this is bbc news. the headlines... bbc chairman richard sharp will appear before the digital, culture, media and sport committee on the 7th of february, following controversy about his appointment and his alleged involvement with a loan to former prime minister boris johnson. i'm comfortable that i was appointed on merit. and i'm also comfortable that as a result of my discussion with simon case that i avoided a conflict, or a potential conflict, because i wasn't party to any transaction. a tory mp has called for conservative party chair, nadhim zahawi, to stand aside while an inquiry is carried out, after questions over a multi—million pound tax settlement. poland's prime minister has called on germany to be "brave"

and allow his country to export 1a leopard ii battle tanks to ukraine. a scandal of abuse and neglect at three children's homes in doncaster. the regulator rated the homes as good even though there had been many warnings about ill—treatment and this year's oscar nominees have been announced. those up for best picture include everything everywhere all at once, avatar, and elvis. the chairman of the bbc has been ordered to give evidence to mps on the digital, culture, media and sport select committee on the 7th of february to answer questions on his alleged involvment in a loan to former

prime minister, borisjohnson. richard sharp says he has no plans to step aside or resign over the row, and believes he has done nothing wrong. richard sharp is accused of helping to facilitate a loan to the then prime minister, when he was applying to be bbc chairman. his appointment is now under review by the commissioner of public appointments. our media editor katie razzall has been speaking to him. the role of chairman of the bbc is appointed by the government and goes through a scrutiny process by the department for digital, culture, media and sport. but that chairman is under pressure after reports suggesting during the recruitment process, he helped introduce a businessman friend who wanted to help the then—prime minister borisjohnson with a loan, to a senior contact in government, the cabinet secretary. today, in his first interview since the story broke, richard sharp said he did nothing

wrong and there was no conflict of interest. we had a discussion with the cabinet secretary about avoiding conflict and perception of conflict, and ifelt comfortable — and still feel there was no conflict because at that stage, what i was seeking to do was ensure the process was followed exactly by the book, and that the process had not started in terms of any support sam would provide to the prime minister. do you think you misled the select committee and advisory panel? no. why not? i don't, because i clarified and agreed with the cabinet secretary that i had avoided a conflict or perception of conflict. do you understand at a time when the bbc is making great efforts to be impartial, high like transparency, that this looks the opposite? well, i see attacks on the bbc from the media all the time, for example, and social media, they attacked our impartiality.

i think the governance we put in place is extremely strong on impartiality. william shawcross is examining your appointment. shouldn't you at least step aside while it is in place? i am confident he will determine i was appointed on merit, that is for him to conduct that process. it was a highly rigorous process, very tough interview, to be part of. so i am comfortable, and there was an independent committee of people doing the interview asking challenging questions. i am sure that process was fully and carefully recorded so it can be minuted and seeing whether it was done on merit and i am confident that was the case. that is for the commissioner of public appointments to decide in his review. katie razzall, bbc news. our arts and media correspondent david silito explained the key allegations laid

against richard sharp. there's two sides to this. the first one is, how did richard sharp get the job in the first place? and if, based on the sunday times story, it looked as though there was some involvement with an £800,000 loan to borisjohnson to help him out of a sticky situation with his personalfinances — that was the central allegation — did he get thejob because he essentially had helped the prime minister out? what richard sharp is saying today and he was saying in his email yesterday, was that he did have a communication with an old friend, sam blyth, who wanted to help out the prime minister because he had seen in the press that there were some problems with his finances. that was only a matter of passing on some information to simon case, the cabinet secretary, and then it was no more after that because of course at that time, he was applying for the job of the bbc and he says there is no conflict of interest because all he did was pass on the name of sam blyth onwards

and he was not involved in the loan. but there's the second element of it, which is that once it becomes front page news, lots of people raised eyebrows about it. it all looks as though we want to know much more about it. there were many people involved in the process of appointing richard sharp. for instance, you've got the appraisal panel, and then you've also got the commons media select committee, which has an official role in essentially saying whether or not richard sharp should be approving him. and none of them knew about any of this. should he have told them? essentially, should he have overreported to avoid a perception of a conflict of interest? 0pposition parties say the conservative party chair, nadhim zahawi, should be sacked now rather than wait for the result of an investigation. the government's ethics adviser is looking into mr zahawi's financial affairs after it emerged he had to pay a penalty to the taxman while he was chancellor.

he says he acted properly. jonathan portes is a professor of economics at kings college london, and former chief economist at the cabinet office. he said mr zahawi's behaviour over his tax affairs had been inappropriate. as far as as faras hmrc as far as hmrc are concerned, that's the end of the matter and that's up fine. know that changes the fact that this investigation and settlement took place while he was chancellor of the exchequer in charge of hmrc —— none of that changes the fact. and that, as i said, he clearly did not tell the full truth, or possibly directly lied about it at the time and threatened people who made perfectly reasonable, and as it turns out correct allegations about his conduct with libel lawyers at the

time. none of that is remotely acceptable behaviour by a politician. the fact that he is resolve the issue with the hmrc is fine, that's good — but that does not mean he behaved in any way that is even remotely close to appropriate for the chancellor of the exchequer, and i cannot imagine that frankly, prior to the last two years of this government, that under any party this would've been even considered to be anywhere near the boundaries of acceptable. lord jonathan evans said leaders must be clear that there is a line that, when crossed, there will be consequences. for more on this i'm joined by alastair campbell, the former director of communications and strategy under tony blair, and co—host of the rest is politics podcast. good evening to you, how much

