a british man who took four people hostage at a texas synagogue had been investigated by mi5, but by the time he flew to the us, malik faisal akram was assessed to be no longer a risk. britain's emma raducanu wins through to the second round of the australian open on a good day for british players, with andy murray among those also through. the prime minister has categorically denied being warned that a drinks party in the downing street garden during the first lockdown in may 2020 was against the covid rules. his former chief adviser, dominic cummings, has said he raised concerns with borisjohnson about it at the time and has now accused him of misleading mps. the latest is that dominic cummings will be approached by sue gray, the senior civil servant investigating downing street parties, to give evidence as she continues her inquiry. also today, the mp for bury south, christian wakeford, has become the latest conservative known to have submitted a letter of no confidence in boris johnson. and a group of around 20 tory mps who were elected in 2019 have held a meeting to discuss borisjohnson�*s leadership. it's understood they talked about submitting letters tomorrow afternoon calling for a vote of confidence in the prime minister. there has to be about 53 or so to automatically oblige, 50 42 oblige to former chairman of the 9022 committee to initiate a process of no confidence. that could mean the premised or does not leave office for certain as he could win a vote. today, mrjohnson again apologised for misjudgments after days of criticism. here's our deputy political editor vicki young. prime ministers are surrounded by people offering advice. but in the end, they have to use their own judgment. borisjohnson has admitted joining colleagues for drinks in the garden when the country was locked down, something he now regrets. i carry full responsibility for what took place, but nobody told me, i'm absolutely categorical about it, nobody said to me this is an event that is against the rules. and what about staff partying into the early hours the night before prince philip's funeral? was having to apologise to the queen about those parties the night before she put her husband of over 70 years, she laid him to rest, was that a moment of shame for you? i deeply and bitterly regret that that happened, and i can only renew my apologies both to her majesty and to the country for misjudgments that were made and for which i take full responsibility. mrjohnson wasn't there on that occasion, but questions remain about the drinks he did attend. he insists he thought it was a work event. but dominic cummings, his former top adviser who's turned against him since leaving the job, says he wanted it was a party and he needed to grip his madhouse. not for the first time there are conflicting accounts of what went on here in downing street during the pandemic. the senior official sue gray is investigating and will of course be looking for written evidence, but for now, the prime minister's approaches the apologise at every opportunity, admit misjudgments and hope that people believe him. for now, support among senior ministers is holding up. he's a hero, according to the man in charge of party discipline. it's going to split the difference. and answering questions for the first time was the chancellor, the man many mps think could succeed mrjohnson. do you believe the prime minister? of course i do. you believe he's telling the truth? the prime minister set out his understanding of this matter in parliament last week, and i would refer you to his words. as you know, sue gray is conducting an inquiry into this matter, and i would fully support the prime minister's request for patience while that inquiry concludes. but others are going public with their concerns. junior health minister maria caulfield is the latest to post online, saying she was very angry. this evening, the prime minister was spotted returning to the commons. just six conservative mps have publicly expressed no confidence in him, but that certainly doesn't tell the whole story. since that report was filed, there is more news on letters relating to no confidence. here isjonathan blake, tell us about some of this new intake of mps from 2019. a lot of these mps probably only have their seats because i bore shots and's success.— their seats because i bore shots and's success. the tally of letters is now u- and's success. the tally of letters is now up to _ and's success. the tally of letters is now up to seven _ and's success. the tally of letters is now up to seven and _ and's success. the tally of letters is now up to seven and there - and's success. the tally of letters is now up to seven and there was| and's success. the tally of letters i is now up to seven and there was we understand a meeting of several mps who were elected to parliament in 2019 when borisjohnson gained that huge majority for the conservatives at the last general election. they meet regularly. there is fair to say deep unease and discontent among some of them about his leadership, but what there is not is a consensus, it seems, among their members and certainly across departments reached conservative party as a whole about what to do and when to do it. because this is a largely secret process by which the party goes about starting the process to choose a new leader, it is one thing to say that you are prepared to submit a letter that might kick—start and trigger that process, it is another thing to actually follow through with that. we will only know when sir graeme brady, the chair of the backbench 9022 committee as it is known of senior conservative mps, reaches the threshold of 5a mps, 50% of the party, if that happens, he will announce it in public. —— 15% of the party. a vote of confidence in the premised or it would follow. we are not there yet. we may be a long way from that point and may not reach her in the foreseeable future but one backbencher, senior backbencher, some of the mood up to me tonight as morose. , ., . . some of the mood up to me tonight as morose. , ., ., ., �* ., ~ ., morose. jonathan blake at westminster, _ morose. jonathan blake at westminster, thank - morose. jonathan blake at westminster, thank you i morose. jonathan blake at i westminster, thank you very morose. jonathan blake at - westminster, thank you very much. the most powerful woman that nobody has heard of, who exactly is sue grey? here is an interview from the past and has a profile of the woman investigating life at number ten. they used to call her the most powerful civil servant you've never heard of but not any more. mil powerful civil servant you've never heard of but not any more. mm powerful civil servant you've never heard of but not any more. all i ask is sue be allowed _ heard of but not any more. all i ask is sue be allowed to _ heard of but not any more. all i ask is sue be allowed to complete - is sue be allowed to complete her inquiry. is sue be allowed to complete her inuui . , . ~ is sue be allowed to complete her in.ui _ , , is sue be allowed to complete her inuui. , _ inquiry. the inquiry taking place by sue re . inquiry. the inquiry taking place by sue grey- peeple _ inquiry. the inquiry taking place by sue grey. people of— inquiry. the inquiry taking place by sue grey. people of nola _ inquiry. the inquiry taking place by sue grey. people of nola and - inquiry. the inquiry taking place by sue grey. people of nola and alan| sue grey. people of nola and alan know her well. _ sue grey. people of nola and alan know her well. who _ sue grey. people of nola and alan know her well. who is _ sue grey. people of nola and alan know her well. who is she - sue grey. people of nola and alan know her well. who is she in - sue grey. people of nola and alan know her well. who is she in what j know her well. who is she in what makes her to? _ know her well. who is she in what makes her to? to _ know her well. who is she in what makes her to? to start, _ know her well. who is she in what makes her to? to start, she - know her well. who is she in what makes her to? to start, she is - makes her to? to start, she is the only whitehall civil servant who is ever run a nursery with her husband, country singer bill conlin. # it's a slow road that winds through the pines it makes me want to stop along the way... he through the pines it makes me want to stop along the way. . ._ to stop along the way... he hated the ub to stop along the way... he hated the pub and _ to stop along the way... he hated the pub and actually _ to stop along the way... he hated the pub and actually most - to stop along the way. .. he hated the pub and actually most of- to stop along the way... he hated the pub and actually most of the i the pub and actually most of the customers did not like him either because — customers did not like him either because he was quite miserable in it. because he was quite miserable in it and _ because he was quite miserable in it and so— because he was quite miserable in it. and so after a six to eight weeks. — it. and