speaking of nicola sturgeon, i don't _ nicola sturgeon. speaking of nicola sturgeon, i don't know— nicola sturgeon. speaking of nicola sturgeon, i don't know if— nicola sturgeon. speaking of nicola sturgeon, i don't know if we - nicola sturgeon. speaking of nicola sturgeon, i don't know if we can - sturgeon, i don't know if we can bring the front page up again for the viewers but there is a picture thereof nicola sturgeon and do into thereof nicola sturgeon and do into the caption but it does say how will nicola sturgeon dig her way out of this? i suppose we will hear from her next week. sam. it is this? i suppose we will hear from her next week. sam.— her next week. sam. it is a great icture her next week. sam. it is a great picture there- — her next week. sam. it is a great picture there. a _ her next week. sam. it is a great picture there. a great _ her next week. sam. it is a great picture there. a great catch - her next week. sam. it is a great picture there. a great catch in i her next week. sam. it is a great i picture there

lesley, how badly damaged has nicola sturgeon been by the recent - nicola sturgeon been by the recent furore with alex salmond and the fact that he has now performed that new party? it fact that he has now performed that new -a ? , , ., new party? it is impossible to say. we have not _ new party? it is impossible to say. we have not seen _ new party? it is impossible to say. we have not seen any _ new party? it is impossible to say. we have not seen any polling - new party? it is impossible to say. | we have not seen any polling since the alba _ we have not seen any polling since the alba party has been setup. such that there _ the alba party has been setup. such that there has been before that seems — that there has been before that seems to— that there has been before that seems to suggest that there was a perception that nicola sturgeon stood _ perception that nicola sturgeon stood up to eight hours of scrutiny in a way— stood up to eight hours of scrutiny in a way you — stood up to eight hours of scrutiny in a way you would have to say that those _ in a way you would have

tomorrow nicola sturgeon will send facts. tomorrow nicola sturgeon will spend hours — facts. tomorrow nicola sturgeon will spend hours refuting _ facts. tomorrow nicola sturgeon will spend hours refuting all— facts. tomorrow nicola sturgeon will spend hours refuting all of— facts. tomorrow nicola sturgeon will spend hours refuting all of these - spend hours refuting all of these allegations under oath in front of the salmond inquiry. knowing she is now fighting for her political life. sarah smith, bbc news, glasgow. the number of coronavirus deaths in england and wales has fallen by a more than a quarter in a week, according the the 0ffce for national startistics. the health secretary, matt hancock, says the reduction is as a result of the mass vaccinations and lockdown. he also revealed that the search for an unidentified person who tested positive for the brazilian strain of the virus has been narrowed down to a few hundred houses in the south—east of england. 0ur health editor hugh pym reports. the streets may still look quiet, but we're on the road to recovery. that

sturgeon was found _ was that if nicola sturgeon was found or— was that if nicola sturgeon was found or deemed to have knowingly misled _ found or deemed to have knowingly misled parliaments, then she would have to _ misled parliaments, then she would have to resign, but interestingly, these _ have to resign, but interestingly, these leaks are not saying that they have used _ these leaks are not saying that they have used the term knowingly, just that they— have used the term knowingly, just that they were misled with that meeting — that they were misled with that meeting with al examined in april, and a _ meeting with al examined in april, and a differing version or her version — and a differing version or her version seems to be different from her husband, the senior official in the scottish nationalist party who seems _ the scottish nationalist party who seems to— the scottish nationalist party who seems to be saying that it was business — seems to be saying that it was business that they were discussing. so the _ business that they were discussing. so the big _ business

it must be a huge relief for nicola sturgeon and the party. the campaign kicks off on thursday for elections to the scottish parliament. over the last couple of weeks, since new year, support for the scottish independence party, independence had been dipping in the polls. it is hard to think that was not in some ways connected to the two major titans of the independence movement, ale salmond, nicola sturgeon biting chunks out of each other. ros: where have we gotten to on the debate about a second referendum on scottish independence? >> i think this is the key question. if things had gone against nicola sturgeon today, that would have been certainly a short-term blow for her, for the scottish national party, and the independence movement. if you step back and look at things more broadly, with the opinion polls suggest is what has really been driving support for independence has been a dislike of brexit and scotland by the majority of people, and a dislike of boris johnson. the big picture, what will drive the dynamic of whether scotland become

nicola sturgeon.— focusing on another referendum? nicola sturgeon. we are focusing on caettin nicola sturgeon. we are focusing on getting through _ nicola sturgeon. we are focusing on getting through the _ nicola sturgeon. we are focusing on getting through the pandemic. - nicola sturgeon. we are focusing on getting through the pandemic. i - getting through the pandemic. i think— getting through the pandemic. i think everybody knows my view that we shouldn't leave our future in the hands _ we shouldn't leave our future in the hands of— we shouldn't leave our future in the hands of governments we don't vote for, hands of governments we don't vote for. we _ hands of governments we don't vote for, we should take our future into our own— for, we should take our future into our own hands but that will come when _ our own hands but that will come when we — our own hands but that will come when we are out of this crisis because _ when we are out of this crisis because it _ when we are out of this crisis because it is important to the rebuilding exer

