Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News At One 20171201

The eu single market. And, hundreds of people turn out to cheer prince harry and Meghan Markle on their First Official public visit since announcing their engagement. And coming up in the sport on bbc news, the second ashes test starts tomorrow. Moeen ali may not be fit to bowl while Craig Overton joins the squad. Good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. A former Scotland Yard detective claims he was shocked by the amount of pornography on a parliamentary computer seized from the office of the now first secretary of state, damian green. Neil lewis says he examined the device during an inquiry into government leaks in 2008, when mr green was an opposition spokesman. Damien green, in effect theresa mays deputy, has again this morning strongly denied looking at pornography on his computer. Scotland yard says its examining allegations that the former detective had disclosed confidential information. Our Home Affairs Correspondent danny shaw reports. Hes theresa mays oldest and most trusted political ally. But now, damian green is facing a battle for political survival, with claims he viewed pornography on his work computer. Mr green has vehemently denied the allegations. But now, the detective who examined the device has given me his account. The shocking thing was, as i was viewing, i noticed a lot of pornography, thumbnails, which indicated web browsing. But a lot. There was a lot of them. So i was surprised to see that on a parliamentary computer. How many images did you see . Thousands. Thousands of pornographic images . Thumbnail images. The computer had been seized in 2008, after police raided damian greens offices. The mp, then in opposition, was the subject of an unrelated enquiry into home office leaks. He was never charged. How can you be sure that it was damian green who was accessing that pornography . Theres a sort of phrase, you cant put fingers on a keyboard. So i cant say that, but the computer was in mr greens office, on his desk, logged in to his accounts, his name. In between browsing pornography, he was sending e mails from his account, his personal account, reading documents, writing documents. 0utside his home in kent today, damian green maintained his innocence. A Cabinet Office enquiry is continuing into his conduct. Mr green. Ive said im not commenting any further while the investigation is going on. Ive maintained all along, i still maintain, it is the truth that i didnt download or look at pornography on my computer. But obviously, while the investigation is going on, i cant say any more. And one of mr greens political allies rallied to his defence. Mr green has been absolutely emphatic in what he has said. Hes said repeatedly that he never downloaded nor viewed this material. And i think that mr green is entitled to be believed. After all, you are not guilty until proven so in this country. Scotland yard has said for the first time that it is cooperating with the Cabinet Office enquiry, though neil lewis has not been asked to give evidence. The force is also looking into the circumstances of how mr lewis apparently put confidential information about mr green into the Public Domain. Danny shaw, bbc news. 0ur Political Correspondent iain watson is in westminster. Where does this go now, do you think . Well, there is this cabinet 0ffice inquiry continuing but we have to step back from this a little bit. When these allegations first surfaced in the sunday times at the beginning of last month damian green denied the allegations as he put it about the computer and the material. Since neil lewis spoke out he has recalibrated if you like his denial a little, he is saying he didnt download or view pornographic material on his computer. He is obviously sticking to his denials. What his friends are doing at the moment i think are trying to change the focus of this a little bit. Theyre saying, look, he was in a shared office, are people sure this was something which he would use on his own . Effectively, today i think the question isnt so much about pornography, its about who do you believe, is damian green telling the truth . His allies are also trying to shift the focus of attention in this story on whether any of this should have got into the Public Domain at all. Theyre saying Even Former Police officers should have a duty of confidentialality and information they found in the course of an unrelated Police Inquiry should never have got into the Public Domain. We now know that those allies are rallying around and are even more senior allies are rallying around and are even more senior than Andrew Mitchell that we heard in that report. The brexit secretary, david davis, is warning numberio report. The brexit secretary, david davis, is warning number 10 downing street not to get rid of damian green on the basis of these allegations. He too believes that information should have remained confidential. As i said, there is this wider whitehall inquiry into damian greens behaviour, not about historical allegations, but about recent allegations, whether he behaved appropriately for example towards a young female journalist, right now we can not say when that inquiry reportst right now we can not say when that inquiry reports t will be soon, that damian green is safe in hisjob. What we can say is he and allies do not believe there is reason for him to resign on