18/02/2016 BBC News at Ten

Tougher than expected - slow progress in Brussels

as David Cameron tries to reach a credible deal

The Prime Minister arrived at the crucial summit of EU leaders

hoping for agreement on the reforms he's demanded.

I'll be battling for Britain, if we can get a good deal

I'll take that deal, but I will not take a deal

One thing is beyond doubt, whatever he comes back with

tomorrow, he's not going to strengthen his position

The 28 EU leaders were locked in talks this evening -

but there are still major sticking points.

We'll have the latest from Brussels where formal talks

Also tonight: A ruling by the Supreme Court means hundreds

of people in prison for murder could now challenge their convictions.

And you know, my mother gave me this bible, this very bible.

Donald Trump in a new clash - this time with the Pope

after he questions the Presidential hopeful's faith.

England rugby's Matt Dawson joins a campaign for all children

to be vaccinated against meningitis after his own son's fight

You have those moments where you think, I might be looking at my son

for the last time. And Aussie rules -

how an Australian coach Later on BBC London: Four police

forces serving the capital are amongst the worst in the country

- according to a major report And the professionals living

in hostels because they can't afford Three years after he promised

an in-out referendum on Britain's place in the European Union,

the Prime Minister is at a crucial summit in Brussels trying to secure

a deal on the reforms But reports tonight suggest that

little progress has been made so far - and there are still a number

of areas where Our political editor

Laura Kuenssberg is in Brussels Sophie, round the table tonight, EU

leaders one by one listing not the compromises they think they can

offer David Cameron, but the problems they have with the changes

he wants to make to the European Union. The deal that will shape all

our futures in the EU is not in a ditch tonight, but there is no

question, with Downing Street talking of an impact, it is a long

way off being done. One, two, three, four. That is not

remotely the half of it. The Prime Minister wants 27 other politicians

to agree to his terms. Good afternoon. We have some important

work to do today and tomorrow and it will be hard. I will be battling for

Britain. If we can get a good deal, I will take that deal, but I will

not take a deal but does not meet what we need. I think it is more

important to get this right, than to do anything in a rush. With a good

deal of hard work, we can make this happen for Britain. Mrs Merkel wants

this to happen now. I will do everything to keep the UK, she said.

But there is the disdain for some Britain's demands.

