mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country once all the formalities are completed. matthewweeted her reaction just over an hour ago. she said: she's also spoken to the today programme on bbc radio a. to be honest, i was not expecting it. it's taken me by surprise. i am just so happy and so relieved and really incredulous that this is all happening, finally. it has been an absolute nightmarish six, seven months. ijust can't wait to have him back. do you know when you will see him? i don't know yet. the news has just been announced and we're trying to coordinate the details. i'm trying to see if i can pick him up. we're absolutely elated at the news. what was the last time you saw matthew and what did you think then? i saw him last on the day of his hearing, on the 21st, and sadly the last time i saw him we were both walking out of the court room. we were not able to say goodbye. so i am glad that it will not be long until we say hello again. the foreign secretary, jeremy hunt, tweeted. .. andreas krieg is an academic colleague of matthew hedges and he's here with me now and

mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country once all the formalities are complete. matthewi don‘t know yet. the news has just been announced and we‘re trying to coordinate the details. i‘m trying to see if i can go and pick him up. we‘re absolutely elated at the news. what was the last time you saw matthew and what did you think? i saw him on the day of his hearing, and sadly the last time i saw him we were both walking out of the court room. we were not able to say goodbye. so i am glad that it will not be long till we say hello again. a huge relief, as you can imagine, for the family. the foreign secretaryjeremy hunt says the british govenrment are still ‘deeply perplexed‘ by the case, but has today thanked the uae for pardoning mr hedges. we‘ve seen no evidence to support these accusations against mr hedges, but today we want to thank them for the fact they have they have reflected on the strong representations we have made. we‘ve made it clearfor a number of months now that we see no basis for these allegations, they have reflected on that and take the action they can w

of mr hedges requesting clemency, and in consideration of the historical relationship and close ties between united arab emirates and the united kingdom, his highness has decided to include mr matthewong the 785 prisoners released. mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country once all the formalities are complete. that was an official of the uae government making that announcement that mr hedges was being pardoned. his wife, daniela tejada has been giving her reaction this morning to the today programme. to be honest, i was not expecting it. it took me by surprise. i am so happy and so relieved and really incredulous that this is all happening finally. it has been an absolute nightmare this six, seven months. i cannot wait to have him back. do you know when you will see him? i do not know yet. the news has just been announced and we're trying to coordinate the details. i'm going to coordinate the details. i'm going to see if i can him up. we're absolutely elated at the news. what was the last time you saw matthew and what did you think?” was the last time you saw matthew and what did you think? i saw him on the day of his hearing, and sadly the day of his hearing, and sadly the

mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country once all the formalities are complete. well, matthew. here‘s what she had to say, when she spoke to radio 4‘s today programme this morning. to be honest, i wasn‘t expecting it. it took me by surprise. i am just so happy and so relieved and really incredulous that this is all happening, finally. it has been an absolute nightmarish six, seven months already. i cannot wait to have him back. do you know when you will see him? i don‘t know yet. the news has just been announced and we‘re trying to coordinate the details. i‘m trying to see if i can go and pick him up. we‘re absolutely elated at the news. what was the last time you saw matthew and what did you think then? i saw him on the day of his hearing, and sadly the last time i saw him we were both walking out of the court room. we weren‘t able to say goodbye. so i‘m glad that it will not be long till we say hello again. radha stirling is a human rights lawyer and ceo of detained in dubai. she also advised matthew‘s wife to take his case public by going to the media... earlier radha told

matthew hedges. in full consideration of the historic relationship and close ties between the united arab emirates and the united kingdom, his highness has decided to include mr and uncertainty if mps oppose it. the prime minister has secured the deal — a very good deal for the united kingdom. it is now the job for all of us in the cabinet to make the case. but an uphill struggle awaits — the dup, dozens of tory backbenchers and all opposition parties say they won't support it.

of mr hedges requesting clemency and in consideration of the historical relationship and close ties between the united arab emirates and the united kingdom his highness has decided to include mr matthew ages among the seven hundred eighty five prisoners released mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country once all the formalities are complete. thank you very much in other news the russian navy has reopened the shipping channel in the black sea where ukrainian sailors were shot at and taken prisoner the u.n. security council has called an emergency meeting over what ukraine is calling an act of aggression off the coast of crimea the ukrainian territory was unexpired russian troops four years ago in somalia al-shabaab fighters have claimed responsibility for killing a cleric and nineteen other people they died in an early morning car bomb explosion and gun attack at a religious center in the city of god. the mexican government is promising increased border security after hundreds of asylum seekers try to cross into the united states mexican police say they face deportation for violently and illegally washing the border u.s. border agents fired tear gas in response present donald t