pressure does this all put on the prime minister, do you think is yellow well, enormous pressure, and its pressure in a way of his own making. its pressure in a way of his own makinu. . , ~ its pressure in a way of his own makin-. ., ~ ., its pressure in a way of his own makin.. .,, ~' ., ~ ., , its pressure in a way of his own makini. .,, ~' ., ~ ., , its pressure in a way of his own makin. .,, ~ ., ~ ,, , ., making. last week at pmqs, he did a foolish thing — making. last week at pmqs, he did a foolish thing - _ making. last week at pmqs, he did a foolish thing - he _ making. last week at pmqs, he did a foolish thing - he said _ making. last week at pmqs, he did a foolish thing - he said there - making. last week at pmqs, he did a foolish thing - he said there were - foolish thing — he said there were no more questions to answer on this, it had been dealt with. and what we now realises he didn't do what you should've done, which is to get to the bottom of this before he said that. and that's further exacerbated by the fact that when he took office and stood on the steps of downing street, in order to differentiate himself from liz truss and boris johnson, who had taken levels of dishonesty and public life to new depths, he said he would lead a government of professionalism, integrity and accountability — and all three of those have been shot to pieces. and i agree with everywhere jonathan said in the interview you just ran, there's no way that any of this is acceptable. you don't need an inquiry into that because the

ministerial code has been broken on several accounts already, and rishi sunak i'm afraid isjust making this worse and worse for himself. if i were him, before he stands up in the house of commons tomorrow, i would say," nadhim zahawi is gone and i'll try to repair the damage that's been done." ., ._ ., ., ., ~' try to repair the damage that's been done." ., ._ ., ., ., ~ ., , done. " the other way to look at this is what the — done. " the other way to look at this is what the police _ done. " the other way to look at this is what the police minister - done. " the other way to look at this is what the police minister was - is what the police minister was talking about this morning, saying there is an ethics investigation here, the person concerned is allowed to continue serving while an investigation continues, we have this principle in this country of innocent until proven guilty. find innocent until proven guilty. and most people _ innocent until proven guilty. fific most people would say innocent until proven guilty. fific most people would say that's perfectly reasonable, but there's two things i would say to that. the first is, the public are very used to this tactic, whichjohnson made his own, of setting up inquiries and waiting for sue gray, then ignoring it. now they'll try to do the same thing for waiting for the ethics investigation— you don't need an ethics investigation to know certain

facts. nadhim zahawi did not pay the taxes he should have done, that's now undisputed fact. he lied about it, that's a breach of the minister will code. he threatened people who are making the allegations against him with very expensive libel lawyers — i would say that's a breach of the ministerial code, as well. �* , , ., , well. but surely all this will come out from the _ well. but surely all this will come out from the ethics _ well. but surely all this will come j out from the ethics investigation, if what you say is true, surely that will be the result and there can be consequences. but why shouldn't there be an investigation, what's there be an investigation, what's the point of having an ethics adviser if he isn't allowed to investigate this kind of think was yellow he can investigate all he wants, but i'm saying to you is there are facts already established which any prime minister who was intent and serious about upholding the standards of professionalism and accountability doesn't need an ethics adviser to tell him that nadhim zahawi has crossed the line. so what rishi sunak is doing — you quoted the report by the committee

for standards in public life, which i've read because we discuss on the podcast that's out tomorrow. it says that when people in positions of leadership tolerate misconduct by others in this way, they are encouraging others to do the same. so he's encouraging these attacks and dishonesty, he's encouraging people threatening libel lawyers when a journalist or tax lawyer asks legitimate questions which turned out to be true. he's gone way beyond — so what's the ethics adviser meant to investigate when we already know the key facts?— the key facts? what about the key facts when it _ the key facts? what about the key facts when it comes _ the key facts? what about the key facts when it comes to _ the key facts? what about the key facts when it comes to other - facts when it comes to other questions facing the government at the moment, which is the appointment of the bbc chairman, richard sharp— he will be before the digital culture sport select committee next month, we are hearing all about the disclosures that he helped boris johnson get this loan. he said he's

done nothing wrong, his selection process was by the book. do you take him on his word at that? he process was by the book. do you take him on his word at that?— him on his word at that? he doesn't know that because _ him on his word at that? he doesn't know that because he _ him on his word at that? he doesn't know that because he was _ him on his word at that? he doesn't know that because he was the - know that because he was the candidate, not in charge of the selection process. you had other people like diane coyle who stood in as an entry person and didn't even get on the shortlist. i don't know what it i think it's fair or, i think the facts there are less clear and there is greater sense of dispute about them. but what this does reveal is this cosy, rich men's club and the interlinking between politics and the media, which frankly to me as a form of corruption. what mr sharp is discovering is that anybody who touches boris johnson discovering is that anybody who touches borisjohnson and his utter lack of probity and honesty will get damaged. lack of probity and honesty will get dama i ed. ~ �* �* lack of probity and honesty will get damaied. ~ �* �* . ., ., ., damaged. were bbc chairman not a- iointed damaged. were bbc chairman not appointed under _ damaged. were bbc chairman not appointed under labour— damaged. were bbc chairman not - appointed under labour governments? they were because they had to be,

and as i think it is a ridiculous system that should be changed. you are in government for a long time, why didn't you?— are in government for a long time, why didn't you? because i was in the prime minister, _ why didn't you? because i was in the prime minister, i _ why didn't you? because i was in the prime minister, i was _ why didn't you? because i was in the prime minister, i was the _ why didn't you? because i was in the | prime minister, i was the spokesman. —— | prime minister, i was the spokesman. —— i was in the prime minister. you'll member that those people we appointed, they now probably stick pins in effigies of me because of the dispute that led to them losing theirjobs. 0f the dispute that led to them losing theirjobs. of course there have to be relations between politics and media, but with this lot, johnson and his 55 tuft st spectator crowd, michael gove and his crowd, this link, oraccess michael gove and his crowd, this link, or access to media— this talk about waiting for the inquisition... do you think the public care about these stories?— do you think the public care about these stories? they care about their ioliticians these stories? they care about their politicians being _ these stories? they care about their politicians being fun _ these stories? they care about their politicians being fun to _ these stories? they care about their politicians being fun to mentally - politicians being fun to mentally dishonest, that's whyjohnson is out of a job. and rishi sunak came in

