Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20171202

On a computer seized by police, have sparked a furious row. The allegations were originally made by former met assistant comissioner bob quick. While yesterday, retired met detective neil lewis said he had no doubt whatsoever that mr green had been reviewing the material. It is ridiculous to suggest that anybody else could have done it. But today, the former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police Attacked their decision to speak out. Most Police Officers would be very uncomfortable about the police getting involved in making judgments about whether a politician is lying or not, and breaching the duty of keeping matters confidential. This row matters, because damian green is theresa mays closest political ally and it pits his word against those of two former Police Officers. But conservative allies have come to his aid. Brexit secretary david davis warning downing street not to fire him. While this former cabinet minister questioned the conduct of the officers making the allegations. If you think somethings relevant, you do it by proper official means. You do not go freelancing, as these two officers have done, and it has the smack of the police state about it. I didnt download or look at pornography. Damian green has consistently denied the allegations. Hes waiting to hear the results of a Cabinet Office investigation into them. Were told that report could be on the prime ministers desk within days. Barclays bank says it will no longer offer a russian Anti Virus Software free to customers. It is after officials recommended Government Departments to stop using Kaspersky Lab products because of fears it could be exploited by the kremlin. The National Cyber Security Centre says the advice doesnt apply to domestic users. Kaspersky lab denies any links to the russian government. Our Business Correspondent joe lynam is here. What more can you tell us . For Antivirus Software to work it needs access to your entire computer and all the files in order to protect them from malware and viruses. Now them from malware and viruses. Now the National Cyber Security Centre has given this advice about kaspersky and barclays has followed suit, it is because they are worried that the very access to your computer could expose your computer to russian hackers, particularly the russian government. So barclays has decided it will no longer give this softwa re decided it will no longer give this software for free. It has been doing so software for free. It has been doing so for new software for free. It has been doing so for new Current Software for free. It has been doing so for new current account users. Kaspersky is denied all wrongdoing and that it has any links to the kremlin. The important thing for users to note is do not uninstall the software. By doing that you could then suddenly expose yourself to malware antivirus and kaspersky has also issued that same advice. Joe, thank you very much. Us media reports say Donald Trumps former National Security adviser, Michael Flynn whos admitted lying to the fbi about his contacts with russia is prepared to give testimony that implicates the president s son in law, jared kushner. The white house says mr flynn has implicated nobody but himself in the investigation into alleged collusion between moscow and mrtrumps team before he came to power. Laura bicker reports. Michael flynn, a retired three star general, left the court in washington to a familiar chant. Lock him up. Hed once encouraged donald Trump Supporters to use a similar version against rival hillary clinton. The 58 year old played a key part in mrtrumps campaign and often travelled with him. If i did a tenth, a tenth of what she did, i would be injail today. He was rewarded with the post of National Security adviser, but was forced to resign afterjust 23 days when his contacts with russia to discuss us sanctions were disclosed. 0n the 29th of december, Michael Flynn spoke to the Russian Ambassador on the phone in the first of a series of calls. 0n the 15th of january, Vice President mike pence said that sanctions were not discussed in those calls. Only after the 9th of february, when a newspaper revealed general flynn did discuss sanctions, did pressure increase and Michael Flynn lost his job. As part of his guilty plea, prosecutors said mr flynn is now cooperating with the investigation. Us media claims he will testify that senior members of the trump team, including mr trumps son in law jared kushner, encouraged flynn to make contact with russian officials. The white house is now trying to distance itself from flynns actions and the lies he told to the fbi, but having reached a plea bargain to co operate, what else has mr flynn told the enquiry and what further revelations are to come . A 14 year old boy, who was hit by a car on a motorway, has died in hospital. Police say the boy, who hasnt been named, was found unconscious on the hard shoulder of the m67 in Greater Manchester last night. He was discovered nearjunction 3 of the motorway in hyde. 0fficers believe he was struck by a car and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. In Germany Police in the city of hannover have used used water cannon against demonstrators who were trying to stop delegates getting into the far right alternative for Germany Party conference. Police cleared a path for the delegates after they doused protesters with water in temperatures that were just above freezing. A driver is recovering from a terrifying