speed skater elise christie sets an olympic record in her opening heat in the 500m event. and a warning about a new scam involving the apple itunes service. tax authorities say elderly and vulnerable people are becoming victims. and carillion bosses are lost for words, as mps ask why they should be believed. that's in the week in parliament, in half an hour, here on bbc news. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. 0xfam has rejected claims that it covered up an investigation which found some of those sent to help in haiti in the aftermath of an earthquake there exploited local people for sex. 0xfam's chief executive said it did inform the charity commission, but admitted more could have been done to spell out the details of what happened. downing street says the government is reviewing its relationship with the charity in light of what it called the "truly shocking" reports. angus crawford reports. it was an earthquake that devastated haiti, killing more than 200,000 people, affecting millions more. aid agencies from around the world stepped into the chaos. 0xfam, with more than 70 years‘ experience, had hundreds of staff in the field. but an investigation by the times found that in 2011, four staff members were sacked and three others resigned over allegations of misconduct, including paying local women for sex. 0xfam says the behaviour of some staff was totally unacceptable. the ngo insists it did inform the charity commission, even issuing a press release at the time, and denies a cover—up. 0xfam was actually proactive in going to the british public, the department for international development and the charity commission to explain that there had been serious misconduct and we'd taken action. the government, which gives 0xfam more than £30 million a year, says... today, fresh claims some of the disgraced staff gotjobs at other aid agencies because 0xfam failed to warn them about the misconduct. this is a shudderingly awful tale, terrible on every single level. and, of course, it eclipses the fact that 0xfam is one of the most brilliant humanitarian organisations in the world. 0xfam has worked in haiti for a0 years, helping more than half a million desperately poor people. now, the behaviour of a few stains its past reputation and threatens its work in the future. angus crawford, bbc news. a little earlier, my colleague shaun ley spoke to paul scully, the conservative mp for sutton and cheam and a member of the commons international development committee. he said it was important to be sure the scandal was not part of a wider problem. we have to investigate this because we are spending millions of pounds with these partners, many of whom do fantastic work, but let's make sure that the safeguards are there and the policies are robust to make sure it doesn't happen again. and as oppose some sort of training to make sure that the people who go into this, who do such valuable work, don't have this weird disconnect, where on the one hand they're helping people and then hours later they're exploiting the same people. for sure and 99% of 0xfa m 0xfam workers are doing fantastic work edit what i don't want to do is tarnish them with the same brush as a few miscreants. penny mordaunt, the secretary of state for international development, according toa international development, according to a spokesperson in the department, has asked for a meeting, requested a meeting, with 0xfam's presumably chief executive and other senior members of the charity — what assurances do you think she should be looking for? well, i think she really needs to see exactly what did happen and was itjust a press release, how was that issued and what was the timeline and i think we need to get specifics about the timeline. i would need to get specifics about the timeline. iwould be need to get specifics about the timeline. i would be really interested to see what they say in front of the select committee as well if possible, because we need to make sure that their policies are robust and how quickly this was discovered and is there any sort of systemic abuses like this? and that is presumably the bigger problem, only today we've got boris johnson visiting those refugee camps in bangladesh, the rohingya, hundreds of thousands of people who fled from the myanmar — the potential is that this kind of activity could be happening in other charities and aid organisations, we know accusations against un peacekeepers have been upheld in the past, that there could be something bigger going on which ina be something bigger going on which in a sense the world has turned a blind eye to? i was in the same refugee camps in bangladesh in september and i know there are are a lot of rohingya people who are turning to sex work as they feel it is the only option they feel they have edited this is the same in refugee camps around the world. it is too easy to have one or two bad apples that are forgetting their place in terms of power and influence and just totally abusing some of the most vulnerable and we have really got to make sure it doesn't happen. an israeli jet has crashed after coming under a heavy barrage of syrian anti—aircraft fire. the two air crew ejected — one was seriously injured. the plane was taking part in an air raid on a drone base inside syria after israel claimed that an iranian drone had entered its airspace. the syrian government has accused israel of terrorism and has threatened to retaliate. 0ur middle east correspondent tom bateman gave us an update. well, israel says that this was a drone carrying out a military mission sent by the iranians inside syria. what is notable is where the drone was, because we have heard in the past about so—called spill—over from the fighting in syria across israel's northern border, but according to the israeli military, this drone was many miles from the border with syria. 