this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines... in my head, and in my heart, i know that time is now. that it is right for me, for my party and for the country. and so today i am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party. ina in a surprise announcement, nicola sturgeon has announced she is quitting as scotland's first minister. we will be asking what her exit means and what comes next for scotland. police are searching for nicola bulley said she had specific vulnerabilities that meant she was immediately treated as a high risk

disappearance. ais—year—old boy and are charged with the murder of the 16—year—old girl who was killed in cheshire on saturday. inflation remains near a a0 year high. the uk's most expensive drug saves a toddler with a rare genetic condition, but it is too late to save her terminally ill sister. nicola sturgeon is stepping down as scotland's first minister and leader of the scottish national party. she will leave office as soon as her successor is chosen. she says she can no longer give the role the full

commitment she believes that it needs, and she hinted that after eight years as scotland's first minister, efforts to broaden the appeal of scottish independence could be hampered by what she called polarised opinions about her work. we'll look back at her career and get political reaction from edinburgh and london, but first lorna gordon on nicola sturgeon's resignation. she is scotland's longest serving first minister, the first female to hold the position. and today, nicola sturgeon announced she's stepping down. since my very first moment in thejob, i have believed that part of serving well would be to know almost instinctively when the time is right to make way someone else. in my head, and in my heart, i know that time is now. that it is right for me, my party and for the country. and so today i am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader

of my party. she said her decision to go was not a reaction to short—term pressures. i know it might seem sudden, but i have been wrestling with it, albeit with oscillating levels of intensity, for some weeks. essentially, i have been trying to answer two questions. is carrying on right for me? and, more importantly, is me carrying on right for the country, my party and for the independence cause i have devoted my life to? the first minister said her wish was to use the next general election as a de facto referendum on scottish independence, a strategy to be decided at an snp meeting next month. i cannot in good conscience ask the party to choose an option based on myjudgment, whilst not being convinced that i would be there as leader to see it through. by making my decision clear now,

i free the snp to choose the path it believes to be the right one, without worrying about the perceived implications for my leadership and in the knowledge that a new leader will steer us, i believe successfully, on that path. taking the country through covid was, nicola sturgeon said, the toughest thing she had done. many said she was surefooted in her communications through that crisis. but critics argue that on other issues, a second independence referendum, the gender recognition reform bill, and isla bryson — the double rapist initially sent to a women's prison — she's been less sure footed. too often i see issues presented, and as a result viewed, not in their own merits but through the prism of what i think and what people think about me. no one individual should be dominant in any system for too long. but while it's easy to hold that view in the abstract, it is much harder to live by it. with this decision,

i am trying to do so. she said there were too many people to thank for their help during her eight years at the top. there will also be time in the days to come for me to say thank you to a very, very long list of people without whom i would not have lasted a single day in this job. firstly, my husband and family. few people understand the price families of politicians pay for the jobs we choose to do. mine have been my rock throughout. nicola sturgeon said, while stepping down from leadership, she was not leaving politics altogether and will remain involved in issues close to her heart. she has dominated scottish politics for almost a decade and will remain as first minister and leader of her party until a successor is found. lorna gordon, bbc news. 0ur scotland correspondent james cook was listening to nicola sturgeon's speech.

it was interesting to hear a very personal speech from nicola sturgeon, quite a reflective speech from nicola sturgeon. she was talking a lot about the impact that being at the front of politics for so long had had on her and her family, and also this idea that she has become a polarising figure in scottish politics, although, to be totally honest with her, it is probably the issue of the constitution and independence that is the polarising factor than any one individual or character, and i think that whoever takes on the mantle of leadership of the scottish national party, and therefore being first minister of scotland, is likely to face the same challenges because there is still a big debate about how the snp can move scotland closer to independence. clearly, the first minister nicola sturgeon has had a successful tenure in some

regards, but she has not got any closer, really, to that dream. that is the view from edinburgh. and jonathan blake gave us some of the reaction that we have been getting today from westminster. surprise, as much as anywhere. _ today from westminster. surprise, as much as anywhere. wherever - today from westminster. surprise, as much as anywhere. wherever you - much as anywhere. wherever you happen to be in the united kingdom. nicola sturgeon probably enjoys more recognition than many senior politicians here at westminster might do. and it is the prominence that she has achieved as first minister of scotland, which supporters and also opponents of hers are acknowledging in their statements today, as they mark her departure, which has come out of the blue for people at westminster, as it has for people everywhere. although mps are not here, parliament is on it's half term break as people digest the news. nicola sturgeon's departure will leave the question is what devolution is a whole. how much power should be transferred from

westminster to devolved nations? for independence, the big question for the snp and other parties, the snp gains came largely as labour's expense, so labour on the conservatives are seeing this as an opportunity to regain ground in scotland. , , opportunity to regain ground in scotland. , ., , ., ., scotland. just hours after nicola sturueon scotland. just hours after nicola sturgeon announced _ scotland. just hours after nicola sturgeon announced her- scotland. just hours after nicola i sturgeon announced her intention scotland. just hours after nicola - sturgeon announced her intention to stand down, there is already speculation about who might succeed her. the betting shop chain coral has shared some of its odds. the current favourite is angus robertson, who currently serves as the constitution secretary in the scottish government. kate forbes and humza yousaf are also favourites. but kate forbes is currently on maternity leave away from politics. could it be second time round for the deputy first minister, john swinney? he led the snp and opposition as leader from 2000—200a, but said today he would not take over as acting first minister well there is a contest. could there be a

challenge from westminster? joanna cherry, mp for edinburgh south west, has been tipped as a future leader. would be in first minister without a seat at holyrood might be problematic. keith brown msp is another possibility, currentjustice secretary. he is popular with the grassroots membership. let's talk to blairjenkins, chief executive of the yes scotland campaign on the 201a referendum on scottish independence. how much of a surprise was it to you to hear what nicola sturgeon said today? to hear what nicola sturgeon said toda ? ~' , ., , ., today? like everyone else, i did not wake u- today? like everyone else, i did not wake up this— today? like everyone else, i did not wake up this morning _ today? like everyone else, i did not wake up this morning thinking - today? like everyone else, i did not wake up this morning thinking that. wake up this morning thinking that was an announcement i was going to hear today. was an announcement i was going to heartoday. but was an announcement i was going to hear today. but having listened to what she said, the analysis she put forward, i can see why she has reached the decision she has. she presented it and communicated it with all of the dignity and honesty that we have come to expect from nicola sturgeon.—

nicola sturgeon. what was the overwhelming _ nicola sturgeon. what was the overwhelming reason. - nicola sturgeon. what was the overwhelming reason. was - nicola sturgeon. what was the overwhelming reason. was it l nicola sturgeon. what was the - overwhelming reason. was it personal or political? overwhelming reason. was it personal or olitical? . , , or political? clearly, she said herself, there _ or political? clearly, she said herself, there was _ or political? clearly, she said herself, there was an - or political? clearly, she said| herself, there was an element or political? clearly, she said - herself, there was an element of the personal. she has been doing an incredibly difficult and demanding job for so many years. before that, as deputy first minister, that must have been a big part of it. the real reason i think was the one she presented, that the independence movement, of which the snp, of course, is the main driving force, is about to enter a new and more engaged and more intensive phase. and she is really, if she is going to lead the party and lead the movement through that, she would have to be committing for the next two or three years. and i think she obviously felt that she was unable to commit to carrying on in the leadership role for that length of time. therefore, it's better to stand down before we hit that intensive campaigning period, rather than to stand down mid campaign. i think her analysis is right, however disappointed the little people will

be today. disappointed the little people will be toda . , ., disappointed the little people will be toda . , . be today. there is a debate within scottish nationalism _ be today. there is a debate within scottish nationalism about - be today. there is a debate within | scottish nationalism about whether the next general election should be fought as a kind of de facto referendum or not?- fought as a kind of de facto referendum or not? well, that is true. we referendum or not? well, that is true- we are _ referendum or not? well, that is true. we are in _ referendum or not? well, that is true. we are in this _ referendum or not? well, that is true. we are in this rather- referendum or not? well, that is true. we are in this rather odd . true. we are in this rather odd position where there is a clear mandate for a new independence referendum, but emanating from westminster is the obstruction of democracy in scotland. it is a problem for those of us who want scottish independence, how we resolve that. i think what needs to happen, the game changer, i think, is that we get to a position where there is a clear and consistent majority in the opinion polls in scotland in favour of independence. i think what will happen to happen in the current uk prime minister or the next is that the government in westminster is going to have to be shamed, nationally and internationally into allowing a second referendum to go ahead. i think the timing and route towards thatis think the timing and route towards that is a matter for debate. but i think that is the general direction

in the next four years.— think that is the general direction in the next four years. there have been a lot — in the next four years. there have been a lot of _ in the next four years. there have been a lot of tributes _ in the next four years. there have been a lot of tributes to _ in the next four years. there have been a lot of tributes to her - in the next four years. there have been a lot of tributes to her and l been a lot of tributes to her and also some criticism. the scottish conservative leader douglas ross said her entire tenure as first minister has been characterised by relentless agitating for another boat on separation, and also that she has presided over a decade of division and decay in scotland. what do you make of those comments? i think what today has demonstrated is what people in scotland already knew, what an outstanding leader that nicola sturgeon is, and unfortunately what a small person douglas ross is. i think most people in scotland, whatever politics they have, understand that nicola sturgeon has been a terrific leader for scotland. she has got recognition and approval, and praise, notjust nationally but internationally. 0n praise, notjust nationally but internationally. on a personal level, i am very glad she has been able to be in control of the timing

of her departure, and it is something that not many political leaders get to do. on a personal level, i'm glad she was able to do that. , ., ., ., , ., that. very good to get your thoughts- _ i'm joined now by anas sarwar, the leader of the scottish labour party. thank you very much for being with us. i am thank you very much for being with us. iam reading thank you very much for being with us. i am reading you first met nicola sturgeon when you are 12 years old, is that right? that nicola sturgeon when you are 12 years old, is that right?- years old, is that right? that is true. years old, is that right? that is true- nicola — years old, is that right? that is true. nicola sturgeon - years old, is that right? that is true. nicola sturgeon was - years old, is that right? that is - true. nicola sturgeon was competing against my father when he stood for election back in 1997, when i was a young boy, going to political hustings, not the normal way you are brought up in terms of most kids, but i was going a lot to political hustings and i got to see nicola sturgeon up close and personal from that very young age. 50. sturgeon up close and personal from that very young age-— that very young age. so, you have been watching _ that very young age. so, you have been watching her— that very young age. so, you have been watching her and _ that very young age. so, you have been watching her and analysing l that very young age. so, you have l been watching her and analysing her as a leader, since you were 12. what do you make of her contribution to scottish politics? 0bviously do you make of her contribution to scottish politics? obviously you are an opponent. what would you say

about what she has done as a leader of the snp under scottish first minister? . , , ., minister? regardless of political differences are _ minister? regardless of political differences are huge _ minister? regardless of political differences are huge differences| minister? regardless of political. differences are huge differences in terms of the best future for scotland, i think you have to accept that nicola sturgeon has been at the forefront of scottish politics now forefront of scottish politics now for 20 years. she has led our country through some of the most difficult and challenging periods, the pandemic being the most obvious example of that. probably the hardest point in living memory. she led us through the pandemic. she has been first ministerfor led us through the pandemic. she has been first minister for eight years, she has been in government in some form for almost 15 years. and from a human level, i think that is worthy of respect and worthy of a thank you. as i say, we might have huge disagreements, but i have never questioned the fact that she loves scotland and is passionate about scotland, wejust scotland and is passionate about scotland, we just disagree on what the best future for scotland has been. ., . , ., ., , been. you are being more generous than the scottish _ been. you are being more generous than the scottish conservative - than the scottish conservative leader douglas ross, and ijust mentioned his comments in the last

interview with blairjenkins. i'll give you another quote from what he has been saying. as a result of her relentlessly agitating, as he put it, for another vote on separation, scotland has been in a state of constitutional paralysis ever since, divided and unable to move on from the groundhog day of 201a and its toxic legacy. i the groundhog day of 2014 and its toxic legacy-— toxic legacy. i would suggest the toxic legacy. i would suggest the toxic legacy _ toxic legacy. i would suggest the toxic legacy and _ toxic legacy. i would suggest the toxic legacy and divisive - toxic legacy. i would suggest the toxic legacy and divisive in - toxic legacy. i would suggest the | toxic legacy and divisive in nature of politics has been equally led by the scottish conservatives. i think the scottish conservatives. i think the chance that we have now is the opportunity to recognise there is a demand for change across scotland, but there is a demand for change across the uk. there is not a clear majority for independence or a referendum, but there is a clear majority for change. the challenge that i have on my party has is, look, the easy part of politics is to say what you believe your opponents deserve to lose. the hard part of politics is setting out what you believe your own party has to

win and what that change looks like. that is what i am most energised and enthusiastic about. i want to demonstrate a new passion, new ideas and to persuade the people of scotland, regardless of how they have voted in the past, whether they voted labour, snp or indeed the conservatives in the past, i want to persuade them that we can achieve so much more by uniting people in scotland, ratherthan much more by uniting people in scotland, rather than dividing them. that is probably a debate for another day. today, it is right that we recognise that nicola sturgeon has been a huge figure, we may have massive disagreements, but she's been a significant figure in politics, and that is worthy of respect and thank you. she made clear art respect and thank you. she made clear part of _ respect and thank you. she made clear part of the _ respect and thank you. she made clear part of the decision - respect and thank you. she made clear part of the decision is - clear part of the decision is personal, as well as political. i suppose it is recognition of the toll that spending several years at the very top of politics, wherever you are, it is pretty tough and pretty relentless?— you are, it is pretty tough and pretty relentless? politics has been framed so much _ pretty relentless? politics has been framed so much by _ pretty relentless? politics has been framed so much by difference. - pretty relentless? politics has been framed so much by difference. and| pretty relentless? politics has been| framed so much by difference. and i think too often politics has become, if you disagree, it means you must dislike or even hate. i think

actually most people have a lot more in common than they perhaps like to believe. let's be really honest, regardless of which political party you are in, regardless of which political party you lead, this is not a normaljob. this is a job that puts immense pressure on you personally, your own mental health takes a toll in certain movements, but it puts a huge pressure and your family and friends. i think if we had politics that of course had big debates and disagreements, but was kinder and recognise the human toll, i think it would be better for the country as a whole.— i think it would be better for the country as a whole. thank you so much for your— country as a whole. thank you so much for your time. _ the headlines, in that surprise announcement, snp leader nicola sturgeon has announced she has resigned as first minister of scotland. police say the missing woman nicola bulley had specific vulnerabilities that meant she was immediately treated as a high—risk disappearance. a —year—old boy and

girl are charged with the murder of brianna ghey, killed in a village park in cheshire on saturday. two 15—year—olds appearing in court charged with the murder of 16—year—old brianna ghey. she was found with stab wounds in a park near warrington at the weekend. fiona trott has the latest from chester magistrates�* court. the girl, from warrington, and the boy, from leigh, appeared separately. they were wearing grey tracksuit and the girl's mother was weeping when her daughter arrived in court. they only spoke to confirm their age, court. they only spoke to confirm theirage, name court. they only spoke to confirm their age, name and addresses, because of their young age, we are not able to identify them for legal reasons. the prosecutor told the court that brianna �*s death was

brutal and punishing full stop they nodded when it was explained that because that charge was so serious, it had to be dealt with by liverpool crown court. the death has affected people beyond warrington. last night, vigils were held in bristol and liverpool, where more than 1000 people gathered to commemorate her. more events are planned in london, manchester, glasgow, belfastand york. police searching for nicola bulley said she had specific vulnerabilities that when she was immediately treated as a high—risk disappearance. but at a press conference this morning, police would not elaborate on what that meant. the mother of two went missing nearly three marker weeks ago, while walking her dog. danny savage was at the news conference. what has emerged at the first time

at lancashire police headquarters is that on friday the 27th of january, the day that she went missing, her partner reported her missing on a phone call to lancashire police, and information in that call led to her immediately being classified as a high risk missing person. police say she had specific vulnerabilities. but detectives will not elaborate on what those specific vulnerabilities are. they would give no further details, citing the privacy of the family as the reason for not doing so. the overarching theme of the news conference here today is that police are still working, and all evidence points to their main theory, that, for whatever reason, nicola bulley entered the water close to the bench why are her phone was found on saint michaels on wire on that morning, and a search expert we were talking to told us there was certainly in that river that day that could have carried her down river, over the nearby we are and

down towards the sea, 18 kilometres away. that is where the search is being concentrated. yes, they are keeping their mind open to other possibilities, but they have explored cctv and spoken to witnesses, they have traced hundreds of drivers and not one shred of evidence has emerged from any of those inquiries that steers police away from the belief that she fell or went into the water that day. as far as the search for nicola bulley is concerned, it is still ongoing. police are still pouring plenty of resources into a to try and find any trace of her. as yet, unsuccessfully. we had a private company searching the river wye and they did not find any trace of her either. the police investigation will continue. quite unusual for the police to give so much detail away about such an inquiry as this, but i think they have had so much speculation and some criticism in some circles about what they have been doing, and lots of people filling this vacuum where there is no information with wild theories, that they felt they had to come out

and be very straight about where they see this inquiry going, and what they believe happened. price rises in the uk have slowed for a third month in a row, but food costs have risen steeply, including sugar, low—fat milk and olive oil, which went up by more than a0% in the year to january. official figures show that inflation, which is the increase in the price of goods over time, did fall to 10.1% injanuary, from 10.5% in december, but food costs remain at a a5 year high. 0ur economics correspondent andy verity reports. in the center of stafford ruby jay has found her own way of coping with one of the highest rates of inflation in the developed world. like thousands of young people, she's living at home, hoping to start a career, singing not for her supper, butjust to be able to afford the travel to her next gig. this is the way to fund it all,

i guess, and pub gigs and anything that you can do just to earn a bit of extra money as a musician. i'm missing a few strings, as you can see. i'm two down today, so i've only got four. so it's been a bit of a task to get through songs. how much are they? 0h, a good pair, a good pack, about 20 quid now, which is quite sad. around the corner is the headquarters of a hairdressing chain, which trains young apprentices and customers get a discounted hair treatment. went to the cinema the other night. it was like £20 a ticket. i was quite shocked. and then right when you get your drinks and your popcorn and everything, it's like for me, my sisters have got all got kids. so for a family day out, that's just too expensive. like thousands of firms, it survived the pandemic lockdowns only to be hit by soaring energy costs last year. inflation may have slowed down, but so far there's little relief for them from higher costs. prices have gone up. wages have gone up, ni has gone up,

