this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. our top stories: there's been widespread disruption to bbc sports output — after presenters and pundits walked out in support of the match of the day host, gary lineker, who's been suspended for criticising government asylum policy. the opposition labour party accuses bosses of bowing to government pressure. the broadcasting union bectu says staff are being affected by the controversy. the bbc is not acting impartially by caving into tory mps who are complaining about gary lineker. they've got this one by the by they are very, very exposed, as is the government. same at the situation

has caused a lot of concern to people working across the bbc in relation to how they respond to the impartiality guidelines which, in our view, they need to be both proportionate and applied consistently. proportionate and applied consistently. the uk chancellor, jeremy hunt, has spoken to the governor of the bank of england about silicon valley bank uk, which is heading for insolvency after the failure of its parent company in the us. the german interior minister, nancy faeser, is leading calls to tighten the country's gun ownership laws, after six people were shot dead in hamburg on thursday. eight others were wounded in the attack on a group of jehovah's witnesses. the bbc has apologised for its "limited sports programming" this weekend after several sports presenters walked out in support of their colleague gary lineker. he was suspended for comments about

the government's migration policy. lineker, the bbc�*s hightest paid presenter, won't be hosting match of the day tonight and football focus and final score were among those pulled from the bbc schedule earlier today. bbc radio five live has also faced disruption to its schedules. in a statement the broadcaster said the bbc will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend. our schedules will be updated to reflect that. we are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for bbc sport fans. we are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon. david sillito reports on today's unfolding events. when gary lineker left home this morning, it wasn't his normal saturday schedule. the decision by the bbc to drop him from match of the day for tweets — one of which described a statement by the home secretary as "beyond awful"

has had repercussions. we've got big games... match of the day will tonight go ahead without presenters, pundits, many of its best—known commentators and post—match interviews. and the disruption has spread to other programs. alex scott said she wouldn't be presenting football focus. the bbc�*s replaced it with bargain hunt. continuity announcer: in a change to the schedule, it's bargain hunt. - and a former director general of the bbc, greg dyke, who himself left thejob after a run—in with the government at the time, feels the corporation has handled this badly. there is a long—established precedent in the bbc, that is that if you're an entertainment presenter or you're a football presenter, then you are not bound by those same rules. and i think what the bbc has done is actually the real problem of today is that the bbc has undermined its own credibility

by doing this. because it looks like... it looks like — the perception out there — is that the bbc has bowed to government pressure. the bbc�*s view is that it has rules. presenters with a particularly high profile have, it says, "an extra responsibility to be impartial". and for the current director general tim davie, this is crucial for what he says is a cornerstone of the bbc — impartiality. if gary lineker breached the guidelines, why didn't you sack him? well, i think we always look to take proportionate action, and that's what we've done. but haven't you just kicked it further down the line? aren't you delaying the inevitable? i don't want to add to the statement. i think we've had very constructive discussions. the statement is very clear, and that's where we are. as editor in chief for the bbc, i think one of our founding principles is impartiality and that's what we're delivering on. and for the bbc, there's another issue hanging over it — its chairman.

there is an ongoing inquiry into richard sharp's role into a loan made to borisjohnson, which has raised questions about his appointment and impartiality. so it was only a day or two ago that gary lineker said he thought all this was beginning to abate. events have rather gone in the opposite direction. david sillito, bbc news. as we mentioned, as well as the tv commentary, bbc radio's football commentary has also been impacted by the row here's how ian dennis, introduced this afternoon's football coverage on 5live: good afternoon. i am ian dennis and this is bbc radio 5 live. a very difficult time for bbc sport for those who work in the department and we all hope that that gets results. personally, ifound we all hope that that gets results. personally, i found today very difficult. but i am a bbc staff member, radio commentator and today, like every saturday afternoon, we provide a service to you, the audience. the impact of the gary lineker

row spread to scotland where coverage of sport on radio and television was affected. bbc scotland say "sportscene will run this evening on bbc one scotland and bbc scotland, with an amended format similar to current plans for match of the day. some of the sportsound slot on radio scotland was replaced by pre—recorded material." prime minister, rishi sunak, has just issued a statement about the row. he says "as prime minister, i have to do what i believe is right, respecting that not everyone will always agree. that is why i have been unequivocal in my approach to stopping the boats. gary lineker was a great footballer and is a talented presenter. i hope that the current situation between gary lineker and the bbc can be resolved in a timely manner, but it is rightly a matter for them, not the government." the opposition labour party leader sir keir starmer has criticised the bbc�*s decision. the bbc is not acting impartially by caving in to tory mps who are complaining about gary lineker. they've got this one badly wrong

