Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC News 20180204

Who invented the lego brick. Good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. The home secretary, amber rudd, says the uk will continue to seek a bespoke deal on leaving the European Union and she insisted that differences between cabinet ministers over brexit policy have been exaggerated. A Cabinet Committee will meet this week to discuss the governments approach to negotiations. Heres our political correspondent, susana mendonca. Watching the dragons in action on a trade trip to china last week, the Prime Minister was all too aware that her backbenchers at home were fanning the flames of division over brexit. Some tory brexiteers have painted a picture of disunity on the governments front bench over the direction britains negotiations with the eu should take, but now one leading cabinet member has pushed back. I have a surprise for the brexiteers, the committee that meets in order to help make these decisions, meeting twice this week, as you rightly say, is more united than they think. We meet in the committee and also privately for discussions, i think we will arrive at something that suits us all. Assessments this week which had suggested the options for a post brexit trade deal with the eu would leave britain worse off have been at the heart of an argument in the conservative and they are internationally admired for the system we have. We need to make sure we continue to attract the best into the civil service. Ms rudd said the government wanted a bespoke trade deal with the eu and said it would probably involve some form of customs arrangement or partnership. This leading brexiteer says it does not mean the customs union. Since the lancaster house and the florence speech, the Prime Minister has been clear we are leaving the customs union. There is a good reason for that. We would not have been able to negotiate free trade deals with the likes of china, where theresa may was out this week, through to latin america, the trade bloc there, if we werent able to do that. The eu chief negotiator will come here tomorrow to start the next phase of brexit negotiations. And earlier, susana told us more about the meetings theresa may will have over brexit this week. We know that Michel Barnier, the chief negotiator for the eu, is coming to london tomorrow. We understand he will meet with theresa may and he will also meet david davis, who is doing the negotiations for britain. In terms of these negotiations it is the first time they meet this year, so it is the next stage. Before christmas we had the first stage which was about eu citizens and the irish border. Now theyre moving on to talk about the conditions of the deal, what happens in march 2019 . What will that relationship look like . We heard about having a two year period of transition, what will that be like . It is only when you get beyond that that you can get into discussing the trade relationship which so many of the brexiteers are concerned about. They are adamant britain should not be part of the customs union. Amber rudd today was talking about how britain would not be in the customs union, but she was talking about a potential partnership, some kind of trade relationship with the eu. Certainly these discussions this week with Michel Barnier are looking ahead towards 2019. As well as the ministerial discussions there will also be technical discussions behind the scenes with various people on both sides talking about how things would work. Just in terms of the customs union, do you think people get confused about the customs union, the bit of the european arrangements we are part of . Others say we could still have a customs union, so might that be part of this bespoke or individual deal . Yes, we heard amber rudd talking about a bespoke relationship and others have talked about a bespoke relationship, not having the same kind of deal like norway where it still has to adhere to a lot of rules without having a say. In terms of if you listen to what many of the brexiteers are saying, they want to have a unique relationship with the eu and one that is not as close as it currently is. From what we have heard from amber rudd today it suggests britain is looking for a trade relationship. Britain needs a trade relationship with the eu because it is our biggest market. People talk about china, but the eu is britains closest market and it needs a relationship. They will be pushing for a specific, bespoke relationship with the eu. As we said before, there needs to be this discussion about the transition period first and that is the key thing we would need to have direction on once this part of the negotiations are over. Unlikely we will get that before the end of the week. Unlikely we will get that before the end of the week. At least two people have been killed and 70 injured in a rail crash in the us state of South Carolina. A passenger train travelling between new york and miami collided with a Freight Train and derailed. A few moments ago the county sheriff gave journalists this update. We have been on the scene since Early Morning after this collision. Our hearts go out to all the families affected by this collision, this tragedy this morning, especially the two lives