a warmer than today for should be a warmer than today for northern ireland and wales, with the highest temperatures in eastern areas. looking ahead to friday, it's basically a day of sunshine, but also a few showers. not too many showers, a lot of places will be dry. we are more likely to have showers in northern ireland, perhaps western scotland. but heading into the weekend, new weekend, new area of low pressure bringing more wind and rain across the uk. that low will put eastwards across northern areas. this is where we will find the wettest weather, and it could be windy for a while in northern ireland, over the irish sea into west england and north wales. and it's not going to be particularly warm at all this weekend. but outside of the rain, we should see sunshine from time to time. from time to time! _ thanks, darren. and that's bbc news at ten — there's more analysis of the day's main stories on newsnight with kirsty wark, which isjust getting under way on bbc two.

the news continues here on bbc one, as now it's time to join our colleagues across the nations and regions for the news where you are — but from the ten team, iam nota i am not a liar. iam nota liar. i i am nota liar. i am iam nota liar. iam not i am nota liar. i am not in i am not a liar. i am not in denial. but i will tell you who is — greater manchester police are liars! andrew malkinson is a free man, after one of the worst miscarriages ofjustice in british legal history. tonight his first interview since the court of appeal overturned his conviction.

newsnight has spoken exclusively to andrew malkinson after he was cleared today about his 20—year ordeal. we'll bejoined by the law commision, who are investigating the appeals process. and this... # i remember... # sitting in the long grass in summer, keeping warm... we remember a voice for the ages — sinead o'connor who died today. good evening. "on 2nd august 2003 i was kidnapped by the state — it has taken me nearly 20 years to persuade my kidnappers to let me go."

the words of andrew malkinson, the victim of one of the worst misscarriages ofjustices in british legal history. this morning he walked into the court of appeal as a convicted rapist who was on the sex offender register for the last twenty years. this afternoon he left the court an innocent man. for andrew malkinson this has been a terrifying, seemingly endless, ordeal. today he has his good name back, but this 57—year—old man has neithera home, norajob and his case raises serious questions about institutional failings and how long it can take the wrongly convicted to clear their names. i'll be speaking to him in a moment but first here's sima. 17 years inside for a crime he did not commit. but today andy malkinson's conviction for rape was quashed after two decades of protesting his innocence. papers disclosed now show the originaljury was misled about the honesty of a key witness and that the dna of another man had been

found on the victim's clothing. the crime happened in july 2003 in salford. in august of the same year, andy malkinson was arrested and then later charged. the following year, a jury decided he was guilty of the crime. he was 37 and was sentenced to life in jail. but so many things didn't fit when mr malkinson was wrongly convicted. he was three inches taller than the attacker, had a chest of hair when the victim said the attacker had none, and he has tattoos on his arm but the victim did not mention seeing any. she spoke of him having a deep scratch on his cheek but andy was seen with no scratches. the man responsible for collecting much of the evidence which helped to overturn the conviction said it was a good day forjustice. ifeel really happy for andy and his family. he has been fighting this for 20 years and he has shown incredible

strength and that resilience has paid off. because, you know, no one can deny now what has always been the case, that he is innocent, that he didn't do this crime. this isn'tjust about andy, though, is it? it is also about the victim. what impact do you think has had on the victim? the key thing to say about this case is that it is a double injustice. so, andy has been totally failed by the system but so has the victim. her real attacker was not brought to justice. instead, an innocent man was imprisoned. and the public were also let down, because their safety has been put at risk by greater manchester police's failure to get the right guy. greater manchester police has said it is truly sorry to mr malkinson over the grave miscarriage ofjustice. but for him, after spending so long behind bars, an apology now will be hard to swallow. as sima said greater manchester police have apologised to andy malkinson. assistant chief constable sarah

jackson said: i sat down with andy malkinson earlier this evening for his interview after the court of appeal�*s ruling. now you've cleared your name, i pose for the first time in more than 20 years, you must feel safe?- for the first time in more than 20 years, you must feel safe? yes, i'm startin: years, you must feel safe? yes, i'm starting to — years, you must feel safe? yes, i'm starting to feel _ years, you must feel safe? yes, i'm starting to feel like, _ years, you must feel safe? yes, i'm starting to feel like, i'm _ years, you must feel safe? yes, i'm starting to feel like, i'm drawing - years, you must feel safe? yes, i'm starting to feel like, i'm drawing a l starting to feel like, i'm drawing a line under it, yes. it is too early

to say i feel safe right now, but it is the beginning, yeah.— is the beginning, yeah. when the “udue is the beginning, yeah. when the judge said. _ is the beginning, yeah. when the judge said. you're _ is the beginning, yeah. when the judge said, you're a _ is the beginning, yeah. when the judge said, you're a free - is the beginning, yeah. when the judge said, you're a free man, i is the beginning, yeah. when the i judge said, you're a free man, what was that like for you and your family was there as well? very emotional- _ family was there as well? very emotional. to _ family was there as well? very emotional. to have _ family was there as well? very emotional. to have a - family was there as well? very emotional. to have a high - family was there as well? - emotional. to have a high court judge say you're a free man now was very... emotionalfor me. also for my mother and my sister who were present. i could hear them crying. i was sort of trembling from my core inside, i could feel myself trembling and i was welling up. but that's what i have wanted to hear for 20 years. i that's what i have wanted to hear for 20 years-— that's what i have wanted to hear for 20 years. i wonder what it was like for you _ for 20 years. i wonder what it was like for you in _ for 20 years. i wonder what it was like for you in court, _ for 20 years. i wonder what it was like for you in court, because - for 20 years. i wonder what it was j like for you in court, because until today you were a registered sex offender. ., �* . today you were a registered sex offender._ what - today you were a registered sex offender._ what did | offender. that's right. what did that do to you _ offender. that's right. what did that do to you to _ offender. that's right. what did that do to you to be _ offender. that's right. what did that do to you to be called - offender. that's right. what did that do to you to be called a - that do to you to be called a registered sex offender? it is horrific, registered sex offender? it is horrific. to — registered sex offender? it is horrific, to be _ registered sex offender? it 3 horrific, to be labelled falsely like that. all the instruments of