and now they're very, very exposed, as is the government because at the heart of this is the government's failure on the asylum system. and rather than take responsibility for the mess they've made, the government is casting around to blame anybody else — gary lineker, the bbc, civil servants, the blob. what they should be doing is standing up, accepting they've broken the asylum system and telling us what they're going to do to actually fix it, not whinging on about gary lineker. but the bbc has the right to expect its presenters to be impartial. it is not impartial for the bbc to cave in to tory mps complaining about gary lineker. it's the opposite of impartial. and now you can see just how badly exposed that they are. but at the heart of this... it's very important to see what's going on. because the government has failed on the asylum system, but instead of taking responsibility for that, they'rejoining in blaming anybody else they can, gary lineker, the bbc, the civil service, the blob,

you name it, they'll blame anybody but themselves. they should stand up, take responsibility, stop whinging about gary lineker and get on with the job. i'm joined now by paul siegert, the national broadcasting organiser for the uk's national union of journalists. hello to you. this is not official industrial action, hello to you. this is not official industrialaction, is hello to you. this is not official industrial action, is it? hello to you. this is not official industrialaction, is it? so hello to you. this is not official industrial action, is it? so our staff and freelancers protected in any way today? this staff and freelancers protected in any way today?— staff and freelancers protected in any way today? this is not official action and there _ any way today? this is not official action and there are _ any way today? this is not official action and there are very - any way today? this is not official action and there are very tight - action and there are very tight rules, strict rules that trade unions have to go through in conducting balance and notify employers that they are going to be taking strike action and that is what we will be doing on wednesday when 1000 nuj members will be going on strike in support of bbc local radio, another decision that tim davies got badly run state funding away from there. that is official action but today it is not, it has not got the authorisation of the mu]

but this is just members and nonmembers standing up for a colleague and as a trade union official i obviously am very proud and support collective action. but are they protected? well, - and support collective action. but are they protected? well, they're not protected _ are they protected? well, they're not protected legally _ are they protected? well, they're not protected legally because - not protected legally because they're not taking strike action. there are standing up for a colleague, they're taking support for a colleague, withdrawing their labour for colic and it is for a colleague, withdrawing their labourfor colic and it is up for a colleague, withdrawing their labour for colic and it is up to the bbc, not the law, and how they deal with that but they are not doing anything illegal because this is not organised action, it is not in behalf of the trade union, it is colleague standing up for another colleague. i5 colleague standing up for another colleauue. , ., , ., colleague. is worth remembering a lot of them — colleague. is worth remembering a lot of them are _ colleague. is worth remembering a lot of them are not _ colleague. is worth remembering a lot of them are not well-paid - lot of them are not well—paid presenters, a lot of them will be freelancers on quite low wages in comparison. have you spoken to staff? how are people feeling about this? you might think you make a good point there because although it is getting all the headlines on football focus and things like that of the air, individuals are losing a

days pay because of today and that is how strong they feel about the action taken today. i've spoken to colleagues and they don't take action like this lightly. they put in a very difficult position by gary lineker�*s suspension and it is something many of them have thought long and hard ever but theyjust felt that they had no option but to stand alongside him and other colleagues announced they would not be appearing on match of the day on football focus earlier today. what you think should happen next? i've been asking everybody we have spoken to today about that. it is such a difficult situation right now, what should happen? it is difficult situation right now, what should happen?— difficult situation right now, what should happen? it is an impossible situation and _ should happen? it is an impossible situation and the _ should happen? it is an impossible situation and the amount - should happen? it is an impossible situation and the amount of- should happen? it is an impossible. situation and the amount of damage done to the bbc�*s reputation not just in the uk but around the world, you cannot help feeling that it could all have been avoided and it is very difficult now to see a way out of it. it is hard to see them

