0:00:05 > 0:00:09Boris Johnson says there's strong international support for the UK
0:00:09 > 0:00:11following its ulimatum to Moscow over the nerve gas
0:00:11 > 0:00:14poisoning in Salisbury.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17I've been very encouraged, so far, by the strength of the support
0:00:17 > 0:00:20that we are getting.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24I think in particular from President Macron of France,
0:00:24 > 0:00:26I spoke to Sigmar Gabriel, my German counterpart,
0:00:26 > 0:00:30and from Washington.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34Russia has until midnight to explain how a military-grade substance has
0:00:34 > 0:00:37left a former Russian spy and his daughter critically ill
0:00:37 > 0:00:39in hospital.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Russia has strongly rejected claims of involvement,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43saying it won't respond to the midnight deadline
0:00:43 > 0:00:45unless its experts are allowed to examine poison
0:00:45 > 0:00:47recovered from the scene.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Also this lunchtime...
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Do you have good news today, Chancellor?
0:00:53 > 0:00:59Is that a spring in your step?
0:00:59 > 0:01:03The Chancellor Philip Hammond has delivered his spring statement and,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06with it, an upbeat assessment of the state of the UK economy. He said
0:01:06 > 0:01:11growth had risen and employment was up. In last few minutes, Donald
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Trump has sacked his Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Victims of the black cab rapist John Worboys begin a High Court
0:01:17 > 0:01:21challenge against the decision to release him from prison.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24And another medal for Team GB - Menna Fitzpatrick skis into silver
0:01:24 > 0:01:26at the Winter Paralympics.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29And coming up in the sport on BBC News...
0:01:29 > 0:01:30Jump racing's annual showpiece, the Cheltenham Festival,
0:01:30 > 0:01:32gets under way this afternoon with Buveur D'Air attempting
0:01:32 > 0:01:35to defend his title in the feature, the Champion Hurdle.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Good afternoon and welcome to the News at One.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04The Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, has said he's
0:02:04 > 0:02:07encouraged by the strength of support from Britain's allies
0:02:07 > 0:02:09following the poisoning of a former spy in Salisbury last week.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Theresa May has said it's "highly likely" that Russia was behind
0:02:13 > 0:02:16the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter and has given
0:02:16 > 0:02:19the Kremlin until midnight to explain its role.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Moscow has denied any involvement and has summoned
0:02:21 > 0:02:22the British ambassador.
0:02:22 > 0:02:28Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed as "rubbish"
0:02:28 > 0:02:29claims that his country was behind the poisoning.
0:02:29 > 0:02:37Our first report this lunchtime is by Richard Galpin.
0:02:37 > 0:02:44The historic city of Salisbury, population around 50,000. And the
0:02:44 > 0:02:49location of the first chemical weapons attack in this country. In
0:02:49 > 0:02:54which not a standard nerve agent was used, but one called Novichok, which
0:02:54 > 0:02:59is exceptionally potent and persistent.This is the most deadly
0:02:59 > 0:03:03chemical agent we have ever come across, that has the potential to
0:03:03 > 0:03:09kill many millions of people. It is a new chemical weapon, very
0:03:09 > 0:03:15sophisticated, very toxic and very persistent.And it was developed
0:03:15 > 0:03:21here in Russia. This, believed to be one of the laboratories in Moscow
0:03:21 > 0:03:25where scientists started working in 1970s and 80s to different forms of
0:03:25 > 0:03:30the nerve agent, which are particularly difficult to detect.
0:03:30 > 0:03:36And that is why, back in Salisbury, the decontamination process has
0:03:36 > 0:03:40spread far and wide. All locations on vehicles which may have come into
0:03:40 > 0:03:45contact with Novichok needing to be thoroughly cleaned. Nine days after
0:03:45 > 0:03:49the attack on the Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his
0:03:49 > 0:03:57daughter, nothing has been formally announced about how, where and
0:03:57 > 0:04:00exactly where they ingested the nerve agent. There are plenty of
0:04:00 > 0:04:05theories, including that it may have been in this car, which belongs to
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Mr Skripal and had been in the city centre. It is amongst the many
0:04:09 > 0:04:14vehicles to have been taken away for examination and decontamination. For
0:04:14 > 0:04:16the people of Salisbury, this is an extraordinary and very worrying
0:04:16 > 0:04:21time. Hundreds belatedly told to wash their clothes, because they had
0:04:21 > 0:04:26been in some of the contaminated areas. And now they, like the rest
0:04:26 > 0:04:30of the country, wait to see what the government will do after it
0:04:30 > 0:04:35announced it was highly likely that Russia was behind the attack.If
0:04:35 > 0:04:39they can spot which one it was, which spy it was or whoever did it,
0:04:39 > 0:04:45yeah, got to take Russia to task.I would like to see what is now going
0:04:45 > 0:04:49to happen, what Theresa May is going to go on and do, really.I don't
0:04:49 > 0:04:55think that any particular aspect of our interests are served by picking
0:04:55 > 0:05:01a fight.If there is no response from Russia in the coming hours
0:05:01 > 0:05:05about what happened in this city, then the Government has promised to
0:05:05 > 0:05:12announce tomorrow what action it will take. Richard Galpin, BBC News.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14So if the Salisbury attack is officially declared to have been
0:05:14 > 0:05:17ordered by the Russian state, what can the Government do?
