meant to them, well, this should give you the answer. delight for manager david moyes and for west ham a first european final since 1976 — after years of waiting nowjust one match from glory. andy swiss, bbc news. time for a look at the weather. here's darren bett. hello, michelle. there will be some warm sunshine tomorrow but we could see a few showers developing to. a lovely sunset here in great yarmouth in norfolk helped by the cloud we have had today, and there has been quite a bit of cloud coming our way, mostly quite high. we also have this very weak weather front and that is producing a line of rain, and we can see that they are, moving away from scotland and northern ireland, heading in towards england and wales but patchy rain arriving in the east as well. all keeping temperatures up here, but it could turn chilly in scotland with those clear skies. more sunshine on the way tomorrow for scotland and northern ireland, bit of cloud for england and wales.

this rain in eastern areas will slowly tend to peter out and we will get some sunshine coming through and we could generate some showers all the way through yorkshire to the west midlands and into the west country. there will be some warm sunshine for many parts of the country and temperatures on the whole very similar to what we had today, but it may well be a bit warmer in scotland particularly in the east because we will see more sunshine. this area of low pressure is storm nino and it could bring more rain into italy and perhaps more rain into italy and perhaps more flooding, dominated by high pressure although there is this stripe of cloud in from the atlantic. i think on saturday looks quite cloudy for much of scotland and northern ireland, not much rain at all and most of the cloud quite thin and high. more on the way of sunshine for england and wales, that a fair weather cloud, one in the sunshine, temperatures 20 or 21, holding at 16 or 17 for scotland and northern ireland. the second half of the weekend, not a great deal of change, not much rain at all for scotland and northern ireland with a lot of cloud. south—eastern scotland

could do well again but the lion's share of the sunshine will be for england and wales. breezy in the south—east perhaps with temperatures 20 or 21 celsius and a little cooler around some of those north sea coast. 0n the whole looking pretty good. michelle. darren, thank you very much. and that's bbc news at ten. there's more analysis of the day's main stories on newsnight with mark urban, which isjust beginning on bbc two. the news continues here on bbc one, as now it's time to join our colleagues for the news where you are, but from the ten team it's goodnight.

of chinese "assertiveness" — but can the west do that when we're so hooked on chinese trade? leaders of the g7 economic bloc gather in hiroshima for a summit, they're being urged to face down those challenging the old world order. i think it is worrying because it is really confrontation, and it's very similar to the kind of cold war, even if while this is a chinese expression for the time being. we'll ask the specialists whether countries so dependent on chinese trade are really able to go much further that stern soundbites.

also tonight. a commons committee highlights the abuse being faced by some women in the armed forces — despite so many previous inquiries and years of promises from the top brass to fix the issue. the director of the centre for militaryjustice is here demanding action. and should restrictions on research using magic mushrooms as a treatment for depression be lifted? we hear from the tory mp leading calls to make it happen and a pyschiatrist who's not so sure. good evening. leaders of the g7, the world's biggest western economies have gathered injapan for a summit. president biden has urged them to stand firm against those challenging the "rules based order". his japanese host says they're at "a crossroads in history". the us wants allies to keep the faith on ukraine, continuing to support them, and sanction russia. but there are also messages on china

— which many think represents a bigger challenge — not least because two of those g7 leaders, president macron of france and chancellor scholz of germany have recently been in beijing, extolling cooperation and distancing themselves from some of president biden�*s tougher messages. for two nights here on newsnight we're going to take a deeper dive on this story — tomorrow ben will be looking at whether economic interdependence will prevent the containment america wants. tonight we explore the diplomacy and why allies are often reluctant to go along with what beijing labels a "new cold war". we have a far greater chance of having a positive influence on china's actions, if we welcome china into the world community, instead of shutting it out. make no mistake about it, as we made clear last week, if china threatens our sovereignty we will act to protect our

country, and we did. cheering and applause. america's relationship with china is not in a good place. the optimism of the clinton years is gone, replaced by competition, threats, and attempts to choke off access to key technologies. layers of grievances has been added up over a couple of years, that between china and the west, and china simply convicted this idea that the united states led west is going to take china down, at whatever the cost. and hence the best for china, it is to get acts of self—reliance, in terms of economic development. in this jostling of ageing superpower and emerging challenger, two recent events have raised the temperature. a decision last year by the us to stop western companies supplying china with advanced microchips and ai technology. for those of you who think this might be the moon, it is not the moon.

and china's sending of spy balloons over its rivals territory. 0h! whoa. did you hear that? for the president of france visiting beijing last month, this slide in trust and brinkmanship over taiwan... music: "la marseillaise." ..threatened a conflict that europe needs to steer clear of. his remarks caused consternation among many allies, who accused macron of torpedoing western unity. i thought it was both a classic piece of french demonstration of the independence and separateness of their foreign policy, and quite damaging to western unity, or lack of unity, on china. president macron�*s friends, though, remain worried about where american policy is headed. i think it is worrying, because it's really confrontation and it's very similar to the kind

of cold war, even if, while this is a chinese expression for the time being, but there is this technological blockade, and the fact that, well, the us said that they don't want that china rises as the number one, and in particular, in the technological field. in the wake of the macron china trip, many policy wonks in downing street and the foreign office felt that things were going down hill too quickly with china, and that they needed to make a new initiative, to reinforce the importance of dialogue with the people's republic, even in the teeth of opposition from elements of the conservative party. the foreign secretary's recently made that case. we must face the inescapable reality that no significant global problem, from climate change,