backing down. i am not sure. i can't imagine anyone has correctly answered that question if you've been asking them throughout the day because it does seem an impossible situation that the bbc has got itself into.— situation that the bbc has got itself into. ., ~ , ., ., ., itself into. thank you for “oining us. and itself into. thank you for “oining and let-st itself into. thank you for “oining us. and let's bring * itself into. thank you for “oining us. and let's bring in _ itself into. thank you forjoining us. and let's bring in now... - i'm joined now by baroness wheatcroft, patience wheatcroft, a cross bench peer and former editor of the wall streetjournal europe and the sunday telegraph. why do you think this has spiralled so much? i why do you think this has spiralled so much? ~ , .. , ., so much? i think because of the unfairness _ so much? i think because of the unfairness of _ so much? i think because of the unfairness of the _ so much? i think because of the unfairness of the situation - so much? i think because of the unfairness of the situation and l so much? i think because of the i unfairness of the situation and also because many people do believe that what gary lineker said was absolutely right. what keir starmer has said on your programme is very hard to argue with. if the government had not got itself into such an appalling mess over its asylum seekers policy, we will not be in the situation now but in fact it is proposing to do something

which goes entirely against the united nations committee on human rights. united nations committee on human riahts. ., , ., united nations committee on human riahts. . ., united nations committee on human riahts. . ,., ., ,, rights. that is a separate issue, almost, rights. that is a separate issue, almost. isn't — rights. that is a separate issue, almost, isn't it? _ rights. that is a separate issue, almost, isn't it? and _ rights. that is a separate issue, almost, isn't it? and the - rights. that is a separate issue, l almost, isn't it? and the moment rights. that is a separate issue, - almost, isn't it? and the moment we are talking about the bbc�*s impartiality rules and what should be done about this current situation so in terms of what gary lineker did in terms of tweeting from his personal account but he is obviously very, very well known as a bbc sports presenter, do you think it was ok what he did in terms of the impartiality rules at the bbc has? i think it is absolutely right the bbc should be seen to be impartial. i think it is right it should have guidelines as to how it does make its presenters both employed and freelance should behave in relation to those guidelines and the problem is those guidelines have not been interpreted and applied fairly so to supine the 0k interpreted and applied fairly so to supine the ok for alan sugar to say whatever he likes about how the country should vote tory, it is not

ok for gary lineker to say what he thinks because it is against the government. and i think that is a dangerous position to being on the situation has undoubtedly worsened i'm convinced that this is why so many people at the bbc have been prepared to go out in support of gary lineker today. because of the totally impartial position —— make partial possession of the chairman and a chairman who has been criticised very, very strongly by a commons select committee because of the fact that he omitted to mention to that committee, when it was making the appointment, that he had beenin making the appointment, that he had been in the process of facilitating an £800,000 loan for the prime minister who was then the person who would make the appointment. it is a particularly nauseating piece of can

we say being economical with the truth and certainly not impartial. this is a bbc chairman that the committee of mps said he had a significant errors ofjudgment. significant errors of judgment. there significant errors ofjudgment. there is still an ongoing investigation into richard sharpe, isn't there? one thing people have been talking about and there have been talking about and there have been accusations of government pressure that may been put on the bbc and they're talking about the influence of the right—leaning press and it will be interesting to get your thoughts on that assembly has worked for the sunday telegraph and the mail. how big an influence does the mail. how big an influence does the right—leaning press have in this country as a whole, do you think? too much. and i think that certainly, the telegraph and the mail have been particularly rabid under this government and they will call for gary lineker�*s had but they won't call for richard sharpe and considering that gary lineker has been suspended by the bbc decide what is guideline should be, the

fact that richard sharpe is being investigated by two separate investigations and yet hasn't been suspended doesn't smack of fair play. when you interviewed rishi sunak earlier he said that he wouldn't be involved in the situation and it was a decision for the bbc. actually, the position of the bbc. actually, the position of the chairman is a decision for the prime minister said perhaps he ought to get involved in that one. weill. to get involved in that one. well, they came _ to get involved in that one. well, they came and — to get involved in that one. well, they came and we _ to get involved in that one. well, they came and we would - to get involved in that one. well, they came and we would ask- to get involved in that one. well, they came and we would ask them about that. thank you very much for your time. about that. thank you very much for yourtime. i about that. thank you very much for your time. i should just say, also, that tim davie is doing an interview at the moment, while around now with one of our colleagues in washington so we will of course bring you that when we have it. the bbc said today that they acted, to proportionate action and that they have been upholding impartiality rules. gary lineker attended a match in leicester today and found outside the stadium gave their reaction to the stadium gave their reaction to the events of the last few days. is

