— as covid restrictions in england are eased. survivors of institutional child abuse in northern ireland will finally receive an official public apology. found off the coast of tahiti — a giant coral reef discovered in "pristine" condition. and disappointment for the brits in the australian open — andy murray and emma raducanu are both out. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister says he has seen or heard "no evidence to support" allegations made this morning by the conservative mp william wragg that mps had been "intimidated" and "threatened" to stop them speaking out against him. mr wragg chairs the public administration committee, he said that would—be rebel mps were threatened with the withdrawal of investment from their constituencies — and with embarrassing stories in the press — he advised any mp being subject to such pressure to contact the police. here's our political correspondentjonathan blake. relative calm at westminster, after a day of high drama, but inside parliament grave accusations from one of borisjohnson�*s critics. order, order. the claim that tory backbenchers trying to oust the prime minister have been threatened by government ministers and others. the intimidation of a member of parliament is a serious matter. more over, the reports of which i'm aware would seem to constitute blackmail. as such, it would be my general advice to colleagues to report these matters to the speaker of the house of commons and the commissioner of the metropolitan police. downing street said it wasn't aware of any evidence for the claims — some mps more concerned than others. i think everybody needs to be mindful not to cross lines here, and i very much hope that those lines haven't been crossed but i think william wragg's warning is probably timely, and i would very much hope it will be heeded. nobody's tried to blackmail me, i you know, we are all individuals, and people maybe misinterpret. what has been said, because why would anybody blackmail them ? that is counter productive. in bury south, the seat of labour's newest mp who defected from the conservatives, the party seized on the claims. a government must govern in the national interest, not in its narrow party interests, and if this is the way the conservatives think they can get through this crisis, then they need to think again. and the people of this country are looking on, in dismay and disgust, that it is one rule for those at the top, and another for everyone else and this is just another example of that. all this is fall out from claims of parties in downing street that may have broken lockdown rules. one cabinet minister suggested it has shaken the public�*s faith in our whole political system. of course things like this damage our democracy and that is why... this downing street has damaged our democracy? no, the, the what we, from what we already know, from the people that have come forward and apologised for the parties that took place, so for example, the one on the eve of prince philip's funeral, you know, that was completely wrong, it was wrong in every single way. yeah, it's a sorry situation. senior backbenchers are talking like it is over for borisjohnson. this is appalling, and the public are rightly furious, _ so at the moment i'm afraid it does look like check mate, _ but whether he can - save himself, we'll see. while westminster waits for a report into parties during lockdown, the prime minister might be relieved to make it to the end of the week. jonathan blake, bbc news. live now to westminster and our political correspondent, chris mason... more bad news for the prime minister — it had seemed like a lull in the storm. this period of intense activity and the rapid and movement in the air yesterday with the talk of potentially 5a or more letters being submitted, forcing a voice of confidence in the prime minister. then that eased a little but what we've seen in the last 2a hours is these punctuation marks where you see potential additional threats to the prime minister. whether it be the prime minister. whether it be the intervention from david davis, the intervention from david davis, the senior conservative backbencher yesterday, at lunchtime, or indeed the contribution from the conservative chair of the committee that he was addressing this morning, talking about these allegations of blackmail and intimidation. and to tap into that, an additional strand to the story, christian weight third, the now labour mp in bury in greater manchester, articulating just some of those concerns expressed by mr wragg this morning. i was threatened that i would not get the school for radcliffe if i didn't vote one particular way. this is a town that's not had a high school for the best part of ten years — and how would you feel holding back the regeneration of the town for a vote? it didn't sit comfortably, and that was really that kind of starting to question my place, where it was, and ultimately to where i am now. this then poses a question about the art of persuasion in this post code, because persuasion is as old as the bricks in the building here, the little black books, the sense of quiet conversations in the corridor, even loud conversations over the foun as whips, the party managers here who are in the business of ensuring the comment was meant business gets done, or in moments of jeopardy that the government survives, will deploy all sorts of tactics to try to twist the arm of the backbencher whose arm, in their view, might need twisting. where is the line between something that's acceptable in something that isn't? some long—standing mps have been making the argument that that kind of interaction is normal, others have been saying they've not been subject to any intimidation and it's unreasonable to suggest otherwise. so what of the prime minister make of all of this? this intervention from one of his conservative colleagues, william wragg, what does borisjohnson make that? i see colleagues, william wragg, what does boris johnson make that?