covid—19. hundreds of millions of hindus, sikhs and jains across the world are celebrating diwali — the festival of light — today. and with about 50 days left to christmas, major retailers launch their ads — we'll take a closer look at them. good evening and welcome to bbc news. the conservative mp owen paterson — at the centre of a row over lobbying rules — has resigned saying he will remain a public servant, outside the cruel world of politics. his decision came after the government was forced into a major u—turn today after trying to change the way mps are reprimanded for breaking the rules. our political editor laura kuenssberg reports a different kind of protest. a different kind of attack to green activists busy in westminster today. sleaze is the accusation against the government, corruption, they claim. a former minister has now quit as an mp after he was found to have lobbied the government more than a dozen times for companies who paid him thousands of pounds. standing down, owen paterson said... "my integrity has been repeatedly and publicly questioned. i maintain that i'm totally innocent. my children have asked me to leave politics altogether. for my sake as well as theirs, i agree with them. the ayes to the right, 250... but downing street had tied to save him. tories last night voted to tear up the rules he broke. loud commotion. but listen to the atmosphere in there. order! what have you done to this place? dozens of conservatives, outraged, stayed away. but number ten had backed the attempt to overhaul the system that monitors behaviour that would've saved him. the immediate backlash was bruising. nearly all of the front pages damning, the internet alive with claims of sleaze, political rivals immediately sharpening attacks. many tories, too, were appalled. so, by mid—morning, ministers were back in the commons ditching the idea. and in effect ditching owen paterson, too. last night's vote has created a certain amount of controversy. it is important that standards in this house are done on a cross—party basis. while there is a very strong feeling on both sides of the house that there is a need for an appeals process, there is equally a strong feeling that this should not be based on a single case or applied retrospectively. in other words, changing the rules that mr paterson broke is off for now. but the opposition says it's a wider pattern. corrupt. i mean, there's no other word for it, i'm afraid. and often in a situation like this, you have a prime minister who is trying to lead on public standards. what you've got with this prime minister is a prime minister who is leading his troops through the sewer, and so it is a complete mess of their own making. it's a very strong accusation to say this is corrupt. well, it is corrupt because there was a clear finding after due process. borisjohnson says he's sorry to see mr paterson go, but outrage at how the prime minister tried to use parliament will take time to fade. let's talk to our political correspondent damian grammaticus. where does this leave the government its reputation on this matter and do we know why particularly they decided to get turn so fast? i we know why particularly they decided to get turn so fast? i think it's re decided to get turn so fast? i think it's pretty clear _ decided to get turn so fast? i think it's pretty clear that _ decided to get turn so fast? i think it's pretty clear that it _ decided to get turn so fast? i think it's pretty clear that it was - decided to get turn so fast? i think it's pretty clear that it was just - it's pretty clear that it was just the sheer volume of criticism that was being directed at the government. those attacks which came about three years and you heard keir starmer talking about accusing the government of corruption and the front pages of the newspapers today, the ones that are usually very friendly where a very critical for the government. on top of that, whereas a very practical issue that immediately became clear was that they doing what he did yesterday with boris johnson they doing what he did yesterday with borisjohnson deciding to whip to order all his employees to back this attempt to put aside for now for the time being there possible suspension of owen pattison and to set up a committee to at changing the rules. that caused such a furor that the opposition parties were never going to go along with that system. and that attempts to redraft things so it became very clear very quickly that that was going to be impossible. that was going to be an impossible. that was going to be an impossible route to follow. that's what led to their first sale today. he heard jacob telling cummins that they were going to be in separate issues and that left mr pattison high and dry but it was a combination. the real criticism and the practical difficulty.— the practical difficulty. there will not be a by _ the practical difficulty. there will not be a by election _ the practical difficulty. there will not be a by election in _ the practical difficulty. there will not be a by election in owen - not be a by election in owen pattison plus plus seat. he has a huge majority. if there any risk that the tories can lose that seat? i think what you can say is that his majority is 23,000. over the last election. that was a pretty sizable majority. that's a very sort of solid sleep. what you have to say is that now there's going to be a by election fonts on which there is going to be a huge amount of focus and enrich these issues certainly are going to be played out. there's no question the opposition is going to focus on the question of cities or the government probing the or the standards of borisjohnson and his government that he needs and daybell feat to make an issue of fact in this election. and in this by election. so it would be one that is watched very closely and around which these issues will focus. it may be a big majority but it could be a difficult time. let's speak to ian blackford, who is the leader of the snp at westminster and joins us now live from the isle of skye. thank you forjoining us. owen pattison has presumably in your review done the right thing here by resigning? {iii review done the right thing here by resiuanin? _, , review done the right thing here by resiuunin ? _, , ., review done the right thing here by resiuanin? , ., , ., resigning? of course what should have happened — resigning? of course what should have happened yesterday - resigning? of course what should have happened yesterday at - have happened yesterday at parliament should have done the right thing. parliament should have accepted the work of the standards commissioner and the work of the committee that had met and suspended i went pattison for 30 days which would have resulted in their competition that would have given us the by election. the actions of yesterday are what you would expect to see come out of president putin where the government did not like that one of their own had been bang to rights for behavior by the code of conduct of parliament. it's unacceptable. someone is acting as a paid lobbyist and ellen pattison had to go. my worry is that it fits a pattern of behavior from a prime minister. everything that was bad since borisjohnson became prime minister. he will recall that was overturned by the courts in the hallway we saw the dishing out of covid—i9 contracts and the privileges that were given to friends at the government and the fact that members of the house of lords are appointed and becoming scottish of his ministers and the whole issue of the prime minister whole issue of the prime minister who paid for the hud ? holidays and the punishment ten downing st but it's more than a whiff of corruption. to make it a public inquiry into the behavior of this government because quite frankly this undermines our very democracy and a government that believes it can get away with these things and of course this time they have not because the court of public opinion has forced them to change their actions but they need to be held to account for the way they have been behaving and treating the house of commons and parliament as the personal plaything of the prime minister. ., ., ., ., minister. you are calling for a ublic minister. you are calling for a public inquiry _ minister. you are calling for a public inquiry but _ minister. you are calling for a public inquiry but you - minister. you are calling for a public inquiry but you know i minister. you are calling for a | public inquiry but you know the minister. you are calling for a - public inquiry but you know the snp and opposition parties are not in a position to grant one and this government a has very big majority. will the opposition to part in looking at the way these questions are investigated and look at the process the government seems to want to do at some point? let process the government seems to want to do at some point?