live from london, this is bbc news. the british veteran presenter phillip schofield says he has agreed to step down from itv�*s this morning �*with immediate effect�* after more than 20 years ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky meets uk prime minister rishi sunak at the g7 summit injapan — after landing zelensky tweeted that "peace will be closer" as a result of meetings. russia hits back at a deal to supply ukraine with f—16fighterjets — saying it's fraught with "massive risks" for the west — amid claims from the notorious wagner mercenary group that bakhmut is now under russian control. in northern ireland, the republican political party sinn fein is on track to become the largest party in local government — with calls for the return of local rule in stormont.

hello, i'm mark lobel. here in the uk, it's been announced within the last hour that tv presenter phillip schofield is to step down from the programme this morning with "immediate effect" after more than 20 years on the itv programme, the broadcaster has announced. the 61—year—old tv presenter will not return to co—host the morning talk show with holly willoughby, with thursday's show being his last. in an statement, itv said that holly willoughby will remain on this morning and will co—present with members of the this morning family. despite his departure from this morning, phillip schofield will continue to present peak time shows for itv. this is the statement mr schofield has posted on his instagram a short time ago.

we've also had a statement from his co—host holly willoughby. she said it's been over 13 years... she said the sofa won't feel the same without him. with more on this — we canjoin robin brant in the newsroom.

we will ask him as soon as we get him about the context. why has this come from? why has he been asked to stand down by itv? fist come from? why has he been asked to stand down by itv?— stand down by itv? at the heart, this is about _ stand down by itv? at the heart, this is about a _ stand down by itv? at the heart, this is about a crisis _ stand down by itv? at the heart, this is about a crisis of _ stand down by itv? at the heart, i this is about a crisis of reputation for philip schofield, a veteran tv presenter, and if you are on itv executive, concerns about reputation damage of this morning, which is a bedrock in terms of atb�*s schedule, running for four decades. let's breakdown a couple of themes. the importance of the show, how important it is for itv. let's look at the statement. i think the most important thing is, in terms of what he says, i understand itv understands the situation congo on. clearly there was pressure on him to

do something about this —— situation can't go on. the pressure from itv, it was his decision under the pressure to stand down. the crisis has been caused by the trial, conviction and then jailing of his younger brother, timothy scofield, who was convicted of child abuse, has been sent to jail for 12 years. philip schofield gave some testimony in those proceedings, he had a break from heading the programme. the has been much talk on social media about the relationship between those two presenters, phillip schofield and holly willoughby, that chemistry is the bedrock of the programme and why the bedrock of the programme and why the viewers play so much importance in it. the context, look at the pressure he admits he was under, the decision he has taken, and the part

of the explanation is because of the chemistry between the two presenters and rumours that have persisted that relationships have begun to breakdown.— relationships have begun to breakdown. . , ., ., breakdown. that has led us to now. i don't know — breakdown. that has led us to now. i don't know if— breakdown. that has led us to now. i don't know if you _ breakdown. that has led us to now. i don't know if you use _ breakdown. that has led us to now. i don't know if you use to _ breakdown. that has led us to now. i don't know if you use to watch - don't know if you use to watch children's television presented by phillip schofield, but he is a huge character on british television. take your pick in terms of people who have been at the forefront of broadcasting on itv or the bbc for much of their work and life and how many people have grown up with them. he started out when he was 17, he is 61 now. he had a stellar career as a children's presenter and moved over to itv and has presented lots of programmes, across—the—board, in terms of light entertainment, journalism. many people will have followed his life story. it was only a few years ago he came out on air

and reveal to his viewers he was gay, despite the fact he was married and had children. he is someone people have grown up with, and that illustrates as well be a portent of the kind of person he is and what he brings to itv, and also his reputation, his relationship with holly willoughby. it is important and that is why the events have brought to bear and found us in a crisis for him that he finds himself in. . ., ., , in. itv calling time on philip schofield's _ in. itv calling time on philip schofield's plays _ in. itv calling time on philip schofield's plays on - in. itv calling time on philip schofield's plays on the - in. itv calling time on philip schofield's plays on the this morning sofa, but not on his presenting duties on itv. earlier we spoke to the tv critic scott bryan — on th significance of phillip schofield's departure. they have had such a popularity for

