here's our ireland correspondent sara girvin.days ago, marking st patrick's day in washington, there was no sign of the shock resignation to come. my reasons for stepping down are both personal and political. i believe this government can be re—elected. but after careful consideration and some soul—searching, i believe that a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that. his appointment as taoiseach for the first time in 2017 was history—making. at 38, he was the youngest ever irish prime minister, the first from an ethnic background and the first gay leader. his appointment personified a changing and more modern ireland. he championed referendums legalising same sex marriage and abortion. he championed referendums legalising same—sex marriage and abortion. but it was the brexit negotiations that saw him make his mark on the world stage, with other leaders describing him as a sharp shooter and straight talker. today, the prime minister, rishi sunak, thanked leo varadkar for his dedicated service. b

our correspondent sara girvin is in belfast tonight. sara.agent known as stakeknife was described as the golden egg of army intelligence, but today the operation kenova report said that claim was based in fable and fairy tales and that actually he cost more lives than he saved. the report also found that state forces at times failed to prevent murder in an attempt to protect their agents within the ira. don't take any more photos of this house, i'm telling you now! because if you, i'll come out and i'll- do you! - this is freddie scappaticci. his double life personified the so—called dirty war between the ira and the british state during the troubles in northern ireland. he was the ira's chief interrogator, tasked with identifying informers inside the group. that role that saw him linked to numerous murders. but, incredibly, he himself was a british agent, codename stakeknife. findings from an interim report into his actions were revealed today. claims that he was responsible for saving countless or hundreds of lives are hugely exaggerated. m

sara girvin, bbc news in dublin.eason debut with the la dodgers in seoul. the japanese sports hero sent his fans into a frenzy on wednesday — with game tickets and ohtani merchandise selling out since he landed in south korea last week. for more on this i spoke to sports pundit mike carlson. he has been a star in the past few years, twice the most valuable player of his league but what makes him special is that he is an exceptionally good hitter who also is a very good hitter who also is a very good picture. good hitter who also is a very good picture-— good hitter who also is a very good picture. even a babe ruth back in the _ good picture. even a babe ruth back in the 1920s, _ good picture. even a babe ruth back in the 1920s, when - good picture. even a babe ruth back in the 1920s, when they . back in the 19205, when they realise what a great hitter he was, they stopped him in pitching and he played every day as a hitter. nobody has done what ohtani i5 day as a hitter. nobody has done what ohtani is doing before. h

sara girvin, bbc news in dublin.ifth term as president at the weekend. it was an election that western leaders have called neither free or fair. the bbc�*s russia editor steve rosenberg got a rare invite to the kremlin. vladimir vladimirovich putin! they say that location is everything, if you want to impress an audience. applause so, vladimir putin invited his celebrity supporters to one of the swankiest parts of the kremlin. he wasn't easy to see, but the messaging was clear. in the hall where russian tsars had been crowned... ..russia's president thanked the vips for backing his re—election. we were there too. a rare invitation inside the kremlin. a sign, perhaps, of president putin's growing confidence. even though the west has dismissed the election as a sham. this is, in effect, vladimir putin's victory lap. having won the race, a race so designed that he couldn't lose it, the kremlin leader wanted to thank his most famous fans for cheering him on, and was clearly happy to receive their congratulations. and his

sara girvin, bbc news.ons this week after a security lapse allowed a top—secret military discussion to be intercepted, then made public by russian state media. officers from the german air force were heard talking about weapons aid to ukraine, and the conversation also included sensitive details about uk military activities. our analysis editor ros atkins explains. the uk's foreign secretary and germany's foreign minister met in berlin on thursday, and at their press conference, one subject was certain to come up. i don't want to play into the hands of some russian narrative about divisions between allies. translation: we will not allow- anyone to drive a wedge between us. we're talking a hybrid war here. journalists were asking about a recording of a conversation between german military officials that russian sources had leaked days before. in the leak, we hear a discussion of the war in ukraine, in particular about the implications if germany were to send its long—range taurus missiles to ukraine, somethi

sara girvin, bbc news in dublin.ster led to groundbreaking social change in ireland. but not everything he did was met with praise. paul cunningham is a political correspondent for rte, ireland's public broadcaster, and he discussed how varadkar will be remembered as prime minister. i think one of his biggest legacies of the matter with for ireland during the brexit negotiators from the uk needing the european union are trying to ensure there was not a hardboard in and many irish politicians were over in the us trying to seek assistance as well as fanning out to try to bolster the irish position. i think that will be one of his key legacies he will be remembered for. another one will be covid—i9, which struck at a time when he was travelling in the us and had to walk down the steps of a hotel and say that the country was going to be closing down as a result of that. that obviously was a controversial issue on some measures were tough. there are people who have not forgiven him for that but i think some people viewed