the state, the probation, the police, everybody else treat you like that, you know it's false, but it's hard to reconcile in your mind. you're fighting against it mentally all the time. because you know that's not true. that is not what i am. . that's not true. that is not what i am. , ., , ., am. one thing is for sure though that our am. one thing is for sure though that your case — am. one thing is for sure though that your case would _ am. one thing is for sure though that your case would have - am. one thing is for sure though that your case would have been l that your case would have been impacted because a dna match was on the national database from 2012. what do you make of that? yes... i could have — what do you make of that? yes... i could have been _ what do you make of that? yes... i could have been out _ what do you make of that? yes... i could have been out eight - what do you make of that? yes... i could have been out eight years - could have been out eight years before i was, yeah. if could have been out eight years before i was, yeah.— could have been out eight years before i was, yeah. if someone had 'ust before i was, yeah. if someone had just looked — before i was, yeah. if someone had just looked at _ before i was, yeah. if someone had just looked at that _ before i was, yeah. if someone had just looked at that match _ before i was, yeah. if someone had just looked at that match on - before i was, yeah. if someone had just looked at that match on the - just looked at that match on the database? . just looked at that match on the database? , ., ., database? yes, if, well, i have to sa the database? yes, if, well, i have to say the ccrc _ database? yes, if, well, i have to say the ccrc had _ database? yes, if, well, i have to say the ccrc had the _ database? yes, if, well, i have to say the ccrc had the opportunityl say the ccrc had the opportunity backin say the ccrc had the opportunity back in 2010. they failed. do you think there _ back in 2010. they failed. do you think there was _ back in 2010. they failed. do you think there was a _ back in 2010. they failed. do you think there was a desperation - back in 2010. they failed. do you think there was a desperation to |

think there was a desperation to secure a conviction at the expense of the pursuit ofjustice? yes. of the pursuit of 'ustice? yes. yeah, i of the pursuit of 'ustice? yes. yeah. i do. _ of the pursuit ofjustice? yes. yeah, i do, yeah. _ of the pursuit ofjustice? yes. yeah, i do, yeah. it— of the pursuit ofjustice? yes. yeah, i do, yeah. it seems i of the pursuit ofjustice? yes. i yeah, i do, yeah. it seems from of the pursuit ofjustice? jazz yeah, i do, yeah. it seems from my perspective, over all these long years, that if it looks like justice is being done, then that's good enough for them. they don't care about the integrity of the convictions. that is of little concern to them.— concern to them. you were incarcerated _ concern to them. you were incarcerated in _ concern to them. you were incarcerated in maximum l concern to them. you were - incarcerated in maximum security prisons, with sex offenders, for many years. for a crime you did not commit. so, how did you learn to cope with that?— cope with that? yes, it was very difficult. kirsty, _ cope with that? yes, it was very difficult. kirsty, |_ cope with that? yes, it was very difficult. kirsty, i don't- cope with that? yes, it was very difficult. kirsty, i don't really i difficult. kirsty, i don't really know. but i had a few... i tried to keep my humanity, i tried to keep a sense of humour, even dark humour sometimes. and i relied a lot in the

early days on the buddhist chaplain and that was helping in meditating and that was helping in meditating and breathing and controlling your thoughts. i learned a lot and the chaplain was very... was very compassionate. chaplain was very. .. was very compassionate.— chaplain was very... was very compassionate. was there ever a moment that _ compassionate. was there ever a moment that you _ compassionate. was there ever a moment that you thought - compassionate. was there ever a moment that you thought you i compassionate. was there ever a i moment that you thought you might cave in and tell a lie to get out? that is a good question. first of all, i wouldn't be able to do it. if i said yes, i'll do it, i'd get into the group therapy and listen to the horrific story and then go, tell us what you did, it would stick in your throat, because i know i did no such thing. i couldn't do it. even in theory. so it is a false choice they were giving me. it was a false choice. and so i had tojust... the

