this is bbc news with the latest headlines. allies of the conservative party chairman, nadhim zahawi, say he won't resign, as it's revealed he paid a penalty to resolve a dispute over unpaid tax while he was chancellor. labour says his position is untenable. there are calls for a parliamentary inquiry into claims the chairman of the bbc, richard sharp, helped borisjohnson to secure a loan worth up to £800,000 just weeks before he was appointed to the role. both men deny any conflict of interest, and the government insists there was a rigorous selection process. thousands of ambulance staff across england and wales are on strike again today. paramedics, control room staff and support workers from three unions are taking part.

up to a million households in england, scotland and wales could be paid to use less electricity this evening, as part of a scheme to avoid blackouts. would you switch off your oven or avoid using the washing machine to get a discount? get in touch with me. california police say the gunman suspected of killing ten people near los angeles was a 72—year—old man, who shot himself dead as they tried to apprehend him. former employees of the welsh rugby union have told the bbc about a "toxic" culture of sexism at the organisation.

hello and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister is facing growing pressure today, over allegations about the tax affairs of the conservative party chairman nadhim zahawi, as well as a separate row about the appointment of the bbc�*s chairman. it's emerged that former chancellor mr zahawi paid a penalty to hm revenue & customs of around £5 million, to settle a dispute over his tax affairs. he says the error that caused it was "careless and not deliberate". the tax relates to a shareholding in the polling firm yougov, which he co—founded. pressure is now growing on mr zahawi to reveal more details of his tax affairs. his advisors are saying he doesn't intend to resign. but labour say he needs to "come clean" and have called his position untenable. 0ur political correspondent helen catt reports. nadhim zahawi has held several top governmentjobs — and we're told he intends to keep his current one

as the conservative party chair, despite coming under pressure over claims he tried to avoid tax. on saturday, he released a statement in which he confirmed he had paid money to settle a dispute with the tax office. he said it was to do with shares he'd given his dad for helping him to found the polling company yougov. he said that hmrc had "disagreed about the exact allocation" and that he had chosen to settle the matter and pay what they said was due. he said hmrc had concluded this was a careless and not deliberate error. but he didn't confirm reports that he had also had to pay a penalty. it wasn't until sunday night that allies of mr za hawi acknowledged that. some conservative colleagues have urged him to put all of the information in the public domain. the more transparency, as early as possible, might have avoided all this speculation. if there's more to it, then he will absolutely have to stand up and take the consequences, and the prime minister, i'm sure, will take the appropriate action. but at the moment, we don't

know the whole story. allies have also acknowledged that he paid the penalty last summer, when mr zahawi was the chancellor and in charge of the country's finances. labour has said his position is untenable, and have called on him to publish all of his correspondence with hmrc. i'd like to ask the hmrc how it works when you have your boss, who's actually in trouble and being investigated. because clearly, you know, as head of the hmrc, that can't work, can it? it's still not known exactly how much mr zahawi paid to hmrc, although it's understood to be in the region of £5 million. mr zahawi may want to keep hisjob, but to do so he's likely to remain under pressure to give all of the details about his tax affairs. in the end, it may not be his call to make. helen catt, bbc news. there are calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the bbc chairman's role in a loan guarantee — worth up to £800,000 — for borisjohnson while he was

prime minister. the sunday times reported that the loan was being finalised as richard sharp was being announced as the government's choice for the role at the corporation. mr sharp has said his only involvement was to connect people at the time. 0ur media editor katie razzall reports. richard. thank you very much. for two years, richard sharp has often been the public face of the bbc — the corporation's chairman, whose role is to uphold its independence. the bbc itself has to be more competitive. he was appointed by the then—prime minister, borisjohnson, and the culture secretary. it's that relationship between borisjohnson and richard sharp which is now under scrutiny. the former goldman sachs banker is reported to have helped arrange an £800,000 loan to mrjohnson late in 2020. that loan was reportedly being guaranteed by the millionaire businessman sam blyth, who asked mr sharp for advice. mr sharp discussed this with the head of the civil service — this man, simon case — who was appointed by borisjohnson, and introduced him to sam blyth.

just weeks later, mrjohnson had recommended mr sharp as his preferred candidate for the £160,000—a—year role as bbc chairman. candidates for the role must declare any conflict of interest. mr sharp says there wasn't one, as he'd just connected the two men. a cabinet office spokesperson said mr sharp had asked simon case for advice on it all. they agreed that he could not take part in discussions involving the then—prime minister, and this was accepted by mr sharp, to avoid any conflict or appearance of any conflict of interest. i know that he is an incredibly accomplished, incredibly successful individual who brings a wealth of experience with him. that is why he was appointed to chairmanship of the bbc. but i've not had a chance to discuss any of the issues that were brought up today, but i have absolutely no doubt he was appointed on merit. this isn't the first time i've applied... as a long—time conservative donor, mr sharp's appointment was questioned at the time by mps. i'm asking if you think it's appropriate that you should end up,

as a massive tory donor, getting a job from a tory cabinet minister when you're friends with two members of the cabinet. first of all, i think that's an entirely legitimate question to ask. well, thank you. and the answer — then the answer is really on my merits — am i an appropriate candidate? will i be able to do a good job? the bbc chairman is a political appointment, over which the bbc has no say. but at a time when the bbc is making efforts to put impartiality and transparency at the heart of its attempts to earn people's trust, this could be damaging more widely — because whatever the truth of what happened, perceptions matter. labour is calling for an investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog. it's pretty extraordinary if someone who's running to be the chairman ends up acting as a broker to help the prime minister of the day out of whatever financial difficulties he was in. i'm too honoured... on a surprise visit to ukraine, borisjohnson greeted president zelensky like an old friend. closer to home, his friendship