sara girvin, bbc news. sara joins us now. so, what happens now? that is the big question.rim report today. we are expecting individual reports to be given to the family members of those people who are identified as a supposed informers, and killed by the ira. and there will be a more detailed report issued later this year. then, there are the recommendations, ten of those in here. one of them is a recommendation that both the government and the ira should both apologise for their part in what happened all those decades ago. we have heard from the government today in the form of the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris who said it would be inappropriate for the government to comment at this time. no indication there if there will be an apology to follow some time in the future. what we certainly do know is the actions of agent at stakeknife and his interactions with the british state during what was one of the most murky periods in northern ireland's history, those ripples will continue to be felt in this case all those decades on. a metropolitan police firearms o

mr scappaticci, who died last year, always denied he was stakeknife — as our correspondent sara girvinke any more photos of this house, i'm telling you now! because if you do, i'll come out and i'll- do you! - this is freddie scappaticci. his double life personified the so—called dirty war between the ira and the british state during the conflict in northern ireland. pictured here during the troubles, he was the ira's chief interrogator, trusted to find informers inside the group. it was a role that saw him linked to numerous murders. but despite his seniority in the ira, incredibly, he himself was a british agent, codename — stakeknife. findings from an interim report into his actions were revealed today. claims that he was responsible for saving countless or hundreds of lives are hugely exaggerated. most importantly, these claims belie the fact that stakeknife was himself involved in very serious and wholly unjustifiable criminality whilst operating as an agent — including murders. 32 people were considered for prosecution in connection with the stakeknife case, but no charges have b

for the latest developments, here's our ireland correspondent, sara girvin. service of northern ireland directed at those it said are speculating about this case online. and a warning too that anyone publishing information on social media, online, that could lead to the identification of any alleged victim in this case, they could find themselves under police investigation. there has been more political reaction trickling out today too, we heard from the first minister of northern ireland, sinn fein�*s michelle 0'neill, who said political stability in stormont is her priority. a lot of concern that yesterday's news might affect this place. political institutions and power—sharing in northern ireland can be quite delicate at the best of times. we have heard from the dup as well, northern ireland's largest unionist party, and the second biggest political party in stormont behind sinn fein. we heard from the deputy first minister emma little—pengelly who said she's determined to ensure political stability. her words mirroring what we know was in an internal mess

sara girvin reports. don�*t take any more photos of this house, i�*m telling you now.the so—called dirty war between the ira and the british state during the troubles in northern ireland. on one hand, he was the ira�*s chief interrogator, tasked with identifying informers inside the terrorist group, a role that saw him linked to numerous murders. 0n the other, he was himself a british agent codenamed sta keknife. the investigation into his action delivered the findings of its interim report today. while stakeknife was undoubtedly a valuable asset who provided intelligence about the ira at considerable risk to himself, claims that he was responsible for saving countless or hundreds of lives are hugely exaggerated. most importantly, these claims belie the fact that stakeknife was himself involved in very serious and wholly unjustifiable criminality whilst operating as an agent, including murders. 32 people were considered for prosecution in connection with the agent stakeknife case, on charges that range from murder to misconduct in a public office. those questioned incl

at the court was sara girvin and shejoins us now. sara, what s the background to this case?exander mccartney has admitted 185 charges involving more than 60 victims. those victims are spread across the uk and around the world, as far away as new zealand and america. this came to light back in 2018 when police in scotland contacted the police service in northern ireland about the case of a young girl who had been befriended by alexander mccartney on social media. she had sent him a naked picture and he told her if she didn't do what he asked her if she didn't do what he asked he would upload the picture on—lin. that led to a search of his home and devices being seized. on those devices being seized. on those devices were thousands of pictures of young girl bes. some clothed, some naked. it was then that the sheer scale of his offending came to light. he will be sentenced in may and we heard from the judge today who said that it would be a complex sentencing exercise.— a bbc investigation has found people have been tricked into buying mobile homes and caravans on holiday parks

