12/01/2017 BBC News at Six

The British connection - a former MI6 spy at the heart

of the latest allegations against Donald Trump.

Christopher Steele produced a dossier claiming Mr Trump had been

involved in dubious personal and professional practices.

It is the latest controversy to hit Donald Trump. It is clear about what

took place, about Russian involvement in efforts to hack

information and to have an impact on American democracy.

We'll be following the latest developments in this controversy.

Blizzards sweep across the UK -

driving's treacherous, dozens of flights are cancelled

and there's warnings of more disruption on the way.

Justice for the Hillsborough disaster victims -

investigators send the names of 23 suspects to prosecutors.

The football world pays tribute to the former

England Manger Graham Taylor who's died suddenly aged 72.

And we speak to the writer of La La Land - the man who's

brought the art of the musical back to Hollywood.

And coming up in the sport on BBC News:

West Ham's star player Dimitri Payet wants to leave and is refusing

But the manager says he won't be sold.

Good evening and welcome to the BBC News at Six.

A former MI6 officer has gone into hiding after being named

as the source of the latest allegations against President-elect

Christopher Steele produced a dossier last year which included

the allegations that Mr Trump had been caught in compromising

The allegations are unproven and America's CIA, which has

acknowledged the existence of the dossier, says it has made no

Here's our security correspondent Gordon Corera

The murky world of intelligence-gathering in Moscow A

secret dossier of allegations about Trump and Russia. All written by a

former member of MI6. This is Christopher Steele, now at the

centre of controversy. His house was unoccupied today. He is supposed to

have told neighbours to look after his cats and he is said to be lying

low, fearing for his safety. What do we know about Christopher Steele? He

is 52. In the nineties he worked for Middlesbrough. MI6 in Moscow. He

founded a private intelligence company called Orbis. Last year he

was commissioned by Trump's opponents to look into Russian

connections. He came up with 35 pages of allegation. Orbis are based

here. There is no sign of Chris Steele. He is a man with contacts in

Moscow. But so far there has been no confirmation that the extraordinary

allegations he dug up there are definitely true. Thanks to his past

as a spy, Steele is unlikely to have been able to travel to Moscow

himself and will have relied on others to gather information.

Moscow's a difficult place to work in. The ruckses have a habit --

Russians have a habit of secrecy and deception. The other complicating

factor is money. If you're going to give somebody money to tell you

something, there is a strong possibility they will tell you what

you want to hear. Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian agent

who fled to London, investigated powerful figures in Moscow and was

killed by radioactive poise son. I believe it is dangerous,

particularly after the death of my husband, because when you just

approach specific information, particularly when this information

very close to powerful people, you might be in this line and you just

easily might be killed. The Russian dossier was not written for public

consumption. But American spies have briefed the outlines to man it is

about. Its author never expected to be in the spotlight. But in the

atmosphere of American politics today, seek represents are no longer

as -- - secrets are no longer as safe as they were.