— to do at some point? let me say that what the pay — to do at some point? let me say that what the pay minister _ to do at some point? let me say that what the pay minister ought - to do at some point? let me say that what the pay minister ought to - to do at some point? let me say that what the pay minister ought to do - to do at some point? let me say that what the pay minister ought to do is l what the pay minister ought to do is come to the house of commons and give a public apology for the way she had been treated. because quite frankly she has conducted herself with grace and dignity and has presided over a number of inquiries of parliamentarians and indeed the committee that oversees her work is made of ? made committee that oversees her work is made of? made up of mps. it's only because it remember has been caught out that we have this talk about an overhaul of the system. a system that has been working. i have no problems that we reviewed where we are and we do that based on the advice but the idea that came forward yesterday and the tories were going to mark the homework. good grief, what price of democracy. if you were able to talk to people who according to the polls lots of members of the public think all politicians are in it for themselves oras politicians are in it for themselves or as bad as each other. what would you say to those people watching him i think it's hard to distinguish between one or the other, they all as bad each other? this between one or the other, they all as bad each other?— between one or the other, they all as bad each other? this is why this is so heartbreaking _ as bad each other? this is why this is so heartbreaking because - as bad each other? this is why this is so heartbreaking because none i as bad each other? this is why thisl is so heartbreaking because none of this is necessary and i understand why people would say i know most people that are going to public life whether they are local counselors do it because they want to make a difference. and to have the behavior that have identified, that slave any need to put it out and have trust in our politics and need to have an environment for people can be encouraged to come and participate in public life and i have to say this prime minister and government is making it very difficult for people to trust the house of commons. people to trust the house of common— people to trust the house of commons. ., ., , commons. there we have to be careful civen what commons. there we have to be careful given what we — commons. there we have to be careful given what we saw _ commons. there we have to be careful given what we sawjust _ commons. there we have to be careful given what we sawjust a _ commons. there we have to be careful given what we sawjust a few _ commons. there we have to be careful given what we sawjust a few weeks . given what we saw just a few weeks ago with the killing of david, that language and respect for people and politics is maintained and ellen pattison had a family tragedy i mixed all of this. indie pattison had a family tragedy i mixed all of this.— pattison had a family tragedy i mixed all of this. we cannot lose siaht mixed all of this. we cannot lose si . ht of mixed all of this. we cannot lose sight of that- _ mixed all of this. we cannot lose sight of that. of _ mixed all of this. we cannot lose sight of that. of course - mixed all of this. we cannot lose l sight of that. of course everybody that sends their deepest sympathy to their family. that sends their deepest sympathy to theirfamily. what that sends their deepest sympathy to their family. what we are addressing is the behavior of owen pattison as an mp and how he broke the rules in the house of commons and of course it's going to go to the personal no change in the face with his family, of course but that is not track from the fact he is going to to do to make sure that standards and parliament are upheld and of course there have to be a coming together to make sure that we deal with the bitterness and the rancor that is in our public life and the way that a member of parliament and a be a coming together to make sure that we deal with the bitterness and the rancor that is in our public life and the way that a member of parliament and abc decent man has and there has to be a coming together and understanding that we are all in this together but they pay minister has got to take relief and the thought this was pushed till yesterday in an undignified way by the opposition party we cannot tolerate this and let's not forget that they government database against the unanimous view of the committee of the house of commons that brought forward his proposal containing the members of parliament. it's that style of behavior which is not acceptable in a parliamentary democracy quite frankly and their right to call that out. we do it in a respectful way. at that prime minister has got to look at his style of government and look at his style of government and look at his style of government and look at how he works with other parties. i want to take credit to the way to be semi—conducted herself. a woman that i have to say they with dignity and nature the opposition parties were always consulted and considered when she was doing things. and that generosity and spirit she had and he cleans me to say that that is sadly missing with the coming pay minister and i want that behavior to change and i want that behavior to change and there are times we need to work together but my be a you see the government behaving the way they did yesterday it's not a good sign for our democracy.— yesterday it's not a good sign for our democracy. does it mean you would work _ our democracy. does it mean you would work with _ our democracy. does it mean you would work with the _ our democracy. does it mean you | would work with the conservatives our democracy. does it mean you - would work with the conservatives on some new system at some point? what some new system at some point? what i'm talkin: some new system at some point? what i'm talking about _ some new system at some point? what i'm talking about is _ some new system at some point? turret i'm talking about is the printed programme supporting for us to work together in the public expect that. but let me say there are a number of inquiries that they are conducting. she must be able to conduct those i'm in this time yes of course, in the spirit of cooperation and making sure that we did get the trust of the publicly deserved. of course we will work together but there has to be respect right across the house of commons for to happen. and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30 and 11:30 this evening in the papers — our guestsjoining me tonight arejohn stapleton who is a broadcaster and kate proctor who is the editor of politics home and the house magazine. the england and wales cricket board has suspended