editorjohn pienaar how damaging editorjohn pienaar is all this for the prime how damaging is all thisime minister? well, you only had to watch that interview, clive, to see to watch that interview, clive, to see this is a difficult story, and an uncomfortable time with potential for political embarrassment. the betting is the defence secretary, sir michael fallon, could well be asked to make a statement to the house of commons tomorrow, on all of this and he could argue this was a routine test, that there's no realistic chance of a nuclear accidental strike on moscow, let alone florida. experts would say a stray missile would be aborted long before it land on disneyland. it's also true that most mps at westminster do the prime minister has also confirmed that she'll visit washington for talks with president trump on friday, the first world leader to meet him since his inauguration. mrs may said she would build on the special relationship between britain and america, but would challenge any opinions she finds unacceptable. but would challenge any opinions here's our political correspon

take a lot of diplomacy and good grace to form a similar partnership. 0ur deputy political editorjohn pienaarlation this story on trident is notjust awkward, it is embarrassing. ministers can argue there is no chance of the navy launching a strike against moscow or disneyland by accident. they can point out that most mps support the nuclear deterrent, that is true, but the way mps were kept in dark over such a crucial vote on trident, it will not be hard for the opposition tomorrow to make the government feel uncomfortable and even the rather evasive when they would rather talk about the coming american trip. and as far as that is concerned, we don't know how the trunk residency will play out, but we know something of his character and style. and given that it will be hard to see theresa may exercising the same influence over him that margaret thatcher the double ronald reagan. some argue that the government could be embarrassed by this relationship, but predictability, that was a feature of politics, and no predictability and politics seems a long time ago. the white house has vowed to fight

joining me from downing street is our deputy political editorjohn pienaar.al? since we have common error we are hearing a new diplomat has been appointed. —— since we have come on air. he will be sir tim barrel, a senior foreign office official, former moscow ambassador and he has done time in brussels in his career and downing street hopes that they can have a smoother relationship with him than with ivan rogers. but still some questions to face the government, the resignation highlighted tensions, more departments are involved, more than just the foreign office and there are tensions between senior officials and key ministers. those officials and key ministers. those officials believe that those ministers just officials believe that those ministersjust do not officials believe that those ministers just do not understand or will not admit the true complexity of the brexit question. it is about loyalty a nd of the brexit question. it is about loyalty and faith for key brexiteers and that is a red rag to the pool for the civil service they say they do not tak

our deputy political editorjohn pienaar reports from esher.it, and now one authority's had enough of government cuts, and paying for more and more with less and less. surrey‘s asking council tax—payers — yes or no, to a 15% increase for social care. i think it's important that politicians stand up and tell the truth and be honest with the rest of us, tell us what it costs to run these services. we have to pay for these services. it's not easy finding people here who are keen to pay what will be nearly £200 a year more on an average home, though no—one could call surrey hard—up. good afternoon, the council want 15% increase... i heard it on the one o'clock news today. how about more of that money for the council for social care? certainly not. totally obscene. there's lots of money in surrey, but that doesn't mean to say we'll accept a 15% rate increase, it's not on. i think it's a very bad idea. i can't afford to pay, because my pension is frozen. more council tax to pay for social care, do you fancy that, yes or no? i'm up for it. i think we

our deputy political editorjohn pienaar is at westminster for us tonight. john, first of all, what'sget brexit started without getting an ok from parliament, the supreme court said we need this. you could write it on the back of an envelope and have room to spare, it gives her authority to get the negotiations to leave going, and take it from there. it will pass comfortably, by the look of things, because most mps have decided they cannot defy the referendum, and jeremy corbyn has told his mps they can try to influence the outcome, but they cannot stop brexit. how cookie is it forjeremy corbyn? it is difficult forjeremy corbyn? it is difficult for labour. the tories were always the party with a running schism over europe, and now it is labour's term, because their mps come from areas that voted to leave. he has persuaded some of these unhappy ministers to go along with this, but one of them has resigned. others will vote against it. he will have to decide whether to sack them. it leaves labour split on tactics and policy, and ministers confident of getting at least to the starting li