— boris johnson make that? i see no evidence, boris johnson make that? i see no evidence. her— boris johnson make that? i see no evidence, her no _ boris johnson make that? i see no evidence, her no evidence, - boris johnson make that? i see no evidence, her no evidence, to - evidence, her no evidence, to support— evidence, her no evidence, to support any of those allegations. what _ support any of those allegations. what i'm — support any of those allegations. what i'm focused on is what we are doing _ what i'm focused on is what we are doing to _ what i'm focused on is what we are doing to deal with the number one priority— doing to deal with the number one priority of— doing to deal with the number one priority of the british people, which — priority of the british people, which is _ priority of the british people, which is coming through covid, and we've _ which is coming through covid, and we've made — which is coming through covid, and we've made enormous progress thanks to the _ we've made enormous progress thanks to the vaccine roll—out, the fastest in europe, — to the vaccine roll—out, the fastest in europe, the booster campaign, hates— in europe, the booster campaign, hates enabled us to open up, we are moving _ hates enabled us to open up, we are moving back— hates enabled us to open up, we are moving back to the status quo, and back a _ moving back to the status quo, and back a plan— moving back to the status quo, and back a plan a, opening up our economy, _ back a plan a, opening up our economy, we got the most open economy— economy, we got the most open economy and society in europe. the fastest _ economy and society in europe. the fastest growth in the g7 as a result of that— fastest growth in the g7 as a result of that booster campaign. here the prime minister playing what he feels are his greatest hits. familiar language about his pride in the booster programme, in keeping economy and the size society more open over christmas and new year than some of the other nations around the uk, england's rules that bit more liberal, and he will count to evidence since then that suggests he was vindicated in making that decision. why is he making these arguments and who to? he's making them to the most important constituency for him right now, the most important electorate, that is conservative mps, weighing up the ledger of borisjohnson�*s pros and cons. pretty much all of them you speak to will acknowledge that on the subject of parties there are plenty of negatives, but a lot of them will also say that on some of them will also say that on some of the other stuff they are broadly supportive, and as they weigh up what to do in the coming days and weeks, that is why i suspect the prime minister is keen to burnish the ledger with what he sees as the positives. more from the prime minister next on what he sees as the challenges in the coming days, and that big question surrounding sue gray, the report from the senior civil servant looking into all these parties, which we are expecting to see the light of day next week. the issue for me _ see the light of day next week. the issue for me today... but _ see the light of day next week. the issue for me today... but i'm - see the light of day next week. the | issue for me today... but i'm asking ou about issue for me today... but i'm asking you about something _ issue for me today... but i'm asking you about something else. - issue for me today... but i'm asking you about something else. people l you about something else. people find you about something else. people fihd ii— you about something else. people find it hard — you about something else. people find it hard to _ you about something else. people find it hard to understand. - you about something else. people find it hard to understand. you - you about something else. people| find it hard to understand. you say didh'i_ find it hard to understand. you say didn't know— find it hard to understand. you say didn't know the _ find it hard to understand. you say didn't know the rules... _ find it hard to understand. you say didn't know the rules... you - find it hard to understand. you say didn't know the rules. . ._ didn't know the rules... you said that. didn't know the rules... you said that peeple _ didn't know the rules... you said that. people are _ didn't know the rules... you said that. people are wondering - didn't know the rules... you said that. people are wondering if. didn't know the rules... you said| that. people are wondering if you understand _ that. people are wondering if you understand the _ that. people are wondering if you understand the rules. _ that. people are wondering if you understand the rules. i— that. people are wondering if you understand the rules. i am - that. people are wondering if you i understand the rules. i am focused on, understand the rules. i am focused on. today. — understand the rules. i am focused on. today. with _ understand the rules. i am focused on, today, with the _ understand the rules. i am focused on, today, with the greatest - on, today, with the greatest respect, _ on, today, with the greatest respect, and i said a lot about all those _ respect, and i said a lot about all those issues. what we are focused on his community... ice those issues. what we are focused on his community- - -_ his community... ice understand that. his community... ice understand that- you _ his community... ice understand that. you said _ his community... ice understand that. you said that. _ his community... ice understand that. you said that. are - his community... ice understand that. you said that. are you - his community... ice understand that. you said that. are you not| that. you said that. are you not going _ that. you said that. are you not going to — that. you said that. are you not going to answer _ that. you said that. are you not going to answer the _ that. you said that. are you not going to answer the question? i that. you said that. are you not. going to answer the question? we that. you said that. are you not going to answer the question? we are exectin: going to answer the question? we are exnecting that — going to answer the question? we are exnecting that sue — going to answer the question? we are expecting that sue gray _ going to answer the question? we are expecting that sue gray report, - going to answer the question? we are expecting that sue gray report, what. expecting that sue gray report, what we think will happen in the next few