last week alex salmond sat here accusing nicola sturgeon and i here accusing nicola sturgeon and here accusing nicola sturgeon and her allies of turning against him. i don't know where that he ever reflects on the fact that many of us including me feel very let down by him, and that is a matter of deep personal pain and regret for me. i probably should stop there. nicola sturueon probably should stop there. nicola sturgeon is _ probably should stop there. nicola sturgeon is under _ probably should stop there. nicola sturgeon is under intense - probably should stop there. nicola sturgeon is under intense political pressure. facing the prospect of a vote of no confidence in the scottish parliament, to date she laid out in great detail the case for her defence —— today. her team are very happy with nicola sturgeon's performance today and they say there was no smoking gun discovered, no killer blow landed, but the scottish conservatives are highlighting how her story has changed over when she first learned of any kind of sexual allegations against alex salmond. within the snp the part

nicola sturgeon oriainall against him. nicola sturgeon originally told _ against him. nicola sturgeon originally told parliament - against him. nicola sturgeon j originally told parliament the against him. nicola sturgeon - originally told parliament the first she knew of complaints against alex salmond was on the 2nd of april when he told her about it in a meeting at her home. she later had to admit she had forgotten about a meeting on the 29th of march with his former chief of staff, in which he says the complaints were discussed. james hamilton said this resulted in an incomplete narrative of events but he accepted the omission was... did nicola sturgeon break the rules by not recording the meeting she had with alex salmond to discuss the complaints against him? the report states... alex salmond asked nicola sturgeon to intervene in the sexual harassment investigation as he believed the government was acting unlawfully and it was her duty to stop a flawed process. she refused to intervene. james hamilton has concluded... when alex salmond successfully challenged in

nicola sturgeon oriainall against him. nicola sturgeon originally told _ against him. nicola sturgeon originally told parliament - against him. nicola sturgeon j originally told parliament the against him. nicola sturgeon - originally told parliament the first she knew of complaints against alex salmond was on the second april when he told her about it in a meeting at her home. she later had to admit she had forgotten an a meeting in march. james hamilton said: he accepted it was a genuine omission and was not deliberate. alex salmond asked nicola sturgeon to intervene in the sexual harassment investigation and he believed the government was acting unlawfully and it was her duty to stop a botched process, she refused to intervene. james hamilton concludes. . when alex salmond successfully challenged in court the way the scottish government investigated the complaints against him, he was awarded over £500,000. he insists nicola sturgeon's government should have conceded the case earlier to save public money. james hamilton concludes: for months nicola sturgeon has face

nicola sturgeon says she stands by every word of her evidence. our scotland editor sarah smith reports. facing calls for her resignation, nicola sturgeon is adamant she told the truth, dismissing leaks that say a hollywood committee has concluded the truth, dismissing leaks that say a holyrood committee has concluded she gave them an inaccurate account of a meeting with alex salmond. she may face a vote of no confidence next week. the opposition thinks she should go now. the parliament was misled by the first minister. now, that is, to me, a clear breach of the ministerial code. and i think that if she had a shred of integrity, nicola sturgeon will be considering her position. she has every opportunity to resign. a spokesperson for the first minister said... she first minister said... told the truth to the committl and she told the truth to the committee and stand by every word of her evidence. the committee appears to have resorted to baseless assertions, suppositions and smear. even the scottish government's daily covid briefing has become a ba

first minister nicola sturgeon has welcomed the conclusions, saying "as i have previously made clear, i did not consider that i had broken the code, but these findings are an official, definitive and independent adjudication of that." the scottish liberal democrat leader, willie rennie, joins us now. thank you been with us and what are your thoughts now given that the committee a few days ago cross party committee a few days ago cross party committee broke along party lines, claiming that nicholas —— nicola sturgeon misled them. thus clearly mistake, clearly wrong that the s&p have made throughout this whole affair, this is been a political witchhunt. there's no doubt that _ political witchhunt. there's no doubt that the _ political witchhunt. there's no doubt that the james - political witchhunt. there's no | doubt that the james hamilton political witchhunt. there's no - doubt that the james hamilton report today does not make the resignation of the first minister automatic but no one can deny that the serious errors ofjudgment by the first minister will make resignation life co

sturgeon — question just as much as nicola sturgeon is _ question just as much as nicola sturgeon is. but— question just as much as nicola sturgeon is. but equally- question just as much as nicola i sturgeon is. but equally however question just as much as nicola - sturgeon is. but equally however we did not— sturgeon is. but equally however we did not get— sturgeon is. but equally however we did not get anything _ sturgeon is. but equally however we did not get anything of— sturgeon is. but equally however we did not get anything of this - sturgeon is. but equally however we did not get anything of this eveningl did not get anything of this evening was the _ did not get anything of this evening was the discussion _ did not get anything of this evening was the discussion about _ did not get anything of this evening was the discussion about the - did not get anything of this evening| was the discussion about the merits or otherwise — was the discussion about the merits or otherwise of— was the discussion about the merits or otherwise of scotland _ was the discussion about

