Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20171210

Good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. An amber weather warning has been issued for much of england and wales as heavy snow continues to cause disruption for travellers across the uk. At heathrow airport, over 100 flights have been cancelled while a further 50 flights were also cancellations at sta nsted. They are warning of further delays into this evening although the ru nway into this evening although the runway there we are told opened again at lunchtime. Birmingham international, east midlands and Belfast International airports have also all been affected. A number of motorways have been covered in snow with police asking people to travel only if absolutely necessary. Electricity supplier sse says up to 2a,000 homes in oxfordshire, berkshire and wiltshire are without power. Elesewhere, a p 0 ferry bound for dover carrying more than 300 people ran aground in high winds at the port of calais in northern france. Officials say no one on board vessel was injured. Lee milner reports now on the impact the bad weather is having. This was the scene on the m25 in buckinghamshire today. Heavy snow brought motorists to a standstill. In llangollen in wales there was no chance of people getting anywhere today. This is by far the worst ive ever seen. Its probably the worst snow ive ever seen, to be honest, certainly about a foot deep around and still coming in. The rac says it is currently dealing with five breakdowns a minute and expecting around 7500 by the end of the day. With ten to 20 centimetres falling in some parts of the uk, gritters have been replaced with ploughs in areas like redditch in worcestershire. As snow continues to fall, the met office has issued an amber weather warning mainly for the east of england, West Midlands and wales. Passengers at birmingham and other uk airports are being warned about delays and cancellations. 20 flights have already been cancelled from sta nsted. Flying over wales it could be a scene from the snowman, a thick coating of white right across the mountains and lakes. For these children in the peak district, finally a chance to play in a winter wonderland. I like it because where we live we never get snow, it is just sleety. I like snow because you can make snow angels and snowmen and i find it really fun to do. For many it is a time for fun and enjoyment, but with more snow on the way, more disruption is inevitable. Leigh milner, bbc news. Ara reporter has been at east midlands airport which has now reopened after being closed for some hours. It has been a miserable day for people flying to and from airports in the midlands, both Birmingham Airport and the east midlands airport have been closed for the majority of the day. Here, the situation has improved and earlier, Birmingham Airport opened but both have warned of a backlog of cancelled flights meaning there will be delays. Here you can see the queue of people waiting to find out what will happen. 0ne queue of people waiting to find out what will happen. One of the passengers who has been affected is daniel who is originally from spain but lives in sheffield. You knew about the weather situation and you ta ke about the weather situation and you take extra precautions. Last night we arranged a hotel and we spent the night there to make sure we were here in the morning just to see what happens. We have been checking for updates, our flight was at ten past five, nothing has been said until around a quarter to four that the flight had around a quarter to four that the flight had been delayed. All of the flights there have been warnings and notifications, but not ours, ours ke pt notifications, but not ours, ours kept saying everything was fine. And then ata kept saying everything was fine. And then at a quarter to four, after the security checks, we got told it was cancelled. By the time we had been cancelled, other passengers, from other companies, i think it was thompson or another airline were getting people onto the plane to set off so we are not sure, no one has said anything, we are guessing where we had to go and we have justjoined a queue for ryanair. Someone said it would be three hours, we expected to be at least three or four hours. Despite all that preparation and being here the day before and ready to travel because of the weather, you have been delayed and you do not know when you will be flying, do you think it will be tomorrow . We have iio think it will be tomorrow . We have no idea. No one has said anything, iio no idea. No one has said anything, no one from ryanair has approached us. No one from ryanair has approached us. We just have joined the queue, iio us. We just have joined the queue, no one has said anything. You must field but pretty frustrated. We are. We have things to go to tomorrow in spain. We dont know what will happen. We might get a refund, which is not good for us. Thank you and the best of luck, i hope you get back. Both airports have apologised to passengers for the disruption and both have said they are expecting to stay open all night. Here they are expecting to stay open overnight despite more snowfall predicted over the next few hours but the advice is to check your airline and check the website before you travel. Our reporter at the east midlands airport. The advice is do not start your journey until you airport. The advice is do not start yourjourney until you know or you are told that your flight is going ahead. That does not include being cancelled as you get to the airport, conditions can change. I should bring you an update, i mentioned sta nsted, we bring you an update, i mentioned stansted, we had a statementjust before the top of the hour, about eight or nine minutes ago from the airport press office saying they do not have an exact number of flights that have been cancelled but they think it is around 50 today and there may yet be some further cancellations this evening. It said passengers should check their status with the airline before travelling and if their flight is cancelled then they should not travel to sta nsted. Then they should not travel to stansted. That then they should not travel to sta nsted. That is then they should not travel to stansted. That is the current situation. Stansted stansted. That is the current situation. Sta nsted has stansted. That is the current situation. Stansted has been fairly majorly disrupted but the runway did open at quarter past 12 having been closed since just before nine oclock this morning. 