yorkshire county cricket club from hosting international and major matches and launched a review into the governance of the club. the step comes after an investigation found spin bowler azeem rafiq had been the victim of racial harassment and bullying at the club. in a statement, the ecb said; it is clear to the board that yorkshire county cricket club's handling of the issues raised by azeem rafiq is wholly unacceptable and is causing serious damage to the reputation of the game? the ecb find this matter abhorrent and against the spirit of cricket and its values. it goes on to say, the ecb will therefore hold yorkshire to account in relation to their handling of the matter. given recent events, it is clear there are serious questions regarding the governance and management of the club. it concludes —the board reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring that cricket is a game for everyone. discrimination of any kind on the field of play, in the dressing room, in the stands, or in the boardroom is intolerable in sport or indeed, society. cricket must work together to eradicate it. our sports correspondent laura scott has been giving us more from headingley. the row at yorkshire county debt ? cricket club heightens at the hour with more sponsors deserting the club over the handling of the situation. nike said he no longer be escape supplier seeing extends from and against racism and how spring water and its association. last night that former england test cricket area gary balance admitted to using a racial slur against rafik. something he said he pp with 7 rafik. something he said he pp with ? rejects but had immature exchanges between best friends and team—mates and he said he did not think it had caused him to stress. he did respond on social media this morning. he said that his grievance was not to do with the words of certain individuals rather it is what he considered institutional racism here at yorkshire and its abject failure to tackle it and in the last hour the england and wales cricket board described yorkshire's handling of the matter as wholly unacceptable. they said the matter was a brent and against the spirit of cricket. the governing body threaten financial sanctions but it's already suspended yorkshire from hosting major matches and suspended gary balance from england selection. yorkshire county cricket club have not commented this week but an emergency board meeting will be held tomorrow amid mounting pressure on those in charge. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, good morning, evening. there are four british clubs in europa league action tonight. two of them have already played. david moyes's one thousandth match as a manager ended in a draw in belgium. (00v)west ham fell behind to an early goal at genk, in belgium. west ham fell behind to an early goal at genk, but fought back to lead with less than ten minutes to go thanks to two excellent strikes by said benrahma. but all their hard work was undone just five minutes later when tomas soucek found his own net. west ham top group h and will qualify so long as the other match in their group isn't a draw. rangers needed substitute ianis hagi to secure them a precious point as they came from behind to draw one all against brondby in denmark. the result leaves the scottish champions third in group a behind sparta prague and they face the czech side next. elsewhere in the europa league leicester are at home to bottom placed spartak moscow in group c while in group g celtic are in hungary playing ferencvaros needing a win to keep their progression hopes alive. in the conference league antonio conte has taken charge of tottenham for the first time as they take on vitesse arnhem in the netherlands. bbc sport understands an agreement is close with eddie howe to succeed steve bruce as newcastle utd manager and it s hoped he will be in charge for saturdays match at brighton. the magpies have been managerless since steve bruce parted company with the club just over two weeks ago. unai emery opted not to leave villareall and the former bournemouth manager is now favourite to take the job at st james's park. england manager gareth southgate has recalled marcus rashford, trent alexander arnold and jude bellingham to the england squad for the world cup qualifiers against albania and san marino. but there's no place forjadon sancho, kieren trippier orjesse lingard who've been left out. he made his squad announcement earlier today saying there was a lot of competition for places. we have kept a reasonable amount of consistency, really, with the group that were with us in the summer. they did so well. we are only five international games on from that. it also there are players pushing that group really strongly. northern ireland have also named their squad for next week's final world cup qualifying matches at home to lithuania and italy. manager ian baraclough has given seventeen—year—old nottingham forest striker dale taylor his first call—up. it is to see how he deals with it. did very well for the under 20 ones in the summer. i was thinking about bring him in september, but got an injury. he is now back from that injury and it is a chance to bring him in and have a look at him and see how he deals with it. on to cricket and at the t20 men's world cup, australia are up to second in group 1 after a comfortable victory over bangladesh. looking to bounce back after their defeat to england at the weekend, aaron finch's side gave bangladesh no chance at all, bowling them out for just 73. adam zampa getting five wickets. finch then starred with the bat, top scoring with a0 off 20 balls to help them reach the target in just over six overs. they now go above south africa in the table and play the west indies in theirfinal match. and talking of west indies. they are out — their defence ended with defeat to sri lanka in abu dhabi. sri lanka set them a target of 190 and took regular wickets to stifle their chase, this stunning catch from bhanuka rajapaksa one of the highlights. despite shimron hetmyer�*s 80, which included a late flurry of sixes, the west indies ultimately fell 20 runs short. cameron norrie has lost in straight sets to the american taylor fritz in the paris masters. the world number 13 had been hoping to get through the third round, and qualify for the atp tourfinals in turin — which is still mathematically possible but 2a year old fritz was too strong for him. taking norrie 6—3 in the first set and then 7—6 in the second. so it's the american who advances to the quarter finals and will face the favourite novak djokovic. that's all the sport for now. you can find more on all those stories on the bbc sport website. that's bbc. c0. uk/sport a 67 year old man has admitted murdering two women —wendy knell and caroline pierce — in kent almost 35 years ago and then decades later sexually abusing at least 100 corpses in hospital mortuaries. for more than 30 years david fuller was a maintenance worker at the kent and sussex hospital and then the tunbridge wells hospital until police finally tracked him down last december — thanks to advances in dna testing. police have contacted the families of many of the victims assaulted between 2008 and 2020 but detectives say they may never know the full extent of his crimes. this report from our home affairs correspondent tom symonds contains disturbing details. morning. it's the police. hello. after 33 years, he almost seemed to be expecting it. all right, david. you are under arrest on the suspicion of the murders of wendy knell and caroline pierce in 1987. do you understand ? yeah. david fuller, mr normal — at least, on the outside. wendy knell and caroline pierce. independent young women in a quiet town in the 1980s. you don't expect it in a small town like tunbridge wells. like myself. we were alljust working locally. it could have happened to any of us. julie monks was a