that were lost. The response was amazing, it was all hands on deck to get the folks of this train. We received support from multiple cityjurisdictions in the area and all the county Public Safety a nd area and all the county Public Safety and everybody working together. Once the passengers get transported to local hospitals, we are working on reunification and the ntsb which is standard in this type of event have requested the fbi to come in and help document the same. They have requested the restriction tea m they have requested the restriction team be on the scene now starting that process. The sheriff talking about the crash in the early hours this morning. We will be talking to our correspondent in a moment with an important update on what the governor of South Carolina says may have caused the crash. Sinn fein has confirmed that one of its stormont members removed a clamp from the front wheel of his car in belfast. Video footage of gerry kelly taking the clamp off and driving away has been posted on social media. As our correspondent John Campbell explains, mr kellys position as Police Spokesman has been seized on by his opponents. He has been their policing spokesman for quite a long time and used to be a member of the Northern Ireland policing board. He is a senior sinn fein member and was formerly a leader of the ira, but has been committed to politics for more than 20 years. We can see what happened. He had come out of the gym and he found his car was clamped because it was in a restricted area. The footage showed him on the ground, fiddling with the clamp, pulling the chains. There was set of bolt cutters on the ground next to him which would suggest that is what he used to remove the clamp. He was able to pick it up, walk to the back of his car and prop it up against the wall before driving off. Sinn fein have said yes, he did remove this clamp and he headed off to a meeting afterwards. They say this issue is with his solicitors and they will not be making any further comment. They are not commenting on the apparent paradox of somebody who is committed to upholding law and order taking the law into his own hands . No, they have left it, saying it is a matter for his solicitors to deal with. Meanwhile, the matter has been reported to the Police Services of Northern Ireland. The clamping company has reported criminal damage to one of their clamps and mr kelly has been facing criticism from his political rivals. Unionists have been saying nobody should be above the law and one leader is saying mr kelly should consider his position unionist leader is saying mr kelly should consider his position as a public representative. Mps have warned against cutting the number of Royal Marines to save money. Reports have suggested that the government has been considering axing the jobs of up to 2000 marines, as well as the royal navys two Amphibious Assault ships, Daniela Relph has this report. It is a warning to government over the future of the Royal Marines. They are amongst britains elite fighting forces. 6,500 of them, versatile and quick to respond. They also provide up to half the personnel for the uks special forces. The Defence Select Committee report says that further cuts to the marines would damage their ability to be a High Readiness unit and warns plans to end the use of hms albion and hms bulwark, ships from which beach assaults are made, would be military illiterate at this time. Since 2010, our military has been cut by a third in its capability. If this new round of cuts come, it will have been cut by a half. Can you imagine if we had half the number of hospitals . Can you imagine the outcry . Spending on defence has fluctuated over decades, rising when British Forces are involved in a live conflict. But since 2010, the figures show a consistent decrease. Defence is now more complex and sophisticated than ever before. A report by the International Institute for strategic studies suggests britain spends more on defence than any other country in the European Union. But as well as traditional battles, there is now a technological fight that also needs money and resources. We need to define what our security needs to look like. Do we want to be global . Do we want to be outward looking . Post brexit, can we just shrink back to a little homeland and try to protect ourselves . Or do we walk on the front foot and try to deter people from taking a more offensive stance against us . The committees report praises the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review, but again says he will not be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. The ministry of defence says protecting the uk is its priority and stress the Royal Marines play a vital role in defending the country. Daniela relph, bbc news. Lets get more on the train crash in South Carolina. Our correspondent is in washington. We had the News Conference in which the governor, henry mcmaster, had Important Information to convey about the accident. Yes, he did, he said this incident occurred involving a passenger train belonging to the National Rail carrier amtrak which had 139 passengers on board at the time and eight crew. A stationary Freight Train, the passenger train was headed from new york to miami, florida, when this collision occurred. It was about shortly after 2 30am in the morning local time. This was near columbia, which is the capital of South Carolina. The passenger train was travelling at about 59 miles an hour and the two people known to have died were both amtrak employees. 