which of course nicola sturgeon has denied. . ., which of course nicola sturgeon has denied. , ., ., ., ., , denied. these are extraordinary times and _ denied. these are extraordinary times and the _ denied. these are extraordinary times and the people _ denied. these are extraordinary times and the people of - denied. these are extraordinaryl times and the people of scotland will be asking themselves how can we trust these people to be in government when they are fighting like ferrets in a sack?— like ferrets in a sack? thank you very much- _ homes, roads and livestock have been washed away or cut off in australia as the country continues to face its worst flooding in decades. parts of new south wales have seen almost one metre of rain, and there's more to come, with levels expected to peak today. thousands of people have been evacuated and troops deployed as the government warned the floods could deluge parts of sydney. a gunman has killed ten people in a supermarket in the us state of colorado. the victims include a police officer who attended the shooting, in the city of bould

pressure on nicola sturgeon... did you find a sort of scintillating debate in terms of passion and a fire or did you find it quite a contrived run through ofjust a few of the issues missing quite a lot of the others? i of the issues missing quite a lot of the others?— the others? i don't know if it was contrived- _ the others? i don't know if it was contrived. it _ the others? i don't know if it was contrived. it was _ the others? i don't know if it was contrived. it was definitely - contrived. it was definitely predictable and quite flat. i think that was— predictable and quite flat. i think that was in part because there was no studio— that was in part because there was no studio audience because of covid, everybody— no studio audience because of covid, everybody was socially distanced in a large _ everybody was socially distanced in a large concert venue and whacked a bit of— a large concert venue and whacked a bit of the _ a large concert venue and whacked a bit of the energy we have seen in the past

simon, in the last few weeks, nicola sturgeon has faced more - nicola sturgeon has faced more pressure than at any point in her political career. that report yesterday from an independent adviser means she will keep herjob. but the fact that this committee still raises significant questions shows that there are still criticisms. after weeks of questions over her future, nicola sturgeon left home this morning knowing she had been cleared of breaking the ministerial code. that means there is no prospect of her standing down. she will lead the snp into the election in may. this was the first minister last night. in may. this was the first minister last niiht. , ., _ �* in may. this was the first minister lastniiht. , ., _ �* , last night. obviously i'm very leased last night. obviously i'm very pleased that _ last night. obviously i'm very pleased that james _ last night. obviously i'm very pleased that james hamilton | last night. obviously i'm very - pleased that james hamilton has pleased that james hamilton has concluded that i did not breach the ministerial code in respect of any

nicola sturgeon under oath. nicola sturgeon, under oath, gave eight hours of evidence to the holyrood harassment committee. if they conclude she misled them in any of what she said, that could be a breach of the ministerial code. the opposition are already calling for her to resign. it's absolutely abundantly clear that nicola sturgeon has breached the ministerial code. as first minister, you cannot continue if you have been untruthful, if you have misled parliament and you've misled the people of scotland. it is a resigning matter, pure and simple. two very different versions of events have come from nicola sturgeon and from alex salmond. they cannot both be telling the truth. a spokesperson for the first minister says... this committee has unfortunately experienced an awful lot of leaking information in ways that are neither helpful nor necessarily accurate. this is more of the challenge that we see again here, and i'll be waiting to hear from the actual report. it's notjust nicola sturgeon'sjob that could be

pressure grows on the first minister nicola sturgeon. it's understood the holyrood committee investigating the handling of harassment claims against alex salmond believes she misled their inquiry. the duke and duchess of sussex condemn the "predatory practices" of the british tabloids, after the sun paid a us private investigator to gather information about meghan markle. he says he then acted illegally. a decade after the war in syria began, the misery inflicted on a nation — we look at the role of president assad during this brutal conflict. and coming up in sport on bbc news — trouble at tottenham, as spurs are knocked out of the europa league late in extra time by dynamo zagreb. good evening. most of the european countries that suspended the use of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine have said they will start using it again, after the eu's medical regulator declared it "safe and effective". italy, germany, france and spain are among those resuming use of the jab, after a pause over fears of a link to blood clots in a small number of p

mr; vote could potentially bring down nicola sturgeon.— vote could potentially bring down nicola sturgeon. my instinct at the moment is no _ nicola sturgeon. my instinct at the moment is no because _ nicola sturgeon. my instinct at the moment is no because although i nicola sturgeon. my instinct at the l moment is no because although the smp are a minority party in the scottish parliament, if you add in the support of the greens who are also pro—independence, they have the majority and the soundings coming from the greens tonight suggest that they want to see the parliamentary inquiry go forward before they try and bring down the first ministerjust a few before they try and bring down the first minister just a few weeks before an election. from the greens tonight suggest that they want to see the parliamentary inquiry go forward before they try and bring down the first ministerjust a few weeks before an election. that said, nicola sturgeon is, you know, facing some really difficult moments over the next few weeks. so we mentioned a moment ago that suggestion that she's broken the minist