a number of years, but their chemistry is the success of the show. it has been so popular online, many of the moments have become big viral moments on twitter and youtube and so forth. the issue is when there is press speculation that relations have strained between the two, that can actually overshadow the show. in the last week, viewers have been tuning into this morning notjust to have been tuning into this morning not just to see the have been tuning into this morning notjust to see the enjoyment of them, but to work out whether the accusations of a falling out were actually true or not. it comes to itv bosses, they operably think and it is too much of a destruction. we want advertisers, to be a popular programme, we don't want the attention. it is a surprise it has

broken randomly on saturday, but it isn't unexpected. it is difficult when the public change opinion of you, when they start to go negative. it is difficult when you are atb presenter to get them back again. from having monitored their body language, you aren't surprised? == language, you aren't surprised? -- itv language, you aren't surprised? » itv presenter. it is not about body language, but how much press attention that has been over the last week and how much of a show has beenin last week and how much of a show has been in the headlines for the reasons itv bosses aren't happy about. i think you have a show which relies on such chemistry between the two, and once there is accusations that actually thinks behind—the—scenes are not as good as they might appear, it is difficult to prove viewers otherwise. i think that has been the challenged year, and i think that itv have had a

tradition of parting company with presenters if it doesn't go that well for them in the shorts or into the long—term. in the long run, they are a commercial challenge that expect to have advertisers and want to go have the right form of attention. i think even though philip and holly have been a geo who have been one of the most successful presenting partnerships on tv for a number of year, have worn awards, have certainly become part of british daytime history, i think itv felt the attention they are having in the last few weeks was too much for them. in the last few weeks was too much forthem. i in the last few weeks was too much for them. i think it is also, regarding an interview with your most recent contributor, this is not

necessarily new, dating back from the allegations of him skipping the queue for the queen's funeral, which they have denied. that was the start of the public opinions towards holly and phil changing. and then that continuing with a quiz where prices were having your energy bills paid during a cost of living crisis. many people saw that as distasteful. over the last year, i think there's been some difficulties that this morning has been facing with the public, and at the end of the day, this morning wants to be a positive programme that gets attention for the right reasons and not the wrong reasons. philip schofield has been asked by itv to leave this morning sofa, he's presented his le show. holly willoughby will remain, she will take a break for half term. she will

return on the 5th ofjune and joined by members of this morning family. ukraine's president zelensky has arrived injapan where he's meeting world leaders at the g7 summit. he's said that "peace will become closer" after the us agreed to train ukrainian pilots on american fi6 fighterjets, paving the way for european countries to supply the warplanes to kyiv. moscow said western countries will be running �*colossal risks' if the jets are sent to ukraine. our political editor chris mason reports from hiroshima. the airport here has welcomed rather a few leaders in the last few days. and here came another one. after a tour of europe and a trip to the middle east, president zelensky arrived in japan today. long haul diplomacy amid a long, drawn out war and ongoing pleas for help. they met on monday in the uk and they met again here.

the president and the prime minister. ukraine's leader said enhanced cooperation would bring victory for him and claimed peace is closer and closer to peace. for months, ukraine has been asking for warplanes and in particular, these fighter jets, f—i6s. america, which makes them, has now said its allies who have them can give them to ukraine. the uk doesn't have any of these planes, but is one of several countries, including the us, that will help the ukrainian air force. the united states will support a joint effort to train ukrainian pilots on fourth generation fighter aircraft, including f—i6s. we have turned to discussions about improving the ukrainian air force as part of our long term commitment to ukraine's self defence. this is unquestionably a big win for ukraine, securing the first stage of what it's long hoped for,

the training of its pilots with the expectation that the planes themselves will follow. and president zelensky is the centre of attention here and that sends a pretty blunt message to moscow. but not everyone is a straightforward cheerleader for ukraine. the indian prime minister, narendra modi, has never condemned russia's invasion. the g7 leaders gathered for what's known as their family photo this afternoon. they'll have more talks with volodymyr zelensky throughout the weekend. the g7 leaders are warning countries who use trade as a weapon that they will face "consequences". in a statement they explained any country trying to, as they put it, "weaponise" economic dependence would fail. but they insisted their policy was not designed to target china, but to promote global economic resilience. the leaders have also reiterated their commitment to phasing out fossilfuels,

and meeting their common goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest in order to keep a global warming limit of 1.5 celsius within reach. artificial intelligence was also a major talking point. the leaders have called for the establishment of standards to make sure ai is trustworthy and in line with shared democratic values. meanwhile — ukraine's military has denied claims by the leader of russia's wagner mercenary group that its forces are now in full control of the fiercely contested ukrainian city of bakhmut. the ukrainian defence minister, though, admits the situation is critical. the claim came after the group posted a video on social media showing yevgeny prigozhin and his men in combat fatigues, holding flags against the backdrop of ruined buildings. mr prigozhin alleged that they had no help from regular russian forces, saying the top brass had turned the war into their personal entertainment.

