, it is similar to the point i was making before about striking within russian territory itself. you would do it, it would be dangerous and costly and the reason you did it because it was crucial to the war effort and i guess probably the answer is that at this point there are other things that are both tactically and in a strategic

sense higher priority to the ukrainians. it is a good question and i have heard people ponder it many times. very quickly if we could ask you this question from josh. do you this question from josh. do you know what the death toll is right now on either side? the death toll _ right now on either side? the death toll is _ right now on either side? the death toll is one _ right now on either side? the death toll is one of— right now on either side? tie: death toll is one of those things that is quite hard to have any certain numbers on. ukrainians put figures that are quite high for the russian death toll and low for themselves. i think probably themselves. i think probably the best estimate we have of casualties on the russian side is they have lost a third of the invading force. we don't know exactly the numbers that are dead and how many are wounded or missing in action, because all of those count as out of combat and there are about a third of the vehicles they come in with. it really depends who you listen to because you get very different answers depending on who is answering. answers depending on who is answering-— answers depending on who is answering. joe, great to have ou with answering. joe, great to have you with us — answering. joe, great to have you with us from _ answering. joe, great to have you with us from living - answering. joe, great to have you with us from living life i you with us from living life with your guests as well. thank

them from us. thank you so much for getting in contact with us. you have been watching your questions answered. thunder and lightning last night. a lot of rain for some. pretty impressive scene for that weather watcher in berkshire. thunder and lightning in northern ireland but the showers and storms drifting up in the south really meant business across central and eastern parts of england with frequent lightning, a lot of rain, some squally, gusty wind and somewhat thunderstorms clipping into the far south—east through the first part of this morning. those have been clearing away and for the west of today it is looking quite a lot quieter. good spells of sunshine across england and wales. when 02 showers popping up and wales. when 02 showers popping up towards the south. cloud into

northern ireland in western scotland. some showers at times. top temperatures of 19 degrees in aberdeen and birmingham. 22 in london. through this evening and overnight quieter than most night for many of us that we will see cloud drifting up from the south. some showery rain into western scotland, western counties of northern ireland. in between clearer spells, that a bit chilly for parts of eastern scotland and north—east england but, for most, it is a mild night and a midas touch of friday morning. two weather systems to talk about tomorrow. this one down to the south—east. from the west. the one in the south—east will ring in heavy thundery rain and likely to stay over the near continent. further north and west some updates of showery rain across northern ireland in western scotland. as this weather feature pushes eastwards it may break up into heavy thundery downpours. the odd hefty shower will p0p up- downpours. the odd hefty shower will pop up. temperatures, 1a—19. cooler thanit pop up. temperatures, 1a—19. cooler than it has been but there is

temperatures about where it should be for this time of year. into the weekend high—pressure to the south. frontal systems to the south—west. dry weather around. on saturday, england and wales should start off with sunshine. more cloud pushing in from the west. more cloud for northern ireland and scotland with outbreaks of rain at times on top temperatures of 1a—21 . sunday is likely to start with mist or mark in the cloud for these western coast. more cloud for northern ireland and scotland and we will see when pushing in from the west. the best chance of sunshine towards the south—east but here it will a bit warmer again with highs of around 23 degrees.

the metropolitan police concludes its investigation into breaches of covid regulations in downing street and whitehall. 126 fines are issued in total. the prime minister, who was fined last month, is facing no further action. a senior met officer this morning gave further details. we're not breaking down exactly which events have happened on which date, but there were six breaches of the coronavirus regulations in total. we'll have all the latest. also on the programme... a warning from the un that the war in ukraine is increasing the risk of a global food shortage, unless russia releases grain stored in ukrainian ports. closing arguments are heard at the high court, as the so—called "wagatha christie" libel case between rebekah vardy and colleen rooney draws to a close.