live from london, this is bbc news. long delays for some passengers travelling to the uk. a nationwide issue with the border force system leads to problems with egate passport controls. it's the final day of campaigning in turkey ahead of one of the country's most divisive presidential elections, where the economy and immigration are key concerns. i'm anna foster live in istanbul. president erdogan has just been here, making one of the final speech is just hours before voters cast their ballots. hello and welcome, i'm nancy kacungira. the home office says a nationwide issue with uk border force egates

is creating longer waiting times at passport control at airports across the country. it's understood the problems started on friday evening. there have been reports of long queues at arrivals in several british airports. this picture, tweeted on saturday morning from london heathrow�*s terminal 5, gives an idea of some of the delays which have been building up. heathrow has issued a statement, saying... "we are aware of a nationwide issue impacting the egates, which are operated by border force. our teams are working closely with border force to help resolve the problem as quickly as possible." the issue is being felt at all points of entry to the uk, although airports with passport egates seem to be worst affected. this was the scene at london luton. and these were some of the queues at london gatwick. a spokesperson there told us the problem first started between 7—8pm on friday evening. the uk home office, which oversees the border force, acknowledged that there is an issue

with its border system, but it told the bbc that it was "too sensitive to say," precisely what is happening. it's working to resolve the situation as swiftly as possible. but in the meantime, passport egates, which can be used by biometric passport holders from these countries, as well as uk passport holders, are not able to function as they should and that's the cause of the queues at many of the uk's largest airports. paul charles is the chief executive of the pc agency, a travel consultancy. he told me that this was already a serious problem. this is one of the worst outages already facing the passport egates system. in the past it has generally been for two or three hours, it has been fixed fairly quickly and we are already seeing the scale of this outage. from the photos you have shown and also the knock—on effects overseas. i'm getting reports from passengers stuck in airport in other countries.

it is leading to knock—on delays. it is fairly rare but the scale of the outage shows how unusual it is, and how lengthy this is likely to be. that does outline the impact. even airports beyond the uk are being affected. this is a busy weekend, it is not the greatest timing. it is one of the busiest weekends of the year, for the may half term. it is also the busiest period since the just before covid. more of us are wanting to fly away, lots of families are travelling, and the planes are full. we are seeing some 2 million seats coming into the uk, the vast majority of the seats are full and airports have never been busier. that is putting pressure on the egates system and that isn't

white may have fallen over. it can't cope with the volume of people at the time. how does this impact passengers? it has enormous implications, but also for crews and those working at airports and airlines. passengers get lengthy queues, they get frustrated, you hear the fruity language on social media. that knocks on to those who are abroad. planes are being delayed and in some cases cancelled, and it causes enormous frustrations. whether they have arrived back or being held in the aircraft, or for those who cannot get into the uk because they are being held abroad. let's get the latest from our reporter at heathrow airport graham satchell.

what's happening there? there is siunificant what's happening there? there is significant disruption _ what's happening there? there is significant disruption here - what's happening there? there is significant disruption here at - significant disruption here at heathrow, we have been talking to passengers trying to get through passport control. some of them say they have been stuck, for more than three hours, one described it as the mother of all cues. pathogens at gatwick told us the situation there was a joke. they are smaller airports but still major airports, manchester, edinburgh, say they are coping with the situation but there are still delays. what we are seeing is a significant disruption to airports where people are arriving all over the uk. in airports where people are arriving all over the uk.— all over the uk. in terms of communication _ all over the uk. in terms of communication of- all over the uk. in terms of communication of when - all over the uk. in terms of| communication of when and all over the uk. in terms of- communication of when and how this might be resolved, are people getting any advice? i might be resolved, are people getting any advice?— might be resolved, are people getting any advice? i should be clear that this _ getting any advice? i should be clear that this is _ getting any advice? i should be clear that this is affecting - getting any advice? i should be i clear that this is affecting people who are arriving into the uk. this

