will continue to apologise. and russia and nato hold their first face-to-face _ apologise. and russia and nato hold their first face-to-face talks - apologise. and russia and nato hold their first face-to-face talks in - their first face—to—face talks in two years as tensions remain high over the build—up of russian troops in the boot order —— border with ukraine. let's begin with prince andrew. prince andrew has failed to get a civil case in the united states, which accuses him of sexually assaulting a teenage girl, dismissed. virginia giuffre is suing the duke of york, claiming that he abused her when she was seventeen at the homes ofjeffrey epstein and ghislaine maxwell. the prince has strenuously denied the allegations, but the ruling by the judge in new york today means the civil trial can now go ahead. our royal correspondent, nicholas witchell, reports. everything for andrew had rested on this ruling and it has gone against him. in his 43—page ruling in the case of virginia giuffre and prince andrew, duke of york, thejudge's conclusion was very straightforward. the defendant's motion to dismiss the complaint is denied in all "the defendant's motion to dismiss the complaint is denied in all respects," the judge wrote. the possibility of appealing at this stage appears to be remote, so these are andrew's basic options. he can settle out of court — there'd be no admission of liability, but he would pay a perhaps substantial sum to virginia giuffre. he can default — that is ignore the court case and by default they would be a finding against him. finally, he could fight it out in court. he would have to give a deposition under oath, bible stories would be tested, the matter would be lawyers who have been following the case say none of the options will be attractive to him. andrew has got no good options now. he can't make things better, so essentially, i think he's either going to have to engage in the trial process or he's going to have to settle. that may well be his least worst option. but it would be up to virginia giuffre to decide whether to accept any article settlement. at the moment, she doesn't seem inclined to do so. in a statement, her lawyer said... all of which leaves andrew facing the prospect of a bruising court case and the queen, in this her platinum jubilee year,, her platinum jubilee year, of enduring months of upset. in his newsnight interview, the one in which he said he couldn't remember meeting the then 17—year—old virginia giuffre, andrew was asked whether he felt his behaviour had damaged the queen and the royal family. i don't believe it's been damaging to the queen at all. it has to me. if i was in a position to be able to answer all these questions in a way that gave sensible answers other than the ones that i've given that gave closure, i would love it, but i'm afraid i can't because i'm just as much in the dark as many people. if andrew does fight on people have to answer all the other side's if andrew does fight on, he'll have to answer all the other side's questions under oath and he will be able to declare his innocence and his lawyers will be able to test virginia giuffre's allegations. but at what price to the reputation of the royal family? as lawyers are saying, he has no good options. nicholas witchell, bbc news. nada tawfik is in new york. essentially, this case moves forward. there is a long shot that his team could appeal, but that will require thejudge's his team could appeal, but that will require the judge's permission, his team could appeal, but that will require thejudge's permission, and thatis require thejudge's permission, and that is looking promising at all. given this decision. even if of —— the process will move forward with scheduled, and that's the stage where each side has to disclose information and documents. we know from virginia giuffre's lawyers that they have demanded prince andrew's medical records after he alleged her claims are false because he's unable to sweat. claims he made in a draw dropping an interview. if he does fight this case, he will face questioning from miss giuffre's lawyer. while he has always denied these allegations, he now has crucial decisions to make. let's take a look _ crucial decisions to make. let's take a look at _ crucial decisions to make. let's take a look at what _ crucial decisions to make. let's take a look at what could - crucial decisions to make. let's take a look at what could happen next. that's when both sides request information to prepare their case. after that, september is the earliest that the trial could begin. we've been hearing a lot about that discovery phase. here's adam klasfield, the managing editor of the law and crime network based in new york, with more on that. discovering is the fact process. the famous interview on newsnight, prince andrew made the assertion that he did not sweat. that he was medically incapable of sweating at the time. miss giuffre's counsel has specifically asked for evidence of that claim. this is the time period, the discovery phase, when the parties get to see covenants testing the other party's assertions. that might be through documentary evidence or depositions, but that's what this phase is all about. that's the discovery phase. prince andrew says he has no recollection of ever meeting virginia. he's now facing the prospect of having to defend himself against her in that civil trial. one of the possibilities is seeking a settlement out—of—court, which would stop the case going ahead. here's the former new york prosecutor. he has to seriously be considering this case prior to discoverx _ considering this case prior to discovery. i'm confident he does not want tom _ discovery. i'm confident he does not want to... and in order to do that, he has _ want to... and in order to do that, he has to— want to... and in order to do that, he has to het _ want to... and in order to do that, he has to .net they're having discussions right now. so they can discuss _ discussions right now. so they can discuss whether the case will move forward _ discuss whether the case will move forward or— discuss whether the case will move forward or whether there is some sort of— forward or whether there is some sort of resolution that parties can reach _ sort of resolution that parties can reach outside of the court. evenif even if prince andrew were to seek an out—of—court settlement, there may not be that celt forward. lisa bloom is a lawyer who represented a number of the women who accused harvey weinstein, the film producer who was convicted of sexual abuse. she also briefly represented mr weinstein himself. and, she's also represented a number of the women who accused ofjeffrey epstein. here's her take on the likelihood of a negotiated settlement. i've done many high—profile cases over 35— i've done many high—profile cases over 35 years. _ i've done many high—profile cases over 35 years, and _ i've done many high—profile cases over35 years, and i— i've done many high—profile cases over 35 years, and i can _ i've done many high—profile cases over 35 years, and i can tell- i've done many high—profile cases over 35 years, and i can tell you l over 35 years, and i can tell you that this — over 35 years, and i can tell you that this one _ over 35 years, and i can tell you that this one is _ over 35 years, and i can tell you that this one is different - over 35 years, and i can tell you | that this one is different because virginia — that this one is different because virginia seems _ that this one is different because virginia seems bound _ that this one is different because virginia seems bound and - that this one is different because - virginia seems bound and determined to get— virginia seems bound and determined to get this _ virginia seems bound and determined to get this case — virginia seems bound and determined to get this case to _ virginia seems bound and determined to get this case to