so after a six to eight weeks. it_ it. and so after a six to eight weeks, it made them a bit fed up, so isent_ weeks, it made them a bit fed up, so lsent him_ weeks, it made them a bit fed up, so i sent him back to london and i carried — i sent him back to london and i carried on running the bar on my own _ carried on running the bar on my own. ,, carried on running the bar on my own. , ., own. she returned to run the department _ own. she returned to run the department of _ own. she returned to run the department of finance - own. she returned to run the department of finance in - own. she returned to run the - department of finance in belfast, but the job she really wanted was head of the northern ireland civil service. ~ , ., ., service. why did i not get the “ob? i'm not service. why did i not get the “ob? m not _ service. why did i not get the “ob? m not i i service. why did i not get the “ob? i'm not sure i will i service. why did i not get the “ob? i'm not sure i will ever�* service. why did i not get the job? i'm not sure i will ever quite know| i'm not sure i will ever quite know but i _ i'm not sure i will ever quite know but i suspect people may have thought — but i suspect people may have thought that i perhaps had too much of a challenger or a disrupter, i am both _ of a challenger or a disrupter, i am both and — of a challenger or a disrupter, i am both. and perhaps i would bring about, _ both. and perhaps i would bring about, there'll be much change. and now she has — about, there'll be much change. and now she has a _ about, there'll be much change. fific now she has a much biggerjob so about, there'll be much change. fific now she has a much biggerjob so how will she cope? we asked the man who knows her from will she cope? we asked the man who knows herfrom his time will she cope? we asked the man who knows her from his time as tony blair's official spokesman. i think she will find _ blair's official spokesman. i think she will find this _ blair's official spokesman. i think she will find this very _ she will find this very uncomfortable. - she will find this very uncomfortable. she i she will find this veryi uncomfortable. she is she will find this very- uncomfortable. she is not the she will find this very— uncomfortable. she is not the sort of person— uncomfortable. she is not the sort of person who _ uncomfortable. she is not the sort of person who as _ uncomfortable. she is not the sort of person who as you _ uncomfortable. she is not the sort of person who as you know- uncomfortable. she is not the sort of person who as you know enjoys| of person who as you know enjoys being _ of person who as you know enjoys being in_ of person who as you know enjoys being in the — of person who as you know enjoys being in the spotlight. _ of person who as you know enjoys being in the spotlight. but - of person who as you know enjoys being in the spotlight. but she - of person who as you know enjoys| being in the spotlight. but she will think it _ being in the spotlight. but she will think it is — being in the spotlight. but she will think it is her_ being in the spotlight. but she will think it is her duty, _ being in the spotlight. but she will think it is her duty, and _ being in the spotlight. but she will think it is her duty, and those - being in the spotlight. but she will think it is her duty, and those arei think it is her duty, and those are for a _ think it is her duty, and those are for a very— think it is her duty, and those are for a very important— think it is her duty, and those are for a very important letters - think it is her duty, and those are for a very important letters for i for a very important letters for her, _ fora very important letters for her. her— for a very important letters for her. her duty— for a very important letters for her, her duty to _ for a very important letters for her, her duty to do _ for a very important letters for her, her duty to do this - for a very important letters for i her, her duty to do this honestly for a very important letters for - her, her duty to do this honestly to the best— her, her duty to do this honestly to the best of— her, her duty to do this honestly to the best of her— her, her duty to do this honestly to the best of her ability— her, her duty to do this honestly to the best of her ability and - the best of her ability and to present— the best of her ability and to present the _ the best of her ability and to present the truth. _ the best of her ability and to present the truth. but - the best of her ability and to present the truth.— the best of her ability and to present the truth. the best of her ability and to resent the truth. �* , , ., , present the truth. but my should be limited in what _ present the truth. but my should be limited in what she _ present the truth. but my should be limited in what she can _ present the truth. but my should be limited in what she can do _ present the truth. but my should be limited in what she can do given - limited in what she can do given that she is investigating her own boss? . , that she is investigating her own boss? ,, , , ., that she is investigating her own boss? ,, ., that she is investigating her own boss? ,, , ., ., that she is investigating her own boss? ,, , ., boss? she is somebody who as a civil servant is about _ boss? she is somebody who as a civil servant is about as _ boss? she is somebody who as a civil servant is about as close to _ boss? she is somebody who as a civil servant is about as close to being - servant is about as close to being independent as it is possible to get mainly because she's at the end of her career now, so she's not worried about climbing the ladder any further. and also because she is so experienced and has so much clout and has been at the heart of power for so long that she would be a very difficult and risky person for anyone to treat them properly. there was only one — anyone to treat them properly. there was only one other— anyone to treat them properly. there was only one other question - anyone to treat them properly. there was only one other question for - anyone to treat them properly. there was only one other question for sue which could not be avoided. had someone put it to me that you were a spy. i someone put it to me that you were a st . " ., someone put it to me that you were a st _ " ., , ., ., someone put it to me that you were a spy. i know you had that put to you. and i think — spy. i know you had that put to you. and i think if— spy. i know you had that put to you. and i think if i _ spy. i know you had that put to you. and i think if i was _ spy. i know you had that put to you. and i think if i was a _ spy. i know you had that put to you. and i think if i was a spy _ spy. i know you had that put to you. and i think if i was a spy i'll - spy. i know you had that put to you. and i think if i was a spy i'll be - spy. i know you had that put to you. and i think if i was a spy i'll be a - and i think if i was a spy i'll be a pretty— and i think if i was a spy i'll be a pretty poor spy and people are talking — pretty poor spy and people are talking about me being a spy. i think people here have put a lot of trust _ think people here have put a lot of trust in _ think people here have put a lot of trust in me. — think people here have put a lot of trust in me, and they have put a lot of faith in_ trust in me, and they have put a lot of faith in me. and we have worked really well— of faith in me. and we have worked really well together and i did not think— really well together and i did not think i'll be working externally and i think i'll be working externally and lam _ think i'll be working externally and i am. . , ., think i'll be working externally and iam. . ., ., think i'll be working externally and iam. . ., i am. have you got that big 'ob but would ou i am. have you got that big 'ob but would you considerfi i am. have you got that big job but would you consider leaving? - i am. have you got that big job but would you consider leaving? no. . i am. have you got that big job but i would you consider leaving? no. but she did and that little world awaits what she would do next. with me now is geri scott, political correspondent at the press association, and i'm alsojoined by peter caldwell, a former special adviser for the conservatives. lovely to see you both. thank you very much forjoining us. let me ask you first if you work at the yorkshire post before you move to the press association so you know a lot of those deciduous either one by labour for the first lot of those deciduous either one by labourfor the first time... lot of those deciduous either one by labour for the first time... by the conservatives off of labour for the first time in 2019, the kind of red wall seats we did a talk about. what do you think the mood is in constituencies like this and why would tory mps there be particular worried about these revelations? irate worried about these revelations? - heard really soon after the election at the prime minister recognised that these folks that were given to the tories were plentiful so that was the phrase he kept hearing, the queue for lending us your votes and thatis queue for lending us your votes and that is very much felt by those tory mps in those seats that were won by the conservatives in 2019 because a lot of the voters that backed the government then were not traditional conservative voters and some of them, it took a lot of switching labour and others are much more willing but these are not the kind of dyed blue voters. they're not necessarily going to be loyal at the next election and some of these mps had a very slim majorities. talk about christian whiteford who begin the seventh tory reveille call for borisjohnson to go this evening. he has a majority ofjust 402 and you can see why they're really on the edge of their seats want to make sure they can keep their seats in the next election. i sure they can keep their seats in the next election.