No country has the right of a veto, France said. I think everybody will

have its own drama, and then we will agree. In the last hour, Downing

Street officials emerged to say no real progress was made in the first

round of talks. No deal, but plenty of disagreement and yes, those

dramas. It is the disagreements that could derail the process or drag it

on and on. It could be a long day tomorrow. The Prime Minister wants

to change the EU rules and plenty of other countries do not. Limiting

benefits for EU migrants in the UK, new regulations to protect the city,

before giving you the choice to vote to leave or stay. Still making the

case with leaders one-on-one, but eager to hold that vote in June. But

can the Prime Minister bring everyone together? Inside, they

gathered ranks. There are still disagreement on how long the EU

should be able to limit benefits, and whether it is fair for any new

rule to apply only to us. And anger over the proposed deal goes way

beyond these brave souls in the Brussels cold this afternoon. There

are plenty of Eurosceptics, MPs and ministers among the Conservatives

ready to attack. I want a positive relationship with Europe based on

friendship and free trade. We cannot have that as measures of a political

union. Do you have any respect for what David Cameron is trying to

achieve? Absolutely none. Bit David Cameron will use this can deliver a

new EU. There are so mini countries, same any complications involved, it

is easy to forget the big truth. This is the best chance David

Cameron has of getting a new deal for the UK with the rest of the

union. There could be months more of talks, but there is no guarantee

that terms would get any better, so his political future could be

determined tonight. Brave or foolhardy? This EU negotiation has

seen the prime ministers striking out on his own. He can take with

him, as the talks head towards the early hours, will shape where his

legacy lands. So what can David Cameron hope

to achieve in the negotiations and what are these significant

sticking points in his way? Our deputy political editor

James Landale is here. Well, Sophie, after many

months of negotiation, 18 pages of legal text that

David Cameron hopes will change Britain's relationship

with the European Union, changes designed to deter migrants

and protect the economy. Changes that critics say are not

worth the paper Since last year's election,

David Cameron has been on tour, more diplomat than Prime Minister,

clocking up the air miles across Europe, all to

win support for his proposals to reform Britain's place

in the EU, for which he has been More of the same will not

bring the European Union More of the same will

just produce more of the same, less competitiveness,

less growth, fewer jobs, That is why we need fundamental

far-reaching change. But while much is agreed,

there are still significant David Cameron wants to limit the

amount of child benefit EU migrants can send home - by making it reflect

the cost of living Some countries want this restriction

to apply only to new claimants Mr Cameron also wants to cut tax

credits for EU migrants working in Britain, by phasing in payments

gradually over four years. But there is no agreement over how

long this restriction Right now the draft text has a big X

where the number of years should be. Another of Mr Cameron's

aims is for Britain - in particular the City -

to have greater safeguards from financial decisions made

by eurozone countries. But there's uncertainty over how

those safeguards might work and who has the final decision over

when they should be triggered. Now - David Cameron wants some

of these reforms to be written into the EU's treaties and made

more legally binding. Specifically, he wants his plan

of opting Britain out of more political integration -

or ever closer union - But some countries oppose any idea

of treaty change So, Sophie, there is still a lot

of detail to sort out In a moment we'll speak to our our

political editor Laura Kuenssberg - but first let's talk to our Europe

editor Katya Adler. Katya, tougher than expected that's

what we're hearing - is David Cameron going to be able

to secure the deal he wants? Well, Sophie, look all of those

stumbling blocks remain. We are hearing from sources inside the

meetings, they have expressed surprise that there is so little

sign of compromise tonight. Clearly, all the players involved want to be

seen to stand their ground at first, not just the Prime Minister but EU

leaders who oppose his reforms. Key now will be one-to-one chats with

those leaders, informal ones overnight. At this point in the

game, it is personal chemistry that is as important as politics.

There is a real will here to get the deal done and dusted and out of the

way. 28 world leaders have other things to do rather than bicker over

tax credits, for example. This deal is not a vote winner or a crowd

pleaser. David Cameron wants to focus on the referendum itself.

Perhaps after these bilateral chats, a Belgian breakfast and some sleep,

there may be a more harmonious atmosphere in the morning. And

Laura, the stakes for Mr Cameron are incredibly high? They certainly are.

Mr Cameron caused a big risk when he promised us say whether to stay or

leave the European Union. That is a gamble that could be hard to

deliver. You may wonder what the hurry is. In theory, he has until

the end of next year to deliver at all. In practice, he wants it done,

and he wants it done now. These are absolutely crucial days and to lose

this chance of a likely deal at this stage, would be a serious setback to

the whole project. Thank you, both. Thank you, both.

Hundreds of people who are in prison for murder

could now challenge their convictions.

It comes after Supreme Court ruled that the law of joint enterprise

in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has been

That law allows people to be convicted and jailed for murder

even if they did not actually strike the fatal blow.

Our Wales correspondent Hywel Griffith reports.

Four convicted killers found guilty of one crime.

In 2011, sisters Ashleigh and Holly Robinson and their boyfriends

Gorden Harding and Sacha Roberts were all jailed for the murder

of Antoni Robinson, the women's father.

He was stabbed in his own home in north Wales.

Gorden Harding was the one with the knife in his hands.

The jury were told the others were all part of a raid on the house

The sisters had planned when to enter the home

but their mother is convinced that doesn't make them killers.

How does that make you a murderer when you haven't taken anybody's

life, you haven't discussed taking anybody's life?

They were in another room, they weren't aware

The case against the sisters and their boyfriends

here at Mold Crown Court was based on the idea that all were jointly

responsible because all could foresee their actions could lead

to a violent, physical, fatal attack, but today's ruling

from the Supreme Court says that key principle of joint enterprise has

been interpreted wrongly for more than 30 years.