with richard sharp is being called into question. katie razzall, bbc news. let's cross to westminster and talk to our chief political correspondent nick eardley. (tx float) morning to you. calls from outside of the conservative party, and indeed within the conservative party, for a nadhim zahawi to publish more details of his communications with hmrc. might that happen? communications with hmrc. might that ha en? . ~ communications with hmrc. might that hauen? . ~ ,.,,.,_ happen? yeah, i think it probably will have to _ happen? yeah, i think it probably will have to do _ happen? yeah, i think it probably will have to do if _ happen? yeah, i think it probably will have to do if nadhim - happen? yeah, i think it probably will have to do if nadhim zahawi. happen? yeah, i think it probably| will have to do if nadhim zahawi is going to keep hisjob. there has been this drip, drip, drip of information about his tax affairs, about what was paid when over the last few days. what we can say for sure this morning is that mr zahawi paid a tax bill when he was chancellor. that at that tax bill included a penalty that was decided by hmrc. what we don't know at the moment is just how much that penalty

was. now, allies of mr zahawi say this morning he is not going to resign, that he wants to stay in his job as tory chairman and make his case. but i think he still does face those questions about the various accounts that he is given, the various statements he has put out. for example, he said, we were told when he was appointed chancellor this was mentioned to the team, the propriety and ethics team in the cabinet office, but when he did interviews as chancellor he said he wasn't aware of any investigation by hmrc. inevitably, there are more questions for mr zahawi to answer. ultimately, those questions come back to the man who lives in there, the prime minister, who appointed him as conservative party chairman. we are told this morning he talked to the propriety and ethics committee and nothing was said to stop mr zahawi's appointment going

ahead. the prime minister is going to face those questions about when he found out about all of theirs and of the level of detail he knows. how much pressure _ of the level of detail he knows. how much pressure on _ of the level of detail he knows. how much pressure on rishi sunak? i. of the level of detail he knows. how much pressure on rishi sunak? i doj much pressure on rishi sunak? i do think it is a — much pressure on rishi sunak? i gr think it is a significant amount of pressure to talk about the details of this case. he will inevitably be asked in the next day or so about the situation with richard sharp, the situation with richard sharp, the bbc chairman. some of the accusations in the sunday times yesterday. yes, there are denials about a conflict of interest. but i think a lot of people want to know the level of scrutiny that that appointment had within government, and adjust to new about the potential conflict—of—interest and those claims that richard sharp was involved in facilitating that loan arrangement for boris johnson when he arrangement for borisjohnson when he was prime minister. remember, by the way, that mr sharp was rishi sunak�*s boss when the two were

bankers at goldman sachs. all sorts of relationships to untangle. when you bring the two together, the big problem for rishi sunak this morning is, when he stood here and became prime minister, he used the words professionalism, integrity and accountability. he said they would be bywords for his government. he will face questions this morning about whether the drip of mr zahawi's tax affairs, the questions over the appointment of richard sharp by the government as bbc chairman, whether those all meet up to the standards that rishi sunak set himself. to the standards that rishi sunak set himself-— to the standards that rishi sunak set himself. w . , set himself. nick eardley in downing street. thousands of ambulance workers in england and wales are back on strike today, in a dispute over pay. paramedics, control room staff and support workers from three unions are taking part in the latest round of industrial action. our business correspondent, marc ashdown, reports. yet again, ambulance workers are taking to the picket line. several thousand members of three

unions are walking out today, mainly in the midlands, north of england and wales. london and the south—west are also affected. for specialist paramedic tom, it's a frustrating time. he's been in thejob for six years and loves it, but says the past six months have been increasingly challenging. recently, certainly in the last couple of years, really exacerbated in the last six months, thisjob has become very, very difficult. we are all very, very tired. the pressure on services, nhs wide, but also on the ambulance service, has increased exponentially. and it's really hard to be in the position that we are at today where you are sort of looking from the position, i don't know how this gets better, i really don't. 999 mode activated. this is the latest walk—out in this dispute about pay. a dozen strike days are planned by paramedics between now and the end of march, including what could be the biggest ever day of nhs industrial action on february 6th, when nurses are set to strike as well.

workers are calling for a 10.5% pay rise. the governments in england and wales have given nhs staff an average of 4.75% as recommended by the independent nhs pay review body. that is currently half the rate of inflation. backdating next year's pay rise to january is thought to be one option being explored. what do we want? fair pay! when do we want it? now! not all union member ambulance staff, including paramedics, call handlers and support workers, will strike at once. under trade union law, emergency cover will still be provided. and staff can leave the picket lines to attend. although a spokesperson for the department of health said constructive discussions with the unions are ongoing, they said it was disappointing that ambulance staff have decided to stage further strikes at such a difficult time for the nhs. marc ashdown, bbc news. in a moment we'll be speaking to our correspondent mark hutchins, who's on a picket line in cardiff.

but first, katherine da costa joins us from bristol. morning. 0ne morning. one of the unions has been asked about striking on a day with such bad weather conditions, asked whether that was justifiable. whatever people the picket lines are said you there?— whatever people the picket lines are said you there? good morning. these are unison members. _ said you there? good morning. these are unison members. they _ said you there? good morning. these are unison members. they are - said you there? good morning. these are unison members. they are on - are unison members. they are on strike for 12 hours until seven o'clock tonight. they say they don't want to be here. they feel it is the only way they can make their point heard about the conditions within the nhs. and calling forfair pay. once again, life—threatening emergencies will be prioritised. but a woman in late stage labour, or an elderly person who has fallen at home, those calls may take longer to answer, or may not be responded to. the government says it will discuss what is affordable and fair in terms of pay going forward for the new