saying he would be different. yes, people care about this, they care about standards in public life, it's very hard for politicians, i accept this, they are underfar very hard for politicians, i accept this, they are under far greater scrutiny, social media is greater pressure on them — but for sunak to stay up last week like he did and say there was nothing to see there, it's all been and are like answered, for nadhim zahawi to keep threatening with lawyer letters and lying — which is of itself a straightforward breach of the ministerial code — i'm afraid every minute sunak clings on to this guy, he's damaging himself. for someone who's desperate to see the back of this government, i'm fine with that, they can carry on. but the public do care about standards in public life and the stage of the country, and they care about the fact that this lot are utterly incapable of doing anything because they are dishonest, they don't have the people posting priorities at heart and they're not very competent, either.— priorities at heart and they're not very competent, either. always great to hear very competent, either. always great

to hehr your — very competent, either. always great to hear your thoughts, _ very competent, either. always great to hear your thoughts, thanks - very competent, either. always great to hear your thoughts, thanks so - to hear your thoughts, thanks so much. the prime minister of poland has told the bbc he will give germany a week or two, to make a decision on whether poland can export their leopard two tanks to ukraine. it comes as the nato secretary general met germany's new defence minister, boris pistorius, in berlin — with germany under continued pressure over the supply of more tanks kyiv. after the meeting, the two men said they'd discussed the issue of battle tanks, but a decision on whether to send them still hadn't been made. according to its rules, germany has to give permission for any german—made tanks to be exported, even if they're owned by other countries. poland has now sent an official request for the tanks. earlier, my colleague kasia madera spoke to poland's prime minister, matayush morawiecki, who said they're now building a coalition of countries willing to support ukraine at this critical juncture. you're saying that the germans are

delaying, they're dodging. if you do not get the decision that you want, if they do not approve the sending of these tanks, what kind of deadline are you giving them and will you just go it alone? we deadline are you giving them and will you just go it alone?- will you 'ust go it alone? we will do this will you just go it alone? we will do this no _ will you just go it alone? we will do this no matter _ will you just go it alone? we will do this no matter what - will you just go it alone? we will do this no matter what the - will you just go it alone? we will i do this no matter what the decision will be. but we want to go along with the procedures that are requested of us, and this is why we will be waiting for the next couple of days, or two weeks for the official reply. having said that, i'm in contact with the prime ministers of eu countries to help ukraine immediately because ukraine cannot afford to be left alone by the european union. we have to collectively support ukraine because this is a very serious matter. many

escalation, they're worried about this escalating — what's your reply to people who think this action would be seen as an escalation? let me iut it would be seen as an escalation? let me put it this way — poland and the free world cannot afford not to send leopard ii tanks and not to send more weapons to ukraine, because the kremlin and russians, whom we know very well not just from our kremlin and russians, whom we know very well notjust from our history, but they were our neighbours for more than 1000 years and we know their recent behaviour — we know how they act, the minute they attacked georgia, they look for another prey. the minute they tack the microtech ukraine, after the crimean peninsula, they attacked ukraine in 2022. this is why we know very well

the insatiable appetite of russia to dominate other countries is the true jeopardy for the security of stability and peace in europe, but i also believe this war is important to all of our world. the decisive and quick reaction of the free world, including the european union, is critically important at this juncture. is critically important at this “uncture. ~ , ., juncture. prime minister, how important— juncture. prime minister, how important is— juncture. prime minister, how important is it _ juncture. prime minister, how important is it that _ juncture. prime minister, how important is it that the - juncture. prime minister, how important is it that the uk - juncture. prime minister, how important is it that the uk is i important is it that the uk is sending challenger tanks? it is so far the only country that has committed to sending tanks so i feel it is important that the united kingdom is sending their challenger tanks because it is a clear example to france and germany that this move is possible and this is our common matter. this affects the whole of

nato, so i'm pleased that- nato, so i'm pleased that prime minister rishi _ nato, so i'm pleased that prime minister rishi sunak _ nato, so i'm pleased that prime minister rishi sunak took - nato, so i'm pleased that prime minister rishi sunak took this i minister rishi sunak took this decision and it only confirms that we work hand in glove with the united kingdom to fend off this jeopardy from the east. we're joined now by general lord richard dannatt, former head of the british army. he joins us from westminster. do you think germany will in the end allow leopard ii tanks to be sent to ukraine? , ., , , . ., ukraine? germany must decide to allow leopard _ ukraine? germany must decide to allow leopard ii _ ukraine? germany must decide to allow leopard ii tanks _ ukraine? germany must decide to allow leopard ii tanks to - ukraine? germany must decide to allow leopard ii tanks to go - ukraine? germany must decide to allow leopard ii tanks to go to - allow leopard ii tanks to go to ukraine. at the very least, they must take the embargo off of other countries that have bought leopard ii tanks from them to let these countries like poland send tanks to ukraine. but even more importantly, i believe germany itself must come off the fence and must actually realise that this is a critical moment in european security, and the security of —— future of security in