0ne one of the aircraft came under anti—aircraft fire and the israeli military says it crashed and one of the pilots, after a getting, was left seriously injured. as for the iranians, they are accusing... they are accusing israel of lying over this, but a this marks one of the most serious escalation is yet between these regional enemies. a double decker bus has overturned in hong kong, killing at least 19 people and injuring dozens more. firefighters at the scene cut open the roof to free passengers who were trapped inside. the bus was carrying spectators and workers home from a horse racing track, before the driver apparently lost control on a bend. gerry adams, one of the longest serving party leaders in the world, is stepping down as president of sinn fein today. after more than 3a years in the post, he will be replaced by mary lou mcdonald at a specially convened party conference in dublin. 0ur ireland correspondent chris page is in dublin. chris, a change of leadership — are we going to see a change of approach? well, that is a very interesting question. marylou mcdonald is getting something of a rock star welcome here, the singer ryan sheridan is onstage here at sinn fein‘s special conference in dublin. party members are not here for the music, is now hearfurther politics and no matter what people's opinions of sinn fein, this is an important moment in that sense, gerry adams are standing down after 34 gerry adams are standing down after 3a years, gerry adams are standing down after 3a yea rs, after gerry adams are standing down after 3a years, after one of the longest and most could have a show political careers in britain or ireland, leading the republican movement away from violence and into the peace process and in that time shivering has become the second—largest party in northern ireland and the third largest party in the irish republic. —— sinn fein has become... and the new leader sinn fein is coming from the base here in dublin. marylou mcdonald is 48 years old, she is a member of the irish parliament here and has been for seven years, perhaps not particularly outside ireland has a very high profile in the irish republican army has become known for some very robust polymer trip performances and combative exchanges with prime minister leo varadkar. will we see a change in approach? i think we are certainly seeing a symbolic transition moment fishing pain, as we've got people who have had connections with the ira, although gerry adams has always denied being in that organisation, moving away from the senior positions in the party and being replaced by a new generation of leaders who had no connection with the troubles in northern ireland. mcdonald is among that generation, shejoined sinn fein during the peace process. as regard the party's attitude to the past, i don't think they will turn around and start deciding the ira campaign, i think they will continue to defend what they will continue to defend what the ira did sit there may be a change in emphasis. the party these days wants to talk more about peace in politics rather than paramilitaries. the big ambition for sinn fein is for them to be in government north of the irish border and south. whether they get back into the government in northern ireland depends on the outcome of talks to restore devolution at stormont when the expected to reach a conclusion this week. that will be the first to challenge. at the party is also pushing to being government here in the irish republic, where elections are not due until 2021, but because leo varadkar runs a minority government, there could be an election even at some stage this year. both the two main parties in the republic have said they would not work with sinn fein as coalition partners, not least because of those passed a link to the ira. but i think what mcdonald will try to do is to try to change the narrative around sinn fein, try to change the public sector and of sinn fein, particularly among those who don't vote for them, to put them in a position to challenge for a place in government and to be regarded as a cce pta ble government and to be regarded as acceptable coalition partners in the irish government to. it is a role which is not without challenges, but it's going to be a very significant one in irish politics and in the politics of northern ireland as well in the coming months and years. chris, you valiantly fought to the music thatcher a very full and com plete music thatcher a very full and complete answer! chris page battling against the music! the north korean leader kimjong—un has invited the south korean president to visit him at the earliest date possible. the historic invitation was given by kim jong—un's sister, who's visiting the south for the winter olympics. if it happens, it would be the first summit in more than a decade between korean leaders. laura bicker reports. this is no ordinary messenger. kim yo—jong is the sister of the north korean leader kimjong—un. she's the first of her family to set foot on south korean soil, and this is the moment president moon had hoped and campaigned for. he is careful to greet each delegate, aware of the significance of this meeting. as the two sides take their seats, the cameras note a blue folder on the desk. we now know it contained an historic invitation. translation: special envoy kim yo—jong presented a personal letter from kim jong—un to president moon, which contained chairman kim's desire to improve inter—korean relations. kim jong un's younger sister is not used to the spotlight. she's usually behind the scenes as a master of her brother's image. but, as a pr queen, she is the perfect charmer for the north's charm offensive. it's quite typical of north korea to actually do this kind of thing. they're stealing a little bit of the limelight from south korea, as the whole world's press descend on it, and they're also trying to control the message between the two. it's very, very hard for south korea, even though they've been talking about pressure, sanctions, to basically refuse these kind of advances from north korea. the us vice—president has looked increasingly isolated on this visit, refusing to even greet the north koreans while pushing for tougher sanctions on the regime. these winter games have provided south korea with a diplomatic breakthrough they never thought possible. but it also presents serious challengers. serious challenges. does president moon accept this invitation and, if so, under what kind of preconditions? and he's also discovering that in befriending his neighbour to the north, he risks alienating a key us ally. laura bicker, bbc news, pyeongchang. the defence minister tobias ellwood has suggested two members of the so—called islamic state group who are from london should be tried at the international criminal court in the hague. the bbc understands that the two, who were part of a unit thought to have murdered 27 hostages, have been stripped of their british citizenship. 