, that i am the leader of sinn fein, that i am part of the collective leadership, that the sinn feint the sinn fein leadership calls the shots in our party. so what is your relationship with the ira then? these people that george hamilton says are still out there, still wielding influence, what is your relationship with them? i have no relationship with the ira, i have no relationship with the ira, i have never been a member of the ira. i was democratically elected the distant position. we are an open, the credit party. and nobody dictates the pace to me. you have also indicated that you are an ambitious politician, and of course, in ireland, given the nature of the political make—up of the country, usually prime ministers are the result of coalition building. and you have said you are ready as sinn fein to work with the other main parties, whether it be fianna fail. the trouble is you are still associated with the ira, with the men of violence, with what michael martin of fianna fail calls the appalling atrocities of the past. they won't work with you. how are you going to fix that?

and your party, sinn fein, is steeped in the past.an you persuade the irish people that you can be agents of change? well, i think you're right to say that ireland is changing, and in some respects quite dramatically. i mean, we had a recent referendum on the very vexed social issue of abortion rights. and i think, more than anything else in recent times, that is a weathervane forjust how radically irish public opinion has changed, and the extent to which we now live in a much more diverse, much more open, much more tolerant society. and a year ago, slightly more, of course, we had the referendum on marriage equality. again, another — not quite so vexed, but nonetheless a contentious issue. and similarly, the population of ireland stated that they were well ahead, in many cases, of their politicians and their political leaders. and sinn fein in both of those instances, in both of those campaigns, was front and centre in making the argument for progress, in making the argument for change. and, you know, you say that we're steeped in th

leading the call for change, sinn fein's first new leader in 35 years.nce speech since taking over from gerry adams a few months ago. emery woman who calls this island home must have access to compassionate medical care at home. the north is next. now that sinn fein has officially changed its own stance on abortion, the party will continue pressing for the law to be changed here in northern ireland. where abortion remains illegal in most circumstances. but achieving this will be harder. sinn fein is not in government after power—sharing with the dup collapsed 17 months ago. change has come in the party, but deadlock over access to abortion for northern ireland remains. a murder investigation is underway after the death of a man in warrington. officers were called to wilderspool causeway in latchford just before 3:00am, where they found a 21—year—old man with serious injuries. he later died in hospital. a 31—year—old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. at least 25 people have been killed and dozens injured by a suicide bomb in the eastern afghan

sinn fein will debate changing the pa rty‘s sinn fein will debate changing the party's policy on abortionday. northern ireland is the only part of the uk where abortion is illegal, unless there is a serious risk to a woman's health. the republic voted to change its policy recently. 0ur ireland correspondent reports. mary lou mcdonald is in charge of a party which is the second largest in northern ireland and the third largest in the irish republic. she is the first new sinn fein leader in 35 years, having taken over from gerry adams a few months ago. the politician from dublin had a big role in the campaign in the republic to end an almost complete ban on abortion. after the referendum last month, the irish government wants to pass a new law to legalise terminations for any reason, until a woman's 12 weeks pregnant. but sinn fein‘s current policy doesn't go that far, saying that abortion should be allowed only when a woman's health is at risk. so the party leadership is bringing forward a proposal to the conference here to liberalise the position on abortion. it will would mean sinn fein

the motion, backed by sinn fein's leadership, has however, divided party members.inn fein's moment of change. the party once opposed abortion in most circumstances. no more will our reproductive rights be capitalised and commercialised. applause today delegates queued to speak in favour of reform. we must face the reality, the lives of some women are placed in danger and real risk due to their pregnancy. in the recent referendum campaign i was struck by the scores of women that came forward and told their personal stories. last month ireland voted decisively to overturn its ban on abortion. motion 95. today sinn fein passed a motion requiring its politicians to back new laws in the irish parliament, allowing abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. but not without some internal division. the 26 counties of ireland has lost something beautiful and precious, the protection of the unborn, but we the already born did not lose on may the 25th — the unborn child did. now that sinn fein has officially changed its own stance on abortion, the party will continue pressing for t

sinn fein have voted to liberalise the party's policy on abortion. route —— reversed a ban on these procedures. from belfast, our ireland correspondent emma vardy reports. anti—abortion campaigners turned out to greet sinn fein delegates this morning. these views were once in the party mainstream, but not any more. no more will our reproductive rights be capitalised and commercialised! today, sinn fein delegates of a new generation spoke in favour of abortion reform. we must face the reality that the lives of some women are placed in danger and real risk due to their pregnancy. during the recent referendum campaign, i was struck by the scores of women that came forward and told their personal stories. last month ireland voted decisively to overturn its ban on abortion. motion 95... today sinn fein passed a motion requiring its politicians to back new laws in the irish parliament, allowing abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. applause. but not without some internal division. the 26 counties of ireland has lost something beautiful and precious, the pr