— sure they can keep their seats in the next election. i was very struck listenini the next election. i was very struck listening to — the next election. i was very struck listening to peter _ the next election. i was very struck listening to peter bohn _ the next election. i was very struck listening to peter bohn being - listening to peter bohn being interviewed were he said he did not believe dominic cummings and cannot trust him after the castle and the rest of it and it's it's a mink which i thought was really damning of the prime minister, he said boris johnson over dominic cummings, with and i believe almost anybody over dominic cummings. that is in us is part of borisjohnson's problem here. it may be dominic cummings try to deliver the fatal blow and we do know the truth of what passed for the two of them as we have country position for both men, but people's trust and confidence in the prime minister even among his allies is not the strongest it might be for other prime ministers. i not the strongest it might be for other prime ministers.— not the strongest it might be for other prime ministers. i think you are riiht. other prime ministers. i think you are right- the _ other prime ministers. i think you are right. the premise _ other prime ministers. i think you are right. the premise or- other prime ministers. i think you are right. the premise or does . are right. the premise or does not have _ are right. the premise or does not have the _ are right. the premise or does not have the best little ship with the truth _ have the best little ship with the truth historically and dominic coming — truth historically and dominic coming to someone who may be but will not _ coming to someone who may be but will not light because of barnard castle _ will not light because of barnard castle or— will not light because of barnard castle or because many of the things he is said _ castle or because many of the things he is said and done and that's fine. he does— he is said and done and that's fine. he does not— he is said and done and that's fine. he does not care. but the fact is there is— he does not care. but the fact is there is a — he does not care. but the fact is there is a war of words between two people _ there is a war of words between two people who — there is a war of words between two people who work very closely together and is difficult to know and it's— together and is difficult to know and it's a — together and is difficult to know and it's a good job that sue grey who i've — and it's a good job that sue grey who i've never five years is someone who i've never five years is someone who is— who i've never five years is someone who is at— who i've never five years is someone who is at the — who i've never five years is someone who is at the heart of this and he was looking this and who will have a true account — was looking this and who will have a true account of what actually happened. many people put many faith in her— happened. many people put many faith in her report and i've fit you do a good _ in her report and i've fit you do a good job what you will be doing is calling _ good job what you will be doing is calling for the promised her to resign— calling for the promised her to resign because she does not have her remit _ resign because she does not have her remit and does not extend to the ministerial— remit and does not extend to the ministerial code, which if it's broken — ministerial code, which if it's broken the promised or went to resign — broken the promised or went to resign so — broken the promised or went to resign. so an interesting report many— resign. so an interesting report many people put a lot of store on the prime — many people put a lot of store on the prime minister must explain and must _ the prime minister must explain and must apologise but he did that last week not— must apologise but he did that last week not to all satisfaction we got through— week not to all satisfaction we got through that and not a huge amount change _ through that and not a huge amount change i_ through that and not a huge amount change. i wonder what this report which _ change. i wonder what this report which i _ change. i wonder what this report which i have every faith to her a good _ which i have every faith to her a good joh— which i have every faith to her a good job but i wonder whether it will be asked of finding a moment as a people _ will be asked of finding a moment as a people think it will. what will be asked of finding a moment as a people think it will.— a people think it will. what do you make of it? _ a people think it will. what do you make of it? i _ a people think it will. what do you make of it? i agree _ a people think it will. what do you make of it? i agree and _ a people think it will. what do you make of it? i agree and i - a people think it will. what do you make of it? i agree and i think - a people think it will. what do you | make of it? i agree and i think that the problem _ make of it? i agree and i think that the problem that _ make of it? i agree and i think that the problem that we _ make of it? i agree and i think that the problem that we face _ make of it? i agree and i think that the problem that we face here - the problem that we face here is that if the prime minister that is kind of the ultimate arbiter of the ministerial code, so in a way he can mark his own homework. weather report might do is g up some more mps across alanis in their letters in but then that is not necessarily mean he is going to go. they could then go on ahead to win a vote of no—confidence. so there are a lot of flashpoints coming up over the next few weeks and months for boris johnson and itjust depends how many of those conservative mps feel like the straw on the kimmel�*s backside was broken. i the straw on the kimmel's backside was broken-— was broken. i can understand what that was a part _ was broken. i can understand what that was a part want _ was broken. i can understand what that was a part want boris - was broken. i can understand what that was a part want boris johnson j that was a part want boris johnson to that was a part want borisjohnson to remain in office for quite a few months more, to improve their electoral prospects in labour is already in one for looking as if it has a 15 point lead and we know that polls are notoriously unreliable until you get a trend of polls to tell you something about the general movement in the left that sort of figure must cause alarm in conservative quarters. i wonder if it might be possible that those with their own eye on the prize might actually share the opposition path that private hope that borisjohnson carries on. it that private hope that boris johnson carries on. . that private hope that boris johnson carries on. , ., , carries on. it will be a very difficult — carries on. it will be a very difficult political _ carries on. it will be a very difficult political time - carries on. it will be a very difficult political time as i carries on. it will be a very| difficult political time as he intimated over the next few months with energy prices a big think we will talk— with energy prices a big think we will talk about and the cost of living — will talk about and the cost of living in — will talk about and the cost of living in a _ will talk about and the cost of living in a number of ways if russia invades ukraine and the price of gas will go _ invades ukraine and the price of gas will go to— invades ukraine and the price of gas will go to the roof. i think there will go to the roof. i think there will he — will go to the roof. i think there will be all— will go to the roof. i think there will be all sorts of political problems with the prime minister may suck up _ problems with the prime minister may suck up the _ problems with the prime minister may suck up the toxicity until we get to the local— suck up the toxicity until we get to the local elections in may which are not going _ the local elections in may which are not going to be good for the conservative party unless something dramatic _ conservative party