trial. _ virginia seems bound and determined to get this case to trial. she _ to get this case to trial. she settied _ to get this case to trial. she settled previously— to get this case to trial. she settled previously with - to get this case to trial. she i settled previously with jeffrey epstein, — settled previously with jeffrey epstein, and _ settled previously with jeffrey epstein. and i— settled previously with jeffrey epstein, and i think— settled previously with jeffrey epstein, and i think she - settled previously with jeffreyj epstein, and i think she wants settled previously with jeffrey i epstein, and i think she wants to settled previously with jeffrey - epstein, and i think she wants to go forward _ epstein, and i think she wants to go forward she — epstein, and i think she wants to go forward. she want _ epstein, and i think she wants to go forward. she want to _ epstein, and i think she wants to go forward. she want to have - epstein, and i think she wants to go forward. she want to have her- epstein, and i think she wants to go forward. she want to have her day l epstein, and i think she wants to go| forward. she want to have her day in court _ forward. she want to have her day in court and _ forward. she want to have her day in court and an— forward. she want to have her day in court. and an apology _ forward. she want to have her day in court. and an apology from - forward. she want to have her day in court. and an apology from prince i court. and an apology from prince andrew _ we put that to the legal commentatorjoshua rozenberg. here's what he said. virginia giuffre is saying she doesn't want to settle, she wants her day in court. of course, it's not quite that simple because going into court is very expensive. she's made a lot of money in the past by settling cases. we know that the case involving jeffrey epstein more than a decade ago, she got half $1 million. but that was a long time ago. and her lawyers will obviously want to consider what she might get by going into court, what that might cost, what the risks are of the case against the reality of a settlement in which case she gets compensation and her lawyers get paid. so, there's quite a lot of negotiation behind all of this. the uk prime minister borisjohnson has admitted, for the first time, that he attended a drinks party in the garden of number 10 downing street during england's first lockdown. he's apologised but dismissed calls to resign, telling parliament he was acting within the guidelines for work—related events. we've got lots of clips to play you. let's start with the prime minister. wa nt to apologise. know that millions of people across this country have made extraordinary sacrifices over the last 18 months. know the anguish that they have been through, unable to mourn their relatives. i know the rage they feel with me, and with the government i lead, when they think in downing street itself, they think in downing street itself, the rules are not being properly followed. though i cannot anticipate the conclusions i have learned enough to know there are things we simply did not get right, and i will must take responsibility ——' responsibility. numberten must take responsibility ——' responsibility. number ten is a big which has been in constant use because of the role of stopping the virus. when i went into that garden, to thank groups of staff before going back into the office for 25 minutes later to continue working, i believed that this was a work event. but with hindsight, i should have sent everyone back inside, i should have found some other way to thank them, and i should have recognised that even if it could be said technically to fall within the guidance, there would be millions of people who simply would not see it that way. the event took place in the downing street garden in may 2020, at a time when stringent social distancing rules were in place. we know at least 30 people attended. we also know it's one of a number of alleged social gatherings that took place when england was under covid restrictions. opposition parties want the prime minister to stand down. here's the labour leader. there we have it. after months of deceit _ there we have it. after months of deceit and — there we have it. after months of deceit and deception, the pathetic spectacle — deceit and deception, the pathetic spectacle of a man whose run out of roonf _ spectacle of a man whose run out of roonf his— spectacle of a man whose run out of room. his defence that he didn't realise _ room. his defence that he didn't realise he — room. his defence that he didn't realise he was at a party... laughter it is so ridiculous that it's actually— it is so ridiculous that it's actually offensive to the british public — actually offensive to the british ublic. . . actually offensive to the british public-_ he's - actually offensive to the british public._ he's finally | public. hear, hear! he's finally bein: public. hear, hear! he's finally being forced — public. hear, hear! he's finally being forced to _ public. hear, hear! he's finally being forced to admit - public. hear, hear! he's finally being forced to admit what - public. hear, hear! he's finally- being forced to admit what everyone knew _ being forced to admit what everyone knew he _ being forced to admit what everyone knew. he was hosting boozy parties in downing — knew. he was hosting boozy parties in downing street. is he now going to do— in downing street. is he now going to do the _ in downing street. is he now going to do the decent thing and resign? there's some important context to explain. i appreciate the point he's making about the event that i attended. i want to repeat that i thought it was a work event, and i regret very much that we did not do things differently. there's some important context to explain. in may 2020, england was in its first lockdown. people could only leave home for work, exercise or for essential supplies, and could only meet one person from another household outdoors. already, there had been 36,000 covid deaths. the 20th of may was the hottest day of the year so far. and at 5pm, culture secretary oliver dowden led the government's daily covid update and reiterated the rules. you can meet one person outside your household _ you can meet one person outside your household in _ you can meet one person outside your household in an outdoor public place. — household in an outdoor public place, provided that you stay two metres _ place, provided that you stay two metres apart. fast—forwa rd to fast—forward to today, lots will defend the investigation. this is the senior civil servant, sue gray. her report is due next week. labour wants answers. this her report is due next week. labour wants answers— wants answers. this 'ust isn't working. i wants answers. this 'ust isn't working. everyone _ wants answers. thisjust isn't working. everyone can - wants answers. thisjust isn't working. everyone can see i wants answers. thisjust isn't i working. everyone can see what happened. it started with reports of booties _ happened. it started with reports of booties -- — happened. it started with reports of booties —— boozy parties. the prime minister— booties —— boozy parties. the prime minister pretended that he had been assured _ minister pretended that he had been assured we were no parties. how that fits, i_ assured we were no parties. how that fits, i do— assured we were no parties. how that fits, i do not— assured we were no parties. how that fits, i do not know. when the video tanded. _ fits, i do not know. when the video landed, blowing the prime minister's first offence out of the water, he then _ first offence out of the water, he then pretended he was sickened and furious _ then pretended he was sickened and furious about parties. now it turns out he _ furious about parties. now it turns out he was — furious about parties. now it turns out he was at the parties all along. can the _ out he was at the parties all along. can the prime minister see why the british— can the prime minister see why the british public think he's lying through— british public think he's lying through his teeth? the british public think he's lying through his teeth? british public think he's lying throu~h his teeth? ., ., , through his teeth? the labour party is not alone — through his teeth? the labour party is not alone and _ through his teeth? the labour party is not alone and it's _ through his teeth? the labour party is not alone and it's cause _ through his teeth? the labour party is not alone and it's cause or - through his teeth? the labour party is not alone and it's cause or boris l is not alone and its cause or boris johnson to resign. ilrrui’iiiii is not alone and it's cause or boris johnson to resign.