and stock, we've hit by everything. i can't think of what part of the business that hasn't gone up recently. i mean, surely they can't get too much higher. surely we've hit that peak and that's what we hope. and we've got to this point where we're dealing with it, we're getting through it. so it's only got to start to steady off and come down. it's notjust the cost of energy which has been shooting up. it's also the cost of raw materials for supplies which have been rising fast. but now they're slowing down or even falling. take this box of gloves, for example. before the pandemic, one of these would cost you about £2. after lockdown, they shot up to 15 quid, and now they're back down to about £5 a box. with petrol prices down, the cost of living isn't rising quite as fast, up 10.1%. but that's still much faster than wages. the type of inflation that we have that's concentrated in household bills and food that hits those on low incomes hardest, it's going to be really important for the chancellor to concentrate on the impact of the cost of living crisis. really make sure that those low income households are not suffering too much in the coming months. to tame inflation, interest rates are expected to rise further

in the coming months, but then to drop again by the end of the year. andy verity, bbc news, stafford. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has said his predecessor, jeremy corbyn, will not be standing as a candidate for the party at the next general election. mr corbyn was leader when the equality and human rights commission said the party acted unlawfully in its approach to anti—semitism. the equality watchdog has been monitoring labour for more than two years and today said it's now satisfied at the way complaints are handled. one of the 12 boys rescued from a thai cave in 2018 has died afterfalling ill in the uk. the circumstances are currently unclear but duangpetch promthep was rushed to hospital at the weekend after being found unconscios. he and his football team attracted worldwide attention when they and their coach were stranded inside a cave prompting an international

rescued operation. a woman has been found alive after being trapped in rubble for 22a hours in turkey. meanwhile, a 65—year—old survivor has been seen waving to rescuers after 208 hours under the rubble and was eventually brought out alive as well. meanwhile, the first deliveries of international aid are being distributed in rebel held north—western syria, through a reopened border crossing, more than a week after the devastating earthquake there. the focus now is on the plight of survivors. caroline davies has been on board a hospital ship near the epicentre. in the aftermath of the earthquake, shelter and help come in many forms. these arrivals at iskenderun port are boarding a floating hospital. this ship arrived about five days ago. it is normally used as a tourist ship. but now of course it has become

a floating hospital. and here is where people arrive and they are assessed for what need they have. on board, they offer checkups, a pharmacy, and warm food. enough for up to 1000 people. nojan and her children have slept here for the last three days. translation: for a couple of days we were on the streets until the ship arrived. we had ourfirst shower here. they gave us new clothes, because we were in filth. we do not know what is awaiting us. as long as the ship docks here, we will be living in the ship. the severely injured have been sent on to permanent hospitals but the ship has set up a hospital ward to help treat those with chronic diseases, unable to get the usual care they need. yasmin came from istanbul to help. translation: we are physically very tired and mentally very tired. - exhausted. but we try not to show this to our patients

because they need us now, they need a warm touch and we are trying to keep our motivation high. thoughts of what has happened here are still raw. the search and rescue efforts continue across the earthquake area, each story of survival increasingly rare. the 77—year—old woman was rescued from the rubble after 212 hours and another a2—year—old also pulled from deep beneath. those found alive at this stage are even more likely to be in a critical condition. here, other signs of hope. a0 aid trucks with blankets, medicine and food head across the front line from east syria to the north—west of the country and some un aid has also made it across a newly opened border crossing with turkey. but nearly ten days on, there is little time to lose. residential streets are filled with heavy machinery, buildings turned

to piles of dust and rubble now slowly being moved. the dead are still being counted. and the road ahead seems uncertain for many. caroline davies, bbc news, iskenderun. we will look at the weather now. most of us will see some sunshine this afternoon, but that said, we have a week where the front. this stripe cloud slowly pushing eastwards, that will bring a little rain from wales in two parts of northern england, the midlands and central and southern england. either side of that, we have some sunshine. but cloud will return to western scotland, with outbreaks of rain forecast for the hebrides and highlands to end the afternoon. temperatures on the mild side, for most ten or 1a degrees will stop overnight, we carry out low pressure brings cloudy weather with outbreaks of rain spreading in from the west. there may be mist and fog patch is developing around western coasts and hills, but for many it is a frost free night and a frost free start of the day on thursday. there will be

lots of cloud around. the rain is taking a while to ease away eastwards. not as much sunshine as there is today. the best of the sunshine will be across northern areas of scotland, where after a chilly start, temperatures reach eight or nine, and further south highs reach about 13 degrees. hello this is bbc news, with me, ben brown. the headlines: after eight years, nicola sturgeon has resigned as first minister of scotland and leader of the snp. police say nicola bulley was immediately treated asa as a high—risk disappearance. two teenagers have been charged with the murder of 16—year—old brianna ghey, who was killed in sheffield on saturday. price rises slow in the uk for the third month in a row, but inflation is still near a a0 year high. the uk's most

expensive drug saves a toddler with a rare genetic condition, but cannot save her terminally ill older sister who has the same condition. a full round—up. sport now, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's our sports reporter. good afternoon. england's women will this week begin their preparations in earnest ahead of this summer's world cup. sarina wiegman's side take on south korea in milton keynes tomorrow in the first match of the arnold clark cup, before facing italy and belgium. midfielder keira walsh is a doubt for tomorrow's opener because of illness. earlier i spoke to our football reporter, emma sanders, at st george's park, where england trained, and asker her what wiegman is hoping to get out of this tournament. it isa it is a perfect opportunity to prepare for the world cup. 0bviously they have three matches against varying opposition. sarina wiegman wants to see different combinations between the players. there have been a few players that have been called

up, many youngsters who have been called up, another opportunity for them to show what they can do ahead of the world cup, but it is about building that momentum and hopefully trying to capitalise on the good energy they got from the tournament last year in the build—up to their euros win in the summer that was so, so big for them. meanwhile, scotland and wales women are in action in the pinatar cup in spain today. scotland kicked off against iceland at 2pm. it is currently goalless. while wales face the philippines this evening. you can watch both those games on the bbc iplayer and on the bbc sport website. professional players in wales are said to be considering strike action over a dispute about contracts — putting next weekend's six nations match against england in doubt... it's understood that a meeting will take place between the welsh rugby players�* association officials and players — before wales host england in the six nations on saturday week. it�*s caused a huge sense of concern for players and their families with reports that a player in wales�* six nations squad has been left "unable to apply for a mortgage and is on anti

for a mortgage and is on anti—depressants" due to the level of financial uncertainty. there are two issues for the players. 0ne, there are two issues for the players. one, the new terms that have been mooted to them. they are not particularly happy with them. we are in a recession and the players do not feel that these new terms are fair. so individually all of the players are unhappy with the current deal on the table. secondly, these players who are out of contract. now, you think about rugby. it is a rough, dangerous sports, the risk of injury is extremely high. a player plays this weekend, breaks his leg, is out for a year, comejune, he hasn�*t got a contract, he hasn�*t got a way of making money and his future is very uncertain. yes, there will be plenty of people saying they earn a significant amount of money, but those at the lower end of the pay scale are earning salaries comparable to teachers, etc, and they do have mortgages to pay and i know for a simple fact that this is being discussed day by day, hour by

hour amongst the players and they are very concerned and it is understandable. lewis hamilton could extend his contract with mercedes after saying he�*d like to "stay around a little bit longer." the eight—time world champion endured arguably the toughest season of his career in 2022, failing to win a race for the first time. his current contract runs until the end of the forthcomig 2023 season, but mercedes f1 team principal toto wolff has told the bbc, there have been some initial discussions about extending. he said it would be a "no brainer" to continue together. ijust i just always love that challenge of... the mental and physical element of it. of of... the mental and physical element of it. 0fjust having to deep dive and see how you can extract more performance from yourself and the people around you, from the car that is constantly evolving. you know, it is not the same car every year, it is always changing, there are always new tools, always a new log book that you have to get used to. and i love

that, so... you know, iam planning to stay a little bit longer. let�*s to stay a little bit longer. let's ho -e to stay a little bit longer. let's hope so- _ that�*s all the sport for now. i will be back with you at 3:30pm. thank you very much, we will see you then. in her more than two decades in the scottish parliament, nicola sturgeon played a key role in pushing for independence long before she became leader of the snp. as leader, she became one of the most recognised faces in uk politics. jonathan blake now looks at her impact. prominent, popular, a familiarface. nicola sturgeon has dominated scottish politics for a decade. and just weeks ago, when asked about her future, was adamant she wasn�*t going anywhere. jacinda ardern says she doesn�*t have enough in a tank to continue, how much is in the nicola sturgeon tank? there is plenty in the tank at the moment. if i ever reach the point she has clearly reached, where i think overall i can't give the job everything it deserves, then_

i hope i have the same courage she has had in saying this is the point to go, but just for the avoidance of all doubt, i don't feel anywhere near that right now. nowhere near? nowhere near. nicola sturgeon was first elected to the scottish parliament in 1999 and later formed a close political partnership with snp leader alex salmond, positioning herself as his only possible successor. in 2014 she ran the snp's campaign when the big question on independence was asked. the answer from the scottish people then was no. question on independence was asked. the answer from the scottish people then was no. but a surge of support came for the snp under her leadership a year later, when the party won all but three of scotland�*s seats at westminster. booing. after brexit when a majority in scotland voted to remain, nicola sturgeon remade the case for independence, forcing the conservatives and others to defend the united kingdom.

her approach during the pandemic was relatively cautious, as her role as first minister took on a new prominence, leading scotland�*s response to coronavirus. one thing the supporters and opponents acknowledged as she announced her resignation. as a fellow political leader, it is not a day for ad hominem political attacks, ithink it is only right that we look back on nicola sturgeon's career as longest serving first minister, a first minister who took scotland through a global pandemic. very saddened and very sorry to hear that - the first minister- will be standing down. she has been an extraordinary leader of the snp and of the _ scottish government and i think her resignation speech today was very. much the mark of the woman that i know. l i still disagree with nicola sturgeon on everything, on everything, but it doesn�*t mean i haven�*t got enough appreciation of the effort level that has been put in

and that i wish her well in what happens next. rishi sunak thanked nicola sturgeon for her long—standing service. her departure comes as the uk and scottish governments clashed over gender recognition laws. criticised by opponents for her record on education and health, but lauded by the snp faithful. nicola sturgeon�*s resignation will leave a vast vacancy and a big question for her party and its aim of independence. jonathan blake, bbc news. the news of the first minister�*s resignation emerged this morning. about an hour before nicola sturgeon stood up to explain why she is going, let�*s have a listen to more of what she had to say this morning. since my very first moments _ say this morning. since my very first moments in _ say this morning. since my very first moments in the _ say this morning. since my very first moments in the job, - say this morning. since my very first moments in the job, i - say this morning. since my very first moments in the job, i have first moments in thejob, i have believed that part of serving well to know almost instinctively when the time is right to make way for someone else. and when that time came, to have the courage to do so, even if, too many across the country

and in my party, it might feel too soon. in my head, and in my heart, i know that time is now.— know that time is now. nicola sturgeon _ know that time is now. nicola sturgeon there, _ know that time is now. nicola sturgeon there, explaining i know that time is now. nicola i sturgeon there, explaining why know that time is now. nicola - sturgeon there, explaining why she is stepping down. we will be talking in a moment, we hope, to alex salmond, nicola sturgeon�*s predecessor as first minister and leader of the snp, so do stay tuned for that. meanwhile, some other news. serious concerns have been raised about the amount of chinese technology used in uk law enforcement, by the government surveillance watchdog. professor fraser sampson, who�*s the commissioner for the retention and use of biometric material and for surveillance cameras, said policing was an area of concern. he�*s questioned whether government departments should still be using chinese cameras, over fears they could compromise national security. the home office said new guidance has been produced to help organisations assess their cybersecurity. well, professor sampson has actually said the uk police are "shot through" with chinese

camera tech and hejoin us now for more on this. thank you very much indeed for being with us. the outline, then, your concerns. with us. the outline, then, your concern— with us. the outline, then, your concerns. g . ., ., concerns. my concerns are twofold. first is around _ concerns. my concerns are twofold. first is around security _ concerns. my concerns are twofold. first is around security of— concerns. my concerns are twofold. first is around security of data, - first is around security of data, where it is going, who it might be shared with, the extent to which we even know where it will be going into who it is shared with, and which functions are running in any particular public space surveillance device, which is probably more likely to be out of a computer than a coaxial cctv camera. then the second one is around ethics because there is an abundance of evidence in there is an abundance of evidence in the public domain showing collections between some of the companies that have been used by government and policing and local authorities and their companies in parts of china, and the facilitation of the egregious and totally

abhorrent treatment of citizens on the basis that their faith and ethnicity, that has happened in those parts, so both of these things come down to an issue of trust and confidence for me. the more that we can do with modern surveillance technology, the more important it will be for our bodies that we trust to show what they are not doing with it and at the moment, i have got significant concerns about the extent to which the police or local authorities will be able to assuage those concerns.— authorities will be able to assuage those concerns. there has been a lot of talk in recent _ those concerns. there has been a lot of talk in recent days _ those concerns. there has been a lot of talk in recent days about - those concerns. there has been a lot of talk in recent days about chinese i of talk in recent days about chinese surveillance balloons flying in the sky. are you suggesting we are being complacent about possible threats much closer to the ground? and closer to home?— much closer to the ground? and closer to home? yes, i am, in short. so, i closer to home? yes, i am, in short. so. i have — closer to home? yes, i am, in short. so. i have seen. _ closer to home? yes, i am, in short. so, i have seen, with _ closer to home? yes, i am, in short. so, i have seen, with interest, - closer to home? yes, i am, in short. so, i have seen, with interest, the l so, i have seen, with interest, the coverage that has come from stories about what might be surveilling us, for what purpose and to what extent from 60,000 feet in the sky. i have been more concerned, since coming

into thisjob, where been more concerned, since coming into this job, where the risk is quite literally staring us in the face. we have created a network of dependencies on chinese surveillance technology in this country. and i think the way in which we have done that has been carried out without sufficient regard to the two areas of risk, ieee, security and the ethical and human rights issues in buying it with public money. shire ethical and human rights issues in buying it with public money. are you su: arestin buying it with public money. are you suggesting the _ buying it with public money. are you suggesting the chinese _ buying it with public money. are you suggesting the chinese are - buying it with public money. are you suggesting the chinese are sort - buying it with public money. are you suggesting the chinese are sort of l suggesting the chinese are sort of studying all of this, you know, huge amounts of data? for what purpose, exactly? amounts of data? for what purpose, exactl ? ~ . �* amounts of data? for what purpose, exactl ? ~ ., �* , , , exactly? what i'm suggesting is we know that some _ exactly? what i'm suggesting is we know that some of _ exactly? what i'm suggesting is we know that some of these _ exactly? what i'm suggesting is we | know that some of these companies have been found to be doing that in the past and their equipment has had to be removed. it is highly likely, then, but they will keep doing it or have been doing it more extensively as the years have gone on. but my

challenge has simply been to policing and local authorities, can you demonstrate the extent to which you demonstrate the extent to which you have addressed that and assure yourself that this isn�*t happening? and that hasn�*t been particularly persuasive. and then of course last year the government finally accepted here that some of these companies were not to be trusted and they didn�*t trust them, and their equipment had to be removed from certain sites. that was the first step. and it was a welcome one. but it is the only the first step. we have got a lot more to do locally. is there a balance to be struck here? because obviously china produces a huge amount of sophisticated technology, sometimes at a relatively cheap price, and is often in demand. it at a relatively cheap price, and is often in demand.— at a relatively cheap price, and is often in demand. it does, and to be really cheer. _ often in demand. it does, and to be really cheer. my — often in demand. it does, and to be really cheer, my questions - often in demand. it does, and to be really cheer, my questions and - really cheer, my questions and concerns around this are not based on where any companies are headquartered. there are headquarters d questions around the degree to which they are prepared to enter into proper public scrutiny in

exchange for taking public money. so, i have raised a number of very straightforward questions to one of these companies, particular, about their activities in other parts of their activities in other parts of the world, is used by the police. and they have still, nearly two years later, refused to discuss them with me, other than under the protection of a nondisclosure agreement. if you are running a recruitment process as a local authority or a police force to find job applicants to work in public space surveillance teams, if one of those job applicants flatly refused to discuss what was on their cv about when they were working in jinja in providence, you wouldn�*t necessarily accuse them of anything, but you probably would say we won�*t trouble you any further and you won�*t be able to join us, you have excluded yourself. my view is that those companies who have refused to even look at this have excluded themselves from competing. but the same could be said of any company in any country that wasn�*t prepared to

accept that degree of proper public scrutiny when in receipt of public funds. in scrutiny when in receipt of public funds. . , scrutiny when in receipt of public funds. ., , , ., ., funds. in a nutshell, then, you are sa in: we funds. in a nutshell, then, you are saying we should _ funds. in a nutshell, then, you are saying we should all _ funds. in a nutshell, then, you are saying we should all wake - funds. in a nutshell, then, you are saying we should all wake up - funds. in a nutshell, then, you are saying we should all wake up a - funds. in a nutshell, then, you are saying we should all wake up a bit| saying we should all wake up a bit to what is a potential threat? bier? to what is a potential threat? very much so, to what is a potential threat? very much so. and _ to what is a potential threat? very much so. and i — to what is a potential threat? very much so, and i think— to what is a potential threat? very much so, and i think the _ to what is a potential threat? - much so, and i think the evidence is so clear and exists at so many levels and the most compelling example of which now has been our own government saying, we can�*t trust the system is are on some of the most sensitive sites and therefore it needs to be withdrawn. i don�*t think it is anything like a proper response for police and local authorities to say, well, can you give us a list of sensitive sites for which we might be responsible? these are not static. you know, sensitivity is around function and it is dynamic, so which parts of our activities are insufficiently important for them to be watched over and recorded and captured and