mr prigozhin made claims of fully controlling bakhmut before, but each time they were disproved by the ukrainians. we can speak now to suzanne loftus, research fellow with the quincy institute for responsible statecraft. thank you forjoining us. unfortunately, she is unable to speak to us because her line is frozen. if we can get back to her, we will because plenty to talk to her about. now it's time for a look at today's sport with chetan. it's the penultimate weekend of games in the english premier league, with everything from the title to survival on the line. tottenham's hopes of qualifying for the europa league suffered a significant setback as their final home game ended in defeat. harry kane had given them the lead over brentford, as they looked

to strengthen their chances of finishing in the top six and qualifying for europe but they then let in three second half goals. in contrast, thomas frank and brentford have had another impressive season and thanks to bryan mbuemo and yoane wissa they won 3—1 and stay ninth. spurs are eighth for now. interim boss ryan mason was asked for his thoughts on his players afterwards. before the game today, the one at aston villa last week. there is only one way to act. if we can't do it, that is disappointing. is there still hope you will qualify for europe? i am not sure, it is out of our hands now so we have to see what other teams do and stay focussed on trying to get a result at leeds. in terms of the fight for european football, as things stand manchester united are guaranteed a place

in the champions league next season because they lead at bournemouth i—o thanks to casemiro. and liverpool are still losing 1—0 at home to aston villa with these games approaching the hour mark. if it stays that way, newcastle will be back in the champions league for the first time in 20 years. everton remain a point outside the relegation zone as they're losing 1—0 at wolves. manchester city could be champions later — if nottingham forest beat arsenal in the late game. in the german bundesliga, big games at the bottom of the table for schalke and herta berlin. later it's first v third as the leaders bayern munich can move four points clear of dortmund if they beat leipzig in the late game. in spain, villarreal needed a win to keep the pressure on the top four as they try to qualify for the champions league, and they got it beating girona it's 2—1. getafe can move out of the bottom three if they win at relegated elche. champions barcelona play

fourth place real sociedad in the late game. three games in italy's serie a — cremonese have been relegated after losing 5—1 to bologna. later ac milan will look to put the disappointment of losing their champions league semi final behind them, they play relegated sampdoria and need a win to keep their hopes of finishing in the top four alive. brittney griner has made her competitive return to basketball for the phoenix mercury. the american player spent 10 months in russian custody for possessing cannabis oil, before the us government struck a deal with russia. before the game, griner, the two—time olympic champion, was cheered by the crowd as she warmed up, despite being on the away team. us vice—president kamala harris attended the match and met the phoenix mercury players. griner scored 18 points but her side were beaten 9a—7i by the los angeles sparks in their season opener. it was nice to be back on court, real game and everything.

the love from the fans was amazing when i came out. the players, you know, i definitely felt it. i felt it when i was over there still, every single coach in this league that reached out, did anything. it was nice, but performance wise, just wasn't good enough, couldn't help the team. in tennis, holger rune — the man who knocked out novak djokovic — is into the final of the rome masters after coming from a set down to beat last year's french open finalist casper ruud. daniil medvedev is playing stefanos tsitsipas in the other semifinal. it's four games all in the first set with play currently suspended. meanwhile, ukraine's anhelina kalinina will face wimbledon champion, elena rubyakina in the women's final later — after kalinina beat russia's veronika kudermetova in three sets, and dedicated her victory to the people of ukraine.