only thing i could do was be true to myself and tell the truth. you made it it clear you _ myself and tell the truth. you made it it clear you wanted _ myself and tell the truth. you made it it clear you wanted to _ myself and tell the truth. you made it it clear you wanted to talk - myself and tell the truth. you made it it clear you wanted to talk about | it it clear you wanted to talk about the victim, because you're both victim and you talked of her in thoughtful terms, tell me h you think about the woman who was the victim? ,, . , think about the woman who was the victim? ,, ., , , ., think about the woman who was the victim? ,, .,, , ., ., victim? she has been let down of course. victim? she has been let down of course- she _ victim? she has been let down of course. she thought _ victim? she has been let down of course. she thought i _ victim? she has been let down of course. she thought i guess i victim? she has been let down of course. she thought i guess that| victim? she has been let down of| course. she thought i guess that i was the perpetrator, because she was traumatised when she picked me out in the parade. the traumatised when she picked me out in the parade-— in the parade. the impact on you is immeasururable, _ in the parade. the impact on you is immeasururable, but _ in the parade. the impact on you is immeasururable, but what - in the parade. the impact on you is immeasururable, but what about . in the parade. the impact on you is i immeasururable, but what about your family, did they have support, what happened to yourfamily? family, did they have support, what happened to your family? my mother, particularly. — happened to your family? my mother, particularly. and _ happened to your family? my mother, particularly. and my — happened to your family? my mother, particularly, and my sister— happened to your family? my mother, particularly, and my sister as - happened to your family? my mother, particularly, and my sister as well. i particularly, and my sister as well. my particularly, and my sister as well. my mother had her son convicted of a horrific rape, i mean really bad. if you saw the newspaper headlines, extremely emotive case. and she

suffered immensely.— extremely emotive case. and she suffered immensely. when you were in an it suffered immensely. when you were in 'ail it must suffered immensely. when you were in jail it must have _ suffered immensely. when you were in jail it must have been _ suffered immensely. when you were in jail it must have been particularly i jail it must have been particularly hard for your mother and your sister. ., hard for your mother and your sister.- what _ hard for your mother and your sister.- what was i hard for your mother and your sister.- what was it i hard for your mother and your| sister.- what was it like, hard for your mother and your- sister.- what was it like, did sister. yeah. what was it like, did the visit sister. yeah. what was it like, did they visit you? — sister. yeah. what was it like, did they visit you? no. _ sister. yeah. what was it like, did they visit you? no. i _ sister. yeah. what was it like, did they visit you? no. i wouldn't i sister. yeah. what was it like, did they visit you? no. i wouldn't let l they visit you? no. i wouldn't let them visit _ they visit you? no. i wouldn't let them visit me, _ they visit you? no. i wouldn't let them visit me, because, - they visit you? no. i wouldn't let them visit me, because, it's i they visit you? no. i wouldn't let them visit me, because, it's too| them visit me, because, it's too emotionally taxing. if they come up, evenif emotionally taxing. if they come up, even if it is only once a month, they're going to be dabbed down by they're going to be dabbed down by the prison officer, treated like a criminal. ., ., ., , the prison officer, treated like a criminal. ., ., , ., criminal. how long was the period when ou criminal. how long was the period when you didn't _ criminal. how long was the period when you didn't see _ criminal. how long was the period when you didn't see your - criminal. how long was the period when you didn't see your mother. criminal. how long was the period i when you didn't see your mother and your sister?— your sister? almost the whole time. you never saw _ your sister? almost the whole time. you never saw them? _ your sister? almost the whole time. you never saw them? almost i your sister? almost the whole time. you never saw them? almost the i your sister? almost the whole time. i you never saw them? almost the whole time, you never saw them? almost the whole time. yeah- _ you never saw them? almost the whole time. yeah- what _ you never saw them? almost the whole time, yeah. what damages _ you never saw them? almost the whole time, yeah. what damages and - time, yeah. what damages and reparation _ time, yeah. what damages and reparation will _ time, yeah. what damages and reparation will you _ time, yeah. what damages and reparation will you be - time, yeah. what damages and reparation will you be seeking i time, yeah. what damages and l reparation will you be seeking for all these years?— reparation will you be seeking for all these ears? all these years? maximum. maximum. it has to be. — all these years? maximum. maximum.

it has to be. to — all these years? maximum. maximum. it has to be, to reflect _ all these years? maximum. maximum. it has to be, to reflect the _ it has to be, to reflect the seriousness of the suffering i have endured, my family have endured and the fact i'm now 57, i'm practically homeless. i couldn't get a job. also it should be punitive for the perpetrators, notjust reflecting my suffering, but it should be punitive to the greater manchester police, because they're unaccountable. it should say to loud and clear, you've got to stop doing this or else it is going to cost you. the got to stop doing this or else it is going to cost you.— got to stop doing this or else it is going to cost you. the police issued an apology. — going to cost you. the police issued an apology. there — going to cost you. the police issued an apology, there hasn't _ going to cost you. the police issued an apology, there hasn't been i going to cost you. the police issued an apology, there hasn't been one i an apology, there hasn't been one from the ccrp. what does the police apology mean? i from the ccrp. what does the police apology mean?— apology mean? i have not seen it, but it is meaningless _ apology mean? i have not seen it, but it is meaningless to _ apology mean? i have not seen it, but it is meaningless to me. i but it is meaningless to me. absolutely. an apology without accountability, what is that? it is nothing. it is nothing. it means nothing. it is nothing. it means nothinu. ., ., nothing. the ccrc turned down two opportunities _ nothing. the ccrc turned down two opportunities to _ nothing. the ccrc turned down two opportunities to take _ nothing. the ccrc turned down two opportunities to take this _ nothing. the ccrc turned down two opportunities to take this case. i opportunities to take this case. yes. , ., .,