nicola sturgeon said that almost 10,000 people have lost their lives. but the difference this year is that we have a vaccine, and around half of the adult population have already had theirfirst dose. scotland tends to be cautious when it comes to the easing of restrictions, but there is a route map out of this lockdown. the key date is the 26th of april, when the economy will start to open up. the country is also entering a period of election campaigning. the covid pandemic is likely to feature very heavily in that. in northern ireland, the pandemic came along just months after the fragile power—sharing government here had been newly re—established, following three years of collapse. and immediately, they were faced with a crisis like no other. tensions and disagreements over lockdowns here have often been a feature. but northern ireland also has much to be proud of. the efforts of health—care workers bringing a sometimes divided place together. the latest frustrations are over the pathway out of all this. businesses here have no dates to look for

which ones should we give more weight you in terms of nicola i more weight you in terms of nicola sturgeon is political stability? i think undoubtedly the first one. the one that's just reported. because thatis one that's just reported. because that is independent and there is no way that anybody could turn around and say oh well so—and—so had an axe to grind. the report by scottish mps will matter but not as much as this one for the top i think if this one had found she had misled parliament she would have been in a very sticky position indeed. find she would have been in a very sticky position indeed.— position indeed. and all of this we need to see _ position indeed. and all of this we need to see in _ position indeed. and all of this we need to see in the _ position indeed. and all of this we need to see in the context - position indeed. and all of this we need to see in the context of- position indeed. and all of this we need to see in the context of the i need to see in the context of the upcoming scottish elections as well? yes. it must be a huge relief nicola sturgeon and th

nicola sturgeon today promised to ublish work. nicola sturgeon today promised to publish the — work. nicola sturgeon today promised to publish the results _ work. nicola sturgeon today promised to publish the results of— work. nicola sturgeon today promised to publish the results of the _ to publish the results of the inquiry which is looking into whether she broke the ministerial code, and we are also waiting for the conclusions of the holyrood committee. both are due before the end of the month, and could decide the first minister's fait. sarah smith, bbc news, edinburgh. the latest government figures show there were 6,573 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period which means that on average the number of new cases reported per day in the last week is 6,685. across the uk, latest data shows the number of patients in hospital with coronavirus is 12,136. 242 deaths have been recorded in the last 24 hours — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. on average in the past week 255

i think the pressure on nicola sturgeon this morning is| on nicola sturgeon this morning is significant. there are calls from the scottish conservatives, as you heard in the peace there, for her to resign. they have been making that call for a couple of weeks now. we have heard from the labour leader sir keir starmer saying this morning that he doesn't want to prejudge the report but if nicola sturgeon is found to have broken the ministerial code by misleading parliament, then thatis code by misleading parliament, then that is a resignation matter. i think nicola sturgeon, certainly on the committee's findings, will come out fighting. we know she thinks the process was partisan, that it had been prejudged before she even gave evidence. it's worth pointing out the committee did split down party lines, so the five opposition members think she misled them and the four snp members think she did not. there is another process going on as well, the independent adviser on as well, the independent adviser on the ministerial code in scotland, a guy called james hamilton qc, is looking into whethe

ben: and calls for the first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon, to resign. and u.s. president joe biden will meet members of the asian-american community in atlanta after a deadly shooting there. ♪ ben: hello, and very warm welcome. a third wave of coronavirus is starting to sweep across the european union, much of it driven by the u.k. variant. large parts of france are going into lockdown again tonight, switzerland is extending its restrictions and poland is going in the partial lockdown. the vaccine rollout across the eu has been slow, with just around 10% of the population vaccinated so far. confidence has been shaken after a number of government suspended the rollouof astrazeneca amid worries of blood clots. vaccinations are restarting slowly, as our correspondent now reports. >> in france, it was the astrazeneca jab that need a shot in the arm today. the message was meant to be clear after weeks of shifting guidelines -- it is safe and it works. but only an hour before he received it, france's health authorities said a possible link to blood clots in younger

nicola sturgeon. there are very serious allegations being made by her predecessor that she misled parliament, that she wasted taxpayers money by not dropping a case involving him early enough and tomorrow, nicola sturgeon will be here at the scottish parliament to try and defend herself against some of those accusations, to make her case, that she behaved properly and that she hasn't broken that ministerial code. it's worth remembering though, it's only nine weeks until the elections for the scottish parliament, those elections could have a huge bearing on whether or not there an independence referendum in the next years because the snp will stand on a manifesto saying if they are elected, there has to be another referendum, it's not completely clear yet whether this row is going to have a big impact on nicola sturgeon �*s electoral support but the stakes could not be higher. nick, thank you. after france changed its mind, announcing it will now allow the oxford astrazeneca vaccine to be given to pe

nicola sturgeon says she stands by every word of her evidence. our scotland editor sarah smith reports. facing calls for her resignation, nicola sturgeon is adamant she told the truth, dismissing leaks that say a holyrood committee has concluded she gave them an inaccurate account of a meeting with alex salmond. she may face a vote of no confidence next week. the opposition thinks she should go now. the parliament was misled by the first minister. now, that is, to me, a clear breach of the ministerial code. and i think that if she had a shred of integrity, nicola sturgeon would be considering her position. she has every opportunity to resign. a spokesperson for the first minister said... even the scottish government's daily covid briefing has become a battleground in this ongoing row. i do not believe the first minister should resign. i do not believe she has misled parliament. and i have absolute confidence in the veracity of what she said in those eight hours of evidence to that committee, in her integrity and in her professionalism. and i am n