As we've heard this controversy raises serious questions

about the extent to which Russia has tried to undermine the political

process in America and whether Donald Trump is too close

Well, today some of the President-elect's

nominees for the top jobs in the new administration have made

it clear that they continue to regard Russia with

A week before inauguration day this usually an air of expectancy. But

the mood is much more feverish and electric. As allegation swirl that

Russia has compromising information about the President-elect that could

make him susceptible to black mail. Today Trump's choice as CIA head

agreed the Kremlin tried to interfere with the election. It is

clear about Russian involvement in efforts to hack information and to

have an impact on American democracy. I'm clear about what that

intelligence report says. And I have every expectation that we continue

to develop the facts that I will relay those to the president and the

team around you and you, so we can have a robust discussion about this

threat. As to the latest allegations in the dossier. I will pursue the

facts wherever they take us. And the incoming Defence Secretary took aim

at Vladimir Putin, taking a much tougher line than his new boss. I'm

all for engagement, but we have to recognise reality in what Russia is

up to. There is a decreasing areas where we can engage. Yesterday the

President-elect rejected the unverified allegations that Russia

has dirt on him. You're fake news. Go ahead. After speaking last night

to America's director of national intelligence, James Clapper, he was

as vehement on triter. Intelligence chiefs have made no

judgments on the claim. Team Trump is defiant, saying the

allegations are not true. What struck me most in Mr Clapper's

public statement that I'm sure your viewers can access, is Mr Clapper

reemphasising that the intelligence community gave no credibility to the

fake news documents. Washington is a city used to intrigue and scandal,

but not on the eve of an inauguration. Despite what the

spokeswoman said, the intelligence community has not made a

determination about the credibility of the claims. So we are seeing a

continuation of the public rift between the Trump team and the

intelligence community and equally extraordinary this rift between

incoming members of his administration and the

President-elect. You heard his incoming defence chief contradicting

the incoming commander in chief over the threat posed by Vladimir Putin.

Thank you very much. Right now blizzards are sweeping

across the UK driven Scotland was hit first -

with some schools shut Further south, dozens of flights out

of Heathrow have been cancelled and several villages on the east

coast have been evacuated after the environment agency issued

severe flood warnings. Our correspondent Duncan

Kennedy is at Heathrow. Well Georges there is a combination

of sleet and snow here at Heathrow. It is freezing! It has taken until

mid-January for the whole of the country to be affected by this

weather and what's happening is as the weather front sweeping down

through south-east, Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Midlands,

here around London and heading to the east coast. But it is not just

snow coming in. There is a risk that some places can be flooded.

Scotland, where where the gorgeous meets the treacherous and the place

where the snow laid its deepest blanket. Winds piled up the drifts.

Creating scenery beyond post card perfect, but sending temperatures

below zero. It was enough to do this to the M74 near Glasgow. Drivers

spent hours crawling to their destinations. In Northern Ireland,

the traffic moved, but on roads snowed and iced under bitter

conditions. The gritters struggled to keep routes covered. It was the

same in Cumbria, where councils had to make multiple trips after the

grit was blown or washed away. Because we are trying to get salt on

the network, every time we are doing that, the rain is washing that off.

So the salt levels reduce and we have to top it up. So that is why

people will see the gritters going around the routes trying to build up

that salt level. Head south and a mixture of snow in the Midlands. In

Worcestershire, not everyone felt lucky. It is OK if you're walking.

When it comes to driving, we don't do it. Really nice. Pretty. The

first time she has seen snow. We brought her up to skr a look. The

snow came late in the day to Heathrow. But the authority had

decided to take no chances and cancelled around 80 flights. But

this wintery surge isn't just about snow. Alan and Elizabeth are among

thousands on Britain's east coast preparing for flooding as high seas

threaten to pour in. I'm upset and frightened. After the last flood I

had a couple of strokes and I don't want that again. Sorry, I'm going to

cry... A hundred soldiers in in Lincolnshire warning people about

the possibility of flooding there. They will be an alert for 24 hours.

All part of mid winter and the multiple weather experiences that it

is applying to the British Isles. Our correspondent Danny Savage is in

Skegness. What are conditions like where you are? George, it is not

often you see army trucks outside politician station. About -- police

station. About a hundred soldiers are here, knocking on doors, over

2,000 properties are feared to be vulnerable to flooding. The

conditions are OK at the moment. But they're expected to deteriorate

tonight. And it is because of a storm surge coming down the North

Sea with a strong wind, high tides and the key pinch points are around

6 in the morning and 6 at night as well. Along a 30 or 40 mile stretch

of coast. Now, this is a part of country which is haunted by memories

of floods in 1953. There is no suggestion it will be as bad. But

people are warned and if they're in two storey properties to, to move

their belongings up stairs, in case the worst does happen. But the

authorities are trying to do their best to warn people. Thank you.

British Airways cabin crew are to stage a fresh strike

Members of the Unite union will walk out for three days from January 19th

following two days of industrial action this week.

Investigators say 23 people and organisations could face

prosecution for the Hillsborough disaster, in which 96 fans died.

The Crown Prosecution Service will decide whether or

An inquest last year found the victims were unlawfully killed

in 1989 and that the match commander was responsible for manslaughter

Our Correspondent Judith Moritz reports.

# Walk on! They called it justice day a moment of history. The ruling

that 96 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough.