basis of new allegations today. Thank you very much. Prince harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle are on their first joint official Public Engagement since announcing theirs. The couple spent half an hour chatting to crowds in nottingham who had gathered to see them, before their visit to a World Aids Day charity fair hosted by the Terrence Higgins trust. The prince and his bride to be chose nottingham for their first walkabout because its a city close to harrys heart as helena lee now reports. A big moment for this newly engaged couple and a big moment for nottingham. A city proud to welcome them on theirfirst nottingham. A city proud to welcome them on their first Public Engagement. I am so happy, said one woman to prince harry. Many, no doubt, keen to congratulate them on their recent engagement news. She seems really full of life and down to earth as well. Yeah. She didnt mind us touching her hand or nothing. No, no, lovely. Was really nice. So happy. So happy. Ithink shes great. Good addition to the royal family. Definitely. Shes used to publicity but she looked amazing from what we could see. They delighted the hundreds of well wishers, many of whom waited hours in the cold for their arrival. For Meghan Markle, an actress, there we re for Meghan Markle, an actress, there were no signs of nerves, confident and at ease with crowds, generous with her time. This is prince harrys third public visit to nottingham over the past year, a city that is said to be very special to him which is why he chose it for their first Public Engagement. And today the couple are supporting a number of causes, a visit to a Terrence Higgins trust charity fair to mark World Aids Day and theyll meet eachers and pupils at a nearby school and will see a programme prince harry set up that helps prevent young people turning to violence and crime. Teachers. This visit to nottingham is part of a six month tour for the couple ahead of their wedding in may. And a chance for Meghan Markle to get a glimpse of her new life in a country she now calls home. 0ur royal correspondent nick witchall is in nottingham. I dont think we should be priced really, it was pretty good turnout this morning surprised. Really, it was pretty good turnout this morning surprised. Not huge crowds, hundreds rather than thousands. It wasnt a huge area actually in the centre of nottingham where they had the first part of this visit to the city. A city which harry knows well, the third time he has been here this year alone. Theyre expected here in the next couple of minutes. She, meghan, looking relaxed, very confident. Very composed and shes used to this sort of thing, as an actress shes used to meeting people and fans, its a different context and a different country, of course, thats one of the things she said she wants to get to know, the crowds, the british public. And certainly a very confident start on this, for her unforgettable, First Official encounter with the british public. Thank you very much. More from you later in the day. The royal bank of scotland has announced its to close 259 rbs and natwest branches with the loss of 680 jobs. The state owned company said more people are now choosing to bank via computers and mobile phones. 0ur personal finance correspondent Simon Gompertz reports. The cull of Bank Branches is speeding up. This one is on the list in stockwell in london. Its the biggest Closure Programme rbs natwest has ever announced. Theyve closed the post office. There is nowhere for anybody to go. We have no other bank in this area at all. Well, we need it. Its very useful to this area. We are getting more modern, arent we . We have to roll with the times. There are 58 branches going in london and the south east. 62 in scotland, in wales and the south west 69. Many more in the midlands and the north of england. Here is the reason. So many of us doing banking on mobile phones instead or the internet. But there will still be an impact. The people most affected are the ones who cant access Online Banking because they live in areas with poor mobile connection or poor broadband and people who are maybe older, more vulnerable or simply dont trust those systems and prefer to bank face to face. Those systems and prefer to bank facetoface. Here theyre promising to keep the cashpoint going. The rest shuts in six months. Rbs natwest says that most of its customers dont go into a branch more than once every three months whereas its getting 3500 log ins per minute from people using mobile phones to do banking. So the question is should they be keeping more of these open for the people who still want them . More of these open for the people who still want them . Even though the bank says theyre uneconomic. Remember in 2008, the british taxpayer bailed out rbs. We still own 71 . Its a british bank owned by the british people. Theyve not been consulted about these branch clesu res or been consulted about these branch clesures orjob been consulted about these branch clesures or job losses. Been consulted about these branch clesures orjob losses. We want the banks to provide a service to the public. A service to the communities. If we own the bank we should have some say in whether branches stay open or are closed. This branch near inverness is another one going, its a heavy blow for customers in less populated areas. There will be no banks in the area, there is none in the next village or the next