The head of the fbi has defended its work after a classified memo was released accusing it of bias against president trump, and abuse of power. The memo, written by republican members of congress, says the fbi got permission to wiretap one of mr trumps advisers in 2016 by using unsubstantiated evidence which had been paid for by his political opponents. Our correspondent peter bowes reports. This is the memo that sunk relations between the president and the fbi to a new low. The document, written by republicans, makes the case that the Justice Department and the fbi showed bias towards donald trump while buying on one of his advisers. A warrant for the surveillance operation was based on a dossier of information compiled by a former British Intelligence agent who was desperate for donald trump to lose the election. I think its a disgrace whats happening in our country, and when you look at that and you see that and so many other things, whats going on, a lot of people should be ashamed of themselves and much worse than that. But the democrats say the memo doesnt tell the full story and is a shameful effort to discredit the Ongoing Investigation into the trump campaigns links with russia. The head of the fbi is defiant. Addressing his staff, Christopher Wray said reporter is the memo a dud, sir, is it a dud . Donald trump is smiling again but this is a vicious fight at the heart of the us government. Some are saying the only winners are the russians. Peter bowes, bbc news. Earlier we heard from the former Us Intelligence analyst yael eisenstat, who said the toll the controversy is taking on the fbi could seriously affect morale. I personally have never seen this happen before. In general, even though parties disagree and they have different policy options, when it is protecting information on national security, usually there is not such partisan showmanship. I have never ever seen anything like this myself. When i used to coordinate the presidency debrief, i used to run it by the press and all of these things. When i was in the cia, i never, eversaw of these things. When i was in the cia, i never, ever saw anything like this happening. So the idea that this happening. So the idea that this is not a complete political stu nt this is not a complete political stunt is absolutely unfathomable. I note the men and women inside the agencies continue to do the work. I am concerned about morale. These are people who cant defend themselves and they cant in any way so what is accurate or what is not accurate. It will be demoralising the way that these agencies are being used for political gain. It could affects the ability to recruit agents in the future. Its an unfortunate situation, but i have faith that the men and women will continue to serve the institutions and the American People and will continue to do what they all doing. Small businesses affected by the collapse of the construction giant carillion are being offered the chance to apply for government backed loans from high street lenders. Thousands of suppliers were left unpaid, after the firm went into liquidation in last month. Our Business Correspondent joe lynam reports. Britains second biggest Construction Company collapsed three weeks ago leaving debts of almost £1 billion and a pensions deficit ofa similaramount. Apart from those directly employed at carillion, thousands of smaller suppliers and contractors faced ruin due to unpaid debts. Now the government is providing guarantees to small firms worth £100 million through the state backed British Business bank. These will allow companies who lost money due to carillion get bank loans. But it also means taxpayers might be on the hook if someone defaults. Additionally the uk Banking Sector has promised to take the circumstances surrounding carillion into consideration if individuals face problems repaying loans, overdraft or mortgages. The extent of the damage to the wider uk economy of one firms collapse is coming into sharp focus. Joe lynam, bbc news. Welljoining me now is the leader of the liberal democrats and former business secretary sir vince cable. Good morning and welcome to bbc news. A lot of what the government is announcing is to do with state support as well as what the private sector banks are willing to do. Are you pleased about that . It is necessary , you pleased about that . It is necessary, but it is far too late. The government knew about the troubles regarding carillion, thats why it was feeding it contracts. There is a deeper problem here as well. One of the fallout from carillion is that large numbers of small and Medium Size Companies that are very well run will go down. Its already happening. 0ne are very well run will go down. Its already happening. One of the reasons is that carillion was not observant of the government requirement that you pay your suppliers. A lot of these companies we re suppliers. A lot of these companies were lending money to carillion. At least one company has told us privately that it wont take up the offer and it suspects other Companies Wont take it. 0thers offer and it suspects other Companies Wont take it. Others will be worried that if they take up the offer, supplies would think that maybe they are in trouble and that could damage them, take the help thatis could damage them, take the help that is on offer. There is a confidence issue. There was a complex supply chain and i can see the problem, but the richest Business Bank was set up several yea rs Business Bank was set up several years ago to supply credit. It happens indirectly through peer to peer lending and other platforms. I would hope that Companies Take full