unless something dramatic happens between now and may. some lot of conservatives will wait for _ may. some lot of conservatives will wait for the — may. some lot of conservatives will wait for the report but i think they will also _ wait for the report but i think they will also say let's get to the next few months in terms of the huge increase — few months in terms of the huge increase in— few months in terms of the huge increase in national insurance, 1.25%. _ increase in national insurance, i~25%. and _ increase in national insurance, 1.25%, and it was to the next few months _ 1.25%, and it was to the next few months in — 1.25%, and it was to the next few months in terms of the huge increase in national insurance, 1.25%, and it was 2% rise — in national insurance, 1.25%, and it was 2% rise which many people will notice _ was 2% rise which many people will notice a _ was 2% rise which many people will notice a difference in their pockets and they— notice a difference in their pockets and they will be going to the polls in the _ and they will be going to the polls in the council elections and think the conservatives will do quite hadlv — the conservatives will do quite hadlv at— the conservatives will do quite badly. at that point i think there is an— badly. at that point i think there is an electoral reason to get rid of boris _ is an electoral reason to get rid of borisjohnson because he is a liability— borisjohnson because he is a liability and probably if one at the moment— liability and probably if one at the moment and there is a trend i talk to us— moment and there is a trend i talk to us in_ moment and there is a trend i talk to us in your— moment and there is a trend i talk to us in your poster today who told me that _ to us in your poster today who told me that the — to us in your poster today who told me that the key and those polls were the video— me that the key and those polls were the video of— me that the key and those polls were the video of his former press spokesperson laughing nervously about the now notorious party and secondly the party itself so this whole — secondly the party itself so this whole nearly three months now of the drip of— whole nearly three months now of the drip of scandals come are the two points that — drip of scandals come are the two points that annoy people the most and fascinating to see if the promise _ and fascinating to see if the promise ring get through this and possibly— promise ring get through this and possibly even until may and even further — possibly even until may and even further. we don't know. gum possibly even until may and even further. we don't know.- possibly even until may and even further. we don't know. gum of the summer, further. we don't know. gum of the summer. yes _ further. we don't know. gum of the summer. yes or— further. we don't know. gum of the summer, yes or no? _ further. we don't know. gum of the summer, yes or no? i _ further. we don't know. gum of the summer, yes or no? i am _ further. we don't know. gum of the summer, yes or no? i am not - further. we don't know. gum of the summer, yes or no? i am not a - summer, yes or no? i am not a bettini summer, yes or no? i am not a betting woman, potentially. . betting woman, potentially. potentially, that is a good prediction. thank you very much for coming on and i hope we talk again. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's tulsen. good evening. just one game in the premier league this evening and we start with football. a when puts them ten points adrift of the leaders city and bright have not beaten chelsea since 1933. currently goalless in that one when 18 minutes have been played. there are five games in the scottish premiership tonight, with leaders rangers away to aberdeen. victory for the champions would re—establish their six—point lead at the top. they are at 1—0 ahead around 33 minutes in a. and third—placed hearts are at home to bottom of the table stjohnstone. that one is currently goalless. in other football news, duncan ferguson has been appointed as everton caretaker manager for the club's upcoming games. the blues legend took charge of training this morning as the squad prepare for the visit of aston villa to goodison park on saturday. everton's bid to bring back roberto martinez as manager ended in frustration. they approached the belgian fa, but they've not been persuaded to let their national team boss leave. derby county manager wayne rooney has been linked with an emotional return to his first club. also in the frame is frank lampard, who's been out of work since being sacked by chelsea a year ago. despite only scoring one goal in their three matches, senegal have qualified top of group b at the africa cup of nations after playing out a goalless draw with malawi. and remarkably, guinea still snatched second place despite losing 2—1 to zimbabwe. they scored both their goals before half—time. knobby kate took for the report grabbed the only goal for guinea after the interval but he will mask the last 16 match after being booked for second time in the tournament. the good bond hopes of finishing top looked good as they leave the current leaders morocco one have a zero. ghana could be on their way out as they are ludi —— losing to comoros. emma raducanu says she "loves the energy" at the australian open after earning her first win at the opening grand slam of the season. the us open champion beat american sloane stephens in three sets. herform hasn't been ideal since that win in new york, but she got off to a brilliant start, cruising to the first set against another former us open champion 6—0 injust 17 minutes. some errors crept in as stephens upped her game in the second, taking that 6—2. but the 19—year—old raducanu responded to wrap up the third set 6—1. elsewhere heather watson and dan evans progressed while harriet ducked and liam brody went out. and the mary did what he does best, winning five set matches when he held off the georgian rival. it's been a tough three or four years. put in a lot of work to get back here. it's been... i've played on this court many times, and the atmosphere is incredible. i've always had fantastic support. this is the one where i thought potentially i played my last match three years ago, but amazing to be back winning a five—set battle like that. couldn't ask for any more. there are six uncapped players included in eddiejones�* 36—man england squad for next month's six nations. in—form wasps back row alfie barbeary is called up. the 21—year—old has scored four tries in seven games for his club this season after returning from injury. there is no space for bath back row sam underhill, centre manu tuilagi and george ford, but 0wen farrell remains as captain. while fly—half dan biggar will captain wales, with alun wynjones out injured. wales are stuggling with injuries, seven other key players are unavailable. three uncapped players have been included. 0spreys hooker dewi lake, flankerjac morgan and cardiff forward james ratti. england meet australia for the first time in three years on the netball. they are playing in the quad series in london and both sides have won the opening two games against south africa and new zealand and they will meet again in tomorrow's grand final so both looking to gain an advantage ahead of that one with the score currently 23—19 to australia so a four—point lead for them in half and that match is live on bbc four, the iplayer and the bbc sports website. it seems england and australia are intrinsically linked at the moment as it is all we talk about. two nations divided by a common language or is that the us and britain. something like that and when he had me you have both passport so you cannot lose. have a good night. the health secretary, sajid javid, says he's "cautiously optimistic" that the current plan b measures in england can be "substantially reduced" next week. he says it's likely that the uk has reached the peak of the 0micron wave of infectons. the current measures, including mandatory facemasks on public transport and advice to work from home, are in force until january 26th. 0ur health correspondent dominic hughes reports. just into lane one here. in blackburn, a part of the country still seeing very high covid infection rates, the push on vaccinations continues. some families have come in for a first or second dose, but todayjeff and tracy are getting their boosters. we planned it to come down and it has been smooth, easy, brilliant, super. i work with young children - who ultimately carry everything, so i want to make sure i'm - protecting those children as well. so, it is a sacrifice . we have got to make. just get on and do it, get it over with. - blackburn have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. 