europe, and they have a key role to play. they can unlock this problem if they agreed to allow their leopard ii tanks and other countries's leopard ii tanks to get involved. because let's face it, the positions of russia and ukraine, as far as negotiations are concerned, are irreconcilable. sadly we have to believe that this war will be concluded on the battlefield, and to do that in ukraine's battlefield, they need maximum support from the west— that means armour and land manoeuvre capability that can crack russian positions. you manoeuvre capability that can crack russian positions.— manoeuvre capability that can crack russian positions. you say germany needs to get — russian positions. you say germany needs to get off _ russian positions. you say germany needs to get off the _ russian positions. you say germany needs to get off the fence _ russian positions. you say germany needs to get off the fence but - russian positions. you say germany needs to get off the fence but it - russian positions. you say germany needs to get off the fence but it is l needs to get off the fence but it is very much on the fence at the moment, it is equivocal about this issue, there are lots of historic reasons for that and close relationships with russia and so on. but how much difference do you think it would make to of the ukrainian war effort if it got the tanks it wanted? what would it do with them and how would it use them? i wanted? what would it do with them and how would it use them?-

and how would it use them? i think two ioints and how would it use them? i think two points - _ and how would it use them? i think two points - you — and how would it use them? i think two points - you mentioned - and how would it use them? i think| two points - you mentioned history, two points — you mentioned history, well, this is a moment germany can actually turn history in our favour. look at the last hundred years and germany's decisions weren't exactly in our favour. they need to get this one right. you asked about why tanks are so important — they are so important because ukrainians need to put together or increase their capability to mount a significant armoured thrust at the russians. they can do that particularly in the north of their country, the north and central part of their country, and central part of their country, and to make a proper armoured breakthrough is oppositely key. and to do that, they need armoured infantry there, they need self—propelled artillery and lots of ammunition, and all that can be done. but if we did there and delay, then the operation will fail as the russians put more and more of their conscripts into defensive positions, and the problem will eventually

become stagnant in stalemate on the battlefield. there's an opportunity in late winter, early spring further ukrainians to mount a significant counteroffensive and cracked the russians. the thing about soldiers is when they think in their heads that they've lost, they've lost. we need to hit the russians hard so that the russian soldiers believe that the russian soldiers believe that they've lost. that is the way the ukrainians will fail on this battlefield, and to enable that is... as well as countries as our own some point the alternative scenario is russia launches a big offensive in the spring and could turn the war in its favour instead. i think it's very likely the russians will mount an offensive at some point in late winter, early spring. while the evidence of that which we've seen over the last year in this war, i would hesitate to say that there offensive will fail. the conscripts that they've rounded up and given scant training in very

poor equipment to are not of the calibre or quality that would be able to make a significant offensive successful and break through the ukrainian lines. it's when the russians have failed in their offensive that the ukrainians will have the best moment to launch a counter offensive. they must be ready for that, and that's their best moment to attack, when the russians have spent themselves, then the ukrainians counter attack with the ukrainians counter attack with the armour capability we absolutely no have to give them. essen the armour capability we absolutely no have to give them.— no have to give them. even if germany _ no have to give them. even if germany said _ no have to give them. even if germany said yes _ no have to give them. even if germany said yes tonight - no have to give them. even if germany said yes tonight or. germany said yes tonight or tomorrow, it'll take several months tomorrow, it'll take several months to get these tanks into place and ukrainian forces trained up in their use, as well? it ukrainian forces trained up in their use. as well?— use, as well? it will take days and weeks, maybe even _ use, as well? it will take days and weeks, maybe even a _ use, as well? it will take days and weeks, maybe even a month - use, as well? it will take days and weeks, maybe even a month or. use, as well? it will take days and l weeks, maybe even a month or two use, as well? it will take days and . weeks, maybe even a month or two - weeks, maybe even a month or two — but where there is a will, there's a way. they ukrainians are very determined, the leopard ii tank was designed as conscripts could master relatively quickly and easily. so where there's a will, there is a

way, and sufficiently these tanks could get into ukrainian take soldiers hands in order to allow them to mount an offensive in late winter, early spring, orsometime them to mount an offensive in late winter, early spring, or sometime in the spring, and that's when they need to be ready. they need to have the equipment in the training, they have the motivation, they need to make a winning operations. because thatis make a winning operations. because that is the only way this war will be resolved — the negotiating positions at the state are irreconcilable.— positions at the state are irreconcilable. , ., ., irreconcilable. many thanks for your time, irreconcilable. many thanks for your time. thank — irreconcilable. many thanks for your time, thank you. _ five regional governors in ukraine and a deputy defence minister are among those who have lost theirjobs as part of a reshuffle by president zelensky linked to an anti—corruption campaign. there have been reports that inflated prices were charged for food supplies to the military. a bbc investigation into abuse and neglect at three children's homes and schools in doncaster has found that more than 100 reports

of concern were made before their closure. leaked documents show that children were reported to have been badly mistreated. the regulator 0fsted continued to rate the homes as "good" while receiving a0 separate alerts over three years. the regulator's chief inspector has told the bbc she's "deeply sorry", as has the hesley group, which ran the homes. noel titheridge has this report — you may find some of the details in it distressing. it has been called the worst care scandal since winterbourne view. as well as physical abuse, there was emotional abuse as well. our investigation reveals the scale of abuse reported at children's homes in doncaster. a child was in the kitchen rubbing washing—up liquid all over his arms. i asked him what he was doing. and he said, "i do this so night staff can't grab me, can't hold me." chloe straw worked for over a year at fullerton house, a children's home and a special school on the same site. you could see the sadness in his eyes when he was saying this.