sinn fein members vote in favour of liberalising abortion law at their conference in belfast. moment to forget for one of the greats. lionel messi misses a crucial penalty, as underdogs iceland secure a draw against argentina on day 3 of the world cup. and joining me tonight to review the sunday papers will be owen bennett from huffpostuk — and the journalist and broadcaster, penny smith. good evening and welcome to bbc news. in an extraordinary intervention by the home secretary, a 12—year—old boy with severe epilepsy is tonight receiving treatment, using an illegalform of cannabis oil. billy caudwell‘s mother bought the oil in canada, to help control his seizures but it was confiscated on her arrival at heathrow airport. sajid javid said he used "an exceptional power" to issue the licence for what he said was a medical emergency. richard lister has the story. charlotte and billy caldwell flew back to britain on monday after taking the law into their own hands. to treat billy's epilepsy, they bought cannabis oil in canada containing an ingredient banned in the uk. the drug wh

sinn fein will debate changing the party's policy on abortion at its annual conference in belfast.is arriving to give her side signed the fire which we have been seeing pictures of which has devastated the glasgow school of art. here she is. it is heartbreaking. the fire, as i think eve ryo ne heartbreaking. the fire, as i think everyone can see from the pictures last night, has been a devastating blaze, much worse than the one that too hold of the mackintosh building four years ago, so the damage is severe and expensive. obviously assessments and discussions are ongoing with the fire service and building control, about the structure of it, and safety, and all of us hope the building can be saved, but i think it is too early to draw any conclusions from that. it is heartbreaking and hard to find the words, given what happened four yea rs the words, given what happened four years ago, the fact it was so close to being reopened after the restoration, that this has happened again, and my heart goes out to everybody associated with the art school. this is an important point, there was

sinn fein wants the whole of ireland to remain within the eu, just like the people voted.fter the next general election in the republic. but it is still out of power at stormont, after its coalition partnership with the democratic unionists collapsed 17 months ago. and there are currently no negotiations to restore devolution. chris page, bbc news belfast. the headlines on bbc news: fire has broken out for a second time in four years at one of scotland's architectural landmarks, the glasgow school of art. there has been extensive damage. the government has said it will help with restoring the building. the mother of 12—year—old billy caldwell who wants to use cannabis oil to treat him says he is in a life threatening condition. the home office says it's sympathetic, and will take advice from his doctors. andy murray confirms he will make his competitive return from hip surgery at queens next week. the prime minister says she's disappointed after one of her own mps blocked plans to make upskirting a criminal offence. the new law would have seen offenders who secretly take p

sinn fein members vote in favour of liberalising abortion law at their conference in belfast. a moment to forget for one of the greats. lionel messi missed a crucial penalty as underdogs iceland secure a draw against argentina on day three of the world cup. and andy murray will make his competitive return from hip surgery at queens next week. we'll bring you that and all the days other sporting developments in sportsday at 7:30. good evening and welcome to bbc news. scotland's first minister has said she's heartbroken after the renowned glasgow school of art was badly damaged in a fire, for the second time in four years. the alarm was raised just after 11:00 last night and the mackintosh building was engulfed by flames within minutes. scottish fire and rescue says that the historic building has been extensively damaged along with some surrounding buildings. it was undergoing a multi—million pound restoration project following the last blaze. nicola sturgeon visited the site this afternoon to see the damage for herself, and praised the speed of the response and the skill of the

23—year—old aidan mcanespie was a sinn fein activist when he was shot dead at an army checkpoint mannedthe grenadier guards in county tyrone. 0ur ireland correspondent emma vardy reports. what happened at this checkpoint has been a subject of contention for three decades. aidan mcanespie was shot as he crossed the border on foot on his way to a gaelic football match. he was killed by a gunshot wound to the back. his family have long campaigned for the british army to be held accountable. today, they we re to be held accountable. today, they were told that a former soldier would not be charged with manslaughter. we feel comfortable that the way they have handled this. we hoped that things would happen quicker but we're hoping this goes to prosecution and will present an opportunity for us to clarify issues that still exist. the soldier, david jonathan holden, was 18 at the time.