0nly around 60% of adults have received a third boosterjab, so they have put in place drive—through centres like this to make it as easy and accessible as possible to try to bring those vaccination rates up. covid restrictions in scotland will be relaxed on monday. england looks likely to follow suit, but in regions like the north of england, it feels like the pandemic is still in full swing and health experts are cautious when it comes to thinking about the beginning of the end of the pandemic. it may be wiser to think about this as the end of the beginning of a long road that we have ahead in recovering. because it's going to be with us for a long time. i think it's the truth that covid is not going to disappear. we are not going to completely eliminate covid from our communities. it's more about how we support our communities and how we protect our economy whilst learning to live with covid. nationally, hospital admissions are flat or falling and cases are plummeting. it does feel like things are moving in the right direction. but that uk—wide picture can mask what is happening in particular areas of the countries, so in regions like the north west of england, leaders say it is important to get the right message across. people will hear the pandemic is over, yes, of course, we can be glad we are moving in a better direction, but there will still be a need for sensible measures. we are not yet finished with covid, but we are, perhaps, moving towards a world where the virus becomes less of an immediate threat. managing that transition will be the next challenge. dominic hughes, bbc news, blackburn. covid restrictions put in place in scotland before christmas will be dropped from next monday. the first minister, nicola sturgeon, says scotland has turned a corner with 0micron, with cases falling. 0ur correspondent lorna gordon has the latest. the first minister said that the rise in cases here in scotland driven by the 0micron variant peaked in the first week injanuary, and while we haven't yet moved from the epidemic to the endemic stage of covid, she was hopeful for a calmer phase going forward. so, from the beginning of next week, most restrictions here in scotland will be dropped. nightclubs can reopen, large indoor events can resume, social distancing rules are being dropped, guidance against adults meeting with more than three households at a time is also being scrapped, along with curbs on indoor contact sports. some restrictions remain. people are being asked to work from home where possible and that longer—running measure to wear facemasks in public places and on public transport does remain in force, as does the covid vaccination passport scheme. well, business groups have broadly welcomed the changes, as have political opposition parties in scotland, although the scottish conservatives are calling for that vaccine passport scheme to be dropped entirely, while scottish labour says that the scottish government must go further in getting promised financial support to businesses here. the latest government figures show that new infections keep falling. there were 94,432 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average, just over 96,000 new cases were reported per day in the last week. the number in hospital remains steady, 19,500 people yesterday. there's been a big jump in daily deaths recorded, 438 in the latest 24—hour period, although tuesdays often see a spike in the numbers. on average in the past week, 272 deaths were announced every day. 0n vaccinations, over 36.5 million people have had a boosterjab, which means 63.6% of people aged 12 and over have now had three vaccine doses. job vacancies in the uk soared to a record high of more than 1.2 million between october and december. the new figures from the office for national statistics are the first to exclude the impact of the government's furlough scheme, which ended in september, but the figures also show that average pay rises are failing to keep up with the increase in the cost of living. 0ur economics editor faisal islam has more. another month where the jobs figures show a record number of vacancies as the economy recovers from covid and unemployment falls to levels at the start of the pandemic. but on the streets of the likes of eastbourne, the flipside of that, bins uncollected as strikes among drivers and collectors spread from other towns. you should be respected, you should be well paid have decent facilities. at a picket at the depot, the drivers have turned down a rise of 7% offered by the local council—owned waste company, demanding a rise of 20%. 7% of the low hourly rate is a low percentage which is why we are saying, forget that, let's get to £13 50, that is the market rate, and pay what they are worth. you say the market rate, that's because of a shortage of hgv drivers elsewhere in the commercial sector. yes, it's as simple as that. eastbourne is well known for its retired residents in today's figure showed a new post pandemic factor shrinking the british workforce. the britishjobs market has performed well, define the expectations of the debts of the pandemic, especially since the end of the fellow scheme in the autumn. unemployment has remained low, but there is now a separate crisis as shortage of workers caused not just by a lack of european labour but also the fact that many older workers have not got back to work since the pandemic. at the eastbourne allotments, a dietician is one of hundreds of thousands of workers across the country who have permanently left the workforce earlier than expected over the past two years. don't get me wrong, i like myjob and i consider myself lucky, - but i've moved to a different phase i of my life, earlier than expected. i this afternoon, the refuse collectors who had been on strike pronounced victory, a pay rise of 11% agreed by the council. the union predicts that these demands will spread elsewhere. what we've seen in the last couple of years is that labour has become a sellers market and over a million vacancies in the country and we see huge areas like social care, hgv drivers, gas fitters, there are shortages and employers need to understand it and it is simply not acceptable that people are expected to see a cut in their living while performing an essential service. today's figures show across the economy pay is increasing less than prices. wage hikes are limited to sectors with shortages. where that goes is the big unknown of the recovery. faisal islam, bbc news, in eastbourne. joining me now is chief economist at the kpmg. we have spoken a little bit already about the prophet of inflation this year but when you see wage increases being agreed like that, is that what you will see more more cross sector? is there evidence that would more people injobs is there evidence that would more people in jobs that maybe it's not quite the sellers market that some of the unions might think at the moment? we of the unions might think at the moment? ~ . ., ., of the unions might think at the moment? ~ . . ., , . moment? we have had a mixed picture of wa i e moment? we have had a mixed picture of wage increases. _ moment? we have had a mixed picture of wage increases. with _ moment? we have had a mixed picture of wage increases. with some - moment? we have had a mixed picture of wage increases. with some sectors i of wage increases. with some sectors where you saw a higher wage rises and some of them not, where the biggest shortages were. so it is a fairly mixed picture. i say generally the professional services, especially it skills and the likes of ten to attract higher wages overall so far where it's actually surprisingly in terms of where you look at hospitality, some but not all but some of them hospitality us have seen not a large increase in weight so far but overall it's a very tight market. and you would expect wages to be under pressure for employers to find it easier to achieve higher wage increases. there is some political— achieve higher wage increases. there is some political argument _ achieve higher wage increases. there is some political argument in the us at the moment about whether or not the stimulus legislation that president biden introduced a year ago may have had the unintended consequence of injecting some inflationary pressure into the us economy. is there any evidence that government efforts to help businesses during lockdown in particular with furlough and so on has contributed to this or are these other factors that really are beyond the control of individual nations economies?— the control of individual nations economies? ., ,. economies? the furlough scheme overall has _ economies? the furlough scheme overall has been _ economies? the furlough scheme overall has been very _ economies? the furlough scheme overall has been very good. - economies? the furlough scheme overall has been very good. it - economies? the furlough scheme| overall has been very good. it was economies? the furlough scheme i overall has been very good. it was a very good initiative from the government and the thinking was he wanted to keep workers close to their employment even when they could not work and that would mean that they would start work again more quickly and also it offered them some protection. so it was a goodidea them some protection. so it was a good idea and there's a question as to whether they would have been better to andy earlier given the tightness of the litter market because that is essentially stopping people from looking for otherjobs and made it harderfor people people from looking for otherjobs and made it harder for people who were looking forjobs, for workers to find them. another furlough scheme is over we can see that workers have been absorbed very easily back into the labour market, so that may be has not been a major issue overall. so that may be has not been a ma'or issue overall.