is a problem with the uk border system. people who are leaving are not having as much problems. the issueis not having as much problems. the issue is where you would normally check your passport in the e—gate, thatis check your passport in the e—gate, that is not working. as to when this will be resolved, the home office say they are working on this, they are trying to fix this as a priority. i asked them what is it they are trying to fix, they said it was to sensitive to say. still many questions- — was to sensitive to say. still many questions- in _ was to sensitive to say. still many questions. in terms _ was to sensitive to say. still many questions. in terms of _ was to sensitive to say. still many questions. in terms of what - was to sensitive to say. still many questions. in terms of what is - questions. in terms of what is happening around the country, how much impact is this having on passengers? it much impact is this having on passengers?— much impact is this having on assenaers? , . ., passengers? it is having a massive im act. passengers? it is having a massive imact. it passengers? it is having a massive impact it is _ passengers? it is having a massive impact it is a _ passengers? it is having a massive impact. it is a busy _ passengers? it is having a massive impact. it is a busy weekend, - passengers? it is having a massive impact. it is a busy weekend, a - passengers? it is having a massive i impact. it is a busy weekend, a bank holiday weekend. it is the start of the spring half term for many students. it is one of the busiest weekends we have had in a long time. particularly if you take into

account covid. there are people arriving from all over the world who are struggling to get through passport control. there have been other problems. jove, there was a problem with the french immigration earlier and that caused a bit of a backlog. they are still trying to work that through. it is not a great picture if you are trying to get away for the spring bank holiday weekend. . ~ away for the spring bank holiday weekend. ., ~ , ., , . weekend. thank you very much. re ”ortin weekend. thank you very much. reporting from _ weekend. thank you very much. reporting from heathrow. - let's talk now to marc baret, he's arrived at heathrow airport this morning and found a huge queue — and was forced to change his plana to reach manchester, his final destination. tell us what happened this morning? when i arrived at the airport, we were _ when i arrived at the airport, we were informed that the british airways— were informed that the british airways flight to manchester had been _ airways flight to manchester had been cancelled, which followed from

some _ been cancelled, which followed from some of— been cancelled, which followed from some of the it problems yesterday. i decided _ some of the it problems yesterday. i decided to— some of the it problems yesterday. i decided to take the train to travel to manchester, but for that i needed to manchester, but for that i needed to get— to manchester, but for that i needed to get out— to manchester, but for that i needed to get out of heathrow airport. there _ to get out of heathrow airport. there was_ to get out of heathrow airport. there was absolute chaos at passport controi _ there was absolute chaos at passport controi i_ there was absolute chaos at passport control. i waited two and a half hours _ control. i waited two and a half hours to — control. i waited two and a half hours to get out of the airport. and there _ hours to get out of the airport. and there were — hours to get out of the airport. and there were people getting really frustrated, there were a few individuals trying to jump queues, the police — individuals trying to jump queues, the police had to get engaged. we had a _ the police had to get engaged. we had a passenger that fainted. it looks_ had a passenger that fainted. it looks like — had a passenger that fainted. it looks like the airport was not prepared _ looks like the airport was not prepared for the amount of passenger volume. _ prepared for the amount of passenger volume, they certainly didn't have a contingency plan in case something went wrong with that subsystem. those _ went wrong with that subsystem. those are — went wrong with that subsystem. those are awful scenes from. how easy was it to find out what was going on? was communication good, did you understand what was happening?— did you understand what was haueninr? , ., happening? there was absolutely no communication. _ happening? there was absolutely no communication. the _ happening? there was absolutely no communication. the staff _ happening? there was absolutely no communication. the staff were - happening? there was absolutely no| communication. the staff were doing their best _ communication. the staff were doing their best to try and corral the passengers around the airport.

because — passengers around the airport. because of the volume of passengers that were _ because of the volume of passengers that were coming at the same time with the _ that were coming at the same time with the flights, they were queueing the passengers not doing multiple circular— the passengers not doing multiple circular routes around the building. it circular routes around the building. it was _ circular routes around the building. it was impossible to hear announcements, there was no effort to explain— announcements, there was no effort to explain to the passengers what was happening. to explain to the passengers what was happening-— was happening. difficult for staff and passengers. _ was happening. difficult for staff and passengers. you _ was happening. difficult for staff and passengers. you had - was happening. difficult for staff and passengers. you had to - was happening. difficult for staff i and passengers. you had to change your plans, were you speaking to other passengers? were other people having to do the same? yes. other passengers? were other people having to do the same?— having to do the same? yes, there were a lot — having to do the same? yes, there were a lot of _ having to do the same? yes, there were a lot of international- were a lot of international passengers arriving in london. many people _ passengers arriving in london. many people didn't know if they would be able to— people didn't know if they would be able to catch their ongoing journeys, very frustrating. she considered that heathrow is one of the largest airports in the world, these _ the largest airports in the world, these kinds of events happen regularly, whether it is an it