financial year beginning in april. but unions say any talks most folk on the current pay deal. mike is a paramedic. you have been working for 13 years. a lot of the focus is on pay but also, according to you, conditions. paint a picture of what life is like? for conditions. paint a picture of what life is like?— life is like? for almost two years it has become _ life is like? for almost two years it has become commonplace - life is like? for almost two years it has become commonplace to l life is like? for almost two years - it has become commonplace to queue at hospitat _ it has become commonplace to queue at hospital. we could be queueing for an— at hospital. we could be queueing for an entire shift. we don't get to respond _ for an entire shift. we don't get to respond to— for an entire shift. we don't get to respond to a single patient on night shift. we would be literally waiting for those waiting to be seen in the hospitat _ for those waiting to be seen in the hospital. obviously that is not saved — hospital. obviously that is not saved. when people call 999, they should _ saved. when people call 999, they should expect us to respond in a timeiy— should expect us to respond in a timely manner.— should expect us to respond in a timely manner. what do you say to those patients _ timely manner. what do you say to those patients who _ timely manner. what do you say to those patients who are _ timely manner. what do you say to those patients who are going - timely manner. what do you say to those patients who are going to - timely manner. what do you say to those patients who are going to be| those patients who are going to be distracted, it might be non—urgent appointments cancelled because of the ongoing strike?— the ongoing strike? ultimately, we can only apologise _ the ongoing strike? ultimately, we can only apologise but _ the ongoing strike? ultimately, we can only apologise but we - the ongoing strike? ultimately, we can only apologise but we are - the ongoing strike? ultimately, we| can only apologise but we are doing it with _ can only apologise but we are doing it with good intent. we are doing this to _ it with good intent. we are doing this to try— it with good intent. we are doing this to try to make things better in the future, —

this to try to make things better in the future, to try to make the system — the future, to try to make the system work more efficiently, and -et system work more efficiently, and get it _ system work more efficiently, and get it back — system work more efficiently, and get it back to how it used to be. thank— get it back to how it used to be. thank you _ get it back to how it used to be. thank you. no progress has been made on the current negotiations. that has led to a stringer for the strike dates being announced. health leaders are worried about widespread disruption derailing efforts to relieve the backlog. there are no dates for formal negotiations on pgy- dates for formal negotiations on pay. there is a suggestion the hold—up could be with the chancellor, jeremy hunt. he is appealing to the prime minister to find a resolution.— find a resolution. catherine da costa in bristol. _ find a resolution. catherine da costa in bristol. let's - find a resolution. catherine da costa in bristol. let's talk - find a resolution. catherine da costa in bristol. let's talk to l costa in bristol. let's talk to marketings in cardiff. what is the mood light on the picket line there? —— what is the mood like? determined, that is for sure. the strike began at midnight last night. this is the main headquarters for this area. we are told four members of the military were drafted in today to help provide cover, acting

as ambulance drivers. those on strike have stressed that they will and are responding to the most serious calls. a short time ago we saw an ambulance with eight sirens, responding to one of those call—outs. the row that the workers here have, members of the unite union, 1000 of them taking action today, is with the labour welsh government, who are offering a similar pay deal as that offered by the uk government in england, but they say they are also offering an extra one—off payment to health staff. the unions say that is simply not enough and they need a regular extra payment in their pay packet. 0ne health board is advising any pregnant women who go into labour today in that area on the south wales valleys, to go to one of the main hospitals in bridgend and merthyr tydfil rather than to a

separate midwife led unit, in case there is any need for an emergency transfer. this action continues until midnight tonight. it is unlikely though that will be the end of matters. more strike dates are in the calendar. notably on henry vi, when the nurses are due to join ambulance workers. mark watson is in cardiff. —— mark hutchings. some uk households will be able to get discounts on their energy bills if they cut their electricty use during peak times today. the national grid is triggering the scheme for the first time between 5 and 6 o'clock this evening, as the cold weather puts pressure on power supplies. the scheme applies to households with smart meters whose energy suppliers have already signed up. our business correspondent nina warhurst has the details. what can you tell us about this? it is a scheme to incentivise some customers, between five and six

o'clock tonight. those who have signed up with one of the 26 suppliers as part of the scheme. you might want to push the wash on the earlier, you might want to put the kids in the bath area. at dinner back until late in the evening, anything to reduce energy use between 5pm and 6pm. the national grid say that will be a pinch point tonight which will be particularly difficult —— which will be particularly difficult for them as we are heading this cold snap. they are worried about the buffer they have. they say, don't panic, just yet. this isjust a precautionary measure. but they hope it will make us think a little bit more about using energy at those peak times. those signed up to the scheme stand to save a few quid, right up to £100 for the big energy suppliers. but there is a warning this morning from 0fgem, the energy suppliers, but a separate story. this is about prepayment meters. they are schemes where you pay as you go for your

energy if you like. what it means if you don't top up the lights literally go out on your home. suppliers can use these schemes have people fall behind with their energy bills and they are worried about being switched. but what we found, as prices have gone up, is the cost of living has increased, 160,000 people are expected to be switched this winter alone, that comes off the back of 600,000 households being switched last year, in 2022, either remotely by their smart meter or by somebody entering their home and changing it. it can be anxiety inducing, particularly for households where people are vulnerable, they are failing to stay on top of their bills. there are quite strict guidelines in place for switching customers. so things like disabled and sick customers can't be forced to switch. extra credit should be offered to customers in advance of being switched to get them to pay, to get them to universal credit day. 0fgem, the

regulator, are worried if this is not happening. from this morning, a deep dive investigation will look at suppliers to ensure those guidelines are being followed. they say they have had to find the supplier utilita for not following the guidelines. more are expected to follow. campaign groups have long said of these prepayment deals, which are not as good as direct debit deals, punish those most vulnerable. today's announcement from 0fgem they say, is a start, but more needs to be done. clearly the government and 0fgem have finally woken up to just how serious the situation is, so any moves to bring more protections for people who are vulnerable and people who have been forced onto prepayment meters are clearly going to be welcomed. it is not the full ban that we have asked for and we do still believe that ultimately, that is what we are going to need to see in order to ensure that we protect those people from the problems associated with being forced onto prepayment meters. 0ne one of the options being discussed is a social tariff. how would that