days? i we think will happen in the next few da s? , , ., days? i spent the morning here in parliament _ days? i spent the morning here in parliament speaking _ days? i spent the morning here in parliament speaking to _ days? i spent the morning here in parliament speaking to people - parliament speaking to people privately from all different sides of the political divide, and there seems to be a view, and my goodness, everyone is guessing, and politics would be the well�*s most boring news agenda to report on if everything was instantly predictable, but plenty of people saying this morning they suspect the prime minister has bought himself enough time to get between now and the publication of that report. but speaking some conservatives, they are saying, blimey! such is the shield the prime minister has put up against himself with sue gray written upon it, my goodness, he must be hoping there's nothing in there that is really going to dent the confidence of conservatives, who are just about willing to support him now but might not be if that report were particularly devastating! remember, is the remit of that report to assemble a sense of what happened rather than necessarily to act as a political executioner. labour are wandering around with smiles the length and breadth of the uk, they feel pretty chipper and upbeat in the light of what has happened over the light of what has happened over the last couple of days and it is still absolutely the talk of the postcode — there is deep anger on the conservative side about how borisjohnson has handled all this, and whilst that might be something of a lull today, to a degree, the anger and vitriol is very evident just below surface and clearly as yet has not been dealt with by downing street to anywhere near the degree it will have to be if boris johnson is to survive and be able to at least attempt to put this behind him. chris mason, thank you very much. as covid restrictions in england start to be eased from today, the health secretary sajid javid says he is "optimistic" that the legal requirement for people to self—isolate can be lifted in coming weeks. he also defended the decision to end the requirement for schoolchildren to wear facemasks in class, saying that case numbers were falling across the country. tim muffett reports. one aspect of school life, these pupils won't miss. face coverings are no longer compulsory in schools in england and at this school in gloucestershire, students are relieved. it is a good feeling we don't have to wear them, we can't communicate. the mask drops in your face and it is annoying. the prime minister announced a widespread easing of restrictions. people are no longer advised to work from home. from next thursday, face coverings will no longer be needed in a setting, though people will still be advised to wear them in crowded settings. and covid passes to get into venues will be dropped. although venues can choose to carry on using them. we said when we learned about omicron, we needed to build the defences, that was the purpose of plan b. if you look at the data, it is in retreat. with the picture across the country showing falling, fast falling rates of omicron in many parts, that means that there is an opportunity to say, actually, things are starting to get better. but others stress the continued need for caution. we still need to protect people and to support them. - and in schools i think, _ it seems premature to take away the few protections we have. in scotland from monday, they will no longer be limited on the number meeting indoors, but face coverings will remain compulsory in shops and on public transport. they will remain in wales and northern ireland, although it is hoped an easing of restrictions will take place, defending on infection rates. many businesses and shops have welcomed that home from home guidance has been scrapped. but a return to normality seems some way off. face coverings will remain compulsory on public transport in london. elsewhere, it will be up to individual discretion. these bus passengers in bristol still expect to use them. you go on a bus and someone says, you should have it on, so keep it on until everybody else has not got it. i will still at the moment, because of the virus. it keeps us safe. for me, it's a must. restrictions in england might be easing, but the impact of covid will still be evident. a public apology in northern ireland to survivors of institutional child abuse will be made — the government in stormont has announced. it will happen at an event held there on march 11th. but survivors say they have been left re—traumatised, because the apology should have been given before now. a public inquiry recommended it five years ago, following the biggest investigation ever held in the uk at the time. this report from our ireland correspondent, chris page, contains some distressing testimony. brian o'donohue has spent the last 20 years putting on paper his childhood experiences of six decades ago. there's some summertime left and brother stephen is in charge of the boys down at the swimming pool. he's in one of his full moon modes. he's throwing little billy, who is just a bit younger than me, into the pool. the brother thinks it's great fun. billy doesn't. he can't swim. he's screaming for help, and clawing at the water. that happened at rubane house in county down, one of several children's homes run by religious orders where he spent time. one of brian's most vivid memories is of how two boys were punished in front of all the others after they tried to escape. the only protection from a beating would have been a pair of swimming trunks, and they were beaten on the backside and thighs until theyjumped in the air and screamed. there was sweat pouring off him when he beat them. that's how much he put into the beating. brian suffered physical and sexual abuse. he remembers trying to protect himself. don't put yourself in the position where you're, you're alone with them. but then again, that can be hard. but then again, that can be hard, if a brother actually comes in and lifts you out of your sleeping bed and takes you to his room. on the other side of the irish sea, thousands of abuse survivors are also living with unspeakable