Managed to fool hsbcs Voice Recognition Security System, designed to prevent fraud. Good morning, its friday, 19th may. Im annita mcveigh. Welcome to bbc newsroom live. Breaking news this morning. Swedish prosecutors are ending their seven year long investigation into the wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, who has been accused of rape. Mr assange, whos a5, has been living at the Ecuadorian Embassy in london since 2012, claiming asylum to avoid extradition to sweden. Scotla nd Scotland Yard says it is obliged to arrest him for Breaching Bail Conditions if he leaves the embassy. Julian assange has just tweeted this picture. This is in reaction to that means from sweden. That is the first reaction from Julian Assange, though no statement from him as yet. Lets cfoss no statement from him as yet. Lets cross to the Ecuadorian Embassy in london. Our correspondent, Richard Lister, is there. Richard, so, any expectation we might Seejulian Assange leading that embassy any time soon . I would have to say that given the evidence we have at the moment, that is extremely unlikely. Remember this, thatJulian Assange a lwa ys remember this, thatJulian Assange always said he was not afraid to go to sweden to face these accusations of rape. What he has scared off is the fact that it is entirely possible that while he was in sweden, the us authorities could ask for his extradition to face perhaps more persistent charges that he has been involved in the bleating of american secrets from wikileaks. Of course, we know that Chelsea Manning was convicted of that and even though she has just been released, the Justice Department though she has just been released, theJustice Department has made very clear it is very keen to prosecute Julian Assange in regards to the wikileaks postings Julian Assange in regards to the Wikilea Ks Postings of Julian Assange in regards to the wikileaks postings of american secrets. Until Julian Assange wikileaks postings of american secrets. UntilJulian Assange gets the very clear message from the british authorities that they wont arrest him and comply with an Extradition Order, i dont think he is going to be leaving. As you mentioned in the introduction, the metropolitan Police Service year in london have said, yes, there is still an outstanding Arrest Warrant and the fact that he is in breach of his Bail Conditions and while the original charge has gone away, that Arrest Warrant remains in place. The home office is also clear that it does not comment on whether or not it has received Extradition Requests from other countries. So, at the moment, Julian Assange doesnt know whether he has any safer in regard to the possibility of extradition, when he was yesterday. Just be absolutely clear, if julian when he was yesterday. Just be absolutely clear, ifJulian Assange where to decide he would step out of that embassy and be arrested by the met over the allegations that he had breached his Bail Conditions, there isa breached his Bail Conditions, there is a possibility, is there, that he could then be extradited from the uk to the United States . There certainly is. Given all the noises we have heard from the trump presidency, it is quite clear that they regard whatJulian Assange has done with wikileaks as a very grave offence, that they would like to prosecute. Julian assanges lawyers say they have not had a cool conversation with the Department Of Justice about how far along those proceedings are, whether or not there is an indictment for his arrest by the department ofjustice, which would lead to an Extradition Request, so you dont know at this stage whether or not the americans have gone them abroad, but if they have, the home office would be obliged to respond to that Extradition Request, so, the moment, Julian Assange simply does not know whether he is just as likely to be extradited to United States from the uk as he would have been from sweden and secondly, he does know that there is an Arrest Warrant for him outstanding in london. Richard, i must, apologies for interrupting, we need to cross to stockholm, where there is a News Conference about this decision by the swedish prosecutor. My microphone is not entirely in its correct position. The background for the decision is the following. Translation the Stockholm District Court decided to remind Julian Assange in custody in absentia. And he was suspected of rape, Sexual Assault against two separate women. The events took place in august, 2010. With the decision of the court, the european Arrest Warrant that he should be handed over to sweden was revoked. Theres also an. Translation on the 7th of december, Julian Assange turned himself the police. The question of his transfer to sweden was examined by the city of Westminster Magistrates Court in london. The court decided on the 24th of february, that in 2011, Julian Assange should be transitioned to sweden in accordance with requests made. Julian assange appealed and the transfer was then examined by the high court in london. He appealed to the Supreme Court, which on the 14th ofjune, 2012, finally confirmed the decision that he was to be turned over. Julian assange then, almost five years ago, took refuge in the embassy of ecuador in london, where he is still located. That is, he has evaded all attempts by swedish and british authorities to execute the Court Decision concerning his transport to sweden in accordance with eu rules regarding a european Arrest Warrant. My assessment is that the transfer cannot be executed in the foreseeable future. The decision to remind Julian Assange in custody in absentia has been examined repeatedly by swedish courts since 2010. The Supreme Court pronounced in may, 2015, that a continued remand order was proportional, despite the long period of time that had elapsed since the Public Interest in investigation be able to continue weighed heavily and since there was an obvious risk the Julian Assange would evade the application if the remand order was lifted. The question of continued remand in custody was most recently examined by the Court Of Appeal in 2016 and the remand order was confirmed. In the beginning of 2015, we initiated a process concerning obtaining an interview with Julian Assange at the embassy in london. This resulted eventually in sweden and ecuador, at the end of 2015, concluding a Bilateral Agreement regarding Legal Assistance. Based on this agreement, we request it in march 2016, once again, to be permitted to hold an interview with Julian Assange at Ecuadors Embassy in london. Six months later, in september, 2016, ecuadors informed us they we re 2016, ecuadors informed us they were granting Legal Assistance with certain qualifications. An ecuadorian prosecutor conducted an interview with Julian Assange, 1415 an interview with Julian Assange, 14 15 november, 2016, in london. The swedish prosecutor and Police Officer were given the opportunity to be present and listen but had no active participation in the interview. An account of the interview arrived in sweden on fourth january, 2017, and we received translation to swedish in different parts during the period of time from 15 20 march. The interview in london did lead to further investigatory measures being conducted during the spring. There are now 110 conducted during the spring. There are now no further measures remaining water possible to take in order to advance the investigation. In orderto order to advance the investigation. In order to proceed, it would be necessary forjulian in order to proceed, it would be necessary for Julian Assange in order to proceed, it would be necessary forJulian Assange to the formerly served notice of the crimes of which he had suspected. Formally served notice. This was a measure which was to have been conducted during the interview in london but which Julian Assange refused to make possible. We cannot be expected to receive assistance from ecuador in a renewed attempt. In consideration of the fact that all possibilities to advance the investigation have now been exhausted, it appears, with the background of the points of reference, that the Supreme Court gave in 2015, the assessment of proportionality in a remand order in absentia, should be no longer proportional to maintain the decision for reminding Julian Assange to custody in absentia and to maintain the european Arrest Warrant. In consideration of this and of the fa ct in consideration of this and of the fact that they Legal Proceedings would require Julian Assanges personal presence in this court, there is therefore no reason to continue the preliminary investigation. A preliminary investigation. A preliminary investigation is therefore closed. Ifjulian if Julian Assange were ifJulian Assange were to return to sweden before the statute of limitations for the Crime Elapses in august, 2020, the preliminary investigation could, however, the reopened. Thank you. Questions . Please, ask one question at a time. Studio you are watching a News Conference from the Chief Prosecutor in sweden, who has said all possibilities to advance the investigation into julian possibilities to advance the investigation intoJulian Assange and the allegations of Sexual Assault against him have now been exhausted. It would be no longer possible to continue with a remand order because he is absent from sweden. Any Legal Proceedings could only move forward if he was in the country and the prosecutor is saying that if he returns to sweden before the statute of limitations expires in 2020, that the preliminary investigation could be reopened. Lets listen back to these questions. Translation once the investigation has concluded, the suspect. These measures are preconditioned. So, therefore, if these measures are not contacted, there will be no charge for someone in absentia. Next question . Studio swedens Chief Prosecutor reiterating that line from a few moments ago that all possibilities to advance the investigation into the allegations of Sexual Assault againstJulian Assange the allegations of Sexual Assault against Julian Assange have the allegations of Sexual Assault againstJulian Assange have now been exhausted. She had been speaking about the Supreme Court, the swedish Supreme Court remand order that had been upheld for a number of years because of Public Interest but said that it was no longer possible to continue with that remand order in absentia because julian continue with that remand order in absentia becauseJulian Assange is of course still in the Ecuadorian Embassy in the uk. She said, if he returns to sweden before the statute of limitations on this investigation expires in 2020, the investigation could be reopened. She speaks swedish translation when we received permission from ecuador for the interview, this was in accordance with ecuadors legislation and in this case, the condition for this was voluntary occupation byJulian Assange and the interview was conducted by an official. Studio that bilingual News Conference in stockholm continues but we have heard the key point, and the Chief Prosecutor, wanted to make, about the decision to discontinue this