sinn fein has begun debating changing the party's policy on abortion at its annual conference in belfastso give her first leader's address since replacing gerry adams. 0ur ireland correspondent, emma vardy, is at the conference in belfast. they brought this conference forward to allow the party to have this debate on abortion soon. they have only supported access to abortion in limited circumstances so far but following the referendum result in the republic to overturn the ban on abortion, the proposal put forward here if it passes would mean sinn fein politicians would have to support the party line on new laws in the irish parliament in dublin to legalise abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. to some degree, the party is still divided, at its leader mary lou mcdonald campaigned to overturn the ban on abortion in ireland, but some members oppose it and 2a branches have put forward a notion saying they believe sinn fein members should be able to vote according to their own personal beliefs. that will be debated here this afternoon. the prime minister says she's disappointed after one of

sinn fein members vote in favour of liberalising abortion law

now sinn fein, the annual conference, have voted to liberalise the party policy on abortion.ow it is time for the weather. hello once again, let's see how the rest of the weekend is going to pan out across the british isles. it started none too cheerily across a good part of scotland and northern ireland, some of the western fringes of england and wales too, because we have a weather front close by. through into the evening, i think, some of the heaviest of the downpours migrating into the eastern side of scotland, the north—east of england, before moving off into the north sea. following on behind, clearer skies allowing the temperatures to dribble away to single figures in parts of scotland, maybe into the north of england as well. further south, realy quite mild under the blanket of cloud, which thickens up all the while. after a dry enough start across wales and the south—west, i think there will be some rain into the afternoon, so too into northern ireland, eventually i think we will push it towards the north—west of england, maybe into the south—west of scotland. if you

members of sinn fein have voted on changing policies for abortion.n the irish republic can now support new legislation to allow terminations in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. perform up boss of friends telecom. the former manager's are accused of tried to make employees resign in order to cut thousands ofjobs. 13 people have been killed in venice way after a teargas canister detonated. summer 500 people were celebrating in caracas so breaking the end of the school year. thejustice minister says it was decimated after a fight broke out, sending 500 people rushing for the exit. official reports say the victims died of suffocation or multiple injuries. several other peoples have been sicily injured and anxious relatives wait at the hospital can use. relatives wait at the hospital can use. this is one of the victims. translation: we are not getting a nswe i’s translation: we are not getting answers from anybody here, i am in hearing from family and members, friends supporting me with my pain. those are the only answers i have here and what i know i

sinn fein delegates at a conference in belfast vote in favour of liberalising abortion law. now on bbc news, sportsday. hello, i'm olly foster live in moscow on the busy so far at the world cup, here's what's coming up on sportsday tonight. a costly miss from messi. iceland, making their world cup debut have stunned argentina. var and goal—line technology helps france get past australia but did the officials get it right? we'll also have the latest from the england camp, just two days out from their opening match. i'm hugh ferris, also coming up in the programme. england give up another lead to lose again in south africa. the defeat in the second test in bloemfontein is their fifth in a row. and andy murray's long—awaited comeback will be at queen's. he'll play his first match for nearly a year at the tournament next week. good evening, we've got four matches on the third day of world cup, three results are in. last night, all the football chat in the bars and restaurants in moscow was about that portugal and spain match, everyone raising a glass to the genius of cristiano r

the killing of a catholic man in northern ireland 30 years ago. 23—year—old aidan macanespie was a sinn feinn army checkpoint manned by the grenadier guards in county tyrone. the american rapper xxxtentacion has been shot dead outside a motorcycle shop in florida. the 20 year old's second album went to the top of the billboard chart in the us. he was described as one of rap‘s most controversial artists and was facing a number of criminal charges, including domestic abuse. there's been more travel disruption for northern rail passengers, as staff stage a 24—hour walk—out in a long—running dispute over driver—only trains. members of the rmt union say removing guards from trains is a risk to public safety, but some customers are unhappy about the new timetable delays. danny savage reports. first thing this morning, graham bandera leaves his home in harrogate for the short drive to the railway station. this is the 21st strike day on northern rail in the last 15 months. so he's already adjusted his plans. the train i normally get is the 9:09. and that has just been completely shelved. the one bef

while sinn fein would like to see some legislative change, there is no assembly, and it seems unlikelyk in the foreseeable future. that means all eyes are on westminster and the pressure remains an theresa may. she is hearing these voices and she knows the mood of the house, but she knows she has to keep the dup happy and that explains why she is treading very carefully. stephen walker in belfast. now for a look at some of the other news from westminster this week: mps backed a motion summoning a prominent leave campaigner in the referendum to appear before a commons committee inquiry into fake news. dominic cummings has repeatedly refused to speak to mps. so the chairman of the culture committee introduced a rarely—used motion in the house of commons to persuade him to come along. this was the first time since 1920 that emotion of this kind has been put before the house. —— a motion. it has not been done lightly, in some ways it is with regret, i wish we could have reached a successful conclusion before now. while one witness was refusing to appear, another was on appearance number tw