shared by surveillance providers who are in government doesn�*t trust? that is the question i have been raising with police forces and the local authorities. raising with police forces and the localauthorities. but raising with police forces and the local authorities. but the reality is this is a very difficult problem because in the past, largely on the basis that the systems were cheap and got the job basis that the systems were cheap and got thejob done, we have snapped them up and we now have created a dependencies in a way that will take some time to address. fiiq will take some time to address. 0k. professor fraser _ will take some time to address. 0k. professor fraser sampson, thank you very much for a time. let�*s ta ke let�*s take you back to the big news of the day, the news that nicola sturgeon is stepping down as scotland was my first minister after eight years in the role and i�*m pleased to say i am joined now by the leader of the new independence party, alba, alex salmond, who was nicola sturgeon�*s predecessor as first minister of scotland and leader of the snp. thank you very much indeed. has this taken you by surprise? yes. thank you very much indeed. has this taken you by surprise?— taken you by surprise? yes, it has, and in fact — taken you by surprise? yes, it has, and in fact i — taken you by surprise? yes, it has, and in fact i don't _ taken you by surprise? yes, it has, and in fact i don't know _ taken you by surprise? yes, it has, and in fact i don't know anyone - taken you by surprise? yes, it has, and in fact i don't know anyone in i

and in fact i don�*t know anyone in politics who is not surprised. i dare say there are some people, some journalists will say they knew about it all along. i don�*t think they did, ithink it is a it all along. i don�*t think they did, i think it is a significant surprise, it certainly was to me. what do you see is the key reasons? because she talked a lot about personal reasons, but also political reasons. i personal reasons, but also political reasons. ., �* ~ ., ~ personal reasons, but also political reasons. ~ ., ~ ., reasons. i don't know. i think that is a real puzzle. _ reasons. i don't know. i think that is a real puzzle. i— reasons. i don't know. i think that is a real puzzle. i think _ reasons. i don't know. i think that is a real puzzle. i think you - reasons. i don't know. i think that is a real puzzle. i think you will. is a real puzzle. i think you will have to ask nicola, only she knows the answer to that question. i suppose the political puzzle would be this. nicola sturgeon took the case for independence to the supreme court for having a referendum. i thought that was a very puzzling thing to do, since i didn�*t think the supreme court of the united kingdom, you can tell by the title, was going to wade through a case for having an independence referendum, but then said that the de facto referendum, the inner general election would be coming, would be the way forward. what nicola said today was she thought she was going today was she thought she was going to win that vote and therefore choose going to resign. ijust

didn�*t understand that bit at all. how would you assess her contribution to scottish politics? of course, you are friends and of course, you are friends and allies, you fell out quite spectacularly, but you did one say, in 2015 you said, i have never met a politician who mastered at an earlier stage the range of political arts with more assured steps. in other words, arts with more assured steps. in otherwords, euro, she arts with more assured steps. in other words, euro, she was a very good politician, from the way you watched her and observed herfor many years. watched her and observed her for many years-— watched her and observed her for man ears. , ., ., , ., many years. yes, and i would stand b that many years. yes, and i would stand by that remark. _ many years. yes, and i would stand by that remark. listen, _ many years. yes, and i would stand by that remark. listen, today - many years. yes, and i would stand by that remark. listen, today is - many years. yes, and i would stand by that remark. listen, today is herj by that remark. listen, today is her resignation day and i feel for nicola personally. i have been there, so i know what a difficult day it is. and the strengths that i was alluding to were evident in her period as first minister. her communication skill is top notch. i mean, if you compare the clarity of message from edinburgh during the muddled message from london, from westminster, then there was a clear difference and the communication

skills of nicola came to the fore. she was also good at winning elections, which is kind of important for a politician, so i think these would be remembered as her biggest attributes as first minister. �* ., ., ., minister. but then on the other hand we have heard _ minister. but then on the other hand we have heard people _ minister. but then on the other hand we have heard people like _ minister. but then on the other hand we have heard people like douglas i we have heard people like douglas ross, leader of the scottish tories, saying she has presided over a decade of division and decay. weill. decade of division and decay. well, ou know, decade of division and decay. well, you know. he _ decade of division and decay. well, you know, he would _ decade of division and decay. well, you know, he would say _ decade of division and decay. well, you know, he would say that, - you know, he would say that, wouldn�*t it? no, the tories are not really in the strongest position to talk about division and decay. since the building behind me has a tory government which is full of division and certainly full of decay. but i think from a more measured analysis, the question about nicola sturgeon�*s leadership will be much more about the cul—de—sac in which she has taken the independence campaign. you know, having lost at the supreme court, now not going for the de facto referendum, she leaves her successor in a difficult position. but roadblocks in politics are there to drive through or get round that

will be thejob to drive through or get round that will be the job of the next snp leader, the next first minister. i hope whoever it may be that he or she takes that in a different direction by unifying the national movement, perhaps by the advice of an independence convention to take in all parties and nonparties, pressure groups, those arguing for independence. that might be the way forward. certainly, ithink independence. that might be the way forward. certainly, i think some candidates in the election will argue that, perhaps some won�*t, but that will be the task of the new leader, the nest greek next first minister, will be to find a way around that roadblock or through it. so when you say she took scottish independence into a cul—de—sac, you are saying she failed, effectively? there is a saying that all political careers end in failure, but would you say her sense?— careers end in failure, but would you say her sense? well, the quote is from ian — you say her sense? well, the quote is from ian powell, _ you say her sense? well, the quote is from ian powell, that _ you say her sense? well, the quote is from ian powell, that all- is from ian powell, that all political careers end in failure, but thejob of political careers end in failure, but the job of a national leader seeking independence for scotland it is to take the campaign fell forward. if you cannot take it to

success and i didn�*t take it to success, then take it to within touching distance, take it from where you found it and bring it into the mainstream, so that success is not assured because nothing is assured in politics, but is very probable for the future. the difficulty is that nicola has gone in midstream. she went to the supreme court, her decision, got a rebuff from the supreme court, said, right, we will overcome that through the de facto election a referendum for next year and has left before that decision has been made. that to me is a fundamental puzzle and a big challenge for the incoming first minister. as for the unionist parties crowing about, this will enable us to trample all over the independence case, yeah, i mean, they are laughing too soon. political parties have to depend on what is happening to their opponents for success or use their weak ground themselves, i have heard that song before and the story of scottish politics over the last 25 years has been the movement upwards of the

independence campaign and the labour party in scotland is replaced by the snp as the dominant force in scottish politics. i snp as the dominant force in scottish politics.— snp as the dominant force in scottish politics. i put a couple of uuotes to scottish politics. i put a couple of quotes to you. — scottish politics. i put a couple of quotes to you, let _ scottish politics. i put a couple of quotes to you, let me _ scottish politics. i put a couple of quotes to you, let me give - scottish politics. i put a couple of quotes to you, let me give you i quotes to you, let me give you another one. this is from nicola sturgeon. 0ne another one. this is from nicola sturgeon. one of the differences between me and alex salmond is that i have never tried to pretend that i am infallible.— am infallible. well, i think nicola was fallible _ am infallible. well, i think nicola was fallible in _ am infallible. well, i think nicola was fallible in that _ am infallible. well, i think nicola was fallible in that occasion - was fallible in that occasion because i never tried to pretend i was infallible. 0ne because i never tried to pretend i was infallible. one of the other differences was, i mean, nicola is hugely talented, as i have discussed, but she took on the ownership of the national movement basically into the government of scotland. clearly, an snp government is or is going to be a huge part of the national movement, but it isn�*t the national movement, but it isn�*t the whole movement and of course thatis the whole movement and of course that is not a difficulty when things are going well, when government is going well, but if government hits difficulties and hit bumps along the road, you have to be aware that that doesn�*t contaminate and affect the national movement. therefore, i hope and believe that the next first

minister will take things back to where we were in 201a of having a successful snp government and having a much wider national movement and the multifarious grassroots movement that took us so close to independence back in the 18th of september 201a. mex. independence back in the 18th of september 2014.— september 2014. alex salmond, thank ou ve september 2014. alex salmond, thank you very much — september 2014. alex salmond, thank you very much for _ september 2014. alex salmond, thank you very much for your— september 2014. alex salmond, thank you very much for your time _ september 2014. alex salmond, thank you very much for your time today, - you very much for your time today, thanks for being with us. aha, you very much for your time today, thanks for being with us.— thanks for being with us. a great leasure, thanks for being with us. a great pleasure, thank _ thanks for being with us. a great pleasure, thank you. _ an american woman has spoken exclusively to the bbc about how a man groomed her into becoming a six slave after she went on the site 0megle. the site is particular popular with teenagers. this is not a landmark case gets the social media company that could mark the way for success against platforms usually protected by powerful legal shields. when alice logged onto the video chat site 0megle at age 11 she had

no idea she would be matched with a paedophile. ile no idea she would be matched with a --aedohile. ., ., , paedophile. he had evil intentions. evil intentions. _ paedophile. he had evil intentions. evil intentions. i— paedophile. he had evil intentions. evil intentions. i was _ paedophile. he had evil intentions. evil intentions. i was consistently i evil intentions. i was consistently being forced to do things that a child should not have to do. within one conversation, _ child should not have to do. within one conversation, alice _ child should not have to do. within one conversation, alice was - child should not have to do. within i one conversation, alice was groomed and persuaded to hand over personal messaging details. her abuser trapped her into a form of digital six slavery for three years. i spent a hue six slavery for three years. i spent a huge chunk— six slavery for three years. i spent a huge chunk of— six slavery for three years. i spent a huge chunk of my _ six slavery for three years. i spent a huge chunk of my childhood - six slavery for three years. i spent a huge chunk of my childhood in i a huge chunk of my childhood in this. every day being at the will of someone else who had the worst of intentions with children. but someone else who had the worst of intentions with children.— intentions with children. but then olice intentions with children. but then police caught _ intentions with children. but then police caught the _ intentions with children. but then police caught the predator. - intentions with children. but then police caught the predator. more| police caught the predator. more than 200 intimate images and videos of alice were found. they also found he had been using 0megle to groom other victims. he had been using 0megle to groom othervictims. 0megle he had been using 0megle to groom other victims. 0megle has been cited in at least 53 cases of child abuse around the world in the last two years alone. it gets around 73 million users a month, according to analysts at sam rush. alice is now suing 0megle in a landmark lawsuit,

accusing the website of failing to protect children in its design. legal experts say if successful, it could pave the way for more litigation against social networks around the world. we litigation against social networks around the world.— litigation against social networks around the world. we are holding them liable _ around the world. we are holding them liable for— around the world. we are holding them liable for their _ around the world. we are holding them liable for their own - around the world. we are holding them liable for their own product| them liable for their own product operations. as soon as the platform realised _ operations. as soon as the platform realised this was how it was being used, _ realised this was how it was being used. then— realised this was how it was being used, then it had the duty to innovate _ used, then it had the duty to innovate-— used, then it had the duty to innovate. ~ ., innovate. would you say to people who think that _ innovate. would you say to people who think that it _ innovate. would you say to people who think that it is _ innovate. would you say to people who think that it is up _ innovate. would you say to people who think that it is up to _ innovate. would you say to people who think that it is up to parents i who think that it is up to parents to stop their children going on websites like this, i would say they are wrong. i websites like this, i would say they are wronr. ., _ websites like this, i would say they are wronr. ., ., , are wrong. i would say that there is absolutely no _ are wrong. i would say that there is absolutely no way _ are wrong. i would say that there is absolutely no way that _ are wrong. i would say that there is absolutely no way that anybody - are wrong. i would say that there is absolutely no way that anybody can j absolutely no way that anybody can account _ absolutely no way that anybody can account for — absolutely no way that anybody can account for their _ absolutely no way that anybody can account for their child's _ absolutely no way that anybody can account for their child's use - absolutely no way that anybody can account for their child's use of - account for their child's use of technology— account for their child's use of technology 20 _ account for their child's use of technology 20 a7. _ account for their child's use of technology 20 a7.— account for their child's use of technolo: 20 a7. , ., ., . technology 20 a7. this man launched 0me~le in technology 20 47. this man launched 0megle in 2009 _ technology 20 47. this man launched 0megle in 2009 when _ technology 20 47. this man launched 0megle in 2009 when he _ technology 20 47. this man launched 0megle in 2009 when he was - technology 20 47. this man launched 0megle in 2009 when he wasjust . technology 20 47. this man launched | 0megle in 2009 when he wasjust 14. 0megle in 2009 when he was just 1a. he has always declined interview requests, so we travel to florida to track this reclusive tech boss down. mr brooks! mr brooks! can we ask you some questions, please? from the bbc. mr brooks, wejust want

some questions, please? from the bbc. mr brooks, we just want to ask you some questions! we want to know why you are not dropped protecting children, mr brooks! we tried. we have come all the way here, tried to have come all the way here, tried to have a civilised conversation with him. in court 0megle�*s legal team has repeatedly denied that they are liable for what happened to alice. mr brooks did reply to an e—mail, saying that people are solely responsible for their behaviour while using the website, but that 0megle takes the abuse of children extremely seriously with al innovation. he also said he works in the cases when predators appear on his site. meanwhile, alice waits for the trial date to be set. bbc news. it is just coming up up to 3pm, m lipsey 3p , up to 3pm, lipsey see what the weather is doing. looking at quite a mixture of weather today, the highlands in scotland we started off cloudy with rain, but freshening up

with some sunshine for the latter part of the morning, but cloudy weather is on the way over the next hours with rain returning as well. a band of rain is crossing the uk, quite a narrow feature, a lot of cloud associated with that front, but either side there is actually quite a lot of sunshine. the front will continue to weaken, juggling into the middle parts of the midlands, centraland into the middle parts of the midlands, central and southern england, brooding splashes of rain here. the cloud will thicken in the highlands and hebrides, with rain returning here, but whether we keep sunshine and dry weather returning today or have that cloud and rain with you, either way it will be miles. 0vernight tonight a weak area of low pressure pushing more general rain across northern ireland, england, wales, southern and central parts of scotland. with that cloud it will be frost—free for the vast majority, although with clear skies for northern scotland you might see temperatures dip down below freezing here for a time, but for most a great start to thursday and there will be some mist and fog patches around the hills in western areas to start the day. rain should ease away

and the sky slowly brighten, but not as much sunshine around as there is today. still mild, though, temperatures for most staying into double figures, say, 10—1a. then as we enter the week we have some very strong winds and the way due to this area of low pressure that will be whistling to the north of the uk. the strongest winds will be heading to parts of scotland, where guests could reach 75 mph, but it will also be very blurry across the pennines and to the east of the pennines in north—east england. notice the winds coming in from a westerly direction here, so areas like the a1 could be buffeted by crosswinds, which brings the hazard of lorries getting blown over, so there is the risk of travel disruption and you might find a bit of disruption at the airports as well, the risk of some power cuts. away from the windy weather across the north, a lot of cloud further south, still some splashes of rain around and temperatures for the most part still on the mild side, 1a degrees for parts of england, some nines and tens were northern ireland

and scotland as well. into the weekend beyond, saturday starting off quite windy, cloudy and wet, probably the brighter of the two days on sunday, but still a lot of cloud around.

this is bbc news i�*m ben brown. the headlines... in my head, and in my heart, i know that time is now. that it is right for me, for my party and for the country. and so today i am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party. in a shock announcement snp leader, nicola sturgeon, announces she�*s resigning as scotland�*s first minister we�*ll be asking what her exit means and what comes next for scotland. the other main stories... as the search for nicola bulley continues, police say she had specific vulnerabilities that meant she was immediately treated as a high risk disappearence.

two teenagers are charged with the murder of brianna ghey — the 16—year—old transgender girl who was killed in a village park in cheshire on saturday. official figures show price rises slowed in the uk for a third month in a row but inflation remains near a a0—year high. the uk�*s most expensive drug saves a toddler with a rare genetic condition but it�*s too late to save her terminally ill sister. nicola sturgeon is stepping down a scotland�*s first minister and leader of the scottish national party. she will leave office as soon as her

successor is selected. she says she can no longer give the role the full commitment she believes it requires, and she hinted that after eight years as first minister of scotland, efforts to broaden the appeal of scottish independence could be hampered by what she called polarised opinions about her. we�*ll look back at nicola sturgeon�*s career and get political reaction from edinburgh and london. but first — lorna gordon reports on events this morning. she is scotland�*s longest serving first minister, the first female to hold the position. and today, nicola sturgeon announced she�*s stepping down. since my very first moment in thejob, i have believed that part of serving well would be to know almost instinctively when the time is right to make way someone else. in my head, and in my heart, i know that time is now. that it is right for me, my party and for the country. and so today i am announcing my

intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party. she said her decision to go was not a reaction to short—term pressures. i know it might seem sudden, but i have been wrestling with it, albeit with oscillating levels of intensity, for some weeks. essentially, i have been trying to answer two questions. is carrying on right for me? and, more importantly, is me carrying on right for the country, my party and for the independence cause i have devoted my life to? the first minister said her wish was to use the next general election as a de facto referendum on scottish independence, a strategy to be decided at an snp meeting next month. i cannot in good conscience ask the party to choose an option based on myjudgment, whilst not being convinced that i would be there

as leader to see it through. by making my decision clear now, i free the snp to choose the path it believes to be the right one, without worrying about the perceived implications for my leadership and in the knowledge that a new leader will steer us, i believe successfully, on that path. taking the country through covid was, nicola sturgeon said, the toughest thing she had done. many said she was sure—footed in her communications through that crisis. but critics argue that on other issues, a second independence referendum, the gender recognition reform bill, and isla bryson — the double rapist initially sent to a women�*s prison — she�*s been less sure footed. too often i see issues presented, and as a result viewed, not in their own merits but through the prism of what i think and what people think about me. no one individual should be dominant in any system for too long. but while it�*s easy to hold that view in the abstract,

it is much harder to live by it. with this decision, i am trying to do so. she said there were too many people to thank for their help during her eight years at the top. there will also be time in the days to come for me to say thank you to a very, very long list of people without whom i would not have lasted a single day in this job. firstly, my husband and family. few people understand the price families of politicians pay for the jobs we choose to do. mine have been my rock throughout. nicola sturgeon said, while stepping down from leadership, she was not leaving politics altogether and will remain involved in issues close to her heart. she has dominated scottish politics for almost a decade and will remain as first minister and leader of her party until a successor is found. lorna gordon, bbc news.

