and that's it from seoul in south korea for the moment. but if you'd like to see more from this amazing city, first of all, you can check us out on the socials and secondly, you can check the full—length version of this programme on the iplayer. thanks for watching and we'll see you soon. good morning, welcome to breakfast with ben thompson and nina warhurst. our headlines today: a ban on any new so—called smart motorways — campaigners welcome the move but say they want the hard shoulder to be

returned to all roads. it doesn't cover existing roads and it is the existing roads that are killing us, so it's half the battle but there's still half the battle to go. more than 100 arrests, as animal rights protestors storm aintree racecourse and disrupt the start of the grand national. and when the race did get going, it was the favourite who won the day. corach rambler provided a second national win for both jockey and trainer, as scotland celebrated another victory at aintree. the largest military parade in 70 years — more than 6,000 members of britain's armed services will take part in next month's coronation. we'll be meeting the disabled dogs who've found a loving home, after overcoming a tough start in life. a lot more cloud around today compared with yesterday. patchy rain or drizzle in the west. in the

sunshine, it will feel warm. all the details and the outlet coming up on breakfast. —— 0utlook. it's sunday, 16th april. our main story. motoring groups have welcomed the government's decision to cancel the construction of new smart motorways but insisted the announcement does not go far enough. existing stretches of smart motorway in england will remain, but more emergency stopping places will be added. the aa has called for the hard shoulder to return on all roads. aru na iyenga reports. it's not quite the end of smart motorways. plans for 14 will be scrapped, including 11 that had already been paused. it'll save £1 billion. but existing smart motorways, which make up 10% of england's motorway network, will remain. it's good news. it's good that it's gone as far as it has, to cover routes that are already currently being built. i didn't expect it to go that far, but obviously, it doesn't

cover existing roads, and it's the existing roads that are killing us. so, it's half the battle, but there's still half the battle to go. first introduced in 2006, smart motorways were controversial from the start. they're supposed to reduce congestion by using technology, removing the hard shoulder completely to create an extra lane of traffic. but this is what can happen. they do have emergency bays, and if a car stops in a live lane, a red x sign is displayed to close it. other types involve keeping a hard shoulder but opening it up at peak times as an extra lane. the bbc�*s panorama programme in 2020 found that 38 people had been killed on smart motorways over a space of five years. and there was this finding from a freedom of information request involving one stretch of the m25. 0ne warning sign was out of action for nearly a year — 336 days.

there was also a 20—fold rise in near misses — 72 in the five years with the hard shoulder, 1,485 in the five years without. campaigners say they're pleased that the government is acknowledging the public�*s lack of confidence in smart motorways. this policy was to widen motorways on the cheap, and all the evidence, from back in 2006—2011, actually shows that officials knew there would be greater risks by actually only having emergency refuge areas every mile and a half. so, people knew there would be risks. and i think that's the scandal of smart motorways. they were rolled out without any consultation. meanwhile, upgrades to safety measures on existing smart motorways will go ahead, providing 150 more emergency stopping places across the network.

there'll also be better technology to detect vehicles that have broken down. aruna iyengar, bbc news. more than 100 protestors have been arrested after attempting to disrupt the grand national. the start of the race at aintree was delayed after members of the activist group animal rising entered the racecourse. the event is one of the world's most famous steeplechases, and did eventually get going with corach rambler running to victory. hugh joins us now. the race will be remembered for more than one reason. a lot going on. historic race even in the context without what we had yesterday which was particularly significant because in the days leading up to the race, once the festival started, we spoke about it on thursday morning, animal rights campaign groups have been talking about the fact i wanted to try not to just protest the event but try and disrupt it. there were

some and eventually a number who arrived at aintree racecourse with the sole intention of trying to scale a fence or get through barricades to try to get onto the course in time for the start of the race at 5:15pm. many tried, nine were successful in getting over fences. they attempted to attach themselves to the famous national fences and the reason behind the conflicts we see these pictures of now, there were police and officials at the racecourse attempting to stop them scaling the fences, they confiscated letters. 118 arrests made, notjust at confiscated letters. 118 arrests made, not just at the confiscated letters. 118 arrests made, notjust at the racecourse, but protesting elsewhere around aintree and a motorway near liverpool as well —— they confiscated ladders. 1a minutes late, the race got under way. another issue those involved with the horses talked about afterwards