two. The village has been developing, a lot of people have been doing things, it will be ha rd have been doing things, it will be hard to understand theyll have no bank in the village. Rbs says its providing banks on wheels in remote places and Community Bankers to help customers find services after the closures. But this is the end for hundreds more branches that people have depended on. Thousands of morrisons staff whose personal details were posted on the internet have won their case for compensation from the supermarket. It follows a Security Breach three years ago which leaked personal and payroll information. Morrisons argued it could not be held directly liable but the High Court Ruled against them. The supermarket has been given permission to appeal. Mps have cast doubt on the governments plans to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the irish republic. The Commons Brexit Committee Also says its difficult to reconcile leaving the Customs Union and single market, with the republics demand that goods flow freely across the border. The Irish Foreign minister, simon coveney, says it is a hugely important issue for the island of ireland. Chris page is in belfast for us. This really has become an enormous problem within the whole brexit debate. Thats right. The irish border has emerged as the key Sticking Point in the brexit talks. What all sides agree on is they dont want new checkpoints. But there is a difference of opinion as to how that can be achieved. If the republic of ireland continues to follow eu customs rules. The Irish Foreign minister has told the bbc this morning that checks would be difficult to avoid unless Northern Ireland and the republic of ireland continue to follow the same regulations but that would raise the possibility of some its something the British Government has so far ruled out. 0ver the British Government has so far ruled out. Over the summer the government published a paper proposing technology could help to resolve this, for example, Big Companies could make online declarations and goods could be electronically monitored as they cross the border. Today the Commons Committee has brought out a report which casts doubt on that. The Committee Says the proposals are u ntested Committee Says the proposals are untested and to some extent vague and the committee wants more details. As far as the brexit talks are going, eu negotiators and british negotiators have stepped up discussions on the border issue this week and there is an important meeting in dublin this afternoon when the president of the European Council is meeting with the irish prime minister. The time is 1 16pm. Our top story this lunchtime the first secretary of state damian green denies new allegations that he watched pornography on his commons computer. And coming up the eyes of football fans around the world will be on moscow this afternoon and the draw for next years world cup. Coming up in sport the build up to the Rugby League World cup final begins. England will be without captain sean 0loughlin, but sam burgess steps into the breach. Health inspectors have ordered a review of all nhs Radiology Services in england, after a hospital in portsmouth failed to spot three cases of lung cancer. The investigation by the Care Quality Commission also found that 20,000 chest scans had not been assessed correctly at the Queen Alexandra hospital. The trust has apologised to all the families affected. Our Health Editor hugh pym is here. Does this suggest bigger problems around the country, what does this tell us . Possibly a bigger problem, certainly the Care Quality Commission are making it clear in the case of pawson portsmouths hospital trust, it is not a case being repeated with added 3000 x ray images not reviewed by a qualified clinician, or a radiologist, images not reviewed by a qualified clinician, ora radiologist, some given toJunior Doctors clinician, ora radiologist, some given to Junior Doctors that said they didnt feel qualified. And in three cases, patients suffering harm, because their lung cancer was diagnosed in a timely fashion. The ca re diagnosed in a timely fashion. The Care Quality Commission now says it wa nts to Care Quality Commission now says it wants to get information from all hospitals around england on backlogs, of scans, and other imaging. There is no proper target for delivering results of scans. They want to find out what is going on. The Royal College of radiologists welcomes this, saying they have warned for some time that there is a problem here, the demand for scans, mri there is a problem here, the demand forscans, mri and there is a problem here, the demand for scans, mri and ct has risen rapidly. Patients want to get scans, understandably, there is more Sophisticated Technology available, but demand is rising three times faster than the number of radiologists equipped to read the scans. And in many cases, there are scans. And in many cases, there are scans and x rays lying unreported for more than a month. They say there is a big workforce problem here that needs to be dealt with and the ctc will no doubt address that problem as it carries out its review. Thanks pope francis has been continuing his tour of asia and has met rohingyan refugees in the bangladesh capital, dhaka. Earlier the pope thanked bangladesh for its humanitarian response to muslim refugees fleeing myanmar, but still avoided using the term rohingya. The