ordeal which saw his van teeter over the edge of a busy motorway bridge. Emergency services were called to the scene on the northbound carriageway of the aim in west yorkshire. Its thought the icy conditions caused the accident shortly before six yesterday morning. Pc Martin Willis tweeted about how he had to grab the vehicle to stop it swaying in the wind. With all the sport heres mike bushell at the bbc sport centre. Good afternoon. Its a case of so near, and yet so far, for Englands Rugby League team. Once again, its australia who are world champions, after they won the final 6 0 in brisbane. However, england had several chances to win, and pushed the hosts all the way, as adam wild reports. Sometimes you have to go a long way to prove just how far you have come. For england the first Rugby League World cup final in more than 20 yea rs, World Cup Final in more than 20 years, but against australia in australia. For those in white there is no tougher test. England hope for glory, australia expects. From the very first this was always a battle, brutal at times. The stakes so high the scoreline staying frustratingly low. Boyd cordner the only want to find a way to break through. Australia ahead by the tightest margin with england and able to close that gap. They needed luck. In the second half Michael Morgans try was ruled out for obstruction. A small celebration but they would not be much more for those england fans. This was truly agonising. The world cup summed up perfectly here, Kallum Watkins with a chance, but falling painfully short with the very faintest final touch. Those england players sink to their ears in utter desperation. But it is australia who are world champions again. They have come a long way in the last few years and have improved a lot and will keep on improving. They are disappointed, but we have to move on from this. To get so close england have shown how far they have come back to match the mighty australians they have a little further to go. Down in the south of australia, englands cricketers took four wickets on the first day of the second ashes test in adelaide. As our Sports Correspondent andy swiss now reports from there, its the hosts who will feel they have the upper hand. Get your souvenir programmes here. Date for ashes history and a decent waterproof. Very english weather, so might it help englands bowlers . Joe root put england in to bat, risky. It did not look the great decision. After a rain delay england found an unlikely breakthrough, miss field, a break up and a bold eye and cameron ba ncroft break up and a bold eye and Cameron Bancroft rolled out for ten. Where works induced the david warner waft, the temperature began rising. New batsman steve smith and stuart broad exchanging pleasa ntries. Batsman steve smith and stuart broad exchanging pleasantries. Mark stoneman was on his way to a half century. England were barely clinging on, but a state owned tonight, enteranderson. Clinging on, but a state owned tonight, enter anderson. And anderson strikes. What followed was even better as debutant craig over ten did this to the wells number one batsman. Smith at 440, easy this test cricket, isnt it . But soon england were reminded it is anything but as australia past 200 before the close. The visitors still with plenty of work to do after a day of mixed fortune. We are happy, we bowled well all day. We did not get the rewards, but we will come back tomorrow with the new ball and hopefully get a couple of early ones. After a bad start some encouraging signs for england but they need quick wickets on day two if theyre brave decision to bowl is to really pay off. Andy swiss, bbc news, adelaide. Andy swiss, bbc news, adelaide. In the premier league, chelsea can move level on points with second placed manchester united, with a win over newcastle this lunchtime. The visitors havent won in six weeks, but dwight gayle put newcastle ahead, just as he did at old trafford last month. But chelsea equalised nine minutes later through the belgian eden hazard. And Alvaro Morata has now put chelsea ahead. Thats all the sport for now. But stay on bbc one for live snooker from the uk championship in york, followed by the last of the rugby union autumn internationals, wales againt south africa, at 2 oclock. The next news on bbc one is at five to six, bye for now. Good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. Two former Police Officers who leaked allegations that pornographic images had been found on the work computer of the now first secretary of state, damian green, were in flagrant breach of their own code of conduct, according to the former attorney general, dominic grieve. The comments come as mr green repeated his insistence that he didnt view pornographic material. Joining us now is the former chief co nsta ble of joining us now is the former chief constable of Greater Manchester police. Thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. First off, what do you think of the fact that these two officers spoke out . Well, i think theres two issues here. The first thing is that its a very important principle in our country that police stay out of politics, and that is often very different from lots of other countries, and the danger is here that it is perceived that the police have got involved in what is a political issue and that damages the impartiality of british policing which is all important. The second important principle is that of confidentiality. 