— johnson to resign. will the prime ministerfor— johnson to resign. will the prime minister for the _ johnson to resign. will the prime minister for the good _ johnson to resign. will the prime minister for the good of - johnson to resign. will the prime minister for the good of the - johnson to resign. will the prime i minister for the good of the country accept _ minister for the good of the country accept that— minister for the good of the country accept that the _ minister for the good of the country accept that the party is _ minister for the good of the country accept that the party is over - minister for the good of the country accept that the party is over and - accept that the party is over and decide _ accept that the party is over and decide to — accept that the party is over and decide to resign? _ accept that the party is over and decide to resign? do— accept that the party is over and decide to resign?— decide to resign? do the decent thin and decide to resign? do the decent thing and resign. _ decide to resign? do the decent thing and resign. do _ decide to resign? do the decent thing and resign. do the - decide to resign? do the decent - thing and resign. do the honourable thing and resign. do the honourable thin and thing and resign. do the honourable thing and resign. _ thing and resign. do the honourable thing and resign. he _ thing and resign. do the honourable thing and resign. he must— thing and resign. do the honourable thing and resign. he must resign. . thing and resign. he must resign. there also — thing and resign. he must resign. there also calls _ thing and resign. he must resign. there also calls from _ thing and resign. he must resign. there also calls from his - thing and resign. he must resign. there also calls from his own - thing and resign. he must resign. j there also calls from his own side to quit. and crucially for me, he said in hindsight, if he had his time again, he would've done things differently, and that to me is an acceptance from the prime minister that he did wrong. therefore, to be consistent with what i've said before, i don't believe his position as prime minister and leader of the conservative party is tenable and he does need to resign. a lot to discuss. let's cross over to westminster and damian grammaticas. we heard for the first time the prime minister and menacing —— admitting to attending this event, but suggesting it wasn't a it was a work event. where are we with all of this? i was a work event. where are we with all of this? ~ heard that what he thinks his defence is, so so he admitted he went to the party. that was the crucial thing from the beginning of the day. the prime minister was under real pressure. and he then went on to say that he did not believe it was a party. it appears to me that if others were there breaking the rules, he himself didn't think that this was a party, and therefore is distancing himself from that. crucially, there was that little phrase that he said when he said that the garden was an extension of the office. we had the explanation and the rules being that you can meet one person outside in a public place, so this may all turn on whether the party or the event that happened in that garden somehow was covered by the rules that allowed people to gather for work. that does seem, and the labour party were very clear, and sir keir starmer attack on this, many people will find that hard to believe that somehow, this could fall under work definitions at the time, but given that the prime minister lives in downing street and this is a garden he could be in, that seems to be how he's trying to distance himself from what happened. his apology is not an apology for that event, it was for the fact that people were angered by the fact that people were angered by the perception of it being wrong, so i think all those things mean, carefully phrased by the prime minister, and setting up waiting for this inquiry by sue gray to report that trying to distance himself from it remains to be seen, whether that will be enough for him. 50. it remains to be seen, whether that will be enough for him.— will be enough for him. so, a lot of careful phrasing, _ will be enough for him. so, a lot of careful phrasing, but _ will be enough for him. so, a lot of careful phrasing, but when - will be enough for him. so, a lot of careful phrasing, but when it - careful phrasing, but when it comes to calls for regular nation, they're very clear. the 1922 has been meeting, a committee of backbench conservatives, who hold the prime minister's future in their hands. they do because the process within the conservative party would be they would have to receive 5a letters calling for a leadership challenge to trigger such an event. so, that i guess will be the formal way within the party it would happen. otherwise, it would be either boris johnson to resign himself, which many mps called on, and he wasn't going to do that. so, it's either the conservative party or the other events. that internal inquiry and senior tories were saying to wait and see when it does come back. the interesting thing is that that inquiry is to look at the facts of what happened and recommend perhaps whether there should be any disciplinary action against anyone. as with all of this, civil servant can't really discipline the minister. ultimately, it may come full circle. it's not just it's notjust mps. they are responding to what they hear in their constituencies and what feedback they get from the public and how people see this apology today. and how people see this apology toda . , and how people see this apology toda. , today. damien, we will be back with ou know today. damien, we will be back with you know doubt _ today. damien, we will be back with you know doubt when this _ today. damien, we will be back withj you know doubt when this develops. thank you very much. it's been another day of high—stakes talks between russia and nato. the aim is to defuse tensions over russian troops gathering on the ukrainian border. but so far, there's been no breakthrough, with russia accusing nato of using �*cold war security methods'. this is the moment the two sides arrived for the talks earlier today. nato members have repeatedly said they won't accept russian security demands. but moscow is standing firm. we'll be taking a closer look at that in a moment. let's hear from nato secretary generaljens stoltenberg. he's been speaking to the bbc�*sjonathan beale. after these talks with russia, are you more optimistic that there will not be an armed conflict again in ukraine? it’s not be an armed conflict again in ukraine? �* , ., not be an armed conflict again in ukraine? �*, ., ,.,,, , not be an armed conflict again in ukraine? �*, ., , ., ukraine? it's not possible to say an hint ukraine? it's not possible to say anything with — ukraine? it's not possible to say anything with certainty - ukraine? it's not possible to say anything with certainty about. anything with certainty about confiict~ _ anything with certainty about conflict. what i know is there is a risk for— conflict. what i know is