0ur scotland political correspondent lynsey bews joins us now. this felt like it was a really well kept secret. how much of a surprise was this? , . , kept secret. how much of a surprise was this? , ., , ., , kept secret. how much of a surprise wasthis? , .,, , , , was this? this was a big surprise indeed. bute _ was this? this was a big surprise indeed. bute house _ was this? this was a big surprise indeed. bute house is _ was this? this was a big surprise indeed. bute house is no - was this? this was a big surprise i indeed. bute house is no stranger was this? this was a big surprise - indeed. bute house is no stranger to big political moments in scotland. it was where alex salmond announced he would be resigning as first minister after the 201a independence referendum. it is where nicola sturgeon revealed that she would be pursuing a second vote on independence, following brexit. and todayit independence, following brexit. and today it was the venue for this dramatic announcement that she was going to resign as first minister. we are in the middle of february recess at holyrood. lots of politicians are away on holiday. lots ofjournalists politicians are away on holiday. lots of journalists away as well. they scramble here today, we were only given a couple of hours notice that the press conference was to take place. but once it began, and

you sense to the tone from nicola sturgeon, it was pretty reflective. it became clear that this was something the first minister had been thinking about for some time. she said she had been wrestling with this decision for several weeks, and it crystallised for her when she attended the funeral of an independence supporter yesterday. she said the decision went from 99%, up she said the decision went from 99%, up to 100% certain that this was the right thing to do. she said notjust for her, but for her party and for the country as well, insisting that this was not about short—term challenges facing her government, such as the row over gender reforms or the push for a second independence referendum, she said that this was a much longer term view. she said that now is the right time for a new leader to step in and take on all of those issues in government. take on all of those issues in government-— take on all of those issues in rovernment. ,, , ., ., government. she has been around so lona at the government. she has been around so long at the top _ government. she has been around so long at the top of— government. she has been around so long at the top of scottish _ long at the top of scottish politics. there isn�*t really an obvious successor, is there? a lot

of talk about possible runners and riders that might take over. what is your inkling about who the favourites might be? there is no obvious successor _ favourites might be? there is no obvious successor waiting - favourites might be? there is no obvious successor waiting in - favourites might be? there is no obvious successor waiting in the | obvious successor waiting in the wings. the type of successor that she was too alex salmond, when he stepped down. she was unchallenged when she ran for party leadership and the position of first minister at that juncture. and the position of first minister at thatjuncture. now, some of the names that are being mentioned early on, the finance secretary, kate forbes, seen as a very talented politician, she is currently on maternity leave. angus robertson, the former leader at westminster, now in the cabinet here in the scottish government, he is also being mentioned. some morejunior ministers, people like mairi mcallan, neil gray, who used to have a seat at westminster and now as a junior minister at holyrood, they are also being mentioned. even some of the mps, joanna cherry, the new leader stephen flynn as well at

westminster, being talked about. it is harder to see how they could come in a practical sense, become first minister. so, there are some names being floated around. it is still early days. nicola sturgeon will stay as first minister until the leadership contest takes place, if indeed there is a contest. you would think the snp would want to move swiftly on that, because as nicola sturgeon acknowledged herself in her press conference, this is a critical moment for the party because next month they are holding a special conference to decide on what their plan should be for pushing ahead with that bid for independence. things being talked about, the de facto referendum of using a westminster or holyrood election to achieve independence, so, they will want to start hearing the party, from those possible leadership contenders on what their viewers on that and how they would seek to move the agenda forward.— the agenda forward. thank you very much. in her more than two decades

in the scottish parliament nicola sturgeon played a key role in pushing for independence long before she became leader of the snp. as leader she became one of the most recognised faces in uk politics. jonathan blake now looks at her impact. prominent, popular, a familiarface. nicola sturgeon has dominated scottish politics for a decade. and just weeks ago, when asked about her future, she was adamant she wasn�*t going anywhere. jacinda ardern says she doesn�*t have enough in a tank to continue, how much is in the nicola sturgeon tag? there is plenty in the tank at the moment. if i ever reach the point she has clearly reached, where i think overall i can't give the job everything it deserves, then— i hope i have the same courage

she has had in saying this is the point to go, but just for the avoidance of all doubt, i don't feel anywhere near that right now. nowhere near? nowhere near. nicola sturgeon was first elected to the scottish parliament in 1999 and later formed a close political partnership with snp leader alex salmond, positioning herself as his only possible successor. in 201a she ran the snp campaign when the big question on independence was asked. the answer from the scottish people then was no. but a surge of support came for the snp under her leadership a year later when the party won all but three of scotland�*s seats at westminster. after brexit when a majority in scotland voted to remain, nicola sturgeon remade the case for independence, forcing the conservatives and others to defend a united kingdom. her approach during the pandemic was relatively cautious, as her role as first minister took on a new prominence, leading scotland�*s response to coronavirus.

one thing that supporters and opponents acknowledged as she announced her resignation. as a fellow political leader it is not a day for ad hominem political attacks, ithink it is only right that we look back on nicola sturgeon's career as longest serving first minister, a first minister who took scotland through a global pandemic. very saddened and very sorry to hear that - the first minister- will be standing down. she has been an extraordinary leader of the snp and of the _ scottish government and i think her resignation speech today was very. much the mark of the woman that i know. . i still disagree with nicola sturgeon on everything but it doesn�*t mean i haven�*t got enough appreciation of the effort level that has been put into site that i wish her well and what happens next. rishi sunak thanked nicola sturgeon for her long—standing service. her departure comes at the uk and scottish governments clashed over gender recognition laws. criticised by opponents for her record on

education and health, but lauded by the snp faithful. nicola sturgeon�*s resignation will leave a vast vacancy and a big question for her party and its aim of independence. let�*s talk now with sirjohn curtice — a political analyst and professor of politics at the university of strathclyde in glasgow. interesting that she said not too long ago that she had plenty in the tank when she talked about jacinda ardern�*s resignation. clearly she didn�*t. how much of the resignation was political, and how much personal?— was political, and how much personal? was political, and how much ersonal? , ., , personal? the truth is that it is both, and _ personal? the truth is that it is both, and the _ personal? the truth is that it is both, and the interaction - personal? the truth is that it is i both, and the interaction between the two. i think there was always a question mark over whether or not nicola sturgeon, who had been front and centre in dealing with scotland�*s pandemic, including doing

virtually all the press conferences, and in so doing gained wide respect, including amongst people who never, ever voted for her, whether or not that, the end of the day, we take so much out of her that she would want to go. the pandemic didn�*tjust come to go. the pandemic didn�*tjust come to an end, it has kind of gradually filtered away. and as nicola sturgeon acknowledged herself, perhaps it is onlyjust now that she has begun to realise what she has had taken out of her. so maybe it was a question of how much longer can i deal with this, even what i have been through. apart from the row about the gender recognition bill, what has emerged in recent weeks is a considerable disquiet and discontent within the snp, not least amongst their westminster mps, about her proposal that the next uk election in scotland should be fought as a de facto referendum, in which if the assembly were to get over 50% of the vote, or all of the nationalist parties, that would be

regarded as a mandate for negotiating for independence, given that the uk government is not willing to allow an independence referendum to be held. i think what nicola sturgeon was beginning to realise, and she was pretty frank about this, while she might persuade her party to follow her, given that she was no longer clear that she wanted to lead her party into that de facto referendum, perhaps it was time for her to stand down and perhaps for the party to look at how indeed it should now pursue the path of independence. there was also an implicit acknowledgement that one task, however it tries to get a ballot on the subject, it needs to persuade more people in scotland that independence is a good idea in the first place. the that independence is a good idea in the first place-— the first place. the push for independence _ the first place. the push for independence at _ the first place. the push for independence at something j the first place. the push for i independence at something of a crossroads already. is it at even more of a crossroads now that she is leaving the stage, and will her departure help or hinder the drive

for scottish independence, do you think? , ., ., , ., ., think? there is no doubt that nicola sturueon, think? there is no doubt that nicola sturgeon. as _ think? there is no doubt that nicola sturgeon, as all— think? there is no doubt that nicola sturgeon, as all her— think? there is no doubt that nicola sturgeon, as all her opponents i think? there is no doubt that nicola | sturgeon, as all her opponents have acknowledged today, is a consummate politician who has been an extremely effective communicator with the public. 0ne effective communicator with the public. one would regard her as somebody who would want to be batting for independence in a future ballot on the subject, and maybe she has not ruled out that possibility. so, difficult shoes to fill. the answer to your question as to where this goes depends on what the outcome of the ballot is. as lynsey bews was just saying, there is no obvious successor, there is no obvious successor, there is no obvious person who has the charisma of nicola sturgeon and alex salmond, who might be able to do the job and push support for independence up. but that is the task that will face them. and the risk, undoubtedly, is that the party cannot find someone who can provide it with the kind of leadership that both mr salmond and nicola sturgeon have provided it

with, can�*t appeal to the public, and therefore as a result of the independence movement goes backwards. the downside risks to the nationalists are clear. the upside risks are perhaps something they might hope for, but at the moment there is quite a few projects to be crossed before they might reach that position. crossed before they might reach that osition. ~ . , crossed before they might reach that osition. ~ ., , ., , position. what is the latest polling evidence on _ position. what is the latest polling evidence on how _ position. what is the latest polling evidence on how people _ position. what is the latest polling evidence on how people in - position. what is the latest polling | evidence on how people in scotland feel about independence? i know that figure is kind of ebb and flow. what is the latest?— is the latest? basically where we have been for— is the latest? basically where we have been for most _ is the latest? basically where we have been for most of— is the latest? basically where we have been for most of the - is the latest? basically where we have been for most of the time i is the latest? basically where we i have been for most of the time over the last three years. a9% of people said they would vote yes, 59% said they would vote no. support is still higher than it was in 201a, but not higher than it was in 201a, but not high enough for the snp to ensure winning either a de facto referendum in a form of an election, or a real referendum in the form of a ballot on the subject. they are close, but also arguably a very long way away.

nicola sturgeon said if we want to pursue independence successfully, we need more of a consensus for it inside the snp and across scotland, and across scotland, north of the border. 5ir and across scotland, north of the border. ,, g ., and across scotland, north of the border. ,, . ., , and across scotland, north of the border. ,, g ., , ., ~ , ., border. sirjohn curtis, thank you very much- _ border. sirjohn curtis, thank you very much- we — border. sirjohn curtis, thank you very much. we can _ border. sirjohn curtis, thank you very much. we can get _ border. sirjohn curtis, thank you very much. we can get the i border. sirjohn curtis, thank you i very much. we can get the thoughts of ciaran andrews. we were just discussing the narrowness of the polls in terms of support for independence. does whoever succeeds nicola sturgeon, it really is very important what personality that is, in terms of winning the given? nicola sturgeon�*s successor has a massive job on their hands. we are at a crossroads for the scottish independence movement, notjust because the polls are finely balanced, as sirjohn was saying,

that has been the case, as he pointed out, quite a long time. but where we arejust pointed out, quite a long time. but where we are just now is the snp is by far the largest party in the scottish nationalist movement, looking to decide where to go now that the supreme court has ruled scottish parliament cannot hold a referendum of its own accord. nicola sturgeon wanted to use the next general election as a de facto referendum on scottish independence. that has been summarily rejected by significant people, both who are normally loyal, normally very loyal to nicola sturgeon, and to people who have been kind of arch critics over the past few months in recent years. so, it�*s a massive turning point. and whoever takes over from nicola sturgeon is either going to be left with a policy decided by the snp before they have taken post, that they may not agree with, or they are going to have to make a big

decision about where the snp and, by extension, the whole scottish independence movement goes from here. ~ . , independence movement goes from here. ~ ., , .,~ ., , independence movement goes from here. . ., ., , , here. what is your take on why she resi . ned here. what is your take on why she resigned this _ here. what is your take on why she resigned this morning? _ here. what is your take on why she resigned this morning? is - here. what is your take on why she resigned this morning? is it - here. what is your take on why she i resigned this morning? is it because of the rejection by many of the central strategy of hers for independence, orwas central strategy of hers for independence, or was it more personal reasons?— independence, or was it more personal reasons? independence, or was it more ersonal reasons? �* , , ., ., personal reasons? there's been a lot buildin: u- personal reasons? there's been a lot building up on _ personal reasons? there's been a lot building up on nicola _ personal reasons? there's been a lot building up on nicola sturgeon i personal reasons? there's been a lot building up on nicola sturgeon overi building up on nicola sturgeon over the last few years. as well as leading the scottish government through the pandemic and the toll that took on her, nicola sturgeon talked about that at her press conference today, there is also the complete disintegration of her relationship with alex salmond, who she was deputy first minister to, and he was a political mentor to her. that has gone. that will have taken a personal toll on nicola sturgeon. there have been other political reasons that have cropped up political reasons that have cropped up in recent days as well. but if

you are not confident about being able to lead the scottish independence movement towards independence, of course that is going to loom large over your thinking about whether you are the right person to still be at the top of not only the scottish government, but the snp as a party. lats of not only the scottish government, but the snp as a party.— but the snp as a party. lots of runners and — but the snp as a party. lots of runners and riders. _ but the snp as a party. lots of runners and riders. we - but the snp as a party. lots of runners and riders. we have i but the snp as a party. lots of. runners and riders. we have been going through some of the names. who is your tip to take over? it�*s going through some of the names. who is your tip to take over?— is your tip to take over? it's going to be a very _ is your tip to take over? it's going to be a very difficult _ is your tip to take over? it's going to be a very difficult thing - is your tip to take over? it's going to be a very difficult thing to i to be a very difficult thing to choose and protect. i know i am sitting on the fence massively, splinters digging in as i say that. the likes of kate forbes, the likes of angus robertson are already quite well known with the public, in relative terms, which is a big step forward for them and gives them a bit of a head start on rivals who might fancy it. bit of a head start on rivals who might fancy it— bit of a head start on rivals who might fancy it. nicola sturgeon, even her opponents _ might fancy it. nicola sturgeon, even her opponents and - might fancy it. nicola sturgeon, even her opponents and critics i might fancy it. nicola sturgeon, i even her opponents and critics have to agree she is a very good

communicator. i suppose that is a key requisite of whoever takes over? nicola sturgeon has been the best communicator in british politics over probably the last decade. she is excellent at that. the one thing that i have heard some people say, and i think this is evidenced by the fact that there is no clear and obvious favourite to replace her, is that nicola sturgeon has been very good at communicating, she�*s been very good at a number of things as first minister. this looks like she has been pretty poor at bringing on a successor, planning for her own resignation. that could yet cost the snp. �* , ., ., resignation. that could yet cost the snp.�* , ., ., resignation. that could yet cost the snp.�* , ., ,, snp. briefly, how do you assess her lea in snp. briefly, how do you assess her legacy in scottish — snp. briefly, how do you assess her legacy in scottish politics, _ snp. briefly, how do you assess her legacy in scottish politics, in - legacy in scottish politics, in scottish history?— legacy in scottish politics, in scottish history? nicola sturgeon has been an _ scottish history? nicola sturgeon has been an election _ scottish history? nicola sturgeon has been an election winning i has been an election winning machine, that is absolutely what she has been. there have been policy problems, and i think she will struggle to define a huge legacy

from government. at what she has done is proved that she can communicate with people very effectively and trample over opposition parties to just keep winning, keep winning, keep winning at elections. . . winning, keep winning, keep winning at elections-— at elections. ciaran andrews, really aood to at elections. ciaran andrews, really good to have _ at elections. ciaran andrews, really good to have you — at elections. ciaran andrews, really good to have you with _ at elections. ciaran andrews, really good to have you with us _ at elections. ciaran andrews, really good to have you with us to - at elections. ciaran andrews, really good to have you with us to get i at elections. ciaran andrews, really| good to have you with us to get your thoughts and insights. thank you. police looking for missing lancashire mother nicola bulley say she had �*specific vulnerabilities�* that meant she was immediately treated as a high risk disappearence. it�*s now nearly three weeks since she disappeared whilst walking her dog at st michaels on wyre. 0fficers gave an update on the search earlier today. it remainsa it remains a case at the present time _ it remains a case at the present time that— it remains a case at the present time that there is no evidence in all of— time that there is no evidence in all of the — time that there is no evidence in all of the exhaustive inquiries we have _ all of the exhaustive inquiries we have made that suggests any crime has been _ have made that suggests any crime has been committed, or that there is any third _ has been committed, or that there is any third party involvement in nicola's— any third party involvement in nicola's disappearance. it is important for me to stress that the

investigation continues. it is ongoing. _ investigation continues. it is ongoing, and we are meticulously reviewing — ongoing, and we are meticulously reviewing all information gathered from nicola's family, the public, cctv. _ from nicola's family, the public, cctv, dashboard camera and other digital— cctv, dashboard camera and other digital devices, to name just a few. we are _ digital devices, to name just a few. we are also— digital devices, to name just a few. we are also continuing to regularly consult _ we are also continuing to regularly consult with national experts from the national crime agency, and they continue _ the national crime agency, and they continue to— the national crime agency, and they continue to support us and provide both tactical and strategic advice for the _ both tactical and strategic advice for the case. both tactical and strategic advice forthe case. i both tactical and strategic advice for the case. i will hand over to becky, — for the case. i will hand over to becky, who _ for the case. i will hand over to becky, who will talk through in some more _ becky, who will talk through in some more detail— becky, who will talk through in some more detail the investigation she has been — more detail the investigation she has been leading from that a senior investigating officer role.— investigating officer role. thank ou for investigating officer role. thank you for coming _ investigating officer role. thank you for coming this _ investigating officer role. thank you for coming this morning. i investigating officer role. thank. you for coming this morning. so, investigating officer role. thank i you for coming this morning. so, i'm you for coming this morning. so, i�*m going to firstly take you through the incidents that led up to nicola being reported missing. iwill go through a timeline of events for you, followed by a number of topic

areas but i believe are of interest to you. also, going on to a couple of areas that have been highlighted in the press, which i want to explain in detail. nicola bulley was reported missing on friday, the 27th of january, reported missing on friday, the 27th ofjanuary, after dropping her of january, after dropping her children ofjanuary, after dropping her children at saint michael�*s school, in saint michael is. as soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police by her partner, paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, nicola was graded as high risk. that is normal in a missing person, from investigation, with the information we were in possession of. she was initially treated as a missing person. 0n of. she was initially treated as a missing person. on monday, the 30th ofjanuary, i was identified missing person. on monday, the 30th of january, i was identified as the senior investigating officer. at that time, we reviewed all of the information that had been gathered information that had been gathered in the days prior to her being

reported, and as any senior investigating officer does, you form a number of hypotheses, that is scenarios which are possible from the information to hand. there was hypothesis included one, that she possibly could have gone into the river, that they could have been third party involvement, and lastly that she could have left the area voluntarily. those hypotheses have remained in place throughout, are reviewed regularly, as is normal with any sio running an investigation. danny sava . e running an investigation. danny savage was _ running an investigation. danny savage was at _ running an investigation. danny savage was at that _ running an investigation. danny savage was at that police i savage was at that police conference. what has emerged for the first time at the news conference at lancashire police headquarters is that on friday the 27th of january, the day that nicola bulley went missing, her partner paul ansell reported her missing in a phone call to lancashire police, and information in that call led to her immediately being classified as a high risk missing person.