trauma. kate walmsley was in an institution in londonderry. from i was eight till i was 12, i was being sexually abused by a priest there. i kept sending letters to the teacher, saying that i couldn't do pe, you know, i couldn't have showers, and it was mainly because of how ifelt myself, you know, about my body. i'm lonely and still feel that i don't belong anywhere, and i'm not accepted unless, you know — i try and fit in everywhere i can, but you know, it's always you're not wanted. it's five years since a public inquiry report set out the legacy of suffering. the inquiry recommended a state apology. that was something that a lot of our people really wanted, even before compensation. you know, there was many people that says, you know, money's too late, redress is too late. what they wanted to hear was someone to say, "sorry, it wasn't your fault, it was our fault." the process has been delayed, not least because the devolved governments collapsed for three years, but now ministers have agreed to hold an event in march to formally apologise to survivors. lots of our victims have passed and not had an apology. we'll live with this to the rest of our lives, yyou know, of our lives, you know, we'll still carry this. all i wanted was someone to say sorry. after generations of hurt, victims are hoping for a day of acknowledgement. chris page, bbc news. details of organisations which offer information and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline — or you can call forfree, at any time to hear recorded information on 08000155 998. the headlines on bbc news... a senior conservative accuses the government of intimidating mps over their support for a no—confidence vote in boris johnson. the pm says he doesn't recognise the claims. there's also more pressure coming from the back benches, as tory mp steve baker predicts borisjohnson will probably be forced out of office. also today... facemasks are no longer required in schools — and workers can return to the office — as covid restrictions in england are eased. new data shows the continuing pressures facing the health service. while covid—related staff absences are falling, more than 90% of hospital beds in england are occupied. in wales, the number of people waiting for planned treatment has risen to another record high. ambulance handover delays at a&e departments in england have improved, but almost a fifth of people arriving waited 30 minutes or more. our health correspondent dominic hughes has been looking at how one hospital — the royal bolton in the north—west of england — is coping. how many discharges have we got? i'm thinking four. clinical staff are working with the local council to try and get patients back home. delays in discharging those who are well enough to get home are a big reason why hospitals are so busy. but it is complicated. there is so many services involved in one patient, there is equipment and package of care, access issues, family, transport, we need to make medicines ready. we need to make sure everyone is on the same page. nhs england says 93% of all hospital beds are currently occupied. and the impact of covid on staff and patients makes things more complex. we have been hit by workforce shortages, the omicron wave has affected that as well. we have also had to work closely with our care homes, so our care homes have been managing outbreaks with their staff, but some with residents as well and that affected their ability to take people from hospital. although the number of covid infections is falling, hospitals remain under significant pressure and those pressures can be seen right across the system — from accident and emergency departments to the amount of time people wait for a cancer referral. the last one was... at this hospital in london, they have seen a big rise in the number of people being referred for cancer treatment, from 1,100 a month before the pandemic to 1,500 now. how is mr stephens doing? patients were concerned at the start, now they are returning to normality and there is a degree of frustration that they haven't been seen quickly. we will still do the best we can. that is sad when that happens. people are being urged not to put off seeking help if they're worried, just because of nhs pressures. the health service is continuing to recoverfrom the pandemic, but the stresses of covid are still present and senior leaders are warning there will be some tough months ahead. with the pressures on local hospitals, the bbc has launched a special nhs tracker with the latest data on waits for emergency treatment which will let you find out how your local services are coping this winter — and how that compares to pre—pandemic demand. the home—working advice set by the government has now been dropped, as part of an end to plan b restrictions across england. as well as this, mandatory face coverings in public places including schools, and covid passports won't be required from next thursday. let's get reaction to this from a school headteacher. we can speak to dr andrea frame who is the headteacher of denbigh school in milton keynes. thank you forjoining us. let me ask you first for your reaction to the moving away from plan b to plan a, in particular what's happening in schools. we in particular what's happening in schools. ~ . ., , ,, .,~ schools. we are generally speaking leased schools. we are generally speaking pleased that _ schools. we are generally speaking pleased that students _ schools. we are generally speaking pleased that students won't - schools. we are generally speaking pleased that students won't have . schools. we are generally speaking | pleased that students won't have to wear masks and classrooms. it does make it easier for the teachers and students. it's good to be going back towards something like a little more normal. and working practices. what normal. and working practices. what im act did normal. and working practices. what impact did mask _ normal. and working practices. what impact did mask wearing have on day—to—day life for pupils and teachers? day-to-day life for pupils and teachers?— day-to-day life for pupils and teachers? 