116 people had been taken to hospital, most with fairly minor injuries, some with broken bones. A shelter has been set up broken bones. A shelter has been set up at the scene and red cross is in attendance. He said officials from the National Transportation safety board, the federal authority that looks into these sort of incidents, was on its way to the scene of this crash. The governor did say that it appeared from his analysis, having been to the scene, that the passenger amtrak train was on the wrong track when it hit this Freight Train. In a sense that could give a very simple explanation for this accident, but on the other hand this is the third amtrak collision or durell meant in the space of a month. None of them are connected, but it raises questions about safety on american railways. Yes, and the governor did say that it was time perhaps for a review of perhaps passenger safety on board amtrak trains. You mentioned that incident last month when an amtrak train carrying republican members of Congress Killed one person when it collided with a rubbish truck in virginia. Then in december last year three people were killed when a passenger train derailed in washington state. Amtrak makes the point that it transports 30 million passengers every year or thereabouts, and its Safety Record is pretty good in that regard. But there are those who say that they are averaging about two derailments albeit with minor injuries or no injuries at all. There are watchdog groups who say this is not good enough and we have had that call from the South Carolina governor today for a review of passenger safety on boa rd today for a review of passenger safety on board passenger trains. David willis in washington, thank you very much. The headlines on bbc news the home secretary, amber rudd says the ministers making the decisions about brexit are not divided. At least two people have been killed and Dozens Injured after a collision between two trains in South Carolina. Mps warn that cuts to the Royal Marines would leave britains global interests at serious risk. Sport now and a full round up from the bbc sport centre. It is all go in the six nations. England, have started the defence of their Six Nations Rugby union title. They are facing italy at the stadio olimpoico. Anthony watson scored two of englands tries, but italy are not letting england have it all its own way. England are leading at half time and they are now into the second half. England lead by 20 10. We will keep you up to date on that. Englands women will begin their defence of the 6 National Title when they play italy in just over an hour. France are being investigated after their defeat to ireland yesterday for their use of head injury assesment protocols. Six nations organisers will be looking at two incidents which saw french players forced off the field with knee injuries but both players were also registered as requiring head injury assessments. Antoine duponts departure meant that Maxime Machenaud was allowed to return, which would not have been permitted if the head injury asssessment hadnt been cited. Great britain were defeated 3 1 by spain in their davis cup tie after Cameron Norrie lost in todays first singles match to world number 21 Albert Ramos Vinolas. But it was another excellent effort from norrie, ranked 114 in the world, who on friday, had come back from two sets down to win his match. Joe lynskey reports. The davis cup is where tennis turns trident, it requires a special kind of resilience, but this weekend a new british talent has emerged. Cameron norrie has seized his day in the sun. Before yesterday he had never played beyond three sets, now he was keeping this tie alive. Oh, my goodness. The britain recovered from two breaks down to force a first set tie break. The problem was he placed face a player ranked almost 200 places higher. Spains Albert Ramos Vinolas finished the important points. But in the second set he ran away with it. This was becoming a match to define davis cup drama and Cameron Norrie was summoning barely believable strengths. He has got it how did he win that point . It forced the match toa win that point . It forced the match to a third set tie break, another pressure situation, but these are the moments when experience counts. Albert Ramos Vinolas wins his second tie break of the match. Albert Ramos Vinolas wins his second tiebreak of the match. This time there was no catching him and spain go into the quarterfinals. Britain will not lift the davis cup this year, but this game has been a remarkable story. Not much separated Crystal Palace and newcastle, it finished 1 1. But palace and newcastle, it finished 1 1. But pa la ce m ove and newcastle, it finished 1 1. But palace move up to 14th place and newcastle moved to 16th. Eagles are not known for being placid, but when it comes to taking on these particular magpies, they rarely come out on top. Crystal palace have only beaten newcastle once in the last a0 meetings. They had chances early on