matthew hedges case." at the foreign office mr hedges' wife had herfirst meeting withjeremy hunt, still haunted by yesterday'sernment's efforts. seeing him shaken in court after being handed a life sentence and then being made to leave was beyond heartbreaking. we didn't even get to say goodbye. i really appreciate the foreign secretary taking the time to meet me at this crucial point in matt's life. shortly afterwards, another twist. a phone call betweenjeremy hunt and his counterpart in the uae. this evening mr hunt called the conversation constructive. earlier in the day of the talk here at the foreign office was all about a very frank conversation, diplomatic speak for a row. now the tone has changed completely. the two sides seem intent on lowering the temperature. after a grim six months and an agonising two days, a resolution does now seem a little nearer. paul adams, bbc news, at the foreign office. the gases that are driving up global temperatures have reached a record high in the past year. a major source of carbon dioxide is power stations that burn coal, they account for one—third of all greenhous

of mr hedges requesting clemency and in consideration of the historical relationship and close ties between the united arab emirates and the united kingdom his highness has decided to include mr matthew urges among the seven hundred eighty five prisoners released mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country once all the formalities are complete think you very much again will be speaking to al-jazeera in london a little later for reaction on much matthew had just gotten in the u.a.e. moving on to other world news and russia has reopened a straight in the black sea that is at the center of a confrontation between moscow and ukraine this latest tension was sponsored in the case to raise the shipping channel conic connecting the black sea with the sea or as of ships use this straight to supply the ukrainian and industrial city of mariupol on sunday russia use an oil tanker to brock three ukrainian tugs entering the strait one of the tugs was rammed by a russian naval vessel shots were fired and the ship's impounded several ukrainian sailors were wounded and at least twenty taken prisoner at the emergency u.n. security council meeting is scheduled in the coming hours to discuss this i

of mr hedges requesting clemency and in consideration of the historical relationship and close ties between the united arab emirates and the united kingdom his highness has decided to include mr matthew urges among the seven hundred eighty five prisoners released mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country once all the formalities are complete thank you very much let's get reaction from london now and paul brennan is there for us so paul a pardon first now has been released when do we expect matthew had just to set foot in the u k. now then within a matter of hours it's about a seven hour flight from abu dhabi to london and in the last hour we've seen indications that matthew has has been released from detention although not yet set off on that journey back to the u.k. the reaction here in the u.k. to that news that came out in that news conference in abu dhabi this morning has been a mixture of relief and elation and clearly this had the risk of developing into a very serious diplomatic rift between these two qwest wrong allies the u.k. and the u.a.e. the foreign office here in london sticking very firmly it's believed that matthew had been the result of been arrested as the re

spying charges despite policing a videotape which claimed to show researcher matthew had just confessing his sentence mr hedges to a life imprisonment last week in a case that strained relations with the united kingdom. britain's prime minister is back in the u.k. for the next stage of the country's exit to from the european union to resume must now convince skeptical lawmakers to ratify the withdrawal deal signed with the e.u. twenty seven on sunday following months of negotiations this is may has warned members of parliament that if they reject this deal the bread process will be back to square one. a moment of relief for theresa may the british prime minister has delivered against the odds after nearly two years of negotiations may and the e.u. have agreed on the terms of their divorce she took the opportunity to remind critics of her conviction tell us what's really going there are those who said that reaching a brics agreement that works for both sides was an impossible task from the start i rejected that counsel of despair and says about negotiation a deal that works for the u.k. and the e.u. one that de

mr hedges had always protested his innocence, but officials in the uae say he's still considered to be a spy, as our diplomatic correspondent paul adams reports. matthews after being handed a life sentence, he will soon be home. mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country once all the formalities are complete. the hoped for announcement came this morning, but with it a sting in the tail. the authorities in the united arab emirates still accuse matthew hedges of spying. he was part—time phd researcher, part—time businessman, but he was 100% a full—time secret service operative. but his wife has always maintained his innocence. she's campaigned for months to secure his release. in my heart i know what matt is, he's a phd researcher. his colleagues know it and his family know it, and hundreds of academics round the world know it, and that's all that matters. the most important thing really is that now we'll have him back home safely and he'll be able to finish his thesis. matthew hedges knows the uae well — he worked there for several years before starting his phd on aspects of the country's security policy. the government here doesn't think that sh

mr hedges had always protested his innocence, but officials in the uae say he's still considered to be a spy, as our diplomatic correspondent paul adams reports. mattheweal is almost over. five days after being handed a life sentence, he will soon be home. mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country once all the formalities are complete. the hoped—for announcement came this morning, but with it a sting in the tail. the authorities in the united arab emirates still accuse matthew hedges of spying. he was part—time phd researcher, part—time businessman, but he was 100% a full—time secret service operative. but his wife has always maintained his innocence. she's campaigned for months to secure his release. in my heart i know what matt is, he's a phd researcher. his colleagues know it and his family know it, and hundreds of academics around the world know it, and that's all that matters. the most important thing really is that now we'll have him back home safely and he'll be able to finish his thesis. matthew hedges knows the uae well — he worked there for several years before starting his phd on aspects of the country's security policy. the governme