0:05:17 > 0:05:22Paul Adams reports.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Theresa May and Vladimir Putin are now locked in a diplomatic
0:05:26 > 0:05:31stand-off. What chance of a breakthrough in the coming hours? At
0:05:31 > 0:05:34the Foreign Office, there is certainly a feeling that support for
0:05:34 > 0:05:39Britain's position is growing.I have been very encouraged so far by
0:05:39 > 0:05:43the strength of the support that we are getting. I think in particular
0:05:43 > 0:05:50from President Macron of France, I talked to Sigmar Gabriel, my German
0:05:50 > 0:05:55counterpart, and from Washington, where Rex Tillerson last night made
0:05:55 > 0:05:58it absolutely clear that he sees this as part of a pattern of
0:05:58 > 0:06:02disruptive behaviour, increasingly disruptive behaviour, malign
0:06:02 > 0:06:06behaviour.The outgoing American Secretary of State said the US have
0:06:06 > 0:06:09full confidence in Britain's assessment that Russia was probably
0:06:09 > 0:06:15responsible for the nerve agent.Are you worried about Russia after the
0:06:15 > 0:06:19attack in the UK?Yes.In Europe, frustrations over Brexit have, for
0:06:19 > 0:06:23the moment, been set aside.I believe that the European Council
0:06:23 > 0:06:27should come in clear terms, express its full solidarity with the British
0:06:27 > 0:06:37people and the British Government and address this issue.In Moscow,
0:06:37 > 0:06:41little sign of a resolution. The British ambassador was summoned,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45with Russia demanding information about the investigation and seeing
0:06:45 > 0:06:54it is being thwarted. TRANSLATION: We have already said it is
0:06:54 > 0:06:56We have already said it is rubbish, we have nothing to do with it.
0:06:56 > 0:07:02Sergey Lavrov said Russia would co-operate, but this would take
0:07:02 > 0:07:05time. What will Britain do if Russia doesn't respond by tonight? There
0:07:05 > 0:07:08are plenty of options. Russian diplomats could be expelled,
0:07:08 > 0:07:13sanctions could be applied against Russian individuals or businesses.
0:07:13 > 0:07:23Russian broadcasters like TRT could be blocked, and British officials
0:07:23 > 0:07:27could boycott the World Cup. Today, a meeting of the organisation which
0:07:27 > 0:07:30monitors Uncle Ben's. The organisation has condemned the
0:07:30 > 0:07:35action in Salisbury, but it is not clear what action it is planning to
0:07:35 > 0:07:41take. Britain's representative says that those that used chemical
0:07:41 > 0:07:47weapons cannot be immune from consequences of their actions.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51In the last half-hour, Donald Trump has announced he is removing the
0:07:51 > 0:07:53secretary state Rex Tillerson from office. He will be replaced by CIA
0:07:53 > 0:08:01director Mike Pompeo. Is this linked to Rex Tillerson pointing the finger
0:08:01 > 0:08:08so squarely at Russia?You can see why people might conclude that. He
0:08:08 > 0:08:12has just enthusiastically endorsed the British position at a time when,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15conspicuously, his boss Donald Trump said nothing about it and people
0:08:15 > 0:08:22have been wondering whether that is to do with Donald Trump's alleged
0:08:22 > 0:08:25closeness to Vladimir Putin. I think that is a wrong assumption. The
0:08:25 > 0:08:29timing, as always, with Donald Trump, is eccentric. Rex Tillerson,
0:08:29 > 0:08:33in the middle of a trip to Africa, he's going to have to cut that
0:08:33 > 0:08:39short. As usual, we get to hear about it in a tweet on in the early
0:08:39 > 0:08:44hours of the Washington morning. Mike Pompeo, as the outgoing CIA
0:08:44 > 0:08:46boss, will have seen all the intelligence himself. He will know
0:08:46 > 0:08:52what Rex Tillerson knows, I would be surprised if we do not hear comments
0:08:52 > 0:08:58from him at some point,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00from him at some point, on similar lines to those of Rex Tillerson,
0:09:00 > 0:09:05even if Donald Trump remains silent. Mike Pompeo is quite pro-British. I
0:09:05 > 0:09:10don't think we should see any connection there. It is clearly a