0ur correspondentjoe lynam has been following the impact of todays weather. I spoke to him a little earlier and he gave this update. Lets start with heathrow airport, europes busiest airport, still. It is still functioning, still very much working but there are severe delays now. A viewer messaged me with some video that he shot in the course of the last hour or so from the inside of heathrow terminal 2, you can see planes waiting to take off, as it were. He also reported major queues for restaurants, because people dont know when their flights are going to take off as a result of the delays. Heres the real issue, it is not necessarily the airport which is, as you can see, an issue per se, but it is people getting to the airport which is the problem, and maybe perhaps missing their flights because it is taking them that little bit longer to get to the airport. And as a result, they might need to rebook or get another flight or a later flight or something later during the week. The ba policy as always is rebook or refund if they cant get an appropriate flight suitably, if the airline had cancelled it. As for luton airport, it shut its runway down in the course of the morning, briefly, to try and clear the runway. The same was the case for stansted, not far up in essex, it too had to shut the runway down temporarily to clear the runway of snow. It appears as if the heavy snow is turning to more slush and wetness and as a result, people should be able to get things back to normal. In terms of. There have been snow clouds over some airports which is a real sign of the seasonal conditions. We can see some of that from heathrow right now. But practicalities of this for airports, you said the runways are still wet, the surfaces are wet now that temperatures have risen a bit and the snow had melted. How big a problem will that be tonight and tomorrow morning, potentially . Thats the real issue, the backlog. Because if, for example. And also ice. Ice, if it freezes again, yes. But focus on the logistical side first, 119 flights were cancelled at heathrow this morning. They are not giving me a numberfrom noon onwards, we are nowjust after three oclock, it could double, who knows. Those people will need to be put on later flight the next day, that is the backlog issue. As for the meteorological issue of that slush freezing overnight, that again poses problems for the airport but they are well used to dealing with these things. Presumably this is not a unique set of circumstances, comparatively mild conditions in terms of other heavy snowfalls weve seen in previous years, who knows what the rest of the winter will bring. Are they able to do things like keeping surface temperature raised, to try and ensure runways stay clear, when you have got dropping temperatures overnight . That would be a huge cost. You have heard of undersoil heating, but under runway heating is possible but very expensive. A lot of friends in continental europe, especially Northern Europe, sweden, germany, etc, and Central United states and canada, deal with this every single year and scoff when we talk about snowmageddon when we get a few centimetres of snow. And of course, in north america, they have hundreds and hundreds of little airports dotted all over the country. And in chicago, 0hair is one of the busiest airports in the world, i think the busiest in north america, and every winter between november and february, they get this and flights still take off. They kind of scoff at us. The latest on what is happening at heathrow. To keep up to date with all the latest for your area go to the bbc news website and tune into your bbc local Radio Station or indeed bbc radio wales or bbc radio ulster. And well have full weather forecasts on this channel every half hour stay with us. Max clifford, the celebrity publicist who was jailed for multiple sex offences, has died in prison at the age of 7a. Clifford was jailed three years ago for assaulting teenagers as young as fifteen. He was in the middle of an eight year term, and its thought he died of a heart attack. Nick higham reports on a career that hid years of sexual predation. The former Record Company publicist was britains best known pr man. The king of the kiss and tell. He gave sensational stories to the tabloids, while keeping other clients out of the papers. In 1989, he fed a story about Pamella Bordes and her Numerous Affairs with influential men to the news of the world. But he had another client, a brothel madam. As far as my involvement was, it was really a cover up for something else. There was a story involving lots of stars which i was trying to keep out. Then there was the cabinet minister david mellor, whod had an affair with actress antonia de sancha. Angered, he claimed, by mellors hypocrisy, clifford took her on as a client. Once again, the most salacious detail in the story was made up. Mellor hadnt been wearing a chelsea strip. He advised faria alam, the former fa employee who had affairs with the chief executive and sven goran eriksson, the england manager. East anglia . Thats abroad and he represented jade goody when the big brother contestant was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It was the way she wanted it. Her life, her death, in the spotlight, because she wanted it to be in the spotlight. Whenjimmy saviles dark side emerged, max clifford was an obvious person to comment. I was aware of allegations, but no one ever came to me and said, jimmy savile abused me. But in december 2012, he was himself arrested. In all, he faced 11 charges of indecent assault stretching back decades. The allegations in respect of which i have been charged are completely false. Very upsetting, very distressing, but completely false. Ive never indecently assaulted anyone in my life. And this will become clear during the course of the proceedings. It wasnt true. Max clifford, it emerged that his trial, was a liar and a hypocrite himself. He was convicted on eight charges. He promised his victimsjobs orfame. Instead, he made them his sexual playthings. Hed always been arrogant and manipulative. Now he stood revealed as a sexual predator as well. The career and death of max clifford, the former celebrity publicist who died yesterday after suffering a heart attack. His death was reported this morning. Our Home Affairs Correspondent danny shaw covered Max Cliffords trial i spoke to him a little earlier about his run ins with the man. He came across as a really arrogant man. And that arrogance was shown just a few days before the trial started, when i put in a call to his office with a query about the case going ahead. And max clifford himself called me back. And tried to kind of