work? it is a social tariff. how would that work? , , ., work? it is used on some broadband schemes. work? it is used on some broadband schemes- it — work? it is used on some broadband schemes. it would _ work? it is used on some broadband schemes. it would be _ work? it is used on some broadband schemes. it would be something - schemes. it would be something suppliers could be asked to use for certain households that are perhaps on lower incomes, or reliant on government support or benefits. it would mean there is an exclusive offer to those households. but nothing comes for free. offer to those households. but nothing comes forfree. it offer to those households. but nothing comes for free. it would have to be subsidised by other energy households, or by taxation. it all feeds into this bigger conversation that we are being forced to have this youabout energy, where it comes from, who is supplying it, whether they're supplying it, whether they�* re supplying it, whether they're supplying it, whether they're supplying it fairly, and of course whether we can afford it. let's face it, everybody is feeling it at the moment. we are in an artificial position at the moment, being protected by the upper limit of how much we are paying until april, by the voucher scheme that comes in every month. that comes to an end in april. despite wholesale prices beginning to dip, things will get worse for a lot of households before they get better. bud worse for a lot of households before they get better-—

they get better. and at worst. -- nina warhurst. _ they get better. and at worst. -- nina warhurst. we _ they get better. and at worst. -- nina warhurst. we have - they get better. and at worst. -- nina warhurst. we have been - they get better. and at worst. -- . nina warhurst. we have been asking you if you have been taking part in the scheme to cut your energy use at certain times of the day, or if you would be interested. national grid is triggering a scheme for the first time between 5pm and 6pm today. the cold weather puts pressure on power supplies. this from tim dawson. he says he has been taking part in the octopus energy scheme. they have 0ctopus energy scheme. they have found it surprisingly easy. he thinks it's a great idea will make people think more about wasting energy long term. we would love to hear if you are taking part in the scheme, oryou hear if you are taking part in the scheme, or you would be keen to do so. to get in touch with me on twitter. let's get more now on those calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the bbc chairman's role in a loan guarantee — worth up to £800,000 for borisjohnson while he was prime minister. (read on) i'm joined now by alan rusbridger, the editor of prospect magazine, and former

editor in chief of the guardian. richard sharp, chairman of the bbc, says there is no conflict here, that he put a couple of people in touch with each other and had no further involvement whatsoever. but does this merit further investigation in your opinion? i this merit further investigation in your opinion?— your opinion? i think it does. i mean, your opinion? i think it does. i mean. we _ your opinion? i think it does. i mean, we hear— your opinion? i think it does. i mean, we hear a _ your opinion? i think it does. i mean, we hear a lot _ your opinion? i think it does. i mean, we hear a lot about. your opinion? i think it does. ij mean, we hear a lot about the your opinion? i think it does. i- mean, we hear a lot about the need for the bbc to be impartial. i agree with that. but more importantly, the bbc has to be seen to be independent of government. and it was apparent thatjohnson, first of all, tried to get his friend, charles moore, n, a noted critic of the bbc. that itself deterred very good applicants from applying because it looked like a stitch up. now we hear thejob applying because it looked like a stitch up. now we hear the job went to richard sharp. we knew that he was a friend. we knew he was a very big donor to the conservative party. but we didn't know that he was simultaneously trying to arrange the loan arrangement of up to £800,000

for the prime minister, who is in some financial trouble. and i'm afraid this is damaging for the bbc. and for that reason i think we deserve some more answers. i guess there are different _ deserve some more answers. i guess there are different interpretations. i there are different interpretations. when you say arrange a loan, he says he put two people in touch with each other. 0bviously he put two people in touch with each other. obviously a lot of people are saying this needs to be investigated further. you talk they're about reputational damage. how potentially damaging do you think this could be for board the government and of the bbc? i for board the government and of the bbc? 4' for board the government and of the bbc? ~ , for board the government and of the bbc? 4' , ., ., ,., bbc? ithink it is damaging, both nationally and _ bbc? ithink it is damaging, both nationally and internationally, . bbc? ithink it is damaging, both nationally and internationally, ifl nationally and internationally, if you have what appears to be a state broadcaster, of course the bbc isn't a state broadcaster, but there are lots of state broadcasters around the world, the bbc has to be seen to be independent. it's a difficult line, because it is funded by a license fee rather than taxation. but the more it looks as though the government has put its own people in to run the bbc, the more difficult

it is for people to understand that this is, in fact, independent. there is a broader— this is, in fact, independent. there is a broader question, _ this is, in fact, independent. there is a broader question, clearly - this is, in fact, independent. there is a broader question, clearly from | is a broader question, clearly from what you are saying, given the bbc�*s unique position about how its chairperson is appointed? yes. unique position about how its chairperson is appointed? yes, i think the process _ chairperson is appointed? yes, i think the process was _ chairperson is appointed? yes, i think the process was flawed - chairperson is appointed? yes, i i think the process was flawed from the start. i spoke to one candidate who would have been eminently qualified, who would not even apply because he thought there was no need to apply because he thought it was a stitch up. the reason richard sharp seems to have alighted on the name of this man, sam blythe, is that he was a distant cousin of the prime minister, which, according to the sunday times, enabled them not to declare this loan facility. that itself is not transparent and looks shifty. itself is not transparent and looks shi . .,, ., itself is not transparent and looks shi . .., shifty. those who appointed richard shar , shifty. those who appointed richard shar, how shifty. those who appointed richard sharp. how will _ shifty. those who appointed richard sharp, how will they _ shifty. those who appointed richard sharp, how will they respond? - shifty. those who appointed richard sharp, how will they respond? howl sharp, how will they respond? how are they responding to this? i sharp, how will they respond? how are they responding to this?- are they responding to this? i don't know. in are they responding to this? i don't know- in the _ are they responding to this? i don't know. in the end _ are they responding to this? i don't know. in the end it _ are they responding to this? i don't know. in the end it was _ are they responding to this? i don't know. in the end it was johnson's l know. in the end it wasjohnson's decision. he would have passed his