to pandemic prevention, from economic instability to nuclear proliferation, can be solved without china. a quite different message from former prime minister liz truss, in taiwan earlier this week. there are still too many in the west who are trying to cling on to the idea that we can somehow cooperate with china, on issues like climate change, as if there is nothing wrong. the royal yacht band playing as they leave the quay. and to the rail comes chris patten. but for many, and not just on the right of the conservative party, hostility to china... and she glides away... ..springs from its treatment of hong kong... ..from the glass canyons of hong kong. ..or human rights record more

generally, and it limits any improvement in relations. we have to stop deluding ourselves that if you reach an agreement with china they will keep to it. my main critic, when i was governor of hong kong, used to say, the chinese leaders may be thuggish dictators, but they are men of their word. well, there is one thing that is certainly clear, they are not men of their word — look at hong kong. so they don't keep their word, but we do still need to try to get them to agree on things like international trade, and to make sure there are consequences when they break their word there. so when it comes to the kind of reset being put forward by james cleverly, setting a subtly different course to both france and the us, the chinese themselves are sceptical. if we are putting a spectrum, i think uk seems to be more in tune with the united states, and that seems to be the view within beijing as well. now the differences in here is, on the one hand in the past,

it seems to be much of the china policy in the uk has been controlled by the backbenchers of the tory party. we do not see conflict with china or a new cold war. we are not trying to contain china, and in fact the united states continues to have a comprehensive trade and investment relationship with china, as do most of our allies and partners. we are, however, resolute for derisking and diversifying, not decoupling. in truth, even the us has been trying to dial down the rhetoric more recently, and there was a high level meeting in vienna last week, but what they found in try to arrange a defence minister's meeting or revive the use of a hotline with beijing, is that the chinese don't seem that interested. some differences are in danger of becoming irreconcilable. we speak as though it is britain that has the trade surplus with china, rather than the other way round. they are not a charitable concern, so we shouldn't be terrified of their bullying over economic

issues, when we disagree with them on a political narrative. the chinese president, when he came into office, said that the party and the government should launch an intense struggle against all aspects of liberal democracy, and we have to recognise we are being assaulted for what we believe in and notjust on economic issues. finding the right approach to china is the biggest foreign policy question of our age, yet if the conservative party struggles to achieve consensus within its own ranks, what chance britain, or indeed the western alliance as a whole? back in my early years in the foreign office in the �*80s there was a group called the quad which met at senior official level, so there was no publicity round it. it was britain, the united states, france and germany. that was mostly focused in those days on the soviet union and the cold war, but i think if it is not happening already, then

we need something like that now, and we also need self restraint on everyone�*s part, that they will consultant and think about how others see things before they announce new initiatives or opine on the state of relations with china, because that just advertises disunity. it is very obvious that on some issues we absolutely need to cooperate with china. of course the question of climate change, biodiversity or health have been mentioned, and any way, a confrontation with china wouldn't be in the interest of anyone. switching between cooperation and rivalry has been a fact of life with china for years now. but things are changing, not least because as the people's republic grows more assertive, its leader is resolved to get the better of the west

rather than kowtow to it. thank you very much. to discuss this now we're joined by sir mark lyall grant, who was britain's national security adviser, velina tchakarova, who is a geopolitical strategist, and ryan hass, who advised president 0bama on china and author of a book on what american strategy should be. ryan the first question falls to you, do you think the biden administration which itself has had mixed messages, in recent months, is clear as to what its china strategy is? i clear as to what its china strategy is? ~ �* is? i think the biden administration, - is? i think the biden administration, you| is? i think the biden i administration, you are is? i think the biden - administration, you are right, is? i think the biden _ administration, you are right, the messages have not always been precise but the overall trajectory

makes sense, they are working to invest at home, on line with their allies and partners the and to strengthen their ability to compete with china in the long—term. they accept that the united states and china will be major power and the goal of american strategy is to outcome pete and outpace china, so on the merits i think the biden administration, if you set aside some the messaging, think the content of their policy and strategy is sound. i content of their policy and strategy is sound. , ., ,~ is sound. i 'ust wonder, when ryan talks is sound. ijust wonder, when ryan talks there — is sound. ijust wonder, when ryan talks there about _ is sound. ijust wonder, when ryan talks there about outcome - is sound. ijust wonder, when ryan| talks there about outcome meeting you have these new technological controls that came in last autumn, on the advance microchips, ai, various key technology, are the

partners, how to actually build a credible counter weight, in terms of a kind _ credible counter weight, in terms of a kind of— credible counter weight, in terms of a kind of strategic autonomy towards these _ a kind of strategic autonomy towards these dependencies is, on the other hand china — these dependencies is, on the other hand china has been forging credible partnerships, i mean, take the example — partnerships, i mean, take the example of the co—ordination with russia _ example of the co—ordination with russia that has been going on for the last_ russia that has been going on for the last ten years at least, where china _ the last ten years at least, where china has— the last ten years at least, where china has been diversifying into terms _ china has been diversifying into terms ofm _ china has been diversifying into terms of- - -_ china has been diversifying into terms of. . .- all _ china has been diversifying into terms of. . .- all this - china has been diversifying into. terms of. . .- all this critical terms of... right. all this critical commonalities _ terms of... right. all this critical commonalities i _ terms of... right. all this critical commonalities i was _ terms of... right. all this critical commonalities i was going - terms of... right. all this critical commonalities i was going to - terms of... right. all this critical| commonalities i was going to pick terms of... right. all this critical - commonalities i was going to pick up on our commonalities i was going to pick up on your point — commonalities i was going to pick up on your point about _ commonalities i was going to pick up on your point about a _ commonalities i was going to pick up on your point about a modus - commonalities i was going to pick up| on your point about a modus vivendi, from our perspective is it not the