to change that, but Christian Benteke has not scored at selhurst park all season. While he could argue that they did well to stop him, palace had no one to blame but themselves for going behind. A simple corner, poorly defended and it was an easy goal. There would have been more goals before half time but for the athleticism in the palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and Christian Bentekes inability to take his chances. While the belgian could not finish, his presence forced newcastle into conceding a penalty. Drawing level saw the eagles dare, but despite their best efforts they could not pull off a victory which would help their bid for premier league survival. Their bid for premier league survival. In the days other premier league fixture, spurs will jump above liverpool into third place if they win at anfield. Liverpool are the only side to have beaten runaway leaders Manchester City this season. That was a cracking a 3 win for liverpool. Jurgen klopp thinks this spurs match could be just as exciting. We think a lot about our strength and we have to think a lot about their strength and it can be a game like it was against city. But after the city game we decided it was really rare, everybody expects too much. From my point of view, do not hesitate, do it again. We are improving from every season but maybe still it is not enough because we are so maybe still it is not enough because we are so far from the gap at the top of the table with my test the city, it is massive. It is difficult to win the premier league, but we are improving. We are stronger me ntally are improving. We are stronger mentally than last season and the previous season. Tonights super bowl sees the new England Patriots face the Philadelphia Eagles in what is expected to be the coldest on record. The game is indoors, but officials are still sending a warning to those attending in minnesota, especially as the tightened security measures could lead to longer waits to get inside. On the field, the patriots are looking for a record equalling sixth super bowl title, which will give their star tom brady more wins than any other player. The eagles have only appeared in the super bowl twice, losing on both occasions. Our coverage starts at 11 15pm with mark chapman and the excellent nfl team, but you will need a lot of snacks to get you through the night. Thats all the sport for now. Ill have more for you in the next hour. An elderly man has died after a fire at a care home at stevenage in hertfordshire, believed to have been caused by an oxygen cylinder explosion. Six other residents were also taken to hospital after the incident at Woodlands View care home, one is said to be in a critical condition. Herefordshire county council says a full investigation will be carried out. Investigators are trying to piece together why there was an explosion and fire at this local home. A Police Cordon surrounds part of the building and the people arriving today have been met by the police. The fire crews were called to reports of an explosion at about how passport in the afternoon yesterday. A1 people were in the affected part of the building and most were able to get out, but some could not. Fire service rescued five people and lead ten others to safety. Seven people we re ten others to safety. Seven people were taken to hospital, and one of them, a man in his 80s, has since died. Another person is in a critical condition. The fire service said it appears an oxygen cylinder was in the room where the fire started and may have played a part in the fire. Today family and friends have been coming to the home obviously concerned to ensure that their loved ones are safe. One visitor, and 91 euros, asked why, how could this happen . Another woman revisiting her mother described being here at the time of the incident, seeing lots of lights, her family and children being distressed. The homes owners have said ina distressed. The homes owners have said in a statement the safety of residents is their number one concern, they have expressed sympathy with the family of the man who died. Our immediate priority remains providing all support possible to everybody connected with the home and affected by yesterdays events. Richard smith, bbc news, steve na g e. The Prime Minister is expected to announce plans to make it an offence under electoral law to intimidate parliamentary candidates and their campaigners. In a speech later this week, mrs may will say recent cases of politicians being abused in the street and online risked toxifying public debate. The german chancellor Angela Merkel is holding talks in what may be her final attempt to form a governing coalition with the centre left social democrats. Four months after its general election germany still has a caretaker government and the country remains in political limbo. Well, a little earlier i spoke to our correspondent Damien Mcguiness is in berlin, who told me that theres a great deal at stake for Angela Merkel. She has already tried once to form a government with the liberals and the green party. Those talks collapsed in november. This now, the potential government with the centre left, the social democrats, is her only chance. If those talks fail, that would seriously undermine her