live now to belfast and our correspondent there, sara girvin. this was a massive shock today.the scrambled meetings that we know took place in dublin this morning, did feel like many within his own party may not have even this coming. when leo varadkar was first appointed to shock back in 2017, he really became the personification of the changing face of ireland —— taoiseach. he was 38, of indian heritage, and he became ireland's first openly gay prime minister. during that press conference, he became visibly emotional. he said there would be speculation about the real reasons as he described them, prime stepping down. he said those real reasons were both personal and political. he said a new person was needed to lead his party into the next general election and that he felt he was no longer the right person for thatjob. leo varadkar has previously said that he would retire from politics by the age of 50. today he has announced he is stepping down at the age of a5. a general election in the republic of ireland must be called by next spring. today's announcement doesn't change

sara girvin, bbc news. let's speak to jennifer 0'leary in belfast. back in the days? about how things worked back in the da s? ., , ., days? two teens -- today's interim findinus days? two teens -- today's interim findings are — days? two teens -- today's interim findings are a _ days? two teens -- today's interim findings are a pearson _ days? two teens -- today's interim findings are a pearson indictment i days? two teens -- today's interim | findings are a pearson indictment of how some elements of british intelligence run agents during the northern island troubles. the defence of using second michael agent stakeknife for decades as an agent stakeknife for decades as an agent and ira is to use that now infamous quote is that he was a goose who laid the golden egg in terms of the intelligence he was provided and that that intelligence had saved thousands of lives. that assertion was described in today's reports as effectively a myth. that she in fact cost, probably cost more lives that he actually received. the report found that the murder, the tor

i spoke to our ireland correspondent, sara girvin.rmation starting to trickle through after what has been a really sharp breaking news that sirjeffrey donaldson has stepped down with immediate effect as the leader of the democratic unionist party following charges of what the police describe as non—recent sexual offences, and what i can tell you now is that the bbc understands that sir geoffrey has been charged with rape and multiple other sexual offences. we understand a police investigation had been taking place over the past few months before today's announcement after two women came forward, and we also know now that sirjeffrey�*s stated that he will be stacked strenuously contesting charges. just remind you what else they have said, they didn't name sojeffrey this morning, theyjust said a 61—year—old man had been charged with non—recent sexual offensives, and a 57—year—old woman was arrested at the same time and charged with aiding and abetting additional offences. that statement also said this morning that the pair will be appea

let's speak to our ireland correspondent, sara girvin.s up—to—date with these developments. figs bring is up-to-date with these developments.— bring is up-to-date with these developments. as you say, more details, developments. as you say, more details. more — developments. as you say, more details, more information - developments. as you say, more | details, more information starting to trickle through after what has been shock breaking news that sir jeffrey donaldson has stepped down with immediate effect as the leader of the democratic unionist party following charges with what the police describe as non—recent sexual offences and what i can tell you now as the bbc understands sirjeffrey donaldson has been charged with right and the multiple and other offences. we understand a police investigation had been taking place over the past few months before to date was like announcement after two women came forward. we know his letter to the dup saying he was stepping down and that he would be strenuously contesting those charges, we heard the

in a statement it said that in accordance with the party rules, our correspondent sara girvin joins meide the northern ireland assembly, at stormont. asi as i look is standing there and thinking back only a matter of weeks since we saw those images show right around the world the restoration of that assembly, of the power—sharing at the assembly. as we have heard from many guests so far today, we knowjeffrey donaldson was absolutely instrumental in that happening. absolutely instrumental in that happening-— absolutely instrumental in that haueninu. . . , a absolutely instrumental in that hauuenin, ., ., , �*, happening. yeah, he wants. as you sa , it happening. yeah, he wants. as you say. it was — happening. yeah, he wants. as you say. it was just _ happening. yeah, he wants. as you say. it wasjust a — happening. yeah, he wants. as you say, it wasjust a matter— happening. yeah, he wants. as you say, it was just a matter of - happening. yeah, he wants. as you say, it wasjust a matter of months| say, it was just a matter of months and stormont has been back up and running after a hiatus

our correspondent sara girvin was in court today alexander mccartney pleaded guilty to manslaughter.age of 13 when she took her own life after being blackmailed by him. he has now admitted 185 charges involving more than 60 victims. there has been a recording restriction on this case that was lifted this morning for that what we know about those victims as fear spread across the world in the uk some of them are as far as way as new zealand and america. all this came to light back in 2008 when police in scotland contacted the police in scotland contacted the police service in northern ireland and the case of a 12—year—old girl who had been befriended by mccarthy on social media. she had sent him a naked image and he told her that if she didn't do what he wanted to do it she would doing that he would upload that to the internet. the search took place of devices, and thousands of images of young girls in various states of dress and undress for the all these offences took place within a six year period, between 2013 and 19. alexander mccartney has been remanded in prison since 2019. the