yes. they turned down two opportunities. _ yes. they turned down two opportunities. what - yes. they turned down two opportunities. what is i yes. they turned down two opportunities. what is your yes. they turned down two - opportunities. what is your reaction to that? , ., . to that? they failed twice previously _ to that? they failed twice previously and _ to that? they failed twice previously and they i to that? they failed twice previously and they failed to that? they failed twice i previously and they failed other people too, i know that for a fact. they don't know what they're supposed to do. they don't refer cases that's obviously have merit, they don't investigate, basically they don't investigate, basically they refuse the two previous application, the third i believe they only accepted because it was handed to them on a platter. all the work had been done and it makes me quite angry, they're claiming the credit for the work and it was appeal that did the work. and so, i'm appalled by them. 50. appeal that did the work. and so, i'm appalled by them.— appeal that did the work. and so, i'm appalled by them. so, what is next for you? _ i'm appalled by them. so, what is next for you? do _ i'm appalled by them. so, what is next for you? do you _ i'm appalled by them. so, what is next for you? do you have - i'm appalled by them. so, what is next for you? do you have any i next for you? do you have any immediate plans? i next for you? do you have any immediate plans?— next for you? do you have any immediate plans? i want to go... to holland, immediate plans? i want to go... to holland. to — immediate plans? i want to go... to holland, to visit _ immediate plans? i want to go... to holland, to visit a _ immediate plans? i want to go... to holland, to visit a dear _ immediate plans? i want to go... to

holland, to visit a dear friend. i immediate plans? i want to go... to holland, to visit a dear friend. to i holland, to visit a dear friend. to use your passport? yes. - holland, to visit a dear friend. to use your passport? yes. thank i holland, to visit a dear friend. to i use your passport? yes. thank you very much — use your passport? yes. thank you very much indeed. _ to discuss the wider issue of how difficult it can be to overturn wrongful convictions and avoid miscarriages ofjustice, i'm joined by penney lewis, commissioner for criminal law at the law commission, which is publishing a paper tomorrow asking for views on whether and how the law governing appeals for criminal cases should be reformed. first of all, what do you make of andy malkinson's case? incarcerated for 17 years, it is unimaginable. it is a tragedy for andy but also for the victim, as he so generously stated in your interview. she has been let down, she has been traumatised by going through a trial that turned out to have convicted of the wrong person and as a result, has not received justice. and he of course has been incarcerated for 17 years and labelled a rapist. i?

years and labelled a rapist. 17 years and labelled a rapist. 17 years when he did not see his family because he thought it would be traumatising for them as well as him but what is wrong with the current system in england and wales? i think it is important — system in england and wales? i think it is important we _ system in england and wales? i think it is important we use _ system in england and wales? i think it is important we use miscarriages i it is important we use miscarriages ofjustice like this, terrible as they are, notjust ofjustice like this, terrible as they are, not just as a hand—wringing exercise but to learn lessons for the justice system and in particular the appeal system. but it is worth looking first of all at why he was wrongly convicted. we know there were problems with eyewitness identification evidence which we already know this is sometimes unreliable. there was not material nondisclosure so evidence that should have been given to his defence team was not. we know there was evidence about the other eyewitnesses that they had convictions for dishonesty, that one of them was facing pending criminal charges, and that was not disclosed to the defence team.— to the defence team. there were a number of — to the defence team. there were a number of red _ to the defence team. there were a number of red flags, _ to the defence team. there were a number of red flags, not _ to the defence team. there were a number of red flags, not least i to the defence team. there were a l number of red flags, not least there was not a scar on his face, tattoos, so many red flags and it now seems

of course with hindsight that it is quite extraordinary in its downs, as he himself said, they were just out for a conviction. —— and it sounds. the worrying thing is when you look at the collection of ways in which this went wrong, that it has taken the dna to correct the miscarriage but actually, the conviction should probably never have happened in the first place. that probably never have happened in the first lace. . , probably never have happened in the first lace. ., , . first place. that lets look at the dna because — first place. that lets look at the dna because the _ first place. that lets look at the dna because the dna - first place. that lets look at the dna because the dna of- first place. that lets look at the dna because the dna of the i first place. that lets look at the i dna because the dna of the suspect who is still not incarcerated, it was available from 2012. other countries had used dna much more widely than we have and with different techniques but that dna from the data by was not tested but why not? —— from the database. there was the victim's clothing which was burnt why was the dna not look that more closely? i burnt why was the dna not look that more closely?— more closely? i think that is a cuestion more closely? i think that is a question for — more closely? i think that is a question for the _ more closely? i think that is a question for the police - more closely? i think that is a question for the police and i more closely? i think that is a | question for the police and the more closely? i think that is a i question for the police and the cps. what we can ask is, ok, we

recognised miscarriages ofjustice recognised miscarriages of justice happen, recognised miscarriages ofjustice happen, we know we have the post office arising case and malkinson but what we need to do to ensure that those miscarriages ofjustice are collected by the court of appeal. there was a failed appeal here and two failed applications to the seisay rc... here and two failed applications to the seisay rc. . ._ the seisay rc... they did not take either of the _ the seisay rc... they did not take either of the opportunities - the seisay rc... they did not take either of the opportunities other l either of the opportunities other the time so is say that academics at exeter university have identified 390 miscarriages ofjustice since 1970 that have been collected as there were but how many more are there? you are tasked with looking at the whole process. we there? you are tasked with looking at the whole process.— there? you are tasked with looking at the whole process. we not looking at the whole process. we not looking at individual — at the whole process. we not looking at individual miscarriages _ at the whole process. we not looking at individual miscarriages of - at individual miscarriages of justice but we are looking at whether they are capable of correcting miscarriages ofjustice. certainly that is the concern that has been raised by thejustice committee of the house of commons,

by other select committees and by academics and campaigners. professor penney lewis. — academics and campaigners. professor penney lewis, thank _ academics and campaigners. professor penney lewis, thank you _ academics and campaigners. professor penney lewis, thank you very - academics and campaigners. professor penney lewis, thank you very much. i coming up on the programme... # nothing compares # nothing compares # nothing compares to # nothing compares to you # nothing compares to you .# we remember the iconic irish singer sinead o'connor who died today. we'll talk to amanda palmer, the former lead singer of the dresden dolls. the bosses of uk's largest banks and building societies met the economic secretary to the treasury, andrew griffith, today, after a bruising fortnight for the sector. the news that coutts — the luxury bank owned by natwest — terminated the account of nigel farage, in part, because of opposition to his political beliefs, has domianted headlines. natwest�*s chief executive, dame alison rose, stood down in the very early hours of this morning. following today's meeting, the government said that moving forward, banks will be required to spell out why they are terminating someone's bank account.