pope was criticised by Rights Groups for not using the term when he visited myanmar, which does not recognise rohingya as an ethnic group. From dhaka our correspondent Yogita Limaye has sent this report. Their plight has overshadowed his visit to myanmar and bangladesh, and today, a group of ranger refugees met pope francis in the car. 0ne today, a group of ranger refugees met pope francis in the car. One by one, they had a chance to tell them what they had been through. Up until now, pope francis had avoided using the term rohingya, which is how these people identify themselves. But a word that myanmar refuses to recognise. But today, the pope was more outspoken. At a meeting of religious leaders, the pope asked for forgiveness from Rohingya Refugees for the hurt they have enjoyed, and for the indifference of the world. Its a crisis that has overshadowed the popes visit to myanmar and bangladesh. Regardless of the Politics Around the popes visit, many people from the Catholic Community of anchor desk, it was a chance to see the leader of their religion in person. They are a tiny percentage of the population of this country, but you couldnt tell that by looking at the crowds here, tens of thousands have come from different parts of bangladesh. And they werent disappointed. Before he said mass, pope francis took a quick tour through the crowd. For some, it was a moment they will remember forever. Hes the first pope to visit bangladesh in more than 30 yea rs. Visit bangladesh in more than 30 years. Im so happy and blessed that i got to get here in this space, so there are lots of people that couldnt come over here. So im so lucky i can see the pope so near. Couldnt come over here. So im so lucky i can see the pope so nearlj was in tears when i saw him. When i saw him, i thought i was seeing jesus. I was saying, god saw him, i thought i was seeing jesus. Iwas saying, god bless saw him, i thought i was seeing jesus. I was saying, god bless you. Im so happy to see you again. For this small community, the popes visit is reassurance that they are pa rt visit is reassurance that they are part of something bigger. But for another minority, it brought hope that one of the most influential leaders of the world could help them. Yogita limaye, bbc news, dhaka. The Argentine Navy has abandoned efforts to rescue the crew of a submarine that disappeared two weeks ago, with 44 people members on board. The search for the vessel will continue, but theres growing anger at how the affair has been handled, as Alexandra Mackenzie reports. It was a routine mission. Some of the crew had been working on the sanjuan for several years, but hopes of finding any survivors had already faded. The Argentine Navy has now confirmed its no longer a rescue effort, but a mission to recover the vessel from the south atlantic. Than double the number of days that would make rescuing the crew a possibility. Having analysed the proof received by our unit, Different Countries and agencies that have participated in in the operation, the Defence Ministry in the navy declare it is time to move to the next phase. The sanjuan left the southern tip of argentina two weeks ago, she was on a 2000 mile journey back to Mar Del Plata when she reported an electrical failure. The same day, there was a sound of a suspected explosion. Its further devastating news for the families of the 43 men and one woman on board the 35 year old was the first female officer in argentina to serve on a submarine. It was an International Air and sea search. It included 4,000 personnel from more than a dozen countries. They were challenged by the water depth and rough seas. This was the view from the royal navy ship, hms protector. But nothing was found. An investigation into the submarines disappearance has been ordered by argentinas president. Some family members have accused the navy of lying to them and giving falsehood. The navy and i is any failure in the search operation. Others say a lack of investment and corruption in the armed forces could have made the sanjuan unsafe. Alexandra mackenzie, bbc news. The mayor of london sadiq khan is to take over control of the london stadium, the home of west ham united. It comes as an independent review is published into the stadiums conversion after the london 2012 0lympics. The report says there was a catalogue of disasters which has cost the taxpayer millions of pounds. 0ur Sports Correspondent joe wilson is here. What on earth has gone on here . Strong stuff from sadiq khan today. There has been a perception, for one, that what the west have got a goodie out of it. What they put towards the conversion costs have been small. Sadiq khan has commissioned a report published, in his words, the deal that was done beggars belief. In particular, the a ccou nta nts beggars belief. In particular, the accou nta nts have beggars belief. In particular, the accountants have looked at the estimation of the cost of converting the stadium, and the reality, and there has been a discrepancy of some £130 million. It is a football stadium, but it also has to be an athletic stadium, the cost of retra cta ble athletic stadium, the cost of retractable seating at that area has been fastly underestimated. So sadiq khan is critical. Can anything be done financially . He says he will try to maximise resources financially. The vibe from his predecessor, borisjohnson, financially. The vibe from his predecessor, boris