advantage of it because that is where it is the passion that is why it is there. Carillion is not the only example of a very big company that affects smaller companies. The british government, and successive governments, notjust this one, have become heavily reliant on these large companies. They are very Big Companies are very complex and if they get into trouble, they dragged down large parts of the economy. First, the Civil Service needs to be smarter and more trained in dealing with these companies. In france they have a specialised academy and people are highly trained to deal with this in a much better way than oui with this in a much better way than our people are. We also need to think about the government notjust directly contract into these very, very big complex companies, but letting smaller and medium sized businesses, through and have contracts themselves, spreading the work throughout the uk and getting directly to the supply chain. And presumably spreading the risk . Exactly. You could argue that effectively government has been forced to nationalise the risk having privatise the potential to make any money out of it. Even by offering these guarantees, this support, is it not doing just that . Yes. Nationalising the losses on privatising the game is a big thing, but there is a problem. I dont agree with the labour approach of just nationalising everything, its not sensible. We need closer monitoring of outsourcing. It probably means on a case by case basis bringing more work in house where it is feasible. A lot of the work these companies were doing, like managing schools, its not complex building projects. Its about maintenance. On another story that has been creating headlines all week and is now generating even more headlines again, and that is the suggestion that has been put forward by some brexiteers that the treasury is effectively, or some people within the treasury art manipulating the evidence in order to achieve a particular objective in the next round of negotiations. Jacob rhys mogg was making a point earlier. M absolutely outrageous. The allegations in parliament that the treasury was seeking to undermine government policy. 0ther tory mps we re government policy. 0ther tory mps were at the same meeting and categorically denied it. And the minister did correct on record. The particular issue being debated is that no matter what happens with brexit, we should remain within the Customs Union because its about protecting the complex supply chains. The treasury would be failing in its duty if it did not examine that possibility seriously. We should be inside the Customs Union, whatever happens. Thank you very much. Three men have been charged with murder after the fatal stabbing of a prisoner. Khader saleh died on wednesday at wormwood scrubs prison in west london. Ahmed kyre, kalif dibbassey and enton marku, all in their early 20s, are due to appear in court next week. A father whose three daughters were among those abused by us gymnastics doctor larry nassar has apologised, after trying to attack him at a court in michigan. Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison last month after more than 150 women testified that he had sexually abused them. To my parents, thank you for all your love and support through all of this. Throughout Larry Nassars sentencing hearings, women have shared their horrific tales of abuse at the hands of the disgraced doctor. On friday, the testimonies continued, with the heartbreaking account of the margraves family, whose three daughters were all victimised. After hearing two of his daughters recount their ordeals, Randall Margraves asked for a turn to speak as a distraught father. I would ask you to, as part of the sentencing, to grant me five minutes in a locked room with this demon. I have a feeling. Would you do that . That is not how our. Yes or no . No, sir, i cant do that. Would you give me one minute . You know that i cant do that. Thats not how our legal system. Well, im gonna have to. The chaotic and raw moment showed the guilt and pain that parents and families are still struggling with. Believing the father had suffered enough, the judge said he would be released without charge. Theres no way that this court is going to issue any type of punishment given the circumstances of this case. At a press conference afterwards, the margraves girls defended their father. It was difficult for my dad to hear what he had today. It was difficult for my dad to hear what he had today. He reacted in a way that i feel most fathers would have done and probably wanted to do in a situation like this. After reflecting on what happened earlier, my father is regretful. Randall margraves said he was not a hero, but the real heroes were his girls and the other victims. If it wasnt for all the brave girls and women that have come forward before now, i dont know if my family could have come forward now. The case has inevitably sparked numerous investigations into why Michigan State university, where he was employed, along with usa gymnastics and the Us Olympic Committee failed to stop him. Monika plaha, bbc news. For a second time in a week, the leading brexiteer, conservative Jacob Rees Mogg has criticised Economic Forecasts by civil servants, regarding the possible impact of brexit. 