mr hedges. he'd been in the country conducting research on security strategy. i should warn you this report from paul adams contains some flashing images. back on home soil, exhausted and emotional. matthewunited arab emirates early this morning. in a bbc radio interview, she spoke despairingly about her husband's six—month ordeal. evidence against him is completely fabricated and he was put through so much pain for six months that absolutely nothing that he said or didn't could be used against him. the uae says her husband is a spy, properly tried and convicted. britain says there's not a shred of evidence — an argument bluntly put to the uae ambassador by the foregin —— foreign secretary this morning. but this afternoon in the uae, an apparent change of tone. a statement described by the foreign office as an olive branch. "contrary to media reports," it began, "matthew hedges has been treated fairly, according to the constitution of the uae." but the final line hinted at conciliation. "both sides hope to find an amicable solution to the matthew hedges case." at the foreign office, mr hedges' wife had herfirst meeting withjeremy hunt, still haunted by yesterday's court hearing, but less

mr. speaker. university p student matthew hedges was arrested when he was leaving the uae, and he completed his research on the foreign policy. he has now been sentenced to .ife imprisonment a number of us, the irony of a former msx officer that work in and organizeice s to of the excellent visit the uae. this is inconsistent with a nation with which we have a neutral defense accord. if he is not released, i don't see why we should be committed to their defense. >> i thank you my honorable friend. inare deeply disappointed the state verdict. i understand how difficult this is for matthew hedges and for his family. during his visit to the uae on november 12, he raised the issue , and we crown prince can do what all we can. that wayime minister we are recognizing there are instances. >> can i send my deepest condolences to the honorable ladies constituents. .nd a fantastic work the consultation we took place will be over 3200 responses. and together with a draft domestic abuse later this session. delivers better decision-making. 4503 men have been elected, and just 490 women. i am proud that two of those

lets talk to mr hoetches, a friend of matthew hedges. can you hear me?! can you hear me?skype connection with the friend of matthew hedges. simon binner struggled for 10 months against an aggressive form of motor neurone disease. he decided to end his own life in 2015 by travelling to a clinic in switzerland. his wife deborah was by his side even though she was absolutely sure that she didn't want him to do it. deborah had also lost her 18 year old daughter chloe a year and a half before simon first became ill, after she was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer. deborah has written a book about losing them both and how she has rebuilt her life. and she is here. thank you for coming on the programme. why were you totally sure you didn't want your husband to travel to switzerland? i appreciated he had the most terrible, terrible illness. the motor neurone disease, to see it up the motor neurone disease, to see it up close, is really dreadful but he was my husband and i loved him and i didn't stop loving him because he was ill. in fact his vulnerability made me love him even

reflected on that, they have taken the action that they can which means that matthew hedges is going to be reunited with his family. for mrthe foreign office to finally take action, it now seems the ordeal is over. it's taken me by surprise and i'm just so happy and so relieved and really incredulous that this is all happening, finally. it's been an absolute nightmarish six or seven months already and i just can't wait to have him back. the expectation is that the couple will be together again quite soon. richard galpin, bbc news. nato will convene an emergency meeting after russian forces seized three ukrainian navy vessels in the waters off crimea. the ukrainian president, petro poroshenko, has called for martial law to be declared in response. moscow and kiev are blaming each other over the incident, in which a tug and two gunboats were captured, and a number of ukrainian crew members were injured. both the eu and nato have urged restraint. our moscow corrrespondent, steve rosenberg, has the details. off the coast of crimea, russian border guards on collision course with the ukrainian navy. here the russians target a u

said the foreign office failed to act quickly and firmly enough when her husband, matthew hedges, was detained in may. mra spoke to the bbc‘s today programme as soon as she landed at heathrow this morning and said officials had disregarded her views, and appeared to place britain‘s interests in the gulf above those of her husband. i believe they should have taken a firmer stance from the beginning. if not publicly, through their private representations. this is something i feel that they failed to do throughout really. they only started taking a firmer approach and started taking a firmer approach and started taking everything that i had been insisting on for months seriously once matt was released on bail. when you say things you had insisted on, you say things you had insisted on, you had been talking to them and trying to persuade them to do more? ihad, trying to persuade them to do more? i had, yes. on repeated occasions, probably on a weekly basis. i asked for the foreign secretary‘s representation. i asked for firmer sta nces representation. i asked for firmer stances from the foreign minister. and

mr hedges had always protested his innocence but officials in the uae say he's still considered to be a spy, as our diplomatic correspondent paul adams reports. matthewfive days after being handed a life sentence, he will soon be home. mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country once all the formalities are complete. the hoped for announcement came this morning, but with it a sting in the tail. the authorities in the united arab emirates still accuse matthew hedges of spying. he was part—time phd researcher, part—time businessman, but he was 100% a full—time secret service operative. but his wife has always maintained his innocence. she's campaigned for months to secure his release. in my heart i know what matt is, he's a phd researcher. his colleagues know it and his family know it, and hundreds of academics round the world know it, and that's all that matters. the most important thing really is that now we'll have him back home safely and he'll be able to finish his thesis. matthew hedges knows the uae well — he worked there for several years before starting his phd on aspects of the country's security policy. the government here doesn't think