3 , , . ., teachers? it's very difficult and classrooms _ teachers? it's very difficult and classrooms for _ teachers? it's very difficult and classrooms for students - teachers? it's very difficult and classrooms for students to - teachers? it's very difficult and l classrooms for students to wear masks all day. it makes everything that little bit harder, is harder to speak to the teacher, harder to make themselves heard, harderfor the teacher to make themselves heard, so itjust teacher to make themselves heard, so it just feels a little teacher to make themselves heard, so itjust feels a little more normal, little easier without them on. there have been some _ little easier without them on. there have been some teachers _ little easier without them on. there have been some teachers and - little easier without them on. there have been some teachers and heads around the country, england, who have said they are worried about the removal of masks, they are worried for their own hail and safety in terms of covid. what you think about that view? i terms of covid. what you think about that view? . . , ., ., . that view? i can understand that. we are ruite that view? i can understand that. we are quite lucky _ that view? i can understand that. we are quite lucky here, _ that view? i can understand that. we are quite lucky here, we _ that view? i can understand that. we are quite lucky here, we don't - that view? i can understand that. we are quite lucky here, we don't have l are quite lucky here, we don't have very high numbers of students or staff with covid, and we were coping quite well with it. i think we are happy for students and staff to continue to wear masks if they wish to, but i think the majority they will feel happy that they don't have to. ., ., , , ., will feel happy that they don't have to. ., ., , ,. to. how have students at your school been impacted _ to. how have students at your school been impacted by — to. how have students at your school been impacted by the _ to. how have students at your school been impacted by the covid - to. how have students at your school| been impacted by the covid pandemic over the past nearly two years? i over the past nearly two years? i think students in all schools, over the past nearly two years? i think students in all schools, but certainly here, we have been adversely impacted. students are a lot more anxious than they were, we've noticed this particularly with our year 11 is and yes their teens, who are coming up to their important exams. there are higher levels of anxiety than we're used to seeing, evenin anxiety than we're used to seeing, even in the year groups without exams, students are anxious, they don't want to go back to learning, they want to stay in school and have face—to—face learning, and it is difficult for them when regulations and guidance keep changing. {lister difficult for them when regulations and guidance keep changing. over the ast two and guidance keep changing. over the past two years. _ and guidance keep changing. over the past two years, other _ and guidance keep changing. over the past two years, other than _ past two years, other than facemasks, what are the rules have you put into place within your school to mitigate the impact of the spread of covid?— spread of covid? we've tried to put thins in spread of covid? we've tried to put things in place _ spread of covid? we've tried to put things in place that _ spread of covid? we've tried to put things in place that make _ spread of covid? we've tried to put things in place that make life - spread of covid? we've tried to put things in place that make life a - things in place that make life a little easier for students and a little easier for students and a little easier for them to avoid catching covid. so we have one—way systems around the school, zoned areas for students in different year groups at break and lunchtime, different entrance and exit points for students. that sort of thing, just to keep them in the year groups more than would have been normal. we split our breaks and lunches so we have two times when they are on break, two different times when they are on lunch. we remove the bell, so we get a bit more space in the day and when the students are moving around. there are a number of things we've done and are keeping on doing due to the covid. i we've done and are keeping on doing due to the covid.— due to the covid. i wanted to ask about that _ due to the covid. i wanted to ask about that - _ due to the covid. i wanted to ask about that - so _ due to the covid. i wanted to ask about that - so you _ due to the covid. i wanted to ask about that - so you will - due to the covid. i wanted to ask about that - so you will keep - due to the covid. i wanted to ask about that - so you will keep on | about that — so you will keep on doing all the other little things you do to keep covid at bay? how long do you think you will keep those going, bubbles and lunch breaks? brute those going, bubbles and lunch breaks? ~ ~ , , ., breaks? we will keep using them for as lona as breaks? we will keep using them for as long as they _ breaks? we will keep using them for as long as they make _ breaks? we will keep using them for as long as they make our— breaks? we will keep using them for as long as they make our lives - breaks? we will keep using them for as long as they make our lives and i as long as they make our lives and the students' lives easier in school. we were forced into some of these things because of covid, they're actually some of them have a beneficial effect and we will keep on with them.— beneficial effect and we will keep on with them. ., ,, y., , . as you were hearing earlier, workers can return to the office. i'm joined now by mike cherry, national chairman at the federation of small businesses. cani can i get your reaction to the fact that workers can now return to work if they want to? i that workers can now return to work if they want to?