because if you are asking a thoroughbred horse to wait 1a minutes, does not sound very much to us, we wait watching on television or at the course enjoying the spectacle of it all before the protest, you have to think about the welfare of the horses involved, very unusual thing to ask them, out of the stables, out of the warm up area, to ask them to do that. there is a debate, yes, the protesters were thinking about the welfare of the horses generally in a race but also the welfare of the horses was a discussion point. did also the welfare of the horses was a discussion point.— discussion point. did it distract from the race _ discussion point. did it distract from the race itself? _ discussion point. did it distract from the race itself? it - discussion point. did it distract from the race itself? it was - from the race itself? it was certainly — from the race itself? it was certainly to _ from the race itself? it was certainly to the _ from the race itself? it was certainly to the fore - from the race itself? it was certainly to the fore at - from the race itself? it was certainly to the fore at the | certainly to the fore at the beginning of the race because sadly one horse who fell at the first fence died as a result of that full. that of course was very pertinent given the race had been delayed ——

fall. the third fatality of the festival in three days at aintree. that wasn't me again relevant to the conversation in the race which then took place —— that again was relevant. the third scottish winner, corach rambler. the samejockey relevant. the third scottish winner, corach rambler. the same jockey and trainer won before. particularly poignant because the previous horse died three weeks ago and she scattered her ashes on the winning line at aintree after winning with corach rambler. particularly emotional day. derek fox, you do not see any of that shoulder injury he picked up last week because that put into significant doubt the possibility of even being on corach rambler yesterday, so he had a late fitness test, just like any athlete, he had to do press ups for those assessing him to make sure his

shoulder was working. particularly important day for him. apparently, lucinda russell asked corach rambler whether he would like derek fox to be on board and corach rambler in the mythical nature of thoroughbred horses apparently let her know. yes, please, i will have derek. that is where we will end all communication this morning... laughter this is a new low. thank you. now, the chief executive of nhs confederation, which represents health service trusts, has warned two leading health unions not to coordinate strike action. the british medical association says combined walkouts involving doctors and nurses in england isn't being ruled out, as its pay dispute with the government continues. well, that would be an unprecedented move and as well as the effects we've seen from strikes,

which is greater pressure on the service, greater risks, and, particularly last week with the junior doctors' strike, thousands of procedures, outpatient appointments being cancelled. were we to have coordinated action from junior doctors and nurses, i think the risks would be much greater. it would be extremely difficult to maintain even the most kind of basic services, particularly because the rcn are suggesting they would remove virtually all derogations from the strike action. the un secretary general has called for an immediate ceasefire in sudan, where heavy fighting between rival military factions is reported to have left at least 56 people dead. government airstrikes were reported on a paramilitary position and a number of people were said to have died at khartoum international airport. six adults and a child have been killed at a water park in central mexico. a statement from city hall in cortazar said numerous families

had been enjoying themselves at the park when about 20 armed men approached a group of people and opened fire. campaigners have welcomed reports that the deaths of 650 patients who were treated by a surgeon who carried out unnecessary breast operations are being investigated. ian paterson is serving a 20—year jail term for wounding people with intent. the sunday times is reporting that medical experts are working through the records of women he treated on the nhs and at two private hospitals across more than two decades. thousands of christians have filled jerusalem's old city for an important 0rthodox easter ritual, despite restrictions by israeli police. the holy fire ceremony drew huge crowds to the church of the holy sepulchre, in occupied eastjerusalem. church leaders urged christians to ignore restrictions and criticised the police presence at the event. the king's coronation next month will be the biggest ceremonial

military operation for 70 years, according to the ministry of defence. the armed forces will play a key role at the event, with more than 6,000 military personnel on parade. buckingham palace has also released details of a dozen pieces of music which have been specially commissioned for the event and personally chosen by the king himself. it is getting really exciting now. all coming together. fix, it is getting really exciting now. all coming together.— all coming together. a sense of uuite how all coming together. a sense of quite how much _ all coming together. a sense of quite how much work— all coming together. a sense of quite how much work goes - all coming together. a sense of quite how much work goes into | all coming together. a sense of. quite how much work goes into it. slightly pared down version. looking forward to it very much. here's matt with a look at this morning's weather. some good news. for a few showers over the past few days to put it mildly. pretty wet spring so far to be honest. some parts have already seen spring rainfall in the first half of the season. things are set to get drier this week, probably

good news for many. particularly grey, this is the scene in northern ireland at the moment. the cloud is thick enough in parts of western england and wales and south—west scotland for outbreaks of rain and drizzle. these weather fronts are responsible, dragging in southerly winds, not particularly chilly. the cloud is then enough in places, eastern parts of england, hazy sunshine. a few breaks in northern scotland this afternoon and northern ireland. a few heavy showers here later on. some parts of western scotland, western england and wales, remaining grey, misty over hills, drizzle as well. temperatures still in double figures for the vast majority. sunshine, northern ireland, inverness, maybe towards london, could hit 17 this afternoon, which should feel quite pleasant. this evening and overnight, lots of cloud remains in place, southern