preliminary investigation into julian discontinue this preliminary investigation intoJulian Assange and those allegations of Sexual Assault that he was wanted for questioning over in sweden. We have had some reaction from the Metropolitan Police, who have given the bbc a statement. It says, whilst mr assault was wanted on a european Arrest Warrant. Mr assange. And that relates to his failure to comply with Bail Conditions. Joining me on the line is peter tatchell, a long term supporter ofJulian Assange. Thank you for talking to us today. Where are you surprised after all this time to hear this news from sweden . It is extraordinary it has taken seven years to come to this conclusion. Lets not forget that Julian Assange, way back in 2010, had offered to make himself available to the swedish prosecutors to be interviewed in london and they took six years to get around to doing it. So, it is good news from julians Point Of View, of course, im not in a position to say whether the allegations against him where true or not, he always denied them, he was never charged with any sexual offence, this was only at the level offence, this was only at the level of allegations all the time, so it isa of allegations all the time, so it is a relief that they have now been no longer pursued but it is not entirely satisfactory because the swedish prosecutors are saying the case could be reopened if he, at any point, returns to sweden. So, its not exactly a total erasure of the case but for the moment, it is closed. Many people would judge that asa closed. Many people would judge that as a reasonable assessment or a reasonable thing for the swedish prosecutors to say because obviously, their wish was that mr assange would travel to sweden to face those allegations for questioning. That is true but surely one would have thought that if there was substance and a serious chance ofa was substance and a serious chance of a successful prosecution, that the swedish prosecutor would have initiated charges and produced formal charges forJulian Assange long ago but they have not and that does lead to serious doubts about the allegations and their credibility on the possibility of securing a successful conviction. We dont suggest the evidence against mr assange is not very strong. As you probably heard, the Metropolitan Police saying that should Julian Assange leave the Ecuadorian Embassy, they would be obliged to execute an Arrest Warrant, in relation to him failing to surrender to Westminster Magistrates on a date injune, to Westminster Magistrates on a date in june, 2012. To Westminster Magistrates on a date injune, 2012. Do you think it would be advisable for him to step out that door and face that particular music, if you like . I think he has to consult with his Legal Advisers and certainly began some dialogue with the Metropolitan Police and if necessary , with the Metropolitan Police and if necessary, the Attorney General or appropriate legal authorities here in britain. But much more substantive, the risk of if he steps outside the embassy, he could face extradition to the United States. Which brings me to my next question, do you think the potential situation facing him there now, under the trumpet ministration, is, from his perspective much more dangerous than it was previously . Under the trump administration. We believe a secret grand jury has been in panelled and there have been documents confirming the existence of this, plus only a couple of weeks ago, the Attorney General said that arresting Julian Assange was a priority. So, he certainly is in danger of extradition to the United States and i have to say, this is a very dangerous move because lets not forget that wikileaks and Julian Assange did not leak anything, they published leaked documents. So, they have the status of a publisher and if the Us Government goes after wikileaks as if the Us Government goes after wikilea ks as publishers, if the Us Government goes after wikileaks as publishers, they could also go after the new york times, the guardian, other newspapers, so, its an issue about the right to publish information in the Public Interest and wikilea ks publish information in the Public Interest and wikileaks did expose us war crimes, other abuses and i think that was undoubtedly in the Public Interest. And that particular point is another discussion in and of itself but briefly, for all his supporters, there are many others who are frustrated by the fact he has taken the decision to stay in that embassy at considerable cost to the taxpayer, of course, do you understand that frustration . Many people who hope him now will take the decision to leave the embassy . Well, that of course is a matter for him and you have to put yourself in his position, what would you do . Would you willingly walked out of embassy, where you may stand the chance of an Extradition Order to go to the United States and spend 50 yea rs to the United States and spend 50 years in prison . I think most of us would not. So, thats the dilemma Julian Assange faces. Ok, peter tatchell, thank you for your thoughts this morning on those developments in the case ofJulian Assange. There you have that image from outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in central london, our correspondent, Richard Lister is there. And of course, the big question is whether, as a result of what has happened today, Julian Assange will step outside that embassy for the first time in many yea rs . Embassy for the first time in many years . But clearly, from his perspective, there is the possibility that he will be arrested by the Metropolitan Police. There is indeed, he is weighing up his options from behind the net curtains which have just been obscured by this vehicle, it is a busy corner. He is in that embassy and has been for almost five years, it wasjune, 2012, when he first took the decision to seek asylum with ecuador, by coming to the embassy. I think his reflection today will be that one legal hurdle has gone away, at least for now, clearly, he is unlikely to go to sweden at any time soon, at which point the prosecutor may clear that investigation could reopen but the bigger question for him at the moment is whether it is safe to leave the embassy. And i think the answer has to be that it is not. He knows he could be arrested by the Metropolitan Police, they have made that clear, that there is an outstanding Arrest Warrant in his name, because of his breach of Bail Conditions. They also said in their statement that is a much lesser offence than the offence he was being considered for in sweden. It is something we would still be obliged to prosecute. He knows he could be arrested by the British Police and if he is in custody, he could then be transferred to the United States, if there is an Extradition Order in place. And the home office made clear they do not routinely comment on those kinds of Extradition Orders u nless on those kinds of Extradition Orders unless the person who is subject to it is arrested. So, we will not know whether there is an Extradition Order in place. What we do know is that the department ofjustice in the United States has said clearly that he would like to step up the investigation into julian that he would like to step up the investigation intoJulian Assange and it would like to prosecute him. And President Trump has said he would back the department ofjustice in those conclusions. So, i think we have to conclude that in all likelihood, Julian Assange is no safer from extradition to the United States today than he was yesterday. 0k, states today than he was yesterday. Ok, richard, thank you for that. Lets quickly show you the picture thatjulian lets quickly show you the picture that Julian Assange after the lets quickly show you the picture thatJulian Assange after the news thatJulian Assange after the news that swedish prosecutors decided to discontinue the preliminary investigation into the allegations of Sexual Assault. We understand this is a picture from several years ago but clearly one of a very happy looking Julian Assange to reflect his mood this morning on that news from sweden. Much more on this developing story throughout the day. Right now lets look at the weather forecast. Some of us have some sunshine this morning but it was very wet across southern and eastern parts of the country. For most of us we will see some sunshine, some showers developing and chewing the afternoon some of those could be heavy and thundery. In the South West Of England and in wales, most of those. Rain across the North East Of England moving and Eastern Scotland, feeling chilly on the north sea coast. Elsewhere, temperatures around the mid teens. For most parts overnight tonight it will be dry, apart from scotland. Quite chilly in the countryside across england and wales. The weekend, wet across much of scotland, breaking up into showers in the afternoon. Elsewhere, a mixture of sunny spells and showers. Some of those on the heavy side with some thunder. This is bbc newsroom live. The headlines. Swedish prosecutors have decided to drop the Rape Investigation into the wikileaks founderJulian Assange. Mr assange has always denied the allegations against him. Scotland yard says that it is still obliged to arrest him if he leaves the Ecuadoran Embassy where he has lived since 2012. The shadow chancellorJohn Mcdonnell has slammed the conservatives over their lack of costing in their manifesto released yesterday. He went to criticise the tories over their proposals for changes to the winter fuel benefit. American war planes operating over syria have attacked a Convoy Carrying Pro Government militia forces. A us defence official said the convey had ignored previous warnings and was getting too close to coalition forces. And the security of hsbcs voice based Software Designed after three years in prison rolf harris has been released. He is currently on sir Dominic Trial For Indecent Assault in the 1970s and 80s. He denies all the charges. He is currently on trial. Our Election Coverage has moved. Please keep your questions coming in for Health Editor. A little extra time to get those questions in to us. Right now it is time for sport. The Football Season is almost over which means that we are getting closer to finding out whats going to happen to Arsene Wenger at arsenal. Hes been sending out some mixed messages over the past few months. The gunners are likely to miss out on a top four finish for the first time in his 20 years at the club and his contract runs out after the fa cup final, thats when a Board Meeting is likely to discuss the managers position. Their final game of the season is at home against everton so could that be his last match at the emirates. 