case decisions we're have taken about huawei and now going along with the technological controls, that the us wants to impose, are going to make the chinese believe that we have taken a side in this, and undermined the kind of message that the foreign secretary was making in the speech we saw there, about the importance of cooperation? well the united kingdom government is trying _ well the united kingdom government is trying to— well the united kingdom government is trying to draw— well the united kingdom government is trying to draw a _ well the united kingdom government is trying to draw a balance _ well the united kingdom government is trying to draw a balance if - well the united kingdom government is trying to draw a balance if you - is trying to draw a balance if you like, _ is trying to draw a balance if you like, between _ is trying to draw a balance if you like, between the _ is trying to draw a balance if you like, between the hostility - is trying to draw a balance if you like, between the hostility that. like, between the hostility that china _ like, between the hostility that china is— like, between the hostility that china is showing _ like, between the hostility that china is showing to _ like, between the hostility that china is showing to the - like, between the hostility that china is showing to the west, i like, between the hostility that. china is showing to the west, and the threat — china is showing to the west, and the threat that _ china is showing to the west, and the threat that china _ china is showing to the west, and the threat that china poses - china is showing to the west, and the threat that china poses to - china is showing to the west, and j the threat that china poses to the multiiaierai— the threat that china poses to the multilateral international - multilateral international organisation _ multilateral international organisation set - multilateral international organisation set up - multilateral international organisation set up after| multilateral international. organisation set up after the multilateral international _ organisation set up after the second world _ organisation set up after the second world war. — organisation set up after the second world war. and _ organisation set up after the second world war, and the _ organisation set up after the second world war, and the fact _ organisation set up after the second world war, and the fact that - organisation set up after the second world war, and the fact that china l world war, and the fact that china is the _ world war, and the fact that china is the second _ world war, and the fact that china is the second largest _ world war, and the fact that china is the second largest economy, i world war, and the fact that chinal is the second largest economy, and particularly — is the second largest economy, and particularly post—brexit _ is the second largest economy, and particularly post—brexit we - is the second largest economy, and particularly post—brexit we need . is the second largest economy, andl particularly post—brexit we need toe have some — particularly post—brexit we need toe have some engage _ particularly post—brexit we need toe have some engage in— particularly post—brexit we need toe have some engage in trade - particularly post—brexit we need toe have some engage in trade an - have some engage in trade an investment— have some engage in trade an investment with _ have some engage in trade an investment with china, - have some engage in trade an investment with china, so - have some engage in trade an investment with china, so the| investment with china, so the government— investment with china, so the government came _ investment with china, so the government came out - investment with china, so the government came out with i investment with china, so the. government came out with this investment with china, so the - government came out with this sort of modulated — government came out with this sort of modulated strategy, _ government came out with this sort of modulated strategy, if— government came out with this sort of modulated strategy, if you - government came out with this sort of modulated strategy, if you like, i of modulated strategy, if you like, caiied _ of modulated strategy, if you like, caiied protect— of modulated strategy, if you like, called protect align _ of modulated strategy, if you like, called protect align and _ of modulated strategy, if you like, called protect align and engage, . of modulated strategy, if you like, | called protect align and engage, so you protect — called protect align and engage, so you protect yourself _ called protect align and engage, so you protect yourself through - called protect align and engage, so you protect yourself through the i you protect yourself through the harms _ you protect yourself through the

harms that— you protect yourself through the harms that are _ you protect yourself through the harms that are coming - you protect yourself through the harms that are coming out - you protect yourself through the harms that are coming out of. you protect yourself through the - harms that are coming out of china, the espionage. _ harms that are coming out of china, the espionage, the _ harms that are coming out of china, the espionage, the threats- harms that are coming out of china, the espionage, the threats to - harms that are coming out of china, the espionage, the threats to the i the espionage, the threats to the international system, _ the espionage, the threats to the international system, you - the espionage, the threats to the international system, you align . international system, you align you're — international system, you align you're once _ international system, you align you're once with _ international system, you align you're once with allies, - international system, you align you're once with allies, in - international system, you alignl you're once with allies, in terms what _ you're once with allies, in terms what we — you're once with allies, in terms what we are _ you're once with allies, in terms what we are doing _ you're once with allies, in terms what we are doing with - you're once with allies, in terms what we are doing with the - you're once with allies, in terms what we are doing with the ors i you're once with allies, in terms i what we are doing with the ors can submarine — what we are doing with the ors can submarine deal— what we are doing with the ors can submarine deal with— what we are doing with the ors can submarine deal with the _ what we are doing with the ors can submarine deal with the united - submarine deal with the united states. — submarine deal with the united states. and _ submarine deal with the united states, and australia, - submarine deal with the united . states, and australia, absolutely, but also, — states, and australia, absolutely, but also, what _ states, and australia, absolutely, but also, what is _ states, and australia, absolutely, but also, what is happening - states, and australia, absolutely, but also, what is happening in - states, and australia, absolutely, j but also, what is happening in the g7 at _ but also, what is happening in the g7 at the — but also, what is happening in the g7 at the moment, _ but also, what is happening in the g7 at the moment, the _ but also, what is happening in the g7 at the moment, the new- but also, what is happening in the . g7 at the moment, the new defence arrangementses _ g7 at the moment, the new defence arrangementses with— g7 at the moment, the new defence arrangementses with japan, - g7 at the moment, the new defence arrangementses with japan, is - g7 at the moment, the new defence arrangementses with japan, is a - g7 at the moment, the new defence i arrangementses with japan, is a very .ood arrangementses with japan, is a very good e>