friend of wendy and worked with her in a caf. she always wanted to get married and have children and be a homemaker. that's what she wanted to do. but wendy's home, her tiny bedsit, was where she was murdered. caroline was attacked on her doorstep and taken away. three weeks later, a farm worker looked down from his tractor into a drainage ditch and spotted a body. like wendy, caroline had been beaten, strangled and sexually assaulted. police were pretty sure the same man had killed both of them, but back then there was very little cctv, especially around here, no phones to track and dna techniques were rudimentary. but that has changed. fuller was tracked down using modern dna techniques, which can identify a criminal through his family members. when this dna swab was taken, it matched samples from the murder scenes, carefully stored for decades. fuller's house provided more evidence. this picture. see the shoes he's wearing? they matched this footprint, in blood, from wendy's bedsit. and then it's got number 52. date of death. he's identified the victims. and slowly police started to make discoveries, which revealed what david fuller was all about. he's killed them and evidence is indicating that he has killed them to then sexually abuse them. after death? after death. and that's the evidence that has been presented in court. horrific murders. these young ladies, 25 and 20, brutalised for his sexual satisfaction. the search continued. it looks like he's got some hard drives in there, i would say. but they're stuck to the back. and these hidden hard drives contain devastating evidence. fuller, a hospital maintenance man in two hospital mortuaries, carrying out sexual acts with dead bodies. he had set up a camcorder and videoed himself. his swipe card gave him access to all areas. we can now report for the first time that at the kent and sussex hospital and its successor, the tunbridge wells hospital, at least 100 dead women were abused. they include a nine—year—old and a 100—year—old woman. fuller recorded some of their names in a little black book. but said practically nothing to police. is there anything you would like to add or clarify at this point, david? no. leaving them to identify more than 78 victims from details in his videos. 78 and counting. theirfamilies have been traced and visited. we've got to tell them. we must tell them. and there are some that have said, "we wish you "hadn't told us." i don't know how i'd react if it happened to one of my close loved ones, whether i would want to know about it. fuller's claimed that he was mentally ill fell apart in court. psychiatrist dr richard badcock has advised the police on cases, including that of harold shipman. the psychopathology work here is very definitely one of sadomasochism. which, in essence, is...not being able to deal with your own issues, except by manipulated behaviour of other people. although you're doing extreme things... ..you don't feel alive most of the time. you know, you might only feel alive in the moment of the... of the offence. david fuller will become notorious for crimes which will revolt the nation. his victims — so many women and girls, wendy and caroline — were not even safe after their deaths. tom symonds, bbc news, maidstone crown court. our health correspondent catherine burns says there will be a greater emphasis on hospital trusts about who has access to hospital mortuaries in the wake of the david fuller case. hisjob as an his job as an electrician gave him the perfect cover because when of his responsibilities left to regularly check the temperature is of the fridges and the mortuaries so he had a legitimate reason to be there. his car gave him access. what happened as well was that mortuary staff tended to work till about half three and afternoon. his shift went on till 7pm till he was easy for him to be there alone. it was cctv cameras in the mortuary, around six around eight but the focus was on stopping unauthorized access, not on taking on staff who were allowed to be there. the hospital has come out and fed it's obviously feelings are with their families of the victims and it started an investigation trying to find out how this could have happened and what it could have done to stop it and we have heard from the health secretary and he ordered an investigation it to find out if mortuary security is strong enough. he also said his thought they were the families but also people who work for the nhs who we think things will be provided each shaken by this and nhs england south to all trusts with mortuaries telling them they have to review their mortuary security. it's not just enough to have cctv and cipro data committee must be checked regularly to find out who is going in and out of mortuaries. just want to let you know it's being reported by the news agencies that a strike is being voted on by the university academics. 37 academics voted, 37 universities voted in favor of industrial action over pensions. and the university and couege pensions. and the university and college union saying they would decide tomorrow on the next steps. this is about pay and conditions and it's a reflection of staff anger according to the unions worried about a pension cut for about a third and that are not of 50% in this mode and a number of uk top universities, durham, cambridge, st andrew's and many others are included in the list of universities potentially included here in this strike action. another piece of news being reported by pa that they shall after rhino bear has died at age 92. his agent has told epa news agency. he will bring you more on that news coming in at the moment. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello. after a chilly evening, temperatures are likely to edge upwards overnight across parts of scotland, northern ireland and, indeed, northern england as well, because there's cloud moving in and some outbreaks of rain, most of it patchy and light, although there will be some heavier bursts in northwest scotland. the clearest skies by the end of the night will be across east anglia and southern england, parts of the midlands, and this is where we'll still have a frost going into friday morning. overall, tomorrow is looking like a cloudier day. we'll see from the cloud some outbreaks of patchy rain at times spreading south and may still continue to have some drizzle in some western areas, especially on hills, through the day. the most persistent rain will be in northwest scotland. but overall, although it is a cloudier day, it will be largely dry. there will still be a few brighter breaks across eastern parts, to the east of high ground. it is a westerly breeze coming in now. that's from a less chilly direction, so temperatures are edging up closer again to the seasonal average. that's your forecast. hello this is bbc news i'm geeta guru—murthy. the headlines. owen paterson has resigned as a conservative mp, after a backlash over the government's decision to overhaul the policing of mps' conduct. mr paterson had been found to have broken lobbying rules and was facing suspension — with labour accusing the government of sleaze and corruption. yorkshire county cricket club has been banned from hosting international and major matches over the club's response to racism experienced by former player azeem rafiq. a hospital electrician admits murdering wendy knell and caroline pierce in 1987 — and sexually abusing at least 100 dead bodies in hospital mortuaries. the uk has become the first country in the world to approve the use of an anti—viral pill to treat covid—19. hundreds of millions of hindus, sikhs and jains across the world are celebrating diwali — the festival of light — today. the government's latest coronavirus figures for the uk, show there were just over 37 thousand new infections recorded, in the latest 24—hour period — down 2 and a half thousand on the same time last week. on average, there were 39 thousand new cases reported per day in the last week. there were more than 9 thousand people in hospital with covid as of yesterday. 