there is a risk for renewed use of force by russia — risk for renewed use of force by russia. that's exactly why they're meeting _ russia. that's exactly why they're meeting today. because we believe in a political— meeting today. because we believe in a political path to engage in good faith and — a political path to engage in good faith and to sit down with allies and find — faith and to sit down with allies and find a — faith and to sit down with allies and find a peaceful way forward. let's _ and find a peaceful way forward. let's take — and find a peaceful way forward. let's take a look at what russia is calling for. it's also demanding that nato stop its expansion eastwards. and the roll—back of all of nato's military deployments in central and eastern europe. you can see the european nato members on this map in red. russia already shares a small part of it's border with nato countries. if ukraine was to join, it would more than double the military alliances neighbouring russia. here's russian deputy foreign minister alexander grushko speaking after the talks. translation: the main task of nato policy and deployment is— the main task of nato policy and deployment is to deter- the main task of nato policy and deployment is to deter russia i the main task of nato policy and i deployment is to deter russia and enormous — deployment is to deter russia and enormous resources _ deployment is to deter russia and enormous resources are _ deployment is to deter russia and enormous resources are being - enormous resources are being allocated _ enormous resources are being allocated for— enormous resources are being allocated for this _ enormous resources are being allocated for this purpose. - enormous resources are being i allocated for this purpose. they don't _ allocated for this purpose. they don't conceal— allocated for this purpose. they don't conceal that _ allocated for this purpose. they don't conceal that this - allocated for this purpose. they don't conceal that this is - allocated for this purpose. they don't conceal that this is the - don't conceal that this is the alliances— don't conceal that this is the alliance's main— don't conceal that this is the alliance's main purpose. - dr maria snegovaya is a visiting scholar at the institute for european, russian, and eurasian studies at george washington university. russia wants commitment that ukraine will not be allowed to join nato. is there a chance that ukraine canjoin? i don't think nato and the west have prepared to the risks associated to granting ukraine, but the suggestion is about informal cooperation in terms of the weapons provision. red vines have been shifting consistently over the recent years, and it's no longer about an informal association to nato. it's now about military cooperation with nato countries. the question is whether the west and east prepared to concede to those.— the west and east prepared to concede to those. ~ ., ., , ., concede to those. what do you think? there's no appetite _ concede to those. what do you think? there's no appetite to _ concede to those. what do you think? there's no appetite to get _ concede to those. what do you think? there's no appetite to get to - there's no appetite to get to a dispute with russia? in there's no appetite to get to a dispute with russia?— there's no appetite to get to a dispute with russia? in that sense, ou can dispute with russia? in that sense, you can argue _ dispute with russia? in that sense, you can argue that _ dispute with russia? in that sense, you can argue that russia - dispute with russia? in that sense, you can argue that russia has - you can argue that russia has already succeeded by forcing the west to avoid it through diplomacy talks, but the charitable act of not invading ukraine. however, the first take away from the talks are ongoing between the us and russia, there is no diplomatic breakthrough, and nato has shown its resilience and commitment to standby to the original promises.— commitment to standby to the original promises. commitment to standby to the oriainal romises. . ., ., . ~' original promises. what do you make so far of the — original promises. what do you make so far of the talks? _ original promises. what do you make so far of the talks? what _ original promises. what do you make so far of the talks? what does - original promises. what do you make so far of the talks? what does this i so far of the talks? what does this say about the biden administration? the us diplomats are showing quite a few successes. the idea is to try to do their best to engage russia into this talks as the window passes by. a lot of analysts predicted this in late january, and there will be sufficient hopeful —— hopefully sufficient hopeful —— hopefully sufficient progress. the real success can be achieved when it comes to the reduction in nuclear weapons. that's what the us diplomats are trying to do. i guess time will tell. most importantly, vital find time will tell. most importantly, vitalfind it time will tell. most importantly, vital find it administration gave food in a way to go forward —— biden administration. russia discovered, and biden has granted the kremlin... if it worked once, why not try it again? we will see if food and resorts to this game in which he keeps us going —— putin. in exchange for negotiations with the west. fin for negotiations with the west. on that note, we will leave it there. doctor maria snegovaya, thank you very much for speaking to us. hello there. for many of us, it was not a bad day today. we saw quite a bit of sunshine around. there was more cloud around, though, across scotland, more of a breeze here as well. for the next few days, certainly for the foreseeable future, high pressure is going to dominate the scene, so we will see a lot of dry and settled weather, but frost and dense fog is going to become a problem over the next few days, especially across england and wales. the fog patches will start developing through the overnight period, more extensive than we had the last couple of nights, and it will be cold where skies are clear as well. generally a cold, frosty night across the south. further north, more of a breeze, more cloud. less cold here — temperatures maybe three to 7 degrees for stornoway. our area of high pressure is with us for thursday. you can see more isobars across the north of the country, so here it will remain breezy. but barely any wind further south. that fog to start with, could be really quite dense in places, could cause issues to travel, and some of it may even linger on throughout the whole day. should clear for many. we should see some sunshine here. another fine day for many places that see that sunshine. some sunshine for parts of northern ireland, cloudier, breezy conditions for the northwest of scotland. temperatures, double figure values in the north, around six to 8 degrees in the south, but where the fog lingers, struggling to get much above freezing. we can see those temperatures around the seasonal norm as we head on into friday, keeping the very cold weather out at bay, all thanks to this area of high pressure which is pretty much sitting across england and wales. again, with light winds, we're going to start with that mist and fog for friday morning, some of it really quite dense and quite extensive once again. a bit more cloud for scotland and northern ireland, but where the fog lifts for england and wales, we should see some sunshine breaking through and temperatures again 5—8 degrees. colder where the fog lingers, 10 degrees for the far northwest of scotland. fog may become a problem over the next few days, could be dense and stubborn to clear. may cause some disruption to travel. and then, into the weekend, largely fine and settled thanks to the high pressure. chance of a few showers. most places will stay dry. hello, i'm kasia madera. this is outside source. prince andrew faces a civil trial in the united states over accusations of sexual assault after a judge refuses to dismiss the case. virginia giuffre is suing the duke of york, allegations he denies. borisjohnson admits he attended a downing street tricks gathering in may 2020 and apologises. i may 2020 and apologises. i apologise, i bitterly read it, and i have and will continue to apologise for what we didn't.