mr hedges was a british agent. but his wife, who's led the campaign for his release, insists he was not a spy. paul adams reports. mattheweal is almost over. five days after being handed a life sentence, he's preparing to come home. mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country, once all the formalities are complete. the hoped—for announcement came this morning. but with it, a sting in the tail, the authorities in the united arab emirates still accuse matthew hedges of spying. he was part—time phd researcher, part—time businessmen. but he was 100% a full—time secret service operative. matthew hedges knows the uae well, he worked there for several years before starting his phd on aspects of the country's security policy. sensitive subjects. but, says the government here, perfectly legitimate. we've made it very clear, for a number of months, now that we see no basis in these allegations. they've reflected on that, they've taken the action that they can, which means that matthew hedges is going to be reunited with his family. the uae remains convinced that matthew hedges was indeed a spy. he was certainly researching so

reflected on that, they have taken the action that they can which means that matthew hedges is going to be reunited with his family. for mr taken me by surprise and i'm just so happy and so relieved my my hopes have been shattered on so many occasions that i didn't know whether i should raise them up again. it isjust come whether i should raise them up again. it is just come as a very sudden, very happy surprise. but just not something that i would have expected in such an immediate future. the expectation is that the couple will be reunited tomorrow. richard galpin, bbc news. shana marshall is associate director of the institute for middle east studies at the george washington university — she is also a colleague of matthew hedges and is in our washington studio. thank you forjoining us. my first question, your reaction at the turn of events of the past 24 hours. we are all very relieved. obviously. and a little surprised. i know a lot of people had expected something like this to eventually play out. after the authorities make their point. it seemed that they were sort of using maps as a symbol to discourage further res

during the investigation, it emerged that mr hedges has been using two different identities together information from his targets. in one, he was matthewh.d. researcher, part—time businessman, but he was hundred percent a full—time secret service operative. matthew hedges wa5 pardoned, along with nearly 800 other prisoners in the uae — that's a tradition ahead of the national day on sunday. and we think matthew hedges may arrive back in the uk on early tuesday morning. he's already spent six months in solitary confinement. let's hear the reaction of detained in dubai, which is an ngo that helps people in just that situation. in many of these cases, if the british government has intervened at an early stage, they could have actually prevented the conviction from happening in the first place. and the fact that he has been pardoned means it is a way for the uae to almost say he was guilty, we are partnering him and impress the uk. the foreign secretary has said there is absolutely no evidence against matthew hedges for the allegations, and now he has a criminal conviction, a life sentence, which can actually affect his ability to travel i

mr. hedges will le permitted ve when the formalities are complete. paul: with it, a sting in the tail -- authorities in the united arab emiratesccused matthew hedges ofg. he worked there for several years before starting his phdn aspects of the country's security policy, a sensitive subject. >> we have made it very clear for a number of months now that we see no basis in the allegations. they've taken the action that they can, which means that matthew reunited with his family. uae remains convinced that matthew hedges was a spy. he was certain researching sensitive areas, including the country's military capabities and its role in the war in yemen. but what he and most agademics would as perfectly legitimate, the uae says is suspect. matthew hedges' wife has campaigned for mono scure his release, maintaining his complete innocence throughout. >> in my heart i knowtt what is. he is a phd researcher. khis colleaguw it, his family knows academics around the world know it, and that is all that matters. now we will have him back home safely and he will finish his this. paul: his familsays the ordeal s taken its toll. his life and career put on hold six mo

matthew hedges. france has imposed travel bans on 18 saudis following the murder of the journalist jamal khashoggi. mrr entering the saudi consulate in turkey last month. the french government has called for a transparent and exhaustive response from the saudi authorities and has warned more travel bans could be imposed. the move follows similar restrictions imposed by the german government earlier this week. saudi arabia blames rogue agents for the journalist's death. a major new report has highlighted the scale of mental illness suffered by children and young people in england. data collected by nhs digital shows one in eight 5—to—19—year—olds had a mental disorder last year. 0ur health correspondent, dominic hughes, reports. for years, emma has struggled with a range of mental health problems. from the age of 13, she suffered from anxiety and panic attacks and then an eating disorder robbed her of her teenage years. i felt like i didn't deserve anything really. deserve help off people who care about me. i hate what i see in the mirror. and i hate eating. and i hate feeling like healthy. and it's th

said the foreign office failed to act quickly and firmly enough when her husband, matthew hedges, was detained in may. mrges, who's 31, says he is innocent, and was in the uae to research his phd. speaking this morning on the bbc‘s today programme, ms tejada says officials had disregarded her views, and appeared to place britain's interests in the gulf above those of her husband. theyjust disregarded my requests. they said that it wasn't part of theirjob, that it wasn't part of their duty. on one occasion one of the caseworkers actually said that the foreign office did not have a duty of care so they weren't obliged to make such representations. i was under the impression that they were putting their interests with the uae above a british citizen's rightful freedom and his welfare and his right not just to a fair trial, just to freedom. they were stepping on eggshells instead of taking a firm stance. no allies should be treating a fellow country's citizens like that. and there's absolutely no reason why they should think that a close ally would be sending an undercover agent to spy on them. it's absurd.