214 deaths were recorded, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 170 covid related deaths were recorded, every day. 9 miliion people have received their boosterjab, this includes third doses for those with certain health conditions. the uk has become the first country in the world to approve an antiviral pill against covid — the first of its kind — which will be used for vulnerable patients. in trials the drug, called molnupiravir, was shown to halve the chances of dying or being hospitalised. the government has bought enough supplies to treat nearly half a million covid patients. our medical editor fergus walsh reports. a pill that can stop covid in its tracks — it's been the goal of scientists since the pandemic began. now there is molnupiravir, and it's likely to be the first of many antiviral treatments. anne—marie tested positive for coronavirus on tuesday and has just started a five—day course of molnupiravir as part of a trial in liverpool. she's had cancer, and so is more vulnerable to covid. it is absolutely a life—and—death situation. i do have a family that i need to think about, and i need to be here for them. and if this gives me the opportunity to be around for my son's wedding and everything else, then so be it. when coronavirus infects cells, it makes multiple copies of itself. molnupiravir, originally designed to treat flu, introduces errors in the virus's genetic code, which hampers its ability to spread. it's over a year since the clinical research facility at royal liverpool university hospital began testing molnupiravir on patients. global trials have shown it halves the chances of dying or being hospitalised with covid. to have a drug like this, to have an antiviral that potent, that's able to be taken orally is a very important moment and does mark a milestone in our discovery of effective medicines against covid. the uk has ordered 480,000 courses of molnupiravir, with the first doses expected to arrive here later this month. it's being approved for people with at least one risk factor for covid, such as being over 60, obese or having heart disease. it's most effective when given within five days of symptoms appearing. the cost of the drug has not been revealed, but in the us, it's £500 per patient. the uk was the first country in the world to authorise the pfizer and astrazeneca vaccines, and our regulators here have again led the way by approving molnupiravir. it will be months before doctors know how effective it is outside trials. but antivirals look set to play a key role in keeping covid patients out of hospital. fergus walsh, bbc news. let's speak now to the virologist dr muhammad munir, lecturer in molecular virology at lancaster university. is university. this going to make a big difference, is this going to make a big difference, is this a big breakthrough? i difference, is this a big breakthrough?- difference, is this a big breakthrough? difference, is this a big breakthrou~h? ., , , breakthrough? i think this is certainly very _ breakthrough? i think this is certainly very good - breakthrough? i think this is certainly very good news - breakthrough? i think this is certainly very good news for| certainly very good news for particularly people who cannot be vaccinated for whatever reason. it is always the case of the human population a certain pop eight portion cannot be vaccinated. this is certainly great news particularly because we had had a few of the treatments for monoclonal antibodies against sars tube at those require intravenous injection would mean people will have to go to the hospital to get that treatment. this bill can be given at home. certainly it is a good contribution into the fight against covid—19. i5 it is a good contribution into the fight against covid—19. is it it is a good contribution into the fight against covid-19. is it likely that it will be — fight against covid-19. is it likely that it will be rolled _ fight against covid-19. is it likely that it will be rolled out - fight against covid-19. is it likely that it will be rolled out further? | that it will be rolled out further? certainly the plan of the company will definitely be to expand it further. i think there are certain factors that are not really advantage for this pill for top one is the cost compared to dexamethasone, that was child here in the uk and been proposed to the rest of the world as really cheap. but compared to dexamethasone the pills are expensive. primarily because the raw material required to make those pills are not really that readily available and available only in developing countries so there are challenges but certainly a good addition into the fight against covid—19. addition into the fight against covid-19. , . , , addition into the fight against covid-19. , ., , , . covid-19. presumably the cost in the technolo: covid-19. presumably the cost in the technology could _ covid-19. presumably the cost in the technology could change _ covid-19. presumably the cost in the technology could change and - technology could change and therefore this could be rolled out to bigger chunks of the population if needed? ~ , ,., , ~' to bigger chunks of the population if needed? ~ , ,, ., , if needed? absolutely. i think any dru: that if needed? absolutely. i think any drug that could _ if needed? absolutely. i think any drug that could be _ if needed? absolutely. i think any drug that could be effective - drug that could be effective particularly after somebody got infected because at that point is only the treatment that would be affected. i'm certain that they would be some advancement in terms of technology transfer so that it leads to the pharmaceuticals that can really liaise with merck and start producing for that want to get would like to highlight is although this is really great addition into our armoury, this is not a substitute for the vaccine. because the vaccine protection from getting the vaccine protection from getting the facts click back virus and that's always the best strategy not getting the buyers not after. boosterjobs getting the buyers not after. booster jobs for teenagers and children is always important and probably more important than having treatment thereafter. if probably more important than having treatment thereafter.— treatment thereafter. if you look at the over all— treatment thereafter. if you look at the over all levels _ treatment thereafter. if you look at the over all levels of _ treatment thereafter. if you look at the over all levels of treatment, i the over all levels of treatment, how much have they reduced the risk of serious illness in the round? most of the treatment that we have certainly are effective. for example talking about this pill that it has 50% effectiveness. particularly into the patient that have mild to moderate disease, not really effective again somebody who's got already severe disease. it's already important to consider that this treatment could be started within five days of getting any of the clinical signs or at least as soon as the covid—19 has detected positive. certainly these treatments are absolutely important to make any saving lives are getting into the hospital. fin saving lives are getting into the hosital. ., ., ., , ., hospital. on another development on covid, it's been _ hospital. on another development on covid, it's been reported _ hospital. on another development on covid, it's been reported that's - covid, it's been reported that's potentially genetic reason that is being looked at now for wise south asians are more vulnerable to covid. yes as you know since the start of this pandemic we do know that the south asian community has been disproportionately effective as of one point 52 4% that they would die of covid—19. i think there are multiple factors from socioeconomic to the way we live and work and facilities overall. i think this genetic factor is one of those factors that could contribute into the higher vulnerability. it's around 60% of southeast asian population that have this specific gene that are making them doubly affected compared to the european population that has only 15% of this gene. this is certainly one of those factors that are making southeast asian population vulnerable to covid—19. more now on yorkshire county cricket club being banned from hosting international and major matches over the club's response to racism experienced by former player azeem rafiq. our correspondentjon donisson has spoken to the chairman of the england and wales cricket board, tom harrison over its decision. it's been clear over the last few days the situation that has emanated from what's going on in york shire has become a very significant issue for the wider game. once the situation became one which is clear there is good to be significant reputational damage ecb felt compelled to step in and take the supplementary action. what compelled to step in and take the supplementary action.