— have and will continue to apologise for what we didn't. almost a decade after the brutal _ for what we didn't. almost a decade after the brutal killing _ for what we didn't. almost a decade after the brutal killing of _ for what we didn't. almost a decade after the brutal killing of a - for what we didn't. almost a decade after the brutal killing of a family i after the brutal killing of a family in the french alps, police arrest a suspect. welcome. let's get more on our top story. prince andrew has failed to get a civil case dismissed in the united states, alleging he abused virginia giuffre. the prince esther nissley denied the allegations. the decision was outlined in this 46 page document written byjudge kaplan in the new york —— the prince has denied the allegations. here is the assessment of one prominent uk lawyer. brute here is the assessment of one prominent uk lawyer.- here is the assessment of one prominent uk lawyer. we are really with prince — prominent uk lawyer. we are really with prince andrew _ prominent uk lawyer. we are really with prince andrew in _ prominent uk lawyer. we are really with prince andrew in the _ prominent uk lawyer. we are really with prince andrew in the last i with prince andrew in the last chance saloon with the towels over the taps. the only thing that makes this worse is that prince andrew has to start giving evidence in this case, whether that is about his sweating or his trek to pizza express or, worse still, has to do with the allegations of what he is supposed to have done with a 17—year—old woman. in those circumstances, i think that creates the constitutional problems for the wider royal family, the constitutional problems for the wider royalfamily, because i think he has to settle, and that is the big issue here. he doesn't really have many options, and that gives their genuine —— virginia giuffre many of the cards in this case, because if she knows he is desperate to settle, if he has to settle at all costs, then the price goes up. the definition lawyer there, mark stevens. nick witchell is our royal correspondent. the lawyer they're talking about a constitutional crisis. where are you with this, nick? i constitutional crisis. where are you with this, nick?— constitutional crisis. where are you with this, nick? i accept everything he sa s with this, nick? i accept everything he says except _ with this, nick? i accept everything he says except that _ with this, nick? i accept everything he says except that one _ with this, nick? i accept everything he says except that one point. i with this, nick? i accept everything l he says except that one point. there is no question this is going to amount to a constitutional crisis, prince andrew is far down the line of real succession. it is damaging for the royalfamily, damaging for the image of the monarchy. this is going to get off a lot of international attention if it does go forward to court, but there is no question that it has any constitution significance, where mark stevens is right is that there are no good options for prince andrew. he is stuck now. how is he going to go forward? what andrew. he is stuck now. how is he going to go forward?— andrew. he is stuck now. how is he going to go forward? what does this mean for the — going to go forward? what does this mean for the ro _ going to go forward? what does this mean for the ro family _ going to go forward? what does this mean for the ro family itself? i mean for the ro family itself? how close does it get to the royal family? close does it get to the royal famil ? . , close does it get to the royal famil ? ., , ., �* ., family? the family and buckingham palace, family? the family and buckingham palace. their _ family? the family and buckingham palace, their first _ family? the family and buckingham palace, their first or _ family? the family and buckingham palace, their first or sponsor - palace, their first or sponsor ability is to the monarchy, and that's what they are doing —— their first responsibility. this year, the platinum jubilee, there will be great concern that this will have a negative impact on that platinum jubilee, but in terms of the royal family and buckingham palace, they are trying to isolate prince andrew as much as possible. buckingham palace is keeping him at arms length, have been for months. all they would say to —— today is that they do not comment on ongoing legal matters... there do seem to be questions about the merit of the legal advice he is receiving, but that is a matter for him. of the legal advice he is receiving, but that is a matterfor him. he is very much on his own on this, surrounded by legal advisers and others, and he is facing, as we say, a really monumental mess now. the prince has stepped back from public life, but he is, in terms of military history, there is still some engagement that he has. he still some engagement that he has. he: still has some honorary roles, yes, and the most notable of those is that he is the honorary colonel of the grenadier guards. that is the first regiment of the footguards, and i haven't talked about the platinum jubilee — what is the first ceremonial event of thisjubilee of queen elizabeth? it is thejubilee trooping the colour event. prince andrew would be invited to be in that event, the grenadier guards do not want to. but he is loyal to the queen, the queen is lawyer to her second son, so there are range of investments for the royal family around this whole situation with prince andrew.— around this whole situation with prince andrew. nick, as always, thank you _ prince andrew. nick, as always, thank you so — prince andrew. nick, as always, thank you so much. _ prince andrew. nick, as always, thank you so much. our- prince andrew. nick, as always, thank you so much. our royal i thank you so much. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell, thank you. let's return to borisjohnson's apology for attending a drink party in the number10 apology for attending a drink party in the number 10 guarded during the first lockdown in england. there has been lots of reaction. here's labour's shadow employment minister. of course we need an inquiry. allegations have been made and they should be looked into. but the central point here is that the prime minister was asked a direct question, by mps and drones, and would not answer. we had the absolute farce of yesterday, a people not being up to get clear answers, and then today he comes to the house of commons and says, i'm awfully sorry, i don't reckon is a party when i see one. that is absolutely bizarre. others take a different view. this is conservative backbench mp sir christopher chope. i think that when somebody makes an apology— i think that when somebody makes an apology like that, then reasonable people _ apology like that, then reasonable people accept the apology. obviously with the _ people accept the apology. obviously with the caveat that this is continuing because there is a genuine _ continuing because there is a genuine inquiry and he has said that when _ genuine inquiry and he has said that when that— genuine inquiry and he has said that when that inquiry is concluded, then the findings will be published and there _ the findings will be published and there will be an opportunity for a further— there will be an opportunity for a further discussion, but in the short term, _ further discussion, but in the short term, i_ further discussion, but in the short term, ithink— further discussion, but in the short term, i think that this is a monumental relief