charm his way on the phone, dismissing one of the allegations saying, oh, itsjust a load of nonsense or whatever. And that was kind of how he played it through the trial. But as well as that, there was this really hard, steely, intimidating side of him. And when he was convicted, and he came outside court because he hadnt been sentenced yet, and there was a whole group of photographers and people were throwing questions at him. And i asked, one of the questions i asked, is it time to apologise to the victims . And hejust turned round and he stared at me as though he could intimidate me. And if that was just a little bit of what some of the women went through who were the victims of him, that gave you an idea of the type of man he was. What he had a talent for was being able to play off one potential tabloid story against another, didnt he . So, ill give you something if you keep this story off the front pages. And for a long time hejuggled those things quite successfully. Yes, he did. I mean, he was an expert at that, atjuggling those particular interests, getting stories that were favourable into the papers to keep other stories out, keeping newspapers sweet with a supply of different stories and so on. And he was the person you went to if you had a story to tell or a story you wanted to keep out or you wanted to further your career, it was max clifford that you went to. But what we heard at the trial was a succession of aspiring actresses and models were put in touch with clifford. You know, they went into his office and were then told to strip. He wanted to look at them. And then sexual favours. And some of the most disgusting sexual acts took place. And some of them were just left traumatised by this behaviour, thinking, is this completely normal . Is this what ive let myself in for . It was a real revelation. Did he ever show any sign of remorse . Not one sign of remorse. Not one sign of remorse at all, right throughout the whole trial. And he was still appealing against his conviction is at the time of his death. In fact, i think a hearing was scheduled for the next few months. So he was clearly protesting his innocence right to his death. Danny shaw, our Home Affairs Correspondent on max clifford whose death has been announced this weekend. The foreign secretary, borisjohnson, has left iran without an agreement on the Early Release of the british iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari ratcliffe. Mrjohnson met iranian president , Hassan Rouhani this morning where its believed he continued to press for her release. Mrs Zaghari Ratcliffes husband says his wifes expected appearance in court today to face possible further charges was postponed as a result of mrjohnsons visit. Richard ratcliffe described this as undoubtedly a good sign. Mrs Zaghari Ratcliffe is serving a five year sentence over allegations of plotting to overthrow the iranian government, allegations which she denies. Their daughter has now been kept separate from her mother while she is in prison and her husband is in the uk and it is a difficult time for the family and her has and mr johnson will be hoping to reassure the iranians of better relations with the uk in the future. Well our Diplomatic Correspondent James Robbins told us about the meeting between president rouhani and Boris Johnson. They spent nearly an hour together. Now, borisjohnsons very deliberately said nothing publicly before leaving iran. This is so sensitive. But the Foreign Office put out a statement saying that they had discussed the full range of issues, including banking matters, and our concerns about the consular cases of dual nationals. Now, banking matters could include an outstanding debt of £400 million owed by britain to iran. Britain says the money is ready to be paid, and they are only waiting to make sure that they can do it in a way that is compliant with international sanctions. Neither side is linking the money in any way with this appeal for prisoner releases. But nevertheless, you can see that there is a possibility for progress, and thats what the Foreign Office say they are going to try and build on. James robinson there. In the last half an hour at james James Robinson there. In the last half an hour atjames has been speaking to Nazanin Zaghari ratcliffes husband richard about the developments. Tell me about the developments. Tell me about the developments. Tell me about the meeting but mostly what the foreign secretary was able to say. He was very clear and committed and said that seeing nazanin was a top priority and he had raised the case with everyone he had met, he did not promise he would get out tomorrow but he said it was the top priority and he was doing what he could and they came away much more reassured that he said that he would be meeting the president tomorrow and raising the case strongly and, if you look at the consequences of his meetings, she was not in court today. It is not the same as it all being over but it is definitely a positive step. What does nazanin think . She was relieved when i spoke to heron think . She was relieved when i spoke to her on the telephone. More upbeat. It is ongoing, she is up and down and there are moments where she still needs reassurance from me that it will be ok but she talked about how she could see light at the end of the tunnel, she talked about me praying for her and hoping that we had turned a corner and it felt like the relief of not having the court case, perhaps no more bad stuff happening, that is a step towards good stuff happening. Richard radcliffe there on the continued worries about the safe and prospect release of his wife currently held in iran. There have been more protests against president trumps decision to recognise jerusalem as the capital of israel. Protesters have gathered in several cities in the region, including istanbul, cairo and the moroccan capital rabat, where thousands gathered for a rally declaring thatjerusalem is the palestinian capital. And clashes broke out in the lebanese capital beirut, where protesters threw stones and set fire to tyres near the us embassy. 