it's difficult to know how many others may have had their bank accounts closed because of their political views or beliefs — nigel farage has suggested there are thousands — but i'm joined now by the host of the triggernometry podcast, konstantin kisin, who fears that may have happened to him too. thank you forjoining us. you banked with tied bank. how long have you have the account?— with tied bank. how long have you have the account? maybe a year and a half. and nothing _ have the account? maybe a year and a half. and nothing had _ have the account? maybe a year and a half. and nothing had been _ have the account? maybe a year and a half. and nothing had been flagged i half. and nothing had been flagged to ou half. and nothing had been flagged to you before? _ half. and nothing had been flagged to you before? no. _ half. and nothing had been flagged to you before? no. so _ half. and nothing had been flagged to you before? no. so suddenly- half. and nothing had been flagged| to you before? no. so suddenly you have to you before? in so suddenly you have your bank account cancelled. what did you think it was about? did you have any indication? i had what did you think it was about? did you have any indication?— you have any indication? i had no idea and effect _ you have any indication? i had no idea and effect for _ you have any indication? i had no idea and effect for several - you have any indication? i had no idea and effect for several days l idea and effect for several days they repeatedly refused to answer what the reason was for the cancellation i repeatedly asked to point out. they fobbed us off and it was only when we kicked up a storm on social media which i was thankfully able to do, that they gave us an explanation which still doesn't make any sense because the

explanation they gave was that we accept donations. as you can imagine, we are probably not the only business in a country that accepts donations from people who watched the show, for example, or any other reason. but watched the show, for example, or any other reason.— any other reason. but were not necessarily — any other reason. but were not necessarily talking _ any other reason. but were not necessarily talking about i any other reason. but were not i necessarily talking about donations of 50 quid, were talking about larger donations and you think that set up a red flag because of the possibility of money—laundering or whatever? possibility of money-laundering or whatever? ., , ., whatever? there was no money-laundering i whatever? there was no money-laundering in i whatever? there was no i money-laundering in bowl. i'm whatever? there was no _ money-laundering in bowl. i'm not su: caestin money-laundering in bowl. i'm not suggesting there — money-laundering in bowl. i'm not suggesting there was. _ money-laundering in bowl. i'm not suggesting there was. even - money-laundering in bowl. i'm not suggesting there was. even if- money-laundering in bowl. i'm not suggesting there was. even if that | suggesting there was. even if that was concerned, _ suggesting there was. even if that was concerned, if _ suggesting there was. even if that was concerned, if there _ suggesting there was. even if that was concerned, if there is - suggesting there was. even if that was concerned, if there is no i was concerned, if there is no money—laundering, white as the account being closed? at money-laundering, white as the account being closed?— money-laundering, white as the account being closed? at what point did ou aet account being closed? at what point did you get what _ account being closed? at what point did you get what you _ account being closed? at what point did you get what you thought - account being closed? at what point did you get what you thought might| did you get what you thought might be a satisfactory answer?— be a satisfactory answer? never still to this _ be a satisfactory answer? never still to this day _ be a satisfactory answer? never still to this day we _ be a satisfactory answer? never still to this day we don't - be a satisfactory answer? never still to this day we don't have i be a satisfactory answer? never still to this day we don't have a| still to this day we don't have a satisfactory answer. we will be pursuing a freedom of information request ourselves to get the bottom of this because, as we have seen in the last few days, what banks tell people about the reason for cancelling the account isn't necessarily the case.- cancelling the account isn't necessarily the case. they tell you the are necessarily the case. they tell you they are cancelling _ necessarily the case. they tell you they are cancelling the _ necessarily the case. they tell you they are cancelling the account i they are cancelling the account because they think you have donations. but what do you think of

that explanation? $5 i donations. but what do you think of that explanation?— that explanation? as i said, we cannot be _ that explanation? as i said, we cannot be the _ that explanation? as i said, we cannot be the only _ that explanation? as i said, we cannot be the only people i that explanation? as i said, we cannot be the only people to i that explanation? as i said, we - cannot be the only people to accept donations so have they cancelled everyone else�*s account? that's what i'd like to know. do everyone else's account? that's what i'd like to know.— i'd like to know. do you think it is a olitical i'd like to know. do you think it is a political move? _ i'd like to know. do you think it is a political move? i'm _ i'd like to know. do you think it is a political move? i'm interested l a political move? i'm interested because of course what nigel farage, what happened to him was that social media was being followed, you have a prominent podcast, and obviously they came to you after you sit on social media yourself you had not had a satisfactory answer. —— you said on social media. had a satisfactory answer. -- you said on social media.— had a satisfactory answer. -- you said on social media. what role is -la ed? i said on social media. what role is played? i have — said on social media. what role is played? i have no _ said on social media. what role is played? i have no idea _ said on social media. what role is played? i have no idea and - said on social media. what role is played? i have no idea and this i said on social media. what role is played? i have no idea and this is| played? i have no idea and this is kind of a problem because it interesting that nigel farage park case, i was told by someone i know at the bank that the reason his account was being closed was he was involved in crypto so there is a lot of lies being floated about. as you can see in the last week, the concern is that banks are closing people's accounts and covering up the reasons and we need to get the bottom of this. fix, the reasons and we need to get the bottom of this.— bottom of this. a spokesperson for tide with the _ bottom of this. a spokesperson for tide with the decisions _ bottom of this. a spokesperson for tide with the decisions of - bottom of this. a spokesperson for tide with the decisions of the - tide with the decisions of the closures are made on the basis of company policy and procedure and have no connection whatsoever with