our ireland correspondent sara girvin is outside stormont.ll in northern ireland? it absolutely has. northern ireland is never had to seek its political ups and downs but today, what has happened, has sent shock waves. it has shocked people here and politicians. it is important to remember that the devolved government here in stormont has only been up and running for a matter of months after a two—year hiatus. it was the dup that collapsed the institutions and so there is an understandable nervousness about how what happened today might impact this place. we have heard from the first minister of northern ireland, sinn fein�*s michelle o'neill, she said the northern ireland executive must continue to work for the whole community and perhaps in a note of reassurance we heard from the interim leader of the dup, gavin robinson. he says his party's focus is now making northern ireland work and making devolution work for the people of northern ireland. what's happened here today has caused a political earthquake. there is simply no doubt about that

i spoke earlier with our ireland correspondent sara girvin who is in belfast and had the latest fromder mccartney has also pleaded guilty to more than 185 charges involving 60 victims spread across the uk and around the world as far away as new zealand and america. and we know that all of this came to light back in 2018 when scottish police contacted the police service of northern ireland about the case of a girl who had been befriended by alexander mccartney on social media. she had sent him a naked picture and he told her if she didn't do what he asked he would post it online. a search of alexander mccartney's home then took place. devices were seized. and on those devices were thousands of pictures of young girls, some of them clothed, some of them naked, and it was really then that the sheer scale of his offending came to light. we know that it took place over a six—year period between 2013 and 2019 and alexander mccartney has been in prison on remand since 2019. today, after he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a lot of the reporting restrictions that were on this case were lifted

moment we will speak to damian grammaticus, who is in westminster for us _ our ireland correspondent sara girvinnight. and this is a shock for everyone there? the new dup leader expressing everybody�*s shock at this news? everybody's shock at this news? yes, it has been a — everybody's shock at this news? yes, it has been a massive _ everybody's shock at this news? 133 it has been a massive shock, reeta. northern ireland is no stranger to political twists and is, we know that, but what has happened today has been a political earthquake, and the shockwaves of that are being felt across this place. it is only a matter of months since the devolved government returned to stormont here in belfast, and that was because under sirjeffrey donaldson�*s leadership of the dup, the party went out of power sharing, collapsing those institutions for two years in protest at post—brexit trading arrangements, and it was under his leadership again that they came back to power—sharing, although not everyone in his party was happy about that at the time. it has been about that at the time. it has been a tumultuous f

let's speak to our ireland correspondent, sara girvin. a quite stunning development.tunning development. take us through it— us through it. yeah, it's really remarkable. _ us through it. yeah, it's really remarkable. sir _ us through it. yeah, it's really remarkable. sirjeffrey - us through it. yeah, it's really - remarkable. sirjeffrey donaldson remarkable. sirjeffrey donaldson would be one of the best—known faces in politics here in northern ireland, he has been for decades. he's been the leader of the dup since 2021, he's been the mp for the lagan valley area since 1997, he is northern ireland's longest serving mp. it has been a tumultuous few years for the democratic unionist party, there is no doubt about that, and it was under sirjeffrey�*s leadership that they walked away from the power—sharing institutions here at stormont. that was over the northern ireland protocol which then became the windsor framework, the special trading arrangements post—brexit, and just a few months ago he led the dup back into the power—sharing institutions here at stormont for the fi

our ireland correspondent sara girvin has more on the sense of shock felt at stormont today.ming until we had a statement from the police service of northern ireland this morning saying that a 61—year—old man had been arrested and charged over those offences. then confirmation later this afternoon that sirjeffrey donaldson would be stepping down as the leader of the dup with immediate effect. and although he is an mp and the interim leader of the dup of the dup, gavin robinson is also an mp and they both at westminster, of course there had been a lot of concern about what would happen here at stormont, at northern ireland's devolved power—sharing government. because these institutions can be a notoriously fragile. and just to fill you in on what's been going on over the last number of years, i mean, it's literallyjust a few months that stormont�*s being back up and running because it was under sirjeffrey donaldson�*s leadership of the dup that the party pulled out of power—sharing here, collapsing those institutions and leaving northern ireland without a devolved government f