0ur middle east correspondent martin patience sent this report from beirut. Well, the protest has turned ugly again. Some of the protesters are throwing stones and rocks and whatever theyve got at the gate and its that gate where the Lebanese Security forces are holed up. That leads to the us embassy. Tear gas is now being fired and well just move along. This is the second time. Thats more tear gas. We need to keep on going and move down this way. Theres tear gas, just move down. Just move away. From the situation. As you can see, its dispersing. Ivejust taken a lungful of tear gas. This shows the emotional power of this issue. Jerusalem remains a rallying cry for palestinians and arabs across the region. That was our reporter reporting from the streets of beirut a short time ago. Speaking a short time ago in paris during a press conference with president macron israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the sooner palestinians accept the decision, the better will it be for peace. Paris is the capital of france, jerusalem is the capital of israel, it has been the capital of israel for 3000 years, it has been the capital of the jewish state for seven yea rs, we capital of the jewish state for seven years, we respect your history and your choices and we know that as friends, you respect ours. I think this is also essential for peace. I think what peace requires is to be built on the foundation of truth. And the facts of the past and of the present, this is the only way that you can build a realistic and successful future. That was Binjamin Netanyahu successful future. That was binjamin neta nyahu talking a successful future. That was Binjamin Netanyahu talking a little earlier. In response to his remarks, Emmanuel Macron said he believed that a two state solution was the only way forward. Translation i explained my disapproval of the recent declarations by the president of the United States which france considers in breach of International Law. I believe that the statements do not serve security, including the security of israel and the israelis. France remains convinced that the only solution in accordance with International Law and in accordance with our long term commitments is to enable the establishment of two states living side by side in peace and this can only happen thanks to negotiations. Those negotiations will continue in brussels at the end of this week where an eu summit of heads of government is scheduled to ta ke heads of government is scheduled to take place. Emmanuel macron will be there for france, presumably the Prime Minister is going to try and deal with him as much as he can in the hope he can be an honest broker for britains progress in the emerging trade relationship. The president of egypt has invited president of egypt has invited president abbas of palestine to cairo on monday to discuss the decision of president john to recognise jerusalem as decision of president john to recognisejerusalem as the israeli capital. Here labour has suggested that britain should stay aligned to the European Union after brexit allow an easy movement of people and continuing payments to brussels. Labour has suggested that britain should stay aligned to the European Union after brexit allowing the easy movement of people and continuing payments to brussels. The partys brexit spokesman, sir keir starmer, said he wanted the uk to stay in the Customs Union and a version of the Single Market. The government says its committed to a broad and ambitious free trade deal outside the eu. Susanah mendonca reports. A moment heralded as a landmark deal in britains eu negotiations, but this was just the starting point for doing the deal that britain really wants with the eu, which is all about trade. And today the brexit secretary gave us a clearer idea of what the government wants that to look like. If the basic deal. Im being very crude about this, but is canada plus the city or Something Like that . Canada plus plus plus would be one way of putting in. The trade deal canada has done with the eu took seven years to negotiate and didnt include the financial sector, which is key to the uks economy. But the brexit secretary says that isnt the only example hes looking at, and services would have to be included in any deal. What we want is a bespoke outcome. We will probably start with the best of canada and the best ofjapan and the best of south korea, and then add to that the bits missing, which is the services. But labour are looking towards Northern Europe as a model for the kind of deal it would be after. Norway isnt in the eu but has access to the Single Market, and pays for the privilege. Labours brexit secretary revealed he would want a similar setup to retain the benefits of the Single Market and Customs Union, but that could come at a price. Norway pays money in. They do it actually on a voluntary basis. Would you accept it . There may have to be payments, that would have to be negotiated. The focus now is all on getting a trade dealfor britain, but with varying opinions of what that deal should look like, and the eu unlikely to want to give the uk a better deal outside than it had inside the club, that might prove tougher than the deal that got the government to this point in the negotiations in the first place. Susana mendonca, bbc news. Now the californian governor said that devastating wildfires fuelled by Climate Change new normal for his state. He made the comments after surveying the damage in ventura cou nty surveying the damage in Ventura County north of los angeles, six fires destroyed hundreds of buildings and forced 200,000 people from their homes. The flames have been driven by low humidity and ba rtra been driven by low humidity and bartra underfoot. This is the new normal. And this could be something that happens every year or every few years, or it happens to some degree. It isjust more intense, more widespread, and we are about ready to have a firefighting christmas. This is very odd and unusual, but it is the way the world is, with the kind of Carbon Pollution that we are not only living with, but we are generating still, it is still increasing. We have to make that turn. It is going to take heroic efforts. There are many places in this country that dont get it yet, there are several countries of the world that dont quite get it. The governor of california there speaking of his commitment to tackling Climate Change. One of the most important state in the United States. Now, lets have a look at the weather prospects. Good evening. The met Office Amber Weather Warning for snow will gradually lapse through this evening as the snow continues to fall a bit lighter but transport disruption will be ongoing especially considering we have seen over a foot of snow in some parts of wales and the snow continues to fall. It is lighter in the evening across wales, the midlands, the south and east, still a covering of snow but not as bad as earlier, some hefty rain showers in the south, the severe gales we have seen easy as well. Away from that we go into the game with clear skies, a few showers in the north, they