a leicester legend. and i think he's been with the unfairly treated. i disagree with the whole banning element. i think he has a right to reflect_ element. i think he has a right to reflect what other people are thinking. i think it is fine. for thinking. ithink it is fine. for somebody — thinking. i think it is fine. for somebody who's been on much of the day for— somebody who's been on much of the day for over_ somebody who's been on much of the day for over 20 — somebody who's been on much of the day for over 20 years _ somebody who's been on much of the day for over 20 years i _ somebody who's been on much of the day for over 20 years i just _ somebody who's been on much of the day for over 20 years i just find - somebody who's been on much of the day for over 20 years ijust find it - day for over 20 years ijust find it disappointing _ day for over 20 years ijust find it disappointing what— day for over 20 years ijust find it disappointing what has _ day for over 20 years ijust find it disappointing what has gone - day for over 20 years ijust find it disappointing what has gone on, i disappointing what has gone on, really _ disappointing what has gone on, really but— disappointing what has gone on, really but i_ disappointing what has gone on, really. but i support _ disappointing what has gone on, really. but i support i'm - disappointing what has gone on, really. but i support i'm glad - disappointing what has gone on, really. but i support i'm glad to| really. but i support i'm glad to see that — really. but i support i'm glad to see that other— really. but i support i'm glad to see that other players - really. but i support i'm glad to see that other players and - really. but i support i'm glad to i see that other players and pundits are supporting _ see that other players and pundits are supporting him _ see that other players and pundits are supporting him and _ see that other players and pundits are supporting him and i- see that other players and pundits are supporting him and i hope - see that other players and pundits are supporting him and i hope the| are supporting him and i hope the bbc get _ are supporting him and i hope the bbc get the — are supporting him and i hope the bbc get the finger— are supporting him and i hope the bbc get the finger out _ are supporting him and i hope the bbc get the finger out and - are supporting him and i hope the bbc get the finger out and get - are supporting him and i hope thei bbc get the finger out and get him back on— bbc get the finger out and get him back on w — bbc get the finger out and get him back on w i'ni _ bbc get the finger out and get him back on n— back on tv. i'm disappointed with some of his _ back on tv. i'm disappointed with some of his comments, _ back on tv. i'm disappointed with some of his comments, to - back on tv. i'm disappointed with some of his comments, to be - back on tv. i'm disappointed with - some of his comments, to be honest. i think he's let himself down. i do believe in freedom of speech. it should be able to say what he wants to say but, you know, think you have to say but, you know, think you have to take things into context and i don't think he has really done that. simek you should be allowed to free speech. he is not referenced much of the day are anything like that, you know what i mean? he opinion. i think it's outrageous. he'sjust expressing _ think it's outrageous. he'sjust expressing an _ think it's outrageous. he'sjust expressing an opinion - think it's outrageous. he'sjust expressing an opinion which i think it's outrageous. he'sjust - expressing an opinion which happens

to be expressing an opinion which happens to he at— expressing an opinion which happens to be at loggerheads _ expressing an opinion which happens to be at loggerheads with _ expressing an opinion which happens to be at loggerheads with what - expressing an opinion which happens to be at loggerheads with what the l to be at loggerheads with what the government— to be at loggerheads with what the government said. _ to be at loggerheads with what the government said. and, _ to be at loggerheads with what the government said. and, for- to be at loggerheads with what the government said. and, for that, i to be at loggerheads with what the | government said. and, forthat, he has had _ government said. and, forthat, he has had to— government said. and, forthat, he has had to step _ government said. and, forthat, he has had to step down. _ government said. and, for that, he has had to step down.— government said. and, for that, he has had to step down. football fans earlier. as the british branch of silicon valley bank heads for insolvency — the uk government is seeking to minimise any wider disruption to the tech sector. the british chancellor, jeremy hunt, spoke to the governor of the bank of england — following the collapse of the bank's american parent company. it's the biggest failure of a us bank since the 2008 financial crisis. here is our business correspondent, marc ashdown. they are supporting tech start—ups, small businesses that need cash flow as they are getting going, so how did it collapse? banks in the us and in the uk tend to hold lots of government debt on their balance sheet and because of rising interest rates, this rising cost of borrowing, the value of those bonds has gone down quite significantly. that is fine. banks have strong balance sheets, but in theory they're sitting on quite a big losses