real unity on russia and ukraine of unity on china. there will be - real unity on russia and ukraine but on china _ real unity on russia and ukraine but on china it _ real unity on russia and ukraine but on china it will— real unity on russia and ukraine but on china it will be _ real unity on russia and ukraine but on china it will be a _ real unity on russia and ukraine but on china it will be a veneer- real unity on russia and ukraine but on china it will be a veneer of- on china it will be a veneer of unity— on china it will be a veneer of unity because _ on china it will be a veneer of unity because beneath - on china it will be a veneer of unity because beneath the i on china it will be a veneer of- unity because beneath the surface there _ unity because beneath the surface there are — unity because beneath the surface there are some _ unity because beneath the surface there are some quite _ unity because beneath the surface there are some quite significant. there are some quite significant nuances— there are some quite significant nuances of— there are some quite significant nuances of policy— there are some quite significant nuances of policy difference, i there are some quite significant. nuances of policy difference, with france _ nuances of policy difference, with france and — nuances of policy difference, with france and germany— nuances of policy difference, with france and germany and - nuances of policy difference, with france and germany and one - nuances of policy difference, with france and germany and one end| nuances of policy difference, with . france and germany and one end of the spectrum — france and germany and one end of the spectrum and _ france and germany and one end of the spectrum and france _ france and germany and one end of the spectrum and france and - france and germany and one end of. the spectrum and france and germany -- mike _ the spectrum and france and germany -- mike britain— the spectrum and france and germany —— mike britain and _ the spectrum and france and germany —— mike britain and japan— the spectrum and france and germany —— mike britain and japan on— the spectrum and france and germany —— mike britain and japan on the - —— mike britain and japan on the other~ _ -- mike britain and japan on the other. , ' . , , other. there will be differences but robabl other. there will be differences but probably rrot _ other. there will be differences but probably rrot on _ other. there will be differences but probably not on public— other. there will be differences but probably not on public view- other. there will be differences but probably not on public view this - probably not on public view this week. how others will be interpreting this, beyond the g7, the wider players, both in the world economy like india and some of the big south american economies, and also in the developing world, do you think the us is losing them? to paraphrase larry summers, we offer them a lecture and china offers them an airport? i them a lecture and china offers them an airort? ~ ., , ., , an airport? i think that is a bit overstated — an airport? i think that is a bit overstated about _ an airport? i think that is a bit overstated about larry - an airport? i think that is a bit. overstated about larry certainly made _ overstated about larry certainly made a — overstated about larry certainly made a point. many countries in the world _ made a point. many countries in the world are _ made a point. many countries in the world are sympathetic to america and the 67's _ world are sympathetic to america and the g7's efforts to address the

issue — the g7's efforts to address the issue of— the g7's efforts to address the issue of economic coercion because they are _ issue of economic coercion because they are the — issue of economic coercion because they are the recipients of it themselves. it is not irresponsible or doesn't— themselves. it is not irresponsible or doesn't like to purchase to try to make — or doesn't like to purchase to try to make a — or doesn't like to purchase to try to make a case that we collectively should _ to make a case that we collectively should work to stop the use of economic— should work to stop the use of economic retaliation against countries that choose policy is at odds _ countries that choose policy is at odds with — countries that choose policy is at odds with china's preferences. that is a space _ odds with china's preferences. that is a space on— odds with china's preferences. that is a space on which there will be broad _ is a space on which there will be broad support notjust in the g7 but to beyond — broad support not 'ust in the g7 but to be ond. ., ., ,, , broad support not 'ust in the g7 but tobe ond. ., , , to beyond. how do you see countries aloball to beyond. how do you see countries globally dividing? _ to beyond. how do you see countries globally dividing? how _ to beyond. how do you see countries globally dividing? how influential- globally dividing? how influential is china's roads initiative at winning over previously nonaligned countries? ., , ., ., , countries? how tempting or otherwise as the american _ countries? how tempting or otherwise as the american offer? _ countries? how tempting or otherwise as the american offer? i _ countries? how tempting or otherwise as the american offer? i concede - countries? how tempting or otherwise as the american offer? i concede any| as the american offer? i concede any more nuanced way, china meanwhile is trade partner number one of most countries in the world, all of africa, a lot of latin american countries and has been brokering deals in the middle east, has been

also entering the south asian and central asian terrain. i think that this kind of competition over the global south and also over the hearts and minds of business partners and countries all over the world is ongoing, and here we should not forget that china has been disseminating the very same right from the beginning of a rush of�*s war against from the beginning of a rush of�*s waragainst ukraine, from the beginning of a rush of�*s war against ukraine, when it comes to nato expansion and strong anti—american and anti—imperialist sentiments, so we should not underestimate the ideological component. we have a communist party in charge, a mandate of xijinping who has solidified his power within the highest echelons of china. you have raised — the highest echelons of china. you have raised a _ the highest echelons of china. you have raised a very important point which is the way that ukraine is playing into this. a lot of people obviously have been focused on