For campaigners, that is a victory, with Britain's most senior judge

saying the legal test shouldn't be whether someone can foresee

what could happen but whether they intended for it to happen.

The courts took a wrong turn in 1984 and it is the responsibility of this

The ruling followed the case of Ameen Jogee, jailed

Jogee was outside but he egged on his co-defendant.

His murder conviction has now been set aside.

There are other landmark cases, like the murder of Stephen Lawrence,

which have also depended on the idea of joint enterprise.

Today's ruling won't make every conviction unsafe but,

for Antoni Robinson's family, the idea that hundreds of cases

could now be considered for appeal is distressing.

We sat through that trial, which was horrendous.

We looked at all the evidence, which was horrendous and,

as far as we are concerned, the jury found them culpable

The ruling also brings change for those who police our streets

and there is concern over how it will be interpreted.

If the bar is set too high, the person who is really

guilty could walk free, and that isn't good for justice,

it's not good for victims or the public.

What is important is that the principles are right

so that somebody who is innocent can't be convicted of an offence

just by standing by, but it's very important that people

who are really behind particular offences can be caught

Joanne Barr is now hoping the Appeal Courts will look again

She believes today is the first step in bringing them home.

Pope Francis has become embroiled in the race for the

Pope Francis has questioned the faith of US presidential hopeful

bundle trump after his use on immigration -- Donald Trump.

Speaking at the end of a visit to Mexico he told reporters

that anyone who talks about building walls instead of bridges

Our North America editor Jon Sopel reports.

The Pope went deliberately to the US-Mexican

border where Donald Trump wants to build his wall,

not to make a political point, he said, but a

But, on his flight back to Rome, when asked about the billionaire

property developer, he couldn't resist and waded straight

"A person who thinks about building walls wherever they may be and not

of building bridges is not Christian", said the Pope.

"As far as what you said about whether I would advise to vote

"or not to vote, I'm not going to get involved in that.

"I say only that this man is not Christian if he has said

But he has said exactly that, on almost

In this race for the White House, the one thing we have learned

about Donald Trump is that he doesn't do

He has bullied opponents, lashed out at critics,

even mocked the disabled, but taking on the leader

For a religious leader to question a person's faith is disgraceful.

If and when the Vatican is attacked by Isis,

which, as everyone knows, is Isis's ultimate trophy,

I can promise you that the Pope would

have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been

Donald Trump has sought to play up his Christian faith in a bid

to win over the key constituency of conservative evangelicals.

Having the Pope call that into question is hardly helpful.

My mother gave me this very bible many years ago...

But Donald Trump throughout has defied political gravity.

What makes others crash to the ground has often

Turkey has blamed Kurdish militants based in the country and Syria

for yesterday's bombing in Ankara, which killed 28 people.

The country's Prime Minister said the explosives were detonated

by a militant from the Syrian organisation, YPG and was helped

14 people are being held in connection with the attack.

Half a million people have now signed a petition calling

for all children to be vaccinated against meningitis B.

At the moment only babies get the vaccine.

The campaign started after a two-year-old child died

Her death prompted the former England rugby star, Matt Dawson,

to reveal how his family endured what he called "two weeks of hell"

after his two-year-old son Sam contracted meningitis.

He's been talking to our health editor Hugh Pym.

With his son only two days back from hospital, Matt Dawson is still

struggling to come to terms with his family's ordeal, nearly using

two-year-old Sammy, struck down with a strain of meningitis. You have

moments where you think, I might be looking at my son for the last time.