0:09:10 > 0:09:14reflection of something that is in the wings for a long time. We have
0:09:14 > 0:09:19known since September or October that Donald Trump wanted to get rid
0:09:19 > 0:09:27of Rex Tillerson. Remember, there was the famous quote attributed
0:09:28 > 0:09:32was the famous quote attributed to Rex Tillerson, alleged to have
0:09:32 > 0:09:35called Donald Trump and exclusive moron. That was denied, sort of, the
0:09:35 > 0:09:42time. It was sort of expected, but the timing is a little blunt, as
0:09:42 > 0:09:50always. -- expletive moron.We can speak to Sarah Rainsford. We have
0:09:50 > 0:09:52had a complete denial by the Russian Foreign Minister of any involvement
0:09:52 > 0:09:57in this incident in Salisbury. What else can we expect before the
0:09:57 > 0:10:02midnight deadline?I don't think we can expect anything different to
0:10:02 > 0:10:08that. This was Sergey Lavrov, responding to questions I put to him
0:10:08 > 0:10:11in Moscow today. I was asking him if he could exclude any Russian
0:10:11 > 0:10:19involvement in the poisoning of Sergei Skripal. He said he could,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Russia had nothing to do with it and the suggestion that Russia is behind
0:10:21 > 0:10:25it is nonsense. He said I should make sure I report that. He said
0:10:25 > 0:10:30what many people here are claiming, that there is this kind of hysteria
0:10:30 > 0:10:33in the UK, and that is what Russia is claiming is behind all of this,
0:10:33 > 0:10:37claiming that the finger is being pointed towards Russia without any
0:10:37 > 0:10:40evidence. Of course, the UK has pointed very clearly to the
0:10:40 > 0:10:50substance known as Novichok. Russian state media is reporting that the
0:10:50 > 0:10:55USSR did to do something called Novichok, but that the stockpiles in
0:10:55 > 0:11:00Russia were destroyed some time ago. Sergey Lavrov has made another
0:11:00 > 0:11:04claim, he says according to the Convention on chemical weapons, if
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Russia is being accused of a chemical attack, then it should be
0:11:07 > 0:11:13given a sample of the substance used to conduct its own analysis. I think
0:11:13 > 0:11:18what this means is that Russia is essentially laying the groundwork in
0:11:18 > 0:11:21order to deny everything, to say that this was a close investigation
0:11:21 > 0:11:24in the United Kingdom and that Russia is innocent, but that Russia
0:11:24 > 0:11:29has not been allowed to defend itself properly and that it is being
0:11:29 > 0:11:31accused unfairly. I think that is probably where we are heading,
0:11:31 > 0:11:38deadline or no deadline.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40The Chancellor Philip Hammond has delivered his Spring Statement
0:11:40 > 0:11:41on the UK's economic performance.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44In a break with recent tradition, this was not a "mini Budget"
0:11:44 > 0:11:46with no major policy or tax and spending announcements.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51Our political correspondent Alex Forsyth reports.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56There was no red box, no stopping for a photocall.Is that a spring in
0:11:56 > 0:11:59your step?But the Chancellor did have a smile as he headed to the
0:11:59 > 0:12:05Commons, not for a budget but for an update on the state of the economy.
0:12:05 > 0:12:12Statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.He told MPs growth
0:12:12 > 0:12:15forecasts were slightly up and borrowing down, but urged against
0:12:15 > 0:12:22reckless spending.Mr Speaker, I do not agree with those that argue that
0:12:22 > 0:12:27every available penny must be used to reduce the deficit. Nor do I
0:12:27 > 0:12:31agree with the fiscal fantasists opposite, who argue that every
0:12:31 > 0:12:35available penny should be spent immediately. We shall continue to
0:12:35 > 0:12:40deliver a balanced approach, balancing debt reduction against the
0:12:40 > 0:12:45need for investment in Britain's future, support to hard-working
0:12:45 > 0:12:49families through lower taxes and our commitment to our public services.