johnson, he financially. The vibe from his predecessor, borisjohnson, he says a legacy has been secured, millions of people come to that part of these london. If you are a landlord, can you change the tenant . West ham say they welcome the intervention, but have signed a 99 year lease, which jane com is watertight and legally binding. Where do you move from that position . Jo wilson, our Sports Correspondent. The england football manager, Gareth Southgate, says the team is prepared for whatever comes when the draw is made this afternoon for next years world cup in russia. Richard conway is in moscow. It isa it is a classic peak russians seem, we are inside the kremlin compound, rare a ccess we are inside the kremlin compound, rare access for foreign journalists, but that speaks to the importance of this tournament to russia and to its president vladimir putin. He will be here this afternoon for the draw itself, it gets underway in around one hour and itself, it gets underway in around one hourand a itself, it gets underway in around one hour and a half. All 32 qualifiers will get to find out where they will be playing and who they will be playing next,. This is russias big moment. The power and the common todays world cup draw will take place in the very heart of the kremlin, russias moment in the sporting spotlight has arrived once more. The tournament itself is now within touching distance. Fifa and the russian government presenting a united front today, despite the issues still facing them ahead of nextjunes opening game. From what ive seen so far, im convinced that russia 2018 will be the best world cup ever. As for england, the team will be based in the village just north of saint petersburg. It could mean long journeys if drawn to play in the south or east of the country, and englands manager believes the camp will provide a relaxing environment for the players. Weve looked at whats best in terms of hotel paired with training ground, paired with travel, paired with climate. Of course, when youre looking at any venue, you never get absolutely everything that youd like, but we feel that that was the best option for us. Star attractions both on and off the pitch will draw thousands of fans here to russia next summer. Now, organisers say everyone will be welcomed for what they believe will be a festival of football. Nevertheless, the game here has had problems in the recent past, specifically with racism and violence, but campaigners are cautiously optimistic that things may be improving. Weve moved from a position of denial to a state where the russians understand that they need to clean up the stadiums, deal with some of the fans that are the hard core, otherwise people wont want to come, and it may well rebound back at them during the world cup. Today, though, the focus is on the big draw, with all 32 teams keen to discover their footballing fate. Well, this morning in the rehearsal draw, england got argentina, panama and sweden, i am not sure Gareth Southgate would be happy with that. We will know what happens for real within the next two hours. We will, richard. Thank you. Richard conway in moscow. In better weather, englands cricketers begin their second ashes test against australia tonight. They lost the first, and are perhaps not off to the best start with the fitness of all rounder moeen ali in doubt. He suffered a cut finger in his sides10 wicket defeat in brisbane. But there are perhaps some reasons for optimism in adelaide, as andy swiss reports. Under the spotlight in every sense. As adelaide prepares for a day night match, england are preparing for revenge. Their defeat in the first test was marked by australias verbal targeting of Jonny Bairstow over an incident in a bar with one of their players. Afterwards, australia skipper steve smith was in tears of laughter, and thats left englands skipper unimpressed. I think, looking at the whole situation, if thats not motivation to get the lads up for this week, i dont know what is. Id like to think that it was about the situation. I dont really know steve that well, but id like to think that he has a bit more respect for our team than to be mocking us because in cricket those sort of situations can come back and bite you. Smith, though, insists he wasnt mocking england, and hit back at claims from their bowlerjimmy anderson that australia are bullies. I think its interesting, coming from jimmy, calling us bullies and big sledgers. I think hes one of the biggest sledgers in the game, to be perfectly honest with you. To me, in particular, i remember back in 2010 when i first started and wasnt any good. He was pretty happy to get stuck into me then. Well, the fallout from the first test has only ramped up the tension between these teams, but australia know another win here and the ashes will be within touching distance. The cool weather here should help englands bowlers, but they know this is almost make or break. Is this must win for england . I think so. Yes, i do. I think if youre two down here and going to perth where england havent won for generations, i think that would probably make winning the ashes very difficult. And to add extra intrigue, in new zealand, ben stokes is making his comeback this weekend. Could he yet play in the ashes . Well, for now, england have more pressing concerns. A test with little room for error. Andy swiss, bbc news, adelaide. Back home now, lets catch up with the weather