this has been _ the nicola sturgeon kate? -- case. this has been huge. _ the nicola sturgeon kate? -- case. this has been huge. she _ the nicola sturgeon kate? -- case. this has been huge. she wants - the nicola sturgeon kate? -- case. this has been huge. she wants to l this has been huge. she wants to move on. we're weeks away from a very important election and the snp are really en route to having a huge landslide, and this has thrown a hammer into the works. it's notjust about them getting a landslide in these elections, if that landslide allows them to have more fire in their belly to ask for another independent vote. so, this is a political story —— huge political story. but of course, anti—independence newspaper are using this as much as possible. this is usually political and it comes out and it's alex vindman, accusations of assaulting women —— alex salmond. it's interesting that it's a woman that heads that story. i'm wonder how much damage has the snp been through by this whole row, because it's described as a state of civil war. it’s because it's described as

nicola sturgeon i accept that reality. nicola sturgeon has said, as have many of us, that thoseissues has said, as have many of us, that those issues need to be reviewed. the report was published this morning, so you will forgive us, or give us an opportunity to reflect on that, and many people from across my party have been on the media and in the immediate speaking and have said those recommendations need to be taken seriously, but what has hampered the investigation and what has hampered the narrative is that those opposition members commenting, leaking information from that committee. we need to get on and do ourjob now and make sure that an atmosphere and culture and processes are in place to make sure that women feel able to come forward and speak up feel able to come forward and speak up if they are harassed in the workplace. up if they are harassed in the workplace-— up if they are harassed in the workplace. up if they are harassed in the worklace. ., ., ., ., , up if they are harassed in the worklace. ., ., ., ,

what does all this mean for nicola sturgeon's future and the | for nicola sturgeon's future and the push for independence, with which she is absolutely connected? is the court of public opinion, ultimately will that be the biggest test for her? . ., ., will that be the biggest test for her? _, ., , , . will that be the biggest test for her? ., , , ., , her? the court of public opinion is the crucial — her? the court of public opinion is the crucial test _ her? the court of public opinion is the crucial test and _ her? the court of public opinion is the crucial test and the _ her? the court of public opinion is the crucial test and the polling - the crucial test and the polling evidence so far suggests that particularly that aspect of the court that matters, those people who voted for the snp in the past, they were more convinced by what nicola sturgeon said in her appearance than they were by alex salmond. that said, there is a small body, and it varies from question to question, but the question that asks people, do you believe what nicola sturgeon said, and who do you prefer out of n

alex salmond and nicola sturgeon have been accusing each other of not telling the truth, nicola sturgeon has accused mr salmond of coming up with conspiracy theories, but it was always this question of whether miss sturgeon had been complete the honest about when she found out about the various allegations against mr salmond, whether she told permit the truth and the committee the truth about exactly what she knew when —— parliament the truth. and all the indications for my source tonight, sources close to the committee, is they do not believe the story miss sturgeon has told them and the majority have come to the conclusion she misled the committee. hick. she misled the committee. nick, thanks so much _ she misled the committee. nick, thanks so much for— she misled the committee. nick, thanks so much for bringing - she misled the committee. nick, thanks so much for bringing us . she misled the committee. nick, thanks so much for bringing us up to date, nick eardley live for us in glasgow. let's go back to the situation with the european medical relator which has, in the clearest m

davidson and nicola sturgeon.— and nicola sturgeon. and what we have already _ and nicola sturgeon. and what we have already seen _ and nicola sturgeon. and what we have already seen shows - and nicola sturgeon. and what we have already seen shows there i and nicola sturgeon. and what we have already seen shows there is l and nicola sturgeon. and what we i have already seen shows there is no argument _ have already seen shows there is no argument if— have already seen shows there is no argument if the government ignored le-al argument if the government ignored legal advice, they did. the argument is if they— legal advice, they did. the argument is if they did it for three weeks or for more — is if they did it for three weeks or for more than three months. there is no argument — for more than three months. there is no argument if the first minister was at _ no argument if the first minister was at fault for losing more than a half—million pound of taxpayers money, — half—million pound of taxpayers money, the argue is how m

there's no argument if nicola sturgeon broke the ministerial code. the argument is only about how badly she broke it. we believe that the sanction is to go. why doesn't she? ruth davidson hasjust shown her true colours, and the conservatives' true colours, all over again. she stands up here and says scrutiny and democracy and due process is really important, but just as on tuesday night, the conservatives prejudged my evidence to the parliamentary inquiry, she'sjust prejudged the outcome of the independent inquiry into the ministerial code. after a marathon eight—hour session in front of the salmond inquiry yesterday... i will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. ..the opposition say there are still unanswered questions for nicola sturgeon. did she mislead parliament when she said the first she knew of a sexual harassment investigation into alex salmond was in april 2018? why were meetings between nicola sturgeon and alex salmond not recorded as they should have been if they were about government business? did a senior governm