— issue overall. looking ahead, there's been _ issue overall. looking ahead, there's been a _ issue overall. looking ahead, there's been a lot _ issue overall. looking ahead, there's been a lot of - there's been a lot of discussion about the impact increased energy bills are lucky to have come the start of the financial year in april when the energy cap terms will be varied. 0ne when the energy cap terms will be varied. one of the questions i suppose arises from that is a government might try and tackle that and mitigate the effects and there's and mitigate the effects and there's a lot of debate about government effectively spending more of taxpayer money in order to bring down the bills but would that actually have any impact on inflation or is that in a sense just treating the symptoms rather than the cause? it treating the symptoms rather than the cause? , ., the cause? it is about whether the government _ the cause? it is about whether the government will _ the cause? it is about whether the government will lower _ the cause? it is about whether the government will lower the cause? it is about whether the iovernment will lower the the cause? it is about whether the government will lower the cause? it is about whether the iovernment will lower the irice the cause? it is about whether the government will lower the cause? it is about whether the iovernment will lower the irice of government will lower the price of all households or maybe provide some support for those households that will be affected most. i suspect it will be affected most. i suspect it will be affected most. i suspect it will be more plausible, if you like, to do the latter and just start to have a more targeted, given where finances are at the moment. that won't happen on inflation stop i suppose that's the other question, then, whether there any signs of these inflationary measures easing in the coming months?— in the coming months? there is definitely expectations - in the coming months? there is definitely expectations that - definitely expectations that inflation will ease once we have the next rising —— rise in the energy cap out of the way. so from april the following year, we should have inflation going down quite quickly afterwards. thank you very much, good to speak to you again. a man in his 30s has been arrested in ireland on suspicion of the murder of primary school teacher ashling murphy. the 23—year—old was killed last week while out running in broad daylight. today, hundreds of people lined the streets of county 0ffaly to pay their respects as her funeral took place. from there, emma vardy reports. sadness has engulfed this town over the killing of ashling murphy. today, they stood together in despair and grief, struggling to understand. pupils from ashling murphy's class formed a guard of honour as their teacher's coffin passed by. # i will bring you home... musicians and her team—mates paid tribute. she was a talented violinist, and she played the gaelic sport of camogie. she shared her passion, gifts and talents with others, so generously. we pray for her friends, colleagues, and students. the circumstances of her death have led to an outpouring of sympathy around the world. she was attacked and killed in broad daylight whilst out jogging on this canal path. this afternoon irish police arrested a man on suspicion of murder. among those who came to offer their sympathy to the family of ashling murphy, ireland's prime minister, the taoiseach, michael martin, whose government are intending to publish a new strategy on gender—based violence. the crime has asked questions of ourselves and of our society. it has questioned our attitudes and particularly our attitudes towards women. mourners in tullamore have been joined by thousands around the world who have held vigils in recent days. but her loss will be felt most deeply here. this is a community still in shock, that has come together to grieve today. but, more widely, ashling's death has led to calls for this to be a watershed moment in ending violence against women. ashling's sister described her today as the light of their lives, cut short by a brutal act. emma vardy, bbc news, tullamore. a british man who took four people hostage at a synagogue in texas had been investigated by m15. malik faisal akram, from blackburn in lancashire, was the subject of an investigation in late 2020 — though by the time he flew to the us, he was assessed to be no longer a risk. 0ur security correspondent frank gardner gave me this update earlier. it is quite usual for people to be investigated for a time. in this case, he was investigated for four weeks, what's known as a short lead investigation, in the latter half of 2020. he had a violent temper, a criminal record — there were a number of records of him being quite aggressive, he was banned from a number of courts. he was known to both the police and m15. there was nothing there that found that justified, i'm told, putting him on an active list, bumping him up into something that was of higher priority. so to give you an idea of the numbers here, i'm not exonerating him, these are numbers they will have to answer internally at the home office— but in terms of the numbers, they have two lists. they have the list of active as 0|s, subjects of interest, ranging from 3-4000 subjects of interest, ranging from 3—4000 people. these are people who may be engaged in preparations for active terrorism, some who in contact with those they are very concerned about. then there's those who are not even closed files, but people they've decided they are not too fussed about right now. that list is up to 40,000 long, and he was on that list by the time he flew to the united states. so either he gave no indication he was going to do this, or he did in they missed it. ghana's ministry of foreign affairs has denied being involved in talks with the uk about hosting a migrant processing facility. the times newspaper reported plans are being drawn up to send migrants to countries such as ghana and rwanda for processing and resettlement. via twitter, the ghanian government said... downing street said it was "not helpful" to talk about ongoing discussions with countries but it was "right we talk to international partners" about fixing the asylum system. the us telecoms giants, at&t and verizon, have agreed to temporarily delay the roll—out of new 5g mobile networks across the country, after warnings it could cause chaos in the aviation industry, leading to thousands of flight delays and cancellations. airlines and the federal aviation agency are worried that 5g radio frequencies could disrupt planes�* navigation systems, particularly those used in bad weather. a number of airlines including emirates have announced that they will suspend flights to several destinations in the united states. magistrates in england and wales will have greater sentencing powers to enable them to take on more cases, under plans to clear court backlogs. the government plans to let magistrates sentence cases where the maximum sentence is a year, rather than the current maximum of six months. joining me now is bev higgs, the national chair of the magistrates association. she's in somerset this evening, thanks for being with us on bbc news. first of all, this is a power that i think magistrates themselves have been lobbying for for quite some time. what difference do you believe it will make day—to—day? the believe it will make day—to—day? iie: magistrates believe it will make day—to—day? tie: magistrates courts believe it will make day—to—day? ti9 magistrates courts are believe it will make day—to—day? ti9: magistrates courts are very believe it will make day—to—day? ti9 magistrates courts are very busy. we hear 97% of all criminal court cases in the country and have a very low appeal rate of 4%. we've been lobbying for this change for some time, because we are aware of problems building up at the crown court leading to long delays — and particularly for the victims, defendants and witnesses involved in cases. so that it was something we were very keen to pursue and are very pleased with the government has made this move today. ianthem very pleased with the government has made this move today.