0f of the season . Yes. I cannot tell you. I think what is most important for us is to win the Football Game on sunday. After that, what happens to me is less important. I am here to me is less important. I am here to serve the club and the best way to serve the club and the best way to do it is to win the next game. Harry kane looks set to win the premier League Golden boot again. The spurs striker scored 25 last season and he is up to 26 after hitting 4 against leicester last night. They won 6 1 at the king power stadium. Heung min son scored the other 2. Kane is 2 goals clear of evertons romelu lukaku, with just one game to play. Its kanes fourth hat trick of the season but the first time hes scored four in a game. It also equals the clubs biggest away win in the top division. Delighted to get four goals, first time in my professional career. A good moment to do that as well. A bit of build up about the golden boot race so it is an amazing feeling. The line up for the three Play Off Finals at wembley is complete. There were two very dramatic semi final in league 2 last night. Blackpool were in the Premier League 6 years ago. And their tie against luton was heading for extra time at Kenilworth Road until this happened in injury time. It went down as an own goal from the Hatter Goalie stuart moore own goal. So blackpool are heading to wembley after winning 6 5 on aggregate that was the same score over two leags between exeter and carlisle. Thr cumbrians had leveleed the tie in the 90th minute at St James Park but jack stacey got the exeter winner. So they head to wembley. To face blackpool on the 28th may for a place in League One Celtic are still unbeaten in the Scottish Premiership with one game to play 1898 was the last time they went through a whole League Season without defeat but they only played 18 matches back then, last nights 5 nil victory at Partick Thistle was their 33rd win in 37. That saw them equal their Record Points tally as well, they are up to 103, 30 points clear of second placed aberdeen, theyve got hearts On The Last Day of the season this Sunday British rider Geraint Thomas has pulled out of the giro ditalia he was involved in a nasty crash on sunday. Hed actually been in second Place Overall going into that stage but he injured his shoulder and knee and he says that carrying on would be a case of trying to survive each day rather than racing. The World Anti Doping Agency could lift its suspension of russias Drug Testing Authority next month which would see the country take another step towards being reinstated in international competition. Wada also say that Yelena Isinbayeva will be removed from a key anti doping position in russia. She has been strong critic of the sanctions imposed on russia following the revelations of systematic state sponsored cheating. The Double Olympic Pole Vault Champion was one of the athletes barred from taking part in last years rio olympics. Thats all sport for now. David davis has said the conservative election ploy is to bring net migration down to the Tens Of Thousands as a major Policy Imperative. It follows comments from the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon who said the conservatives havent worked out the cost to the economy of their Manifesto Pledge to bring net migration down to Tens Of Thousands. We have made it clear we accept there is a cost and we want to make sure British Companies do contribute to the training of british workers when they want to fill that post. We have set out the detail. Sorry to interrupt, we havent much time. How much is it going to cost the exchequer to get Immigration Down by two thirds from its current level . We havent set out a formulation. We havent set out a formulation of how much it will reduce by each year. What we have set out is our ambition to bear down on immigration. Sorry, it is a policy to get Immigration Down by Tens Of Thousands . It is our ambition. Is it a policy, im so sorry, is it not a policy . Its an ambition, weve had it in previous manifestos. Hang on. What is the difference between an ambition and a policy . Youve had it in previous manifestos and palpably not delivered i had i had assumed by repeating it there was a meaning to it this time. It is our aim to continue to bear down on immigration. For the first time this is going to become easier as we leave the european union, there will be no further entitlement to freedom of movement. At the moment it is unlimited. Anyone in bulgaria or lithuania can up sticks and come here. We are nowhere near it, even if we disregarded all the eu immigrants you are nowhere near it. So, it is something we can expect you to deliver . It is an aim and you are going to deliver it, correct . It is an aim and we intend to continue to aim to reduce the level of immigration as we have set out. But he said it was a pledge and although they were not setting a timetable it would happen as expeditiously as possible. Timetable it would happen as expeditiously as possiblem encourages businesses to employ british skilled workers, all those things will be done in a sensible and manageable way. Thats not really a pledge, it leaves an awful lot of wriggle room. You say this is something you want to do in future. It is. We are writing a major Policy Imperative which we will do in a way that will deliver the best for british society. Lets go to westminster. There is the issue of costing on the net migration and whether it is a name and ambition area whether it is a name and ambition are a major Policy Imperative. The net migration issue is causing concern was to get rather tangled. It appears to be the case. There are two problems. The costings and the figures themselves. Theresa may put this back into the manifesto, some would say for political reasons, to attract ukip voters. Theresa may was hugely sceptical of this as Home Secretary when it was stated before. The last time the figure of Tens Of Thousands was reached was in 1997, in the days of tony blair, incidentally. David cameron also didnt call it a target, because he was in coalition with the Liberal Democrats and they said it was not official Government Policy because they did not sign up to it. But now it is official Government Policy. The wording in the manifesto is clear, they will deliver it. But there is no timetable and has been described in different ways by people on the front bench. But david davis has been spending time telling businesses that migration wouldnt be controlled in a way that undermined their viability or profits. In other words that even when it comes to unskilled labour it might be perfectly possible to keep those numbers up in the short term and it would look as though it would happen during any transitional deal done post brexit. Of course that has led to political opponents saying it is cynical and undeliverable. But the conservatives Point Of View, the said products is better to aim for it. Immigration if it is too high it is difficult to build a cohesive society, labour are putting no figures on it at all and the lib dems are saying free movement. The statistics, we heard Michael Fallon asked about this, net migration from outside the eu where we already have controls, is above 160,000, so even that exceeds the target aim or ambition of 100000 and that is why i think some people are treating what is in the manifesto with some scepticism. Lets listen to John Mcdonnell talking about this. We have had a manifesto published yesterday, completely uncosted, 60 pledges with no costing at all. In the Labour Party Manifesto we published our costings alongside our manifesto and we are open to discussion and debate around those costings. What we saw yesterday, uncosted manifesto, 60 pledges and the Immigration Pledge has been in two conservative manifestos for the la st two two conservative manifestos for the last two elections and it has not been met. When it was put to Michael Fallon been met. When it was put to Michael Fa Llo N La St been met. When it was put to Michael Fallon Last Night It last night he fell apart unable to put a terms to it. Our Immigration Policy will be managed and fair but based upon the needs of this country. We will not undermine our economy on the basis of setting unrealistic targets in the way the conservative party has. John mcdonnell saying that this is uncosted. He also emphasised what he sees as a wedge issue, a divisive issue dream the conservatives and labour, on the Means Testing of the winter Fuel Allowance. John mcdonnell was very critical and said people will not be putting their heating on. Labour is opposing it. The conservative leader of Southend Council has been just as critical. He said it is completely wrong. We are telling people to renew heating off and you will die. So criticism off and you will die. So criticism of theresa mays policy from some conservatives. John mcdonnell was looking chipper after having so much scrutiny of his own policies earlier in the week. And with the winter Fuel Allowance you might be able to start attaching some of the older voters from the conservative banner. The South Of England is a conservative stronghold at this election, widely seen as prosperous and protected by Senior Ministers whose constituencies are in the region. But in areas with a high cost of living there are fears about the impact of cuts on those who rely on local services. Along the south coast there was also a strong leave vote. So could we see surprises . Peter henleyjoins us now from the isle of wight. This island has 110,000 voters. It isa this island has 110,000 voters. It is a beautiful place. Parts of it have traditional industry gone and fuel derelict. Things have gone in unpredictable directions. For a small place, there are some big contrasts on the isle of wight. Expensive yachts in the harbour, picture postcard villages, and a laid back lifestyle. But on an island, local issues, even the state of the roads, are what gets people talking. A lot is down to local situations and issues. You will find you get people voting for local causes, schools, education, things that matter to them. Some of the problems are hidden. The Citizens Advice Centre has seen a Record Number of people getting into debt and using food banks. Job security isnt that good. And a lot of work is seasonal. We are making sure people get their rights, people arent getting holiday pay, not getting sick pay when they are entitled. Cutbacks to the local Council Budgets means they are less able to support an ageing population. They are increasingly seeing greater numbers of people who are struggling, really struggling to either Access Services or who have enough money to live. That little strip of water separating the island from the mainland also brings a streak of defiance. 