mr hedges was a british agent. but his wife who's led the campaign for his release insists he was not a spy. paul adams reports. matthew, he's preparing to come home. mr hedges will be permitted to leave the country, once all the formalities are complete. the hoped—for announcement came this morning. but with it, a sting in the tail, the authorities in the united arab emirates still accuse matthew hedges of spying. he was part—time phd researcher, part—time businessman. but he was 100% a full—time secret service operative. matthew hedges knows the uae well, he worked there for several years before starting his phd on aspects of the country's security policy. sensitive subjects. but, says the government here, perfectly legitimate. we've made it very clear, for a number of months, now that we see no basis in these allegations. they've reflected on that, they've taken the action that they can, which means that matthew hedges is going to be reunited with his family. the uae remains convinced that matthew hedges was indeed a spy. he was certainly researching some sensitive areas, including the country's military capabilitie

of british academic matthew hedges, sentenced to life imprisonment, but says his government is studying a request for clemency. everyone can request a pardon from our president. mr by 2020, says the public spending watchdog. nigel farage criticises ukip leader gerard batten for appointing former english defence league leader tommy robinson a personal adviser. iam i am surprised that nigel has such an interest in what ukip is doing seeing as he walked away two years ago and has not displayed any interest in it whatsoever since and recently said he would give 100 sent effort to life means life which means “— effort to life means life which means —— leave means leave. shoppers hitting the black friday sales are being urged to check that the deals are worthwhile. good afternoon. welcome to bbc newsroom live. i'm annita mcveigh. the prime minister is continuing her push to sell her brexit deal to the public, as eu diplomats meet in brussels to finalise the details of the agreement and address last minute objections raised by spain. in the last few minutes, the prime minister's spokeswoman said theresa may will work with spain on brexit, but added that britain has wor

reflected on that, they have taken the action that they can which means that matthew hedges is going to be reunited with his family. for mrordeal is over. it‘s taken me by surprise and i‘m just so happy and so relieved and really incredulous that this is all happening, finally. it‘s been an absolute nightmarish six or seven months already and i just can‘t wait to have him back. the expectation is that the couple will be together again quite soon. richard galpin, bbc news. the ukrainian parliament is meeting to decide whether to declare martial law, after russian forces seized three of its navy vessels, in the waters off crimea. moscow and kiev are blaming each other over the incident, in which a tug and two gunboats were captured, and a number of ukrainian crew members were injured. both the eu and nato have urged restraint. 0ur moscow corrrespondent, steve rosenberg, has the details. off the coast of crimea, russian border guards on collision course with the ukrainian navy. here the russians target a ukrainian tug boat. the hint is a less than subtle — get out of these waters. there was more drama to come. later, russian

mr speaker. durham university ph.d. student matthew hedgesuter office of the de factor ruler of the uae, has organised many of the excellent visits from this house to the uae. but this is wholly inconsistent, with the behaviour of a nation with whom we have a neutral defence accord. will the prime minister please give this her urgent attention, if he is not released i don't see why we should be committed to their defence. i say to my honourable friend, we are, of course, as he is, deeply disappointed and concerned with the verdict. i realise how difficult and distressing this is for matthew and his family. we are raising it with the authorities at the highest level, my right honourable friend the foreign secretary is seeking accord with the foreign minister, during his visit to the uae on december 12. he visited the issue with the crown prince and the foreign minister —— november the 12th. i can assure my honourable friend that the foreign office will remain in close contact with matthew, his family, and his lawyer, and do all we can to suppo

the wife of matthew hedges — jailed for spying in the united arab emirates — thanks the foreign secretary, after he assured her that his team is doing everything in their power to free mr reveal a big increase in the number of youngsters experiencing mental health problems. theresa may has told the commons she will spend the next three days in "crucial" brexit negotiations, after officials agreed a draft political declaration on the uk's future relationship with the eu. the prime minister said the agreement was "right for the whole of the uk" — but mps from all sides of the house criticised it — with the labour leaderjeremy corbyn dismissing it as 26 pages of waffle. let's have a look at some of the key points within that declaration. the document — which is not legally binding — says both the eu and the uk are open to finding alternative arrangements to avoid the so called irish backstop, to ensure there is no hard border. it leaves open the possiblity of using technological solutions to solve the problem. the new text says the future relationship will respect the result of the referendum and makes a specific reference to the end of free movement to the uk. it also sa

matthew hedges — jailed for life for spying. everyone can request a pardon from our president. mrges‘ family have made a request for clemency and the government is studying that request. police introduce a new tactic to cut the number of moped robberies: knocking the offenders off their bikes. coming up on afternoon live all the sport with hugh... and a good day forfans of england cricket. both women and men. yes indeed. jonny bairstow was back having been left out of the second test and he was at his best, with a beautifully composed century in the third test against sri lanka, while earlier england's women moved to the verge of becoming double world champions. more at half past. we look forward to that. and all the weekend weather, howard looking?” think the best advice is hang onto your thick coat, it will stay chilly and we will need our umbrellas as well in the south. more details coming up in half an hour. hello, this is afternoon live — i'm rebecca jones. the prime minister has called for the british people to come together over her plans for brexit. she's been taking calls