members of the political party sinn fein have voted in favour of changing the party's policy on abortionst. the move means that their mps in the irish republic can now support new legislation to allow terminations in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. the former boss of france telecom and six other members of his team are to be tried in connection with an alleged culture of harassment at the firm that's been linked to dozens of suicides. the former managers are accused of trying to make employees resign in order to cut thousands ofjobs. there's been more violence in nicaragua a day after the government and the opposition agreed a ceasefire to end nearly two months of unrest. negotiations are continuing under the mediation of the country's catholic church, but neither side seems capable of controlling the violent groups responsible for the deaths of more than 175 people in the past two months. will grant reports. peace in nicaragua barely lasted a day. an agreement reached between the two sides was not 2a hours old before it collapsed in the most grisly, violent way. almost an entire fa

relation to the killing of a man in northern ireland 30 years ago. 23—year—old aidan mcanespie was a sinn feino increase the cost of its standard variable tariff from august. dual fuel customers will see their bills rise by an average of 4.8%, around 55 pounds a year. shares in debenhams fell today when the retailer issued its third profit warning for the year. the company is expecting pre—tax profits to be £10 million, less that it originally forecast. a minute‘s silence has been observed at a ceremony in north london to mark one year since the terror attack in finsbury park. makram ali, who was 51, was killed and nine other people were injured when a van was driven into a crowd outside a mosque as our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford reports. london at rush hour, but today a minute of silence and reflection. among the leaders, the daughter and grandson of makram ali, who was killed in the finsbury park attack one year ago. and the imam who preserved the rule of law, making sure the attacker was kept safe until the police arrived. this is our city, this is our way of life. those who

sinn fein don't want to see a hard border here.h has been shaped by the traffic on this sea. now this coastline is returning to the foreas these islands hammer out new relations in the age of brexit. these islands hammer out new relations in the age of brexit. and nick is still in northern ireland — he joins us from belfast and has details of a change in direction on brexit tonight from the labour party. what have they announced? labour's policy on brexit evolving again. last summer they said the uk should be a member of a customs union. they have said they will seek to amend the bill to make sure the uk has full access to the eu internal market. they want ensure the uk has tariff—free access to the single market. they say they would preserve their demand that the uk can't be a rule taker, because they take parts in shared institutions and shared regulations. where does this leave things. remainers are not happy and others sayjez, you're the man. they both agree it will kill any hope of house of commons voting to keep the uk in the

none of the main political parties, sinn fein, the sdlp, the uup, none of them support extending thee of northern ireland. we need to look at the sensitive cases you have referred to come up with solutions. and that is what we are committed to doing. but in northern ireland, political paralysis means very little is happening. the devolved parliament in stormont has not sat since january last year. and that means that those women deliberating over abortion will have little choice but to wait, unless westminster decides to act. that's it for tonight. this weekend, it's planned that tens of thousands of women will march across britain to mark the 100th anniversary of the suffragette movement. so we leave you with one of the most famous suffragettes, emily davison, who died under the hooves of king george v's horse at epsom in 1913. no other film footage of her was known to exist, apart from that of her death. that is, until the bfi recently put online their suffragettes on film collection — including one from 1910, called "scenes in the record demonstration of suffragettes". it showed a

sinn fein could change its approach to abortion to ensure the party's mps in the irish republic supporthe party is currently in favour of repeal and allowing for abortion in a specific set of circumstances. the issue will be debated at its annual conference in belfast. the party leadership have backed the change but members say some members say they should be able to vote according to their conscience. you might remember earlier in the week we told you the story of trevor the peacock who was looking for love. he had been keeping residents in a county durham village awake after being on the loose for more than two weeks. and here's the reason why. when trevor doesn't have a partner, he isa when trevor doesn't have a partner, he is a bit unbearable. so that is what residents had been putting up with, and very frustrated traveller. bonnie dumped him, his p ten mates. but he is set to be match made. he is now set to be introduced to a new love interest called poppy. bird experts from blyth wildlife trust in northumberland spent more than an hour capturing him from a roof of a house. there w