62 voted to leave referendum. Fisherman Pete Williams says he is being hammered by eu quotas. We didnt have a lot of options. Brexit was the only way we would get Something Better, it cant be worse. Will you get Something Better from theresa may . She has a difficultjob but she possibly is the right person, she has taken hold of a difficultjob and she is getting on with it. The island is a microcosm of a divided country. And at the Model Village there are people yearning for some Old Fashioned certainty in turbulent political times. You have to feel confident about your leader. If you dont, it doesnt matter what they offer in their manifesto, if you dont believe in them you wont vote for them. The younger ones didnt bother to vote. And come the result, it didnt go the way they wanted, come on, have another vote. Is that their lookout . That is their tough luck. People say you step back in time when you visit the isle of wight. With Grammar Schools now on the political agenda and rail nationalisation, perhaps the Political Parties are catching up on what the public wants. Combine that feeling of disconnection with real economic pressures and at this political crossroads, you cant completely count on anywhere. The contest is between conservatives who are fielding and you can. A new candidate. The other factor is ukip. The otherfactor is ukip. A big leave fault here. But that in some way stemmed from Island Stubbornness and whether they will falling behind the conservative candidate is not entirely clear at the moment. The candidates standing are. Nick belfitt Liberal Democrats, Julian Critchley labour, Julie Jones Evans independent, vix lowthion green party, daryll pitcher ukip, bob seely conservative. In a moment, a summary of the Business News this hour, but first the headlines on bbc newsroom live. Prosecutors in sweden have dropped their seven year investigation into rape allegations against the wikileaks founder, Julian Assange. John mcdonnell has accused theresa may of abandoning all the people saying cutting Winter Fuel Payments asa saying cutting Winter Fuel Payments as a savage attack on pensioners. Us warplanes operating over syria have attacked a Convoy Carrying Pro Government militia forces. The Us Led Coalition said the convoy was moving towards a base used by british and American Forces near the border with iraq. In the Business News. Online Takeaway Ordering firm just eat is to face a full investigation into its takeover of Rival Hungryhouse amid concerns the deal could curb competition. The Competition And Markets Authority said the two firms are close competitors because of the service they offer and their reach across the uk. The Watchdog Fears that the merger, worth up to £2110 million, could lead to worse terms for restaurants using the service. London city airport is to become the first in britain to abandon its air Traffic Control tower and use Digital Technology to monitor planes remotely. From 2019, aircraft will be directed from hampshire, by controllers watching live footage from High Definition video cameras. They will be able to zoom in for detail, light up the runway at night and even follow rogue drones straying into dangerous areas. Ah, what a nice day for doing nothing. Daddy pig loves doing nothing. Oh, goodness me. The exploits of daddy pig, peppa, george and friends have earned series owners Entertainment One £161 million in Product Sales alone last year. The canadian firm, which is listed in the uk, also said there would be another 177 episodes of peppa pig, which is a hit with pre schoolers world wide. It comes a day after Entertainment One announced a tie up with the firm behind oscar winning firm the revenant to make original movies for grownups. The pound has faced a volatile week of trading but overall confidence among uk exporters remains pretty strong. Thats according to the british chambers of commerce. Its published its latest Quarterly International trade outlook today which shows that the number of businesses reporting improved export sales increased in the First Quarter of 2017. Businesses in both manufacturing and services are also more confident that their turnover and profitability would increase in the coming 12 months. For more on this, we can now talk to adam marshall, who is the Director General of the british chambers of commerce. So is it the lower pound thats pushing confidence among exporters up . It is certainly part of it. Particularly for those firms who source the Product Components or who source components or other Services Based in the uk. Lots of them are saying to us that the currency has helped. What takeaways are there from business about their ma nifestos are there from business about their manifestos this week, particularly the conservatives pledge to reduce immigration . I think we saw number of things positive for businesses, for example, trying to do things on Business Rates or helping firms recruit apprentices but when all of the Manifestos Censoring send certain signals, for example that we may face more regulation, businesses could be concerned. Your survey was done before these Manifesto Pledges came out. Do you think they would alter business and exporters confidence . The interesting thing i see visiting businesses around the uk as see visiting businesses around the ukasa see visiting businesses around the uk as a lot of them are trying to screen out the noise of politics. A lot of them are saying they need to focus on the fundamentals of their business and where they can make money and if they get too distracted by what is going on in politics they will fail their business. I think we are seeing in this Survey Evidence of firms looking at the fundamentals, chang to find new overseas markets, trying to get out confidently and sell their products. Thats all the Business News. The headlines are coming up on the bbc news channel. In a moment, we say goodbye to viewers on bbc two. First we leave you with a look at the weather. We have had some sunshine this morning across many parts of the uk. Also some showers developing. This is the scene just recently in kilmarnock. You can see the Lovely Fluffy Cumulus Clouds but it has not been like that everywhere. This Rain Yesterday is still with us in the midlands and North Eastern parts of england. This is the picture in hertfordshire. The rain will continue across eastern areas. It is associated with this low area, breezy conditions at the coast, cooler than recent days. Shower clouds building up elsewhere and showers moving in, and they could turn heavier, so cant rule out some thunder in south west england, central southern england, wales during this afternoon, but sunny spells between those showers. Largely dry in North West England but wet weather across the pennines, and pretty cool. Showers expected in Northern Ireland and will be some showers and western parts of scotla nd showers and western parts of scotland but in Eastern Scotland it will get cloudier and wetter through this afternoon. This evening, the rain spreads into much of scotland, but elsewhere with some clear spells it could turn chilly in the countryside in england and wales. That sets us up for the start of the weekend. To summarise, sunny spells, a few showers, hopefully by sunday age should be a little bit drier. Saturday, showers from the start across wales, south west england, becoming extensive across england and wales in the afternoon. Some of those could be heavy and potentially thundery. Scotland quite wet throughout saturday. Temperatures around the mid to high teens. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine between showers. Sunday, High Pressure is building up from the south east, settling things down but this warm front will move into Northern Ireland and scotland, bringing cloudy skies and outbreaks of rain throughout the day. For most of rain throughout the day. For most of us on sunday, a dry day. Temperatures roundabout mid to high teens. Potentially up to 20 celsius. More details on the website. This is bbc news and these are the top stories developing at midday swedish prosecutors drop an investigation into an allegation of rape against the wikileaks founder, Julian Assange. Translation today i have decided to revoke the remanding in custody, in his absence, ofJulian Assange, and to revoke the european Arrest Warrant. This is the scene live outside the Ecuadorian Embassy in london, whereJulian Assange has been living since 2012. Police say he will still be arrested should he leave the embassy. John mcdonnell has accused theresa may of abandoning older people, saying Means Testing Winter Fuel Payments is a savage attack on vulnerable pensioners. Russia say an attack in syria by us warplanes on a Convoy Carrying Pro Government militia forces, is unacceptable. Also this hour the first airport in the uk to get remote air Traffic Control. London city airport will remove its air Traffic Control tower, and monitor planes through digital cameras from 80 miles away in hampshire. And. A bbc reporter and his twin have managed to fool hsbcs Voice Recognition Security System which is designed to prevent fraud. Good afternoon, its friday, 19th may. Im annita mcveigh. Welcome to bbc newsroom live. Swedish prosecutors are ending their seven year long investigation into the wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, who has been accused of rape. Mr assange, whos a5, has been living at the Ecuadorian Embassy in london since 2012, claiming asylum to avoid extradition to sweden. Scotland yard says its obliged to arrest him for breaching his Bail Conditions if he leaves the embassy. The swedish prosecutor in charge of the case announced the decision at a News Conference in stockholm. Translation today, i have decided to revoke the remanding in custody in his absence ofJulian Assange and to revoke the european Arrest Warrant that he should be handed over to the swedish authorities. I have further decided to close the preliminary investigation against Julian Assange for rape and Sexual Assault. The Stockholm District Court on the 18th of november, 2010, decided to remand Julian Assange in custody in absentia. And he was suspected of rape, Sexual Assault, against two separate women. The event took place in august, 2010. With the decision of the court, the european Arrest Warrant that he should be handed over to sweden was revoked. There is also an International Search warrant out because it was unknown as to where his whereabouts were. It is my assessment that this transfer cannot be made within a reasonable time frame. That was swedens Chief Prosecutor speaking in the last hour. The met police have given the bbc a statement. It says whilst mr assange was wanted on a european Arrest Warrant for an extremely serious offence, the mps response reflected the serious nature of that crime. Our correspondent, Richard Lister, is at the Ecuadorian Embassy in central london. So, as faras so, as far as julian so, as far asJulian Assange is concerned, welcomed news from sweden but he still faces, as we have heard, arrest, should you step out that door. Will he . Yes, Julian Assange tweeted an old picture of himself looking happy, in response to the announcement from sweden but i think it is fair to say it does not materially change very much for him. His lawyers have always said he will not leave this embassy without assurances that he wont be extradited to the United States. Well, as far as we know, he has not received those assurances, the home office went comment about whether or not there is an Extradition Request in place and of course, if there was an Extradition Request in place, they would be obliged to fulfil it under the agreement with the United States, just as the swedish authorities would also have to consider it, had he been sent to sweden. Materially, his