will become more extensive and some parts of scotland did not get above freezing, ice will be an issue and we have seen snow line through the night into tomorrow morning. Temperatures below freezing on monday morning, considering some did get above freezing today, we could see temperatures as low as 12 in some spots, especially were snow is lying. Into monday morning, we have to keep an eye on the low pressure as it pushes across giving problems in france, spain and portugal but also we have the risk of ice. Icy conditions for the monday morning commute, that could be the main issue for many people as you start the day, as well is that sharp frost, a bit of snow at times through the day as the low pressure system through the day as the low pressure syste m gets through the day as the low pressure system gets close to east anglia, most people will have a sunny day, some showers to the north and west, but through the afternoon, still continued to see a mix of rain, snow on the hills, east anglia and the south east could see gale force anglia and the south east could see gale force winds, that will be one to watch. Away from that, dry and sunny and pretty cold. Showers in cornwall, the far south wales will be wintry, that will cause issues for some people, a mixture of rain and hailand for some people, a mixture of rain and hail and sleet and snow flurries in Northern Ireland and the north of scotland. As you finish money and into monday night, showers on the coast, inland, it will become pretty cold, the coldest night of the week we re cold, the coldest night of the week were snow is on the ground, we will see temperatures and parts of england and wales as low as 12 and minus 1a. It will lead to a bar for the start on tuesday, 12 showers, but most places will have a dry sunny day before rain and slightly less cold air pushes them. Hello. This is bbc news with shaun ley. The headlines at 17. 31. The uk is facing more heavy snowfalls, with an amber weather warning issued in many parts of the country. Drivers are being asked to be prepared. Disgraced celebrity publicist max clifford has died in hospital at the age of 7a. He had been serving an eight year sentence for historical sex offences. He collapsed in prison yesterday. Nazanin zagari ratcliffe, the british woman imprisoned in iran will not have to appear in court today, following talks between Boris Johnson and the iranian government. Brexit secretary david davis has warned that the uk could still refuse to pay its divorce bill if it doesnt get a trade deal with the eu. Now the sporting prospects, including the Merseyside Derby. Good afternoon, john. Its derby day all round, only one place to start, old trafford, with the Manchester Derby. The top two meeting in todays hugely anticipated tie, city not beaten yet in the season, they started with intensity, dominated possession and took the lead before half time, david silva with that goal. Manchester united hit back through Marcus Rashford who capitalised on a defensive error from fab and elf. Its half time and is currently 1 1. Liverpool were held to a 1 1 draw in the Merseyside Derby with everton. Mo salah with a superb strike cancelled out by a rooney penalty. Natalie brooks was watching. The weather may have been freezing but this fixture is always enough to get pulses racing. Everton we re enough to get pulses racing. Everton were on the ropes from the start. And just before half time Mohamed Salah got the goal liverpool deserved. Commentator thats absolutely magnificent martina outmuscled, and gay and hustled for a superb strike on his derby debut. Things were starting to heat up and it almost got worse everton before the break. At least it would have, had sadio mane not gone for glory when others were better placed. Liverpool would regret that miss when a rare everton attack gave them a late lifeline. When dejan lovren opted for a shove on Dominic Calvert lewin the referee incensed at anfield. As the reds raged around him, rooney calmly put the on the spot. Almost 13 years since his last appearance ina spot. Almost 13 years since his last appearance in a Merseyside Derby rooney revelled in his role of party poor . Rooney revelled in his role of party poop, so everton salvaged a point and big sam left with a smile and like protesting liverpool. Everyone says it was a penalty, these challenges in midfield, its not a foul, williams did it 50 times against dominic solanke. Body contact, nothing else, they go to the ground, theres a penalty. We cant change it, our self criticism is really, we are quite good about but it feels unfair, to be honest. But it feels unfair, to be honest. But thats life, thats football and we will carry on. Tremendous defensive application to the game today. Waiting for an opportunity that wayne rooney produced, the sort of pass that would expose the liverpool defence, i dont think anyone can argue with the penalty that dejan lovren pushed him over and craig pawson had a big decision to make and made the right decision, wayne put it away and after that, defended the last ten minutes extremely well, as we did all the game. Arsenal returned to fifth place in the premier league, but only after coming from behind to salvage a point at southampton. Charlie austin opened the scoring withjust three minutes Charlie Austin opened the scoring with just three minutes on the clock. Arsenal had plenty of chances to equalise, but had to wait until the 88th minute for substitute Olivier Giroud to come to the rescue. We can hear from we can hearfrom both managers, first, arsene wenger. We paid a heavy price for a slow start. We kept going and it was a game of high intensity with the two teams went for it but in the second half it was all us. We defended well in a disciplined way, it is difficult to find an opening. We did not control the ball too much, i think we controlled the game and this is something different. We knew we had to redo space because they had quality in these areas and we protect them well. We competed well, and we have another opportunity to play on wednesday. We were really close to winning three points today. Scottish champions celtic nearly had their 67 game unbeaten run in domestic football ended by hibernian. It finished 2 2 at easter road, but neil lennons hibs came so close to snatching it late on. It had all looked simple for celtic, they went into a 2 0 lead midway through the second half thanks to two goals from scott sinclair. But the home side mounted a brilliant comeback scoring two goals in four minutes, with oli shaw getting a deserved equaliser. Then in stoppage time, shaw had this