— made this move today. when will it come into effect, _ made this move today. when will it come into effect, do _ made this move today. when will it come into effect, do you _ made this move today. when will it come into effect, do you know- made this move today. when will it come into effect, do you know that| come into effect, do you know that yet? come into effect, do you know that et? ~ . . yet? we believe it will be the siriin. yet? we believe it will be the spring- there _ yet? we believe it will be the spring. there will _ yet? we believe it will be the spring. there will be - yet? we believe it will be the spring. there will be a - yet? we believe it will be the spring. there will be a shortl yet? we believe it will be the - spring. there will be a short period of training just to make sure that we are clear about the parameters. we will be using existing sentencing guidelines, structures, and sentencing decision—making powers — so all of that is familiar, but we will just so all of that is familiar, but we willjust have a short piece of training to recognise this increased level of responsibility. i was speaking — level of responsibility. i was speaking to _ level of responsibility. i was speaking to a _ level of responsibility. i was speaking to a magistrate . level of responsibility. i was - speaking to a magistrate earlier level of responsibility. i was speaking to a magistrate earlier who was a bit miffed at the suggestion that there are some in the legal profession, that may be you guys were a bit too amateurish to do this and it might have worked if moore had opted... the and it might have worked if moore had opted- - -_ and it might have worked if moore had oted... . , ., , had opted... the magistrate has been around for 600 _ had opted... the magistrate has been around for 600 years. _ had opted... the magistrate has been around for 600 years. we've - had opted... the magistrate has been around for 600 years. we've been - around for 600 years. we've been doing something right in that period of time. i think there is a certain element of the defence community that's not keen on the idea, but we are not anxious by any stretch, we are not anxious by any stretch, we are very highly trained, as i've mentioned, we have lots of structures and procedures, and sentencing guidelines. we always work with a legal adviser who is usually a barrister, and we are very experienced in pretty good at what we do, hence the very low appeal rate of around 4%. in we do, hence the very low appeal rate of around 4%.— rate of around 4%. in terms of practicalities of _ rate of around 4%. in terms of practicalities of this, _ rate of around 4%. in terms of practicalities of this, the - rate of around 4%. in terms of| practicalities of this, the power rate of around 4%. in terms of. practicalities of this, the power to sentence up to six months has given you quite a lot of cases, but presumably there have been a lot of cases beyond the six months which are comparatively minor crimes when thatis are comparatively minor crimes when that is automatically had to go to a magistrates crown court even though it could been done by a court. are they opting for a crown court trial instead? :. �* . they opting for a crown court trial instead? . �* , ., instead? that's right, there are frustrations _ instead? that's right, there are frustrations around _ instead? that's right, there are frustrations around a _ instead? that's right, there are frustrations around a relatively| frustrations around a relatively minor matters going to crown court, sitting on their list when we could've easily dealt with it. but the right to elect is still there. 0nce we've made the decision to accept a jurisdiction in the case, thenit accept a jurisdiction in the case, then it is put to the defendant that they have a choice— to have the case in dash trial in the magistrates�* court, or going to the crown court. of course some people will still elect to do that. however there�*s actually no evidence to assume that the current rates of election to go to the crown court will change. fine to the crown court will change. one final question. _ to the crown court will change. one final question, just to help people following at home — can you give us examples of things that might be affected by this change, the sort of offences you might now be seeing that you currently don�*t have any power over? in that you currently don't have any power over?— that you currently don't have any power over? in actual fact, we do see the full— power over? in actual fact, we do see the full range _ power over? in actual fact, we do see the full range of _ power over? in actual fact, we do see the full range of offences - i power over? in actual fact, we do | see the full range of offences - so see the full range of offences — so assault, theft, criminal damage, serious motoring damages. we still see all those things, it�*s just the parameters of what we are able to do has changed. so the offence types will always be summary or indictable, they always go to crown court obviously.— indictable, they always go to crown court obviously. thank you very much for talkini court obviously. thank you very much for talking to — court obviously. thank you very much for talking to us _ court obviously. thank you very much for talking to us on _ court obviously. thank you very much for talking to us on bbc _ court obviously. thank you very much for talking to us on bbc news. - court obviously. thank you very much for talking to us on bbc news. thinkl for talking to us on bbc news. think ou. a 56—year—old from cumbria has pleaded guilty to a modern slavery offence after a vulnerable man told police he had been living in a shed for 40 years. the gangmasters and labour abuse authority say they have never witnessed such a traumatic case. fiona trott reports. it is impossible to imagine, but for 40 years, this is where someone lived — not a home, but a cell, with no heat and no light. 0n the floor where he slept, a soiled duvet to keep him warm, a place where he rested after working on farms for as little as £10 a day. as for his food and drink, there is some evidence here of what that was like. his condition has improved, physically he is much healthier, however, it has to be said he is still someone very traumatised by what he has suffered in the last 40 years. he will never lead a totally independent life. today, 56—year—old rob peter swales pleaded guilty to conspiring to facilitate travel of another with a view to exploitation. he is due to be jailed later this month. —— do to be sentenced next month. as for the victim who was forced to live like this, he is in supported accommodation outside cumbria. no longer a victim, but still recovering after being treated so cruelly for four decades. he will need care for the rest of his life. fiona trott, bbc news. a man has gone on trial accused of killing a six—year—old boy in peterborough more than 25 years ago. james watson who�*s 40 now, would have been 13 at the time rikki neave disappeared in 1994. the old bailey was told he had been "exhibiting a grotesque interest in the subject of child murder." jo black reports. ricky neave was only six when he was murdered 27 years ago. he left home for school on the welland estate in peterborough, but never returned. the following day, his naked body was discovered in woodland, a place familiar to children in the area. the court was told that ricky had most likely been strangled, and that the killer deliberately laid his body out in a star shape. there was no sign of his clothing, but nearby on a leaf was a single small, white shirt button. the next day, his school uniform was discovered in a wheelie bin nearby, small toys and cards still in his pocket. six months later, ruth neave, was accused of his murder. she was unanimously cleared by a jury, but was jailed after admitting cruelty charges. the court was told that ricky was well—known on the estate, but was a venerable child, used by his mother to collect drugs and this neglect exposed him to great risk. 27 years later, james watson is now accused of the little boy�*s murder. in 2015, a new investigation was opened using techniques not available in the mid—1990s. scientific examination of an adhesive tape from ricky�*s clothes were examined, and a dna match to james watson was allegedly made. james watson would have been 13 years old at the time of the death, and the court was told he had been seen with ricky on the morning of 28 november, 1994. the court heard his teachers told police at the time that he had a conspicuous reoccupation with ricky neave�*s death. —— conspicuous preoccupation. james watson denies murder and the case is expected to last eight weeks. jo black, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... the prime minister has denied categorically he was warned at a downing street garden party was against the law. hundreds lined the street for the funeral of the 24—year—old teacher killed last week while running in broad daylight. police say a man is been arrested. a man from cumbria has pleaded guilty to offences of modern slavery after a vulnerable worker was kept in a six foot shed for 40 years. the us secretary of state will meet his russian counterpart in geneva on friday forface—to—face