0ur Political Correspondent matt cole is here. Its an intriguing allegation which we thought had been knocked down by government, particularly after a minister said that a story he had heard was correct and then said it was incorrect. Whats going on . Its been an interesting week. Jacob rhys mogg asked the minister in the chamber had he heard claims from a man call Charles Grant that treasury officials had essentially been rigging the figures to present all options to do with britain departing the Customs Union as bags . The minister turn to rhys mogg and said he had heard it, but did not distance himself by saying who thought it was wrong. There was later a recording of the minister which was different. There was an apology for misrepresentation. Civil serva nts apology for misrepresentation. Civil servants are meant to be impartial. Now this morning Jacob Rhys Mogg was ina radio now this morning Jacob Rhys Mogg was in a radio interview and was asked about this very question, whether perhaps he should apologise. He declined and effectively went on to make further allegations. The obr the 0br had been set up because forecasts have been politicised. The treasury has gone back to making false costs. It was politically advantageous for them in the past. Its the same now so yes i think they are fiddling the figures Jacob Rhys Mogg the effectively doubling down. Charles grant has been speaking on twitter saying that he should apologise. Jacob rhys mogg has a clear view on brexit. How much is this about accusing the government of using the government machine to put the will is on us, not putting too fine a point on it. Jacob rhys mogg has said that he feels that the Economic Forecast has been a humiliating. We understand the Prime Minister is open to perhaps a Customs Union but has rolled out staying in the Customs Union. The Cabinet Committee on this will be meeting to discuss the issue. It putting pressure on the Prime Minister. RememberJacob Rees Mogg, a man tipped potentially to ta ke mogg, a man tipped potentially to take over from theresa may, but when it was put to him that he is in a strange position with what is going on, he rather sidestepped it. Essentially, theyre trying to make a point ahead of crucial negotiations. He is becoming an increasingly influential person, which was reflected last night when he was due to give a talk at the university. Thats right. Things we re university. Thats right. Things were rather interrupted. But he lived to fight another day and he is making some interesting news again. Thank you very much. Sport now, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, heres mike bushell. Its the most competitive six nations ever according to the injured wales captain, sam warburton. Wales chances have been damaged by a lengthy injury list and that could help scotland get off to the start they need to justify their billing as one of the favourites, given the exciting way they played in the autumn internationals. In the most recent evidence they are able to train at a pace and intensity and can match the best teams in the world. They can go to places like cardiff and perform. There is a real togetherness that have been built up. Its a good game for us to get first up. The players involved last year were disappointed with losing away in murrayfield and they feel there is a great chance for us to get the campaign off to a good start and against a Scottish Team who have definitely been resurging and are going to test us and cause us a number of problems. The other team, pundits think have a chance of winning the title, are ireland. They take on france in paris. For ireland coachjoe schmidt here, the key man may once again be Johnny Sexton but his coach has already called for more protection for his fly half after seeing him targeted in previous encounters with the french. Doesnt need to be part of the game. Johnnys a really tough competitor. He will take whatevers fairly doled out. When it comes off the ball i dont think it needs to be part of the game and it certainly hasnt been part of the game in the teams ive seenjacques coach in the past so id hope that its not. It was close, in the womens six nations, as wales beat scotland 18 17 in colwyn bay. Wales had been cruising a try from kerin lake put them 18 5 up. But things changed dramatically as chloe rollie scored two second half tries to get scotland within a point. But the hosts held on in the last few minutes, for a nailbiting win. No andy murray, no kyle edmund, but no worries. Cameron norrie more than filled their shoes. On his davis cup debut. Coming from two than filled their shoes on his davis cup debut. Coming from two sets down, to beat world number 23 Roberto Bautista agut, to level the tie at 1 1, in spain and against spain. Liam broady lost the first singles match to albert ramos vinolas. But norrie whos 22, produced the performance of his life to beat a man ranked 91 places above him in the world. He only turned professional last june and this was his first ever professional match on red clay. I was just pummelling my efforts. Its given me a lot of confidence because it is my first match on clay, so i am just stoked. Jamie murray and Dominic Inglot play in the doubles rubber later today and its live on bbc two and the bbc sport website from 1 o clock this afternoon. In the championship, Bolton Wanderers are out of the relegation zone after a 1 0 win over promotion chasing bristol city. Former newcastle forward sammy ameobi scored this cracker late on. City remain in 5th. In rugby league, wigan and wakefield, are off to winning starts, while st helens, lived up to their billing as super league favourites, thrashing last seasons runners up castleford 46 points to six. Ben barba collected man of the match going overfor two tries, while Mark Percival scored a hat trick thats all the sport for now. You can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. Ill have more for you in the next hour. Mike, thank you very