here's our ireland correspondent sara girvin. out and i'll- do you. - this is freddie scappaticci. his double life personified the so—called dirty war between the ira and the british state during the troubles in northern ireland. on one hand, he was the ira's chief interrogator, tasked with identifying informers inside the terrorist group, a role that saw him linked to 17 murders. 0n the other, he was himself a british agent codenamed sta keknife. the investigation into stakeknife's actions will deliver an interim report today. 0peration kenova has taken a seven years and cost almost £a0 million. 32 people were considered for prosecution in connection with the agent stakeknife case, and charges that range from murder to misconduct in a public office. those questioned included ira members, former military personnel, including the agent's handlers, and a former police officer. but the public prosecution service says no—one will be charged due to what it calls insufficient evidence. that's a decision that has frustrated some. it mig

our correspondent sara girvin was in court, this was a very complex case and on a huge scale. who is not from the uk, alexander mccartney has admitted to 185 charges involving more than 60 victims. the victims are spread across the uk and the world. as far away as america and new zealand. all this came to light backin new zealand. all this came to light back in 2018 when police in scotland contacted police in northern ireland, about the case of a young girl who was befriended by alexander mccartney on social media. she sent him a naked photograph and he told her if she didn't do what he asked her if she didn't do what he asked he would post it on line. his home was seized and thousands of images of young girls were found, some clothed, some naked and it was then that the sheer scale of his offending came to light. we heard today in court that he will be sentenced in may and as part of that process the victim impact statements are being gathered. they will set out the effect the actions of alexander mccartney have had on all those young women and girls. thank ou. our top story

earlier i spoke to our ireland correpondent, sara girvin and asked her about the timing of the announcementtical circles. you know, when leo varadkar was first appointed as taoiseach back in 2017, it was really history making for a number of reasons. he was the youngest ever taoiseach at the age of 38. the first from an ethnic background and the first gay leader. now, during an emotional address today, i know you just heard some of the press conference, he talked about what he described as personal and political reasons for standing down. he said he was simply not the right man for the job any more, not the right man to lead his party into the next election. it must be called early next year. we have heard a lot of political reaction today, as you can imagine, i will give you just a flavour of that. the prime minister, rishi sunak, said he and leo varadkar have worked on many things together, such as the restoration of power sharing in northern ireland. he said he wished him well and looked forward to working with his successor. we heard from the deputy irish prime minister, who said that w

sara girvin reports.initially set up to oversee operation kenova. she spoke to me earlier. , ., ., , earlier. very sad and a very bad day as we hear— earlier. very sad and a very bad day as we hear the _ earlier. very sad and a very bad day as we hear the report _ earlier. very sad and a very bad day as we hear the report of the - earlier. very sad and a very bad day as we hear the report of the extent| as we hear the report of the extent to which this agent, known as scappaticci... this agent, some referred to as scappaticci, stakeknife, was operating. we have heard stories from stakeknife involved in multiple murders, and involved in multiple murders, and involved in multiple murders, and involved in abductions and torturers. it's a terrible day. maid? torturers. it's a terrible day. now we heard from _ torturers. it's a terrible day. now we heard from john _ torturers. it's a terrible day. now we heard from john booch earlier following that report from operation kenova — he was to clear the decision ma

earlier, we spoke to our ireland correspondent sara girvin from stormont.coming until we had a statement from the police service of northern ireland this morning saying that a 61—year—old man had been arrested and charged over those offences. then confirmation later this afternoon that sirjeffrey donaldson would be stepping down as the leader of the dup with immediate effect. and although he is an mp and the interim leader of the dup of the dup, gavin robinson is also an mp and they both at westminster, of course there had been a lot_ of concern about what would happen here at stormont, at northern ireland's devolved power—sharing government. because these institutions can be a notoriously fragile. and just to fill you in on what's been going on over the last number of years, i mean, it's literallyjust a few months that stormont's being back up and running because it was under sirjeffrey donaldson's leadership of the dup that the party pulled out of power—sharing here, collapsing those institutions and leaving northern ireland without a devolved government

our ireland correspondent sara girvin reports. an interim report today. operation kenova has taken a seven years and cost almost £a0 million. 32 people were considered for prosecution in connection with the agent stakeknife case, and charges that range from murder to misconduct in a public office. those questioned included ira members, former military personnel, including the agent's handlers, and a former police officer. but the public prosecution service says no—one will be charged due to what it calls insufficient evidence. that's a decision that has frustrated some. it might tell the relatives how their loved ones died, but that seems to be about the height of it. if no—one's going to be charged, then it's a whitewash. former ira members who knew scappaticci described him as a traitor. he was a disgusting human being. in any army, in any organisation, the person who gives away the organisation's secret is a very, very unsavory character, a character that no—one likes. those involved in intelligence gathering during the trouble