— compelled to step in and take the supplementary action. what are you secificall supplementary action. what are you specifically concerned _ supplementary action. what are you specifically concerned about - supplementary action. what are you specifically concerned about how- specifically concerned about how york shire county cricket club is being run? it’s york shire county cricket club is being run?— being run? it's been clear that throughout — being run? it's been clear that throughout this _ being run? it's been clear that throughout this investigation i being run? it's been clear that - throughout this investigation we've had concerns about the manner in which decisions are made. and it's very clear that given the conclusion of the investigation and subsequent action that's been taken and respective disciplinary action to those implicated, it's very clear that there has been a lack of realisation of the seriousness of theissue realisation of the seriousness of the issue and the implications for the issue and the implications for the wider game. again, the board had felt compelled to take this action we have today for that you mention the wider game, is it so york shire county cricket club specific problem or is it wider in england and wales cricket? right now this is clearly a situation which is impacted your chart, emanated from allegations that emerge from yorkshire county cricket club. the allegations however have an implication for the whole game. it's really important that ecb sends a message to cricket fans across this country that we will not stand for this, that racism and anything to do with racism and discrimination of any kind has absolutely no place in the game. that's the very clear message we wanted to send to the action we take in today. ihla wanted to send to the action we take in toda . ., ., ., ., ., . , in today. no international matches at headingley- _ in today. no international matches at headingley. that's _ in today. no international matches at headingley. that's good - in today. no international matches at headingley. that's good to - in today. no international matches at headingley. that's good to be i in today. no international matches at headingley. that's good to be a | at headingley. that's good to be a big financial penalty for the club. i begin to be able to get through it and how difficult a decision was not to make in particular the section on international matches? it’s international matches? it's unprecedented _ international matches? it�*s unprecedented action and clearly significant financial implications for your check county cricket club. right now the implications for the wider game is far more substantial. this is an implication for what cricket stands for, the values we hold as a game and the message we want to send to dance across this country and overseas. this message is really clear that we will not stand discrimination and racism has no part in our sport. so stand discrimination and racism has no part in our sport.— no part in our sport. so what is our no part in our sport. so what is your check— no part in our sport. so what is your check county _ no part in our sport. so what is your check county cricket - no part in our sport. so what is your check county cricket club| your check county cricket club got to do for the sages to be left to? there is a series and set of conditions we have a series of contractual agreements that stipulate certain minimum standards that we expect for above that i think the message is clear that for effectively our brand which is english and welsh cricket to be played out in these wonderful venues that we have run this country, there are responsibilities that sit above what's written in contracts. and clearly we feel that those have been breached over the course of the action that's been taken by your check county cricket club through this affair. it’s check county cricket club through this affair. �* , ., ., ., , this affair. it's half of the fans, if ou this affair. it's half of the fans, if you are _ this affair. it's half of the fans, if you are a _ this affair. it's half of the fans, if you are a fan _ this affair. it's half of the fans, if you are a fan of _ this affair. it's half of the fans, if you are a fan of cricket - this affair. it's half of the fans, if you are a fan of cricket up i if you are a fan of cricket up in your chart you're being punished. let's be clear, i think fans around the country want to see decisive action from the governing body of cricket in response to an issue with serious as racism. i think the message to families out there is what crickets values need to hold firmly. we have stood up for them today and we hope that fans understand that some of the weeks and months ahead we will address the issues that the action that we have taken may cause. right now the messages, but is ecb stand for what does cricket stand for in the face of racist allegation? hundreds of millions of sikhs, jains and hindus across the world are celebrating diwali. whilst the festival marks different historical events for each religion, there will be a shared tradition of lighting candles, fireworks and sharing foods and sweets. but the coronavirus pandemic has brought up about challenges for businesses in the lead—up to diwali as rahila bano reports from the town of bolton in england. asian sweets similar to these are imported from india by bolton—based house of raja's for the festival of diwali, but this year, due to a shortage of supplies due to the pandemic there, staff here are working flat—out to keep up with demand, and some foods have been rationed. we have something that comes from india every year, what we call halwa, and it's a traditional indian sweet that you'd find in every household. so, where we normally get 6,000, 7,000 packs a year, we were lucky to get 900, so we have been very tight and we've had to tell our customers just one packet perfamily, or two packets per family. it's been stressful for the owner of this store, as most of the goods which are used in diwali celebrations, like candleholders and stencils are also from india. deliveries have been affected, too, by a shortage of lorry drivers in the uk. sital raja—arjan says before the pandemic they were getting four deliveries a week — and now they're lucky to get one. a lot of these goods you can't get locally, or you can't get the prices locally. when you've done the same process for 30 years and suddenly that process is taken away, and no—one has a plan b — we never had a plan b because we never knew we'd get covid. and not being able to visit india has meant that shoppers who usually travel there to buy food and clothes for the festival have had to make other plans, and they say it's made