0ur political correspondent chris mason reports. this is tobias ellwood. he was called a hero after giving first aid to pc keith palmer, the policeman who was stabbed to death during a terrorist attack last year. he also lost his brother in a terrorist attack in bali in 2002. now, mr ellwood, a defence minister has intervened over what should, happen to these men, alexanda kotey, and el shafee elsheikh. they were part of a gang suspected of murdering alan henning, a driver and eight worker from eccles, and david haines, a driver and aid worker from eccles, and david haines, a long—time aid workerfrom perth. in interviews with the times and the daily telegraph, tobias ellwood demands what he calls an agreed international process for captured fighters... last month, president trump said that he was keeping guantanamo bay open. a decision is yet to be made about what will happen to alexander kotey and el shafee elsheikh. chris mason, bbc news. the headlines... the head of oxfam denies a cover—up over claims that haiti aid workers paid for sex, as ministers order a review. israel has carried out attacks on a dozen targets in syria, including air defence systems, after one of its jets came under syrian anti—aircraft fire and crashed. at least 19 people are dead and 60 injured as a double—decker bus overturns in hong kong. the foreign secretary, borisjohnson, is visiting bangladesh to see at first hand the crisis facing rohingya muslims. nearly 700,000 refugees have fled from neighbouring myanmar since a military crackdown began there six months ago. after meeting with officials from the bangladeshi government, mrjohnson said the challenge now is finding a safe and dignified way for them to return home. it's not just it's notjust a question of humanitarian aid, we are giving a lot of that, as people know, about 59 million, to help these refugees. it is about finding a political solution, finding an answer in myanmar, creating divisions for a safe, dignified return for these people. that's what they want to. they do want to go back but they don't feel safe. and we've got to work on that. the family of an 11—year—old—girl stabbed to death in wolverhampton yesterday have paid tribute to their "shining star". jasmine forrester‘s father simeon said he found it impossible to explain the loss the family had suffered. detectives are continuing to question a 51—year—old male relative of jasmine on suspicion of her murder. her majesty's revenue and customs has written to retailers warning them about a scam involving the apple itunes service. the tax authorities say that elderly and vulnerable people are falling victims to a scam which encourages them to pay fraudsters using itunes vouchers bought in high street shops. our business correspondent joe lynam is here. so, what is the background to this scam? this latest scam, and there are so many, of course. they are so sophisticated these days. they acquire the contact details, usually for elderly people, call them up and say that you have a huge tax bill outstanding, and that if they don't pay it immediately, they will contact the police, the fraudsters would say, or sees their personal assets. and so they say, you can pay straightaway, if you go down to your retailer and by these itunes vouchers with your own money and then call out the 16 digit number on then call out the 16 digit number on the back of these cards over the phone to us. how does it work and well, that number can buy a lot of stuff on the itunes system, you goodbye and iphone or whatever as well as songs. it has a cash value. so, the criminal could swap that number to someone else, who would give them cash. and this is why hmrc are acting now, urging a lot of retailers to do something about this, to watch out for elderly people coming in demanding a lot of money worth of itunes vouchers, and this is what angela merkel was telling us earlier today. since 2016, about 1500 people have fallen victim to this fraud, mainly people who are over 65, and very sadly the loss for each customer has been about £1150, and last week, we heard ofan about £1150, and last week, we heard of an elderly gentlemen aged 81 who had fallen foul of this scam a couple of times and had lost £20,000 asa couple of times and had lost £20,000 as a result. so, hmrc are saying, hmrc will never contact you saying that you owe a huge amount of money and pay us today — they say they would never do that. so if such a call comes through, hang—up. the same applies to apple, they say you can only buy apple stuff on an itunes vouchers, you cannot pay a tax bill with it. and do we have any idea about who is behind this scam? these are usually boiler rooms, basically, usually men who are kicking on numbers that they have bought illegally by someone who may have signed up for something maybe a decade ago and left their telephone number, their landline number, and that number is passed from pillar to post, and eventually it lands in the hands of fraudsters, who then charge their arm with all sorts of thousands of unsuspecting victims. it is good to have the warning and hopefully people listening will hit it and pass it onto who might need to know. several church of england archbishops have taken part in a silent protest about the church's handling of sexual abuse. theyjoined a group of people who have suffered abuse outside church house in central london, where the general synod was discussing a new independent inquiry into the issue, due to begin next month. 