chance for a hibs winner, but his shot was brilliantly cleared off the line by celtic defender mikael lustig. It extends Brendan Rodgers sides unbeaten run to 68 matches. In rugby unions european champions cup, wasps were well beaten in a high scoring game away at la rochelle. The french side top their group, and scored six tries in this match, including two from levani botia as they won 49 points to 29. Wasps though did manage to score five tries of their own, to take an extra bonus point. The other group game was affected by the weather but still went ahead, after beating harlequins17 5. Saracens against clermont over and was postponed. Confirmation of those results, the final game of the week and has just began results, the final game of the week and hasjust began between english champions exeter, who are hosting three time winners leinster. Its currently 0 0. Its honours even going into the final session of the uk snooker championship final. Weve been watching at the barbican. The halfway mark in busys bet United Kingdom championship and we have to exceptional performers, Ronnie Osullivan and shaun murphy, and it is neck and neck. Can you sum up and it is neck and neck. Can you sum up how much quality weve seen in the opening session today . Brilliant. The first four frames we re brilliant. The first four frames were wonderful scoring and brick building, more tactical in the second yet brilliant match play snooker to watch. Ebbing and flowing in the afternoon, 11 2 ahead, it was going with osullivan that murphy showed great determination to come back. Brilliant. What did you detect about running in those last frames, steve . About running in those last frames, steve . He was desperate to get a lead, it didnt materialise so a bit of frustration. Shaun murphy is such a great character to level the scores. They have both played marvellous shots, great shot makers, great tactics and luck involved, perhaps what will separate them might be a little bit of a run on the ball this evening because it looks like theyll both scoring very well. Ronnie is after a davis equalling sixth uk title but also after an incredible record equalling 18th major title which would put him among the all time greats. 18th major title which would put him among the alltime greats. Is already among them, i know what you mean about the figures, he says he isnt bothered, but he is will be looking at this one at seven on bbc two, i hope youjoin looking at this one at seven on bbc two, i hope you join us for that. We will be watching it as well. The england lions cricketer ben duckett has today been suspended from their tour of australia for pouring a drink over James Anderson in a bar. He will remain with the team for the t20 matches that they play. But hes also been fined and issued with a final written warning over his conduct. Yesterday england coach Trevor Bayliss described the incident as trivial but Team Management were left furious at another off field misdemeanour. In his absence, tom curran boosted his chances of a place in englands test tea m his chances of a place in englands test team for the third test on thursday with five wickets. He also scored an unbeaten 77. Moeen ali, the captain, did not bowl but did find some form when batting, scoring 47 in the second innings. The match endedin 47 in the second innings. The match ended in a draw against a cricket australia 11. Ive had some good chats with andy flower and stuff about how to play the next test if selected. So from my point of view it is nice to get away from everything a bit and concentrate a bit on my game. Great britain have topped the medal table at the european Cross Country championships in slovakia. Andrew butchart won bronze and led the gb senior men to a bronze medal in the Team Standings britians senior women struck gold in the team event. Charlotte taylor was the first athlete home in sixth place. The cheltenham gold cup winner sizing john made a successful return to the track, winning the grade onejohn durkan memorial chase at punchestown. Its his first race since april, and the seven year old beat regular rival djakadam by a comfortable seven lengths to secure the win for trainerjessica harrington. Thats all the sport for now. Keep up to date with all the stories including the second half of the Manchester Derby which is 1 1, rashford equalising for Manchester United just before half time. Ill be back with more sport in the next half hour, see you then. John, thank you, well look forward to that. And clive will be here in ten minutes with the national news. Before that, the headlines on bbc news. The uk is facing more heavy snow with an amber weather warning issued in many parts of the country. Drivers are told to be prepared. Theres been travel disruption across the country, some airports are dealing with long backlogs of flights. The disgraced celebrity publicist max clifford has died in hospital after collapsing in prison yesterday, he was serving an eight year sentence for historical sex offences. More on the news that borisjohnson has left iran without an agreement on the release of the british iranian woman Nazanin Zahgari ratcliffe. Expected Court Appearance today was postponed after mrjohnson met the reigning president. James robbins has been speaking to nazanins husband Richard Radcliffe about todays developments. What did the foreign secretary say . He did not promise he would get her out but he did say it was a priority and we came away more reassured that he is doing all he can. He will be talking with the president tomorrow and raising the case strongly. If you look at the consequences of his meetings, she wasnt in court today, so it isnt the same as it all being over but it is definitely a positive step. What does nazanin think . I spoke to nazanin on the phone, this morning, she was relieved and there was a more upbeat tone in her voice. Shes up and down and there were moments where she still needed reassurance from me that it would be 0k reassurance from me that it would be ok but yeah, she said she could see light at the end of the tunnel. She asked, please keep praying for me and lets hope we have turned a corner. It did feel as if the relief of not having that court case, maybe no more bad stuff happening, that is the step towards. A good step. Does she think she could be out soon . I certainly think so. No guarantees but all these things will have momentum and the momentum has shifted in the past weekend. Hopefully in the days that campbell is every chance that with a fair wind and more diplomacy behind the scenes, lets hope that she is back by christmas. Is she