It was the verdict their families wanted so badly. Among them

Charlotte Hennessey, who was just six when her father died. Now the

families have learned 23 people and organisations could face

prosecution. There are people that I believe that have committed criminal

offences and I think that they should be brought to justice for

that. Because if 96 South Yorkshire police officers had died that day

and Liverpool fans were responsible, they would still be paying the

price. The operation investigated the disaster and identified 15

criminal suspects. Offences being considered include gross negligence

manslaughter. We don't know who the suspects are. At the inquest the

jury found the fans were unlawfully killed. The IPCC investigated

allegations of a cover up and has identified eight criminal suspects.

Offences considered include misconduct in a public office. The

former Chief Constable has revealed that he has been treated as a

suspect. At the inquest he said he was not part of a black propaganda

unit set up to blame Liverpool fans. Long since the noise of celebration

has died down here, there is still a clamour for justice for those who

campaigned for so long will have to remain patient. It will be months

before they find out who if anyone will face prosecution. The legal

process sometimes does not work as quickly as we would like. I

understand families and others frustration at the time that might

be take on the get something to court. Particularly given that these

are events of 28 years ago. Some campaigner say the number of

suspects of the alleged cover up is too low and the Crown Prosecution

Service says it will be up to six months before it decides on charges.

The former British spy at the heart of the latest

allegations against Donald Trump is named as Christopher Steele.

How we filled up with festive food and drink -

bringing Christmas cheer to retailers.

Coming up in Sports day in the next 15 minutes, we will hear more

tributes to Graham Taylor and reflect on the former -- on the

career of the former Watford, Aston Villa and England manager, who has

died at the age of 72. The world's first tidal

lagoon to capture green energy from the sea

has come a step closer The proposal has been backed

by a government-commissioned review and there are hopes of developing

a network of larger lagoons According to independent analysts,

a network of tidal lagoons could generate more than 10%

of the UK's electricity by 2030. That's enough energy

to power 9 million homes. That would result in a 36% cut

in the UK's CO2 emissions by 2035, allowing the government's current

carbon targets to be met. The plan is to generate power from

the ebb and flow of the tide. Today, supporters of a lagoon in Swansea

Bay believe a bright future for this type of renewable energy is on the

horizon. We want the lagoon to become more than just a power

station. A sea wall more than six miles long with loop across the bay.

Energy harnessed by 16 hydroelectric turbines. Today's report says tidal

lagoons can deliver a clean supply of energy, allowing the UK the

chance to become the global leader in this type of technology. It's

great when a government review spends six months crawling over

every aspect and then says we agree, there's jobs to be had, cheap power

to be had, there is a global industry to be had in the UK. But

his plans for three further lagoons in Wales and two more in England

would be delayed until the impact of the smaller spawns the scheme is

assessed. On cost, the report suggests that lagoons could compare

favourably with nuclear. A view shared by this independent expert.

We don't have an enormous amount of options in terms of decarbonisation.

This project adds about 25p per annum to consumer bills. If it

works, we may have unlocked substantial potential. But other

questions remain, including the impact on marine life. These charter

boat owners who take anglers out in Swansea Marina, are worried fish

stocks could be significantly depleted. It could impact on the

card. -- on the cod. The cod could be looking for their food elsewhere

and that would be the end of that, there would be no more fish. The

prospect of jobs and the boost for the local economy makes the tidal

lagoon attractive to people who live here. It will now consider the

report's recommendations, while the body responsible for protecting the

environment in Wales has yet to grant the marine license needed

before any work can begin. Sian Lloyd, BBC News, Swansea.

There was plenty of festive cheer for some of Britain's biggest

M, Tesco and John Lewis and Debenhams all announced positive

Here's our Business Correspondent Emma Simpson.

Tesco's sales were up today and other supermarkets have

With the help of Mrs Claus, clothing sales grew for the first

time in two years, up by more than 2%.

It has also focused on getting the price right the first time,

so when you buy something, there's less risk of the price being reduced

On the whole, Christmas turned out OK.

But retailers are much more worried about what lies ahead.

40% of its sales were via the Internet.

With shopping habits changing fast, it says it needs to invest more

online and prepare for the impact of a weaker pound.