she didn't shake hands, with kudermetova at the net, because of russia's invasion of her country. the leaders at the uspga championship at oak hill get their third rounds underway in just over three hours or so, scottie scheffler, viktor hovland and corey conners all on five under with a share of the lead at the half way point. you can follow the latest on the bbc sport website, that's all for now. more breaking news, that the international criminal courts is accusing russia of acts of intimidation, and this is because the icc is responding to reports moscow has issued an arrest warrant for the prosecutor of the icc. the icc has responded to reports russia hasissued icc has responded to reports russia has issued an arrest warrant for the icc prosecutor. the british prosecutor was added to the interior

ministry's wanted list in russia, citing the database, according to russian media. moscow has open cases notjust russian media. moscow has open cases not just against the prosecutor of the icc, but also three judges, not just against the prosecutor of the icc, but also threejudges, on most of 20 of, days after the order for present putin's arrest by the icc. that was after the prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for vladimir putin for warm crime —— war crime charges. it was ordering the detention of vladimir putin for war crimes alleged that the alleged abduction of ukrainian children, which is a problem when president putin, should he enter a country which subscribes to the icc, such as south africa, whether he could enter countries and whether he would have to be bylaw arrested. this is

russia's reaction, which the icc is describing as an act of intimidation, to undermine the mandate of the international criminal court to prevent the commission of the gravest international crimes. just to recap the breaking news, the international criminal court is responding to reports moscow has issued an arrest warrant for the prosecutor of the icc, alongside three iccjudges. the icc, alongside three iccjudges. the icc have called it an act of intimidation and called it unacceptable. let's get some reaction. we have a research fellow with the quincy institute for responsible spacecraft. you are hearing the news as we are hearing it. you surprise, and do you think it. you surprise, and do you think it is crossing a line?— it. you surprise, and do you think it is crossing a line? well, no, i'm

not surprised- _ it is crossing a line? well, no, i'm not surprised. it _ it is crossing a line? well, no, i'm not surprised. it is _ it is crossing a line? well, no, i'm not surprised. it is a _ it is crossing a line? well, no, i'm not surprised. it is a counter - it is crossing a line? well, no, i'm| not surprised. it is a counter move on the side of the russians, and they are trying to undermine the icc and its accusations of putin as being a war criminal. it is subject to continue and carry on in this game of blaming one another and trying to charge the other for various crimes. so i'm not surprise at all, and unfortunately, russia is not a signatory of the icc, so there's not much the icc can ultimately do. it would have two, the west would have to enter russia by force and actively try to get putin to be in court, which i don't think would be very likely. in terms ofthe think would be very likely. in terms of the practicalities, _ think would be very likely. in terms

of the practicalities, if _ think would be very likely. in terms of the practicalities, if president. of the practicalities, if president putin strays into countries, do you think there are other countries the prosecutor couldn't enter? weill. think there are other countries the prosecutor couldn't enter?- prosecutor couldn't enter? well, i don't think — prosecutor couldn't enter? well, i don't think it _ prosecutor couldn't enter? well, i don't think it will _ prosecutor couldn't enter? well, i don't think it will go _ prosecutor couldn't enter? well, i don't think it will go through. - prosecutor couldn't enter? well, i don't think it will go through. it i don't think it will go through. it is something russia isjust don't think it will go through. it is something russia is just saying out loud as a response to what was going on before, but it doesn't mean it is actively going to be an issue for him around the world. i just for him around the world. i 'ust want to ask fl for him around the world. i 'ust want to ask you i for him around the world. i 'ust want to ask you one i for him around the world. i 'ust want to ask you one finalh for him around the world. ijust want to ask you one final question about the g7 summit. do you think the renewed sanctions or the increased sanctions on russia that have been unveiled likely to make a difference? ~ ., �* ~' have been unveiled likely to make a difference? ~ ., �* ~ difference? well, i don't think so, and the previous _ difference? well, i don't think so, and the previous sanctions - difference? well, i don't think so, and the previous sanctions have i difference? well, i don't think so, i and the previous sanctions have not done what the nations that imposed them had hoped they would do, because russia sofa has not changed its behaviour. the new sanctions are intended to make it more difficult for russia to fund its war, but

based on the fact they haven't worked thus far, i don't see them having an impact. fir worked thus far, i don't see them having an impact.— worked thus far, i don't see them having an impact. or the right, very time foryou — having an impact. or the right, very time for you to _ having an impact. or the right, very time for you to react _ having an impact. or the right, very time for you to react to _ having an impact. or the right, very time for you to react to the - time for you to react to the breaking news as we received it. thank you. now, to northern ireland, where sinn fein is on course to be the largest party in local government in northern ireland for the first time. it has continued to make gains on the second day of counting in council elections. a62 seats are being contested. live now to our northern ireland correspondent clodagh rice. what is the latest? welcome as you sa , it is what is the latest? welcome as you say. it is day — what is the latest? welcome as you say. it is day two — what is the latest? welcome as you say, it is day two of— what is the latest? welcome as you say, it is day two of counting - what is the latest? welcome as you say, it is day two of counting in - say, it is day two of counting in northern ireland for the local government elections, and we've got about 88% of the results so far. the big story has been the surge in support for sinn fein, the party that thinks there should be a united ireland. that has been the dominant story, sinn fein gaining support, particular in some areas that would