and it is something that you don't forget, i'll neverforget. chloe says the homes were understaffed and she even filmed a support worker asleep. she says the abuse of some children was openly discussed, but when she reported it to senior staff, nothing happened. so that is why i went to the police. and to get to that point where i thought i would get help and the children would get help, and then to be told, no. you reported this in 2018. how did it feel knowing the homes did not close for three more years? disgusted because that is a further three years of abuse. south yorkshire police says there was insufficient evidence to progress with the case but it referred the report to the local authority. i've sort of lost all faith really in the care system. nicola's daughter ruby has autism, epilepsy and significant learning difficulties. you think, when they get £250,000 a year towards care, they'd be getting the rolls—royce of care, really. ruby was dragged across the floor at one of the homes in doncaster by a staff member

who was then sacked. you can't believe that people in care would treat children like this. you just can't get your head around it. it is appalling. our investigation has interviewed a dozen former hesley staff who blew the whistle. we have also been leaked internal company documents that show both the scale of the abuse, and the failure of authorities to act. safeguarding logs show that children were reported to have been kicked and punched in the stomach, locked in a bathroom overnight, forced to sit in cold baths, and even had vinegar poured on a wound as punishment. i am so sorry for the children themselves, and for their families. we took our findings to 0fsted. children punched and kicked, dragged across the floor, locked inside bathrooms. have you ever heard of abuse on this scale before? this is a truly appalling case. really as shocking as i have ever heard. it is clear this really is dreadful and something that we should all be deeply concerned about. we have learned 0fsted received a0 separate warnings, over three years, yet

still the homes remained rated good. why didn't you act sooner? well, we acted in response to concerns. we worked slower than we should have been to put the whole picture together and recognise the pattern of abuse emerging. but is that good enough with some of the most acutely vulnerable children in care in the country, many of whom were nonverbal? there is a particularly high risk for these children, and we recognise that, which is why we have both changed our risk assessment to improve our ability to spot patterns early, and also, to train our inspectors. hesley said it has now closed the homes and was now focused on running its adult placements. it said it could not comment further because the police investigation was not expected to conclude for another year. for families of children, it means a long wait to find out the full truth. noel titheridge, bbc news, doncaster. now it's time for a look at the weather. it comes from susan. good evening,

ben, temperatures have not got above freezing and parts of the midlands today. in aberdeen sure, it was 16 celsius in the sunshine. these big temperature contrast in the uk compared with the south, mild atlantic air to the north. fog is an issue currently across parts of mid wales and the midlands. that risk should lesson has the cloud spill through the north, but the freezing fog developing further south. cloud and rain pushing into scotland and northern ireland, another mild night for the rest of the uk, and frost developing across southern and eastern counties as we go into the small hours. and it is these areas that are also favoured for us to see patches of dense, fusing frog to micro fog thursday. this weather front continues and it pushes that arctic air into the continent. tomorrow will feel fresher across northern ireland because of the westerly wind, but it should be bright with lots of sunshine and it will feel milder. for england and

wales, temperatures heading back to average. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. bbc chairman richard sharp will appear before the digital, culture, media and sport committee on 7th february, following controversy about his appointment and his alleged involvement with a loan to former pm borisjohnson. i'm comfortable that i was appointed on merit. and i'm also comfortable that as a result of my discussion with simon case that i avoided a conflict, or a potential conflict, because i wasn't party to any transaction. a tory mp has called for conservative party chair nadhim zahawi to stand aside while an inquiry is carried out, after questions over a multi—million pound tax settlement. poland's prime minister has called on germany to be "brave" and allow his country to export 1a

leopard 2 battle tanks to ukraine. a scandal of abuse and neglect at three children's homes in doncaster. the regulator rated the homes as good even though there had been many warnings about ill—treatment. and — this years 0scar nominees have been announced. those up for best picture include: everything everywhere all at once, avatar, and elvis. hello and welcome. victoria azarenka has made it to her first australian open semi final since 2013... her opponent will be wimbledon champion elena rybakina who knocked out jelena 0stapenko. there were also quarter final wins for stefanos tsitsipas and karen khachanov. dan 0gunshakin reports. it was at the australian open ten years ago where she won her last

grandson title. herjourney has been arduous and bald document but could this finally be her time again. her opponentjennifer piccolo was this highest seed in the draw and although she had a moment this is the dominant display of the two—time open champion. azarenka. .. azarenka... herfirst finalfour appearance here is since her 2014 title. standing between azarenka and elena rybakina. she overpowered azarenka in straight sets with only rain delaying the process. but neither weather nor the latvian bird tonight her on this occasion. the biggest threat to greek was greek. the third seat came close to hitting

a ball kid as he closed in on victory. in error escape for both as the greek cruised into his third straight semifinal. players were required as he faced his opponent. the american who was a star of melbourne park battle briefly but after two seats and a break in the third was forced to call it quits. mikaela shiffrin's made history by winning a record 83rd world cup event and becoming the most successful woman in world cup skiing history. the two—time olympic gold medallist claimed her victory in the giant slalom in kronplatz. it takes her clear of the record previously held by fellow american lindsey vonn. it leaves herjust three wins behind legendary swedish skier ingemar stenmark who has won the most world cup events ever. having two americans one and two on the world cup wins list is very historic, especially for a nation that is not a skiing nation. i hope it inspires

the next generation of skiers. i think we really need that, we need more skiers to come up and i think she is doing that. i risk everything all the time but that is my nature. that is why i love downhill so much, but michaela has been very precise and that has allowed her to have a healthy career so far. merseyside police have arrested three men for alleged homophobic chanting during liverpool's draw with chelsea on saturday. one was arrested inside anfield and two outside the ground on suspicion of homophobic intentional harassment, alarm or distress. the fa can now also charge clubs if their fans use a homophobic chant that has been aimed at chelsea players and supporters. there's one match in the league cup tonight — newcastle travel to southampton for the first leg of their semi final. eddie howe's side haven't won a major trophy since 1955 and the manager says they're desperate for the next step:

the semifinal itself is not enough —— it is enough and it would be for anyone and you go into the games going to the semifinal is nothing and i know the players feel the same way. me and my coaching team feel passionately about it that we want to make the final but we have to navigate these two games, they will be very difficult as i say. england's netballers have missed out on a place at the final of the quad series in cape town. the roses lost to new zealand's silver ferns 55—45 — despite leading until the final quarter. it means australia will play new zealand in the final of the series tomorrow. that's all the sport for now. backin back in an hourfor sports back in an hour for sports day. back in an hourfor sports day. in the last hour the university and couege the last hour the university and college union across the uk has announced a series of strikes on 18 daysin announced a series of strikes on 18 days in february and march in total