a big difference. i guess there's certain specific flowers that you would need for certain specific ingredients, for example, or evenjust the cost of things going up, as well, which has had a very big impact on how we would celebrate and the delicacies that we'd usually make. for many hindus, and for sikhs and jains, who also mark the festival, this year's diwali will be different to the ones they celebrated before the pandemic. last year diwali was just, like, totally cancelled — no—one could come to your house — but this year i feel like it'll be extra special because you'll get to see them. and have you personally been affected by deaths due to covid? yeah, i've lost family members, friends, colleagues, so it has been very hard — even uni—wise. but, yeah, it's been hard, but there are brighter days ahead. rahila bano, bbc news, bolton. let me bring you more news on the line that we've just been hearing sadly the death of the showbiz entertainer lionel blair who is tied at the age of 92. his agent had told the ap news agency moments ago. his agent had told the ap news agency moments ago. joining me on the phone is the actor and entertainer, christopher biggins who knew lionel blair for many years. thank you forjoining us. your thank you for “oining us. your thou~hts thank you for “oining us. your thoughts on — thank you forjoining us. your thoughts on this _ thank you forjoining us. your thoughts on this very - thank you forjoining us. your thoughts on this very sad - thank you forjoining us. you;- thoughts on this very sad news. it is terribly sad. except he was 92, what in age. fantastic but he will be lost and my heart goes out to his gorgeous wife and children. but he was... he rang me two weeks ago. we often spoke of the phone and i didn't take the call because i was in here, my partner took the call. and i'd be bringing him back and hadn't been able to get through. he wasjust the most hadn't been able to get through. he was just the most wonderful, kind, funny a real giver of life. his energy was extraordinary. and i never did a pantomime with him because we both were pantomime kings and queens, isuppose. i because we both were pantomime kings and queens, i suppose. i did a pantomime there are a charity once and we never stop laughing. of course give us a clue which he did with the late eunice stumps. but we did that and i did that show a lot and so that's how i really got to know him. and we used to again, laugh. he loved to win. if you are on his team which i was on the men's team he would get very, very angry with you if you didn't do well. he was just marvellous. with you if you didn't do well. he wasjust marvellous. it with you if you didn't do well. he was just marvellous. it wonderful entertainer who will be sadly missed. i entertainer who will be sadly missed. ., ., ., ., missed. i said, he managed to do so much, he missed. i said, he managed to do so much. he had _ missed. i said, he managed to do so much, he had so _ missed. i said, he managed to do so much, he had so many _ missed. i said, he managed to do so much, he had so many gifts, - missed. i said, he managed to do so much, he had so many gifts, was - missed. i said, he managed to do sol much, he had so many gifts, was that part of the sacred of his longevity, his success in his ability to work through the decades? i his success in his ability to work through the decades?— his success in his ability to work through the decades? i think so. he could single — through the decades? i think so. he could single you _ through the decades? i think so. he could single you can _ through the decades? i think so. he could single you can dance - through the decades? i think so. he could single you can dance i - could single you can dance i mean the two of them were real talents. and it was the old fashion... you tackled everything and you learn how to do all those things. and he was magnificent at doing them. he had a great sense of humour, he was very special. it's a tribute to his wonderful family. special. it's a tribute to his wonderfulfamily. d0 special. it's a tribute to his wonderful family.— special. it's a tribute to his wonderful family. special. it's a tribute to his wonderfulfamil. ~ ., ., wonderful family. do you know what he en'o ed wonderful family. do you know what he enjoyed most _ wonderful family. do you know what he enjoyed most out _ wonderful family. do you know what he enjoyed most out of— wonderful family. do you know what he enjoyed most out of all— he enjoyed most out of all those things but it was the acting of the quizzes for the dancing? because he was in that era as you say as someone who spanned across all those genres. he someone who spanned across all those uenres. . ~' someone who spanned across all those uenres. ., ~ ., ~ genres. he related. i like to think he probably _ genres. he related. i like to think he probably loved _ genres. he related. i like to think he probably loved pantomime, i genres. he related. i like to think. he probably loved pantomime, which i'm sure he did. he did many, many pantomimes, he was the king of the pantomime. he could do everything. 0f pantomime. he could do everything. of course he loved his television work and he loved being a personality, being adored by the public who do two did indeed adore him. it's going to be a very sad call that this happened today. i was deeply moved when i heard because he was such a wonderful man. for everyone _ was such a wonderful man. for everyone in — was such a wonderful man. for everyone in the _ was such a wonderful man. for everyone in the performance business, of course the last year and a half it's been especially difficult. we've not been able to go see shows let alone take part and if you are still working at this current age. did you speak to him much during these last very difficult months?— much during these last very difficult months? ., ., , , difficult months? yeah. he was very frustrated by — difficult months? yeah. he was very frustrated by it. _ difficult months? yeah. he was very frustrated by it. we _ difficult months? yeah. he was very frustrated by it. we were _ difficult months? yeah. he was very frustrated by it. we were both - difficult months? yeah. he was very frustrated by it. we were both very l frustrated by it. we were both very frustrated by it. we were both very frustrated that the arts, every aspect of the arts, nobody was helped by the government. everybody else had money thrown at them. but we didn't. billions of dollars to new york and theatres in america and all over the world. but anyway we can get anything. it was very frustrating. it was good that he was surrounded by his family and comfortable and was able not to worry too much about that. it was something that worried him like it worried all of us. how we managed to get through this last pandemic, it's been amazing. people i know have been amazing. people i know have been out working driving vans in order to feed their children and husbands. and make teatime, they get a t and then the husband go out into the driving at night. extraordi things happening because we were left high and dry. things happening because we were left high and dry-— left high and dry. absolutely. it's been obviously _ left high and dry. absolutely. it's been obviously very _ left high and dry. absolutely. it's been obviously very tough - left high and dry. absolutely. it's been obviously very tough for - left high and dry. absolutely. it's i been obviously very tough for some people. he did live till 92 and i don't want to pry at all into his private matters but do you know whether he was unwell? the news comes as a surprise. it whether he was unwell? the news comes as a surprise.— whether he was unwell? the news comes as a surprise. it has come as a bit of a surprise. _ comes as a surprise. it has come as a bit of a surprise. 92, _ comes as a surprise. it has come as a bit of a surprise. 