there until there is a reversal. the problem with svb as it ran out of money. they did not have enough money in the account so it was forced into a bit of a fire sale, really, these bonds at very cheap prices. went to the market to try to raise money from a share sale. depositors got spooked and wanted their money back and if that happened at the same time there is not enough to go round, there are issues are us regulators stepped in and effectively shut the bank down yesterday. the question is how much is it going to spread? silicon valley does have a bank subsidiary in england. the bank of england here said they will put that into insolvency tomorrow so it will stop accepting deposits are making payments but individual depositors get money a back up to £85,000 from an insurance scheme, and the bank says svb only had a limited presence here, really. so they're trying to reassure investors and the companies it works for that this is not going to spread. there are some rumours that the bank

of london is weighing up possibly a rescue bid but that has not been confirmed yet, but the worry in the city as this could spread. yesterday was a difficult stocks across the world. bank stocks slid quite heavily but the economies are telling us that really, these are quite specific issues for svb. it was very exposed to the sell—off, recently, the tech sector so they shouldn't spread very much by the but, my goodness, if that is the case they do need to reassure over the coming days that is the case. the chancellor there actually were saying, apparently, after his meeting, talking about he understands the tech sectors are not cash flow positive. they're quite vulnerable, aren't they, especially the start—ups? it is interesting that the governor and the chancellor of the bank of england met today and the two most important people people in uk finance, and i think that with the underlines the seriousness of the situation and then this afternoon treasury officials have been speaking to firms affected and we were talking to the likes of moonpig, hello fresh, all companies

funded by the bank so they be meeting and their hosting a roundtable as well with industry figures as well to be sure the men run through the worry is that they face. they are aware of issues and this is a just—in—time industry and they rely on cash flows are potentially, depending on what comes out of that meeting, could there be some support? we wait to see by the treasury itself reiterated again the bank's message that this was specific to silicon valley bank and as far as they uk banking system remains very strong and resilient. dutch police have used water cannon in an effort to disperse climate protesters in the hague. thousands of protesters have gathered in a park to oppose government plans to limit nitrogen emissions. the netherlands is believed to be a nitrogen hotspot with large numbers of livestock and heavy use of fertilisers. dutch farmers fear, the new policy will spell the end to many farms. anna holligan, reports from the hague. the dutch flag flown upside down. it has become a symbol

of the dutch farmers' protests. many of the people here today are farmers. they are worried about their businesses, their dairy farms, which could be closed down under government plans designed to cut harmful nitrogen pollution, to try to reach climate targets. thousands of farms in the netherlands are under threat. the dutch farmers' concerns and the cause has been picked up a climate conspiracy groups around the world. there are others here, too, anti—vax people and two local dutch political parties represented. the populist forum for democracy, their supporters walking around, carrying red and white heart—shaped balloons. and the freedom party. the leader spoke to the protesters from a stage in this rather muddy field earlier. the politicians are hoping to capitalise on the current frustration. because something that unites

all of the people that have gathered to demonstrate today is a frustration with the current coalition government in the netherlands, run by the prime minister mark russa. the politicians are hoping to capitalise on that frustration. this current unrest. as the parties and the country heads into local elections on the 15th of march. there are calls to tighten germany's gun laws following a deadly shooting at a jehovah's witness hall in hamburg. seven people were killed in the attack. the country's interior minister — who had already planned to tighten ownership laws — said the shooting demonstrated the need for change. officials say the gunman was a former member of the religious group. it's believed that the attacker killed himself shortly after a specialist police unit stormed the building. i asked our correspondent jenny hill, who is in hamburg, about the undergoung investigation into the shooting. fresh revelations have been emerging