the wife of matthew hedges — jailed for spying in the united arab emirates — thanks the foreign secretary, after he assured her that his team is doing everything in their power to free mr world meteorological organisation says greenhouse gases have reached record levels, and there are concerns that time is running out to deal with the problem. in a moment, it will be time for sportsday but first a look we'll have more on that draft agreement at what else is coming up this evening on bbc news... we'll have more on that draft agreement on future eu—uk relations — with two conservative mps — one who voted remain and another who voted leave. we'll also hear from the the police officer poisoned in the salisbury nerve agent attack — who's spoken publicly for the first time about his ordeal. and at 10:30pm, we'll take a first look at tomorrow's front pages in the papers — tonight's guests a re steven swi nford, deputy political editor at the daily telegraph, and the talkradio presenter, daisy mcandrew. that's all ahead on bbc news. now on bbc news it's time for sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday. nothing is impossible, the words of robert kubica, as it's announced he'l

mr conway said the decision was ‘extremely disappointing'. the british academic freed from jail in the united arab emirates yesterday has arrived back in britain. matthew hedgeshe durham university phd student was given a pardon after being sentenced to life in prison just days earlierfor spying for the british government. politicians from 9 different countries have expressed their anger after the facebook founder mark zuckerberg refused to appear as part of an international inquiry into so—called ‘fake news‘ despite being asked repeatedly to attend. the politicians were left having to question facebook‘s european policy chief at westminster today leaving an empty chair for mr zuckerberg. it followed the seizure by parliament of a number of documents belonging to facebook allegedly containing new information about the company's controversial data and privacy controls, as our technology correspondent rory cellan—jones reports. they had demanded the boss — and they weren't happy that mark zuckerberg declined their invitation. so, the facebook executive sent in his place came under immediate attack from a canadian mp at this multinational hearing. 0ur democratic

matthew hedges was found guilty of spying for the british government, but his family says he is innocent. mrnot be resolved. we see absolutely no evidence for any of the charges laid against him. we are very concerned for his welfare. the uae is supposed to be a friend and ally of britain's. we have given them repeated assurances of matthew. and if we can't resolve this there are going to be serious diplomatic consequences. in the next few minutes we'll be talking to one of matthew hedges' friends, who has been helping with the campaign to free him. theresa may will return to brussels on saturday to try to finalise a deal on brexit ahead of a summit of european leaders. spain has warned it won't support the agreement unless changes are made to the wording over gibraltar, and the german leader angela merkel has indicated she won't attend unless the text on future co—operation is agreed in advance. 0ur political correspondent iain watson is in westminster. this is real brinkmanship, isn't it? theresa may going back on saturday. in theory, decisions to be made on sunday. that's right. yes. the

the wife of matthew hedges, jailed for spying in the united arab emirates, thanks the foreign secretary, after he assured her that his team is doing everything in their power to free mrs. new figures reveal a big increase in the number of youngsters experiencing mental health problems. hello and welcome to our look ahead to what the the papers will be bringing us tomorrow. with me are steven swinford, who's deputy political editor at the daily telegraph, and the talkradio presenter, daisy mcandrew. let's take a look at some of tomorrow's front pages. the daily mail leads on theresa may's efforts to get her brexit deal over the line in the face of rebellious mps by directly appealing to the business community and the public for support. the guardian says the prime minister is battling on all fronts to save her brexit deal, with mrs may caught between demands from backbench brexiteers for a change of course and a refusal from european leaders for any further concessions. brexit also leads the metro, which quotes the prime minister's claim that a deal is within grasp after the uk and the eu agreed on the political basis for a future relationship. the sun front page read

decision matthew hedges was arrested at dubai airport in may while on a research ship for his university thesis says he was forced to sign a confession in arabic which he doesn't understand mr hedges family have made a request for clemency and the government is that that request british foreign secretary jeremy hunt had a good conversation with our foreign minister i also met him yesterday privately as mr hunt say that we have an extremely close partnership with the u.k. because of the strength that relationship we are hopeful that an amicable solution can be achieved. paul brennan has more from london. the u.a.e. ambassador who's come out and first of all defended the integrity of the united arab emirates judicial system saying that that he had just was not convicted after some five minutes summary justice trial the three senior judges examined his case over the period of a month and found that the evidence against him was in the in the ambassador's words anyway compelling that said he said that under u.s. law there was the possibility of a defendant to appeal against the sentence or be applied for clemency and it's he made it clear that the family of matthew hedges has no