sinn fein will debate changing the party's policy on abortion at its annual conference in belfast todayrt of the uk where abortion is illegal unless there is a serious risk to a woman's health. the republic recently voted to change its policy. 0ur northern ireland correspondent chris page reports. some members say the party leadership have backed the change but members say some members say they should be able to vote according to their conscience. you might remember earlier in the week we told you the story of trevor the peacock who was looking for love. he had been keeping residents in a county durham village awake after being on the loose for more than two weeks. and here's the reason why. his shrieking mating call was causing sleepless nights for villagers after he was dumped by his peahen mate bonnie. he is now set to be introduced to a new love interest called poppy. bird experts from blyth wildlife trust in northumberland spent more than an hour capturing him from a roof of a house. you look at this magnificent bird's plumage and his beautiful colouring and somebody has called him

sinn fein could change its approach to abortion to ensure the party's mps in the irish republic supportd there. currently, it is not in favour of allowing abortion without restrictions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. the issue will be debated at its annual conference in belfast. the party leadership have backed the change but some members say they should be able to vote according to their conscience. you might remember earlier in the week we told you the story of trevor the peacock who was looking for love. he had been keeping residents in a county durham village awake after being on the loose for more than two weeks. and here's the reason why. shrieks. his shrieking mating call was causing sleepless nights for villagers after he was dumped by his peahen mate, bonnie. how dare she! callous woman! chuckles he is now set to be introduced to a new love interest called poppy. bird experts from blyth wildlife trust in northumberland spent more than an hour capturing him from a roof of a house. now, safely ensconced, ready to meet the potential new love of his life. let's hope so for

sinn fein could change its approach to abortion to ensure the party's mps in the irish republic supportthere. currently, it is not in favour of allowing abortion without restrictions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. the issue will be debated at its annual conference in belfast. the party leadership have backed the change but some members say they should be able to vote according to their conscience. you might remember earlier in the week we told you the story of trevor the peacock who was looking for love. he had been keeping residents in a county durham village awake after being on the loose for more than two weeks. and here's the reason why... shrieks. his shrieking is his mating call and he was causing sleepless nights for villagers after he was dumped by his peahen mate — bonnie. he is now set to be introduced to a new love interest called poppy. bird experts from blyth wildlife trust in northumberland spent more than an hour capturing him from a roof of a house. i don't know if he was trying to get away from poppy. he hasn't seen her yet? he was mourning the break—up with bo

sinn fein activist aidan mcanespie was 23 when he was shot dead just after he walked through a checkpointthe northern ireland public prosecution service has said a man is to be charged with manslaughter by gross negligence. four water suppliers have been criticised for their response to the conditions caused by the storm known as the beast from the east earlier this year. regulator ofwat says poor preparation and an inadequate response led to significant hardship for people who were left without water for days. simon gompertz has more. first, it froze. and then it thawed. and the epidemic of burst pipes meant a shortage of water for essentials like washing, cooking and drinking, and tens of thousands cut off for days. i've been getting rainwater from outside and from my neighbours so it is not impossible. but i would say the worst thing is not being able to keep the washing up and the kitchen clean and also keep myself clean having a shower everyday. i've got five kids and literally without water for, like, since six o'clock yesterday morning. it's terrible. washing the bottles isjust a b

to a ha rd uk, because no deal would be to a hard order, which would inevitably be exploited by sinn feinarantee? we will not be gambling with the status of the border and i will return to the issue of no deal shortly. because that is central to much of the issue of the end ability of motions. i will give way to my honourable friend first. of motions. i will give way to my honourable friend firstlj of motions. i will give way to my honourable friend first. i suggested my right honourable friend, is the importance that the government has taken importance that the government has ta ken not that importance that the government has taken not that if a no eruption is rolled out, it guarantees a worse deal in any negotiation, anyone who has been party to a negotiation will understand that. he is correct and thatis understand that. he is correct and that is a point i will return to.|j give way. grateful to you. any satisfactory amendment that left the house of lords, the government would be obliged to put forward a substantial motion of that agreement has been rejected, no doubt it would d raft h

sinn fein activist aidan mcanespie was 23 when he was shot dead just after he walked through a checkpoint said a man is to be charged with manslaughter by gross negligence. the petrochemical company, ineos, has lost a court case seeking to overturn the scottish government's moratorium on fracking. the company had argued that the scottish government acted beyond its powers in seeking to ban fracking in scotland. butjudges at the court of session in edinburgh ruled that no actual ban was in place so ministers had not acted illegally. a new battery—powered plane has taken to the skies over norway — as part of the nation's bid to tackle climate change and air pollution. the country is planning to run all its transport systems on electricity. our environment analyst roger harabin has been to norway to find out more. flying, the worst thing you are likely to do for the climate. all those co2 emissions. is this an answer in norway? the pollution—free plane, powered by batteries. getting into this thing is a feat of human... he laughs human origami. she is tiny, but bigger electric planes are com