0:12:49 > 0:12:56But in an optimistic statement, he hinted at money to come, saying
0:12:56 > 0:13:01there was light at the end of the tunnel.If, in the autumn, public
0:13:01 > 0:13:03finances continue to reflect improvements that today's report
0:13:03 > 0:13:07hints at, then in accordance with our balanced approach, and using a
0:13:07 > 0:13:12flexible as you provided by the fiscal rules, I would have capacity
0:13:12 > 0:13:15to enable further increases in public spending and investment in
0:13:15 > 0:13:22the years ahead.But Labour wanted more.Hasn't he listens to the
0:13:22 > 0:13:26doctors, the nurses, teachers, the police officers, the carers and even
0:13:26 > 0:13:32his own councillors? They are telling him they can't wait for the
0:13:32 > 0:13:38next budget. They are telling him to act now. For eight years they have
0:13:38 > 0:13:43been ignored by this government. And today they have been ignored again.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47The Chancellor scrap the spring budget in favour of just one year,
0:13:47 > 0:13:51so we were told not to expect any major tax and spending measures
0:13:51 > 0:13:56today. But for some, and improving economic picture marks a moment to
0:13:56 > 0:13:59end austerity, a chance to loosen the purse strings. The Government
0:13:59 > 0:14:04says now is not the time to splash the cash.I think what the
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Chancellor wanted to do is continue a balanced approach. That means
0:14:07 > 0:14:11taking a responsible approach to the public finances, making sure we have
0:14:11 > 0:14:15the targeted investment that we have increased in schools on the NHS, but
0:14:15 > 0:14:19also keeping taxes as low as possible.So the streets around
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Parliament may be free from the ceremony of a budget, but the
0:14:23 > 0:14:30political ordnance over the economy aren't going anywhere.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Norman Smith is in Westminster. This was a very different statement to
0:14:35 > 0:14:39what we are used to at this time of year?It surely was. This is
0:14:39 > 0:14:45normally a big bananas date. If you look at previous chancellors like
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Gordon Brown and George Osborne, they used this as a mini budget. Not
0:14:48 > 0:14:53so Philip Hammond. He deliberately wanted this to be a much more
0:14:53 > 0:14:57low-key event. I think that is the story of today. It is all about
0:14:57 > 0:15:02expectation management. Mr Hammond has deliberately chosen to lower
0:15:02 > 0:15:09expectations today, but has raised expectations for his budget in the
0:15:09 > 0:15:12autumn. So, today there were no big announcements, no big spending
0:15:12 > 0:15:17commitments, probably not even the symbols of a big occasion, there was
0:15:17 > 0:15:21no big red box or big red book. But it seems to me that he has made a
0:15:21 > 0:15:25rod for his own back when it comes to the autumn budget, in part by the
0:15:25 > 0:15:30very glowing review of the economy, pointing to the fact that growth had
0:15:30 > 0:15:36been revised upwards, that job growth was expected to continue,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40year in, year out, inflation was likely to return to normal and the
0:15:40 > 0:15:45deficit and debt were now in a much better place. That will, inevitably,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49create pressure from MPs, for Mr Hammond to splash the cash in the
0:15:49 > 0:15:55autumn. More than that, Mr Hammond said that he would look at a new
0:15:55 > 0:15:59path for public spending in the autumn, and if the economy was still
0:15:59 > 0:16:02performing as it is now he would look at increased investment and
0:16:02 > 0:16:07spending. So, he has lowered expectations today, but, boy, has he
0:16:07 > 0:16:12raced in for the autumn budget. -- raised them for the autumn budget.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16As part of his Spring Statement the Chancellor revealed the economy
0:16:16 > 0:16:18was performing better than expected.