— if they want to? i think, as we'll know, if they want to? i think, as we'll know. we've — if they want to? i think, as we'll know, we've had _ if they want to? i think, as we'll know, we've had two _ if they want to? i think, as we'll know, we've had two years - if they want to? i think, as we'll know, we've had two years of. if they want to? i think, as we'll know, we've had two years of in if they want to? i think, as we'll - know, we've had two years of in and out varying restrictions across england, we've had differing restrictions at different times across other parts of the uk, so in the main small businesses will be mightily relieved that this does actually mark the beginning of the final wind down of the trading restrictions that many have had to sustain for two years now. {elite restrictions that many have had to sustain for two years now.- sustain for two years now. give us an example _ sustain for two years now. give us an example of _ sustain for two years now. give us an example of the _ sustain for two years now. give us an example of the impact - sustain for two years now. give us an example of the impact those i an example of the impact those restrictions have had on some of the businesses you represent? some restrictions have had on some of the businesses you represent?— businesses you represent? some in the hospitality. _ businesses you represent? some in the hospitality, retail— businesses you represent? some in the hospitality, retail and _ businesses you represent? some in the hospitality, retail and leisure i the hospitality, retail and leisure sector in particular have struggled to reopen, given the latest rates frictions over the last christmas and new year period, and prior to that many of them were shut for most of the previous 18 months or so. others have been shut all the way through until we saw the lifting of the restrictions last year. businesses starting to reopen. but that doesn't mean they've got back to normal trading. they will be looking for people to support small businesses right across the whole of the country as we get back to what may be some sort of normality, but it's going to take some time, and thatis it's going to take some time, and that is where with the headwinds businesses are now facing, with increased energy costs, national insurance increases coming through, extended late payments that many businesses say they are suffering from, low levels of confidence, we have a long way to go and that's where the government really needs to think small first, get something in there to support small businesses into the medium term, so that they, as they did after the financial crisis, they can lead us out of this, create the economic recovery we desperately need and the jobs we need. we desperately need and the “obs we need. . , ,., , we desperately need and the “obs we need. . , ., we desperately need and the “obs we need. ., , ., �*, we desperately need and the “obs we need. absolutely, and it's clear, isn't it, that _ need. absolutely, and it's clear, isn't it, that inflation _ need. absolutely, and it's clear, isn't it, that inflation is - need. absolutely, and it's clear, isn't it, that inflation is rising, . isn't it, that inflation is rising, the cost of living is going up, energy bills are high, and a lot of people, particularly if they don't have the money to spend on nonessentials, just won't spend the money on nonessentials. and it small business that will suffer. it business that will suffer. it shouldn't be small is businesses that will suffer, the general economy will suffer because consumers just won't have the money in their pockets to be able to spend as we need. and let's not forget we are a consumer driven society in that respect. the economy relies on consumer spending to give it the oomph it needs and small businesses of italy have a crucial role to play in the economic recovery, but they also have diversified during the last couple of years, many are now trading more online, many have diversify their businesses into other things, so it's not all doom and gloom. there are some major opportunities there. hope and gloom. there are some ma'or opportunities there.�* and gloom. there are some ma'or opportunities there. how worried are ou that it opportunities there. how worried are you that it could _ opportunities there. how worried are you that it could be _ opportunities there. how worried are you that it could be a _ opportunities there. how worried are you that it could be a case _ opportunities there. how worried are you that it could be a case of - you that it could be a case of taking one step forward and then a couple of steps back? some people are saying it's too soon to repeal the restrictions, we could end up being back in the same position again in a few months.— being back in the same position again in a few months. we've always said ou again in a few months. we've always said you have _ again in a few months. we've always said you have to _ again in a few months. we've always said you have to rely _ again in a few months. we've always said you have to rely on _ again in a few months. we've always said you have to rely on the - again in a few months. we've always said you have to rely on the data - said you have to rely on the data and the science, and i think it's clearfrom and the science, and i think it's clear from what we've seen that the data is now showing it is safe enough for the restrictions to be removed to some extent, and we just hope the garment will recognise that small businesses need that support to get the economic recovery going. and we certainly will not need any more lockdown is, that would be disastrous for the economy and for businesses. disastrous for the economy and for businesses-— disastrous for the economy and for businesses. ., ., . ., ., ., businesses. thank you once again for “oininr us. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. it may be feeling chilly and frost on the way for many. exceptions for the sunshine today, some north sea coastal counties of england with cloud, a brisk breeze. increasing cloud, a brisk breeze. increasing cloud in north—west scotland, some areas of cloud in northern ireland were at 7 degrees in belfast, three orfour were at 7 degrees in belfast, three or four on the coldest bets of the north sea coast. in a well chilled. more clouded to north and west scotland into northern ireland overnight. many here will be avoiding the frost whereas elsewhere as it stays clear temperatures will be lower than last night at down to -6 be lower than last night at down to —6 in the coldest parts of central and southern england. frost in the morning, sunshine continuing across southern and eastern areas. cloud for northern and western scotland, northern ireland, increasing in north—west england, and into wales as well for the afternoon. temperatures a little higherfor tomorrow, not as windy down the north sea coast, and frost not as widespread tomorrow night. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: a senior conservative accuses the government of intimidating mps over their support for a no—confidence vote in boris johnson. the pm says he doesn't recognise the claims. i see no evidence, heard no evidence to support any of those allegations and what i am focused on is what we are doing to deal with a number one priority of the british people which is coming through covid. but there's more pressure from the back benches, as an influential tory mp predicts borisjohnson will probably be forced out of office. this is appalling and the public are rightly— this is appalling and the public are rightly furious, so the moment i'm afraid _ rightly furious, so the moment i'm afraid it _ rightly furious, so the moment i'm afraid it looks like checkmate, but whether— afraid it looks like checkmate, but whether he can save himself will see _ also today... facemasks are no longer required in schools — and workers can return to the office — as covid restrictions in england are eased. survivors of institutional child abuse in northern ireland will finally receive an official public apology. sport now — and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre... raducanu lost an raducanu lost an excitin- raducanu lost an excitin- battle raducanu lost an excitin- battle in raducanu lost an exciting battle in the second round. the raducanu lost an exciting battle in the second round. �* , , the second round. the british number one took it to — the second round. the british number one took it to a _ the second round. the british number one took it to a third _ the second round. the british number one took it to a third set _ the second round. the british number one took it to a third set but - one took it to a third set but wasn't strong enough to overcome her older opponent. raducanu made a great start to the match, breaking serve in the opening game and then racing into a three love lead. however, she needed on court treatment for a blister on her hand, and then she began to struggle, eventually losing the first set. but she recovered to level the match, taking the second set and producing some spectacular shots in the process. however, shejust could not close out against her opponent who is ranked 80 places below her at 98th in the world. andy murray has said his performance was just not good enough after he was just not good enough after he was also knocked out. it was the japanese qualifier who beat him. tuesday's five set win looked to have taken its toll on the former british number one, and it was a pretty lacklustre display against daniel he was blowing in the world rankings but six years younger. murray did show some of the strength and determination we've seen from him so often. and he was able to break serve more than once. but it was daniel who had the edge when it mattered and he won in straight sets at 120 in the world he is the lowest ranked player to beat marietta grand slam, leaving the scot thoroughly dejected. i'm really disappointed. very frustrated. yeah, tough, tough loss for me, that's for sure. this is a really important year for me, for a number of reasons, and i want to perform well in the big events. for me, this is not good enough. in that respect. making second round of slams is not something ifind particularly motivating. england have been thrashed in the opening match of the women's ashes. losing by nine wickets to australia in the first t20 in adelaide. england began well — danni wyatt with some huge hits, getting 70 runs. england were 137 for1 at one stage but then tahlia mcgrath stepped in — three wickets from her swung the match in australia's favour. and then mcgrath starred with the bat — dominating the england bowlers, a partnership of 144 runs with meg lanning steered australia towards victory. mcgrath was 91 not out. australia ran away with it. montell douglas will become the first british woman to compete at both the summer and winter olympics, after being named in the team gb bobsleigh squad for beijing. she competed in the 100—metres at the beijing summer games in 2008 and she'll be brakewoman in mica mcneill�*s two—woman sled, four years after she was the team's reserve in pyeongchang. douglas turns 36 on monday — she said there had been many male summer and winter olympians and she was "over the moon to be representing women", adding she was "more thrilled about leaving a legacy like that behind than anything else". scottjamieson leads the abu dhabi championship after an impressive first day. the scot had a bogey—free round of nine under par and is a shot clear of norway's victor hovland. ian poulter went round in 66, alongside fellow englishmanjames morrison and tyrell hatton, who is the defending champion. that is the sport for now. you can find the latest from the premier league managers facing the media and updates from the transfer window on the bbc website. that's it for now. the first foreign aid plane has arrived in tonga, carrying much—needed water and supplies for the pacific nation. new pictures have emerged showing the scale of devastation following saturday's eruption of an undersea volcano, with cars, roads and buildings covered by a thick layer of ash. at least three people are now known to have died, including a british woman. joining me now isjoy singhal — head of the disaster, climate and crisis unit at the international federation of red cross and red crescent societies. let me ask you first of all, what's the latest? what's happening right now on the ground? has the latest? what's happening right now on the ground?