to myself and a lot of— monumental relief to myself and a lot of other colleagues because we did not— lot of other colleagues because we did not think he would be able to carry— did not think he would be able to carry on— did not think he would be able to carry on if— did not think he would be able to carry on if he did not answer the basic— carry on if he did not answer the basic questions as to whether or not he was _ basic questions as to whether or not he was there and he has answered that question now. some support for the prime minister, but the revelations have enraged many people who stuck to the rules during lockdown. our correspondent luxmy gopal has been gauging the mood in leeds. may 2020. while that alleged party was happening at downing street, streets across yorkshire that were usually busy fell quiet as the government told people they could not leave home without a reasonable excuse. today, that discrepancy was not lost on shoppers in leeds. i could not go and see my husband — he was in hospital seriously ill with cancer and i couldn't go in, and it really hurts. all i could do was see him from outside the ward. i took him some clothing and it broke my heart. and you think people like him can get away with it. it is one rule for him and one rule for us. bill was one of many people who missed loved ones�* funerals. it is not fair on the people who stuck to the rules. i could not go two uncles' funerals because i was not allowed. you can't grieve unless you're there. it's not very good, is it? he should go now. would an apology from the prime minister be enough? i think so. for all he does, i still like boris. to be honest, we're all going through hard things, - and if you could party and you got away with it — millions of other. people have done it, so... unfortunately, he has been caught and that is it _ at the end of the day, _ i think the man has done a good job. you would vote for borisjohnson again in the next election? yeah. this is it, love, he says one thing and he does another. this is it. i have always voted for him. i won't vote for him again — never. hundreds of miles away from westminster, strong views on the number 10 party allegations and, for some, saying sorry just will not cut it. luxmy gopal, bbc news, leeds. that drink event in downing street in may 2020 and also other alleged parties are being investigated by the senior civil servants sue gray. here's our deputy political editor vicki young. it has been a disastrous three months for the prime minister, and he's stood here today accused of deception, of treating the british people with contempt. some on his own side think this could be a tipping point that leads to his downfall, but this is a man who has recovered from setbacks before, and cabinet colleagues are rallying round. i think it is right, as he was saying today in the house of commons, that sue gray is given the time to conduct that investigation. there will be a full accounting of them, the prime minister will come back to the commons, and that is the right way to handle this. there is a long list of allegations that covid rules were broken in downing street starting during the first lockdown in 2020. a photo taken on may the 15th showed the prime minister, his wife and staff in the downing street garden with bottles of wine and cheese. when asked about it, borisjohnson said... a few days later, about 100 people were invited by e—mail to socially distances drinks in the number 10 garden. today, the prime minister admitted he attended for around 25 minutes. and on the 15th of december, multiple sources told the bbc there was a christmas quiz for number 10 staff. borisjohnson took part remotely, but others gathered in one room. a video obtained by itv news showed the prime minister's then press secretary allegra stratton joking about reports of an event on the 18th of december, saying this fictional party was a business meeting and it was not socially distanced. those that worked with theresa may in downing street say clawing back support can be difficult. the issues that this government us suffering from at the moment the issues that this government is suffering from at the moment are also self—inflicted wounds and about the way in which the prime minister is running his government. it is not clear to me that he is ever going to be able to fully recover his reputation from what has happened, but the starting point, i think, has to be to get all of the facts out there, to be completely honest about what has happened. conservative mps wanted borisjohnson as a leader because they thought he could win him elections, brexit and his unique campaigning style made him a vote winner. but governing brings different challenges, the endless scrutiny having to watch every word you say. and some fear it is his flawed judgment that is now being exposed. and on that, his former closest adviser dominic cummings has become his harshest critic, accusing him of not being up to the job. for months, there were questions about how mrjohnson paid for a lavish refurbishment of his downing street flat. his standards adviser said he'd acted unwisely. and then when former minister owen paterson was involved in a row over sleaze, he tried to change the rules to protect him, backtracked... ..and the lib dems then won the safe tory seat. borisjohnson's authority has been severely dented, and all this a huge distraction from the policies he promised to deliver. vicki young, bbc news, westminster. borisjohnson has boris johnson has been borisjohnson has been getting a lot of bad headlines over recent days, including from newspapers and magazines that are usually sympathetic to the conservative party. just take them to the front page of the spectator magazine. is it over, is the headline? the cartoon is borisjohnson. cindy yu is from the spectator. is it overfor him? is it over for him? i think not cuite is it over for him? i think not quite yet. — is it over for him? i think not quite yet. but _ is it over for him? i think not quite yet, but it _ is it over for him? i think not quite yet, but it is _ is it over for him? i think not quite yet, but it is certainly l is it over for him? i think not l quite yet, but it is certainly the worst situation politically has ever been in, and that is given the chris mr he has had, in which all sorts of things were ranking up —— the christmas period. this time, for the first time ever, we have the printed mr saying he was at a christmas party even though he says he did not think it was a party. we do nothing it is currently over. the piece does not say that. but it does think that, come may, the local elections, that is when the conservative party is going to really test the prime minister, because the only reason the conservative party has this prime minister is he wins elections, and if you cannot deliver good local election results in may, what's the point of him?