talking about coming home . Shes definitely talking about coming home for christmas, probably needs reassurance from me that she will be back by christmas but she is talking in terms of what you would with her things and who gets different things. Shes talking about making things. Shes talking about making things for other prisoners so they have something to remember her by and all those kinds of mice may bes you talk about when the world is looking brighter. You were quite angry about mrjohnson, what do you think about him now. Assets and choice things about him on tv and he reminded me of that it feels like it has been a good weekend and im looking forward to catching up, tomorrow or tuesday, checking what has happened and checking im not over reading things. It does feel to me clearly that he has done his best in the past few days, that is all i can hope for. Richard ratcliffe talking to our Diplomatic Correspondent James Robbins after borisjohnson correspondent James Robbins after Boris Johnson left tehran correspondent James Robbins after borisjohnson left tehran after his visit there this weekend to try to secure the release of Richard Radcliffes wife. Before the news bulletin with clive, lets have a look at the weather. The met Office Weather warning will gradually lapse as snow falls, transport problems will be ongoing, we see more than a foot of snow in some parts of wales and the snow continues to fall, its lighter and patchy into the evening, still a covering of snow here and there, not as bad as it was earlier, still hefty rain showers across the southernmost counties, the severe gales we have seen slowly easing, clear skies in parts of england and Northern Ireland, some showers will be more extensive through the night and some parts of scotland did not get above freezing day. Ice will be a major issue and when you see snow lying through the night into tomorrow. Temperature is widely below freezing into monday morning and considering some did not get above freezing today we could see temperatures of 12 in some spots especially where snow is lying, Northern England and scotland. We have to watch this area of low pressure as it brings problems to france, spain and portugal, we also have that risk of ice here. Icy conditions for the mandate commute could be the main problem for many as you start the day as well as widespread frost. We could still see snow as the low pressure ridges south east and east anglia, more showers to the north and the west but through the afternoon should still see a mixture of rain and snow bringing a covering on the hills in east anglia and the south east, and gale force winds, watch that throughout the day. Away from that dry, sony, still cold. Showers over cornwall and the far south west of wales, wintry over the hills, that could cause is used for some of you, and a mixture of rain, hail, sleet and a mixture of rain, hail, sleet and slow flurries in Northern Ireland and sleet and snow in scotland. Monday night some showers continue inland, it will become pretty cold. The coldest night of the week where snow is on the ground we will see temperatures in parts of england and wales and scotland as low as minus 12 minus 1a. Frost in some places, a foggy start to tuesday, some showers, most places will have a dry and sunny day before slightly colder pushes over the west later. Heavy snowfalls cause disruption across much of the uk bringing problems on the roads, railways and at airports. Motorists are told, travel only if absolutely necessary after several accidents cause long tailbacks on most motorways. Hundreds of flights cancelled or delays cilic delayed for hours including at heathrow and birmingham. I left work early after night shift to get to because of the snow and i must found out my flight has been cancelled. They could have told us before we left home when they saw the weather. Boris johnson tries to secure the release of british people in iranianjails after talks with iran. Disgraced publicist max clifford has died after a heart attack in prison. And liverpool regret several missed chances as everton snatch a draw in the Merseyside Derby. Good evening, heavy snowfall across much of the uk is causing disruption on the roads to air travel and on the railways, hundreds of flights have been cancelled or delays at a number of airports including at heathrow, stansted number of airports including at heathrow, sta nsted and number of airports including at heathrow, stansted and in belfast while some roads are described as hazardous with the Police Warning motorists to travel only if absolutely necessary. In parts of north Wales Vella Amber weather warnings in place along with the midlands, northern and eastern parts of england. The met office says its the heaviest snowfall to hit the affected areas in four years. Richard lister is that gerard s cross in buckinghamshire. Clive, few people this far south expected snow when they woke up this morning, they did not expected to hang around as long as it has, the roads are slushy, the pavements slippery, getting from a to b anywhere where it has snowed has been a treacherous ordeal for many. That has been the story for millions of people around the country. Much of people around the country. Much of britain looked like a christmas ca rd of britain looked like a Christmas Card today. Scotland and Northern England had been expecting snow but this was buckinghamshire. And it was not pretty. Breakdowns and blizzard conditions on the m25 near gerard s cross made for slow going. On the a34 cross made for slow going. On the a31; near newbury two stuck lorries and the southbound carriageway is ha rd to and the southbound carriageway is hard to be closed. But in wales some smaller communities were cut off entirely and thousands of people lost power, this was the llangollen today. This is by far the worst ive ever seen. Probably the worst snow ive ever seen. Its certainly about a foot deep around. In the midlands they had hoped gritters would keep they had hoped gritters would keep the roads safe, although in greenwich they needed snowploughs. Its been a long day for Breakdown Services like the rac, which is getting five calls a minute. Whatever god. Problems starting, i tried to start it last night, but at this morning and it wont do it. Mark says everything hes dealt with today has been weather related. Mark says everything hes dealt with today has been weatherrelated. Only travel if you have to, if you do make sure youve got a fully charged phone and warm clothing because you might be stuck in traffic for hours and hours. This car at least got going again. This was one of an estimated 125,000 going again. This was one of an estimated 125, 000 breakdowns going again. This was one of an estimated 125,000 breakdowns in the uk today, everything from flat batteries to people stuck in their drive because of the snow. And its not just motorists drive because of the snow. And its notjust motorists who had problems. 