scotland, parts of england, midlands, rain at times. temperatures not dropping away much, with the exception of east anglia with the exception of east anglia with clear skies. this morning —— like this morning, miss dan fox. starting with grey conditions and drizzle —— mist and fog. sunshine for a time on eastern coast, there could be low cloud and sea fog, feeling cold in the afternoon. elsewhere, maybe 18 degrees in northern parts of scotland. next week, high pressure keeping things dry for most of us. centred on scandinavia. we are on the edge, so more of a breeze, not completely dry. the greatest chance tuesday into wednesday across southern counties of england and wales, looks like at the moment, but even here some will stay dry. western scotland

on tuesday seen the highs of the temperatures. rather cool on the eastern coast. the breeze coming in of the chilly north sea. showers on wednesday, wales, south—west england, to begin, drifting away. cannot rule out one or two in northern ireland. most will have a dry day with a fair bit of sunshine after a misty and murky start. much of this week will be dry for the majority and temperatures down a little bit on the weekend, but out of the breeze, in the sunshine, feeling quite pleasant. we will have a bit of that, look at the suns. ., ., , , ., the suns. scotland is the place to be this coming — the suns. scotland is the place to be this coming week. _ the suns. scotland is the place to be this coming week. always - the suns. scotland is the place to be this coming week. always the | be this coming week. always the lace to be this coming week. always the place to be- _ be this coming week. always the place to be- as _ be this coming week. always the place to be. as we _ be this coming week. always the place to be. as we are _ be this coming week. always the place to be. as we are finding i be this coming week. always the | place to be. as we are finding out this morning... a sacred, ancient symbol of scotland's monarchy known as the stone of destiny is to make the journey from edinburgh castle to westminster abbey for the coronation of king charles iii. the exact details of when and how are a closely guarded secret, but new techniques are being used

to find out more about the stone's history. here's our scotland correspondent alexandra mackenzie. the stone of destiny, or stone of scone, was legally transported from westminster abbey to edinburgh castle on st andrew's day in 1996. intricate preparations, including digital scans and a 3d printout, are now in the final stages for its return to london for the coronation of king charles iii. it's going to be a really momentous occasion. it's a once—in—a—generation event, really. and it's really significant that the stone of destiny is going to continue its historic role in the coronation of monarchs of britain. until it was seized by king edward i of england in 1296 and enclosed within the coronation chair, the stone was used in the inauguration of scottish monarchs. at westminster abbey, the chair is being prepared for the new king and the stone

of destiny will again be placed within it... ..as it was for many coronations, including that of the late queen elizabeth ii. here you can see three different tool marks... a digital 3d model of the stone has been created for the first time. it can now be viewed in greater detail than ever before. the 3d—printed replica of the stone will also help in preparations for the coronation. in terms of planning on how to insert the stone into the chair, the 3d prints have beenjust to get the choreography done right. it's a very precious object and very heavy, so to be able to utilise the print physically in the first hand, just means the actual stone is in the best of hands on its way temporarily down south. four scottish students stole the stone from westminster abbey on christmas day in 1950. months later, it was

found in arbroath. some say that the stone of destiny should not be taken to london for the crowning of king charles iii. but there is an agreement that the stone should only leave scotland for a coronation and then be returned here to edinburgh castle. for now, the stone sits alongside the crownjewels of scotland but will soon be returned to its original home in perth. alexandra mackenzie, bbc news, edinburgh. we're joined now by historian professor sir tom devine. good morning. thank you for being with us. we heard a little bit about some of the potential origins but not a lot is known. first of all, the significance of the stone itself to the ceremony.— the significance of the stone itself to the ceremony. the significance of the stone itself to the ceremon . ,., ., ., ., i. to the ceremony. good morning to you and aood to the ceremony. good morning to you and good morning _ to the ceremony. good morning to you and good morning to _ to the ceremony. good morning to you and good morning to your— to the ceremony. good morning to you and good morning to your viewers. - and good morning to your viewers. 0bviously,

and good morning to your viewers. obviously, it has always been regarded in scottish history as a sacred object because the origins go right back in time and among the first scottish kings and queens to be crowned, it always played an important part in that particular ritual. let us not forget scotland's kings date back to around 8116 ad, nearly a century before the english monarchy. i think one of the very positive aspects of this development and the media coverage it is getting, it will tell non—scottish viewers how scotland had not only an ancient monarchy but was one of the first nation states in europe. that is fascinating. _ first nation states in europe. that is fascinating, isn't _ first nation states in europe. that is fascinating, isn't it? _ first nation states in europe. that is fascinating, isn't it? predates the british monarchy. but of course as we were hearing, it was taken away from scotland.—