talks, as the us fears moscow, will invade ukraine "at any moment". anthony blinken is currently on his way to ukraine to underline american support for the country. the flurry of meetings come, as large numbers of russian troops build up on the ukranian—russian border. today, russia has also moved troops into belarus — moscow says for military drills — but us officials have warned, that poses a "new threat" to ukraine. anthony blinken is reported to be looking for a "diplomatic off ramp" in tensions — but will warn sergei lavrov, that russia must make "immediate" steps to de—escalate tensions. the white house press secretary stressed the urgency of the moment. let�*s be clear, our view is that this is an extremely dangerous situation. we are now at a stage where russia could at any point launch an attack on ukraine. and what secretary blinken will do is highlight very clearly, there is a diplomatic path forward. it is the choice of president putin and the russians to make, whether they will suffer severe economic consequences or not. the technology giant, microsoft, says it will buy the company that makes video games like call of duty and candy crush for more than 50 billion pounds. it will be the largest deal in gaming history. the company called activision blizzard has seen business soar during lockdown with millions around the world turning to gaming to relieve the boredom. here�*s our gaming reporter, steffan powell. call of duty, a multiplayer war game. it�*s one of the biggest and most profitable entertainment franchises in the world. made by us company activision blizzard, the studio which has 400 million people playing every month in 190 countries. and that kind of young fan base is one of the reasons that microsoft, now itself a veteran tech firm, have swooped — paying over £50 billion for the company, the largest acquisition in gaming history. but why? more and more companies are looking at ways to either break into or expand their gaming strategies. even netflix is doing the same thing, where they have launched a gaming footprint specifically around mobile games. activision blizzard has been at the centre of a storm after employees walked out in protest after numerous sexual harassment claims and an allegedly toxic environment. the company�*s ceo apologised and took a pay cut. but what does this mean for the gamers? at the moment, microsoft�*s xbox consoles are lagging behind sony�*s playstation 5 in terms of sales. by buying call of duty and the company behind it, microsoft are fighting back by owning more and more exclusive rights. the question many players want to know now, though, is, will they restrict their rival�*s access to these major titles? like many of the games themselves, tech companies are fighting their own battles — but for content. and gaming is fast becoming the most lucrative market in entertainment. steffan powell, bbc news. lovely frocks, aren�*t they? they belong to one special woman. the wartime anthems of dame vera lynne made her the darling of the armed forces, and the voice of a generation. now, the public has a rare opportunity to glimpse a more personal side of the singer. herwardrobe, paintings, and memorabilia have gone on display at an exhibition celebrating her life. 0ur correspondentjohn maguire has been to see it. # we�*ll meet again # don�*t know where, don�*t know when... this is the chance to meet dame vera lynn again, but also in many ways, for the first time, because the exhibition of her personal possessions shows not just the story we all know of the forces�* sweetheart and her extraordinary career in showbusiness, but also her private passions and pastimes. she was a prolific painter. so, we�*ve got together here, obviously, performance costumes and things from her public role, which people are really familiar with, but also things like the paintings and personal items, give you a sense of what she was like, perhaps, when she was just doing things for herself at home. this is a real coup for the ditchling museum of art and craft. its picture—perfect location is in the east sussex village where dame vera lived for the last 40 years of her life. it�*s clear that she took great care to preserve items that tell the story notjust of her life, but also of the times. she wore this khaki shirt and shorts while on a three—month tour in 1944. her visit to the 14th army in burma became the stuff of legend. it was her idea to go there, and she was banned from writing anything down in case it fell into enemy hands. but she kept this small secret diary. i took my little diary and my little pencil, and you canjust about see it, tiny little writing. "slept on stretcher," oh, yes, " balanced on two kitchen chairs. a rotten night. " i should think so. for somebody of 27, 28 to be able to do that in those days — and even in these days — was enormously unusual. you know, she was the forerunner really of, you know, women, if you want to go and do something, go and do it, basically! post—war, the dresses and the pictures capture dame vera with some of the biggest names in entertainment. but there are also personal items — the travel iron and the make—up box, the tools of the trade that made glamour possible. the exhibition runs until easter. it�*s an intimate look at a woman who lived life to the full, and whose voice meant so much to so many, bringing hope and light to the darkest of hours. john maguire, bbc news, ditching in east sussex. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with chris. i'll i�*ll be back with the papers at 10:30pm and 11:30pm this evening. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with chris. hello again. most of us have had a fine and dry day. the sunrise was earlier this morning was absolutely spectacular. this was one of the weather watcher pictures showing a layer of outer cumulus being lit up by the rising sun. it was a decent day across parts of eastern england — that�*s where the best of the sunshine was — where some places kept mist and fog all day, some of these areas were in parts of the west midlands. and overnight, a few mist and fog patches initially. further north, though, we�*ve got with this band of rain spreading into scotland, northern ireland, reaching northern england later in the night. this is a cold front. now, this cold front is going to push its way southwards, bringing something of a change to our weather. and over the next couple days, it will be getting a good deal colder gradually. now, the really cold air will be across the far north of scotland during wednesday — snow showers coming right down to sea level in shetland, where gusts of wind could reach 40—50 mph. with temperatures about one, it will feel freezing cold here. england and wales, cloudy with a bit of light rain easing as the front pushes into our area of high pressure, so there won�*t be much rain left on it, really. and for many of us, lots of sunshine, just a few showers coming into northwestern areas. heading into wednesday night, it gets cold — there will be a widespread frost and, as that colder air arrives, so we�*ll see increasingly those showers turn to snow across northern areas of scotland. that�*s the way of things into thursday. a few showers possible around the north sea, but for the most part, the winds just offshore enough to take most of the showers and keep them out to sea. a few showers coming down the irish sea coast of west wales, southwest england, but for many, another day of sparkling sunshine. but it will be chilly — temperatures on thursday for many of us around about 2—3 degrees below average forjanuary. but the cold air doesn�*t hang around for very long. high pressure is still with us — the same one. but what starts to happen is we start to get a recirculation of this milder air moving into northern regions of the country. so, friday, some of the mildest air will be across northern scotland. here, though, a lot of cloud — and that cloud will be thick enough to bring some drizzle, particularly to the western isles and the highlands. elsewhere, some frost to start the day, a few mist and fog patches that could loiter, and our temperatures range from ten in northern scotland to around 6 celsius across the southeast. however, as we get into the weekend and into next week, a lot of dry weather — temperatures returning to average, or a little bit above it. that�*s your weather. hello, i�*m christian fraser. you�*re watching context on bbc news. 0ur our weekly walking towards a new war in europe? the us secretary of state, antony blinken, is on his way to kyiv and will meet with sergei lavrov on friday as moscow rejects fresh talks on ukraine. the changing shape of the workforce — with 400,000 people leaving the labour market since the beginnig of the pandemic, vacancies are at a record high. the man who held a jewish congregation hostage in a texas synagogue this weekend was on a terror watchlist here in the uk. tonight with the context, mary ann marsh, a democratic strategist in the us, and guto harri, former adviser to borisjohnson.