the member's political beliefs. every tide member is treated fairly. doesn't talk about donations including multiple sets of donations covering specific financial crime risks, especially around the origins of the funds. they said they did not have the instructor to deal with them so they can do your account. they requested information from us about the donations were related to and we provided information at which point they lifted any restrictions on the account. 50 the concern is, not saying this happened because we genuinely don't know, the concern is having been informed about where the donations are coming from, they investigated what we do and we have a countercultural political youtube show and perhaps that was what they were concerned about. we didn't need to get the bottom of this. == were concerned about. we didn't need to get the bottom of this.— to get the bottom of this. -- we needed t0- _ to get the bottom of this. -- we needed to. you _ to get the bottom of this. -- we needed to. you have _ to get the bottom of this. -- we needed to. you have moved - to get the bottom of this. -- we - needed to. you have moved banks? we needed to. you have moved banks? - had banks reached out and offer us to bank with them but the point that is important is the explanation you

just read out sounds remarkably like the explanation that coutts gave for closing nigel farage's account. 50 closing nigel farage's account. so have others been in touch with you? nigel farage suggested this is a big problem but i wonder how many people this affects and how many people have been in touch with you. that is the reason — have been in touch with you. that is the reason we _ have been in touch with you. that is the reason we have _ have been in touch with you. that is the reason we have made _ have been in touch with you. that is the reason we have made a - have been in touch with you. that is the reason we have made a big - have been in touch with you. that is the reason we have made a big deal out of this. we have a million subscribers and we can get attention for the story i get a different bank account. i think there's an awful lot of people, you look particularly after that case on feedback on websites like trust pilot for tide seem to have at a similar experience but i'm not suggesting all of them or even hours is because of politics but i think given what we have seen in the last week, we need to know. thank you forjoining us. it's been a torrid year for the snp, with the resignation of first minister nicola sturgeon as the party became engulfed by questions over its finances which sparked a criminal investigation, and the arrests of her husband peter murrell and former treasurer colin beattie.

all three have been released without charge and deny any wrongdoing as the police continue their inquiries. beyond the police probe, some inside the party fear it is facing a crisis of confidence which threatens to derails its efforts to secure its central goal — securing scottish independence. polls have shown a fairly steady level of support for independence — still not the majority of scots. nicola sturgeon once talked of using the next general election as a defacto referendum on independence — but with many polls now predicting support for the snp could sink, is that now a plausible strategy? we'll discuss all of this later with the polling guru john curtice. first here's a sense of the faultlines of the debate inside the snp. scotland must have more control over her own affairs. the modern movement for independence has gone in phases. in 1919, the scottish covenant, a petition for a home—rule scottish parliament, garnered two million signatures in a population ofjust over five. it would be almost 50 years

before the new blair government delivered on that parliament. well done! 15 years after that, scotland had the chance to vote for self—determination. it was built as a once in a generation vote. more than 55 sent voted against independence. the independence referendum galvanised an independence movement which sees itself as a much broader church. the question is, if the snp vote were to falter at the next westminster election, would that movement be able to come up with a route map for independence that involves the much wider body politic in scotland? professor ailsa henderson is one of scotland's top political analysts. so what is the state of scottish politics at the moment? we are seeing minimal change in terms of how people say they would vote in the hollywood election but significant change in terms of a westminster election with a sizeable drop in snp support. since

westminster election with a sizeable drop in snp support.— drop in snp support. since the 2014 revenue, levels _ drop in snp support. since the 2014 revenue, levels of _ drop in snp support. since the 2014 revenue, levels of change _ drop in snp support. since the 2014 revenue, levels of change but - drop in snp support. since the 2014 revenue, levels of change but there | revenue, levels of change but there has never been a prolonged period in which yes has topped 50% but meanwhile the party someone with the independence movement has faced increasing questions over its own recording government. liz lloyd worked at the heart of scottish politics for much of the last two decades and until the first minister's resignation so how does the snp�*s record hold up in one key area for the electorate. education scotland has said itself that the attainment gap is an issue? yes. and it there has to be a collective will to get that fixed soon. the head of the new education scotland is thinking that, then that is a key priority. and it is one the snp have been in powerfor such a long time, in fact an arc of a child's school education is the time they have been in power. i wouldn't disagree with her. i think there have been issues over the period of focussing in different places. and education was not a focus other than at university level

during the salmond years. nicola brought it back to this focus on the poverty—related attainment gap. and we do have to remember that that is a poverty—related attainment gap. and poverty is not something the scottish government is uniquely in charge of. and i think we can now get to a position under humza, with the education secretary which can deliver some real reforms and make some real changes in the classroom. let's just look at the recent ipsos poll. it says support for independence is still strong, but the polls show a weakening of the link between supporting independence and voting for the snp since nicola sturgeon resigned. and of course then there was a subsequent financial controversy. but is the breaking of that link or the lessening of that link a worry? i think if you're talking about how you secure independence, i think it's less of a worry, because it shows support for independence is embedded in the population.