nicola sturgeon. back at westminster at prime minister's questions, borisjohnson said the uk had got its "priorities right" in cutting aid to yemen because of the "tough circumstances" of the coronavirus pandemic. the situation in yemen has been described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. the government has said it will provide "at least" 87 million pounds in aid this year, down from 164 million pledged last year. a cut of half. the labour leader, sir keir starmer quoted two senior conservatives andrew mitchell, a former international development secretary, and the mp for sutton coldfield, and, tobias ellwood, the chair of the commons defence committee, and a bournemouth mp. just this morning, the conservative mp for bournemouth east said cutting support for starving children is not what global britain should be about. it undermines the very idea of the uk as a nation to be respected on the global stage. and the honourable member for sutton coldfield said this was unconscionable. will the prim

_ salmond and nicola sturgeon was sparked by— salmond and nicola sturgeon was sparked by the _ salmond and nicola sturgeon was sparked by the scottish _ salmond and nicola sturgeon was - sparked by the scottish government's ntishandling _ sparked by the scottish government's mishandling of— sparked by the scottish government's mishandling of sexual— sparked by the scottish government's mishandling of sexual harassment - mishandling of sexual harassment contplaint — mishandling of sexual harassment complaint against _ mishandling of sexual harassment complaint against him, _ mishandling of sexual harassment complaint against him, but - mishandling of sexual harassment complaint against him, but it- mishandling of sexual harassment complaint against him, but it hasl complaint against him, but it has morphed — complaint against him, but it has morphed into _ complaint against him, but it has morphed into something - complaint against him, but it has morphed into something much. complaint against him, but it has- morphed into something much bigger, a fight _ morphed into something

calls for nicola sturgeon to resign — as msps conclude the first minister misled the committee investigating the handling of allegations against her predecessor alex salmond. the bbc says it is extremely concerned about one of its reporters in myanmar who's been abducted in the country's capital. and coming up this hour — mark kermode gives his unique take on the best and worst of the week's film and dvd releases, that's in the film review. a number of eu countries have started using the oxford astrazeneca covid vaccine again — after the european medicines agency confirmed it is safe and effective. germany, france, italy and spain are among the countries that halted its use earlier this month, after concerns about blood clots. but with cases and deaths rising now across continental europe — and millions of people in france being placed under lockdown at midnight tonight — there's been a stark warning from germany's health minister — who said there isn't enough vaccine supply across the continent to prevent a third wave. our europe correspondent nick beake reports. paris in the spri

were alleged against the first minister nicola sturgeon in - first minister nicola sturgeon in relation to what she knew and when she knew it concerning allegations of sexual harassment by the former first minister alex salmond, that has found nicola sturgeon did not breach the ministerial code and as a result of that, it seems scottish conservatives calling for a vote of no confidence in nicola sturgeon tomorrow, it looks as if that vote will probably not take place but the independent investigation has made it clear that nicola sturgeon did not break ministerial code. much more on that, we will bring it to you throughout the rest of the afternoon. the foreign secretary dominic raab has announced sanctions against four senior chinese officials and the xinjiang borisjohnson has been speaking to the french and german leaders, as he attempts to persuade the eu not to ban astrazeneca vaccine exports to the uk. meanwhile, there�*s further evidence that the oxford—astrazeneca vaccine is both safe and highly effective. a us trial of more than 32,000 volunteers said it was 79% effective �

there's no argument. if nicola sturgeon broke the ministerial code. the argument is only- about how badly she broke it. this is just about desperate political games for the conservatives! also on this programme, cross—party condemnation of a planned cut in aid for yemen. and, in a rare appearance before mps, david cameron says his government did plan for a pandemic, but not the one we're facing today. you know, it was a pretty good flu pandemic plan, but it was a flu plan rather than a respiratory diseases plan. but first to the chancellor's budget. rishi sunak promised to "protect thejobs and livelihoods of the british people" as the uk emerges from the coronavirus crisis. confirming some of his trailed announcements, he said he'd extend the furlough scheme, paying a large part of millions of workers' wages until september, and a temporary increase of £20 a week to universal credit would also stay for another six months. but taxes on large company profits would go up, and while national insurance and vat rates wouldn't increase, there would be a t

there's no argument. if nicola sturgeon broke the ministerial code. the argument is only- about how badly she broke it. this is just about desperate political games for the conservatives. also on this programme, cross—party condemnation of a planned cut in aid for yemen. and, in a rare appearance before mps, david cameron says his government did plan for a pandemic, but not the one we're facing today. you know, it was a pretty good flu pandemic plan, but it was a flu plan rather than a respiratory diseases plan. but first to the chancellor's budget. rishi sunak promised to "protect the jobs and livelihoods of the british people" as the uk emerges from the coronavirus crisis. confirming some of his trailed announcements, he said he'd extend the furlough scheme, paying a large part of millions of workers�* wages until september, and a temporary increase of £20 a week to universal credit would also stay for another six months. but taxes on large company profits would go up, and while national insurance and vat rates wouldn't increase, there would be