70,000 members will walk out an action that will affect around 150 universities. for more this�*ll talk to the general secretary of that union. thank you for being with us why exactly are you striking what is it exactly that you want? last year our pension _ it exactly that you want? last year our pension scheme _ it exactly that you want? last year our pension scheme was _ it exactly that you want? last year our pension scheme was cut - it exactly that you want? last year our pension scheme was cut by . it exactly that you want? last year l our pension scheme was cut by 3596. our pension scheme was cut by 35%. at the time we argue that this didn't happen and now the figures show that it did not. and we are simply asking for that pay to be restored now. and in terms of pay are sector has had a 25% pay cut. since 20 and 18. when you factor in a cost—of—living crisis our members are really struggling to get by. in addition to this we have burn—out levels of workload and have huge amount of insecure contract so it is amount of insecure contract so it is a pay and pensions dispute but what we are asking for is very much within the gift of our employers,

higher education had an income of 41 billion last year. has over £40 billion last year. has over £40 billion of reserves so this is a sector that can well afford pay staff probably —— properly and we are asking that they do that. you talk about burn—out level but what about the burn—out level of students who have already endured a complete falloff in their education during the covid pandemic and now they are facing 18 days of strike action by gore union?— facing 18 days of strike action by gore union? �* .,, ., , , gore union? and it was our members that were teaching _ gore union? and it was our members that were teaching them _ gore union? and it was our members that were teaching them from - gore union? and it was our members that were teaching them from their . that were teaching them from their kitchen tables during the pandemic it was them who moved heaven and earth to make sure the show was kept on the road during the pandemic and it is those same people that are now announcing to universities that we need you to pay us properly through a cost—of—living crisis and i more than happy to come on tv and radio to come and be held to account. i represent university workers, but what we need is university bosses on

new —— news items like this. they never come on and defend themselves and why they think it is fine to have so much in reserve to allow strike action to play out. they are the people who are holding the purse string so tightly by the thing resolving the dispute and would like to hear from them. resolving the dispute and would like to hearfrom them. the resolving the dispute and would like to hear from them.— to hear from them. the public and students and _ to hear from them. the public and students and parents _ to hear from them. the public and students and parents may - to hear from them. the public and students and parents may say, - to hear from them. the public and | students and parents may say, ok, to hear from them. the public and i students and parents may say, ok, i understand the reasons why you are striking but 18 days? that is a lot of strike action. it is notjust the odd one or two days. it is almost three weeks worth of strike action. we balance it all the way back in the summer. it is a long process, people and unions well know. we called three days of action in november and december and employers have moved but they have not moved enough. set 18 days of action, i agree with you, it is serious. but we are very serious. at the minute we are very serious. at the minute we have over a third of people who teachin we have over a third of people who teach in universities who are on insecure contract. they don't know where they will be working

month—to—month sometimes you'd let alone year—to—year. we have people who thought they were retiring with a decent pension who just have had 35% of it pretty much stolen with no promise to restore it even though it can. that is what we are dealing with. we are serious in this is serious because the circumstances that people are now living within and not earning enough or very serious. ., ~ and not earning enough or very serious. ., ,, , ., , . serious. thank you very much indeed for our serious. thank you very much indeed for yourtime- _ serious. thank you very much indeed for your time. feelings _ serious. thank you very much indeed for your time. feelings by _ serious. thank you very much indeed for your time. feelings by probation | for your time. feelings by probation service... failings by the probation service left a serial offender free to commit murder, just days after he was released from prison — that's according to a damning report today. the chief inspector of probation has revealed a catalogue of errors that led tojordan mcsweeney killing zara aleena, a law graduate, as she walked home last summer. he'd been wrongly classified as a medium rather than high risk offender. our home affairs correspondent, june kelly reports. zara aleena's family

and friends have said she was just walking home when she was attacked and sexually assaulted. today her aunt gave the family's reaction to the failings exposed in the report. i am absolutely livid, our streets are not safe. probation work has to be tight, has to be high quality, because the risks, the stakes are high, it is lives. zara's life was taken, and probation have blood on their hands. do you think zara could be alive today if people had done theirjobs better? absolutely. you are under arrest for rate and murder. jordan mcsweeney was arrested shortly after he killed zara, had already served nine prison sentences, and had been released from jailjust nine days before the murder. today's report by the probation

watchdog describes how within days of being released he was recalled to jail for failing to attend probation appointments but because he had been wrongly assessed as medium rather than high—risk, he was not arrested as soon as he could have been. this meant he was free to wander around the streets of ilford following other lone women before he targeted zara. the report describes probation officers as having excessive workloads, with the service suffering from high vacancy rates, and injordan mcsweeney�*s case it says there was a lack of communication between prison and probation services. i am not going to blame our members doing their best, trying to hold the service together. i think the blame for this systemic failure lies at the hands of the secretary of state forjustice, i want them to meet with me and practitioners to get an idea how hard it is on the front

line. it is now seven months since zara's life was taken. what are your lives like now? rubbish, absolutely rubbish. we are sad. we are heartbroken. we are still traumatised. it is... it is effort to be alive. the family have asked for a meeting with thejustice secretary dominic raab. the government is promising better training to improve risk assessments and investment to recruit thousands more probation officers. june kelly, bbc news. 0pposition parties say the conservative party chair, nadhim zahawi, should be sacked now — rather than wait for the result