taiwan, chinese statements on taiwan, chinese statements on taiwan, but to what extent do you think that in the short—term, ukraine could be tremendously important? either in china siding more and more obviously with president putin or alternatively playing a positive role in bringing the conflict to an end. in terms of dividing the line particularly in europe towards china.- dividing the line particularly in europe towards china. china is embarrassed _ europe towards china. china is embarrassed by _ europe towards china. china is embarrassed by the _ europe towards china. china is embarrassed by the russian i europe towards china. china is - embarrassed by the russian invasion of ukraine _ embarrassed by the russian invasion of ukraine had— embarrassed by the russian invasion of ukraine. had it _ embarrassed by the russian invasion of ukraine. had it been _ embarrassed by the russian invasion of ukraine. had it been a _ embarrassed by the russian invasion of ukraine. had it been a quick- of ukraine. had it been a quick success— of ukraine. had it been a quick success and _ of ukraine. had it been a quick success and key— of ukraine. had it been a quick success and key have - of ukraine. had it been a quick success and key have fallen i of ukraine. had it been a quickl success and key have fallen and of ukraine. had it been a quick. success and key have fallen and a puppet _ success and key have fallen and a puppet regime _ success and key have fallen and a puppet regime installed, - success and key have fallen and a puppet regime installed, china i success and key have fallen and a - puppet regime installed, china would have been— puppet regime installed, china would have been happy. _ puppet regime installed, china would have been happy. but _ puppet regime installed, china would have been happy. but china - puppet regime installed, china would have been happy. but china lives- puppet regime installed, china would have been happy. but china lives andj have been happy. but china lives and dies internationally— have been happy. but china lives and dies internationally by _ have been happy. but china lives and dies internationally by the _ have been happy. but china lives and dies internationally by the rubric- dies internationally by the rubric of nonintervention _ dies internationally by the rubric of nonintervention and - dies internationally by the rubric| of nonintervention and territorial integrity. — of nonintervention and territorial integrity. and _ of nonintervention and territorial integrity, and that _ of nonintervention and territorial integrity, and that is— of nonintervention and territorial integrity, and that is why - of nonintervention and territorial integrity, and that is why they. of nonintervention and territorial. integrity, and that is why they have not been _ integrity, and that is why they have not been able — integrity, and that is why they have not been able to _ integrity, and that is why they have not been able to vote _ integrity, and that is why they have not been able to vote alongside - not been able to vote alongside russia — not been able to vote alongside russia at— not been able to vote alongside russia at the _ not been able to vote alongside russia at the united _ not been able to vote alongside russia at the united nations i not been able to vote alongside russia at the united nations on not been able to vote alongside - russia at the united nations on the ukraine _ russia at the united nations on the ukraine issue. _ russia at the united nations on the ukraine issue, why— russia at the united nations on the ukraine issue, why they _ russia at the united nations on the ukraine issue, why they haven't - ukraine issue, why they haven't provided — ukraine issue, why they haven't provided military— ukraine issue, why they haven't provided military weapons - ukraine issue, why they haven't provided military weapons so i ukraine issue, why they haven'tl provided military weapons so far ukraine issue, why they haven't . provided military weapons so far to russia _ provided military weapons so far to russia despite _ provided military weapons so far to russia despite the _ provided military weapons so far to russia despite the fact _ provided military weapons so far to russia despite the fact that - provided military weapons so far to russia despite the fact that russia | russia despite the fact that russia is doing _ russia despite the fact that russia is doing very — russia despite the fact that russia is doing very badly. _ russia despite the fact that russia is doing very badly. so _ russia despite the fact that russia is doing very badly. so i _ russia despite the fact that russia