credibility. And the most likely outcome then would be fresh elections. That would lead to a long period of instability here in germany and potentially no new government until the autumn really. And there is no guarantee after all that we wouldnt find ourselves in exactly the same position we are now where a potential chancellor would find it hard to cobble together a coalition. Now, it has to be said there is a caretaker government, there is no sense of crisis here in germany, the economy is doing well. So with this caretaker government in the short term things are ticking along nicely, the economy is booming. But what it does mean is there is no ability for this temporary government to take long term decisions such as reform and particularly when it comes to europe. And so this is of course a problem for the whole of the eu. President macron has been waiting for a long time to push through an ambitious period of reform. If a government is not in place, france cant do that, germany cant support france and that could potentially also have an impact on brexit because a disunited and uncertain europe would also be less inclined or less able to even strike a good deal with britain on brexit. The hollywood Actress Uma Thurman has claimed that the disgraced Film Producer Harvey Weinstein tried to sexually assault her in a london hotel. The star has made detailed accusations in a newspaper interview. Mr weinsteins lawyer said his client was stunned and saddened by what he considered false allegations. It comes as Scotland Yard confirms its looking into two more allegations of Sexual Assault against the producer. Our correspondent, simon jones, has more. She starred in several films produced by the disgraced movie mogul. It was after the success of pulp fiction that uma thurman says she was targeted by Harvey Weinstein. Now shes the latest woman to speak out in an interview with the new york times. Uma thurman claims Harvey Weinstein pushed her down when she met him in his suite here at the savoy hotel in london. She says he tried to expose himself, he did all kinds of unpleasant things. But she said she managed to wriggle away like a lizard. The next day, she says, a bunch of flowers arrived. A spokeswoman for Harvey Weinstein said in a statement. It comes as Scotland Yard say theyve received two further allegations of Sexual Assault, one from a woman who claims Harvey Weinstein assaulted her in westminster in 2011, and another from a woman who says she was targeted in the republic of ireland. That brings the total number of women who have reported the producer to British Police to nine. Officers in new york and los angeles have also begun investigations. He has denied all allegations of non consensual sex. Harvey weinstein was once one of the most powerful men in hollywood, credited with scores of oscar wins, but he has been thrown out of the organisation that runs the oscars and hes now in rehab, a huge fall from grace from which there is likely to be no return. Simon jones, bbc news. The International Olympic Committee President thomas bach has described the decision to overturn the lifetime bans of 28 russian athletes found guilty of doping as extremely disappointing. On thursday, the court of arbitration for sport upheld the athletes appeals, saying there was insufficient evidence they had benefited from a system of state sponsored doping at the 201a winter games, which were held in russia. Speaking at a press conference, mr bach said the ioc will look to overturn the decision. We, unfortunately, do only know about the reasons from the very few sentences in a press release because so far the panel was not able to deliver a reasoned decision which we are eagerly waiting for and we have asked them to speed this procedure up. We have been told that this could be end of february which is an extremely unsatisfactory situation. Darkest hour, a film depicting Winston Churchill during the war, has been nominated for 9 baftas and 6 oscars. The make up team that transformed gary oldman into the Prime Minister are among those hoping to win an academy award. Brennan nicholls has been to meet them. You cannot reason with the tiger when your head is in its mouth. Gary oldmans performance in darkest hour has already earned him many accolades and critical acclaim. Turning him, though, into britains wartime Prime Minister has been hailed as a masterpiece of make up. Gary would come into the bus, we would shave his head, apply the make up, takes just over three hours to apply the make up and the wig, plus including getting into his fat suit and costume, close to four hours for the entire thing. He would then go to set for ten, 12 hours a day filming and we need to be there the whole time to maintain his make up throughout that. He would then have his make up removed which takes an hour. And then, once he goes, lucy and i stay for another hour or two. Gary oldman convinced Kazuhiro Tsuji to come out of retirement to design the churchill make up. He had just been working with david on another movie, it was oldman who asked him to be onset applying it alongside colleague lucy sibbick and its the three of them that have been nominated for the oscar. Extremely proud. The bestjob i have done so far to date and i am just so pleased