calls for nicola sturgeon to resign — as msps conclude the first minister misled the committee investigating the handling of allegations against her predecessor alex salmond. now it's time for the film review. hello and welcome to the film review with me mark kermode. rounding out the best new movies available for viewing in the home while we look forward to cinemas reopening in may. if you have watched my bbc for series secrets of cinema, which is now on iplayer, you will know that i'm a great fan of pop bio pics. from the buddy holly story to good vibrations, the latter of which told the story of legendary belfast record label boss terri hooley. there's more than a touch of hooley�*s maverick genius in creation stories. a new film about alan mcgee who helped launch the careers of bands like primal scream and oasis. anything you can find in this box. tvps? later! co—written by irving welch, produced by danny boyle and starring ewan bremner, you could be forgiven for thinking that this has something of a trainspotting feel. i have a dream! indeed, mcgee comes across as basically a more s

sturgeon have been too strict. what would you say to that? that will come up on the doorsteps inevitably. that will come up on the doorsteps inevitabl . ., , , that will come up on the doorsteps inevitabl . . , , ., that will come up on the doorsteps inevitabl . ., , , ., , , inevitably. inevitably not everybody is auoin to inevitably. inevitably not everybody is going to swim _ inevitably. inevitably not everybody is going to support every _ inevitably. inevitably not everybody is going to support every aspect - inevitably. inevitably not everybody is going to support every aspect of| is going to support every aspect of the restrictions. they've been difficult and there's no two ways about that. we've taken a more cautious approach in scotland which is why we've had a better time for the pandemic, and i think it's been acknowledged that nicola sturgeon's leadership through this has been exemplary and certainly leading across the uk. i can understand people will have found this difficult and i know that myself it h

they don't need to believe nicola sturgeon, i need to believe nicola sturgeon, they don't need to believe me, they can believe the impartial legal expert who in great detail examined all the evidence and debunked the conspiracy theories. even the holyrood committee has debunked the dark and specifically —— conspiracy theory about peter murrell�*s texts. we all need to unite and move on. what about the point about how edifying it has been looking for voters to look on at the two biggest figures in the party to lay into each other in the way they have. it's been tough and i wouldn't pretend it hasn't been but i think the people of scotland are not daft and they know conspiracy theory when we see one. nicola sturgeon has led the response to covid and she has not had a day off and she has been flat out on covid and the results of brexit and some aspects have now been put to bed and we need to move on. a total of 1,501 deaths registered in england and wales in the week ending march 12 — mentioned covid—19 on the death certificate, according to the office for national statistics. that

nicola sturgeon is under intense political pressure. facing the prospect of a vote of no confidence in the scottish parliament, today she laid out in great detail the case for her defence. her team are very happy with nicola sturgeon�*s performance today and they say there was no smoking gun discovered, but after eight hours of evidence, the tories say there are questions she has not satisfactorily answered. how could she have forgotten that meeting and was it the case that one of alex salmond's team was told the name of one of women who made a complaint by a senior government official? that would be very serious. those are the questions the tories say she still has to answer. thank you. now for a look at the latest coronavirus figures and there were 6,385 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average, 7,173 new cases were recorded per day in the past week. in the past 2a hours, 315 deaths have been recorded — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid test. on average, 266 deaths were announced e

sturgeon and think— mps will act nicola sturgeon and think any— mps will act nicola sturgeon and think any mistakes she made were on us, whether— think any mistakes she made were on us, whether the five opposition mps will say— us, whether the five opposition mps will say that's not right. what us, whether the five opposition mps will say that's not right.— will say that's not right. what does this mean potentially _ will say that's not right. what does this mean potentially for _ will say that's not right. what does this mean potentially for scottish l this mean potentially for scottish independence, orviewers this mean potentially for scottish independence, or viewers around the world want to know?— world want to know? hello, laura. that is the — world want to know? hello, laura. that is the absolute _ world want to know? hello, laura. that is the absolute key _ world want to know? hello, laura. that is the absolute key question. | that is the absolute key question. here _ that is the absolute key question. here i_ that is the absolute key question. here i think is the answ

yes, nicola sturgeon startin: to resign. yes, nicola sturgeon starting to _ to resign. yes, nicola sturgeon starting to give _ to resign. yes, nicola sturgeon starting to give evidence - to resign. yes, nicola sturgeon starting to give evidence at - to resign. yes, nicola sturgeon| starting to give evidence at nine o'clock, so lots to keep an eye on today. at least 13 people have died, after an suv carrying 25 people collided with a trailer truck near the mexican border, in southern california yesterday. police say the vehicle, which only has a legal capaticy of nine people, drove directly into the path of the truck, which was carrying a full load of gravel. the isle of man has gone back into lockdown today because of a sharp rise in coronavirus cases, after a ferry crew member tested positive for coronavirus. the circuit—breaker restrictions will last for at least three weeks, with people required to stay at home, nonessential businesses ordered to close and schools shut to most pupils. the move comes after more than 60 new cases of covid—19 were recorded in a fort