92, they - comes as a surprise. it has come as a bit of a surprise. 92, they were i a bit of a surprise. 92, they were all sorts of things you can have. i'm 72 and ijust had a new valve put into my heart. things can happen at any time in your life. i think he was looked after beautifully by sue, his wife who again a wonderful woman and his children. i think he was probably not as well as he could have been, let's say that. i have a feeling that way he would've loved his life so much that it didn't rarely do it matter these last two years he a one. he is a lovely gossip, he loved the good old gossip. so we are able to tell him things that make him laugh which was wonderful. . ., things that make him laugh which was wonderful. ., ,, , ., , things that make him laugh which was wonderful. . ~' , ., , . things that make him laugh which was wonderful. ., ,, , ., , . ., wonderful. thank you very much for “oininr us wonderful. thank you very much for joining us for— wonderful. thank you very much for joining us for those _ wonderful. thank you very much for joining us for those very _ wonderful. thank you very much for joining us for those very fond - joining us for those very fond memories of lionel blair who is died at the age of 92. let's talk to the actor melvyn hayes who knew lionel blair well. again, your thoughts with this very sad news. ~ ., , ., sad news. well, i only heard it about three — sad news. well, i only heard it about three seconds _ sad news. well, i only heard it about three seconds before . sad news. well, i only heard it| about three seconds before the sad news. well, i only heard it - about three seconds before the phone when asking me to come and say something. he was a one—off. he was an amazing post up he was mister show business. i remember working with him at the london palladium in the days when we did pantomime together, we did 15 weeks season. he was playing the sheriff. it was a first time in history that a sheriff has ever done a song sheet. he insisted, because he was playing the sheriff as well he insisted on having a change of costume for every scene. he was wonderful. he was a lovely man. we were also both members of one of the greatest orders in show business, the order rats. i'm sure and get a message. he was a lovely man. i rats. i'm sure and get a message. he was a lovely man.— was a lovely man. i was “ust talking about the fact * was a lovely man. i was “ust talking about the fact that _ was a lovely man. i was “ust talking about the fact that he _ was a lovely man. i wasjust talking about the fact that he had - was a lovely man. i wasjust talking about the fact that he had so - about the fact that he had so many different talents which seems to be something that entertainers of a certain generation did do. which we see a bit less now but perhaps contributed to his amazing longevity. i contributed to his amazing longevity-— contributed to his amazing lontevi . ~ ., longevity. i don't know, christopher said he was — longevity. i don't know, christopher said he was about _ longevity. i don't know, christopher said he was about 72 _ longevity. i don't know, christopher said he was about 72 or _ longevity. i don't know, christopher said he was about 72 or something, | said he was about 72 or something, i'm about hundred and for. ? 104. it's i'm about hundred and for. ?104. it's amazing that people live that much longer. normally actors don't retire you just play on the parts and hope some director is listening. but lionel, i like him as a man and as an artist. he was a great dancer, he was a wonderful dancer and used to be known as the lionel blair dancers that he had with him. he was prettier than all of them.— prettier than all of them. lionel, we will miss _ prettier than all of them. lionel, we will miss you. _ prettier than all of them. lionel, we will miss you. i _ prettier than all of them. lionel, we will miss you. i met - we will miss you. i met his professional longevity. i should've clarified the fact that he was working through all these previous decades on so many forms. in those da s he decades on so many forms. in those days he was — decades on so many forms. in those days he was a _ decades on so many forms. in those days he was a dancer _ decades on so many forms. in those days he was a dancer but _ decades on so many forms. in those days he was a dancer but the - days he was a dancer but the last thing i did with him was a series called revolver, he was very funny indeed. we did hundreds of sketches for scottish television and he was very funny in them. find for scottish television and he was very funny in them.— for scottish television and he was very funny in them. and what will be our very funny in them. and what will be your abiding — very funny in them. and what will be your abiding memory _ very funny in them. and what will be your abiding memory of _ very funny in them. and what will be your abiding memory of him? - very funny in them. and what will be your abiding memory of him? i - your abiding memory of him? i think m abidint your abiding memory of him? i think my abiding memory _ your abiding memory of him? i think my abiding memory was _ your abiding memory of him? i think my abiding memory was standing i your abiding memory of him? i try “ia; my abiding memory was standing in the wings of a london palladium the night before they did this is your life with me. he came up to me and said are you all right, melvin? i looked and i set i'm a bit worried. he said why are you worried? i said which side is a man coming on from? he looked at me, did a double take run into a dressing room and says he knows, melvin knows, they do in a programme on him. they said no, it's a gag. he always says that whenever we doing show he just as it is gag. and he said i nearly blew it. i nearly said, so you know. i've never seen him so shaken up in his life. that's a wonderful story. thank you so much forjoining us with those thoughts. even if you'vejust so much forjoining us with those thoughts. even if you've just heard the news says everybody has. we appreciate your time in your thoughts today. just remembering lionel blair who is died at the age of 92. much more online in all her stories online. here's nick miller. hello after a chilly evening temperatures are likely to jump evening temperatures are likely to jump across scotland, northern england as well because there's cloud moving in and some outbreaks of rank of it old of the old bill will be heavy burst north west scotland. clear skies by the end of the night will be across east anglia in southern england, parts of the midlands and this is where we will have a frost going into friday morning. overall tomorrow is looking like a cloudier day. we will see from the cloud some outbreaks of veggie rain at time spreading self. they still continue to have drizzle and western areas especially on wheels through the day. most persistent rain will be in northwest scotland. overall although it is a cloudier day it will be largely dry, there was to be a brighter brakes across eastern parts of the easton high ground. there is a westerly breeze coming in now, that's from a less chilly direction. temperatures edging up closer again for the seasonal average. i'm laura trevelyan in new york, and this is bbc world news america. it's one year since the start of the war in ethiopia. the government claims to be on the brink of victory but tigrayan fighters are advancing towards the capital. exactly a year after the war began their is still no end in sight. in fact it's moving fast south and entering the capital of addis ababa. a future without coal. at the climate summit in glasgow, more than 40 countries pledge to stop using coal — but the us, china and india are missing from the list plus, christmas is coming — and the uk's festive ads are here, as the retailers try and lure in the shoppers after last year's covid gloom.