0ften Police Officers when carrying out an investigation will come across material when they are searching someones house oi material when they are searching someones house or computer which is not central that investigation, and there is a duty of confidentiality that that is not breached. The alleged material on this computer was legal and therefore i think that duty of confidentiality, which i think is lifelong, is more important than any other sort of political issue or justification than any other sort of political issue orjustification around Public Interest. So fit wasnt central to the investigation, what are your thoughts on the motivations for speaking out . Well, clearly will see it as being related to an earlier case, which caused a lot of concern when the police were cold in to investigate a supposedly in the home 0ffice investigate a supposedly in the home office and i think that was a big mistake, and obviously caused a situation where police entered parliament and searched a politicians computer. Some are seen it as being related to that but even the perception that it is related to that and it is part of other indebted itself damages impartiality andi indebted itself damages impartiality and i think it is reassuring that politicians of all parties have seen this danger and risk and they themselves see it is important that there is impartiality and that policing is kept separate from party politics. There has been claims that it smacks of a police state, but dont you think that this issue was in the Public Interest or is in the Public Interest . I dont, and i dont think it is for the police to judge that. It is not for them to make a judgment about whether a politician is lying. That is a matter for a court politician is lying. That is a matterfor a court orfor politician is lying. That is a matter for a court or for Public Opinion and also this is about material which was legal and it was a matter of a dispute between an employer and an employee. So no, i think the duty of confidentiality and that important principle of the police staying out of politics is far more important than a supposed issue about Public Interest. Its not for the police to make a judgment. And its not for the police to make judgments on the morality of peoples lifestyles and what they choose to view if that is legal. So, how do you think this should have been handled . Well, it has been handled by the employer, parliament, because it seems to be an employment issue. And it has been dealt with by the media. And then we have the risk of individual Police Officers, or retired Police Officers, seem to interfere with that. Some have labelled this as a war between the police and a political party. Absolutely that is not the case. Absolutely that is not the case. Absolutely realise it is very, very important that policing in our country important that policing in our cou ntry stays important that policing in our country stays out of party politics, and that is notjust a duty on the police, it is on politicians as well to make sure that important yes, was preserved. And very quickly, coming on from that point, what do you think is more important, the truthfulness of a cabinet minister oi truthfulness of a cabinet minister or the ethics of the police . |j truthfulness of a cabinet minister or the ethics of the police . I think absolutely its the ethics of the police. And its about the public having confidence. They call the police into investigate the matter, and there is other material not central to that investigation that that confidential tea will not be breached and they can rely on the integrity of individual Police Officers and investigators. The headlines on bbc news reports in the us claim President Trumps former National Security adviser Michael Flynn, who has admitted lying to the fbi about his dealings with russia, is preparing to implicate Donald Trumps son in law, jared kushner. The us senate has passed a tax reform bill President Trumps first big legislative achievement. It will mean a significant reduction in corporation tax, and a lower rate for some individuals. The uk National Cyber Security Centre has told Government Departments not to use Anti Virus Software written by a russian company, if their computers contain information related to National Security. As weve been hearing, Michael Flynn is prepared to give destiny which implicates the president s son in law implicates the president s son in lanarryd kushner. Joining me now is the republican political commentator and chair of the Nonpartisan Group american voices international. Thank you forjoining us. International. Thank you forjoining us. Do you think that it will go as far as testimony . 0h, us. Do you think that it will go as far as testimony . Oh, i think he will absolutely testify. That seems to bea will absolutely testify. That seems to be a key part of his plea bargaining, with the special council. And we have to remember that Michael Flynn was the greatest confident of the president throughout the election, he was a lwa ys throughout the election, he was always by his side and seems to be his chief adviser on everything. And so his chief adviser on everything. And so this is very damaging and worrying for the white house. The finger of blame is now being pointed at son in law finger of blame is now being pointed at son in lanarryd finger of blame is now being pointed at son in law Jarryd Kushner finger of blame is now being pointed at son in lanarryd kushner he directed Michael Flynn, so who directed Michael Flynn, so who directed Jarryd Kushner . That seems to be