of an investigation. the government's ethics adviser is looking into mr zahawi's financial affairs — after it emerged he had to pay a penalty to the taxman while he was chancellor. he says he acted properly. lord evans, jonathan evans, chair of the standards in public life committee told the bbc people in the public sector should be clear what the ethical values are. what i think at the moment is that is excellently credible that there should be accountability and openness —— absolutely so i think you're talking about the events in the last couple of days and i think it is right that where there is a scandal, public concern that that should be properly investigated by someone who is independent and can find out the facts without fear and favour and that we can then be confident that they can be addressed. 0ne confident that they can be addressed. one could say that i have had is that some of the allegations that have been put out in the last four or five days have never been investigated. so they hang in the air and that is the worst situation

because no one knows whether there is a problem or whether it has been put right. at least if it has been investigated we can have confidence that the facts will be uncovered. and that we will then be able to see what can be done about that. let's go live to hertforshire and speak to christopher hope, associate political editor at the daily telegraph. good to have you with us. how politically dangerous is all of this for the prime minister? it is politically dangerous is all of this for the prime minister?— for the prime minister? it is very dangerous _ for the prime minister? it is very dangerous because _ for the prime minister? it is very dangerous because the - for the prime minister? it is very dangerous because the prime i for the prime minister? it is very - dangerous because the prime minister said last wednesday how he was short that nadhim zahawi was given a full account of everything and by the weekend more information out about the tax affairs. and the investigation launched this week by laurie magnus about what the truth is here. and he sounds quite testy, the prime minister, and his statements yesterday. he is annoyed that it has come to this point and are of course by not coming clean and piling it all out for everyone

to read about last monday as he should have done. nadhim zahawi is not lost control of this and now should be investigated by someone else. at the clock is ticking. this guy is the party chairman. his guy is to get the vote out in the main midterm election, 14 short weeks away. he should be out there trying to galvanise the grassroots. the overheat did not get a vote for the prime minister. instead he will be looking for somewhere with his accounts and preparing his defence on what happened here. if only he had come out earlier i thought all of this could be avoided. labour is saying that he should resign now, it is ridiculous because there is nothing done wrong here. there is no tax evasion it is tax avoidance, if that. often with businesspeople who are very off that they do have debates with the tax man about avoidance and what might be a gray area. should not be paid, should that not be paid. that is quite

common of someone of the wealth of nadhim zahawi will stop and that is not been understood or explained probably if it had a week ago it could've been avoided. it is not just labour it is notjust labour but one or two tory mps, saying that he should stand aside even just temporarily while this investigation is pursued. as you know you stand aside, it is no clear rule on that. dominic raab is still there and all of this investigation about how he treats all instruments —— service in his department. there might be a point if this goes on too long it may be a distraction and the local elections need a hard deadline that the prime minister will be worried about. there could be real challenges to his own leadership injune and july which is why it is important to get this resolved quickly. if it goes on

too long without any resolution. rishi sunak talked a lot about professionalism and integrity and standards in government on his first day in downing street. he said that would be the hallmark of his government.— would be the hallmark of his iovernment. ., , , , , government. that is why it must be so annoying — government. that is why it must be so annoying to _ government. that is why it must be so annoying to come _ government. that is why it must be so annoying to come out _ government. that is why it must be so annoying to come out in - government. that is why it must be so annoying to come out in the - government. that is why it must be i so annoying to come out in the house of commons at the prime minister questions last wednesday to then find out that there is more to say after he backed them. i think that is why it is real clear that the pm don't have confidence in him. but nadhim zahawi is widely respected in the party in a good person to work with one of the tory party's best performers did very well during the storm a crisis getting the vaccine out as the vaccine deployment minister. he gave back a lot to this country he arrived with nothing and was very well off. he did not have to do thejob he

was very well off. he did not have to do the job he thought it was a public service. i think that is a lot of credit in the tory party and why he is still there and he can't get around this only if, i think if he comes clean about what has happened with this tax affair. about the other story _ happened with this tax affair. about the other story rumbling _ happened with this tax affair. about the other story rumbling which is about the bbc chairman richard sharp. he will be questioned next month about the loan with the former prime minister. is that a lesser way for the prime minister and if so how would you compare the two stories? i would you compare the two stories? i would not compare them in the same way. that is a lesser wearing a question. sharp was working with rishi sunak and number 11 at that point when this relation with boris johnson in trying to get some support forjohnson and then sharp went to the claret and then recused

himself. it looks odd i suppose they went on to get the job from that position but it was all declared. it is hard, i think it is not the same level as the nadhim zahawi issue for rishi sunak. _, ., level as the nadhim zahawi issue for rishi sunak. ,., ., ., level as the nadhim zahawi issue for rishi sunak-— rishi sunak. good to talk to you and iet our rishi sunak. good to talk to you and get your analysis. _ the pair were last seen with the infant in a white chapel area of east london onjanuary infant in a white chapel area of east london on january the infant in a white chapel area of east london onjanuary the 7th. the child was less than a week old at the time of the disappearance.

please believe they may have been camping in the tent similar to this when local parts as temperatures plummeted below zero.— plummeted below zero. really concerned _ plummeted below zero. really concerned that _ plummeted below zero. really concerned that a _ plummeted below zero. really concerned that a newborn - plummeted below zero. really| concerned that a newborn baby plummeted below zero. really - concerned that a newborn baby was only days old at the time would have been subjected to the harsh environment that we have had over the last couple of weeks. 35—year—old constance know to her friends as students comes from enormous wealth. herfamily friends as students comes from enormous wealth. her family had friends as students comes from enormous wealth. herfamily had £100 million country house in dorset before it was sold but she is now estranged from them. 48—year—old mark gordon is a bit registered sex offender. he was convicted of rape in florida aged 14 and served 20 years in prison. when their car caught fire on the m 61 near bolton and left the scene it became clear that they were on the run from the authorities. they took taxis, paying in cash travelling to essex and then to the capital. this is the final cctv image uncovered so far on brick lane in east london. that was the

last two and half weeks ago. ten o'clock at night on saturday the 7th of january. after that, couple and their newborn baby simply vanished. detectives are urging mark gordon and constance or anyone who has seen them to come forward for the sake of them to come forward for the sake of the baby. the film everything, everywhere all at once is leading the way in the oscars nominations. it's up for 11 categories, including best actress and best supporting actress for the performances of michelle yeoh and jamie lee curtis. all quiet on the western front and the banshees of inisherin follow with nine nominations each. 0ur entertainment correspondent colin patersonjoined us earlier with details about this year's nominations. he began by talking about a milestone achievement for actress, jamie lee curtis.