decision. he would have passed his decision on to the secretary of state for culture and media. it would be worthwhile hearing from them about the whole process. it was no secret thatjohnson originally wanted charles moore, the conservative peer, who was so critical of the bbc that he was once fined for not paying a licence fee. you would think he would be the last person who should be joining the bbc. the whole thing did look like a stitch up. that's why this cosy relationship, including dinners at the prime minister, richard sharp and the man who eventually gave him the long facility of up to £800,000, just looks bad. bud the long facility of up to £800,000, just looks ltad-— just looks bad. and of course the government _ just looks bad. and of course the government says _ just looks bad. and of course the government says that _ just looks bad. and of course the government says that all - just looks bad. and of course the government says that all the - just looks bad. and of course the i government says that all the proper appointment procedures were followed, that this was a process that was scrutinised and scrupulous and followed the rules? meiji. that was scrutinised and scrupulous and followed the rules?— and followed the rules? well, of course, and followed the rules? well, of course. they _ and followed the rules? well, of course, they would _ and followed the rules? well, of course, they would say - and followed the rules? well, of course, they would say that. - and followed the rules? well, ofj course, they would say that. but and followed the rules? well, of. course, they would say that. but as i say, to anybody outside the process it was such an obvious

stitch up that well—qualified people wouldn't apply. maybe it would be a goodidea wouldn't apply. maybe it would be a good idea to speak to them and ask them why these eminently qualified people didn't apply, because it was so obvious. the names were leaked in the press about who johnson so obvious. the names were leaked in the press about whojohnson wanted. that is quite a well—known tactic for putting off people who want to apply. why for putting off people who want to apply- why apply for putting off people who want to apply. why apply for a job that has already been decided. apply. why apply for a 'ob that has already been decided._ apply. why apply for a 'ob that has already been decided. thank you very much. the german chancellor, 0laf scholz, is facing growing domestic and international pressure to allow german—built leopard 2 tanks to be sent to ukraine. during a visit to paris to meet president macron, mr scholz said his country would not slacken its support for ukraine as it fights off the russian invasion. more than 2,000 leopards are sitting in warehouses all over europe. president zelensky believes about 300 of them could help to defeat russia. under german export laws, other countries who want to supply leopards — like poland and finland — are unable to do so until berlin gives the all—clear.

just approaching half past nine. now the weather with carol. it was a wee bit nippy this morning? it was a wee bit nippy this morning? it certainly was. in the south of england this morning it wasn'tjust cold, we had freezing fog. some will be slow to lift today. some will stake all day. we will see some sunshine, and in contrast, through parts of wales, scotland and northern ireland, more cloud, patchy light rain, sunny spells in northern ireland and north—east scotland. the temperatures, living in stornoway, three in london and norwich. if you are under some fog, the temperature may not break freezing. tonight it is going to be very similar to last night. in the clear skies across parts of england and wales, some mist and fog patches. further west into the midlands and somerset. freezing fog. a widespread frost but not in the north, where we have the

cloud and spots of rain. that is how we start tomorrow. more cloud in the north. mist and fog from the south. sunny spells develop. in the far south—east we hang on to the cloud. the top temperature, 11 or 12. hello, this is bbc news with annita mcveigh. the headlines. allies of the conservative party chairman, nadhim zahawi, say he won't resign, as it's revealed he paid a penalty to resolve a dispute over unpaid tax while he was chancellor. labour says his position is untenable. there are calls for a parliamentary inquiry into claims the chairman of the bbc, richard sharp, helped borisjohnson to secure a loan worth up to £800,000 just weeks before he was appointed to the role. both men deny any conflict of interest, and the government insists there was a rigorous selection process. thousands of ambulance staff across england and wales are on strike again today. paramedics, control room staff

and support workers from three unions are taking part. up to a million households in england, scotland and wales could be paid to use less electricity this evening, as part of a scheme to avoid blackouts. california police say the gunman suspected of killing ten people near los angeles was a 72—year—old man, who shot himself dead as they tried to apprehend him. former employees of the welsh rugby union have accused the organisation of having a "toxic" culture of sexism. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn watson. morning. for so long, it was a rivalry that defined english football. and yesterday evening, arsenal and manchester united served up another classic. one which arseanl won 3—2 courtesy of a winning goal from eddie nketiah in the 90th minute, with many wondering, will anyone catch them ?

craig templeton reports. so far this season, arsenal have had the rest of the league dancing to the beat of their own drum. the only pause in the music came against united at old trafford. time for track two. united have been steadily rising up the charts, though. mostly due to the performances of their frontman. nine goals in nine games from marcus rashford. he's centre stage once again. but arsenal have someone who was once a stand—in doing something similar. eddie nketiah,1—1. the emirates volume turned up. bukayo saka was about to make it fever pitch, a drop of the shoulder and a brilliant strike, and the league leaders were leading again. time to keep your focus. but unfortunately for arsenal, aaron ramsdale lost his and that meant united were level. the man with the band, lisandro martinez. but this is a different arsenal,

and this was their encore. zinchenko, 0degaard, nketiah, a remarkable win, a remarkable game, where arsenal were on song again and they continue to march on. craig templeton, bbc news. the gap remains five points to manchester city. erling haaland doing all he can to chase them down. he scored three yesterday, his hat—trick goal coming courtesy of a wolves mistake. that's his fourth hat—trick sincejoining city. he's now got more goals than any single player managed in the entirety of last season, and we're only halfway through. winning an edinburgh derby is prize enough, but hearts�* 3—0 win at hibs earned them a place in the scottish cup fifth round. it's their second win over their rivals in three weeks, and their ninth derby without defeat. lawrence shankland became the first hearts player to score 20 goals in a season since 1992, but the captain was also sent off in stoppage time after receiving

his second yellow card. there was real frustration in the women's super league after chelsea's game with liverpool was abandoned after kick—off due to a frozen pitch. it wasn't looking good before the game got under way at kingsmeadow, before lots of players were struggling to keep their footing, and frankly, it was quite dangerous. all this happened within six minutes before the referee abandoned it, with the game being shown live on bbc two. we've reached the last 16 stage of the australian open. novak djokovic is in action — he's got off to flying start against australia's alex de minaur. he took the first set 6—2 and is 3—0 up in he second. the winner of that match will take on russia's andrey rublev who's seeded fifth. he was involved in something of an epic this morning with denmark's holger rune. it went to a fifth set tie—break before rublevjust edged though. there was a real story overnight with the women's fourth seed caroline garcia beaten