70 flights were cancelled at heathrow, luton and stansted airports, and there were passengers not happy at east midlands airport. A bit frustrated, a lot of wasted time, they could have told us when we checked in that the flight was cancelled. Waited about physics hours. Apa and overly with 300 passengers ran aground in calais to two high winds, nobody was hurt, it was refloated but this was a day to stay at home. Where we live we never get any snow. Its just sleety. Stay at home. Where we live we never get any snow. Its just sleetylj like snow because you can make snow angels and snowmen and i find it fun. And maybe do this. A great day for sledging and snowballs but what looks like fun on sunday afternoon could look very different on monday morning in rush hour. Gritters out in force as the roads ice up ready for a difficult day tomorrow. So whats on the card for tonight, richard . You can certainly feel it here, the temperatures dropping rapidly and that means ice will be the problem, the met office says that the next 2a hours watch out for the as. And in some places it is still snowing which means that tomorrows rush hour could be dreadful in many places. You really have to take care. Before you set of ask yourself, do you really need to make thatjourney. Make sure if you need to find this out that your Childrens School is open because some schools will close tomorrow. Theres also a real possibility of snow and ice bringing down tree branches and disrupting power lines, there are thousands of people in berkshire, wiltshire, and oxygen without power and that could rise in other areas tomorrow. Highways england says, if you dont need to use the road tomorrow and it is snowing, avoid it, and if you have to go out in your car, go prepared, make sure that you are wearing warm clothing, where boots, take food and drink or medication if you could be in trouble if you dont have access to and fora in trouble if you dont have access to and for a long time. Above all, the advice is, take shovel ok, richard, thank you. Richard in buckinghamshire there. The foreign secretary borisjohnson has held talks with the reigning president in a bid to secure the freedom of citizens with dual nationality currently held in iranianjails. Nationality currently held in iranian jails. The include nationality currently held in iranianjails. The include Nazanin Zahgari ratcliffe, accused of spying. Mrjohnson described his visit to tehran as worthwhile. Today nazanins husband said he hoped his wife would become for christmas. James robbins reports. Borisjohnson spent almost one hour with the iranians president , that itself seen asa iranians president , that itself seen as a good sign of improving relations. Mrjohnson said they spoke forthrightly about obstacles in the relationship and the need for progress. Borisjohnson again raised the case of dual nationality british citizens in jail the case of dual nationality british citizens injail in the case of dual nationality british citizens in jail in the the case of dual nationality british citizens injail in the running to losing Nazanin Zahgari ratcliffe we know that last night he met some of herfamily in know that last night he met some of her family in tehran. Know that last night he met some of herfamily in tehran. In london the husband is much happier today, showing the pictures of his family and delighted that nazanin did not have to face a possible Court Appearance today. He told me about the family meeting with mrjohnson. The foreign secretary also met with nazanins father and had a long chat, 45 minutes with him, said, i raised the case with everyone i met. I will keep battling for her. Dont worry. We will do what we can. They came away pretty helpful. Solicitor has been progress in these uk iran talks where might it have been made if talks where might it have been made if there has been progress . The foreign secretary has been careful to say nothing publicly while in iran yeta to say nothing publicly while in iran yet a Foreign Office statement said both sides discussed in full range of issues including banking matters and the consular cases of dual nationals. Banking matters include two major uranium grievances. One that no uk bank will open an account for the Iranian Embassy in london, fearful that could get them into trouble with us authorities. There are signs that could be sorted soon. Secondly iran wa nts could be sorted soon. Secondly iran wants britain to repay a long standing debt of around £400 million. How to do that without bridging sanctions also looks closer. Both sides say that these issues are not linked to prisoner releases. But giving one side something at once often helps the other to give in return. One gift to britain would be the reunion of nazanin with her three year old daughter gabriella, seen here just before her arrest in april last year. The family feels much more positive, the Foreign Office delegation left iran sensing both sides wanted to resolve the difficult issues in the relationship. James robbins, bbc news. The brexit secretary david davis, says britain wont pay the divorce bill for leaving the European Union, if theres no final trade deal with the eu. Today, hes been giving details of the kind of future arrangement hed like to see. Meanwhile the labour party has suggested, it may be willing to pay for access to the european Single Market, in order to retain its benefits. Heres our political correpsondent iain watson. The strain was showing, this was the Prime Minister this morning, eu has called for more clarity on what kind of relationship british once in future and to date the brexit secretary tried to correct. Canada plus plus plus would be one way of putting it. What does that mean . Can it has negotiated a trade deal for several years but it doesnt include financial services. Canada plus deal would cover this is the uk. What else . If you look at any free trade deal youll see agreements on where product standards normally comply. That is what it comes down to. Sometimes you see other things. In a free trade deal between the uk and canada they say they wont go below the International Labour organisation minimum. But he made it clear that paying it divorce bill would include getting a good deal. You dont