position has not changed. He knows there is still a threat he could be extradited to the United States, the Department Of Justice has made very clear they would like to prosecuteJulian Assange and so, i think, for now, this is where he will stay. And his stay there has of course been extremely controversial and costly. Yes, it has and in fact, just this week, the Ecuadorian Embassy sent a rather stiff letter to the swedish authorities, accusing them more or less of dragging their feet over the prosecution, demanding a resolution of it, theyre clearly not happy, there has been a change in the presidency in ecuador and it is not entirely clear what the new president they are things about the situation here although he has not stood in the way of keeping Julian Assange but i think it is clear, the Ecuadorian Embassy would like to get rid of him. And certainly, Julian Assanges lawyers have made clear that given he was granted asylum by ecuador, he would like to be on a plane to ecuador to be able to live there from now on. He does not want to be cooped up in the embassy either. This is a situation that nobody likes but everybody would like to see resolved differently. Thank you. Thank you forjoining us this afternoon. What are the options for Julian Assange if he decides to leave the Ecuadorian Embassy . Does he have any options . leave the Ecuadorian Embassy . Does he have any options . I have read the metropolitan Police Statement which is hedged with caveats as to whether they will arrest him or not, he has committed an offence and he has committed an offence and he has committed an offence and he has committed a criminal offence because he failed to show up in court but given the predicate that has now fallen away because sweden has revoked the european Arrest Warrant, it is possible the Metropolitan Police, together with the crown prosecution service, will ask the court to revoke the domestic warrant of arrest and then the matter will come to an end the course rectify this and Julian Assange is free to go about his business. So, not to minimise the seriousness, that would be dealt with potentially relatively easily. The more complex matterfrom mr assanges Point Of View is whether the Metropolitan Police would then hold him while Extradition Proceedings to United States were started. The Metropolitan Police have no power to hold anybody unless there is an Arrest Warrant in existence or somebody commits a domestic offence, which mr assange has not. If there isa which mr assange has not. If there is a provisional warrant existence, issued at the request of the United States, he could be arrested on that, if that is in existence. But other than that, he is free to go about his business, he cannot be held in some sort of preventative detention while the United States decides whether or not to seek his extradition. But it is worth pointing out that throughout all of this, there have not been any indication from the United States that it will seek extradition, that is not to say that it wont, but just to emphasise that. If he was to be the embassy and deal with the issues the Metropolitan Police want to speak to him about, thered be nothing and potentially to stop from leaving the uk and going to a country where perhaps there is an Extradition Warrant or extradition agreement, i should say, with the usa . Quite right. If you leave the embassy does not arrested, he is able to travel, subject immigration law, to wherever he wants. Presumably not to sweden. They have said if he was to turn up their before 2020, they would reopen the preliminary investigation into him. Youll might guess, i think that is a safe bet he wont be going to sweden. I saw a lawyer saying earlier about ecuador but i think we can rule out sweden in the United States. Breaking news, were hearing from Northumbria Police that the former Newcastle United coach, george ormond, who is 61, has been charged with 29 Sexual Offences, alleged to have been committed between 1973 and 1998. Former Newcastle United coach, george ormond, charged with 29 Sexual Offences, alleged to have been committed between 1973 and 1998. And this is part of the wider investigation into allegations of the abuse of children within football, that is being carried out bya football, that is being carried out by a large number of Police Forces around the uk. More on this as we get it. Russias Deputy Foreign minister has reportedly condemned the attack by us warplanes on pro government forces, the us called the air strike a defensive move, Defence Secretary james mattis insisted the latest attack did not mean washington was increasing its involvement in syria. Last month, the americans fired 59 Cruise Missiles at a Syrian Government airbase. Our reporter has been following the story for us. The strike happened at at tanf, Syrian Forces loyal to the regime, we understand there may be a militia group, advanced than 20 commissions on close to a base in that area that us and British Special forces have been using to train troops in the fight against the so called Islamic State, the Coalition Says there were warning shots fired, that planes also warned the convoy not to advance any further but they continued to do so. The coalition also said that russian commanders tried to dissuade the troops from advancing. When none of those avenues work, the strike happened, we understand a tank was destroyed, also some bulldozers, the American Defence secretary, jim matters, has said, this does not mark an increase in the american involvement on the ground against the Syrian Forces but it does show the us will defend themselves. On the part of the Syrian Government, syrian state tv is saying and quoting military sources saying this was aggression, a brazen attack on Syrian Government forces and it doesnt do anything to help in fight against so called Islamic State in the country. Lets look at some of todays other developing stories former entertainer rolf harris has been released on Bailfrom Staffordshi Re been released on bailfrom staffordshire prison. The 87 year old was convicted and sentenced in 2014 and are still on trial at Southwark Crown court accused of indecently assaulting three key age is between 1971 and 1983. He denies all the charges against him. Three teenagers. A man who drove a car along pavements in new yorks times square, killing a teenager and injuring 22 people, said he had heard voices, according to security sources. Richard rojas, a Us Navy Veteran who was arrested previously for drink driving, is now in custody. New york mayor Bill De Blasio says theres no indication it was terrorism. A 24 year old man will appear before Manchester Magistrates today charged with six counts of raping a child under 13. Osman ali is accused of raping a child in rochdale, following an investigation by the multi agency Rochdale Sunrise Team into child sexual exploitation. The shadow chancellorJohn Mcdonnell and the shadow women and equalities minister, Sarah Champion have been giving their response to the conservative manifesto and attacking their plans for pensioners and working people. Mr mcdonnell accused to reason of abandoning older people. Mr mcdonnell accused to reason of abandoning older peoplelj mr mcdonnell accused to reason of abandoning older people. Ijust want to mention issue around the winter Fuel Allowance because, to be frank, iam angry. Fuel allowance because, to be frank, i am angry. I am one of those people who campaigned against fuel poverty for a number of years and welcomed the introduction of the Winter Fuel Allowa Nce. The introduction of the winter Fuel Allowance. There are 1 the introduction of the winter Fuel Allowance. There are1 million pensioners and more are living in fuel poverty. 30,000 excess deaths a yearin fuel poverty. 30,000 excess deaths a year in winter in this country. It looks as though, the Resolution Foundation has said, a means test could hate all those not on pension credit, 10 million people. We also know that a third, because its a means know that a third, because its a m ea ns tested know that a third, because its a means tested benefit, one third do not clean. This is a savage attack on vulnerable pensioners, particularly those who are just about managing. It is disgraceful. And we are calling upon the conservative party now to withdraw it today. To withdraw it today. We will not stand by and allow our pensioners winterfuel will not stand by and allow our pensioners winter Fuel Allowance to be cut in this way and for so many to back any situation where they have to choose whether they heat or eat. Lets talk to our political correspondent, ian watson. Brexit secretary, david davis, has dismissed those reports that up to 10 million pensioners might close the winter Fuel Allowance. He says thatis the winter Fuel Allowance. He says that is sheer guesswork. But how much of a battle point is this going to become between labour and the tories . I think it is actually, for a number of reasons. The first and most obvious is that most old people vote, it is more difficult to get younger people out to vote, Jeremy Corbyn is trying to encourage them to register but what labour is doing is focusing on an issue that may detach some support amongst older voters for the conservatives. They are effectively saying that if you vote labour, you can keep the current level of Winter Fuel Allowa Nce, current level of winter Fuel Allowance, worth up to £300 but equally, the outgoing on the attack by suggesting as well that if it is means tested, then some people who are entitled to get Winter Fuel Allowa Nce are entitled to get winter Fuel Allowance simply will not go through the bureaucracy of so. This also focuses on a second issue, labours Second Attack today, which is to save the conservative manifesto is not properly costed, that it is a pig ina not properly costed, that it is a pig in a poke, compared to their own plans, criticised earlier this week, and the difficulty for the conservatives is that if they do not put a cost in Something Like this, it allows speculation, political speculation to run rife, John Mcdonnell mentioned the Resolution Foundation, an independent think tank but the person doing the work on that used to work for ed miliband, incidentally, and he was saying that if you want to limit this to the poorest pensioners, people with credits, that is up to 10 million pensioners, potentially losing out and let the conservatives, with figures to rebut that rather than simply saying it is speculation, then theyre into some difficulty because during the course ofan difficulty because during the course of an Election Campaign, of course, they would expect parties to say what they are going to do in government. This is a suggestion being floated by the conservatives this is not a suggestion being floated, it is a firm policy proposal. It is also about economic credibility. The conservatives are saying, we have to save money but we are targeting help where it is most needed and that to some extent, should be embellishing their reputation for economic competence because they are saying theyre willing to take some