by poland's magda linette, a player ranked 45th in the world. it means linette reaches a grand slam quarterfinal for the first time in her career. edinburgh managed to squeeze past saracens in the european rugby champions cup 20—14 in theirfinal pool a match before the knockouts. player of the match pierre schoeman powered them towards victory, despite sarries rallying late on. edinburgh go to leicester in the round of 16 with saracens hosting 0spreys. but london irish are out of europe after throwing away a 21—0 lead to draw 21—21 with montpellier. they were already out of the champions cup but the result meant they missed making the challenge cup too. and finally, great britain's ellie downie has retired from gymnastics at the age of 23. she anounced it on social media, saying that, "after a really tough last few years, i've made the decision to prioritise my mental health and happiness." downie became the first british gymnast to win the all—around title

at a major international competition when she took gold at the european championships in 2017. that's all the sport for now. we can return to the ambulance workers dispute, as another day of industrial action by paramedics, control room staff and support workers from three unions takes place across england and wales. well earlier, sara gorton, head of health at one of the uk's largest trade unions — unison — was asked if striking on a day with such bad weather conditions was justifiable. here's what she had to say. 365 days a year, the people that are out on strike provide 999 response services. and what they've been seeing over the past couple of years has led to exactly the situation that they're on strike to try and challenge. we've been warning government

ministers sincejuly last year that this very situation was inevitable unless they sat down and talked to unions about how they could invest. we've got a workforce crisis going on across the nhs. and that's manifesting itself most acutely in the ambulance service, where those people are at the really sharp end of seeing the effect of pay and staffing emergencies across the health service. joining me now is miriam deakin, director of policy and strategy at nhs providers — the membership organisation for nhs trusts in england. thank you forjoining us. we have heard from health care worker after health care worker that they don't want to be on the baguette lines but they say they have been driven to this position. —— at the picket lines. they say there are only so many times they can ask nicely for better pay and conditions. do you have sympathy with them as we see

yet another day of strikes? goad yet another day of strikes? good morninu. yet another day of strikes? good morning. leaders _ yet another day of strikes? good morning. leaders really - yet another day of strikes? good morning. leaders really do - morning. leaders really do understand what has driven colleagues in the ambulance service to this point. as you mentioned, they have had years of pay which has not kept pace with inflation and we know that the nhs is facing unprecedented strain at the moment and that is really playing out most visibly and with most difficulty on the accident and emergency care pathway. we know paramedics and colleagues in the ambulance sector for your moral injury in some cases because they can't provide the standard and quality of care that they want to, to patients at the moment. trust leaders have understood how people came to this position but i think what worries trusts the most is we are now a couple of months since this unprecedented industrial action began in the nhs and they can't see a clear pathway out of it so it is now imperative that government comes to the table, place the leadership role and opens formal pay negotiations with the various unions. that is slightly different

perhaps to having constructive talks which don't necessarily have that formal focus on pay but that is now where we think the discussions need to focus. �* , . ., where we think the discussions need to focus. �*, ., ,, ., ., where we think the discussions need to focus. �* , ., ,, ., ., ., to focus. let's talk about that a bit more because _ to focus. let's talk about that a bit more because as _ to focus. let's talk about that a bit more because as you - to focus. let's talk about that a . bit more because as you indicated, the health secretary steve barclay has insisted the talks have been constructive but what is your assessment in a bit more detail if you would have how those discussions have been going in terms of actually finding a way through this? it is im ortant finding a way through this? it is important to — finding a way through this? it is important to say _ finding a way through this? it 3 important to say that my organisation isn't at the table so we are not directly involved in those conversations do but of course but it is something you are talking about so we are really interested to hear your viewpoint. absolutely, there is a difference between having constructive talks around a wide range of issues and formally opening negotiations on pay. so we would expect all parties to compromise, so the unions and government but our sense at the moment is that pay is not on the table as something which is open forformal not on the table as something which is open for formal negotiation. it is open for formal negotiation. it is also really important that

government becomes more open to thinking about pay for this financial year, so 22—23, because we know that is central to part of this dispute and therefore central to a way out of this escalating industrial action.- way out of this escalating industrial action. , ,., ., , industrial action. very importantly, how are trusts _ industrial action. very importantly, how are trusts managing _ industrial action. very importantly, how are trusts managing so - industrial action. very importantly, how are trusts managing so far- industrial action. very importantly, | how are trusts managing so far with demand? ~ ., . demand? well, i think we will have to assess the _ demand? well, i think we will have to assess the impact _ demand? well, i think we will have to assess the impact of _ demand? well, i think we will have to assess the impact of today - demand? well, i think we will have to assess the impact of today as i demand? well, i think we will have | to assess the impact of today as the day plays out. what we have learned from previous strike days is often the strike day itself is more manageable, in large part because the public changes its behaviour so radically and fewer people come forward for care, sometimes including those who might need services and help. so what we tend to see if they bounce back in demand in the days that followed the strike which is often slightly more difficult to manage and that will be across the health and care system. as you know, the most urgent 999 services will be operating today across the country so the message is still that if you face a life threatening situation, to call 999,

otherwise, if your situation is less urgent, 111 is a great service for helping you to find the care you need and the right setting, gps and pharmacies are still operating as well but today will be disrupted, as you mentioned, it is a very cold day so the nhs is also asking people to look out for vulnerable neighbours and family and friends who might need a check in.— and family and friends who might need a check in. looking ahead to next months. _ need a check in. looking ahead to next months, february _ need a check in. looking ahead to next months, february the - need a check in. looking ahead to next months, february the 6th i need a check in. looking ahead to next months, february the 6th is| next months, february the 6th is going to be the biggest nhs walk—out. to what extent can you prepare for something like that? what contingencies are you trying to put in place?— put in place? welcome as you mentioned. — put in place? welcome as you mentioned, the _ put in place? welcome as you mentioned, the 6th _ put in place? welcome as you mentioned, the 6th of - put in place? welcome as you i mentioned, the 6th of february put in place? welcome as you - mentioned, the 6th of february will be the first time that we have both nursing colleagues and ambulance workers out on strike so that will be unprecedented. that will require a huge amount of trust and nhs leadership and staff time to prepare for, all at a time when people would much rather be focused on care and driving down those waiting times. so trusts will agree. there will be some national exemptions for the