0:16:18 > 0:16:26Our Economics Correspondent Andy Verity is here.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34You have to remember how gloomy it was last November, there was a
0:16:34 > 0:16:40slight upward revision in a common growth, 1.5% for the year 2018, as
0:16:40 > 0:16:45opposed to 1.4% before, which has a knock-on effect. The faster the
0:16:45 > 0:16:49economy is growing, though more money comes in in taxes and the less
0:16:49 > 0:16:53you spend in benefits and that tends to improve public finances. There
0:16:53 > 0:17:03was also a note that borrowing for 2017-18 £45.2 billion, £5 billion
0:17:03 > 0:17:06better, £5 billion less common than previously thought. Compared to what
0:17:06 > 0:17:09people were saying before the statement, it is a bit
0:17:09 > 0:17:14disappointing. A lot of people were predicting Philip Hammond would have
0:17:14 > 0:17:19had room to come up with money for the NHS or education or police. They
0:17:19 > 0:17:24are now predicting, the official forecasters, a positive sign, that
0:17:24 > 0:17:28wages will start to grow by more than inflation in the second quarter
0:17:28 > 0:17:33of the year, springtime surprise, if you like. Inflation is faster than
0:17:33 > 0:17:38wages at the moment, 3% compared to 2.5%, the hope is that will change.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42The bleak thing is still productivity. A couple of positive
0:17:42 > 0:17:46numbers on improvements recently and there have been speculation the
0:17:46 > 0:17:51forecast might improve that, -- might include that, but not
0:17:51 > 0:17:53dismissing it as a blip and they still think productivity is pretty
0:17:53 > 0:18:01poor.Thank you. There was also a consultation on whether there should
0:18:01 > 0:18:06be taxes on single use plastics.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08It will consider whether charges should be added to bottles,
0:18:08 > 0:18:09cans and even possibly chewing gum.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Here's our environment analyst, Roger Harrabin.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Our lives hang together with plaster, the drinks we drink, the
0:18:15 > 0:18:19foods we eat, the straws we suck, the cotton buds, even the chewing
0:18:19 > 0:18:27gum. But David Attenborough's Blue Planet showed too many items ended
0:18:27 > 0:18:31up in the stomachs of creatures and the Government thinks putting a
0:18:31 > 0:18:35charge on single use plastics might help.We will follow up on the vital
0:18:35 > 0:18:40issue of plastic lettering and the threat to our oceans with a call for
0:18:40 > 0:18:45evidence to support us in delivering on our vowed to tackle this complex
0:18:45 > 0:18:49issue -- littering.The scheme we visited in Norway might be one
0:18:49 > 0:18:54option. You pay a deposit on bottles and cans and a machine checks them
0:18:54 > 0:18:59and gives a coupon for your money back. Homeless people collect
0:18:59 > 0:19:07littered bottles because they have a value. A levy has been demanded on
0:19:07 > 0:19:11coffee by MPs, a proposed 25p surcharge on disposable cups. The
0:19:11 > 0:19:16Government favours coffee shops offering discounts for customers who
0:19:16 > 0:19:19bring their own cups.It is certainly sensible for the
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Government to look at ways of heart attacks plastic but it should not
0:19:23 > 0:19:33delay urgent action that we need Ashley Crow at ways to tax plastic.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35We know recycling will never be enough to deal with the plastic
0:19:35 > 0:19:43crisis -- looking at ways to tax plastic.Chewing gum is after all a
0:19:43 > 0:19:50type of plastic and is included. This used chewing gum is being
0:19:50 > 0:19:55turned into useful objects like the souls of shoes. This idea might
0:19:55 > 0:19:58benefit from a £20 million innovation fund her plastics
0:19:58 > 0:20:03announced by the Chancellor. Whatever the result of the
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Chancellor's consultation, the public mood on throwaway society is
0:20:06 > 0:20:16shifting, take this cup, it's usable life is about... Three seconds. That
0:20:16 > 0:20:21will surely change. Roger Harrabin, BBC News.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Our top story this lunchtime...
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Boris Johnson says there's strong international support for the UK
0:20:27 > 0:20:29following its ulimatum to Moscow over the nerve gas
0:20:29 > 0:20:33poisoning in Salisbury.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Coming up in sport...
0:20:35 > 0:20:40Can Manchester United join Liverpool and neighbours City
0:20:40 > 0:20:44in the quarterfinals of the Champions League?
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Jose Mourinho's side face Sevilla at Old Trafford tonight after it
0:20:47 > 0:20:55finished goalless in the first leg.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Victims of the serial sex offender John Worboys say the Parole Board
0:21:06 > 0:21:09have failed to take account of critical evidence
0:21:09 > 0:21:14when reaching a decision to release him from prison.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16The High Court has begun hearing a challenge against the decision
0:21:16 > 0:21:18to allow the former taxi driver to be released.