of these big and difficult decisions and it is much easierfor and difficult decisions and it is much easier for oppositions to promise the earth. They also raise questions about how labour would fund some of their proposals in their manifesto, not least the renationalisation of several companies. Thank you very much. The time is 80 minutes past 12, lets just recap the headlines. Prosecutors in sweden have dropped their seven year investigation into rape allegations against the wikileaks founder, Julian Assange. The shadow chancellor, John Mcdonnell, has accused theresa may of abandoning older people, saying Means Testing Winter Fuel Payments isa Means Testing Winter Fuel Payments is a savage attack on vulnerable pensioners. Us warplanes operating over syria have attacked a Convoy Carrying Pro Government militia forces. The Us Led Coalition said the convoy was moving towards a base used by british and American Forces near the border with iraq. Lets catch up with sport. The Football Season is almost over, which is were getting closer to finding out what will happen to Arsene Wenger at arsenal. The gunners are likely to miss out on a top fourfinish for the gunners are likely to miss out on a top four finish for the first time in these 20 years of the club and his contract runs out after the fa cup final. That is when a Board Meeting is likely to take place to discuss the managers position, their final League Matches at home against everton on sunday, so, could that be his last match at the emirates . What is most important is to win the game on sunday. Laughter, what happens to me is less important. Im here to serve the club and the best way to do it is to win the next game. Harry canis said to win back to back golden boots, he scored 25 to top the charts last season. He is up to 26, with one game to play after hitting four against leicester last night. Spurs won 6 1 at the stadium. Harry canis two goals clear of lu ka ku before stadium. Harry canis two goals clear of lukaku before they head to hull on the final day on sunday. It is his fourth hat trick of the season. The first time he has scored four in one game, though. Celtic are still in Scottish Premiership, with one game to play, 1898 was the last time they went through a whole League Season without defeat. They only played 18 matches back then. Last nights 5 0 victory at Partick Thistle was their 33rd win in 37. Its all an equal the Record Points tally. Theyre its all an equal the Record Points tally. They re up its all an equal the Record Points tally. Theyre up to 103, 30 points clear of second placed aberdeen. They have Heart Of Midlothian on the final day. Geraint thomas has pulled out of the giro ditalia, being involved in a nasty crash over the weekend. A pile up in the pellet on when they collided with a stationary police motorbike, he had actually beenin police motorbike, he had actually been in second place going into that stage. He injured his shoulder and knee and says that carrying on would bea knee and says that carrying on would be a case of trying to survive each day, rather than racing. Thats all the sport. I will be back at 1 30pm after the one oclock news. Thanks. Thousands of Police Officers across the uk have not had a background checks to ensure they are suitable to serve. Bbc analysis figures obtained under a Freedom Of Information Request showed 90 of 147 not been properly vetted. The process checks finances, employment history, as well as making a detailed search for any convictions. In 2012, the association of chief Police Officers recommended a thorough Background Venting for all Police Officers and Trinity Support officers. It is a process that takes several months and checks on all aspects of a persons background and is designed to ensure that nobody unsuitable is employed. Peter bunyan was a devon and Cornwall Community support officer, jailed for misconduct in 2013, after using the Police Database to contact women. An investigation by the independent police s Commission Found he would have been rejected if he had undergone proper vetting. The devon, Police Force Still has more than 100 front line staff who have not been checked according to the latest guidelines. The bbc made a Freedom Of Information Request, asking other forces what was the situation in their area. It found a total of almost 40,000 Police Officers had not undergone thorough checks. In northumbria, almost nine out of ten of its officers, thats around 3000 people, had not been properly vetted. The force said a retrospective programme of vetting was about to start. Her majestys inspectorate of constabulary said forces needed to address this matter urgently, while the police federation, which represents rank and file officers, said it was disappointed to see such a huge backlog. Iran is voting in an election today in which its moderate president hassan rouhani, faces a strong challenge from a hardline cleric. He has positioned himself as a defender of the tour and is opposed to closer relations with the west. The election is a climax of a bitterly Fought Campaign and comes ata bitterly Fought Campaign and comes at a tense moment in relations with the United States. Turnout is expected to exceed 70 . If no candidate wins, at least 50 , plus one vote of all ballots cast, including blank votes, a run off round between the top two candidates will be held on the 6th of may. A bbc investigation has found flaws in hsbcs biometric bank security. Its voice id system recognises customers Speech Patterns to grant access to their accounts. Hsbc says every persons voice is unique and that makes its system secure. But the Click Technology programme has shown that it is possible for someone to log into an account thats not their own. Dan simmons reports. Passwords, key fobs and apps have all been used to protect us but over the past year a new Gold Standard in security has emerged, biometrics. Like fingerprints, the human voice is unique to each of us, and hsbc along with other banks has started using the voice of its customers as their password. They say it is secure. My voice is my password. But a simple with my nonidentical twin brother. Welcome to hsbc advance. Proves otherwise. My financial details and the ability to transfer money, wide open. I am shocked, under no circumstances should two different people be able to get into the same bank account with voice biometric authentication. Yes, every voice is unique. However it is up to the system to differentiate between voices, and it hasnt done it in this case, and granted access. Unlike a password, a voice is public and experts worry Artificial Intelligence software can synthesise voices so well that it would soon be able to clone a voice from a sample of 30 seconds or less, a tool which could make the hackersjob much easier. It is a scary application but we are working with Security Researchers to figure out what is the best way to proceed with this. This is one of the reasons why we have not published this to the public yet. In response to our attempt to break in, the bank said this. Most experts agree that by making security more personal, you make it more secure. But if your voice can be copied, then, unlike passwords it may be difficult to get a new one. Dan simmons, bbc news. One of britains airport is moving its control tower around 100 miles away from the actual runway. London city airport is to become the first in britain to abandon its birds eye view of the runway and use Digital Technology to monitor planes remotely. They seem to make managing the planes safer and more efficient. Our Transport Correspondent has been given a special preview. Modern airports are dynamic, fast flowing, hundreds of pieces being moved around every minute. And all those movements must be tightly choreographed to it safe. This is londons city airport and this is just one of the 300 or so take offs and landings that happen here every day. Until now, all of those flights have been coordinated by a group of controllers look out of these windows here. But in the future, those windows are going to be replaced by these High Definition tv screens, controllers wentjust replaced by these High Definition tv screens, controllers went just to see the airport, they will be able to hear it as well. The thing is, this Digital Control Tower is 120 miles away from the airport. We have been shown this simulation that by 2019, controllers will be sitting here, directing traffic for real. Using pictures from a new camera tower next to the runway. Unlike the old power, it can zoom in for a better view, put radar data onto the screen to track aircraft, critically, for safety, the cameras can pick out rogue drones near the airport. And like the runway at night. My initial reaction was sceptical because im used to being at an airport. They give the controller more information in terms of what they can see, what they can hear, how they can identify targets, how they can track targets. The awareness that the controller gets, its all about being heads up, theyre no longer looking down. A tower controllers job is we get paid to look out of the window, so it makes thatjob much easier. Now i know exactly what youre thinking. The number one question ive been asked by everybody ive told about this is, what if the tv screens go down, what if the system is hacked . How secure is it . So, highly secure. The system has been independently stress tested by security specialists. We have three cables that are in place between the airport and swanwick in the control centre. If one of those was to fail, theres a back up. And in the event that that fails, theres another cable. And they are all routed, taking different routes between the airport and swanwick. London city is convinced the new system will make their operations more efficient and more safe. The idea of the control tower miles from the airport may seem odd but it isnt far away. Richard westcott, bbc news. Lets get the weather forecast. Very good afternoon to you. This week has had a tall, sunshine, some places getting close to 26 degrees. We also have had quite a lot of rain. And there is some in the forecast this afternoon, coming in the form of hefty showers with sunny spells in between, a slightly different in northern and eastern parts. Not especially heavy in many places but a grey and damp and cool afternoon. Further south, some sunshine but also slow moving thundery showers. Temperatures around 17 degrees. Tonight, Rain Across North East England and Eastern Scotland will move northwards across scotland. Further south, one or two showers, perhaps the odd for a temperatures around 810 the odd for a temperatures around 8 10 celsius. Cloudy, with outbreaks of rain. Sunshine and showers further south. 