strike agreed, for example, like the most urgent 999 calls as we are seeing today, and then trusts will put a huge amount of time into working with their local union reps to agree what further exemptions from strike are likely to occur. they will do their best to get as many services running as possible. they will be supporting their staff and they will be prioritising patient safety as far as they can. so they will draw on agency and bank staff, get as many people into the service as they can, they will redeploy people to the most critical areas of service. but there is no question that particularly that six to february is looking to be an incredibly disrupted day and a day the likes of which we haven't seen before in the nhs.— before in the nhs. director of oli before in the nhs. director of policy and _ before in the nhs. director of policy and strategy _ before in the nhs. director of policy and strategy at - before in the nhs. director of policy and strategy at nhs - policy and strategy at nhs providers, thank you forjoining us. a bbc investigation has uncovered how organised crime is moving into the world of extreme dog breeding. french and english bulldogs, along with the newly popular american bully, are being bred with hugely exaggerated

characteristics and sold for large sums of money on social media. sam pohling has the story. hello, hi, i'm sam from the bbc. i'm here for vanessa. this rescue centre in wales is at the sharp end of the dog trade. it cares for abandoned or abused dogs. dogs like keanu. he's an american bully — a popular bulldog crossbreed. oh, my goodness. he's a victim of extreme breeding, where dogs are deliberately bred to create exaggerated features. it's as though his legs are on back to front. this is torture. now, you know what these dogs are going to look like, but you're still breeding them, trying to get more and more exaggerated features. i mean, it looks painful when he's bent over like that. 0h! we're seeing this every single week. this is day—to—day life for us here at the rescue now. this is karl and victoria shellard.

they run the english bulldog breeding business posherbulls. they were convicted of multiple animal welfare offences last year, and were fined £19,000 each for their unlicensed operation. despite the prosecution, i suspect karl shellard is still profiting from bulldogs, so i pay him a visit. he says he's still in business. if you look at all my dogs, they all look slightly different. well, they do, but... they have different characteristics. but they're so distinctive, and that's because i think you said on the phone it's the overdone — is it overdone? yeah, they're not the overdone look. i personally prefer them a little bit tighter in the body, and not as much loose skin. so why breed them this way? but this is what people like... really? ..and desire. the shellards didn't respond when contacted by the bbc. the trade in bulldogs with extreme features isn'tjust dangerous for the dogs — last year was the deadliest for fatal dog attacks,

with bulldog breeds responsible for seven of the ten deaths. this is beast. he's an american xl bully. although american bullies aren't banned, historically they've been crossbred with pit bulls — and they've been banned in the uk since 1991. in november 2021, beast killed ten—year—old jack liss. the dog had only attacked one part of him, and it was here up. his face. 0k. and his neck. they kept saying they're working on him, they're working on him. and then... ..the paramedic walked away... ..and came back with a blanket.

and i knew. i can't say out loud what else i saw, because i don't want other people to have to picture it, either. the dogs owner, brandon hayden, was jailed for four and a half years after admitting owning or being in charge of a dangerously out—of—control dog, and was banned from ever having a dog again. every time i shut my eyes... ..and i try and tell myself that's not the last image that i've got of him. i try and tell myself it was when he shut the door with his skateboard in his hands. but.. ..that�*s not true. sam poling, bbc news.

i will be talking to sam about this story in the next hour. do stay with us for that. former employees of the welsh rugby union have told the bbc about a "toxic" culture of sexism at the organisation. two women who have left the wru said alleged bullying and sexism made them feel suicidal — with one saying a male colleague said in front of other staff that he wanted to rape her. wyre davies reports. the six nations, the world's greatest rugby competition, is about to kick off. the men's game is well established, but all home unions, wales included, have made big efforts to promote women's rugby. but is that progress being undermined by damaging allegations off the pitch? when charlotte wathen, an experienced sports administrator, joined the welsh rugby union in 2018 to take women's rugby to the next

level, she was warned by other women to expect occasional sexist comments. but what she says happened to her after she'd been there for about a year went much further. i had an experience of someone referring about me in an office environment in front of other staff, in front of other young female staff as well, that they wanted to rape me. and i remember ijust... ijust left the room and i burst into tears and i felt sick, and i thought, crikey, is this what it's come to? and there was a senior manager who witnessed that. any repercussions at all? no repercussions. charlotte eventually reported the alleged comments as part of a wider grievance. the wru hired a lawyer to look into her allegations and charlotte gave them a list of potential witnesses to corroborate what she was saying. but we've discovered that a number of them were not contacted. and the man she accused of saying

he wanted to rape her in his hotel room wasn't interviewed as part of the grievance inquiry. he still works for the welsh rugby union. the wru said that charlotte's claims were unsubstantiated following a thorough, independent investigation. they say they can't comment further because they've since reached a settlement with her. wow. yeah. that's something else. tonia antoniazzi is conflicted. proud of her welsh caps and international career, but the now labour mp says she's been contacted by several women with concerns about sexism and the culture inside the wru. comparable, she says, to what's happened in other sports. this is on a level of gymnastics. this is on a level of what's happened in cricket. what is happening now, and i know that it's notjust in rugby, is that sporting governing bodies are not being held accountable.