matthew hedges has been treated fairly, according to the constitution of the uae. we are proud, it says, to have a system ofjustice that gives everyone the right to a fair trial. mr hunt this afternoon. she is still haunted by what she saw in court just yesterday. seeing him shaking in court after being handed a life sentence and then being made to leave was beyond heartbreaking. we didn't even get to say goodbye. i really appreciate the foreign secretary taking the time to meet me at this crucial point in mine and matt's life. the government is clearly anxious to be seen to be doing everything in its power to secure matthew hedges' release. how soon that happens, if at all, is still an open question, but the authorities in the united arab emirates insist that anyone convicted in a court has the right to appeal within 30 days and that families have the right to appeal for presidential clemency on behalf of convicted relatives. paul adams, bbc news, at the foreign office. nearly eight years ago, the formula one driver robert kubica almost died in a crash which left him with terrible injuries, including a partially severed arm. now, incredibly, he's returning to fo

mr hedges and of course doing clemency and in consideration of the historical relationship and close ties between the united arab emirates and they are that kingdom his highness has decided to include mr matthew wages among the seven hundred eighty five presidents released. britain's foreign secretary welcomed had just released but said his conviction shouldn't have happened in the first place. the truth is that we should never got to hear and we are deeply perplexed as to how it happened but we also want to recognize that the crown prince of united arab emirates crown prince mohammed bin and the foreign minister abdullah bin so you'd have been working very very hard to try and resolve the situation they do recognize the importance of the strategic relationship between the u.k. and the u.a.e. they have reflected on that importance in the decision that they have made today. has the latest from london. this outcome has all the hallmarks of a hard negotiated diplomatic compromise over this the news of matthew hedges pardon came in an early morning news conference in the u.a.e. and during that news conference some clips were played the journalists attending were not allowed to record those clips

matthew hedges' six—month ordeal is almost over. five days after being handed a life sentence, he's preparing to come home. mrre complete. the hoped—for announcement came this morning. but with it, a sting in the tail, the authorities in the united arab emirates still accuse matthew hedges of spying. he was part—time phd researcher, part—time businessmen. but he was 100% a full—time secret service operative. matthew hedges knows the uae well, he worked there for several years before starting his phd on aspects of the country's security policy. sensitive subjects. but, says the government here, perfectly legitimate. we've made it very clear, for a number of months, now that we see no basis in these allegations. they've reflected on that, they've taken the action that they can, which means that matthew hedges is going to be reunited with his family. the uae remains convinced that matthew hedges was indeed a spy. he was certainly researching some sensitive areas, including the country's military capabilities and its role in the war in yemen. but what he, and most academics, would regard as perfectly legitimate,

the british academic matthew hedges has arrived back in the uk after he received a pardon following his conviction for spying in the united arab emirates. mr. authorities in the uae continue to believe he was a spy. years part—time ph.d. researcher, part—time businessmen, but he was 100% a full—time secret service operative. it is possible there would have released a month ago the british government had only admitted as much. that was never on the cards. the foreign secretaryjeremy hunt says there is something no evidence that the allegation. we have made it clear for a number of months now we see no basis in these allegations. they have reflected on that and taken the action they can, which means that matthew hedges will be reunited with his family. my hopes had been shattered on so many occasions that i didn't actually know whether i should raise them up again, so it hasjust come asa them up again, so it hasjust come as a very them up again, so it hasjust come as a very sudden, very happy surprise. it now seems neither government wanted to risk a serious ru ptu re government wanted to risk a serious rupture in relations, something that s

the british academic matthew hedges has arrived back in the uk this morning after receiving a pardoned following his conviction for spain in the united arab emirates. mrunited arab emirates. mr hedges has always denied the charge and said he was having out to —— research for his ph.d., he banged for an office and pay tribute to his wife daniela, saying she was brave and strong —— banked. and into rubble burden has been placed on police forces in england and wales because of a national crisis in mental health ca re national crisis in mental health care watchdog has warned. the inspectorate of constabulary said officers were left to pick up the pieces and respond to tens of thousands of incidents that should be handled by mental health workers. the home office said it was in —— investing in services and praised police leadership. thousands of cancer patients are dying unnecessarily each year under the nhs in england. the health foundation which campaigns for better treatment says more needs to better treatment says more needs to be done to close the gap in survival rates between the uk and other countries. the government says improving cancer care is a

of british academic matthew hedges, sentenced to life imprisonment, but says his government is studying a request for clemency. everyone can request a pardon from our president. mr

the british academic matthew hedges has arrived back in the uk this morning, after he received a pardon following his conviction for spying in the united arab emirates. mr said he was carrying out research for his phd. in the past hour, he's released a statement, thanking the foreign office and paying tribute to his wife, daniela. in it, he says, "i don't know where to begin with thanking people for securing my release. i could not have done this without daniela, i hear her face is everywhere. she is so brave and strong. i thank you all once again, this is very surreal!" less than a week ago, matthew hedges was facing life in prison. now he is a free man, able to resume his personal and life. the authorities in the uae continue to believe he was a spy. he was part—time phd researcher, part—time businessman, but he was 100% a full—time secret service operative. it is possible they would have released him months ago, if the british government had only admitted as much. but that was never on the cards. the foreign secretary, jeremy hunt, says there is simply no evidence for the allegations. we have made it very clear for a number of months now, that we see