of the last 2a hours and i my many ways, they are compounding the shock and grief are people here in the city of hamburg. first of all, the revelation that the killer had been a member of this jehovah's witness community. the police that he had left that community voluntarily about a year—and—a—half ago, on terms which the police they were not good. we have learned more about what happened inside that hall on thursday night. the gunmen firing around 100 shots at his victims. one of those victims, of course, an unborn child. we have also learned that the authorities here in hamburg had received an anonymous tip—off, we don't know who it came from, but that was a letter which warned the police that the killer had a gun. of course, he legally owned the weapon that he used to carry out this atrocity. a dead letter went on to warn the police that they considered him to be mentally unstable and that he was angry with the jehovah's

witnesses. the authorities here say that they did as they would in such a situation. they paid him a visit, they spoke with him, they made an assessment but they found that was no reason to take any further action. so we have heard a lot from the authorities over the coming days but we are hearing, of course, more than the people in this community, too, who have been affected. all money we have seen people here coming to lay flowers at the entrance to this hole. 0ne couple, an elderly couple, arrived. they said they were distantly related to someone who lost their lives here on thursday night. they did not, understandably, want to speak to us in any great detail. they said, you know, we can't look inside that man's head but we clearly think there was mental instability. a great deal of shock and grief in the way of one senior politician here we see this kind of thing on tv. it happens in other countries. we did not ever think it could happen here.

the italian coastguard service says it has rescued more than 12 hundred migrants from boats in the mediterranean sea. in total three vessels, each carrying hundreds of people, were brought to southern italian ports after foundering in rough seas. on thursday italy's prime minister, giorgia meloni, said there would be harsher prison sentences for human traffickers. france is facing a seventh day of protests — against president macron's proposed pension reforms. demonstrators faced off against police in paris — and people took to the streets in several other major cities around the country. the weeklong protests have come amid rolling strikes — which have affected refineries, public transport and garbage collections. reminder before we go that as i mentioned earlier, the bbc director—general is currently giving an interview to one of our colleagues in washington. this is over the issue _ colleagues in washington. this is over the issue ever _ colleagues in washington. this is over the issue ever gary - colleagues in washington. this is over the issue ever gary linekerl colleagues in washington. this is i over the issue ever gary lineker and been suspended from much of the day over his tweets about the government

so we will bring you that interview from tim davey as and when we have it. hello. in the aftermath of that winter storm that we had thursday and friday, very heavy snowfall, hillier parts of the uk have been left with a winter wonderland, this overlooked the peak district and this weather watcher picture could have come straight from the alps. this is in snowdonia caked in snow. the nasa satellite picture shows extensive snow cover across wales, northern england, northern ireland, southern and northern areas of scotland. snowdonia has seen the greatest snow depths. 22 centimetres of snow lying on the ground this morning, not far behind was the staffordshire moors, with 20 centimetres of snow.

more snow to come overnight but most will see milder air pushing in. for a time, snow over the hills of northern england and scotland. about 200 metres elevation, a few centimetres possible but quite high up, but 400 metres you could be looking at 5—10 centimetres of snow. because it is higher hills, the risk of disruption is certainly less than it was compared with the weather system that went through on thursday and friday. heading into the second half of the weekend, strengthening south—westerly winds set to move in across the uk, dragging in milder weather. a bright start for many on sunday but cloud thickens across western areas and through the afternoon, outbreaks of rain move in. the wettest weather across parts of northern ireland and western scotland. look at these temperatures! 1044, it will be a lot milder. monday, the same area of low pressure brings this swathe of strong winds across the country, tightly packed isobars. blustery day for most on monday. outbreaks of rain tending to ease to more showery conditions but lots of showers across western areas. those showers and outbreaks of rain driven in by gusts of wind in excess of 50 miles an hour and you could see tree branches brought down. for most, mild with temperatures 13, 1a degrees. in scotland, we are starting to see cold air return and they will be some hill snow across northern areas. that colder air pushes south

into the middle part of the week, dropping the temperatures. again, more snow across the high ground in northern scotland.

this is bbc news, the headlines... there has been widespread disruption after presenters and pundits walked out in support of gary lineker, who has been suspended for criticising government asylum policy. the director general incest impartiality rules need to be upheld. the opposition labour party accuses bosses of bowing to government pressure. uk chancellor jeremy uk chancellorjeremy hunt has spoken to the back of elland