police say she had specific vulnerabilities. but detectives will not elaborate on what those specific vulnerabilities are. they would give no further details, citing the privacy of the family as the reason for not doing so. the overarching theme of the news conference here today is that police are still working, and all evidence points to their main theory, that, for whatever reason, nicola bulley entered the water close to the bench where her phone was found on st michael�*s on wyre on that morning, and a search expert we were talking to afterwards told us there was certainly in that river that day that could have carried her down river, over the nearby weir and down towards the sea, some 18 kilometres away. that is where the search is being concentrated. yes, they are keeping their mind open to other possibilities, but they have explored cctv, spoken to witnesses, they have traced hundreds of drivers and not one shred of evidence has emerged from any of those inquiries

that steers police away from the belief that she fell or went into the water that day. as far as the search for nicola bulley is concerned, it is still ongoing. police are still pouring plenty of resources into it to try and find any trace of her. as to yet, unsuccessfully. we had a private company searching the river wyre last weeand they did not find any trace of her either. the police investigation will continue. quite unusual for the police to give so much detail away about such an inquiry as this, but i think they have had so much speculation and some criticism in some circles about what they have been doing, and lots of people filling this vacuum where there is no information with wild theories, that they felt they had to come out and be very straight about where they see this inquiry going, and what they believe happened. two 15—year—olds have appeared in court charged with the murder of 16—year—old brianna ghey. brianna was found with stab wounds in a park near warrington at the weekend. 0ur correspondent fiona trott reports from chester

magistrates�* court. the girl, from warrington, and the boy, from leigh, appeared separately. they were wearing grey tracksuits. the girl�*s mother was weeping when her daughter arrived in court. they only spoke to confirm their age, name and addresses, and because of their young age, we are not able to identify them for legal reasons. the prosecutor told the court that brianna�*s death was extremely brutal and punishing. the children nodded when it was explained to them that because the charge was serious, it had to be dealt with by liverpool crown court, where they are due to appear tomorrow. now, brianna�*s death has affected people beyond warrington. last night, vigils were held in both bristol and liverpool, where up to 1000 people gathered to remember her. it was organised by members of the transgender community

and supporters, and more events are planned across the country today, in london, manchester, glasgow, belfast and york. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with chris. hello, there. most of us will get to see some sunshine this afternoon, but that said, we have a weather front. that stripe of cloud you can see here, slowly pushing eastwards. and that will bring a little rain from wales into parts of northern england, the midlands and central southern england. either side of that, we�*ve got some sunshine. but cloud will return to western scotland, with outbreaks of rain forecast for the hebrides in the highlands to end the afternoon. temperatures on the mild side for most, about ten or 1a degrees. overnight at night, a weak area of low pressure brings cloudy weather with outbreaks of rain spreading in from the west. there may well be some mist and fog patches developing around our western coasts and hills. but for many, it is a frost free night and a frost free start to the day on thursday.

there will be lots of cloud around. the rain is taking a while to ease away eastwards. not as much sunshine as there is today. the best of the sunshine will be across northern areas of scotland where, after a chilly start, temperatures reach eight or nine. but further south highs reach about 13 degrees. hello, this is bbc news with me, ben brown. the headlines: eight years after becoming scotland�*s first female first minister, nicola sturgeon announces she�*s stepping down. police searching for missing mum nicola bulley say she had "specific vulnerabilities" that meant she was immediately treated as a high risk disappearence. two teenagers are charged with the murder of 16—year—old brianna ghey, who was killed in a village park in cheshire on saturday. official figures show price rises slowed in the uk for a third

month in a row, but inflation remains near a a0—year high. the uk�*s most expensive drug saves a toddler with a rare genetic condition, but it�*s too late to save her terminally ill older sister with the same condition. sport and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here�*s our reporter. good afternoon. england captain leah williamson has spoken of the squad�*s commitment to promoting inclusivity ahead of wearing the 0nelove armband at this month�*s arnold clark cup. sarina wiegman�*s side host south korea tomorrow, before playing italy and belgium. it comes after czech republic internationaljakub jankto announced he is gay. earlier, i spoke to our football reporter, emma sanders, at st george�*s park, who told me what williamson had been saying. yes, leah williamson very strong on

that, she said that the lionesses wanted to show solidarity with jakub jankto who had recently come out as a openly gay player, the first current international player to come out in the men�*s game, so they wanted to show solidarity with him. they wore the armband during the euros and she said it was a really strong statement for the whole of the world to see, the lionesses play with the 0nelove armband on during the tournament and yes, they would like to have those conversations again ahead of the world cup with fifa. they think that it is a strong message against anti—discrimination and the lionesses are continuing to show that solidarity and stand up for that. meanwhile, scotland and wales women are in action in the pinatar cup in spain today. scotland are currently playing iceland — there�*s xx minutes left... iceland — approaching 60 minutes ..while wales face the philippines this evening. you can watch both those

games on the bbc iplayer and on the bbc sport website. chelsea travel to germany to take on an in—form borussia dortmund side in the champions league last 16 tonight. graham potter�*s side spent heavily in the january transfer window, but have just one win from seven games in the premier league. european competition could provide a much needed spark to chelsea�*s season, with potter�*s management style still under fire from some fans, who want to see him be tougher on his players. bundesliga title chasers dortmund, though, are on a six match winning run across all competitions. a huge game in the premier league tonight. manchester city travel to league leaders arsenal, knowing victory would see them move top of the table on goal difference. mikel arteta�*s side have lostjust two of their games so far this campaign, although winless in their last two matches, including saturday�*s draw against brentford, which was dominated by var controversy. city manager pep guardiola is unbeaten against arsenal in the league and arteta says they are the standard bearers his side aspire to emulate.

professional players in wales are said to be considering strike action over a dispute about contracts — putting next weekend�*s six nations match against england in doubt... welsh rugby�*s four professional teams — scarlets, dragons, 0spreys and cardiff — can make fresh contract offers to players, but have yet to do so. it�*s understood that a meeting will take place between the welsh rugby players�* association, officials and players before wales host england on saturday week. it�*s caused a huge sense of concern for players and their families. 0n social media, 0spreys player sam cross added... "it�*s time players stood up for ourselves and the welsh rugby players�* association had a seat, allowing us to have a voice in our own futures and on how the game is run going forward." england will "look to entertain" in the two—test series in new zealand, according to captain ben stokes, who says that has been key to their recent successes. england have won nine of their past ten test matches in thrilling fashion,

including a historic 3—0 series success against pakistan in december, but it�*s worth noting they have not won a test in new zealand since 2008. stokes wants his team to maintain their recent "mindset and mentality" when they take on the black caps in the first test on thursday. very much looking forward to that one. that�*s all the sport for now. i will be back at a:30pm. thank you very much, deller. let�*s return to our top story, as nicola sturgeon is stepping down as scotland�*s first minister and leader of the scottish national party. she�*ll leave office as soon as her successor is chosen. ms sturgeon says she can no longer give the role the full commitment she believes it requires. earlier, alex slamond, former scottish first minister and ms sturgeon�*s predecessor — who now leads his own indpendence

party, alba — expressed his suprise at the news of her resignation. i don�*t know anyone in politics who is not surprised. i dare say some journalists will say they knew about it all along. i don�*t think they did, ithink it is a it all along. i don�*t think they did, i think it is a significant surprise. certainly was to me. fight! surprise. certainly was to me. and what do you _ surprise. certainly was to me. and what do you see — surprise. certainly was to me. and what do you see is the key reasons? because you talked a lot about personal reasons, but also political reasons. i personal reasons, but also political reasons. ., �* ~ ., ~ personal reasons, but also political reasons. ~ ., ~ ., reasons. i don't know, i think that is a real puzzle. _ reasons. i don't know, i think that is a real puzzle. you _ reasons. i don't know, i think that is a real puzzle. you will- reasons. i don't know, i think that is a real puzzle. you will have i reasons. i don't know, i think that is a real puzzle. you will have to i is a real puzzle. you will have to ask nicola, only she knows the answer to that question. i suppose the political puzzle would be this. that nicola sturgeon took the case for independence to the supreme court for having a referendum. i thought that was a very puzzling thing to do, since i didn�*t think the supreme court of the united kingdom, you can tell by the title, was going to wade through the case for having an independence referendum, but then she said the de facto referendum in a general election was the way forward, but that vote is coming up the snp special conference and what nicola said today was she thought that she was going to win that vote and

therefore she is going to resign. i just didn�*t understand that bit at all. just didn't understand that bit at all. ., ., , ., just didn't understand that bit at all. ., ., ,, all. how would you assess her contribution _ all. how would you assess her contribution to _ all. how would you assess her contribution to scottish i all. how would you assess her. contribution to scottish politics? you were of course friends and allies, you fell out quite spectacularly, but you did once say in 2015, i have never met a politician who mastered at an earlier stage the range of political arts with more assured steps. in other words, you know, she was a very good politician from the way you watched her and observed over many years. you watched her and observed over many years-— many years. yes, i would stand by that remark- _ many years. yes, i would stand by that remark. listen, _ many years. yes, i would stand by that remark. listen, today - many years. yes, i would stand by that remark. listen, today is i many years. yes, i would stand by that remark. listen, today is her. that remark. listen, today is her resignation day and i feel for nicola personally. i mean, i have been there, so i know what a difficult day it is. and the strengths i was alluding to where evident in her period as first minister. her communication skills top notch. i mean, if you compare the clarity of message from edinburgh during the covid pandemic with the muddled message from

london, from westminster, then there was a clear difference. and the communication skills of nicola came to the fore. she is so good at winning elections, which is also important for politicians, so i think these would be remembered as her biggest attributes as first minister. �* ., ., ., minister. but then on the other hand we have heard _ minister. but then on the other hand we have heard from _ minister. but then on the other hand we have heard from people - minister. but then on the other hand we have heard from people like i we have heard from people like douglas ross, leader of the scottish tories, saying she has presided over a decade of division and decay. well, he would say that, wouldn�*t he? the tories are not really in the strongest position to talk about division and decay. since the building behind me has a tory government which is full of division and certainly full of decay. but i think from a more measured analysis, the question about nicola sturgeon�*s leadership will be much more about the cul—de—sac in which she has taken the independence campaign. you know, having lost at the supreme court, now going for the de facto referendum, she leaves her successor

in a difficult position, but roadblocks in politics are there to drive through or to get round that will be thejob drive through or to get round that will be the job of the next snp leader and the next first minister. i hope whoever it may be that he or she takes that in a different direction by re—unifying the national movement, perhaps by the device of an independence convention to take in all parties and nonparties, pressure groups, those arguing for independence. that might be the way forward. certainly, i think some candidates in the election will argue for that, perhaps some won�*t, but that will be the task of the new leader, the new first minister, will be to find a way around that roadblock or through it. 50 way around that roadblock or through it. ,, ., way around that roadblock or through it. , ., way around that roadblock or through it. so when you say she took scottish independence i it. so when you say she took scottish independence into i it. so when you say she took scottish independence into a cul—de—sac, are you saying she failed, effectively? there is a saying that all political careers end in failure, saying that all political careers end infailure, but saying that all political careers end in failure, but would you say hers as good as well, the quote is from thejohn powell, that all political careers end in failure, but thejob of political careers end in failure, but the job of a national leader seeking independence for scotland is

to take the campaign further forward, you know, if you can�*t take it to success and i didn�*t take it to success, then take it to within touching distance, take it from where you found it and bring it into the mainstream, so that success is not assured because nothing is assured in politics, but is very probable for the future. the difficulty is that nicola has gone in midstream. she went to the supreme court, her decision, got rebuffed from the supreme court, said, right, we will overcome that through the de facto election referendum for next year and has left before that decision has been made. that to me is a fundamental puzzle and a big challenge for the incoming first minister. as for the unionist parties crowing about, this will enable us to trample all over the independence case, yeah, i mean, they are laughing too soon. political parties, if political parties have to depend on what is happening to their opponents for success or use the weak ground themselves, i have heard that song before and the story of scottish

politics over the last 25 years has been the movement upwards of the independence campaign and the labour party in scotland replaced by the snp is the dominant force in scottish politics. i snp is the dominant force in scottish politics.— snp is the dominant force in scottish politics. i put a couple of uuotes to scottish politics. i put a couple of quotes to you. — scottish politics. i put a couple of quotes to you, let _ scottish politics. i put a couple of quotes to you, let me _ scottish politics. i put a couple of quotes to you, let me give i scottish politics. i put a couple of quotes to you, let me give you i quotes to you, let me give you another one. this is from nicola sturgeon. 0ne another one. this is from nicola sturgeon. one of the differences between me and alex salmond is that i have never tried to pretend that i am available. i have never tried to pretend that i am available-— am available. well, i think nicola was fallible _ am available. well, i think nicola was fallible in _ am available. well, i think nicola was fallible in that _ am available. well, i think nicola was fallible in that occasion i was fallible in that occasion because i never tried to pretend i was infallible. 0ne because i never tried to pretend i was infallible. one of the other differences was, and nicola is a hugely talented, as i discussed, but she took on ownership of the national movement basically into the government of scotland. now, clearly an snp government is or is going to be a huge part of the national movement, but it isn�*t the whole movement. and of course, that is not a difficulty when things are going well, when government is going well, but if governments its difficulties and bumps along the road, you have to be aware that that doesn�*t contaminate and affect the national

movement and therefore i hope and believe that the next first minister will take things back to where we were in 201a, of having a successful snp government and having a much wider national movement, the multifarious grassroots movements which took us so close to independence back in the 18th of september 201a. that independence back in the 18th of september 2014.— independence back in the 18th of setember 201a. ., , ~ ., september 2014. that is alex salmond there, september 2014. that is alex salmond there. former — september 2014. that is alex salmond there, former first _ september 2014. that is alex salmond there, former first minister _ september 2014. that is alex salmond there, former first minister of - there, former first minister of scotland. we are also hoping to talk in the next few minutes to kevin pringle, former snp communications director, as well. in the meantime... the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has said his predecessor, jeremy corbyn, will not be standing as a candidate for the party at the next general election. mr corbyn was leader when the equality and human rights commission said the party acted unlawfully in its approach to anti—semitism. the equality watchdog has been monitoring labour for more than two years and today said it�*s now satisfied at the way complaints are handled. joining me now is lord mann, who�*s the government�*s independent adviser on anti—semitism.

he�*s also an independent peer in the house of lords and the former labour mp for bassetlaw from 2001 until 2019. thank you very much for being with us. first, let�*s talk aboutjeremy corbyn. should he be able to stand again for the labour party as an mp? ithink it again for the labour party as an mp? i think it is very sensible from the point of view of the labour party, very good for the country that he is not going to be standing as a labour mp orfor any mainstream party. he has failed on his leadership, by failing to stand up against anti—semitism, he refused to speak out. i asked anti—semitism, he refused to speak out. iasked him anti—semitism, he refused to speak out. i asked him several times to make a speech when he first became leader, and anti—semitism, and he wouldn�*t do it. and he then wouldn�*t accept what had happened in the labour party and so, i think it will be warmly welcomed across the jewish community and it brings the labour party back into normal politics at last, which is obviously very good

news for the labour party, but it is also very good news for the health of our democracy and for the country. of our democracy and for the count . ., ., ., ,., of our democracy and for the count . ., ., ., ., country. now, we have also heard from the equality _ country. now, we have also heard from the equality and _ country. now, we have also heard from the equality and human i country. now, we have also heard . from the equality and human rights commission today, they are now saying they are satisfied at the way that the party handles complaints, they think enough changes have been made in the labour party on the question of anti—semitism. do you welcome that perspective and that conclusion? ~ welcome that perspective and that conclusion?— conclusion? well, i am absolutely deliahted conclusion? well, i am absolutely delighted that. — conclusion? well, i am absolutely delighted that, you _ conclusion? well, i am absolutely delighted that, you know, - conclusion? well, i am absolutely delighted that, you know, a i delighted that, you know, a potential party of government, the labour party is riding high in the polls, so it could be the next government if the polls are to be believed, has got rid of this stain. it was the day of the greatest shame of the labour party when the equalities and human rights commission launched that investigation into them and told the labour party it had to get their right to an act together, that their position at their positions were unacceptable. the fact that labour now has its own internal bill of

clean health and that equalities commission is very, very good news for the labour party, it is obviously good news for keir starmer as the leader of the labour party, but it is very good news for the jewish community in this country and for the health of our democracy. it means politics is back to normal, whereby people are, people i have spoken to today, i am doing work today on anti—semitism in football with quite a wide variety of people and there were people coming up to me today and saying, i didn�*t vote labour at the last general election, but i will do now. this issue is very, very important, well beyond the jewish very, very important, well beyond thejewish community. and i think it is very good news and a great relief to everyone across the labour party, and i remember with my local labour party, i refused to stand as labour candidate under corbyn. it is a huge relief to me and the lifetime of that party that the party has got its act together and is back in the

decency of politics. and thejewish community, i think, decency of politics. and thejewish community, ithink, will decency of politics. and thejewish community, i think, will be breathing a collective sigh of relief about that. but there is more to be done. the labour party now has to be done. the labour party now has to take the lead in tackling anti—semitism well beyond the labour party, but the growth of it across the country. that is what i expect of the labour party and that is what i have written to keir starmer asking to meet him on how he�*s going to do that, what his manifesto was a... �* , ., ., ., a... and just a word on keir starmer. — a... and just a word on keir starmer. i _ a... and just a word on keir starmer, i mean, _ a... and just a word on keir starmer, i mean, he - a... and just a word on keir starmer, i mean, he said i a... and just a word on keiri starmer, i mean, he said the a... and just a word on keir - starmer, i mean, he said the party has changed and his leadership, we are not going back, if others don�*t back him, they can leave the party, but at the same time his critics will say, hang on a minute, you are on the front bench underjeremy corbyn. this is a charge that rishi sunak often throws at him at prime minister�*s questions. ile sunak often throws at him at prime minister's questions.— minister's questions. he is the leader of the _ minister's questions. he is the leader of the party, _ minister's questions. he is the leader of the party, i _ minister's questions. he is the leader of the party, i judge i minister's questions. he is the i leader of the party, ijudge people on their leadership. corbyn failed on their leadership. corbyn failed on his leadership on anti—semitism. starmer has succeeded on his leadership on anti—semitism... what