— point of him? when we had the a olo: point of him? when we had the apology today. _ point of him? when we had the apology today, was _ point of him? when we had the apology today, was that - point of him? when we had the l apology today, was that enough, point of him? when we had the i apology today, was that enough, do you think? we have got the investigation into this coming up from sue gray, but was the apology enough, and especially the wording of it, given that he felt this was a work event rather than a party? yeah, interestingly, online, the lawyer adam wegner has been analysing the statements and he believes it was cleverly lawyered, in order to not say anything up locating but also not lie directly, or not be proven to have light. that is an interesting phrase he used, he and plasil he believed it was a work event. and i think there was a lot of incredulous reaction from both sides, because how could he possibly believe it was a work event if there was strength going on and presented leno pen and paper insight? yet at the same time, there was little else for shopping could have said, so in some ways it was the least worst option for him to say, because he cannot delight he was there, because that would be outright lying, a lie that would be very easily found out, and yet he could not possibly say he did ink it was a party and knowingly went there because dendy calls for resignation will be even louder and even firmer, so he is stuck in a rut and a hard place. so he is stuck in a rut and a hard lace. ., ., , ., so he is stuck in a rut and a hard lace. . . , ., , ., so he is stuck in a rut and a hard place. that leads to the question of wh was it place. that leads to the question of why was it ever felt _ place. that leads to the question of why was it ever felt to _ place. that leads to the question of why was it ever felt to be _ place. that leads to the question of why was it ever felt to be a - place. that leads to the question of why was it ever felt to be a good i why was it ever felt to be a good idea. we are talking by the judgment of borisjohnson but also all the people around him, 100 people apparently invited to this. yeah, absolutely. _ apparently invited to this. yeah, absolutely, but _ apparently invited to this. yeah, absolutely, but out _ apparently invited to this. yeah, absolutely, but out of _ apparently invited to this. yeah, absolutely, but out of this i apparently invited to this. yeah, absolutely, but out of this 100 l absolutely, but out of this 100 people, there were people immediately who said this was a bad idea. one of the prime and is a's aid, people were saying, what was he thinking —— one of the prime minister's aid. in the end, only about 30 people turned up, so clearly the majority of people invited thought it was a bad idea, but in that pressure situation, working in government, you are counted as essential workers, so they didn't really feel the same restrictions the rest of the country they were putting on the rest of the country, so that disconnect i think is the flood of mental crux of the thing for people right now, that the people deciding the rules do not really understand the implication of the rules they were making everyone else go under —— for mental crux. huge mis—kick collation. the painful thing about it is it was not the only time, because this was the first lockdown, but before christmas we are hearing reports about things happening in the second and third lockdown, so clearly there is a pattern developing.— lockdown, so clearly there is a pattern developing. cindy yu, thank ou ve pattern developing. cindy yu, thank you very much _ pattern developing. cindy yu, thank you very much for — pattern developing. cindy yu, thank you very much for sharing _ pattern developing. cindy yu, thank you very much for sharing the i pattern developing. cindy yu, thank you very much for sharing the front | you very much for sharing the front page of your magazine, the spectator. as always, good to talk to you. stay with us on outside source. people spend a third of their waking hours on mobile phones. also televisions and computers. novak djokovic admits he made mistakes in his... hard at work in the hot australian sun. but, at the same time novak djokovic was on the tennis court training, he released a statement on his social media accounts. the world number one had a lot to say about questions over the past few days. still in dispute is when djokovic knew he had covid—19. it is important, because an infection is the reason he was granted a vaccine exemption and allowed to travel to australia. today, the tennis star said he found out on december the 17th, hours after attending a tennis event with children in belgrade. but this conflicts with a sworn affidavit given to the australian courts that he tested positive for the virus a day earlier. crucially, he also admitted to giving false information, saying, "on the issue of my travel declaration, this was submitted by my support team on my behalf, as i told immigration officials on my arrival, and my agent sincerely apologises for the administrative mistake. " all these details are significant because australia's immigration minister is still deciding whether novak djokovic will be deported. his lawyers have now given extra information to the authorities and these revelations are throwing up more questions than answers. in another admission that does nothing for his reputation, djokovic revealed he did an interview with the french sports publication l'equipe after he knew he had the virus and had taken off his mask for a photo shoot. he accepted it was an error ofjudgment. novak djokovic is still determined to defend his title in the australian open. but the information he shared today seems to have added to the uncertainty of whether this will happen. shaimaa khalil, bbc news. this is outside source live from the bbc news room. our main story: queen elizabeth's son, prince andrew, faces a civil trial in the united states over allegations of sexual assault, after a judge in new york refused to dismiss the case. french police have arrested a suspect over the unsolved 2012 murder of a british family and a french citizen in the alps. few details were given, but police said a man was in custody "to do verifications regarding his schedule". you may remember the murder — it happened in the scenic haute—savoir region of france. saad al—hilli was found shot dead on a road near lake annecy. he was found with two members of his family and a cyclist. these are images from the murder scene. the al—hillis' two young daughters survived the attack. zeena, then aged four, was discovered hiding the younger daughter, then aged four, was discovered hiding under her mother's body inside the family car. the elder daughter, seven at the time, was found with serious head injuries after being shot and beaten. the bbc�*s hugh schofield has the latest. this point, there has not been a breakthrough at all, there are words of great caution coming from the french alps about this. it is not the first time there have been arrests, people have been called in for questioning now and again. it is a long investigation. possibly this is significant, but quite possibly not, so let's not jump to any conclusions. the background is this puzzling case that goes back ten years, from a little village in the hills where it happened. september 2012, a carfound on the side of the road, its engine still running, found by a cyclist who was passing and in the car, three bodies, this british man of iraqi origin, his wife and her mother. nearby, another body of a cyclist who may or may not have been simply chanced upon the scene and got killed by the killer simply to remove him as a witness. ten years of investigation and still nowhere near knowing why this happened or who did it. whenever there is news like this for an arrest, it shows the investigation continues, but we need to be careful not to get too excited. people are devoting a third of their waking hours to their mobile phones. that is according to analysis by app monitoring firm app annie. the report said mobile phone use was now overtaking other screens such as televisions and computers. people are spending nearly five hours per day on their smartphones, according to the research. all of this adds up to a 30% increase in screen time since 2019. apps were downloaded 230 billion times last year. the social video app tiktok was the most commonly downloaded app — with people spending 90% more time on it than in 2020. well, to explain more about why we are glued to our screens is our technology reporter, jane wakefield. i suppose the headline is that we are spending four hours and 48 minutes on average daily on our phones, which i guess a quiz to about a third of your waking time depending on how much time you spent sleeping, which is interesting. some people have been surprised by that and said it is a lot, other people thought