What have I not said to him? So, I mean, a hugely emotional

roller-coaster. He posted pictures of his son, who had a different

strain of the disease, on Twitter, to back the campaign for wider

availability of the meningitis B vaccine. It has to be available to

northern just newborns. Toss more than just. Common-sense has to

prevail. The number of people who have signed up to that petition,

over half a million people, that is a proper chunk of the nation. The

best of two-year-old Fay debt after she contracted meningitis B prompted

a surge of support for the campaign. Fay was too old to qualify for

meningitis B back sign on the NHS. About 800,000 are born each year in

the UK but children born before May 2015 will not be protected unless

their parents paid for a private vaccine. Last year, the UK became

the first country in the world to bring in a national meningitis B

vaccination programme, restricted to young babies on the advice of

independent scientific experts. The decisions of whether or not vaccines

are used are based on a very careful analysis on whether it is good value

for the NHS to do that. As part of the work done to decide to use this

for infants, we did that analysis and worked out that the highest risk

groups were infants and that is where we get the highest value for

the NHS. Matt Dawson acknowledges that a line has to be drawn

somewhere but he believes a wider entitlement to meningitis vaccines

must be considered. Electro-convulsive therapy -

otherwise known as ECT - is a practice that many people

assume has long since disappeared from mental health treatment

in the UK, but it hasn't. ECT is used to treat people

with severe depression by sending an electric current

through the brain It's used in Northern Ireland more

than anywhere else in the UK. But in the Irish Republic,

new laws are being introduced that will only allow ECT to be used

if a patient gives their consent. our Ireland correspondent Chris

Buckler has this exclusive report. Images of electroconvulsive therapy

are often associated with a different era,

but ECT is still used today and it can be effective

in tackling severe depression. When these panels are brought out,

the person will have had a muscle That helps prevent injuries caused

by convulsions as electric current is sent to the brain,

triggering an epileptic seizure. That can result in side

effects like memory loss I have looked after many individuals

who have been profoundly unwell to the point of wanting to kill

themselves, not eating or drinking and having florid delusions,

who have responded completely It is accepted that ECT is not

suitable for everyone who finds Michael Mulcahy is an artist

who was given the treatment without his consent and he says

he is still having nightmares To think that this barbaric

treatment still exists, being strapped down to a metal bed

and a rubber sheet, getting an injection,

and then waking up, and you... You didn't want to be

in your own body. I came in here without my

permission. Michael was given ECT without his

consent in the Republic of Ireland. The Irish government

is in the process of introducing legislation to stop the treatment

in cases where the patient isn't The idea of unwillingness

is unsavoury and something We should not have a situation

where a state forces a particular Just across the Irish border

in Northern Ireland, as in the rest of the UK,

consent is not always needed for a patient to be given ECT,

although it happens only in extreme cases and with specific

medical approval. Last year in Northern Ireland,

psychiatrists made more than 50 requests for people to be treated

without their consent, an increase of almost 50%

on a few years before, although it is not known whether

some of the requests were refused. Those figures include both people

who were unable to give consent as well as patients who simply

refused, but there are some psychiatrists wary of losing

the option of ECT in all If you were to rule out the use

of ECT for individuals who could not consent, then you would be

eliminating a treatment that Scientists are still working

to try to understand the brain and drugs are constantly

being developed to tackle depression but, until new,

more effective treatments are found, what was once known as electroshock

therapy will still have And there's plenty more from BBC

One's season on mental health, All the details are on our special

website at bbc.co.uk/inthemind. And you can follow us on social

media at hashtag In the Mind. A brief look at some

of the day's other news stories. President Obama is to visit Cuba

next month, the first sitting US leader to go

there since 1928. The White House said Mr Obama

would meet the Cuban leader, The two nations announced in 2014

that they would move to reopen ties Three wards at Leicester Royal

Infirmary have been closed after 14 cancer patients were

diagnosed with swine flu. The hospital says the patients have

been isolated to avoid the outbreak spreading, and are being given

antiviral treatment. British Gas is facing calls to make

further cuts to its energy prices after its parent company -

Centrica - revealed that profits British Gas has already cut prices

three times since the beginning of last year, but some critics say

that's not enough. For almost 20 years,

petrol in Venezuela It has been almost free for people

living in the oil producing country. But now prices are suddenly going up

- and quite substantially. A litre of premium petrol

was costing just one US cent. But today the price shot up

to almost a dollar per litre. Venezuela's economy was already

struggling but now it has been hit hard by the collapse

in the oil price. is in the country's capital,

Caracas. It is often said that oil is more of

a curse than a blessing and that is certainly be case with Venezuela, a

country often accused of badly mismanaging its natural resources.