70 degrees in the south east. Temperatures could lift to 20 degrees. Fewer showers and some sunshine. This is bbc newsroom live. The headlines. Swedish prosecutors have dropped the Rape Investigation into the wikileaks founderJulian Assange. Mr assange has always denied the allegations against him. Police say they are still obliged to arrest him if he leaves the Ecuadoran Embassy in london where he has lived since 2012. The shadow chancellorJohn Mcdonnell has condemned the conservatives plans to means test the winter Fuel Allowance in their manifesto released yesterday. Mr mcdonnell accused the tories of being sick and sneaky. Moscow has condemned the attack by american war planes operating over syria on a Convoy Carrying Pro Government militia forces. After serving three years in prison rolf harris has been released from prison. The 87 year old is currently on trial at Southwark Crown court, facing four charges of indecently assaulting three teenage girls in the 1970s and early 1980s. He denies all the charges. Former Newcastle United boss george orman has been charged with 29 separate Sexual Offences alleged to have happened in the 1970s and 80s. Throughout the Election Campaign well be focussing on some of the big issues in the debate, with the help of our specialist editors. Today were looking at health. Our Health Editor hugh pym has been assessing some of the challenges facing the nhs. The big challenge for the nhs is coping with rising demand for care partly due to a growing and ageing population. Here are some figures which illustrate this. Last year in england there were more than 23. 5 million visits to a e units, an increase of 3,200 per day compared to the previous year. But funding hasnt kept up. Traditionally, demand for health care rises at around 4 per year but annual Funding Increases in england have been around 1 . Many Health Leaders now say the nhs has to have more money. Some, though, do point out the Health Service could be more efficient and more ways could be worked out to make resources go further. One way of ensuring that the nhs can make its money go further is treating more patients away from hospitals. Thats where gps have a really Important Role to play. In many areas, local doctors are working with social care staff to ensure that people can be treated in their communities or, if possible, at home. Thats the theory but it may take a while to get any savings from this process. The nhs is under serious financial pressure right now. In some parts of the country, Health Commissioners are restricting the care they are prepared to fund. Well, that is england, where the focus of the Health Debate has been during this general Election Campaign. Scotland, wales and Northern Ireland run their own nhs services and there are no elections for the devolved administrations in this year. Today weve been asking for your questions on health care and the nhs. And with me now to answer some of them is our Health Editor hugh pym. The first question is anonymous over text. When has the nhs ever had enough money . Interesting question. If you look back to 1948 when the nhs was founded, it was doing something very different to what it is expected to do now. People would maybe only live five years or so beyond retirement and there were considerably fewer drugs and medicines available and the rows in the 1950s about whether the nhs had enough money. So now there is still a debate about money but in the interim the population has grown and people are living longer, more drugs have been in the have been invented for cancer and so on which our life saving. Able understandably wa nt our life saving. Able understandably want the best so the nhs must cope with rising demand. Over the year it is the share of the economy taken up by the nhs, Health Spending has gone from 2 3 to 10 now. That is the economy of growth doing its bit in tax revenues to provide for Peoples Health needs but there is now a debate about whether that is enough content debate about whether that is enough co nte nt to debate about whether that is enough content to other countries, that figure of 10 compares to france and germany, 11 , billions of pounds difference per year. So when has the nhs ever had enough money . Maybe neverin nhs ever had enough money . Maybe never in terms of what you want and expect and there is a debate about how you find that money. Where does each party stand in relation to the nhs . You have looked at the ma nifestos. Nhs . You have looked at the manifestos. The main parties all stress their commitment to the nhs, they know it is popular and that preserving the nhs and taking it for what it is is important, rated as the top issue in one poll ahead of immigration, brexit and the economy. A large part of the manifestos was devoted to it. Looking at the spending plans, it is the core of what is offered. It gets, located. The lib dems say they will put 1p on income tax raising £6 billion for health and social care. They want a ring fenced health and social care tax. Labours plans for a 7. 5 ileum per year come from higher taxation, Corporation Tax and other sources. The conservatives said they want 8 billion more in 2022 then when theyre now, so they get to it more gradually and they dont have a specific tax plan is earmarked for the money, they say they can deliver it from economic growth. Do you think better management would help the nhs . A lot of people might say the nhs . A lot of people might say the money needs to go into front line staff but it is an interesting question on management. Figures show that administration, the numbers involved have fallen, the numbers involved have fallen, the numbers involved have fallen, the number of bureaucrats idea is misguided. If you look around the uk, there are inspiring examples of staff in the Nhs Proposing To Management Schemes to better look after patients outside hospital so they do not need to go into hospital for treatment, which is very expensive, and better use of the nhss ability to buy things in bulk, in other words medicine and medicine supplies, if they can bargain more efficiently they will get a better deal, but there is variation, it is better in some parts of the country than others. Efficiency is part of it and that must come from management, although ultimately you could see get better efficiency but you need more money as well from Central Government. We have a video question. I am cherill from leeds. If elected, what could the main Political Parties do about the crisis in Adult Social Care and an ageing population . Arguably the Health Question of this election. Yes. Adult social care, very good question. What are the main parties going to do . The conservatives set out their stall in the manifesto with a complex set of measures designed to help people cover of care costs, be they are at home or in residential care. Conflict and controversial, the conservatives also said when they we re conservatives also said when they were in government before the election they pledged more money for aduu election they pledged more money for Adult Social Care in england and that shows the commitment but both the lib dems and labour are saying more money is needed and there are plans based on the Tax Raising Measures discussed earlier would involve more money forfront line social care. It is run by local authorities and the funding comes from Central Government At Westminster for english local authorities to run social care. Scotland, wales and Northern Ireland make their own decisions, they did not cut social care funding as much as in england over the last few yea rs as in england over the last few years but any increase in money pledged by westminster has an effect on the formula for the devolved nations. What other parties pledging about Mental Health . It has become a big issue both in public consciousness and all there in the political arena. The conservatives have been saying that they did Raise Spending on Mental Health and they gave parity of esteem in government between physical and Mental Health of all it was much criticised. They wa nt to of all it was much criticised. They want to employ 10,000 more Mental Health workers in england, not entirely clear how that breaks down between psychiatrists and Mental Health nurses and other support workers. They want to abolish the Mental Health act which they say is discriminatory and not fair on people who end up being detained under the act in police cells or hospitals. Labour said the coalition and then conservative and let people down with Mental Health challenges, so the share of the rising nhs budget to Mental Health fell and it was not getting parity of esteem. They say they want to end the scandal of children being treated in aduu scandal of children being treated in adult wards. The lib dems points to the record in government as part of the record in government as part of the coalition. They say they boosted the coalition. They say they boosted the profile of Mental Health and ensured that legislation was passed to give that parity of esteem and they say they will put more funding in and reinvested Dell Ring Fence it. In and reinvested Dell Ring Fence it. Funding and they will ring fence it. Is the conservative policy on the nhs leading us towards an american style Health Service . On the nhs leading us towards an american style Health Service . M you mean that basically funded by private insurance policies. You mean that basically funded by private insurance policies. Ij private insurance policies. I assumed private insurance policies. I assumed that. The conservatives would deny that strongly. They would say they are signed up to the idea of free at the point of use state funded nhs, a core plank of what they believe and there is no intention to go down the privatisation route. This charge has been levied against the conservatives in government that they have a Hidden Agenda to privatise the nhs but they have a Lwa Ys Privatise the nhs but they have always denied it. Labour have pointed out that the private revision in the nhs, the amount of nhs budget in england that goes to private providers to do services with nhs has gone up from not very much to 7 , a rising proportion, and they say it sees as is they say it suggests the private sector is getting to hold in nhs although the conservatives say it started under the last Labour Government when they started using private hospitals to do hip and knee replacements and so on. The conservatives would denied, conservative critics would Say Something is going on. What will be done about the drain on nhs funds due to pfis, private finance initiatives. Pfi was used back to the conservatives in the 1990s and then tony blair and gordon brown made a lot of use of it. It basically delivered a brand new hospital or school with no money appearing on the governments books but then the local authority for education and the nhs trust for health would have to pay for it over a30 or health would have to pay for it over a 30 or more years and those annual payments have been rising steadily and for some hospitals trusts they have proved a real burden, one of the largest in england, berks health in london, is in financial special measures because of its historic pfi scheme for building a new hospital. The parties have not been clear about what they want to do about it. Labour and the lib dems are more opposed to it but nobody that i have seen that has come up with a concrete plan to