0ur religion editor martin bashir has been at the protest and says the mood has been one of immense humility. the day began with a silent protest here, just in this spot, where a group of survivors were joined by the archbishops of york, canterbury and the bishop—elect of london, sarah mulalley, all pausing for two minutes to reflect on survivors of sexual abuse in the church of england. you mentioned the case of bishop george bell, one of the first speakers inside the council chamber was the bishop of chichester, martin warner. he said in a very humble statmeent, "we sit in the dust of shame." those were his words. then there was a presentation by the church of england's lead bishop on safeguarding, peter hancock, bishop of bath and wells. he explained what the church is doing to address the problem. since 2014, for example, it has increased its investment resourcing in safeguarding fivefold. every diocese now has a safeguarding lead individual, an official with the diocese. it also was announced that something like 11,000 people who serve the church in various capacities around the country has around the country have been through training in the area of safeguarding. but peter hancock continued and warned the synod that, because the church next month will be the subject of scrutiny at the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse, it had to prepare for even more challenging times. he said it would be painful for the church, but it would also be a route to making progress. a sense of humility but also a desire to address what is a decades—old problem. we know, for example, in the latest figures in 2016, 3,300 cases of safeguarding were raised in the church of england. just 18% of those involved clergy, the rest were individual members of congregations and so on. but still that's an incredible number just for one year, those are the latest figures we have. so, the church is desperately trying to address the issue and to take on board some of the recommendations that it has had. in the last two years, there have been three independent inquiries. the elliott review, concerning one individual who made allegations against the church. and, of course, bishop peter ball, who was eventually sentenced to jail and now bishop george bell. so there have some attempts to address the issue and, in some ways, move forward. the shadow chancellor says that a future labour government would move away from what he calls the failed model of privatisation and instead put public services irreversibly in the hands of workers. speaking at a conference outlining labour's alternative models of ownership, joe mcdonnell said public relations is not just a political mcdonnell said public relations is notjust a political decision but an economic necessity. the next labour government will put democratically owned and managed public service is irreversibly — irreversibly — into the hands of those workers and those who rely upon their work. we will not do this only because it is right, not only because it is the most efficient way of running them, but also because it is most important protection of our public services for the long—term. it is the protection that comes from eve ryo ne the protection that comes from everyone having and feeling the ownership of them. we are going to ta ke ownership of them. we are going to take control of these industries in order to put them into the hands of a remote bureaucracy, but into the hands of all of you so that they can never again be taken away from us. elise christie has finish second fastest in the heats in the short—track speed skating in pyeongchang. andy swiss reports. she is britain's biggest medal hope. and elise christie was soon showing precisely why. she led her 500 metres heat from start to finish, setting a new 0lympic record... it was some statement of intent. after her disqualification at the last games, what relief! i was so nervous! i was like, i'm games, what relief! i was so nervous! iwas like, i'm not games, what relief! i was so nervous! i was like, i'm not going to do this, i'm so nervous! i got up today and i was excited and i'm just glad i've got to race in front of eve ryo ne glad i've got to race in front of everyone again! but british hopes in the snowboarding came crashing down. jamie nicholls and then team—mate billy morgan both tumbling out of the slopestyle event. the women's cross—country skiing, meanwhile, produced the first gold medallist of the games, victory for sweden's charlotte kalla. butler team gb, this was an opening day decidedly mixed fortunes, disappointment on the snow but elise christie's hopes of gold are off to the perfect start just andy swiss, bbc news, eight chang. andy was wrapped up nice and warm their — let's have a look at the prospects for closer to home! i think it is going to ranger and we have got some snow on the way as well, and some gale force winds. that's all going to be happening through this afternoon and this evening and overnight. we have another weather front which is actually an area where the cold air is battling with the mild air. so, this is what is happening in the short—term, a slight window of opportunity, very short, of brightness, but then we're going to see another weather front moving through, with some snow mixing in across scotland. and also gale force winds around the irish sea, liverpool, manchester, very windy. through yorkshire, the north midlands and into linkage. and all of this, snow showers you can see, heading our way. tomorrow, across many northern and western parts of the country it's a mixture of bright, sunny spells and frequent wintry showers and some pretty cold winds as well. this is bbc news — our latest headlines... the chief executive of oxfam has denied there was a cover—up into allegations that aid workers helping earthquake victims in haiti paid for sex. the department for international development is reviewing its work with the charity. israel's carried out attacks on a dozen targets in syria, including air defence systems. this comes after one of its f16 jets came under syrian anti—aircraft fire and crashed in israeli territory. at least 19 people are dead and 60 injured as a double—decker bus overturns in hong kong. it was carrying spectators and workers home from a horse racing track, before the driver apparently lost control on a bend. tax inspectors are warning that the elderly and vulnerable are being targeted in a scam involving itunes gift cards. the fraudsters — pretending to be from hm revenue and customs — encourage victims to pay the bill with the vouchers. now on bbc news... bbc parliament's programme looking back at the week in westminster. hello and welcome to the week in parliament. coming up, carillion's senior executives seem lost for words. and you are still all right? all of you, are you?

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