you think of her as absolute hollywood heritage but this is her first 0scar hollywood heritage but this is her first oscar nomination, best supporting actress stress at the age of 64 replaying a tax inspector. not what you think the start of her career where you thought she would be getting a nomination for michelle yeoh the start of the film getting her first 0scar yeoh the start of the film getting her first oscar nomination as well. a huge hit 20 years ago, never nominated for that, for people who have not seen it is not that easy a film to explain. it is about migrants to the us who run along but then it all kicks off and becomes a sci—fi kung fu movie set in the multi—verse. the other movie actor nominated was a child actor in the 19805, nominated was a child actor in the 1980s, the wiki kit in indiana jones and the temple of doom. when he stop being a kid he retired because he cannot get any parts and it was watching crazy rich asians that made him think, i should give this another go and the directors of the film saw a mean of him on twitter

and thought whatever happened to that kid. a quarter of all of the nominations are irish. that is because it is about eating friends in the 1920s and all of the four leads in that film have been nominated. colin farrell his first ever 0scar nominated. colin farrell his first ever oscar nomination, gleason and two others in the supporting categories and. and paul who is nominated as a scholar single fall or taking his daughter on holiday. —— father. bill nye was a big coat and he is 73. his first 0scar and he is 73. his first oscar nomination as well. did not get nominated for love actually in those days but he is nominated for this film living where he is nominated for playing a bureaucrat. the other british actor is a real surprise.

andrea rise borough for a phone call to leslie which she placed a alcoholic mum wins lottery implodes all of the money again. it came out last march flopped in the cinema and took £20,000 at the box office around the world. shortly is the round decided that it should be reappraised and held to party and gwyneth paltrow got involved in put in her instagram followers that those who vote in the oscar should look at the film. kate winslet held a viewing party as did any items. this all happened within the last 14 days and now the english actress has in 0scar days and now the english actress has in oscar nomination. i think we will get a little more on that box office. and parasite did well and roma came close to doing a double. this is a film that is out on netflix. in an english language version it also had some 0scar

nominations. she today has gotten 0scar nominations. she today has gotten oscar nomination for adoptive screen play. let's see what the weather is doing. still cold to the south of the uk it has been unusually mild to the uk it has been unusually mild to the north today in fact 16 degrees in aberdeen sure and now through this evening and overnight some of this evening and overnight some of this milder air is going to start to sink its way south. i this milder air is going to start to sink its way south.— sink its way south. i had of that some fog _ sink its way south. i had of that some fog to — sink its way south. i had of that some fog to contend _ sink its way south. i had of that some fog to contend with - sink its way south. i had of that . some fog to contend with currently anyone heading onto the roads certainly bear that in mind because it could be freezing frog —— fog in places. that will lift overnight at the cloud come down that tends to clear fog the cloud come down that tends to clearfog but the cloud come down that tends to clear fog but clear skies for the south, west country east anglia we will see frost developing overnight and here we could see some dense patches of freezing fog but watch

the blue area closely. as the night plays out it shrinks away. that is the milder edges pushing its way down into the midlands and across wales. 0vernight a very mild night again for scotland and northern ireland for some these areas, east anglia, south midlands, across towards the west country where we could see some dense freezing fog the first thing wednesday. 0ur could see some dense freezing fog the first thing wednesday. our store for wednesday is of the milder air gradually pushing its way south across the uk. weirdly, with a cold front leading the charge. the milder air is ahead of the cold front it goesin air is ahead of the cold front it goes in with the cloud to southern england by the afternoon and we should see the temperatures higher here than we have in a few days. behind the cold front, is not cold perse behind the cold front, is not cold per se but it is fresher and it has been this to say so it temperatures somewhat lower at the across scotland and northern ireland to stand in aberdeen but 7—9 across england and wales a great improvement over the last couple of days. thursday, the rain is a way to

the south of the continent, high pressure is building light winds overnight into thursday and we should see a widespread frost. temperatures in the towns and cities, ruralareas temperatures in the towns and cities, rural areas a little lower. frost returns. but not as cold across england and well. as it has beenin across england and well. as it has been in recent nights. and there should be a lot of sunshine around through the day. breeze off of the north sea, always a chilly one, some cloud around eastern counties, one or two showers, a lot of sunshine and fine weather on the whole and temperatures around average for the time of year. 8—9 in england, wales although on the chillier side for aberdeen. nothing dramatically cold and the outlook. nothing particularly wet either which is good news because we still have the legacy of all of that heavy ring with salt earlier on in the month. —— we saw.

abuse at three children's homes and schools, with more than 100 reports of concern, before they were finally shut down. leaked documents suggested children were badly mistreated at the premises in doncaster, yet the regulator rated them as "good." we can't believe that people in care would treat children like this. you think when they're getting £250,000 a year towards care, they'd be getting the rolls royce of care, really. the regulator says it's "deeply sorry." also on the programme — the chairman of the bbc richard sharp says he won't resign over claims of a conflict of a interest when he took the top job.

as afghans brave the coldest winterfor a decade, millions face hunger in —31 degree temperatures.