i hope sir keir starmer will now do is take a lead in the country on effective, precise, good policies on how government should tackle the scourge of anti—semitism and if he is prime minister, how he will do it, how he will do it in the education system, how it will do it in universities, how it will do it elsewhere in society. that is what i hope and expect from him. if he goes into that place, i think you will be into that place, i think you will be in a very good place overall. lard in a very good place overall. lord mann, in a very good place overall. lord mann. thank— in a very good place overall. lord mann, thank you _ in a very good place overall. lord mann, thank you very _ in a very good place overall. lord mann, thank you very much indeed, previously labour member of parliament, thank you your time. let�*s take you back to our main story of the day, the dramatic news from scotland that nicola sturgeon is stepping down as colin�*s first minister after eight years in the role and we can talk about it now with kevin pringle, who was snp communications director. thank you very much for being with us. well, in terms of communications, she didn�*t really communicate is at all before the press conference today, it was quite a surprise. what do you think were

the reasons behind it?— a surprise. what do you think were the reasons behind it? well, it did, as an enormous _ the reasons behind it? well, it did, as an enormous surprise, - the reasons behind it? well, it did, as an enormous surprise, so i the reasons behind it? well, it did, as an enormous surprise, so in i the reasons behind it? well, it did, j as an enormous surprise, so in that sense she made the announcement on her own terms. i think it was probably an regulation of issues. what struck me listening to her statement, which i thought was very dignified and very moving, in many ways, was when she talked about how she thought she had become quite a polarising figure and if you think about it, the kind of issues that we have been discussing in scotland and across the uk for quite a number of years now have been, if you like, ones that fit into the of binary ones, independents in scotland, brexit across the rest of the uk, other questions, for example, the issue of gender recognition and reform, which ironically has become quite a binary issue in itself. as i think there is possibly an inevitability about the fact that, given we are in an age of binary politics on a number of different issues, that is bound to at some stage attach itself to political leaders. that has obviously been the

experience of nicola sturgeon. so she has fought that through and presumably come to a conclusion that that was just going to continue to be the case, so basically made his announcement now, when people today asking why she is going, if you like, ratherthan asking why she is going, if you like, rather than the issue of being there and people asking, why are you staying? so in that sense, she has made this very, very surprising announcement, but on her own terms. so i think she can be satisfied with that. this so i think she can be satisfied with that. �* , so i think she can be satisfied with that. a i. so i think she can be satisfied with that. �* , i. ., ., that. as i said, you were head of communications _ that. as i said, you were head of communications for _ that. as i said, you were head of communications for the - that. as i said, you were head of communications for the snp. i that. as i said, you were head of| communications for the snp. she that. as i said, you were head of i communications for the snp. she was, even her detractors and critics say she was a great communicator, is a great communicator. does that we can, do you think, whoever takes overfrom her? the cause can, do you think, whoever takes over from her? the cause of scottish independence and the snp? mat independence and the snp? not necessarily- _ independence and the snp? not necessarily. i— independence and the snp? mt necessarily. i think it independence and the snp? mat necessarily. i think it all depends, a lot of it will depend on the manner of the succession. but i think it will be quite important that there is an open a contested election because if you think about

it, the snp has not had a contested leadership election now since 2004, nearly 20 years ago and clearly some political parties have had quite a lot of changes of leaders and leadership elections in recent months, as well as years, so i think it will be important to take the issues, some of these questions, the issues, some of these questions, the issue of the route map, the timescale of independence, other questions as well and have them debated fully and thoroughly and openly in a contested leadership election, which, amongst other things, of course will mean that those who choose to stand for election become very much better known than they are at the moment. because clearly, nicola sturgeon has become a very dominant political figure in scotland and indeed across the uk. in seniority terms, she is the uk. in seniority terms, she is the most experienced and in that sense, the most senior political leader across the uk. you know, the prime minister has only been an mp

for a few years, never mind only being prime ministerfor a few months, so she is a very big political figure months, so she is a very big politicalfigure to months, so she is a very big political figure to leave the stage and i think from the snp's perspective, it needs an open, high profile contested leadership election for her successor to be in a position to fill those shoes. just a position to fill those shoes. just a cuick a position to fill those shoes. just a quick one. _ a position to fill those shoes. just a quick one. we — a position to fill those shoes. just a quick one, we have only got one minute or so left, some people say scottish independence is now at a crossroads. the polling numbers haven't really changed very much over the last few years, but is it at a crossroads? because if nicola sturgeon's strategy, what was to have the next election, the westminster election as a kind of de facto referendum and a lot of people in the movement didn't agree with that. ~ ., ., , ., ., that. well, scotland is at a crossroads _ that. well, scotland is at a crossroads in _ that. well, scotland is at a crossroads in the - that. well, scotland is at a crossroads in the sense - that. well, scotland is at a l crossroads in the sense that that. well, scotland is at a - crossroads in the sense that support for independence is at about 50%, some have a bit above and sometimes a bit below, but basically a 50% position, which of course is vastly higher than it was in the run—up to

the 2014 referendum, so it is at historically high levels now and has been for a number of years. in terms of party ratings, the last opinion poll for the snp scottish parliament put the snp 18 points ahead, so not shy in their confidence over the lead they have on scottish conservatives nationwide, so that is a healthy position. what is important is the issue of independence, the route map and timescale are a big part of the leadership election itself. so timescale are a big part of the leadership election itself. 50 use a crossroads, but that is a good time, a good moment, if you like, to have that debate. and just so happens that debate. and just so happens that a leadership debate is going to be very high profile, hopefully contested, so that those questions can be asked and be clarified and there can be some kind of resolution for the snp, the wider independence movement in itself. qm. for the snp, the wider independence movement in itself.— movement in itself. 0k, kevin prin . le, movement in itself. 0k, kevin pringle, thank _ movement in itself. 0k, kevin pringle, thank you _ movement in itself. 0k, kevin pringle, thank you so - movement in itself. 0k, kevin pringle, thank you so much i movement in itself. 0k, kevin| pringle, thank you so much for movement in itself. 0k, kevin- pringle, thank you so much for your time, we are out of time, but thank you very much for being with us. a toddler with a rare inherited

condition has become the first child to be treated by the nhs with a new life—saving gene therapy. i9—month—old teddi shaw has mld, which severely damages the brain and nervous system. the one—dose treatment costs almost £3 million and is the most expensive medicine ever approved for the nhs. 0ur medical editor, fergus walsh, reports. he sings imagine having two daughters with a devastating genetic condition, but only one can be saved. wheee! nala and teddi have mld — metachromatic leuko—dystrophy. children are born apparently healthy, but the condition gradually attacks the brain and body. this was nala when she was two. now, a year later, she can't walk or talk, and is tube fed. her body is basically kind of gradually shutting down. she will lose her eyesight.

she will lose most of her senses. and so it will basically come to a point where there's nothing left for her to lose. if she was born like that, then from the day she was born, we would have known what we were dealing with. but the fact that we had just a normal toddler and then all of a sudden our worlds have been turned upside down with a terminal diagnosis, that'sjust, you know, you don't really know what to say or what to think, really. nala's mld had progressed too far for her to be treated. but it meant the condition was picked up in her sister teddi, before damage was done. she's at royal manchester children's hospital, having stem cells removed from her blood. the first stage of a groundbreaking gene therapy. so when they told us that there was treatment available for teddi, it was kind of like a bit of a bitter pill to swallow, because nala can't be helped. so, you know, we're extremely

grateful in one sense and then really sad on the other sense, though. two months later, teddi's personalided therapy personalised therapy called libmeldy, is ready. scientists have added a working copy of the faulty gene which causes mld to teddi's cells. wow! the magic cells. they're your cells. libmeldy costs more than £2.8 million, though the nhs has agreed a confidential discount. this one—off infusion aims to stop teddi's disease in its tracks. teddi will need to spend several more weeks in hospital while her gene altered cells make their way to her bone marrow and start to produce the crucial missing enzyme that causes her condition. doctors who specialise in treating

mld say libmeldy is a game changer. i mean, this truly is a breakthrough. we have had almost nothing to offer families with this condition for decades. instead of many years of terrible neurodegenerative disease, we have the potential for a full life, lived healthily, and so it's very difficult to put a cost on that. fewer than ten children a year in the uk are likely to be eligible for libmeldy. one reason why the price tag is so high. more children could be treated if mld was diagnosed earlier. the heel prick blood test screens newborns for nine genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis, but not mld and many others. we now have the technology to be able to screen for these conditions. we have the ability to offer potentially curative therapies,

and we are letting our children down by not screening for these conditions because they are so, those devastating conditions are so preventable if you can identify them at birth and then offer these kinds of innovative therapies. hi, nala, that was cute! now, back home in northumberland, teddi is going from strength to strength. who's that, nala? but nala is continuing to decline. her parents know their time with her is limited. i've always said nala saved teddi's life, and that's how i wanted to kind of think about it. fergus walsh, bbc news. extraordinary news there. that is our medical editor, fergus walsh. now it's time for a look at the weather with chris. hello, most of us will get to see

some sunshine this afternoon, but that said, we do have a weak weather front slowly pushing eastwards and that will bring a little rain from wales in two parts of northern england, the midlands and central southern england. either side of that we have some sunshine, but cloud will return to western scotland with outbreaks of rain forecast for the hebrides and highlands to end the afternoon. temperatures on the mild side, for most 10—14 temperatures on the mild side, for most10—14 and then temperatures on the mild side, for most 10—14 and then overnight tonight a weak area of low pressure brings cloudy weather with outbreaks of rain spreading in from the west and they may well be mist and fog patches developing around western coasts and hills, but for many it is a frost—free nights and a frost—free start to the day on thursday. they will be a lot of cloud round, the rain taking a well to ease away eastwards, not as much sunshine around as there is today, the best of the sunshine across northern scotland, where after a chilly start temperatures reach around 8 or 9, but further south highs of 18 degrees.

this is bbc news, i'm ben brown. the headlines... in my head, and in my heart, i know that time is now. that it is right for me, for my party and for the country. and so today i am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party. in a shock announcement snp leader, nicola sturgeon, announces she's resigning as scotland's first minister we'll find out more about what her exit means and what's next for scotland. the other main stories... as the search for nicola bulley continues, police say she had specific vulnerabilities that meant she was immediately treated as a high risk disappearence...

two is—year—olds are charged with the murder of 16—year—old brianna ghey who was killed in a village park in cheshire on saturday. one of the 12 boys rescued from a thai cave in 2018, has died in the uk after suffering a head injury. the uk's most expensive drug saves a toddler with a rare genetic condition but it's too late to save her terminally ill older sister. nicola sturgeon is stepping down as scotland's first minister, and leader of the scottish national party. she'll leave office as soon as her successor is chosen. ms sturgeon says she can no longer give the role the full commitment she believes it requires.

and she hinted that after eight years as first minister — efforts to broaden the appeal of scottish independence could be hampered by what she called �*polarised opinions�* about her. we'll look back at nicola sturgeon's career and get political reaction from edinburgh and london. but first — lorna gordon reports on events this morning. she is scotland's longest serving first minister, the first female to hold the position. and today, nicola sturgeon announced she's stepping down. since my very first moment in thejob, i have believed that part of serving well would be to know almost instinctively when the time is right to make way someone else. in my head, and in my heart, i know that time is now. that it is right for me, my party and for the country. and so today i am announcing my

intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party. she said her decision to go was not a reaction to short—term pressures. i know it might seem sudden, but i have been wrestling with it, albeit with oscillating levels of intensity, for some weeks. essentially, i have been trying to answer two questions. is carrying on right for me? and, more importantly, is me carrying on right for the country, my party and for the independence cause i have devoted my life to? the first minister said her wish was to use the next general election as a de facto referendum on scottish independence, a strategy to be decided at an snp meeting next month. i cannot in good conscience ask the party to choose an option based on myjudgment, whilst not being convinced that i would be there

as leader to see it through. by making my decision clear now, i free the snp to choose the path it believes to be the right one, without worrying about the perceived implications for my leadership and in the knowledge that a new leader will steer us, i believe successfully, on that path. taking the country through covid was, nicola sturgeon said, the toughest thing she had done. many said she was surefooted in her communications through that crisis. but critics argue that on other issues, a second independence referendum, the gender recognition reform bill, and isla bryson — the double rapist initially sent to a women's prison — she's been less sure footed. too often i see issues presented, and as a result viewed, not in their own merits but through the prism of what i think and what people think about me. no one individual should be dominant in any system for too long. but while it's easy to hold that view in the abstract,

it is much harder to live by it. with this decision, i am trying to do so. she said there were too many people to thank for their help during her eight years at the top. there will also be time in the days to come for me to say thank you to a very, very long list of people without whom i would not have lasted a single day in this job. firstly, my husband and family. few people understand the price families of politicians pay for the jobs we choose to do. mine have been my rock throughout. nicola sturgeon said, while stepping down from leadership, she was not leaving politics altogether and will remain involved in issues close to her heart. she has dominated scottish politics for almost a decade and will remain as first minister and leader of her party until a successor is found. lorna gordon, bbc news.

just hours after ms sturgeon announced her intentions to stand down and there's already speculation on who her successor may be. lets take another look at some of the runners and riders. the favourite with the bookies is angus robertson, who currently serves as the constitution secretary in the scottish government. he has previously served as the snp's westminster leader. the finance secretary kate forbes has long been tipped as a potential successor but is currently taking time away from politics on maternity leave after having her first child. humza yousaf — the health secretary is another who may throw his hat into the ring. could it be second time around for deputy first minister, john swinney? he has already led the snp in opposition as leader from 2000 to 2004. will there be a challenge from westminister? joanna cherry, mp for edinburgh south west, has been tipped as future leader but being first minister without having a seat at holyrood could be problematic.

keith brown msp, the currentjustice secretary, is popular with the grassroots membership. with me now is the snp's westminster leader stephen flynn hejoins me from our aberdeen studio. are you going to be a contender? i think you have provided the answer in the short monologue, the next leader of our party, the next leader of scotland's government, will be a member of the snp hollywood group, thatis member of the snp hollywood group, that is entirely right, that is the way it should be. no, i have no intention of putting myself forward. 0k, intention of putting myself forward. ok, that's clear. are you surprised nicola sturgeon has stepped down, stepped aside, and what do you think were the reasons? it's not very clear exactly why. she talked about a mixture of personal and political reasons. i’m a mixture of personal and political reasons. �* . , ~' a mixture of personal and political reasons. �* ~ ., a mixture of personal and political reasons. �* . , ~ ., ., ., ,, reasons. i'm a bit like a lot of snp members today. _

reasons. i'm a bit like a lot of snp members today, i _ reasons. i'm a bit like a lot of snp members today, i am _ reasons. i'm a bit like a lot of snp members today, i am gutted. - reasons. i'm a bit like a lot of snp l members today, i am gutted. nicola has been a formidable leader of our party, a leader of scottish govern. what we have seen in her resignation speech was why she is peerless on these islands. her warmth and humility, and her honesty with people of scotland about the reasons why she was stepping away from that really important role, the pressure that puts on an individual, was quite clear. nicola has been an outstanding leader of the scottish national party, as i say, an outstanding leader of scotland's government, and i'm very sad that the decision has been taken today for her to step away. white mug you say you are gutted, is that because the snp and the cause of scottish independence is weaker now without her? because she is, and her critics agree to this, she is a very good communicator. i am gutted because she is an exceptional communicator.

the cause of scottish independence is much bigger than one individual. it always has been and always will be. and now the party will look to elect that new leader, who will hopefully offer a vision and direction as to where we seek to go next and how we make scotland a fairer and better place and an independent country.- fairer and better place and an independent country. fairer and better place and an inde endent count . ., , independent country. there have been divisions, scottish _ independent country. there have been divisions, scottish independence, - independent country. there have been divisions, scottish independence, in i divisions, scottish independence, in some ways, at a crossroads. there is a question about whether the next westminster election should be a de facto referendum, there have been big differences on that? like facto referendum, there have been big differences on that?— big differences on that? like any olitical big differences on that? like any political party. — big differences on that? like any political party. we _ big differences on that? like any political party, we have - big differences on that? like any political party, we have had - political party, we have had discussions. the party was due to meet on the 19th of march to come together, to make a clear route forward for the wider movement. it is my view that it should be paused and we should allow ourselves a moment to reflect, and allow the new

leader to set out their course and vision, and they will have our support going forward in doing that. a lot of praise for nicola sturgeon today, the criticism from the scottish conservative leader, douglas ross. he said she had presided over a decade of division and decay, her relentless agitating has left scotland in a case of constitutional paralysis ever since, he said, unable to go on from the groundhog day of 2014 and its toxic legacy. i groundhog day of 2014 and its toxic le . a . ~ groundhog day of 2014 and its toxic lea . ~ legacy. i think douglas ross has embarrassed _ legacy. i think douglas ross has embarrassed themselves - legacy. i think douglas ross has embarrassed themselves today. j legacy. i think douglas ross has i embarrassed themselves today. he legacy. i think douglas ross has - embarrassed themselves today. he has shown absolutely no class whatsoever, in stark contrast to party leaders notjust in scotland but right across the uk, and former prime minister such as theresa may have been quite clear in congratulating nicola sturgeon for her amazing public service. i think douglas ross should reflect upon his approach to such matters. when we look at what nicola sturgeon said

today, the difficulties all politicians face at this moment in time, the pressures of thejob politicians face at this moment in time, the pressures of the job and also some of the language that is used, douglas ross hasjust played into that very punishing narrative that we all have to face when we should be looking to try and create a more wholesome future, one which is inclusive of everyone and everyone's views, in scotland, that we all move together. he is quite clearly a classless politician and classless man.— clearly a classless politician and classless man. ,, , , ., classless man. stephen flynn, at the beauinnin classless man. stephen flynn, at the beginning of— classless man. stephen flynn, at the beginning of the _ classless man. stephen flynn, at the beginning of the interview _ classless man. stephen flynn, at the beginning of the interview you - classless man. stephen flynn, at the beginning of the interview you ruled l beginning of the interview you ruled yourself out of running for the leadership. is there anybody you would like to support, would like to see succeed nicola sturgeon? we are in the very fortunate _ see succeed nicola sturgeon? we are in the very fortunate position - see succeed nicola sturgeon? we are in the very fortunate position of- in the very fortunate position of having a number of individuals within the hollywood group that would make exceptional leaders of our party and exceptional first ministers of scotland. i'm looking forward to seeing who decides to put their name into the ring. i have had discussions, we are in a good place,

the movement is in a good place and we are still polling exceptionally well. we know that the people of scotland are still very keen on our policies and our intentions, and it will be incumbent on the new leader of our party and government to make the next steps and deliver that independent future that we want to see. ,, , y . ~ independent future that we want to see. . , y . ~ ,, y see. stephen flynn, thank you very much forioining — see. stephen flynn, thank you very much forjoining us _ see. stephen flynn, thank you very much forjoining us from _ see. stephen flynn, thank you very| much forjoining us from aberdeen, the westminster snp leader. police looking for missing lancashire mother nicola bulley say she had �*specific vulnerabilities�* that meant she was immediately treated as a high risk disappearence. it�*s now nearly three weeks since she disappeared whilst walking her dog at st michaels on wyre. officers gave an update on the search earlier today. it remains a case at the present time that there is no evidence in all of the exhaustive inquiries we have made that suggests any crime has been committed, or that there is any third party involvement in nicola's disappearance. it is important for me to stress that the investigation continues.