is doing very badly. so i think- is doing very badly. so i think in fact what— is doing very badly. so i think in fact what has _ is doing very badly. so i think in fact what has happened - is doing very badly. so i think in fact what has happened in - is doing very badly. so i think in. fact what has happened in ukraine is doing very badly. so i think in- fact what has happened in ukraine is quite good _ fact what has happened in ukraine is quite good for — fact what has happened in ukraine is quite good for the _ fact what has happened in ukraine is quite good for the west _ fact what has happened in ukraine is quite good for the west in— fact what has happened in ukraine is quite good for the west in terms- fact what has happened in ukraine is quite good for the west in terms of. quite good for the west in terms of taiwan— quite good for the west in terms of taiwan because _ quite good for the west in terms of taiwan because china _ quite good for the west in terms of taiwan because china now- quite good for the west in terms of. taiwan because china now recognises that a _ taiwan because china now recognises that a highly— taiwan because china now recognises that a highly motivated _ taiwan because china now recognises that a highly motivated defence - taiwan because china now recognises that a highly motivated defence can l that a highly motivated defence can be effective. — that a highly motivated defence can be effective, as _ that a highly motivated defence can be effective, as the _ that a highly motivated defence can be effective, as the ukrainians- that a highly motivated defence canj be effective, as the ukrainians have been. _ be effective, as the ukrainians have been. and _ be effective, as the ukrainians have been. and also— be effective, as the ukrainians have been. and also i _ be effective, as the ukrainians have been, and also i think— be effective, as the ukrainians have been, and also i think china - be effective, as the ukrainians have been, and also i think china would i been, and also i think china would have _ been, and also i think china would have been— been, and also i think china would have been impressed _ been, and also i think china would have been impressed by— been, and also i think china would have been impressed by the - have been impressed by the solidarity— have been impressed by the solidarity of _ have been impressed by the solidarity of the _ have been impressed by the solidarity of the west - have been impressed by the solidarity of the west and i have been impressed by the. solidarity of the west and the have been impressed by the - solidarity of the west and the unity and willingness _ solidarity of the west and the unity and willingness to _ solidarity of the west and the unity and willingness to take _ solidarity of the west and the unity and willingness to take economic l and willingness to take economic measures— and willingness to take economic measures against— and willingness to take economic measures against russia, - and willingness to take economic. measures against russia, because against _ measures against russia, because against china. _ measures against russia, because against china. if— measures against russia, because against china, if those _ measures against russia, because against china, if those sorts - measures against russia, because against china, if those sorts of - against china, if those sorts of measures— against china, if those sorts of measures were _ against china, if those sorts of measures were taken, - against china, if those sorts of measures were taken, it - against china, if those sorts of| measures were taken, it would against china, if those sorts of. measures were taken, it would be crippling _ measures were taken, it would be crippling not — measures were taken, it would be crippling notjust— measures were taken, it would be crippling notjust for— measures were taken, it would be crippling not just for china - measures were taken, it would be crippling not just for china but - measures were taken, it would be crippling not just for china but for| crippling not just for china but for the world — crippling not just for china but for the world economy, _ crippling not just for china but for the world economy, but - crippling not just for china but for the world economy, but certainly| crippling not just for china but for i the world economy, but certainly for the world economy, but certainly for the chinese — the world economy, but certainly for the chinese economy. _ the world economy, but certainly for the chinese economy.— the chinese economy. thank you all indeed very — the chinese economy. thank you all indeed very much _ the chinese economy. thank you all indeed very much for— the chinese economy. thank you all indeed very much for that. - if you want to watch more on this, specifically how the taiwan issue has come to dominate questions of relations with china, a reminder that we visited taipei last year for a special newsnight global programme which you can find on our iplayer page. the experience of women in the armed forces is too often coloured by unwanted sexual advances and indeed abuse. the house of commons defence committee today released

new whistle—blower evidence, cataloguing �*heart rending' case histories gathered by an occupational health team working with the military. two years ago, the committee reported that two thirds of women serving reported bullying and sexual abuse. and that certainly wasn't the first inquiry of its kind, which inevitably raises questions about why the issue isn't being tackled more effectively. sima has been covering this story for years and has this. all british armed forces roles are now open to women, but if women are winning battles like this, there is a greater firefight raging over sexual misconduct, according to new evidence submitted to the defence committee. it paints a grim picture of some of their experiences, with alleged rape and sexual assault at the forefront. we have picked out some anecdotes given to the committee

by whistle—blowers. a junior service woman was raped on base by someone with whom she had been in a casual relationship. when she reported it to her medical centre, the gp advised her to choose her partners more carefully in future. the submission suggests a significant proportion of servicewomen experience unwanted sexual behaviour in service and many are reluctant to report or seek help.

the government wants to double the number of women in the military by 2030. currently there are almost 17,000 serving across all three services, around 11% of total personnel. but more allegations of sexual misconduct could discourage women from signing up. i have been reporting on women in the military for more than a decade now. sexism in the forces has been a headache for leadership for years and points to the need for a cultural change, especially among male comrades. mps on this committee along with some people serving say that the change has been slow—paced and frustrating and ask if the military won't change now, when will it become a safe place for women?

it has been a couple of years since the defence committee published a report on protecting women in the forces. in it, it says 58% of serving women reported experiencing bullying, harassment and discrimination. some might argue that banter, including sexual banter, has always been a part of military culture. the evidence sent to the defence committee suggests victims are having to choose between their career or their sanity. the government says, we have launched the independent service crime unit and have made sure that claims of bullying,

harassment and discrimination are dealt with outside of the chain of command. it says these measures sit alongside the comprehensive improvement package, including a new victim and witness care unit and policy reforms such as our new zero tolerance approach to unacceptable sexual behaviour, which will ensure that anyone convicted of a sexual offence will be dismissed from service. the armed forces has always prided itself on professionalism, be the best, it says, but on this issue, the evidence says they are still falling far short. sima kotecha reporting. we did invite the ministry of defence to join us tonight but nobody was available. but to discuss this further we're joined by emma norton, founder of the centre

for militaryjustice. welcome to newsnight. we got a sense of some of these awful case studies. was there anything in this that surprised you are? h0. was there anything in this that surprised you are?— was there anything in this that surprised you are? no, it is always shockin: surprised you are? no, it is always shocking but _ surprised you are? no, it is always shocking but it _ surprised you are? no, it is always shocking but it wasn't _ surprised you are? no, it is always shocking but it wasn't surprising i shocking but it wasn't surprising and it follows from last year's sexual harassment survey which showed a massive uptick in the number of women disclosing what they are describing is particularly upsetting behaviours and it reflects exactly the kinds of cases that women are bringing to us and wanting advice about. by, women are bringing to us and wanting advice about-— advice about. a big increase, at the same time — advice about. a big increase, at the same time we _ advice about. a big increase, at the same time we are _ advice about. a big increase, at the same time we are hearing - advice about. a big increase, at the same time we are hearing all - advice about. a big increase, at the same time we are hearing all these j same time we are hearing all these phrases from the previous report two years ago about tackling the problem. what is going on, do you think? ., ., , , ., think? the other thing the ombudsman showed this year _ think? the other thing the ombudsman showed this year as _ think? the other thing the ombudsman showed this year as the _ think? the other thing the ombudsman showed this year as the proportion - showed this year as the proportion of women making formal reports when they experience these things is actually dropping so it is very concerning indeed. that actually dropping so it is very