they mark their own homework. we've spoken separately to two women who said they've even contemplated suicide because of bullying and sexism they say they experienced at the wru. 0ne went as far as to write a manual for a husband on what to do in the event of her death. the welsh rugby union says it takes any allegations from staff seriously and it will act very swiftly as such behaviour has no place in the union or welsh rugby. charlotte, and others who say they've suffered, hope their coming forward will be a wake—up call for the game. wyre davies, bbc news. police in california say a man suspected of killing ten people in a mass shooting has been found dead. the 72—year—old suspect was discovered in a white van with a self—inflicted gunshot wound. officers are still investigating the motive. 0ur correspondent david willis

reports from los angeles. officers called to a suburb in eastern la described a scene of carnage. a ballroom—dancing venue for elderly members of the local asian american community shot up on the eve of the lunar new year. five men and five women were pronounced dead at the scene, ten others were injured. the suspect has been named as 72—year—old huu can tran. police believe he was planning a similar attack at a dance studio in the neighbouring city of alhambra before bystanders overpowered him and wrestled a firearm from his grasp. acting on reports of a white van that he was thought to be driving, officers, pulling up behind the vehicle, heard a single gunshot ring out. they found their suspect slumped across the steering wheel, dead from a self—inflicted gunshot wound. detectives also recovered a handgun and other evidence linking him to the massacre. los angeles is home to one of the largest asian american

communities in this country. the banners and red lanterns that mark the start of the year of the rabbit all part of lunar new year celebrations that traditionally herald the hope of renewed good fortune and prosperity. gun violence needs to stop. there's too much of it. we're all standing here tonight because an individual took a weapon and did the damage that we've talked about, without repeating it. i think all of us...need to take some ownership there. i think we really need to go back and look at what we do. president biden called the attack senseless, and ordered a lowering of flags on federal buildings in memory of those who died. last year, in the wake of a school massacre in texas, he signed into law the first major gun—safety legislation this country has seen in nearly 30 years. but at the time, he said it wasn't enough.

the massacre in monterey park is the fifth mass shooting in the united states this year. david willis, bbc news, los angeles. it was almost two years ago when folajimi 0lubunmi—adewole lost his life afterjumping into the river thames to save a drowning woman. known to his loved ones asjimi, he was hailed as a hero for his selfless act of bravery, and now a plaque has been unveiled in his honour. luke hanrahan has this report. a place to forever honour the bravery of their son. 20—year—oldjimi 0lubunmi—adewole jumped into the thames here in april 2021 to rescue a complete stranger — a woman who'd fallen into the river and was calling out for help. hearing the scream of a woman, he went down the stairs, undressed, knowing how dangerous the thames is. no training, no support, no back—up.

he knew he was risking his life to help another. and he paid the ultimate price. bernard kosia wasjimi's best friend, and was walking home from work with him that night when they heard the shouts for help. every time i'm here, ijust feel as if...like a part of me is gone. but i'm very much grateful because, at the same time, when i do come here, i feel at peace with myself, and i can connect with him. jimi was walking across london bridge with his friend bernard when he heard the 21—year—old woman's cries. he turned to his friend and simply said, "i have to save her," and jumped in. the river cold and dark — after midnight, the conditions were treacherous. sadly, jimi drowned — the woman he tried to save eventually rescued by the coastguard, along with another would—be rescuer. the action that he took that night,

it shows of his character. so this itself is very honourable, forthe plaque being here, and it brings a whole life to us. it gives us a reason to be here, a reason for the community to be here, to connect with him. singing. a choral tribute from the borough welsh chapel choir, followed by a blessing by the bishop of southwark. family and friends forever proud ofjimi, who's since been posthumously recognised for his bravery and selflessness by the city of london police. it's a great feeling, it's a great feeling. we no longer feel sorry, we feel like we're celebrating life right now. that's it. celebrating his bravery. his bravery — yeah, exactly. a place now forever dedicated to the memory ofjimi. luke hanrahan, bbc news. a very brave young man. it is now

9:55am. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. good morning. good morning. good morning, and good morning to you. it has been a foggy start to the day for some of us, cloudy for others and also a mild start in the north. many parts of southern and eastern england started off with mist and fog. this is a picture taken earlier in greater london by one of our weather watchers. some of us will hang on to that for a good part of the day. you can see on the air mass chart that the cold air is still across the south of england, notjust still across the south of england, not just today but also tomorrow. the mild air represented by the yellow�*s is for the rest of the country but by the time we get to wednesday, it looks likely mild air will sink south, allowing cold air to come back into the north. today, some rain moving across the north of scotland, patchy light rain across other parts of scotland, northern ireland and northern and western england, north wales, coming out of the thick cloud. through the day, some breaks will develop across north—east scotland and a few in northern ireland and wales. where we

hang the fog across parts of the south—east, it will hold the temperature back. for other areas, it should brighten up except for in the far south—east where we have got a lingering weather front producing a lingering weather front producing a fair bit of clout. temperatures, three in norwich and london to about 11 in stornoway but don't forget if you are stuck under the fog, temperatures will struggle to break freezing. this evening and overnight, almost an action replay of last night. 0nce overnight, almost an action replay of last night. once again a lot of cloud across much of the uk. where we have breaks in the cloud across parts of england and wales, once again, some patchy mist and fog forming. notjust in the east but potentially through the midlands and in towards gloucestershire somerset tonight. you can see we still have a weather front across southern england producing a fair bit of cloud. it will be culled with freezing fog and frost around for some southern areas. as we push north to northern england, scotland and northern ireland, temperatures holding up. into the middle part of the week, tuesday into wednesday, high pressure still in charge in the

south. you can see the north, the isobars are closer together and weather fronts trying to come in against that area of high pressure. 0n against that area of high pressure. on tuesday, we start with a cold start, some frost and also some sunshine. any mist and fog should slowly lift but there will be some stubborn areas. we still have a weather front in the far south—east extending into the channel islands, also producing a fair bit of cloud. in northern ireland, northern england and scotland, a few breaks but once again, still some patchy rain from the weather front slipping into the north—west. temperatures, we are looking at 12 in the north in the south, 3—7.

ekeke this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. allies of the conservative party chairman, nadhim zahawi, say he won't resign, as it's revealed he paid a penalty to resolve a dispute over unpaid tax while he was chancellor. 0pposition parties say his position is untenable. there are calls for a parliamentary inquiry into claims the chairman of the bbc, richard sharp, helped borisjohnson to secure a loan worth up to £800,000 just weeks before he was appointed to the role. both men deny any conflict of interest, and the government insists there was a rigorous selection process. california police say the gunman suspected of killing ten people near los angeles was a 72—year—old man, who shot himself dead as they tried to apprehend him.