nicola sturgeon tackled her head on. ms davidson could've chosen to ask about education in any one of the previous weeks. she indulged in smears and focusing instead of what the people want, i'm extra pleased that ruth davidson is back on the issue of education and attainment and of course what is her last fmqs when she goes to the unelected house of lords. ajibe she repeated in the session, provoking a rare intervention from the presiding officer. i always let some latitude but first minister, twice mentioned the house of lords. i think the point has been made, it's a political issue and i get it, i do understand it. however the point has been made and rather it wasn't so personal. ms davidson. gallant but not required, presiding officer. - nicola sturgeon called - closing the attainment gap, and i quote, her sacred responsibility. - and the report is clear. that the attainment gap that was meant to close is just as wide as ever. _ and who is to blame on this vital issue? i can't be the party it's been. in full control

yes, that mammoth session nicola sturgeon l bring is up-to-date, nick. yes, that i mammoth session nicola sturgeon had in parliament yesterday, her team seem to be pretty happy. they don't think there was a knockout blow, a moment that could have been extremely damaging for the first minister. that said, i don't think questions are going to stop being asked,in questions are going to stop being asked, in particular over whether she has potentially broken the rules ministers have to follow, the ministerial code. within the last half hour here at holyrood at first ministers questions, there have been some heated exchanges about the government of�*s legal advice and civil action that was brought by alex salmond, and whether nicola sturgeon should have paused or scrapped the government's case a lot earlier. have a listen to this exchange with the scottish tory leader ruth davidson. what exchange with the scottish tory leader ruth davidson.— exchange with the scottish tory leader ruth davidson. what we have already seen — leader ruth davidson. what we ha

there's no argument. if nicola sturgeon broke the ministerial code. the argument is only- about how badly she broke it. this is just about desperate political games for the conservatives! also on this programme, cross—party condemnation of a planned cut in aid for yemen. and, in a rare appearance before mps, david cameron says his government did plan for a pandemic, but not the one we're facing today. you know, it was a pretty good flu pandemic plan, but it was a flu plan rather than a respiratory diseases plan. but first to the chancellor's budget. rishi sunak promised to "protect thejobs and livelihoods of the british people" as the uk emerges from the coronavirus crisis. confirming some of his trailed announcements, he said he'd extend the furlough scheme, paying a large part of millions of workers�* wages until september, and a temporary increase of £20 a week to universal credit would also stay for another six months. but taxes on large company profits would go up, and while national insurance and vat rates wouldn't increase, there would be

nicola sturgeon knew herjob could depend on this report. she herself had asked james hamilton qc to investigate her actions. his verdict — she did not breach the ministerial code. i have been very clear in my own mind that i acted appropriately and did not breach the ministerial code, but that, while that might be necessary, is not sufficient, it is important to the scottish people they have independent verification and adjudication of that and that is what they now have. the first big question? what did she know and when? 0n the 2nd april he informed me about the complaints against him. nicola sturgeon originally told parliament the first she knew of complaints against alex salmond was on the 2nd april when he told her about it in a meeting at her home. she later had to admit she had forgotten about a meeting on 29th march with alex salmond's former chief of staff, in which he says the complaints were discussed. james hamilton said: "this resulted in an incomplete narrative of events." but he accepted this omission was the result of a ge

and interestingly, nicola sturgeon again, such a bad time he _ nicola sturgeon again, such a bad time he really because they really do want _ time he really because they really do want to— time he really because they really do want to get that landslide victory~ — do want to get that landslide victory. i'm sure she will be working _ victory. i'm sure she will be working really hard the next two weeks _ working really hard the next two weeks to — working really hard the next two weeks to make up the ground for that _ weeks to make up the ground for that if— weeks to make up the ground for that. if they do get a big landslide victory— that. if they do get a big landslide victory becomes harder and harder for boris _ victory becomes harder and harder for borisjohnson to victory becomes harder and harder for boris johnson to deny their calls— for boris johnson to deny their calls for— for boris johnson to deny their calls for a _ for boris johnson to deny their calls for a referendum. and certainly— calls for a referendum. and certainly in doing that they will land _ certa

there's no argument. if nicola sturgeon broke the ministerial code. the argument is only- about how badly she broke it. this is just about desperate political games for the conservatives. also on this programme, cross—party condemnation of a planned cut in aid for yemen. and, in a rare appearance before mps, david cameron says his government did plan for a pandemic, but not the one we're facing today. you know, it was a pretty good flu pandemic plan, but it was a flu plan rather than a respiratory diseases plan. but first to the chancellor's budget. rishi sunak promised to "protect thejobs and livelihoods of the british people" as the uk emerges from the coronavirus crisis. confirming some of his trailed announcements, he said he'd extend the furlough scheme, paying a large part of millions of workers' wages until september, and a temporary increase of £20 a week to universal credit would also stay for another six months. but taxes on large company profits would go up, and while national insurance and vat rates wouldn't increase, there would be a t