breakdown or problems with british airways— breakdown or problems with british airways or— breakdown or problems with british airways or the passport system. you have to _ airways or the passport system. you have to wonder if the infrastructure is appropriately set up. we have to wonder if the infrastructure is appropriately set up.— is appropriately set up. we are sorry that _ is appropriately set up. we are sorry that you _ is appropriately set up. we are sorry that you had _ is appropriately set up. we are sorry that you had that - is appropriately set up. we are - sorry that you had that experience. thank you for sharing it with us. we are going to turkey. turks will go back to the polls on sunday in a presidential election run—off between the long—time authoritarian leader, recep tayyip erdogan, and his main rival, the secular opposition leader, kemal kilicdaroglu. in the first round earlier this month, president erdogan won 49.5% of the vote, just over 4% more than his rival. both candidates are chasing support from nationalist voters. we go live two anna foster. the

focus of the _ we go live two anna foster. the focus of the final _ we go live two anna foster. tia: focus of the final hours of campaigning in this presidential run—off. in the last hour, president erdogan has swept into this place, it is a mausoleum, the burial place of a former turkish prime minister, and hanged in 1960. they are sweeping away the bottles of water, it was a sea of turkish flags, he made a speech about democracy. there is so much at stake in this final few hours before the polls open tomorrow morning. both the men have a chance of winning, in the last round, which act or almost a 50% that he needed but not quite. that is why the turks will vote once again on key issues like the economy, the response to the earthquakes and also, just in this last week, an increasing focus on

immigrants. particularly syrian refugees in turkey and their future. let's talk about this with a journalist from istanbul. it wasn't a rally, it was a strange mutant event that was being filmed by the media team. what do we draw from an event like this?— event like this? right now, there is less than 24 _ event like this? right now, there is less than 24 hours _ event like this? right now, there is less than 24 hours till _ event like this? right now, there is less than 24 hours till elections - less than 24 hours till elections and the — less than 24 hours till elections and the propaganda ban has started. at the _ and the propaganda ban has started. at the same time, it is the anniversary of turkey's first military _ anniversary of turkey's first military coup after the establishment of the republic. the president _ establishment of the republic. the president is sort of bypassing the propaganda ban by coming here. he maybe _ propaganda ban by coming here. he maybe shouldn't have made a speech but he _ maybe shouldn't have made a speech but he addressed the emotions. these elections _ but he addressed the emotions. these elections are about emotions and he called _ elections are about emotions and he called on _ elections are about emotions and he called on people to go to the ballot boxes _ called on people to go to the ballot boxes and — called on people to go to the ballot boxes and he said that turkey has

shown _ boxes and he said that turkey has shown itself as a exemplary democracy with a high level of participation, 88%. there is a trap there. _ participation, 88%. there is a trap there, western democracies have lower— there, western democracies have lower participation rates, that doesn't — lower participation rates, that doesn't make them less democratic. secondly, _ doesn't make them less democratic. secondly, turks go to the ballot box because _ secondly, turks go to the ballot box because they feel this is the only way they— because they feel this is the only way they can have a say in the political life. other than that turks — political life. other than that turks don't like to be members of associations or unions and at the end of— associations or unions and at the end of the — associations or unions and at the end of the day, it is notjust about voting _ end of the day, it is notjust about voting but— end of the day, it is notjust about voting but it — end of the day, it is notjust about voting but it is about the process towards — voting but it is about the process towards the voting day. there, i don't _ towards the voting day. there, i don't think— towards the voting day. there, i don't think we have had an equal playing _ don't think we have had an equal playing field, just like we saw here, — playing field, just like we saw here, the _ playing field, just like we saw here, the president has used all the means— here, the president has used all the means of— here, the president has used all the means of the state, the party organisation, to make his propaganda. a simple example, i could _ propaganda. a simple example, i could receive a text from the