as we were hearing, it was taken away from scotland. yes, edward the first known colloquially _ away from scotland. yes, edward the first known colloquially up _ away from scotland. yes, edward the first known colloquially up here - away from scotland. yes, edward the first known colloquially up here as . first known colloquially up here as the hammer 0f first known colloquially up here as the hammer of the scots, a series of successful campaigns in the 13th century in order to impose dominion on the scottish people, so he took it almost as a piece of war plunder to westminster abbey, but again, there is great symbolism in that. it was only there after the stone itself was included in the coronation stone. before that the monarchs of england actually sat on it. that was a tremendous act of symbolism of the conquest of scotland and the fact english monarchs, although scotland remained independent of course, in english monarchs in the wars of independence claimed control over the northern nations. ., . ., ~ ., .,

nations. how much do we know about its origins? — nations. how much do we know about its origins? we _ nations. how much do we know about its origins? we were _ nations. how much do we know about its origins? we were doing _ nations. how much do we know about its origins? we were doing some - its origins? we were doing some reading this morning, suggestions it could have biblical connections. but of course, there is not a lot of evidence. what do we know beyond that history you have described? medieval scotland was a tremendous matchmaker. tremendous social mythology. —— myth maker. people had to understand where they came from and most was based on mythical understanding. what we know for certain is that geological information, the geological analysis, which definitely shows, definitively shows, that the origins of the stone itself, the geology of the stone, if you will, come from the stone, if you will, come from the area around scone in perthshire, it does not come from ireland or the holy land, it is a decidedly native

product. it holy land, it is a decidedly native roduct. , .., holy land, it is a decidedly native roduct. , ., ., product. it became important for scottish monarchs. _ product. it became important for scottish monarchs. i— product. it became important for scottish monarchs. i would - product. it became important for i scottish monarchs. i would imagine it is of the utmost importance that when coronation is finished, because of the symbolism and history, that it comes straight back to scotland. you have already spoken about the care taken for the journey south and the fact also going south under police escort in considerable secrecy, that demonstrates the extent to which the government are concerned to ensure there is no interruption of the process. the other thing worth mentioning, in the second world war, when invasion was feared, by germany, into britain, the authorities in westminster abbey hit it very carefully underneath the abbey and also sent secret plans to canada that, if there was an evasion

and german occupation, the whereabouts of the stone of destiny in the abbey would still be known. 0nly in the abbey would still be known. only three of these plans were sent and one of the most of the prime minister of canada.— and one of the most of the prime minister of canada. wow, that is how much care and _ minister of canada. wow, that is how much care and attention _ minister of canada. wow, that is how much care and attention to _ minister of canada. wow, that is how much care and attention to detail, i much care and attention to detail, thatis much care and attention to detail, that is how sacred the stone is. for those taking it down to the abbey for the coronation, and those bringing it back, be careful. thank you so much. historian from the university of edinburgh, joining us live from hamilton. fascinating. to my shame, i did not know the scottish monarchy predated the british... that is why for the coronation we will learn so much more about traditions and stories and history, fascinating. you more about traditions and stories and history, fascinating.- and history, fascinating. you get all of it in one _ and history, fascinating. you get all of it in one place. _ and history, fascinating. you get all of it in one place. mainly- and history, fascinating. you get all of it in one place. mainly on | all of it in one place. mainly on bbc breakfast! _ there was a bit of surprise for those drinking a pint in a pub

in truro, as the cornish sea shanty group, fisherman's friends, turned up for a sing along. in fact, there were two sets of fisherman's friends in the building, as the cast of the stage musical were also there to launch their return to the city. johnny rutherford has more. it's not usual for actors to meet the real characters they're portraying, especially over a pint. in fact, they're old friends. you could say, fisherman's friends. # today, today is a holiday. ..# - singing big enough to break an act like yours? you reckon? as the show has returned to the hall for cornwall after an 18—month tour which originated in truro. it's been a joy, and i'll tell you why, because it's one of the... ..it�*s a brand—new show. it's a brand—new musical. and it'sjust been a complete hit. everywhere we've gone, the audiences have absolutely lapped it up and loved it. the musical tour has done well and so have both feature films about the fisherman's friends.