People here are used to getting petrol for nothing but, because of

falling oil revenues, the government is stepping in to raise the price of

petrol to bring in more revenue, and many people say the policy is long

overdue. Venezuelans are used to having

the cheapest fuel in the world, less than the price of a bottle

of water to fill a car Now the embattled government has

been forced to raise prices by a massive 6000%, probably be

first time in history such a huge price rise has been

so widely welcomed. We couldn't keep on paying

almost nothing for petrol. But it's too late to

save this government. Of course it's justified,

says this motorist, but he says, We used to be at the top

of Latin America, now With some of the world's

biggest oil reserves, Venezuela neglected other industries

as the oil revenues flowed in. It failed to invest and billions

disappeared through corruption so, when the oil price crashed,

it was completely exposed. Rarely has a country so badly

mismanaged its natural wealth, In ten years, we destroyed 100 years

of energy industry, oil, How destructive -

very much, very much. There is no other country committing

suicide as Venezuela. The country is deep in recession,

unable to afford imported food or goods, but it is ordinary

Venezuelans who are suffering. With inflation expected

to hit 700% this year, according to the IMF,

Venezuela is perhaps the world's The government has resorted

to printing more money, rendering the bolivar almost

completely worthless, and people here have to queue

for hours to find even This feels like a

country on the brink. Having queued all morning,

they haven't won the lottery, just a ticket to get into a shop

where there might be eggs, There is no love lost and little

cooperation between the opposition controlled Congress

and Nicholas Nicolas Maduro's socialist government,

a government which accuses Venezuela's enemies abroad

of carrying out economic warfare. It is North American imperialism,

they have no morals or ethics, They have no respect

for international law and they will do anything

to destabilise us. As Venezuela's economy falls

apart, so does society. Murder rates here are higher

than anywhere else in the world. The rule of law is consistently

undermined and people All of this in what should

be one of the richest, Now all eyes may be on rugby union

right now with the Six Nations - but rugby league's

also in the spotlight. There are big hopes for England's

rugby league team - with the appointment

of a tough-talking Wayne Bennett has been hugely

successful down under When he takes over in the autumn

it'll mean England's rugby league, rugby union and cricket teams

are all coached by Australians. Our sports correspondent

David Ornstein reports. He's been described as the greatest

coach of his generation. Wayne Bennett is rugby league's

answer to Sir Alex Ferguson, and now the decorated Australian

is in charge of England. But does he welcome

such lofty comparisons? Yeah, I've also been told I look

like Clint Eastwood. Bennett inherits a squad that

recently beat New Zealand, the world's top-ranked team,

but they've never lifted a major We need England to be like they have

been in the past and There is an opportunity to do that

and I thought I'd grab it. England will want his presence to be

felt at every level of the sport. The main focus, though,

is on bringing success Hopefully we can

actually win something. When I've been in the camps,

we've been close, but we need Wayne Bennett leads out

the Brisbane Broncos here in Wigan on Saturday for the World Club

Series. It's a first chance to cast his eye

over an exciting generation of England players and he won't be

the first Australian recruited to boost the nation's

sporting fortunes. Last year, Trevor Bayliss was put

in charge of England cricket. The rugby union side

are now led by Eddie Jones. Also in rugby union,

the other Home Nations all have southern hemisphere

coaches, but why? I think we've all learned a lot

off each other. We shared a lot of ideas throughout

decades. Bennett's capability in this role

won't be seen until the autumn, when they next play,

and they will hope, by going down under,

they will end up at the top. Newsnight's about to begin over

on BBC Two in a few moments. Tonight, our special contribution to

the euro debate, or one of them, is Lord Mandelson. How does he rake

David Cameron's efforts in Brussels? Join me on BBC Two.