interior— could receive a text from the interior minister, the interior minister— interior minister, the interior minister should not be campaigning but we _ minister should not be campaigning but we have heard that the opposition leader was banned from sending _ opposition leader was banned from sending text messages, but we have seen this— sending text messages, but we have seen this disparity. i have received another— seen this disparity. i have received another message saying that my natural— another message saying that my natural gas bill of may will be paid by the _ natural gas bill of may will be paid by the state, thanks to the gas found — by the state, thanks to the gas found in— by the state, thanks to the gas found in the black sea, which is again — found in the black sea, which is again... there have been some discoveries— again... there have been some discoveries but these discoveries are not— discoveries but these discoveries are not reached that our households. we know _ are not reached that our households. we know these are thanks to russia postponing national gas payments. the president has been using all propaganda means. back in the last few hours. — propaganda means. back in the last few hours, kemal kilicdaroglu was treating _ few hours, kemal kilicdaroglu was treating an hour ago that if he became — treating an hour ago that if he became president they would be able to watch— became president they would be able

to watch football. do became president they would be able to watch football.— to watch football. do you think eo - le to watch football. do you think people are _ to watch football. do you think people are still _ to watch football. do you think people are still making - to watch football. do you think people are still making up - to watch football. do you think| people are still making up their minds? i people are still making up their minds? . ., , minds? i have a feeling most people know who they _ minds? i have a feeling most people know who they will _ minds? i have a feeling most people know who they will vote _ minds? i have a feeling most people know who they will vote for. - minds? i have a feeling most people know who they will vote for. i - minds? i have a feeling most people know who they will vote for. i also i know who they will vote for. i also feel that _ know who they will vote for. i also feel that there is a number of undecided during the first round, which _ undecided during the first round, which have — undecided during the first round, which have decided not according to economic— which have decided not according to economic hardship, but fears that the president has spread. saying that the — the president has spread. saying that the opposition leader is in an alliance _ that the opposition leader is in an alliance with terrorists, all these fears. _ alliance with terrorists, all these fears. the — alliance with terrorists, all these fears, the fact there was propaganda in insecurity, i don't think this will change in the second round. it will change in the second round. it has will change in the second round. has been will change in the second round. it has been bad—tempered and divisive. that is another issue in politics in generak — that is another issue in politics in general. turkey has become an extremeiy— general. turkey has become an extremely polarised country, erdogan

has designed the country to have two blocks _ has designed the country to have two blocks where one is not the alternative to the other. if the opposition supporters are not happy with the _ opposition supporters are not happy with the opposition party they feel they cannot cross to the other side. the supporters of erdogan are aware that they _ the supporters of erdogan are aware that they are not working well and the economy has problems but the probiem _ the economy has problems but the probiem is — the economy has problems but the problem is they cannot cross the line _ problem is they cannot cross the line we — problem is they cannot cross the line. we have seen 7% drop in the ruling _ line. we have seen 7% drop in the ruling party— line. we have seen 7% drop in the ruling party and only three points for the _ ruling party and only three points for the opposition party. when you are polarised and you have identity at stake. _ are polarised and you have identity at stake, economic states are on the background. — at stake, economic states are on the background, they stay within their lines _ background, they stay within their lines. instead of voting for the ruling — lines. instead of voting for the ruling party, day switch to the other — ruling party, day switch to the other party in the alliance. thank ou for other party in the alliance. thank you forjoining — other party in the alliance. thank you forjoining us. _ other party in the alliance. thank you forjoining us. those - other party in the alliance. thank you forjoining us. those polls i other party in the alliance. thank. you forjoining us. those polls open tomorrow morning. by tomorrow

evening, we should have an idea of who the next leader will be. puma who the next leader will be. anna foster there _ who the next leader will be. anna foster there for _ who the next leader will be. anna foster there for us. _ itv has issued a statement saying that it investigated rumours of a relationship between the british tv presenter phillip schofield and a younger employee in 2020 but both repeatedly denied it. the statement goes on to say that in addition, itv spoke to a number of people who worked on this morning and they were not provided with and did not find any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour. itv says that a statement issued by the presenter yesterday reveals that he lied to people from senior management to fellow presenters, his agents and to the media over this relationship now it's time for a look at today's sport. it's a huge day for both luton town and coventry city, one of those teams, will end the day, in the english premier league. both teams have punched above their weight in the second