it is ongoing, and we are meticulously reviewing all information gathered from nicola's family, the public, cctv, dash cam and other digital devices. — to name just a few. we are also continuing to regularly consult with national experts from the national crime agency, and they continue to support us and provide both tactical and strategic advice for the case. i will hand over to becky, who will talk through in some more detail the investigation she has been leading from that a senior investigating officer role. thank you for coming this morning. so, i�*m going to firstly take you through the incidents that led up to nicola being reported missing. i will go through a timeline of events for you, followed

by a number of topic areas thati believe are of interest to you. also, going on to a couple of areas that have been highlighted in the press, which i want to explain in detail. nicola bulley was reported missing on friday, the 27th of january, after dropping her children at st michael�*s school, in st michael�*s. as soon as she was reported missing, following the information that was provided to the police by her partner, paul, and based on a number of specific vulnerabilities that we were made aware of, nicola was graded as high risk. that is normal in a missing person investigation, with the information we were in possession of. she was immediately treated as a misper. on monday, the 30th of january, i was identified as the senior investigating officer. at that time, we reviewed all of the information that had been

gathered in the days prior to her being reported, and as any senior investigating officer does, you form a number of hypotheses, that is scenarios which are possible from the information to hand. there was hypothesis included one, that she possibly could have gone into the river, that they could have been third party involvement, and lastly that she could have left the area voluntarily. those hypotheses have remained in place throughout, are reviewed regularly, as is normal with any sio. two is—year—olds have appeared in court charged with the murder of 16—year—old brianna ghey. brianna was found with stab wounds in a park near warrington at the weekend. our correspondent fiona trott reports from chester magistrates court. the girl, from warrington, and the boy, from leigh, appeared separately. they were wearing grey tracksuits.

the girl�*s mother was weeping when her daughter arrived in court. they only spoke to confirm their age, name and addresses, and because of their young age, we are not able to identify them for legal reasons. the prosecutor told the court that brianna�*s death was extremely brutal and punishing. the children nodded when it was explained to them that because the charge was serious, it had to be dealt with by liverpool crown court, where they are due to appear tomorrow. now, brianna�*s death has affected people beyond warrington. last night, vigils were held in both bristol and liverpool, where up to 1,000 people gathered to remember her. it was organised by members of the transgender community and supporters, and more events are planned across the country today, in london, manchester, glasgow, belfast and york.

the headlines... nicola sturgeon has resigned as first minister of scotland and leader of the scottish national party. two teenagers are charged with the murder of brianna ghey, who was killed in cheshire on saturday. new figures show price rises slowed in the uk for a third month in a row, but inflation does still remain near a 40 year high. when russia launched a full—scale invasion of ukraine almost exactly a year ago, troops use the territory of belarus as a launch pad for the offensive. one year on, russian military activity in belarus continues to be of real concern to the ukrainian authorities. steve rosenberg has been to the belarusian and ukrainian border and sent this report. belarus ends right here. then you have this no man�*s land, and over there that is ukraine. so the watchtower is ukrainian, you can see

the flag of ukraine flying. are next to it, quite interesting, the flag of the belarusian opposition, which gives you an idea of the poor relations between belarus and ukraine. let�*s look at the checkpoint. nobody is passing through the, the crossing is closed at the moment. but we have been brought here on an organised press tour, because i think belarus wants us to believe that it is a peaceful country that is only interested in defending, protecting its borders. but the fact remains that a year ago, belarus was used as a staging ground for a full—scale russian invasion of ukraine. and it was the leader of belarus, alexander lukashenko, who allowed this to happen. since then, we have seen growing military cooperation between belarus and russia, more and more joint military drills and alexander lukashenko doesn�*t hide the fact that he supports vladimir putin, he doesn�*t hide his criticism of nato, of america, of the west. i think

ukraine will be watching very closely for any signs of russian troops planning another offensive from belarusian territory into northern ukraine. a woman has been rescued alive after being trapped under earthquake rubble for 122 hours in turkey. the 42—year—old was found in the city of maras — meanwhile in hatay, also in turkey, a 65—year old survivor is seen waving to rescuers after 208 hours under the rubble, and was eventually brought out alive. the first deliveries of international aid are being distributed in rebel—held north western syria, through a reopened border crossing — more than a week after the devastating earthquake. the focus now is on the plight of survivors. our correspondent caroline davies has been on board a hospital ship moored near the quake�*s epicentre.

in the aftermath of the earthquake, shelter and help come in many forms. these arrivals at iskenderun port are boarding a floating hospital. this ship arrived about five days ago. it is normally used as a tourist ship. but now of course it has become a floating hospital. and here is where people arrive and they are assessed for what need they have. on board, they offer checkups, a pharmacy, and warm food. enough for up to 1000 people. nojan and her children have slept here for the last three days. translation: for a couple of days we were on the streets _ until the ship arrived. we had ourfirst shower here. they gave us new clothes, because we were in filth. we do not know what is awaiting us. as long as the ship docks here, we will be living in the ship. the severely injured have been sent on to permanent hospitals but the ship has set up a hospital ward to help treat those with chronic diseases,

unable to get the usual care they need. yasmin came from istanbul to help. translation: we are physically very tired and mentally very tired. - exhausted. but we try not to show this to our patients because they need us now, they need a warm touch and we are trying to keep our motivation high. thoughts of what has happened here are still raw. the search and rescue efforts continue across the earthquake area, each story of survival increasingly rare. the 77—year—old woman was rescued from the rubble after 212 hours and another 42—year—old also pulled from deep beneath. those found alive at this stage are even more likely to be in a critical condition. here, other signs of hope. 40 aid trucks with blankets, medicine and food head across the front line from east syria to the north—west of the country and some un aid has also made it across a newly opened border crossing with turkey.

but nearly ten days on, there is little time to lose. residential streets are filled with heavy machinery, buildings turned to piles of dust and rubble now slowly being moved. the dead are still being counted. and the road ahead seems uncertain for many. caroline davies, bbc news, iskenderun. price rises in the uk have slowed for a third month in a row — but food costs have risen steeply — especially sugar, low—fat milk and olive oil which all went up by more than 40% in the year to january. official figures show that inflation, which is the increase in the price of goods over time, did fall to 10.1% injanuary, from 10.5% in december, but food costs remain at a 45 year high. our economics correspondent andy verity reports. in the center of stafford, ruby jay has found her own way of coping

with one of the highest rates of inflation in the developed world. like thousands of young people, she�*s living at home, hoping to start a career, singing not for her supper, butjust to be able to afford the travel to her next gig. this is the way to fund it all, i guess, and pub gigs and anything that you can do just to earn a bit of extra money as a musician. i�*m missing a few strings, as you can see. i�*m two down today, so i�*ve only got four. so it�*s been a bit of a task to get through songs. how much are they? oh, a good pair, a good pack, about 20 quid now, which is quite sad. around the corner is the headquarters of a hairdressing chain, which trains young apprentices and customers get a discounted hair treatment. went to the cinema the other night. it was like £20 a ticket. i was quite shocked. and then right when you get your drinks and your popcorn and everything, it�*s like for me, my sisters have got all got kids. so for a family day out, that�*s just too expensive. like thousands of firms, it survived the pandemic lockdowns only to be hit by soaring energy costs last year. inflation may have slowed down, but so far there�*s little relief

for them from higher costs. prices have gone up. wages have gone up, ni has gone up, and stock, we�*ve hit by everything. i can�*t think of what part of the business that hasn�*t gone up recently. i mean, surely they can�*t get too much higher? surely we�*ve hit that peak and that�*s what we hope. and we�*ve got to this point where we�*re dealing with it, we�*re getting through it. so it�*s only got to start to steady off and come down. it�*s notjust the cost of energy which has been shooting up. it�*s also the cost of raw materials for supplies which have been rising fast. but now they�*re slowing down or even falling. take this box of gloves, for example. before the pandemic, one of these would cost you about £2. after lockdown, they shot up to 15 quid, and now they�*re back down to about £5 a box. with petrol prices down, the cost of living isn�*t rising quite as fast, up 10.1%. but that�*s still much faster than wages. the type of inflation that we have that�*s concentrated in household bills and food that hits those on low incomes hardest,

it�*s going to be really important for the chancellor to concentrate on the impact of the cost of living crisis. really make sure that those low income households are not suffering too much in the coming months. to tame inflation, interest rates are expected to rise further in the coming months, but then to drop again by the end of the year. andy verity, bbc news, stafford. one of the 12 boys rescued from a thai cave in 2018 has died afterfalling ill in the uk. the circumstances are currently unclear but duangpetch promthep was rushed to hospital at the weekend after being found unconscios. he and his football team attracted worldwide attention when they and their coach were stranded inside a cave prompting an international rescued operation. our southeast asia correspondent, jonathan head has this report.

his winning smile, even after nine days in the dark with no food, brought cheer to a global audience gripped by the thai cave drama. duangpetch promthep�*s rescue, with his coach and all 11 of his team—mates, by volunteer divers from across the world, over formidable terrain, seems little short of miraculous. as did their rapid recovery in hospital. and their unbroken spirit, on display in this first encounter with the hundreds ofjournalists who descended on thailand to report their underground audio. we were at his house in the little border town of mae sai when dom was finally able to go home to a family who could scarcely believe they had him back in one piece. their fame opened new opportunities for boys whose prospects in life had been limited before. still football mad, dom won a scholarship last year to go to britain,

to this private academy near leicester. this is my dream, he wrote, promising to work hard and pursue his ultimate goal of representing his country in international football. it was left to the man who got him the scholarship, zico, a former member of the thai national team, to inform his family about his sudden death. his mother asking only for help to bring back his body. the first sad note in a story which, until now, still had the power to amaze and inspire. jonathan head, bbc news, bangkok. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes. hello, there.

many of us have seen a bit of sunshine at times today. but we have also seen a weather front that has brought in some outbreaks of rain. that of a mixed picture. this is the scene from northern ireland an hour orso scene from northern ireland an hour or so ago. you can see high cloud streaming in, the next weather system that is going to be coming into night. this type of cloud you can see across england. that is a weather front that has been pushing eastwards over recent hours, bringing a few splashes of rain. between these systems, we will have clear skies for a time but they will not last long overnight. we are going to see this low pressure moving on. quite a weak one, bringing cloudy skies, outbreaks of rain, quite light and patchy. there will probably be some mist and fog around western coasts and hills. a frost free night for most, with clear skies of northern scotland you might find a few patches of frost in the highlands to start the day on thursday. otherwise, not too cold a start of the day, but it will be pretty cloudy with rain tending to ease as we go through the morning. into the afternoon, the weather tries to brighten up, but i think overall it�*s going to be a cloudy

day compared with today. still mild, temperatures in double figures. 10 degrees or so for glasgow, 13 or 14 degrees or so for glasgow, 13 or 14 degrees across parts of southern england. very mild for the time of year. then we are looking at a windy speu year. then we are looking at a windy spell of weather. this area of low pressure comes through on thursday night into friday, with a squeeze on the isobars here, bringing a zone of strong winds. on friday, the strongest wind is probably working into scotland, where we could get gusts of 75 mph. potentially as high as 60 or 70 mph gusts going over the pennines and to the east of the high ground. now, we are probably going to see some localised transport disruption. there was kind of winds can blow over a few lorries. the air one is vulnerable for that. say the airports, leeds and bradford that could be crosswinds, so we could find cancellations or delays to flights, it is worth checking before travelling to the airport on friday. away from the blustery wind of acting northern areas, a lot of cloud across england and wales,

splashes of mostly light rain moving through. still very mild for many. 40 degrees in london, the air getting cooler across the day across scotland and northern ireland. the temperature still above the february average. into the weekend, it looks like it will stay quite cloudy on saturday with rain at times. still quite windy. sunday is the better half of the weekend. should be a bit drier and brighter. the best of any sunny spells likely toward southern and eastern parts of the country. that is how the weather is looking for now. hello, this is bbc news with me, ben brown. the headlines: eight years after becoming scotland�*s first female first minister, snp leader nicola sturgeon announces she�*s stepping down. police searching for missing woman nicola bulley say she had "specific vulnerabilities" that meant she was immediately treated as a high risk disappearence. two teenagers appear in court, charged with the murder

of 16—year—old brianna ghey, who was killed in a park in cheshire on saturday. a 17—year—old boy rescued from a thai cave in 2018, has died in the uk after suffering a head injury. the uk�*s most expensive drug saves a toddler with a rare genetic condition — but it can�*t save her terminally ill older sister with the same condition. sport and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here�*s delyth. good afternoon. england captain leah williamson has spoken of the squad�*s commitment to promoting inclusivity ahead of wearing the 0nelove armband at this month�*s arnold clark cup. sarina wiegman�*s side host south korea tomorrow, before playing italy and belgium. it comes after czech republic internationaljakub jankto announced he is gay.

we area we are a squad that promotes inclusivity, equality. we obviously have a number of people that feel very strongly about it and i think it is not even a question for us, really. you know, you havejust seen another men�*s player step out and be as brave as they can be and potentially changed their whole life. they don�*t know what is coming, so for us to stand also in solidarity with that is important to us. but yeah, it is something we have always done, to something we will continue to do and yeah, like i say, we�*re notjust impacting football, we are trying to have a positive impact society. meanwhile, scotland women have lost their opening match in the pinatar cup in spain. pedro martinez losa�*s side had largely dominated the first half, but went behind to two early second half goals. wales begin their pinatar cup campaign against the philippines this evening. kick—off is at 7.30pm. you can watch on the bbc iplayer

and on the bbc sport website. a huge game in the premier league tonight — manchester city travel to league leaders arsenal, knowing victory would see them move top of the table on goal difference. mikel arteta�*s side have lost just two of their games so far this campaign, although winless in their last two matches, including saturday�*s draw against brentford, which was dominated by var controversy. city manager pep guardiola is unbeaten against arsenal in the league and arteta says they are the standard bearers his side aspire to emulate. what they have done in the last six years, they absolutely merit it. they merit it on the pitch and the way they have played, the way they have competed, the way they have gone through difficulties and for us the challenge is to get to that level. you know? and to use that challenge and that energy to... this is where we want to be. so far is the best team in the premier league. we are making an incredible first round, first leg of

the league, so we felt it a few weeks ago. we played here — our commitment, sharp and everything. and yeah, we have to try to read the game we're going to play. it will be a big, big battle in any department. you have to be ready. looking forward to that one, it is live on five live. chelsea travel to germany to take on an in—form borussia dortmund side in the champions league last 16 tonight. graham potter will be hoping for a bit of respite from their league form, which has seen his side win just once in their last seven games. after spending heavily in the january transfer window, there will be expectations to start getting results. chelsea have neverfaced dortmund in european competition and the bundesliga title chasers are on a six—match winning run across all competitions. england will "look to entertain" in the two—test series in new zealand, according to captain ben stokes, who says that has

been key to their recent successes. england have won nine of their past ten test matches in thrilling fashion, including a historic 3—0 series success against pakistan in december, but it�*s worth noting they have not won a test in new zealand since 2008. stokes wants his team to maintain their recent "mindset and mentality" when they take on the black caps in the first test on thursday. you may want to set your alarm, ben, is it all starts at 1am tomorrow morning. i will be back at 5:30pm, thatis morning. i will be back at 5:30pm, that is all a sport for now. i will be fast asleep! you enjoy it, i�*m sure you will! thank you very much. let�*s return to our top story, as nicola sturgeon is stepping down as scotland�*s first minister and leader of the scottish national party. she�*ll leave office as soon as her successor is chosen. as leader, she became one of the most recognised faces in uk politics.

jonathan blake now looks at her impact. prominent, popular, a familiarface. nicola sturgeon has dominated scottish politics for a decade. and just weeks ago, when asked about her future, was adamant she wasn�*t going anywhere. jacinda ardern said she doesn�*t have enough in the tank to continue. how much is in the nicola sturgeon tank? there is plenty in the tank at the moment. if i ever reach the point she has clearly reached, where i think overall i can't give the job everything it deserves, then— i hope i have the same courage she has had in saying this is the point to go, but just for the avoidance of all doubt, i don't feel anywhere near that right now. nowhere near? nowhere near. nicola sturgeon was first elected to the scottish parliament in 1999 and later formed a close political partnership with snp leader alex salmond, positioning herself as his only possible successor. in 2014 she ran the snp�*s

campaign when the big question on independence was asked. the answer from the scottish people then was no. but a surge of support came for the snp under her leadership a year later, when the party won all but three of scotland�*s seats at westminster. booing. after brexit won a majority and scotland voted to remain, nicola sturgeon remade the case for independence, forcing the conservatives and others to defend the united kingdom. her approach during the pandemic was relatively cautious, as her role as first minister took on a new prominence, leading scotland�*s response to coronavirus. one thing the supporters and opponents acknowledged as she announced her resignation. as a fellow political leader, it is not a day for ad hominem political attacks, ithink it is only right that we look back on nicola sturgeon's career as longest serving first minister, a first minister who took scotland

through a global pandemic. very saddened and very sorry to hear that - the first minister- will be standing down. she has been an extraordinary leader of the snp and of the _ scottish government and i think her resignation speech today was very. much the mark of the woman that i know. l i still disagree with nicola sturgeon on everything, but it doesn�*t mean i haven�*t got enough appreciation of the effort level that has been put in to say that i wish her well in what happens next. rishi sunak thanked nicola sturgeon for her long—standing service. her departure comes as the uk and scottish governments clashed over gender recognition laws. criticised by opponents for her record on education and health, but lauded by the snp faithful, nicola sturgeon�*s resignation will leave a vast vacancy and a big question for her party and its aim of independence. jonathan blake, bbc news.