concerning indeed.— concerning indeed. that is extraordinary, _ concerning indeed. that is extraordinary, those - concerning indeed. that is extraordinary, those two i concerning indeed. that is - extraordinary, those two trends. concerning indeed. that is _ extraordinary, those two trends. you have represented in the proceedings many women who have suffered abuse of this kind. what are the chances, do you think, of them finding justice in the current system? it is justice in the current system? it is very difficult- _ justice in the current system? it is very difficult. a _ justice in the current system? it is very difficult. a lot _ justice in the current system? it 3 very difficult. a lot of women contact us because they have suffered sexual violence or serious sexual harassment, and the truth is that the prospect of you securing a successful outcome in a military court if you are the victim of rape are far, far lower than in the civil system. are far, far lower than in the civil s stem. �* ., , ., , are far, far lower than in the civil sstem.�* ., ,~ are far, far lower than in the civil sstem. ., system. but that is any civil system that only convicted _ system. but that is any civil system that only convicted a _ system. but that is any civil system that only convicted a scarily - system. but that is any civil system that only convicted a scarily small l that only convicted a scarily small proportion of rape cases, so it is even worse. it proportion of rape cases, so it is even worse-— proportion of rape cases, so it is even worse. , ., , ., even worse. it is even lower. if you com are even worse. it is even lower. if you compare the _ even worse. it is even lower. if you compare the number— even worse. it is even lower. if you compare the number of— even worse. it is even lower. if you compare the number of rape - even worse. it is even lower. if you compare the number of rape cases| compare the number of rape cases that get to crown court before a civiljury, the conviction rate in the recently published research was around 75%, so that is pretty high.

the majority of cases don't get that far but of those that do the proportion is very high. the proportion is very high. the proportion that court—martial is just short of 18%, so it is a different ballpark. a dreadful statistic. �* , ., ., statistic. and they have said that the are statistic. and they have said that they are stepping _ statistic. and they have said that they are stepping up _ statistic. and they have said that they are stepping up their - they are stepping up their independent serious crime unit within the forces. that is one of the responses we had from them today. is that an answer to the situation? it today. is that an answer to the situation?— today. is that an answer to the situation? it is definitely a step in the right _ situation? it is definitely a step in the right direction. _ situation? it is definitely a step in the right direction. i - situation? it is definitely a step in the right direction. i notice l in the right direction. i notice they are calling it an independent serious crime unit but it is the defence crime unit so it still sits within defence and there is a branch of the military police. but the idea behind that is to encourage greater professionalism and expertise and they want to encourage more civilian input into that. it is far too early to say whether it is going to have the impact that we hope it is going to have, and it certainly doesn't

seem likely to address the problems i havejust seem likely to address the problems i have just indicated that happen when you appear before a military board. that is a militaryjury at a court—martial. i don't see how a defence serious crime unit is going to affect that problem.— defence serious crime unit is going to affect that problem. lastly i was lookin: at to affect that problem. lastly i was looking at a — to affect that problem. lastly i was looking at a report _ to affect that problem. lastly i was looking at a report today _ to affect that problem. lastly i was looking at a report today in - to affect that problem. lastly i was looking at a report today in 2018. l looking at a report today in 2018. attention has been on this issue for quite a while, you said at the beginning if anything it seems to be getting worse. is there anything that gives you optimism that a corner could be turned to? it that gives you optimism that a corner could be turned to? it does feel like groundhog _ corner could be turned to? it does feel like groundhog day _ corner could be turned to? it does feel like groundhog day and - corner could be turned to? it does feel like groundhog day and the l feel like groundhog day and the recommendations that keep getting made to

shrooms contain psilocybin, a substance that offers psychadelic trips to recreational users and indeed can be used to treat depression and ptsd. but research on psilocybin is restricted and hence a discussion that's been ongoing at both westminster and in the scottish parliament this week about �*re—scheduling' the substance. here's kate. you can find the naturally occurring psychedelic compound psilocybin in more than 50 species of fungi. taken recreationally, so called "magic" mushrooms can cause feelings of euphoria and sensory distortions. though there are risks, some users can feel panicked or overwhelmed, and poisonous mushrooms can be

consumed by accident. since 2005 both prepared and fresh mushrooms which contain the compound have been considered a class a drug. and the psychedelics inside magic mushrooms are also listed as a schedule i drug. now schedule i drugs are those with a high likelihood of harm or misuse but no medicinal value. they can't be legally possessed or supplied by medical staff. to carry out academic research on these substances scientists have to get a controlled drug license from the home office and prove they can meet additional requirements on storage and security, an expensive process that can take months. there are other class a drugs, which don't have these same hurdles for researchers — heroin for example has i know university who have been approached to do the research and have refused on the basis they can't comply with the restrictions that the home office impose on the schedule one, that boils down to the pharmacies, they have to have very onerous security restrictions, such as 2a onerous security restrictions, such as 24 cctv