much. Northamptonshire county council has imposed emergency spending controls as it faces severe financial challenges. The notice bans all new expenditure at the council, with the exception of Statutory Services for protecting vulnerable people. Last month the government said an inspector would look into allegations of financial failings at the authority. It is believed to be the first such notice issued in more than 20 years. The conservative leader of the council, heather smith, said northamptonshire wanted to raise council tax rates in line with neighbouring 0xfordshire. We have been warning government since about 2013, 1a that with our financial position, we could not cope with the cuts we were facing. If we got the same rate of council tax as 0xfordshire, we would have an extra £70 million a year in our budget. Before christmas i wrote to the secretary of state to say we we re the secretary of state to say we were facing the edge of the cliff and we would fall over. We cant just increase council tax because we have a cap on us. On wall street the dowjones took a steep dive yesterday plummeting more than 660 points closing two point 5 down on the day. It ranks as the worst day on the markets since donald trump took office, and came despite a strong jobs report which showed wage growth. Many gps feel undervalued, unable to provide safe care and want to quit theirjobs, according to research with doctors who have left the profession early. Nhs england has promised an extra 5,000 gps by the end of the decade, but recent statistics suggest the service is continuing to lose doctors. The government insists it has the highest ever number of gps in training. Lady gaga has cancelled the last ten dates of the european leg of her world tour, because of severe pain. Shows in london and manchester are among those affected. In a statement posted on twitter she said she was devastated, but needed to put herself and her well being first. The singer has fibromyalgia, a long term condition which can cause pain all over the body. 0ligarchs suspected of corruption will be forced to explain how they fund their luxury lifestyles in britain. The security minister, ben wallace, has told the times that he wants to crackdown on criminals and fraudulent politicians who use britain to launder money gained through corruption. Dal babu is a former met police chief superintendent and joins me now. Thank you for being with us. This is to do with a new power that the government has introduced this week. The unexplained wealth orders. They wa nt to the unexplained wealth orders. They want to establish where people have got the money. If you have £50,000 01 got the money. If you have £50,000 or more, they have the opportunity to ask people where they got the money from. Actually, it could apply a lot lower than oligarchs, but that is what they really looking out, the International Super wealthy who often choose to live in this country . Absolutely. Ben wallaces interview in the times was very much about the oligarchs. It will be interesting to see what substance there is behind this because what we have to remember is lots of oligarchs and football clubs, many are legitimate Business People here, but there is a thread of individuals, people who have been watching the bbc mcmafia series that there is a thread of individuals who are conducting the affairs unlawfully. I was speaking to the cab driver on my way in who said that you would be surprised how many people live a parallel life. In terms of what the minister says, it will be interesting what resources they put in place. These individuals are sophisticated. They will have lawyers and accountants in place and they will trade in the claims, all of it under the radar. They will trade in bitcoins. The stories in mcmafia have been fictionalised, but there is clearly something here. The question is whether this is about cracking down on the money, following the money as they say, whether they is politics involved. You could argue a lot of these people have lived here for many yea rs people have lived here for many years completely unmolested by the system because in a sense the british didnt really want to pick a fight with russia. We are bit more interested in picking a fight with them . It is a doubleedged sword. As we look at brexit and we believe the second biggest world market, we have to look at how we do trade elsewhere. 0n the one hand they want to be open to russia and on the other hand they want to stand up and say actually, you cant do this. Its very interesting. My concern is that this has been going on for yea rs, that this has been going on for years, and when i was in the police we we re years, and when i was in the police we were aware of how sophisticated these individuals were. Remember, they have a history of taking on the russian establishment and the oligarchs have come from the colla pse oligarchs have come from the collapse of communism and they have been brave enough and some would say sailing close to the wind and have taken advantage of the privatisation that took place. What will be interesting is to see what happens as opposed to the comments that ministers make now and then without substance. Well see how many of these orders are served. Thank you. Lets have a look at the weather. Hello, not the most inspiring day with cloud and patchy rain and in some places, snow. The cloud and patchy rain will continue on and off this afternoon. Also a scattering of heavy showers. Temperatures not doing very well. During this evening and overnight, the areas patchy rain and overnight, the areas patchy rain and hill snow will continue to fizzle away