matthew hedges, who is 31 years old and was studying for a phd at durham university, and was arrested in dubai in may after a research trip. mrday and the trial lasted just five minutes. the uk foreign secretary jeremy hunt, who's spoken to the crown prince in abu dhabi about the case, says it could damage relations between the two allies. paul blake reports from dubai. matthew hedges in happier times with his wife daniela. the durham university academic was in the united arab emirates to research the country's foreign policy, but as he was about to return to the uk, he was detained, with his family saying he was held in solitary confinement, forced to sign a confession in arabic and fed a cocktail of drugs. today, despite hopes for his release, the academic was sentenced to life in prison. his wife, daniela, who was in court, issued a statement. "i'm in complete shock. i don't know what to do. matthew is innocent. this has been the worst six months of my life, let alone for matt, who was shaking when he heard the verdict." friends of the couple suggested that matthew hedges had been on the verge of being released. we are all

decision matthew hedges was arrested our dubai airport in may while on a research trip for his university thesis his family says he was forced to sign a confession in arabic which he doesn't understand mr hedges family have made a request for clemency and the government is studying that request british foreign secretary jeremy hunt had a good composition with our foreign minister i also met him yesterday privately as mr hunt we have an extremely close partnership with the u.k. because of the strength the relationship we are hopeful that an amicable solution can be abused. a politician and former militia leader accused of war crimes in central african republic has appeared at the international criminal court in the hague out fredricka tom also known as rumble was a senior leader within the mostly christian movement its fighters attacks muslim celica rebels will seize power in two thousand and thirteen here khatami is accused of killing civilians rape and recruiting child soldiers rory chalons reports from the hague. well alfred's yeah it's omes first appearance at the international criminal court here in the hague was short some procedural just thirty minutes or so long the three judges

judge's decision matthew hedges was arrested at dubai airport in may while on a research trip for his university. says he was forced to sign a confession in arabic which he didn't understand mr hedges family have made a request for clemency and the government is that that request. british foreign secretary jeremy hunt had a good composition with our foreign minister i also met him is that the privately as mr hunt we have an extremely close partnership with the u.k. because of this threat and that relationship we are hopeful that an amicable solution can be abused is there a small brennan has more now from london the u.a.e. ambassador who's come out and first of all defended the integrity of the united arab emirates judicial system saying that he had just was not convicted after some five minutes summary justice trial that three senior judges examined his case over the period of a month and found that the evidence against him was in the in the ambassador's words anyway compelling that said he said that under u.s. law there was the possibility of a defendant to appeal against the sentence or be applied for clemency and it's he made it clear that the family of matthew hedges ha

mr hedges and it was doing clemency and in consideration of the historical relationship and close ties between the united arab emirates and the united kingdom his highness has decided to include mr matthew ridges among the seven hundred eighty five prisoners released following the story from london for us is paul brennan hi paul i love to say that you know all's well that ends well but this is been a real roller coaster journey for the family and diplomatically as well. it has i mean six months of effective silence on the matthew has his case climaxed in a well a flurry of diplomatic activity starting last wednesday when he was sentenced to life imprisonment on these espionage charges by the court in abu dhabi provoking shock from the british foreign ministry and outrage from the hedges family then there was the turning and fro ing as to try and find some kind of compromise deal and if the timing was perfect in the sense that december second is the u.a.e. is national day and the president traditionally pardons hundreds of prisoners in the days leading up to that december second date so the if l. right into the plate of matthew hedges campaign that despite the one option being an appeal

decision matthew hedges was arrested at dubai airport in may also on a research trip for his university thesis his family say he was forced to sign a confession in arabic which he doesn't understand mr hedges family have made a request for clemency and the government is studying that request british foreign secretary jeremy hunt had a good composition with our foreign minister i also met him yesterday privately as mr hunt said we have an extremely close partnership with the u.k. because of this trend that relationship we are hopeful that an amicable solution can be achieved interlink m.p. supporting the disputed prime minister made the rajapaksa of water out of parliament for a second time this week they accuse the speaker of favoritism punches were thrown last week when m.p.'s pass a no confidence motion against rajapaksa both he and ranil wickremasinghe who was sacked by the president last month say they other lawful prime minister. strong winds are fanning bushfires on the east coast of australia some homes homeowners have been advised to move to safe the flights were canceled at sydney and melbourne apples stranding thousands of passengers. they reimposition of u.s. sanctions on

matthew hedges, who's studying at durham university was arrested after a research trip to dubai. mrch are placed on academics. there are very which are placed on academics. there are very few things that you can do research on. there are very few things on which you are allowed to teach on, there are quite a few numerous examples of academics working in the uae universities who have been arrested for human rights activism. there are even examples of academics working on the american new york university abou diaby campus and have been penalised for doing research, issues to do with migrant workers in the uae, and also talking very generally about uae‘s position politically in the deadliest at the moment. so it is a very sort of problematic issue for anyone doing research in the uae. which raises the question, why do you go there to do research if that is the sort of constraints that will be on you? i think academics do research on a number of different places in which there are constraints and it is supported for us to kind of engage with the dynamics and the processes and political