0:21:18 > 0:21:24Tom Burridge reports.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27A violent sexual predator who tricked and drugged young women
0:21:27 > 0:21:33and then raped or assaulted them in the back of his taxi.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35John Worboys was convicted in relation to offences
0:21:35 > 0:21:38on just 12 of his victims.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40He was jailed indefinitely in 2009.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42But earlier this year, the Parole Board announced
0:21:42 > 0:21:47he was to be released.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Today, here at the High Court, two victims are
0:21:49 > 0:21:55challenging the decision.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Usually, the Parole Board is pretty cautious about letting
0:21:57 > 0:22:01people out and in this
0:22:01 > 0:22:04case it just seems very bizarre to everybody that they made
0:22:04 > 0:22:06this decision in such an extraordinary case.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09It was so extreme, so wrong, it just seems that the reasoning
0:22:09 > 0:22:11is wrong in this case.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13This morning, we learnt about the reasons behind
0:22:13 > 0:22:16the Parole Board's decision.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20It believed Worboys had learnt to be open and honest and that he took
0:22:20 > 0:22:22full responsibility for his crimes.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25But the barrister representing the victim said the Parole Board
0:22:25 > 0:22:31ignored crucial evidence.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35Phillippa Kaufmann QC said Worboys has only ever admitted the offences
0:22:35 > 0:22:38for which he was convicted, when the police believe he assaulted
0:22:38 > 0:22:43and raped more than 100 women over a much longer period of time.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46In court, we heard graphic evidence of a sexual nature
0:22:46 > 0:22:47to back that claim up.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49The reasons behind decisions taken by parole boards
0:22:49 > 0:22:51are normally not published.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53This case will have a bearing on that principle and some
0:22:53 > 0:22:57are urging caution.
0:22:57 > 0:22:58Many of our members who give evidence to parole boards
0:22:58 > 0:23:06say they would welcome some greater transparency.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12But they are concerned at the impact this might have and the possibility
0:23:12 > 0:23:15of running into a trial by media situation where one case is given
0:23:15 > 0:23:16more prominence than another.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19So, was the Parole Board right to say this convicted rapist
0:23:19 > 0:23:21was fit for release?
0:23:21 > 0:23:23A decision by three High Court judges will have
0:23:23 > 0:23:25wider ramifications.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30Tom Burridge, BBC News, at the High Court.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33The teenager accused of planting a bomb on a London tube train has
0:23:33 > 0:23:36told jurors he lied to officials about being kidnapped
0:23:36 > 0:23:39by Islamic State because he wanted to study in Britain and become
0:23:39 > 0:23:40the new David Attenborough.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45Ahmed Hassan denies all charges.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49He said he thought the device would burn rather than explode, he denies
0:23:49 > 0:23:50all charges.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Our home affairs correspondent, June Kelly is at the Old Bailey.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Tell us what else was heard in court. He has been in the witness
0:23:58 > 0:24:03box all morning and he told the jury he did plant the device on the train
0:24:03 > 0:24:07but he said he did not want to kill anybody, he said the idea of killing
0:24:07 > 0:24:11another human being never crossed my mind. He once said he thought the
0:24:11 > 0:24:16device would burn, not explode, and he said the reason why he planted
0:24:16 > 0:24:19the device was he was bought over the summer holidays and he liked the
0:24:19 > 0:24:24idea of being a fugitive and he thought he could be a fugitive being
0:24:24 > 0:24:29chased across Europe by Interpol. Just before lunch, he came under
0:24:29 > 0:24:33cross-examination and we have heard already that his father was killed
0:24:33 > 0:24:39in a bombing in Iraq and she put it to Hassan, you blamed the coalition
0:24:39 > 0:24:44forces for your father's death? He said, no. You believe the fight
0:24:44 > 0:24:50against Britain should be brought into this country. He replied, no.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55Earlier the court heard he said he did not have any connection with IS
0:24:55 > 0:24:59in Iraq. Previously the jury had been told he told immigration
0:24:59 > 0:25:03officials when he came into the UK that he had trained with IS and been
0:25:03 > 0:25:06taught how to cool by them. This morning he said he had lied about
0:25:06 > 0:25:11that because he wanted to strengthen his immigration case -- taught how
0:25:11 > 0:25:19to kill. He said he was in fear of IS. We heard he was a good student,
0:25:19 > 0:25:23academically very strong, and he said he came to Britain because he
0:25:23 > 0:25:26wanted to further his education and he was a big fan of David
0:25:26 > 0:25:32Attenborough and his ambition was to be a wildlife photographer and go to
0:25:32 > 0:25:37university. The cross-examination will continue this afternoon.June
0:25:37 > 0:25:41Kelly, thank you.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43The British team have won their fourth medal
0:25:43 > 0:25:44of the Winter Paralympics.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Menna Fitzpatrick and guide Jen Kehoe claimed a silver
0:25:46 > 0:25:48in the women's visually-impaired super combined event,
0:25:48 > 0:25:51to help Paralympics GB close in on UK Sport's target of seven
0:25:51 > 0:25:52medals at the Games.