change it. It is difficult to suddenly unravel it because these are contracts with private companies to build and finance hospitals. You cannotjust scrap it and start again. It will be an issue for anyone who forms the next government, they do anything about pfi and if so what would that be . Thank you. We love to get your questions and especially those Video Questions, so feel free to send the Video Questions in our next ask this, which we will be doing lots of june the Election Campaign. The headlines on bbc newsroom live. Prosecutors in sweden have dropped their seven year investigation into rape allegations against the wikileaks founder, Julian Assange. The shadow chancellorJohn Mcdonnell has accused theresa may of abandoning older people, saying Means Testing Winter Fuel Payments is a savage attack on vulnerable pensioners. Us warplanes operating over syria have attacked a Convoy Carrying Pro Government militia forces. The Us Led Coalition said the convoy was moving towards a base used by british and American Forces near the border with iraq. Children in america are undergoing Electric Shock Treatment in growing numbers. Now known as electro convulsive therapy, or ect, the controversial treatment is being used on severely autistic children who self harm. The practice cannot be done on children here in the uk and its critics say its barbaric. Just to warn you this item contains images some of you may find upsetting. The family say they have seen a huge improvement. When she has behaviours, they are much shorter, much less intense. She used to have bursts of behaviours where she was aggressive, and hurting herself for hours. Now it will be a matter of a few minutes for her to calm down. Each week day, sophia has School Lessons with a specially trained carer. My biggest concern was that she was going to lose quality of life, that she would have brain damage. Now she is back to loving doing multiplication and division. Whos that . A dog. When she started ect, she was doing zero Academic Work at all. Good job. Idid it but later that afternoon, six days after her last ect, sophias behaviour deteriorates. Chad and her carer have to use approved Restraint Techniques to stop her injuring herself. Can i go to the beach . You know the answer to that. You said yes. What has sparked this . Couldnt tell you. Uptick in any type of aggression usually towards one or two days, a day and a half prior to her usual scheduled ect. Its usually what we see. Ect for severely self injuring autistic children like sophia is still in very limited use. Without a long term scientific study, it remains highly controversial. Sophia, do you want to hold this . Right now, sofias parents have no regrets. Shes a joy. She brings usjoy. She loves life. And she had zero quality of life. What about the thought of ect every single week for the rest of her life . Its overwhelming. If i think about it. But, what future did she have without it . More on that story in all the world, my more on that story in all the world, my child and ect anthony. When you think about the worlds most dangerous creatures, snails dont usually come to mind. But in fact the giant African Snail is considered to be one of the most harmful species on earth. And now in peru there has been an infestation. Hundreds of them have been found in the Northern Region of ancash. Tim allman reports. Cordoned off at first sight, this appears to be a crime scene but things are not what they seem. These are believed to be giant African Snails, hundreds of them. Brought here by heavy rains and flooding, these creatures can be deadly. Harmless in themselves but they are a potential carriers of disease and infection. On Conservation Group has them listed in the top 100 most dangerous exotic species. The authorities in peru are determined to re m ove authorities in peru are determined to remove them as quickly as possible. Translation by habit they like to be in the dirt so that is where they become contaminated and then they transmit parasites and bacteria. So serious is the problem that Government Officials launched an Information Campaign to warn the public what to do if confronted by a giant African Snail. Translation the number of poisonous snails is rising and i am scared, they are claiming my wall, that is why im trying to kill them with salt. With one region already on alert for a dainty fever epidemic, the people of peru are being told to steer clear of the threat a lot bigger than it looks. Competitive computer gaming, or esports, has rocketed in popularity in recent years. And as audiences increase, so do calls for it to be included in world wide Sporting Events such as the olympics. This weekend some of the worlds best gamers are gathering at the 02 in london for the vainglory spring championships, one of the biggest events in the calendar. Tim muffett reports. Eyes, fingers, brains. Primed and approaching peak condition. Weve been practising a lot. Team m m features some of the uks top gamers. Theyre living together in a house in leicesterfor a month, training eight hours a day. Hows boot camp going . Its going good. This boot camp will prepare them for the league of legends european championship. Actually playing and practising the game is a key component, but theres also sort of coming through games and Video Analysis of them, so you can actually point out, you know, here was an error, here was something we could have worked on, here was a way you could have done the a bit better. Were going to try to use pressure instead. Its going to be. Yeah, exactly. Can i briefly interrupt . Sure. What are you talking about . It sounds almost like gobbledygook. Were talking about, like, that kind of level which isabove what the average person would see and feel in a game. Keep going, keep going. League of legends is a fantasy battle game. This is a recording of a recent team victory. I, however, am not very good. I think i died again. You died again. The tournament will see teams across europe compete online. Like many esports competitions, millions of fans are expected to just log on and watch. It doesnt strike you as odd that some people dont want to play the game, they just want to watch others play the game . No, i mean its very similar in mainstream sports. I love watching cricket. Im not much of a cricket player, though. Its amazing how much the industry has grown. I mean, its getting to the point where its going to end up rivalling mainstream sports. Some say its already doing just that. Live esports tournaments like this one in poland attract thousands of fans. At londons 02, teams from the us and europe will be competing for this trophy and more than £100,000 in prize money. They game theyll be playing, vainglory. Its insanely pressurised. Jasmines a tournament referee, ensuring play is fair and rules are enforced. It is definitely a sport. I think it might not be, like, physically taxing on you, but mentally for you to work as a team, for you to train for hours and hours on end, reaction speeds and all of this, these are all elements that you find in actual sports. Wow, what an incredible fight coming in i cant wait to see what theyre going to do next game commentators Action Jackson and Exscoundrel Travel The World to events like this. The games are so complex and so different from what youd usually come to expect that you need people that are going to translate that. The impact and growth of esports is getting bigger and bigger. The japanese government has approved a one off bill allowing the emperor to step down. This has to go to parliament, parliament will approve the bill, it is widely expected to go through smoothly, then the application will take place within three year is but we understand it is good to take place at the end of 2018, on the final day of 2018, Emperor Akihito will step down and on the first day of 2019 his son Crown Prince Naruhito will be named the new emperor. So a new as yet unnamed imperial era will begin on the 1st of january 2019. Unnamed imperial era will begin on the 1st Ofjanuary 2019. Emperor accies ito is widely and deeply loved in this country and people will be sad he is stepping down but they also support him. Last year in his address on television he said he is getting frail, he has had cancer, open heart surgery, and he is concerned he will not long be able to carry out his full imperial duties. After the television address, Opinion Polls showed the overwhelming majority of people in japan support his wish for a quiet retirement. In a moment the news at one. First the weather. This week has had it all weather wise, we had sunshine, temperatures close to 26 in places earlier in the week, and we have had heavy rain. South eastern areas so wet weather last night and that rain is moving up the scores. Oslo although the rain is not as heavy as it was, it is still a miserable day in north east england. That is what newcastle looked like earlier. Some of that rain in southern and eastern areas of scotland. A fair amount of cloud across east anglia. Further west across england and wales, a mixture of sunshine and showers but across the south west into wales and the West Midlands some of the showers will be very heavy with an odd flash of lightning, and slow moving as well so they could be with you for a little while. Northern ireland, sunshine and showers. Some showers across scotland, particularly western scotland, particularly western scotland, but between the showers there are spells of sunshine so that is how this afternoon looks. This evening and tonight, some of the showers will take awhile to fade away. Gradually by the end of the night it will be mainly dry towards self and west. Cloud still hanging around scotland. Tomorrow it is going to be a mixed day, day of sunny spells and heavy showers for most, particularly england, wales and Northern Ireland. Showers quite widespread with perhaps odd rumble of thunder. A different day for the northern half of scotland, staying cloudy, outbreaks of rain. Sunshine in london. Most of the showers should fade through saturday night although it will take a while to clear the rain from northern scotland. In the second half of the weekend, the High Pressure will have more of an influence and four sunday the will not be as many showers, one or two but more in the way of dry weather and it will begin to feel warmer with a southerly wind. Some patchy rain in Northern Ireland and the west of scotland, the odd shower elsewhere. Largely dry. The founder of wikilea ks, Julian Assange, wont face rape charges in sweden, after prosecutors drop their seven year investigation. Hes been a fugitive, holed up at the Ecuadorian Embassy in london since 2012, avoiding extradition. Hes always denied the allegations. Well be live at the ecuadorean embassy. Also this lunchtime labour says conservative plans to means test Winter Fuel Payments, are an an attack on vulnerable pensioners. Russia condemns an american air strike on a pro government convoy in syria. One of britains airports is moving its air Traffic Control tower 80 miles away from the actual runway. And a white wine