And those things are happening and you've got the consumer.

Who knows what happens next year, but the predictions are we're

going to see a slowdown in the growth of consumer income.

For retail, 2016 ended on a positive note.

The question is, can spending be maintained?

The former England football manager Graham Taylor has died

Taylor rose to prominence by taking Watford from the old Fourth

to First Division and the FA Cup Final.

His club chairman then, Sir Elton John, said today that he'd

lost a "brother", with whom he shared an unbreakable bond.

Natalie Pirks looks back at his career.

The sound of hitting a football thrills me. Football was in Graham

Taylor's soul. From managing Lincoln city... I think I've got qualities

as regards coaching. To the highs and lows of the England job, he

remained passionate about his first love. In 1977, he joined Elton

John's Watford. Fans their call him God, three promotions in five years

tell you why. He turned them into the family club during the age of

hooliganism. There was also an FA Cup final to cherish. He had that

smile that would make you feel comfortable and you could talk to

him. You also felt that, whatever he said to you, it was true. Aston

Villa first came calling in 1987. He led the club to promotion a year

later and that turned their heads of the FA

-- in 1990. Do I not like that. Those five simple words would come

to define his England career. He was dipped

hit -- he was depicted as a tabloid turnip and criticised for failing to

make the World Cup. One of the reasons I admired him and liked him

so much was coming you never got any bull from him, he was just read down

the middle and told it as it was. Some people didn't like that but I

loved it, I certainly admire that. He was surprised and honoured to

receive an MBE for services to football but his friends were

tonight the game mourns the loss of one of football's true gents.

The former England manager Graham Taylor, who's

Lala Land will open in the UK tomorrow.

The romantic musical comedy has already won seven golden globe

But is it likely to woo British audiences?

Our Arts editor Will Gompertz has spoken to the film's writer

# City of stars # Ayush dining just for me? Welcome

to Lala Land, the Hollywood musical starring Anna Stone and Ryan Gosling

which looks like it's going to sing and dance itself to Oscars glory. It

is a genre of film-making which its director thinks is unfairly derided

as being a bit naff. I don't think musicals are this outdated thing

that they sometimes get labelled as. They're also not just a purely

fantastical thing that people sometimes labelled them as. I think

musicals can they aim real lot about real life and human emotions and

humanity and where we are right now. And the need for dreams.

# Here's to the ones who dream # Foolish as they may seem.

From a writer and a director's point of view, what can you do any song

that you can't do in a script? I think of a song in a musical as a

reflection of a person's innermost feelings. It is feeling is that

can't be or in kind of action. It is feelings that need the outlet of a

song. We had about a 3-4 month rehearsal

period of Prep where everyday Ryan and Emma were in dance lessons,

singing lessons, piano lessons. I think it's also kind of fun, if

you're going to work with music stars, put them outside their

comfort zone, see the vulnerability. He is not yet 32 but already being

lauded and applauded for his talents, he is a young director

living Lala Land's dream. Will Gompertz, ABC News.

challenging weather earlier. Millions of people are trying to get

home through this stuff. It started off as heavy rain but in the last

three or four hours it has turned to snow initially in the west of London

but now that is spreading across the capital and it is snowing in London

as we speak. Over the hills, a view centimetres of snow as well. The

snow doesn't last for ever mind you, it does clear through later this

evening. As the skies clear, temperatures will plummet and

everything will freeze, be it water or slush or snow. It will be a very

nasty night out there if you are on the move. Snow showers to the West

of England and Wales as well and a blizzard racing across the north of

Scotland up over the mountains, with Dale force wind around the

north-eastern coast. Temperature is widely close to or below freezing

where you have got snow cover and some pretty violent winds across

coastal areas. There is still a band of snow and through the early hours

that will move its way southwards, could give a view centimetres

inland, more like rain or sleet, but eventually it might head down to

London for tomorrow's rush-hour, what to watch out for. But for many

of us we will wake up tomorrow to seems like this, roads full of

slush. Further wintry showers around exposed northern western areas and

further accumulations, as we have heard on the news the possibility of

a storm surge down the North Sea. That is because the winds will be

that strong. One or two or three degrees or even lower than that when

the snow remains all day long.