0:25:52 > 0:26:00Kate Grey is in Pyeongchang for us.
0:26:00 > 0:26:05That is right. You may notice I am wrapped up warm with my hat on at
0:26:05 > 0:26:09the moment but earlier today was about 20 degrees by the coast by the
0:26:09 > 0:26:16wheelchair curling is taking place. 20 of snow in the mountains for
0:26:16 > 0:26:19another exciting day. The mountains have been a happy hunting ground for
0:26:19 > 0:26:24the Alpine skiers so far, what fortunes with the super combined
0:26:24 > 0:26:29hold today? After the speed discipline this morning, Menna
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Fitzpatrick and guide Jen Kehoe were comfortably in silver medal
0:26:31 > 0:26:36position. The technical slalom... The penultimate hurdle on the tricky
0:26:36 > 0:26:39course and the communication in the headsets was integral. And
0:26:39 > 0:26:48effective. They momentarily wearing gold medal position. The turn of the
0:26:48 > 0:26:53Slovakia team. They are unbeaten at these Games. Would they falter this
0:26:53 > 0:26:58time? A minor mistake but their experience prevails. Menna
0:26:58 > 0:27:03Fitzpatrick and Jen Kehoe had to settle for silver.No word spokesman
0:27:03 > 0:27:10there has not sunk in yet. We're just glad. -- no words! So grateful
0:27:10 > 0:27:15it all went right today.The Alpine skiers have been making waves in the
0:27:15 > 0:27:19mountains, the competition is heating up on the coast, as the
0:27:19 > 0:27:22wheelchair curlers move into the business end of the round robin
0:27:22 > 0:27:27matches. It may be 20 degrees outside, but a cool head was
0:27:27 > 0:27:31required on the ice as the Brits faced another strong Slovakian team.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Early mistakes by the skip allowed the opposition a comfortable lead
0:27:35 > 0:27:39and the Brits were left with too much to do. They will need to bounce
0:27:39 > 0:27:45back quickly as their relentless schedule continues. We have just
0:27:45 > 0:27:49found out that Great Britain have lost their second Match of the Day
0:27:49 > 0:27:52against the neutral Paralympic athletes from Russia meaning they
0:27:52 > 0:27:56move down to fifth in the round robin standings. They will have four
0:27:56 > 0:28:03more matches to redeem themselves before they go into the play-offs.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Thank you very much.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07The Cheltenham Festival - one of the most eagerly anticipated
0:28:07 > 0:28:10events in the horse racing calendar - gets under way today.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Heavy rain and the recent snow mean jump racing's annual showpiece
0:28:13 > 0:28:15is taking place on the wettest ground for 36 years.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18Andy Swiss sent this report.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22It is the time when all hooves head to Cheltenham, but rarely has jump
0:28:22 > 0:28:25racing's biggest week had a more testing build up.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30This was the course just ten days ago.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Fences engulfed by drifting snow - more than 200 tonnes had to be
0:28:33 > 0:28:36shovelled from the course, and after further heavy rain,
0:28:36 > 0:28:42this festival is starting on the wettest ground for 36 years.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45It rained a lot since Friday last week, best part
0:28:45 > 0:28:48of an inch and a half, 45 millimetres of rainfall,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51which has turned the conditions heavy-soft in places.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54The first time the festival has started on those ground
0:28:54 > 0:28:56conditions since 1982.
0:28:56 > 0:29:04Well, as you can see, this is one of the soggiest starts
0:29:06 > 0:29:09to the festival that Cheltenham has ever seen.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11The horses and riders will have to conquer these
0:29:11 > 0:29:13gruelling conditions if they are to beat their rivals.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16As ever, the highlight is on Friday, the Gold Cup, won last
0:29:16 > 0:29:17year by Sizing John.
0:29:17 > 0:29:18Sizing John will win the Gold Cup.