tier championship this season, and now, they meet at wembley in london for the championship play—off final. our reporterjoe lynskey is there for us now. coventry boss mark robbins has called this final one for the romantics, both been on some journey to get to here. absolutely. fans are starting to arrive at wembley for what is known as the most lucrative one—off match in football. the prize is a place in the premier league and the riches of around £170 million that goes with it. for both teams, the top flight would have felt so far away, five years ago they met each other in league 2. before that luton town were in non—league, they came up in 2014. it would be extraordinary, were they to take this next leap,

not least because their stadium would be the smallest ever in the premier league. coventry, and have had stadium issue since their relegation 21 years ago. they spent several parts of season in temporary home grounds, now they are back home in their own city. thatjourney that has had so many ups and downs could see them reach the very top. in terms of the football, is there a clear favourite? terms of the football, is there a clearfavourite? it terms of the football, is there a clear favourite ?_ clear favourite? it is to close to call the sky _ clear favourite? it is to close to call the sky blues _ clear favourite? it is to close to call the sky blues make - clear favourite? it is to close to call the sky blues make pointsl clear favourite? it is to close to l call the sky blues make points in the fact that they had an awful start to the season, coventry were inside the bottom three, but their manager, mark robins has helped them to keep rising. they believe they can do this. for luton keep an eye

out for the midfielder who has been with a club for a few years, he could become the first player this afternoon to go with one club from the non—league to the top flight. and thank you forjoining us from wembley. the english women's super league title, will be decided later. at the end of a season, that has been, its most competitive, and most keenly followed. chelsea go to reading, knowing a win, will secure a 4th successive title, ahead of second—placed manchester united who are at liverpool. i think back to every campaign, we have only ever won by a couple of points at best, maybe one game, this is business as usual for us. the preparation is what we prepared for at the beginning of the season.

in scotland celtic will get the trophy after the final game against aberdeen. it is half—time and celtic are 2—0. aberdeen will finish third, whilst heart against hibs, is pivotal the derby will provide the final place. hearts have had a player sent off. rangers are leading at st mirren. its a big afternoon in rugby union as well with the english premiership to be decided at twickenham. saracens, who finished top of the table are targeting a sixth league title when they take on sale sharks in this the premiership final. the sharks are in their first final in 17 years, having lifted the trophy on their only previous appearance, back in 2006. max verstappen was quickest in the final practice of the monaco grand

prix. with qualifying in a couple of hours. keep up to date with that on the bbc sport website but that's all your sport for now. russian state television has released images that claim to show the extent of destruction in bakhmut. the battle for the eastern ukrainian city, has been the longest and bloodiest of the war. the russian mercenary group, wagner, have said they've fully captured the city — but ukraine denies this. the country's most senior security official has told the bbc, that ukraine is ready to launch its long—expected counter—offensive against russian forces. oleksiy danilov said the planned assault was an "historic opportunity". he was speaking exclusively to our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. this is what is left of bakhmut, ruins controlled by russian forces. mercenaries from the waggoner group

claim they are withdrawing and being replaced by regular russian troops. ukraine insists its forces are still engaged on the ground. the countries most senior security official told us. translation: we control 'ust a small part of the city i and we admit to that. but you have to keep in mind that bakhmut has played a big role in this war. it was a separate defence operation that played a big role today and in the future. are the wagner mercenaries withdrawing, as their leader says? translation: yes, that is happening. but it doesn't mean that they will stop fighting us. they're going to concentrate more on other fronts. our intelligence is following that. we understand where they will appear next. they are regrouping to other locations and we are following that. all the while, ukraine is preparing