we can't deny the fact that there has been some yes voters who are moving towards potentially voting labour. but in the longer term route to independence, notjust who wins or losing this election, the more support for independence there are in the population, the more they are likely to spread their vote and the more it becomes necessary for the labour party to answer the question of what they will do to allow those people their democratic say. but is the disentangling of the independence movement from the snp really as potent as analysts suggest? laura webster is the uk's youngest newspaper editor, heading up the national, a pro—independence publication. in the five years i have been at the national, there have been a lot of changes in the independence movement. so, previously a big complaint among those in the broader independence movement was that it was too connected with the snp and _ this was something they felt was risky, because obviously if the snp go up or down in the polls then it could have a negative impact on independence.

now it's actually happened, it seems like there hasn't been that kind of negative impact on independence, that independence support is still pretty much sitting at where it was before nicola sturgeon resigned, before the police investigation. so i think it opens up a lot of questions about how does the movement work together better in what is quite a divided movement right now with people in alba, greens, snp and of course there are _ labour members who support independence as well, who we don't hear much about. do you think there's quite a conscious loosening of the bonds between the snp and the independence movement? definitely. i think under nicola sturgeon there was a very clear picture of what the snp stood for. but in the last few months maybe not quite an identity crisis, but i think humza yousaf is still trying to find his feet a little bit. i personally feel that the scottish government and the snp are more interested in looking at this as a long—term project, whereas nicola sturgeon was quite keen on telling people that this was just around the corner. hi. hello. stephen noon is the former chief strategist of the snp yes campaign

and a member of the snp. how would you characterise the state of support for independence at the moment? well it is at historic levels. i think support for independence is slightly more complex than the yes/no number might suggest. i think we will move to a position where we are more independent, but we will have a looser relationship with the rest of the uk and an enhanced relationship with the rest of europe. and i think it will make take 20 or 30 years to find that right balance. i think we live in an interdependent world and so the reality of independence in an interdependent world is we will have a partnership with the rest of the uk, we will ha ongoing relationship with the uk, uk, we will have ongoing relationship with the uk, ongoing relationship with europe and more independence. so i think it will take a period, of 20, 30 years to find that balance. stephen noon sees independence as a generational transition. but how does that sit with the snp leadership? the funny thing about the caledonian was...

keith brown is the snp�*s deputy leader. how do you account now for the fact that the modern independence movement was driven by the rise of snp, but actually the modern independence movement has taken on a life of its own and, if anything, it is ahead of snp? well, it should take on a life of its own, it's people from disparate backgrounds, not often the snp, coming to coalesce around the independent of independence, the idea of independence, which is something the snp's always wanted to see happen. they want it to be a broad church. and of course the snp, people will point out, have had issues to contend with recently, i don't deny that, challenges, we are _ working our way through those to try and reassert the dominant position we had. although it is worth pointing out, having won eight national elections in a row, we still lead all the other parties in scotland, 16 years after being in government. yes, but exactly that, 16 years of being in government, there is still problems with the attainment gap, there is still problems with drugs and also you've got this financial controversy which

isn't resolved and you've got a new leader who can't push through in the same way that nicola sturgeon pushed through. you're right and humza really has to make sure he solidifies the contract he has both with the scottish people and the party, because he is a new leader and that would apply to any new leader. so, if you're in the lead up to an election, you know, over the next 12, 13 months, what is the story from the snp about independence? the uk now is a supposed democratic state will cut off any route towards expressing self—determination. i spoke to a senior figure in the snp who said that they thought that there's going to be a more gradualist approach to independence. my assessment is it's the people of scotland who would decide and i would push to achieve independence. it might not be as clear cut as it should be, because we do have this extraordinary situation with the uk government in guises of either tory or labour saying we are not going to allow you to do that.

2023 has been a year of turmoil and with support for the opposition rising and the majority unenthused by the arguments for independence, the new leader must choose about how and when to pursue his dream, a dream many feel seems no closer to becoming a reality. i'm joined now from glasgow by election guru professor sirjohn curtice. what do you make of the link between the independence movement and the snp. it the independence movement and the snp. , ., , , snp. it is not new, but it is will surprising- _ snp. it is not new, but it is will surprising- if — snp. it is not new, but it is will surprising. if we _ snp. it is not new, but it is will surprising. if we go _ snp. it is not new, but it is will surprising. if we go back- snp. it is not new, but it is will surprising. if we go back to - snp. it is not new, but it is will surprising. if we go back to the j surprising. if we go back to the 2010 westminster election, at that point onlyjust over a half of those people who at that point in time were in favour of independence were voting for the snp at that westminster election. the situation which we have experienced in recent

years, in the 2021 holyrood election and even who was in favour of independence was voting for the snp, but nobody who was opposed to independence was voting for the snp, thatis independence was voting for the snp, that is a relatively recent development. so the link between the constitution and question and support for the snp is looser than a couple of years ago and perhaps not as dramatic as we might an —— anticipate. it as dramatic as we might an -- anticipate-— anticipate. it is likely that snp voters who _ anticipate. it is likely that snp voters who might _ anticipate. it is likely that snp voters who might vote - anticipate. it is likely that snp voters who might vote snp - anticipate. it is likely that snp voters who might vote snp at| voters who might vote snp at holyrood will vote labour in a westminster election to remove, if they think that obviously that is what they will be doing if they think they can remove, that adds to the push to remove the conservatives from westminster? that the push to remove the conservatives from westminster?— from westminster? that is a risk for the snp and — from westminster? that is a risk for the snp and one _ from westminster? that is a risk for the snp and one of— from westminster? that is a risk for the snp and one of the _ from westminster? that is a risk for the snp and one of the ways - from westminster? that is a risk for the snp and one of the ways in - from westminster? that is a risk for| the snp and one of the ways in which scottish politics changed after the