0:29:18 > 0:29:23By the end of the week, around £350 million will have been gambled,
0:29:23 > 0:29:31that annual battle between punters and bookies is already under way.
0:29:32 > 0:29:38We always say that Cheltenham can make or break the bookies' year.
0:29:38 > 0:29:43Last year happened to be a very good year for us because a lot
0:29:43 > 0:29:46of the odds-on shots got shinned so that was a welcome.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48The year before, it was a nightmare, probably the worst in history.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52So it is swings and roundabouts and we just hope that we can get
0:29:52 > 0:29:53some of the favourites beaten.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56For the fans, the first big race here is already over,
0:29:56 > 0:29:59the customary charge through the turnstiles,
0:29:59 > 0:30:01but whatever your vantage point, Cheltenham's challenges will once
0:30:01 > 0:30:03again soon be plain to see.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Andy Swiss, BBC News, Cheltenham.
0:30:06 > 0:30:07What is it like elsewhere?
0:30:07 > 0:30:08What is it like elsewhere?
0:30:08 > 0:30:09What is it like elsewhere?
0:30:09 > 0:30:11Sunshine overhead enchantment today and many
0:30:11 > 0:30:16and many of us getting to the sunshine. In a week when no two days
0:30:16 > 0:30:20are the same, we can probably call today the sunny day in most places,
0:30:20 > 0:30:25certainly for this weather watcher in Dorset, beautiful blue skies. We
0:30:25 > 0:30:30are between weather systems. One clearing away to the east, that
0:30:30 > 0:30:34bought yesterday's rain, this next one gathering strength in the
0:30:34 > 0:30:38Atlantic, and in between, they slice of sunshine. Still a fair amount of
0:30:38 > 0:30:42cloud in northern and eastern Scotland, still capable of producing
0:30:42 > 0:30:47the odd shower, but more of us getting sunny skies this afternoon.
0:30:47 > 0:30:53That will feel like spring. Relatively light winds. This evening
0:30:53 > 0:30:57and tonight, we keep the clear skies in Central and eastern areas,
0:30:57 > 0:31:01turning quite chilly, there could be a touch of frost, dipping below
0:31:01 > 0:31:08freezing, mist patches as well. Out West, a change taking place,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11thickening cloud, outbreaks of rain and strengthening winds as well and
0:31:11 > 0:31:15that is because this area of low pressure is going to start to slide
0:31:15 > 0:31:20in from the West tomorrow, frontal systems bringing rain and ahead of
0:31:20 > 0:31:24that, strong winds touching gale force in parts of the West, but
0:31:24 > 0:31:32coming from a mild placed, really mild air wafting across. Split
0:31:32 > 0:31:37fortunes on Wednesday. Central and eastern areas, dry weather after a
0:31:37 > 0:31:43sunny start, staying pretty bright in the afternoon, out West, very
0:31:43 > 0:31:46different story, and a lot of rain in the south-west of England, this
0:31:46 > 0:31:52is the wet day of the week. The rain coming in across parts of Wales and
0:31:52 > 0:31:55Northern Ireland and there is the potential for travel disruption,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58perhaps localised flooding. Some rain in south-west Scotland and
0:31:58 > 0:32:03generally across all of the western areas, strong winds touching gale
0:32:03 > 0:32:08force in
0:32:15 > 0:32:18exposed onto the hazy sunshine the eastern Scotland and eastern England
0:32:18 > 0:32:20lifting temperatures to 12 degrees in Edinburgh, 14 in London. The wet
0:32:20 > 0:32:23weather in the West will make some progress further north and east on
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Thursday. Very slow progress. To the south, heavy showers. To the north,
0:32:25 > 0:32:30noticed the temperatures dipping. The frontal system progress in North
0:32:30 > 0:32:33and east, it starts to move backwards heading into the weekend,
0:32:33 > 0:32:38bumping into this area of high pressure and we will get into a
0:32:38 > 0:32:43strong cold easterly wind and there is the potential for some snow. Big
0:32:43 > 0:32:48changes ahead.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52A reminder of our main story this lunchtime.
0:32:52 > 0:32:53As Boris Johnson says there are
0:32:53 > 0:32:56As Boris Johnson says there are strong international support for the
0:32:56 > 0:33:01UK, Donald Trump says he will call the Prime Minister to discuss the
0:33:01 > 0:33:07Government's ultimate to the Moscow over the nerve gas poisoning