onerous security restrictions, such as 2a cctv monitoring of safes and that sort of things and that incurs a cost in order to implement that and hospitals in universitiesjust aren't in a position to do that, so it puts them off from doing the research and that means the research happens slower. there are other class a drugs, which don't have these same hurdles for researchers — heroin for example has painkiller properties and is in the next category down, schedule two. so are cocaine, ketamine and amphetamines. critics argue some of these have a greater potential for abuse than schedule i magic mushrooms. but what we have now, that we didn't when these psychedelics were first classified, is some evidence psilocybin could play a role in treating mental health conditions. take this very small study from johns hopkins university in the us for example which gave patients psilocybin alongside psychotherapy. you can see a week later they found a significant reduction in the average clinical depression score, and these results were generally sustained over a year. a study like this on fewer than 30 people can't be conclusive — but similar work has encouraged some about the future potential for such therapies.

the us states of oregon and colorado have both voted to legalise the supervised use of psilocybin, and australia will permit medicines containing the compound to be prescribed by psychiatrists from july this year. in fact, psilocybin isn't the only psychedelic winning approval. australia is also permitting mdma or ecstacy to be prescribed for ptsd. the flip side of course here is that in the uk psilocybin research is not banned, just restricted. human trials into psilocybin treatments for depression were taking place in the uk almost ten years ago. some would argue robust regulation doesn't hold research back, it simply holds high standards. today though in parliament one labour mp asked for change — describing her own experience of ptsd as a living hell. iam home i am home this sort of treatment may offer a light at the end of a very dark tunnel, but it is this home office and scheduling policy that against all the evidence says this is not allowed which is stopping this. it feels like institutional

cruelty to condemn us to our misery when there are safe treatment options if the government would only let us access them last year, the government said it had no plans to reschedule psilocybin and lower restrictions on research. we're joined by tory mp and former justice minister crispin blunt, who's spoken in favour of easing restrictions on psilocybin and rosalind watts, a clinical psychologist who once enthusiastically advocated that too, but now has some reservations. let us start with crispin blunt. you obviously think that rescheduling is a good idea, what is holding the government back, do you think? i government back, do you think? i don't know. the, i suspect the issue is, the complexity and the evidential baselessness of our drugs law, and it makes it very difficult to get the sensible balance and the

sensible route forward, around a subject like this, when the scheduling of psilocybin has no evidence at all to support it. and when the government won't move, for whatever reason, then of course the noise and the pressure increase and increase, until they are driven to a point where they are to recognise there is no argument for leaving the reesearch restrictions in place as they are. now, i, very much welcome roslin's contribution on the debate on this, cautioning against overenthusiasm, making sure that she can speak for herself but within my own team, the lead within a cd pr g on this, is making a point that the psilocybin is only one part of the process, it is the therapy, and the psychiatry overseeing the treatment, that brings the whole to deliver the

success, and what we have to be able to do, is move as quickly as we reasonably can, to get all the, psilocybin first because it has the greatest degree of safety associated wit, together a place where people will be able to access treatment. before i come to rosalind, quickly, cpcrg for viewers who don't... conservative drug policy reform group, which is the think—tank i set “p group, which is the think—tank i set up in 2019. make sure i had specialist experts who can advice me, i am not an expert and to fill the gap between the science and research community and the policy makers which there has been a gaping void for too long. let makers which there has been a gaping void for too long.— void for too long. let us come to rosalind. _ void for too long. let us come to rosalind, who _ void for too long. let us come to rosalind, who obviously - void for too long. let us come to rosalind, who obviously you - void for too long. let us come to | rosalind, who obviously you have spent years looking at this, and you in 2017, i won't read back exactly what you were writing but you were enthusiastic, but you started to have some reservation, talk us

through what happened and why you developed those.— developed those. sure, in 2017, i did a ted ex _ developed those. sure, in 2017, i did a ted ex talk _ developed those. sure, in 2017, i did a ted ex talk about _ developed those. sure, in 2017, i did a ted ex talk about the - did a ted ex talk about the potential about psilocybin to unlock depression, based on patient i had worked _ depression, based on patient i had worked with and the amazing results and the _ worked with and the amazing results and the enthusiasm i felt and others felt too _ and the enthusiasm i felt and others felt too and over the years of working — felt too and over the years of working with the patients i realiseded it is not a one hit wonder. _ realiseded it is not a one hit wonder, ate complex process, it requires — wonder, ate complex process, it requires lots of care and community infrastructure, for after a psychedelic therapy session we need communities to be ready to support people an _ communities to be ready to support people an ongoing way, there is a lot we _ people an ongoing way, there is a lot we need to do to prepare for psychedelic therapy. gne lot we need to do to prepare for psychedelic therapy.— psychedelic therapy. one of the thin . s we psychedelic therapy. one of the things we were _ psychedelic therapy. one of the things we were talking - psychedelic therapy. one of the things we were talking about i psychedelic therapy. one of the - things we were talking about before we came on air, was over time, the effects can diminish, can't they, so, how do you deal with that? absolutely, i think we need what is called _ absolutely, i think we need what is called integration programmes where you work— called integration programmes where you work with someone after this window— you work with someone after this window of— you work with someone after this window of opportunity that it can

bring _ window of opportunity that it can bring about