it would be more, and i have to confess that before i came on here, i did look at my screen time. today, it is been over six hours. my excuseis today, it is been over six hours. my excuse is i use my phone for work a lot! we are glued to our screens, it would seem. it is due to a variety of different apps, and you can guess which is the most downloaded app last year, it is tiktok stop what you say you're using it for work, it is predominant for you say you're using it for work, it is predominant fo— you say you're using it for work, it is predominant for social purposes. seven out of _ is predominant for social purposes. seven out of ten _ is predominant for social purposes. seven out of ten minutes _ is predominant for social purposes. seven out of ten minutes been i is predominant for social purposes. seven out of ten minutes been out| is predominant for social purposes. l seven out of ten minutes been out of that four hours and 48 minutes is on social, on photo and on video apps, and they are incredibly addictive people. you can get very much lost in them. so that is kind of the headline of it, but over and above that, what was interesting about this report is that they have seen a lot of the statistics about how our lives have changed through the pandemic, reflected in the apps. more people using health and fitness apps, more people thinking about their well—being and looking at things in meditation apps, people spend time on shopping apps, and health and fitness, because we have not necessarily been able to get out to the gym during lockdown. yes. to the gym during lockdown. yes, absolutely. when _ to the gym during lockdown. yes, absolutely. when it _ to the gym during lockdown. yes, absolutely. when it comes to the screen time, we are talking purely on the telephone, on apps, not the tv? , . ., , , on the telephone, on apps, not the tv? this particular study looks 'ust at mobile apps. �* tv? this particular study looks 'ust at mobile apps. interesting i tv? this particular study looks 'ust at mobile apps. interesting ly, i tv? this particular study looksjust at mobile apps. interesting ly, uk| at mobile apps. interestingly, uk regulator did a similar study which did include tv time, in 2020, and found that about the same amount of time was spent, but that did include tv, but i think what we are seeing is people are increasingly watching tv on their bubbles, so apps like netflix have done very well during lockdown. you think people would put netflix on a big screen, but a lot of people seem happy to have it on their small screen, so it really is interesting and reflects different ways society is changing, and how utterly dependent we are on those little funds we carry around all the time. . , , �* time. that is true, isn't it? the use of our— time. that is true, isn't it? the use of our mobile _ time. that is true, isn't it? the use of our mobile phone, i time. that is true, isn't it? the use of our mobile phone, the l time. that is true, isn't it? the i use of our mobile phone, the use and changing, but it is fascinating it is notjust television any more, everything is on those tiny little screens. , ., ., ., screens. indeed, yeah, and we are doinu an screens. indeed, yeah, and we are doing an awful— screens. indeed, yeah, and we are doing an awful lot _ screens. indeed, yeah, and we are doing an awful lot of _ screens. indeed, yeah, and we are doing an awful lot of our _ screens. indeed, yeah, and we are doing an awful lot of our work i screens. indeed, yeah, and we are doing an awful lot of our work on l doing an awful lot of our work on screens as well. i don't know about you, but i have been using whatsapp an awful lot working from home, and i think more people are doing that, so it is notjust leisure time we are spending on it, we are also reliant on our phones for communication and for work. our thanks to jane whitfield — five hours a day spent on phones —— wakefield. a reminder of our main story. prince andrew faces a civil trial in new york after a judge rejected an attempt to have the case dismissed. a prince andrew is alleged to have used virginia giuffre when she was 17. prince andrew's lawyers had argued virginia giuffre was not... much more on bbc news. hello there. for many of us, it wasn't a bad day today. we saw quite a bit of sunshine around. there was more cloud around, though, across scotland, more of a breeze here as well. for the next few days, certainly for the foreseeable future, high pressure is going to dominate the scene, so we will see a lot of dry and settled weather, but frost and dense fog is going to become a problem over the next few days, especially across england and wales. the fog patches will start developing through the overnight period, more extensive than we had the last couple of nights, and it will be cold where skies are clear as well. generally a cold, frosty night across the south. further north, more of a breeze, more cloud. less cold here — temperatures maybe 3—7 degrees for stornoway. our area of high pressure is with us for thursday. you can see more isobars across the north of the country, so here it will remain breezy. but barely any wind further south. that fog to start with, could be really quite dense in places, could cause issues to travel, and some of it may even linger on throughout the whole day. should clear for many. we should see some sunshine here. another fine day for many places that see that sunshine. some sunshine for parts of northern ireland, cloudier, breezy conditions for the northwest of scotland. temperatures, double figure values in the north, around 6—8 degrees in the south, but where the fog lingers, struggling to get much above freezing. we can see those temperatures around the seasonal norm as we head on into friday, keeping the very cold weather out at bay, all thanks to this area of high pressure which is pretty much sitting across england and wales. again, with light winds, we're going to start with that mist and fog for friday morning, some of it really quite dense and quite extensive once again. a bit more cloud for scotland and northern ireland, but where the fog lifts for england and wales, we should see some sunshine breaking through and temperatures again 5—8 degrees. colder where the fog lingers, 10 degrees for the far northwest of scotland. fog may become a problem over the next few days, could be dense and stubborn to clear. likely cause some disruption to travel. so disruption to travel. stay tuned to bbc local radio ( subs so stay tuned to bbc local radio or subs weather forecasts. and then, into the weekend, largely fine and settled thanks to the high pressure. chance of a few showers. most places will stay dry. this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 8pm... pressure grows on the prime minister, after he apologises for attendeding a party in the downing street garden, but claims at the time he thought it was a work event. i certainly wish that things had happened differently on the evening of 20 may, mr speaker, and i apologise for all the misjudgments i have been made, for which i take, mr speaker, full responsibility. itrufheh speaker, full responsibility. when the whole country _ speaker, full responsibility. when the whole country was _ speaker, full responsibility. when the whole country was locked i speaker, full responsibility. when the whole country was locked down, he was _ the whole country was locked down, he was hosting boozy parties in downing — he was hosting boozy parties in downing street. is he now going to do the _ downing street. is he now going to do the decent thing and resign? there are also calls for the pm to resign from within his own party, as the leader of the scottish conservatives says he must go. the duke of york will face a civil trial over allegations he sexually assaulted virginia giuffre when she was underage, after a usjudge ruled her lawsuit against him can proceed.