the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has said his predecessor, jeremy corbyn, will not be standing as a candidate for the party at the next general election. mr corbyn was leader when the equality and human rights commission said the party acted unlawfully in its approach to anti—semitism. the equality watchdog has been monitoring labour for more than two years and today said it�*s now satisfied at the way complaints are handled. antarctic glaciers may be more sensitive to changes in sea temperature than was thought, according to new research. the work is the result of the biggest land—based survey ever undertaken on the continent. the team focused on the thwaites glacier, the fastest changing large glacier in the world. thwaites is the size of britain. it already contributes 4% of annual sea level rise. if it melted out completely, it would raise global sea levels by more than half a metre. our climate editor, justin rowlatt,

was with the science team on the glacier. west antarctica is a challenging place to work. it is the stormiest part of the world�*s stormiest continent. it took more than a month and more than a dozen flights to get the scientists and their equipment to the front of the glacier. ice—hardened ships brought in fuel and other bulky supplies, which were then dragged over the ice in an epic 1,000 mile overland journey. this was the final destination. a campsite at the point this vast glacier goes afloat. if we are thinking about what is sea level going to be like in ten years, this glacier is the place to be. boilers turned snow into water. hot water was used to melt down into the ice. this is a historic moment. the first time anyone has tried to drill down through this glacier.

belief the 600 metres of ice below me is the most important point of all, the point at which the ice beneath the 600 metres of ice below me is the most important point of all, the point at which the ice meets the ocean water. for the first time ever, scientists could take measurements under the ice, to the surprise of some local creatures. they sent down ice fin, a remotely operated robot submarine, packed with scientific instruments. oh—ho—ho! yes! what we could see is that instead of this kind of flat ice that we had all pictured, there were all kinds of staircases and cracks in the ice that weren�*t really expected. a team from the british antarctic survey using different instruments also found that the overall melt rate was lower than expected. it showed how sensitive the glacier is to even small changes in sea water temperature. what the results show us is that you actually don't need to increase the melt rate that much to drive very fast retreat.

so has the glacier passed a tipping point where collapse becomes inevitable? our observations don't necessarily tell us that, but what it does tell us is how the ice shelf is currently melting and we can use that knowledge from today to produce better models which will tell us more about the future. thwaites is at the bottom of the world, but what happens here will affect us all. the better the processes that work under this glacier are understood, the better forecasts we will have of how our seas will rise in the decades to come. forewarned is forearmed, they say. that is particularly important because carbon emissions, which are driving the processes warming this glacier, continue to rise rapidly. justin rowlatt, bbc news, thwaites glacier. let�*s speak to dr peter davis, who�*s lead author on one of the thwaites studies.

he was somebody we saw in that report. how worried do you think we should be about what is happening there? ~ ., , should be about what is happening there? ~ . , , , there? well, thwaites glacier is incredibly remote, _ there? well, thwaites glacier is incredibly remote, but - there? well, thwaites glacier is incredibly remote, but it - there? well, thwaites glacier is incredibly remote, but it has - there? well, thwaites glacier is| incredibly remote, but it has this huge potential to contribute to future sea—level rise. as you mentioned in your reports, if it were to collapse entirely, it could raise global sea levels by 70 centimetres or so and that would have devastating consequences for communities in the uk and throughout the world, so we really need to understand how the processes that are driving this glazier�*s retreat, how they operate and yes, we really should be concerned about this. how much do we — should be concerned about this. how much do we understand about those processes? just give us an idea of what is going on your own words. 50 what is going on your own words. so i what is going on your own words. 5;r i think what is going on your own words. 55 i think we understand quite a lot about this. we know that underneath thwaites glacier there is an enormous amount of hot water that is available to drive melting. the water itself is 1.5 degrees above the freezing point, but what we found that was really interesting is

this warm water is isolated from the ice by this very fresh layer of melt water. now, we see that in the observations, but we know that our models that produce our sea—level projections don�*t necessarily include all these processes, so there remains uncertainty in our projections for the future, so really what we need to do is take the knowledge we have gained from these observations and feed it into our models so we can really produce reliable and robust sea—level projections for the next 100 years. and you talk about projections there. just talk us through what the sort of best case and worst, well, you already mentioned the worst—case scenario, i think, you already mentioned the worst—case scenario, ithink, but you already mentioned the worst—case scenario, i think, but give us the range of possibilities or probabilities.— range of possibilities or probabilities. range of possibilities or robabilities. . ._ probabilities. sure. so the way sea-level _ probabilities. sure. so the way sea-level rise _ probabilities. sure. so the way sea-level rise will _ probabilities. sure. so the way sea-level rise will depend - probabilities. sure. so the way sea-level rise will depend very probabilities. sure. so the way - sea-level rise will depend very much sea—level rise will depend very much on the emission pathways that we take in terms of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. our best estimate at the moment for the whole of antarctica, range from maybe 27-35 of antarctica, range from maybe

27—35 centimetres by 2100, depending on our co2 emissions, but in the worst case if we have pushed west antarctica where thwaites glacier is located into an unstable retreat, we could be looking at significantly more, we could be looking at 70 centimetres, upwards of one metre, depending on quite how early the ice sheet evolves and collapses. this rise may happen over a lot longer than just the next a hundred years, it is a 100 to 1000 year process, but we really have to understand where we�*re heading for in the future so we can plan and mitigate these changes.— future so we can plan and mitigate these changes. yes, it is very sober in our these changes. yes, it is very sober in your analysis. — these changes. yes, it is very sober in your analysis, thank _ these changes. yes, it is very sober in your analysis, thank you - these changes. yes, it is very sober in your analysis, thank you very - in your analysis, thank you very much indeed, dr peter davis, thank you very much your time.— much indeed, dr peter davis, thank you very much your time. thank you very much- — an american woman has exclusively spoken to the bbc about how a paedophile groomed her into becoming a digital sex slave after meeting him on the popular video chat site 0megle. the live chat site, where users are randomly matched with each other, is popular with teenagers. alice�*s lawsuit is a potential landmark case against a social media company that could pave the way for more

litigation against platforms usually protected by powerful legal shields. the bbc�*s cyber correspondent, joe tidy, reports. when alice logged onto the video chat site 0megle at the age of 11 she had no idea she would be matched with a paedophile. he had ill intentions. evil intentions. i was consistently being forced to do things that a child should not have to do. within one conversation, alice was groomed and persuaded to hand over personal messaging details. her abuser trapped her into a form of digital sex slavery for three years. i spent a huge chunk of my childhood in this. every day being at the will of someone else who had the worst of intentions with children. but then police caught the predator. more than 200 intimate images and videos of alice were found. they also found he had been using 0megle to groom other victims. 0megle has been cited in at least 50

cases of child abuse around the world in the last two years alone. it gets around 73 million users a month, according to analysts at semrush. alice is now suing 0megle in a landmark lawsuit, accusing the website of failing to protect children in its design. legal experts say that, if successful, it could pave the way for more litigation against social networks around the world. we are holding them liable for their own product operations. as soon as the platform realised this was how it was being used, then it had the duty to innovate. would you say to people who think that it is up to parents to stop their children going on websites like this? i would say they are wrong. i would say that there is absolutely no way that anybody can _ account for their child'sj use of technology 24/7. leif brooks launched 0megle in 2009 when he wasjust 14. he has always declined our interview requests, so we travelled to florida

to leif brooks launched 0megle in 2009 when he wasjust 18. he has always declined our interview requests, so we travelled to florida to track this reclusive tech boss down. mr brooks! can we ask you some questions, please? from the bbc. door slams. mr brooks, we just want to ask you some questions! we want to know why you are not protecting children, mr brooks! we tried. we have come all the way here, tried to have a civilised conversation with him. in court, omegle�*s legal team has repeatedly denied that the website is liable for what happened to alice. mr brooks did reply to an e—mail. he said, "people are solely responsible for their behaviour" while using his website, but that 0megle takes the safety of users extremely seriously with al and human moderation. he also said he works with police when cases of predators arise on his site. meanwhile, alice�*s lawsuit continues and a trial date could soon be set. jonathan blake, bbc news.

joe tidy, bbc news. simone vibert, head of policy and research at internet matters joins us now. imean, i mean, what does this example tell us about the dangers, the perils of the online world?— the online world? well, it is a really harrowing _ the online world? well, it is a really harrowing story - the online world? well, it is a really harrowing story and - the online world? well, it is a really harrowing story and i i the online world? well, it is a i really harrowing story and i think it really spells out every parent�*s worst nightmare. i think what it shows is there is still an enormous amount of risk online for children, despite the very many benefits they get and i think there are those benefits and it is not simply a matter of keeping children of the online world, but it really does hammer home the point that much more needs to be done to make internet safer by design. find needs to be done to make internet safer by design-— needs to be done to make internet safer by design. and how do we make it safer? we — safer by design. and how do we make it safer? we have _ safer by design. and how do we make it safer? we have got _ safer by design. and how do we make it safer? we have got the _ safer by design. and how do we make it safer? we have got the online i it safer? we have got the online safety bill, of course. is that potentially enough? the online safe bill potentially enough? the online safety bill is — potentially enough? the online safety bill is a _ potentially enough? the onlinej safety bill is a ground-breaking safety bill is a ground—breaking piece of legislation and it is something so many of us are behind. it is way overdue. it is 2017, this

legislation was first mooted and what it does is it makes companies have much greater responsibility to do thatjob, to keep children safe online. it will never be enough to solve all the problems of the internet in itself. you know, it is a shared responsibility to keep children safe online, but really it has been much delayed, it will make a difference and it will make a difference to companies that are based outside of the uk, as well as those based here. bind based outside of the uk, as well as those based here.— those based here. and this is a auestion those based here. and this is a question we — those based here. and this is a question we have _ those based here. and this is a question we have asked - those based here. and this is a question we have asked many. those based here. and this is a i question we have asked many times, but do you think those companies are shirking their responsibilities? well, there are lots of responsibilities that make up the space and some are doing much more than others. i think our concerns around sites that don�*t have age verification, which aren�*t looking at the details of children�*s dangers, so they are not keeping them away from inappropriate content and deeply harmful content and that is what the online safety bill will do more. �* , , , . is what the online safety bill will domore.�* , ,, . ., do more. and this is such a difficult question, - do more. and this is such a difficult question, of- do more. and this is such a l difficult question, of course, do more. and this is such a i difficult question, of course, with parents, how to keep their children

safe while enjoying the benefits, and you are to have just described them, of the internet. what is your advice to parents? i them, of the internet. what is your advice to parents?— advice to parents? i really appreciate _ advice to parents? i really appreciate that _ advice to parents? i really appreciate that this i advice to parents? i really appreciate that this can i advice to parents? i really| appreciate that this can be advice to parents? i really i appreciate that this can be a difficult space for parents. it feels like a very confusing world sometimes, different platforms and apps are in every day and keeping up can be very hard. what i would say is at internet matters we have so many resources through really available, including about this particular site, available, including about this particularsite, but available, including about this particular site, but really my key message is conversation is really important, making sure you have open lines of communication with your children and really remembering that yes, these harmful cases do happen, but there are so many benefits to being online, so it is really not simple enough asjust being online, so it is really not simple enough as just taking away all the devices and taking children off. conversation is key. bind all the devices and taking children off. conversation is key.— all the devices and taking children off. conversation is key. and do you think, off. conversation is key. and do you think. anyway. _ off. conversation is key. and do you think. anyway. the _ off. conversation is key. and do you think, anyway, the internets, i off. conversation is key. and do you think, anyway, the internets, the i think, anyway, the internets, the age has moved so rapidly in the last few years, the digital age, we are just playing catch up, aren�*t weak in some ways we are playing catch up

and this isn�*t a situation that is going to stay the same, it is going to change going to stay the same, it is going to chan: - ., ., �* to change even more, what we're seeinu in to change even more, what we're seeing in the _ to change even more, what we're seeing in the future _ to change even more, what we're seeing in the future is _ to change even more, what we're seeing in the future is things i to change even more, what we're seeing in the future is things like | seeing in the future is things like the metaverse developing, it is not going to be accessing the internet always on a screen, you�*re going to be in the internets, in some ways, so really regulation needs to keep up so really regulation needs to keep up at this point onwards, it has to be future proof, and that is why we are urging ofcom to always think about future and always keep thinking about things like the metaverse when they are developing things like the online safety bill. 0k, things like the online safety bill. ok, that is the message, ok, simone vibert, head of internet matters, thank you very much for being with us. a toddler with a rare inherited condition has become the first child to be treated by the nhs with a new life—saving gene therapy. 19—month—old teddi shaw has mld, which severely damages the brain and nervous system. the one—dose treatment costs almost £3 million and is the most expensive medicine ever approved for the nhs. our medical editor, fergus walsh, reports.

he sings imagine having two daughters with a devastating genetic condition, but only one can be saved. wheee! nala and teddi have mld — metachromatic leuko—dystrophy. children are born apparently healthy, but the condition gradually attacks the brain and body. this was nala when she was two. now, a year later, she can�*t walk or talk, and is tube fed. her body is basically kind of gradually shutting down. she will lose her eyesight. she will lose most of her senses. and so it will basically come to a point where there�*s nothing left for her to lose. if she was born like that, then from the day she was born, we would have known

what we were dealing with. but the fact that we had just a normal toddler and then all of a sudden our worlds have been turned upside down with a terminal diagnosis, that'sjust, you know, you don't really know what to say or what to think, really. nala�*s mld had progressed too far for her to be treated. but it meant the condition was picked up in her sister, teddi, before damage was done. she�*s at royal manchester children�*s hospital, having stem cells removed from her blood. the first stage of a groundbreaking gene therapy. so when they told us that there was treatment available for teddi, it was kind of like a bit of a bitter pill to swallow, because nala can't be helped. so, you know, we're extremely grateful in one sense and then really sad on the other sense, though. two months later, teddi�*s personalised therapy called libmeldy, is ready.

scientists have added a working copy of the faulty gene which causes mld to teddi�*s cells. wow! the magic cells. they're your cells. libmeldy costs more than £2.8 million, though the nhs has agreed a confidential discount. this one—off infusion aims to stop teddi�*s disease in its tracks. teddi will need to spend several more weeks in hospital while her gene altered cells make their way to her bone marrow and start to produce the crucial missing enzyme that causes her condition. doctors who specialise in treating mld say libmeldy is a game changer. i mean, this truly is a breakthrough. we have had almost nothing to offer families with this condition for decades. instead of many years of terrible neurodegenerative disease, we have the potential for a full

life, lived healthily, and so it�*s very difficult to put a cost on that. fewer than ten children a year in the uk are likely to be eligible for libmeldy. one reason why the price tag is so high. more children could be treated if mld was diagnosed earlier. the heel prick blood test screens newborns for nine genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis, but not mld and many others. we now have the technology to be able to screen for these conditions. we have the ability to offer potentially curative therapies, and we are letting our children down by not screening for these conditions because they are so, those devastating conditions are so preventable if you can identify them at birth and then offer these kinds of innovative therapies. hi, naly!

hi, naly, that was cute! now, back home in northumberland, teddi is going from strength to strength. who's that, nala? but nala is continuing to decline. her parents know their time with her is limited. i�*ve always said nala saved teddi�*s life, and that�*s how i wanted to kind of think about it. fergus walsh, bbc news. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with chris fawkes. a mixed day weather wise, some of us has had dry weather, a bit of sunshine, others have seen this type of cloud bringing rain and some very narrow weather fronts that continue to push east, bringing damp weather and at the moment to the midlands and central southern england, but behind that we have seen cloud tending to

build across northern ireland, this high cloud actually the first signs of the next weather system moving on. overnight ourfirst of the next weather system moving on. overnight our first area of of the next weather system moving on. overnight ourfirst area of rain clears away from east anglia and south—east england, but then really get swamped by the next system come again, so for northern ireland, england and wales, southern and central scotland a cloudy night with outbreaks of rain developing, but quite a mild night, temperatures 5-7 , the quite a mild night, temperatures 5—7 , the only spot is likely to see some frost is the highlands of scotland where these guys will be clearer. tomorrow a slow start to the day with extensive cloud, the rain slowly easing off, might find a bit of mist and fog for western areas to start the day. eventually it will try to turn brighter for a time, but they won�*t be as much sunshine around as we saw today. temperature is about 10—14 , so mild again, pretty much for all parts of the country. we are then looking at a windy spell of weather that will rattle through, particularly overnight and into friday. the strongest winds associated with this little squeeze on the pressure feel

bringing some very strong gusts across scotland, where we could protect d be looking at gusts reaching 75 mph, not far beyond that actually into northern england, into the bonanza and north—east england gusts could reach 70 mph or so. winds that strong are quite likely to lead to localised transport impacts, for example high sided vehicles could be affected, could see one or two lorries getting blown over may be on stretchers of the a1 would be vulnerable to that and some airports in the region could be affected by strong winds, so worth checking with your airline before heading to the airport. away from the strong winds on friday, a lot of cloud across england and wales, some splashes of rain, eventually the skies turn brighter for scotland and northern ireland, but it stays blustery here and it will start to feel fresher for the course of the afternoon, although temperatures across the board will still be well above the february average. weekend weather wise, we have a lot of cloud and some rain to come through on saturday, sunday looks like being the drier of the two days for the

weekend, but still fairly cloudy, the best of any sunny spells will be across southern and eastern areas of the country, but with temperatures still into double figures there is no sign of the weather turning colder anytime soon. that is it for now. good afternoon, this is bbc news with me, ben brown, the headline set 5pm... headline set 5pm. .. in headline set 5pm... in my headline set 5pm. .. in my head and m heart, headline set 5pm. .. in my head and my heart. i — headline set 5pm. .. in my head and my heart. i know — headline set 5pm. .. in my head and my heart, i know that _ headline set 5pm. .. in my head and my heart, i know that time - headline set 5pm. .. in my head and my heart, i know that time is i headline set 5pm. .. in my head and my heart, i know that time is now. | my heart, i know that time is now. that it is right for me, for my party and for the country. and so, today, i am announcing my intention today, i am announcing my intention to step down as first minister and leader of my party. in a shock announcement snp leader, nicola sturgeon, resigns as scotland�*s first minister we�*ll get more on that story and what it means for the future of scotland, in the next hour. the other main stories. the search for nicola bulley continues and police reveal she had �*specific vulnerabilities�* that meant

she was immediately treated as a high risk disappearence