so, in true sea shanty tradition, a gathering requires a song, and the more friends, fishermen, actors or not, the merrier. # and a damn good flogging wouldn't do us any harm~~# _ it must be a bit difficult to act in front of the original fisherman's friends? it's daunting. yeah. i mean, you know, you hear them sing and they've been doing it as long as they have. and we're brought together to do it for the show. but we've been lucky that we've had sort of contact with them throughout, and they're such great guys anyway that they've taught us a lot. writes all her own songs. self taught. you was too tight to pay for lessons, that's why! it's an incredible, true rags—to—riches story about the real life fisherman's friends who for 25 years had been singing sea shanties on the port isaac largely to raise money for local lifeboat charities until a music producer spots them and signs them to a record label.

so, the real fisherman's friends are actually here to see the show tonight. what does it feel like to actually come and watch people pretend to be you? it's slightly surreal, i've got to say. it is strange because it's so close to our original story. it's really good to see. and they do such a good job and they're so energetic, the actors. it's fantastic. what i want to know is, the film and the musical, how much of it is real? well, you know, bits and bobs, but... - no, no. there's quite a lot - of fragments of truth in it and bigger bits of truth in it. but you've got to make _ an interesting story, haven't you? and it's... 0urs hasn't been, has it? we think they've done that. no, not really! but this isn't the first time you've seen it, is it? no, seen it about four or five times now. yeah, but they've been tweaking it every now and again. so, it's always different, it's always fresh. and the actors, how they do what they do is amazing... to be you? yeah!

it's hard enough being ourselves, let alone acting it. what about the singing? well, the singing is very good. i mean, it's lovely. it's very full, great sound. i mean, what they've replicated really well that we do, of course, is the dance routines that we used to do down by the harbour at port isaac, it's fantastic. in all seriousness, obviously it's quite a big thing for them to come here to cornwall to do this show. what do you think? i think they do... they do feel slightly nervous. that they sing it in front of us. i think it does, they say, adds a little something i to their performance. when they know we're in the house. so, you're looking forward to seeing it tonight? really looking forward to it. we said that we've seen it four or five times before, including over in toronto, funnily enough, which was brilliant and it's fantastic. and anyone that comes to see it, it'll fill them withjoy. it's brilliant. so, they're not going to take over and let you guys retire? it would be nice, wouldn't it? yeah. please! # a damn good flogging

wouldn't do us any harmj # and we'll all hang on behind...# nothing like letting down the local for a quiet pint. nothing like letting down the local for a quiet pint-— for a quiet pint. wonderful for those not _ for a quiet pint. wonderful for those not expecting _ for a quiet pint. wonderful for those not expecting it. - back to our main story now as motoring groups welcome the government's decision to cancel the contruction of new smart motorways, but say the announcement doesn't go far enough. existing stretches of smart motorway in england will remain, with 150 more emergency stopping places. earlier this morning, we heard from meera naran, whose eight—year—old son, dev, died in a crash on a smart motorway in 2018. she shared her reaction to the news. it was a huge achievement and to be honest the first thing i want to say is, dev, we did it.— is, dev, we did it. explain to our audience what _ is, dev, we did it. explain to our audience what happened - is, dev, we did it. explain to our audience what happened with i is, dev, we did it. explain to our. audience what happened with dev.

dev, that evening, his brother was very sick and birmingham children's hospital, we did not know if his father would make it through the night, so dev had come to say good goodbye. he came to hospital, gave his brother a paid hug, jumped into bed with him and told him about his day and kissed him on the forehead, he went home and i expected him to reach home and on the way home the car stopped for unknown reasons and a lorry crashed into the back of it killing dev. we'rejoined now by edmund king, the president of the aa. good morning to you. that story and that of her son dev, harrowing story, suggestions 79 other deaths have been linked to smart motorways, what do you make of the announcement today? what do you make of the announcement toda ? , , ., what do you make of the announcement toda? , ., ~~ today? this is something at the aa we have been _ today? this is something at the aa we have been campaigning - today? this is something at the aa we have been campaigning on i today? this is something at the aa we have been campaigning on for l today? this is something at the m i we have been campaigning on for more than ten years and indeed have campaigned with her and been on the

programme before with her. from the outset, we questioned the ministers the logic of removing a hard shoulder. i remember even before the m4 smart motorway was constructed having a meeting with chris grayling who was transport secretary at the time and saying, transport secretary, what would you do if you broke down on a smart motorway without a hard shoulder? he said, i would get out of the car. minister, he would probably be killed if that happened. it is the basic logic we have been arguing against. no matter how good the technology is to spot because, you are still more at risk if you break down in a live lane. we have been exposing that for years. there are reports that sections of the m1 north of nottingham that actually says, if they had put in

more emergency refuge areas at the time, the risks