2014 referendum, after that the snp were performing better in holyrood elections, that gap disappeared. the gaps are there, but it is not as much. support for the snp is down well. if you want to understand the problems, we have to divide them into two. challenge noi problems, we have to divide them into two. challenge n01 is how can the independence movement get a referendum at a time when the conservative party is certainly opposed and the labour party is also saying much the same? the answer to that question, is that the only prospect of being an independence referendum soon is if we end up with a hung parliament after the next election and after a while a labour minority administration has to look to the snp to avoid losing a vote of confidence. the problem the snp faces, a, since the october of last

year, ie since the liz truss debacle, the labour party may be able to win a majority and now more recently, labourare able to win a majority and now more recently, labour are now breathing down the snp's necks and may indeed take significant number of seats from the snp. that is problem no i. no 2, if a referendum were to be held, can the yes side win? support for independence is still above the 45% level it was in 2014 what. the yes movement has not been able to do yet is get the debate and the choice that scotland faces being debated in the public sphere. that choice is no longer simply being inside or outside the united kingdom, but rather being inside the uk, but outside the eu. versus being in the eu and outside the uk. these two issues are intertwined with each other. . ~ issues are intertwined with each

other. ., ~' , ., the death of the irish singer and and song writer born sinead o'connor, was announced this evening. she wasjust 56. the hugely talented performer converted to islam in 2018 and changed her name to shudaha' sadaqet. her 1990 album i do not want what i haven't got�* sold seven million copies worldwide and its lead single — prince's nothing compares to you — went to number one around the world. she was once described as the true embodiment of the punk spirit, and with that in mind we're joined by the former lead singer of the dresden dolls, now an accomplished solo artist, amanda palmer. thank you very much forjoining us. tell me what do you think of sinead o'connor�*s talent? filth. tell me what do you think of sinead o'connor's talent?— tell me what do you think of sinead o'connor's talent? oh, my god! she had like an — o'connor's talent? oh, my god! she had like an almost _ o'connor's talent? oh, my god! she had like an almost other _ o'connor's talent? oh, my god! she had like an almost other worldly - had like an almost other worldly they want. i remember the first time i heard her voice, they want. i remember the first time i heard hervoice, ijust... ijust never heard anything like it. but it was also, it was a combination of

her vocal talent and her song writing talent. it is a bit of a shame that she's so known for that prince cover, while it is a great song, hersong prince cover, while it is a great song, her song writing was unbelievable. i still go back to those first reports and listen to the songs she wrote when she was 20 and i in awe of her song writing talent as much as if not as her vocal talent.— talent as much as if not as her vocal talent. look at your career and i wonder. — vocal talent. look at your career and i wonder, how _ vocal talent. look at your career and i wonder, how much - vocal talent. look at your career and i wonder, how much she - and i wonder, how much she influenced you as a young teenager, you cut up, you made your mix tapes and done stuff like that and in a way she was, you know you were very much what came after? she way she was, you know you were very much what came after?— much what came after? she inspired eve one i much what came after? she inspired everyone i know. _ much what came after? she inspired everyone i know. every _ much what came after? she inspired everyone i know. every musician, i everyone i know. every musician, everyone i know. every musician, every song writer, the females, because she just... she every song writer, the females, because shejust... she refused every song writer, the females, because she just... she refused to do it the "right" way. she flaunted

convention and didn'tjust pay it lip service, she did it and she did it unapolljetically and macheted a path for us to come after. she ri ed path for us to come after. she ripped no _ path for us to come after. she ripped no the _ path for us to come after. she ripped up the picture of the pope and people said, that would destroy her career, but she said, well that would destroy a career i don't want. she being true to herself and never apologised for that. trier she being true to herself and never apologised for that.— she being true to herself and never apologised for that. nor should she, because she — apologised for that. nor should she, because she was _ apologised for that. nor should she, because she was right. _ apologised for that. nor should she, because she was right. i _ apologised for that. nor should she, because she was right. i mean, - apologised for that. nor should she, because she was right. i mean, i - because she was right. i mean, i have talked to so many people in the music industry, who said that that was it, that was the end, she destroyed her career. but the fact that she didn't apologise is more powerful now, isn't it? i that she didn't apologise is more powerful now, isn't it?— that she didn't apologise is more powerful now, isn't it? i wonder if ou think powerful now, isn't it? i wonder if you think she _ powerful now, isn't it? i wonder if you think she got _ powerful now, isn't it? i wonder if you think she got the _ powerful now, isn't it? i wonder if you think she got the support - powerful now, isn't it? iwonder if| you think she got the support from the music industry, that was that night in new york and there was the dylan tribute and they were screaming at her. did the industry

think, she isjust