17/09/2016 BBC Weekend News

A senior military commander warned the Defence Secretary in April that

cuts had left Britain's armed forces ill-prepared for any

The comments were made by General Sir Richard Barrons

in a memo he wrote to the Defence Secretary Michael

This afternoon Sir Richard told the BBC that Britain needed to close

Here's our Defence Correspondent Jonathan Beale.

For over a decade, Britain's Armed Forces have been fighting

counterinsurgency wars in Afghanistan and Iraq but according

to a senior former general, they are ill-equipped and ill-prepared to

defend their homeland or to fight a war against the significant military

power like Russia. General Sir Richard Barrons gave this stark

assessment to the Defence Secretary, just before he left the army a few

months ago and he's now gone public. Although NATO is a considerably more

powerful organisation, in absolute terms than Russia, because what

Russia has, it is holding at high readiness, we have created this gap

for opportunism or miscalculation. I argue we should close that gap.

British forces have recently been training with NATO Allies to meet

the potential threat from a more aggressive Russia. But in his

ten-page memo to the Defence Secretary, Sir Richard highlights

serious gaps in the nation's defences. He states:

And goes on: And he warns of extremely fragile equipment or

platforms that we cannot afford to use fully, damage or lose.

That appears to be a reference to the two new expensive aircraft

carriers now being built for the Royal Navy. As for the new jets that

will fly off them, DFs 35, Sir Richard said an enemy would in the

need to shoot them down, they would only need to target the 40 people

who need to fly them Sir Richard is undoubtedly right. There are many

people inside the military of defence at senior level and outside

of it, who would agree. It is only a shame he didn't raise the issues for

forcibly when he was there. But the ministry of defence is keen it point

out that spending is rising. Some in the MoD have questioned his motives.

He was recently passed over for promotion. But Sir Richard said it

is not sour grapes, he is speaking out as a matter of conscience.

Motorists caught using hand-held mobiles while driving are to face

much tougher penalties from next year.

The Government says they'll include six points on a driving licence

and fines of ?200 - double the current punishments.

It's been banned for 13 years but seeing drivers with a phone

pressed to their ears or tapping away at the lights is common.

Even hard-hitting TV campaigns have failed to prevent motorists

from constantly checking their phones.

Daryl Martin's brother Lee was killed by a driver who had been

caught eight times previously for texting at the wheel.

I don't want someone to be in the same position

And I don't really want someone to be in the position

You have to live with that, all over a text message.

The bloke who killed my brother was writing a text message about how

he was going to meet his mates and take his dog for a walk.

So now the Government is beefing up the punishment.

From early next year, the number of points you'll get,

if caught, will rise from three to six and the fine will rise

from a minimum of ?100, to at least ?200.

That means you'll lose your licence if caught twice in

Younger drivers who have just passed their test will lose

their licence immediately and have to resit the exam.

Alongside doubling the points you will get on your licence now,

the Government also wants to change the cultural attitude to texting

and tweeting at the wheel, to make it as socially unacceptable

Of course the real issue is enforcement.

Drug driving, speeding, using your mobile phone,

If you are sitting next to someone that's using their phone,

You don't want to be the person in the car that's injured

Technology may also have a role to play.

Mobiles already have a flight safe mode.

Safety groups say that a car safe mode is also required.

The father and former husband of a woman from Bradford have again

appeared in court in Pakistan accused of murdering her.

Both deny involvement in the death of Samia Shahid,

who police say was strangled in July.

The BBC's seen an email which suggests she may not have

legally divorced her first husband before remarrying.

Police in Germany have tightened security for the world's

biggest beer festival, Oktoberfest, which gets

The authorities fear that the event could be a target for

terrorists, following deadly attacks in the summer.

Balancing old traditions with a new way of life.

6 million drinkers celebrate Oktoberfest.

This year they are searched on the way in, rucksacks are banned

Last year you are coming up to Oktoberfest, you are going there,

everybody is happy and this year you are coming there,

there is a fence, everybody is telling you where to go and so,

But it is not too bad, I say.

People can enjoy themselves and the people that are here, I say

Munich, Germany is taking no chances.

The Government acknowledges that IS is using the refugee crisis

It's been a year since ten of thousands of refugees arrived

at this station and were greeted by crowds of cheering Germans.

Angela Merkel is struggling to reassure the German public,

many of whom fear that when she opened this country's

Mrs Merkel doesn't impress the Bavarian Government, either.

The refugees are one challenge for Europe

So, we have to have more controlling on the borders, the outset borders

of the European Union but in Germany, too.

For the first time, Oktoberfest is completely fenced in.

A country that prided itself on open borders is now putting up

It's the last full day of competition at the Paralympics

in Rio and there have been more golds for Great Britain,

with Dame Sarah Storey winning in the road race.

Paralympics GB has already passed the haul for London 2012

The report does contain some flash photography.

The start of yet another golden journey. On the roads of Rio, Dame

Sarah Storey in search of a 14th Paralympic title and she proved you,

once again, why she's Britain's most successful female Paralympian.

Another gold to add to her team's extraordinary selection. Last night

they hurtled past the 120 medals they won in London, thanks to

another title for Hannah Cockroft in the 800 m and another bronze for

Carrie. That wasn't the only willing target they hit. John Walker only

took up archery three years ago as a hobby. Now he is a Paralympian

champion. There was also success in the pool as Stephanie Millward

guided the women's relay team to gold and a new World Record and in

the tennis, the team-mates turned rivals. Gordon Reid winning the

all-British final against his doubles partner, Alfie Hewitt. After

reaching two finals here, both now ready for some rest. It's been a

long slog out here. Three weeks we have been out here now. And I'm

definitely ready for home but to be able to go home with four medals is

going to make that journey back easier. And there's been more

success for Britain this afternoon in the athletics. 16-year-old Maria

Lyle, winning another bronze in her 200 m.

Yes, and I can tell you there has been another gold in the Archie for

Jess Stretton. That means Britain has won 60 golds at these games.

When you bear nibbed they won 34 at the whole of London 2012, that's

some achievement, Kate. Thank you. We're back with the late

news at 10.10pm.