the question. How much did the president know and how much was he involved in giving these directions to people on the campaign hammered it is hard to believe within a president ial campaign that the candidate did not know about what was going on and the conversations that were going on around him at such high levels. If this was something which had been done by veryjunior staff, there something which had been done by very junior staff, there could something which had been done by veryjunior staff, there could be reason to believe that he wasnt aware of it settle this being done with such senior and such close collea g u es with such senior and such close colleagues of his, his son in law and his doses adviser, its hard to believe that he didnt know about it. Normally we would hear from mr trump via twitter, but we havent on this particular matter does that surprise you . Well, hes been quiet about the russia investigation, particularly adding that advice from his privy council. All of the questions have been reverted to his privy council and not to the White House Press staff. And so thats where the comments are coming from. And that was seen to happen very early on under the special council was convened. Just turning to the tax reform bill, we know that it got through, but it was very tight, wasnt it, 51 to 49. Interestingly it was bob caulker, the only republican to hold out on this why . I think actually the more interesting thing is that you had some of his greatest addicts actually voting in favour, one of them from a designer who has actually resigned under pressure from donald trump, and others. And so from donald trump, and others. And so bob caulker felt it wasnt quite the right bill, that it needed a little bit more work. Theres still reconciliation to be done with the house of representatives bill, so were not quite there just yet. That will be done is deeney goal is to haveit will be done is deeney goal is to have it done by christmas. But this seems to be the one issue which is actually uniting the republican party. We seem to have difference of opinion on how to approach things with the establishment and the new republican party, but i think this is something which everybody is able to get on board with, particularly a more competitive Corporate Tax rate. Thats the one everybody is talking about, and i think a lot of the republicans are breathing a sigh of relief, they have finally got some legislation through. However there has been talk to a lot of corporations saying, is this money really going to trickle down to your everyday american on the street, and a lot of them have been very tight lipped about this, so that is the criticism it is not going to be to the benefit of americans . That seems to always be the criticism whenever we talk about tax reform in the us how much is it actually going to trickle down . With the Corporate Tax rate, its more than just reducing it to a globally competitive rate, we have had one of the highest Corporate Tax rates in the highest Corporate Tax rates in the world for a long time. This looks at making sure that any foreign income is taxed in the place that it foreign income is taxed in the place thatitis foreign income is taxed in the place that it is earned and any income made in the us is actually taxed in the us. The theory is that it encourages corporations to pay their taxes where they are supposed to pay them and not have them in slush funds or offshore accounts. The thought is that this will actually create some growth and investment in the us and more money to create jobs. Very quickly, does it mean the tax cut . Yes. Thank you very much. White house officials have indicated that President Trump is likely to announce next week that the United States will recognisejerusalem as the capital of israel. The status of jerusalem is highly contentious, with both israelis and palestinians claiming or part of the city as their capital. Well, critics have warned that the decision by donald trump could jeopardise peace negotiations. Five men have been injured after car hits pedestrians in brixton in south london. Police were called in the early hours to stockwell road. A car was abandoned at the scene. Police believe the incident occurred shortly after an altercation between the occupants of the vehicle and a number of people. No arrests have been made. Pope francis visit to bangladesh and myanmar has officially drawn to a close as he returns home. These are the latest images of the pope leaving dakar, the capital of bangladesh. The plight of Rohingya Muslim refugees cast a long shadow over the six day trip with the pope using the word rohingya for the first time in public just yesterday. That was when he met with 16 refugees. 0ur correspondent has more. We were told here in bangladesh by a leader of the Catholic Community that the reason they could not organise a visit for the pope to go to coxs bazar, about an hour away by flight, is because his trip was organised before the crisis started, so they could not facilitate for him to go there. But yesterday we saw in meet a of Rohingya Refugees during an interfaith meeting and he also perhaps gave his strongest statement during this trip about the rohingya crisis, asking them for forgiveness for the hurt caused and the indifference of the world. Ever since the trip started, since he landed in myanmar, everyone listening to each speech he made very closely to see how he was going to address the issue. The word rohingya would have upset the myanmar government, which does not recognise the group at all. Here, i think, some of the criticism has abated after not just the short statement that he made but also the gesture of meeting with the Rohingya Refugees at the end of the interfaith meeting yesterday. The worlds majorfishing nations, including russia, china and the United States, have agreed to stop commercial fishing in the arctic ocean for the foreseeable future. 