have typically being known as having a strong union stronghold. that will put the dup into second place, and it is the first team nationalist party will be the largest at a local government level. the big question will be what impact, if any, will these results have on the restoration of stormont? we have no executive in northern ireland because the dup is boycotting an executive in its position. but it will be in the coming weeks and months when we will get closer to finding out what this will mean in terms of restoring an executor. what terms of restoring an executor. what should we be — terms of restoring an executor. what should we be looking _ terms of restoring an executor. what should we be looking out for in terms of power—sharing at stormont? i think it will be interesting to see the mood music. we know the gains for sinn fein. sinn fein would save this show is the majority of people want to see an executive restored, but the dup boat has held

up, it hasn't lost in the majority are places —— dup vote. they will say that a summer mandate for them to boycott the restoration of an executor. . ~ to boycott the restoration of an executor. ., ~ , ., to boycott the restoration of an executor. . ~' , ., , to boycott the restoration of an executor. ., ~ , ., , ., , executor. thank you bring in ows the later is on the _ executor. thank you bring in ows the later is on the northern _ executor. thank you bring in ows the later is on the northern ireland - later is on the northern ireland elections, which has an important part to play on the deadlock in stormont. thank you mr king with us. there is plenty more, including the breaking news that philip schofield has stepped down from this morning. hello there. we've got differing fortunes across the four home nations this weekend. have a look out of the window here in west wales, beautifully sunny, feeling lovely and warm

in the sunshine in light winds. move northwards into scotland, much more layered cloud. earlier on that's brought some rain, that rain tending to peter out for the most part. the cloud covers scotland and northern ireland and we're starting to see something a little bit wetter coming into the far north—west. underneath that cloud, temperatures are going to be around 16 or 17, could be a touch warmer as it brightens up in the moray firth, but in the sunshine across england and wales, temperatures reaching 20 or2i. in the west a little cooler around some north sea coasts. i mentioned some rain coming into the north—west and this evening and overnight, it gets a bit wetter for a while in scotland and northern ireland before the rain tends to peter out. could see a bit of mist, fog and low cloud again across eastern areas of england, and with clearer skies in england and wales, temperatures could be as low as four or 5 degrees. let's set the scene for sunday and we've got high pressure extending across the uk. that weather front bringing the rain overnight gets stuck in scotland and just peters out. a bit more of an east or north—easterly breeze could drag in some cloud from off

the north sea, particularly into the south—east of england. there will be some sunshine around as well. still that cloud for much of scotland and northern ireland, not much rain falling, though by the afternoon and in the far north—west, there could actually be some sunshine. not necessarily going to help the temperatures, mind you. may well be a little bit cooler in scotland and northern ireland on sunday. still the warm sunshine for england and wales and those temperatures reaching 20 or 21 celsius. into next week, not too much changes really, you've still got the high pressure around on monday. another weakening weather front moves in from the atlantic, bringing very little rain. following that, the odd shower perhaps for western scotland, perhaps northern ireland but on the whole, a lot of dry weather. plenty of sunshine for england and wales, maybe a slightly more northerly breeze on monday but those temperatures changing very little, 17 to 20 celsius. and that weather pattern continues into next week. again, high pressure is never too far away. it's going to be in the far north that we could see some weather front now and again and a stronger breeze

that maybe will bring some rain. but on the whole, a lot of dry weather into next week and those temperatures are near average as well. this is bbc news. the headlines: the british veteran presenter phillip schofield says he has agreed to step down from itv�*s this morning �*with immediate effect�* after more than 20 years. ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky meets uk prime minister rishi sunak at the g7 summit injapan. russia hits back at a deal to supply ukraine with f—i6 fighterjets — saying it�*s fraught with "massive risks" for the west — amid claims from the notorious wagner mercenary group that bakhmut is now under russian control. in northern ireland, the republican political party sinn fein is on track to become the largest party in local government — with calls for the return of local rule in stormont. and energy bills for a typical household in the uk