a counter offensive. this propaganda video broadcast by military commanders, encourage what they call a decisive offensive. but when might it begin. brute a decisive offensive. but when might it beuin. ~ ., it begin. we will figure out where that will start, _ it begin. we will figure out where that will start, it _ it begin. we will figure out where that will start, it could _ it begin. we will figure out where that will start, it could happen i that will start, it could happen tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or a week _ tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or a week it _ tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or a week. it would be strange if i were _ a week. it would be strange if i were to — a week. it would be strange if i were to name days or the start of events _ were to name days or the start of events. that cannot be done. but you are ready? — events. that cannot be done. but you are ready? we _ events. that cannot be done. but you are ready? we are _ events. that cannot be done. but you are ready? we are always ready. i events. that cannot be done. but you are ready? we are always ready. the | are ready? we are always ready. the same as when _ are ready? we are always ready. the same as when we _ are ready? we are always ready. the same as when we were _ are ready? we are always ready. the same as when we were ready - are ready? we are always ready. the same as when we were ready to i are ready? we are always ready. the i same as when we were ready to defend our country _ same as when we were ready to defend our country. it is not a question of time _ our country. it is not a question of time we — our country. it is not a question of time. we have to understand that our historic— time. we have to understand that our historic opportunity given to us by god, _ historic opportunity given to us by god, we _ historic opportunity given to us by god, we cannot lose so we can truly become _ god, we cannot lose so we can truly

become an— god, we cannot lose so we can truly become an independent, european country _ become an independent, european count . . ., , , , become an independent, european count . . . , , , ~ ., country. untilthat happens, ukraine will remain vulnerable _ country. untilthat happens, ukraine will remain vulnerable to _ country. untilthat happens, ukraine will remain vulnerable to attacks i will remain vulnerable to attacks like this. a hospital destroyed by a russian missile, air defences failed to stop it. the post office has apologised for using racist terms to describe subpostmasters, wrongly investigated as part of the horizon computer scandal. the faulty it system led to hundreds of wrongful prosecutions for theft and false accounting over 15 years. the papers show fraud investigators were asked to group suspects based on racial features. a 43—year—old man arrested after a car crashed into the gates of downing street earlier this week, has been released by police in london but charged with an unrelated matter. seth kneller, from crewe, was taken into custody on thursday on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving after the incident. detectives say he's been released pending further investigations on those charges.

stay with us here on bbc news. cloud and sunshine will vary as we head through the next few days. there is some cloud around today, lots of blue sky and sunshine, the vast majority will be completely dry this bank holiday weekend. high pressure will be dominating, clouding over at times. this is the clouding over at times. this is the cloud produced by the cold front earlier today, cloud produced by the cold front earliertoday, it cloud produced by the cold front earlier today, it is gradually sinking southwards, introducing more cloud this afternoon, across northern ireland and into northern england. brightening up north and scotland, by the end of the day, some gusty winds. the best of the sunshine in england and wales,

temperatures ranging 19—22 c. cooler in coastal areas. the sunshine is strong at this time of year, uv levels will be high and remain high as we head through the week. the grass pollen season is also under way. overnight, we will start to see parts of northern ireland and western scotland cloud over. if we see clear spells in the highlands, temperatures could drop to freezing. england and wales, mid to high single figures. high pressure dominates on sunday, it is looking dry and settled. there will be areas of cloud around, mostly in the western areas of scotland, it will feel cooler there and northern ireland. generally cloudy in the eastern areas of england with the best of the sunshine for and the fat south—west of england. there will be a cool breeze, it is picking up in the coastal areas, highs of 22 or 23

celsius in the best of the sunshine. let's take a look at bank holiday monday, it is cooler and breezy across the south—west of england, the best of the sunshine is further north and west, highs of around 21 celsius across the central belt of scotland on bank holiday monday. the rest of the week, high pressure is going nowhere, it is keeping us dry. there will be variable cloud but also some sunshine. if we look at the outlook for the capital cities, most the captures will get to the 20s.

this is bbc news. the headlines... there are long delays for some passengers travelling to the uk after a nationwide issue with the border force system has lead to problems with e—gate passport controls. long queues were experienced at the port of dover which also suffered from an it glitch. it's the final day of campaigning in turkey ahead of one of the country's most divisive presidential elections where the economy and immigration are key voter concerns. huge political rallies have been held to drum up support but they come as the turkish lira sank to an all—time low against the dollar. ukraine's most senior security official tells the bbc the country is ready to launch its long—expected counter—offensive against russian forces. in a rare interview, oleksiy danilov describes the planned assault

as an "historic opportunity".