0nce permanently frozen, arctic waters are now amongst the fastest warming areas on earth. The deal protects nearly 3 million Square Kilometres for the next 16 years, while Scientific Research is carried out into the sustainability of the existing marine ecosystem. The Christmas Period is often said to be challenging for parents of a child with autism. The change of routine, noise and unfamiliarity can all combine to make it a particularly difficult time. 0ur correspondentjohn maguire has been to visit a santas grotto with a difference one thats been adapted to become autism friendly. As the song goes, its the most wonderful time of the year, but not for everyone. I used to hate christmas because he never got it, he didnt want presents and its his birthday on new years day. So we just sort of missed out on everything. Julies 13 year old sonjoe has autism, and in the past, christmas has been difficult for the whole family. We couldnt wrap the presents for a few years because he couldnt bear the noise of them opening. The autism affects the senses and it blocks them from understanding things, so you have to reduce everything, so you dont have a big celebration, everything is kept on the down low, but as hes got older, weve been able to expand each year and add an extra element to christmas, so this year hell have his presents wrapped, so im looking forward to that. Julie approached her local Garden Centre in liverpool and suggested this, silent santa night, designed for children with autism. The music is quieter, there are no queues and julies trained father christmas and his elves on what to say and crucially what not to say to the children. Have you been a good boy . That could really stress somebody out. And just little tips where they can say, just try to be the best you can be, or, have you been the best you can be . Rather than challenging the child. I had it turned off. Really quiet i like it. A few weeks ago we met 0scar and his family, who told us about the difficulties they face when going shopping. Well, tonight, a very excited and a very happy 0scar is doing something his parents say would usually be just too much for him. Ill give it to my elves when i get back to the north pole and well sort all your presents out. Are you real . Of course, im the real santa. 0h. See my beard, look. A really nice experience. Weve often avoided santas grottos at christmas time because of 0scars condition. So, it could be the lights, the sensory overload. But coming here, hes so excited and hes able to engage and understand the whole process, which is not what we would experience in general. What else did he tell you, what was he going to do with your list . Take it to the elves. In the north pole . Yes, to the north pole thats a long way it is a long way. Its hoped these nights will become commonplace, ensuring christmas is special for as many children as possible. Bye, john. Bye, oscar. People are being asked to nominate events and people they feel should be commemorated as part of a new National Memorial scheme. The Heritage Group Historic England has already received a wealth of nominations from battle sites to birthplaces, as David Sillito reports. The site of the presentation of magna carta. The place where the pilgrim fathers set off for america. And here, the memorial to the landing of william of orange at brixham, in the glorious revolution. There are some monuments to great moments in history, but Historic England wants more. There are many plaques to where people were born or lived. It now wants suggestions about events and theyve already received a few. Weve done our research and spoken to people across the country and weve found really passionate enthusiasts who want to see unknown histories marked out. Weve had people wanting to mark out where the pilgrim fathers set out to make that more well known. Weve had people wanting to mark out the birthplace of grime music in east london, ska music in coventry, all sorts of people with different passions and interests who want to share their knowledge of the history that happened on their doorstep. So it doesnt have to be just the famous places in the history books, they are looking for sites that capture the whole of british life. Quite what the memorials will look like hasnt yet been decided. The immediate job is to find the people who have a passion to honour the places where history was made. A huge waterspout has formed in italy. It was spotted off the coast of san remo, before moving inland as a tornado. The weather phenomenon caused significant damage to the city, but luckily, no one was hurt. Now for the weather. You may think about shedding those winter layers this weekend because actually temperatures very slowly are nudging up boards. Things will bea are nudging up boards. Things will be a little bit milder. Some breaks in the cloud and blue skies as we can see there from our weather watcher in devon. For many places, this afternoon will stay fairly grey. Showers in the west end patchy rain in scotland. That is where we feel the effects of the milder air. During this evening and tonight, this band of cloud and