— the latest? what's happening right now on the ground? as you know, this is one of the — now on the ground? as you know, this is one of the worst _ now on the ground? as you know, this is one of the worst volcanic _ is one of the worst volcanic eruptions the pacific are seen in decades and has caused a lot of disruption to people there. communication was cut down for almost 48 hours. we are still contacting each other based on satellite phones. as of now the situation is that we have seen a blanket of volcanic ash across the country including on water supply systems and stagnant water. we are seeing agricultural crops that have been completely blanketed in volcanic ash. we are also seeing that sheltered housing of many people have been devastated. so there are a lot of people who are now staying with family and friends in safe areas but there is also some level of fear in the hearts and minds of communities because of potential another wave of volcanic eruption or a tidal wave. the first plane of supply have come in and it has been trying to evacuate people immediately after the volcano erupted. we have been distributing water supplies, we have been distributing things and masks because volcanic ash is surrounding the environment. there are fine particular materials in the atmosphere which are polluting the air and the availability of safe masks is what we are prioritising right now. the situation on the ground is difficult for people and also quite difficult for humanitarian aid workers to be able to provide assistance on time. also considering significant amounts of ground support challenges, logistical challenges.- ground support challenges, logistical challenges. what are those logistical _ logistical challenges. what are those logistical challenges? i those logistical challenges? communication has been cut down and it's only slowly coming back now. communicating between the islands and communicating internationally to the people who are based there and a lot of family members have not been able to contact their family members in tonga. that has created some level of anxiety both inside the country and outside the country. as we know tonga is a country where there are 36 islands inhabited so to be able to do assessments on different islands we have to take boats from one island to and they are in short supply. at the same time to be able to very large amounts of supplies onto small boats is another challenge. so the challenges are communication, ground support, availability of boats, logistics and availability of humans because almost the entire population of 100,000 have been impacted because of the disaster. so numerous challenges which are on the way as aid workers are delivering assistance.— aid workers are delivering assistance. ., ., ,, ., assistance. good to talk to you. thank you _ assistance. good to talk to you. thank you for— assistance. good to talk to you. thank you for talking _ assistance. good to talk to you. thank you for talking to - assistance. good to talk to you. thank you for talking to us. - a public enquiry recommended the apology five years ago following the biggest investigation ever held in the uk at the time. campaigners say many victims have died waiting for the authorities to say sorry. our ireland correspondentjoins me now. obviously a very harrowing story on this apology for many of the victims a long time coming. yes this apology for many of the victims a long time coming.— a long time coming. yes it certainly is. while a long time coming. yes it certainly is- while many _ a long time coming. yes it certainly is. while many survivors _ a long time coming. yes it certainly is. while many survivors of - a long time coming. yes it certainly is. while many survivors of child . is. while many survivors of child abuse here in northern ireland have fundamentally welcomed the fact this apology is happening they have also made a point that should have happened a long time ago. it's the fifth anniversary today of the publication of the final report of the public enquiry into historical institutional abuse. that enquiry examined what happened in a number of institutions from the years 1922 until 1995 and found widespread evidence of systemic abuse, physical, sexual and emotional. thousands of people have been affected and among the main recommendations of that public enquiry was a compensation scheme which is up and running, support services for victims and survivors which have been put in place and also a commissioner to look after their interests. the commissioner is in post. while victims and survivors have had some criticisms of those aspects of the public enquiry recommendations and how they have been implemented the final piece for them was a public apology and now them was a public apology and now the stormont executive has set a date for the 11th of march and there is going to be an event at stormont and the first and debris that ministers will apologise and representatives of those who run institutions will also be making statements. there are a range of views amongst survivors as to what the nature of the apology should be. what words should be used for example. officials say they will be engaging with survivors carefully over the coming weeks to decide how that event should proceed. detectives have arrested a 33—year—old man on suspicion of the murder of freda walker and the attempted murder of her husband ken at the weekend. the elderly couple were found in their home on saturday by a neighbour. detectives are appealing for witnesses. let's get more now from our correspondent phil mackie. the 33—year—old man was arrested about five miles from his home in derbyshire and that arrest was made in the early hours of this morning. this follows an investigation that was launched on saturday morning, that's when frida woke up osma body was discovered and ken walker who was discovered and ken walker who was also discovered with her was still in a critical condition in hospital. it was the launch of this investigation. the man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and of attempted murder. as you can see there is still a lot of police activity here, even five days after the incident was first discovered and today we had an update on the progress of that investigation including the arrest from the assistant chief constable. i including the arrest from the assistant chief constable. i would like to say thank— assistant chief constable. i would like to say thank you _ assistant chief constable. i would like to say thank you to _ assistant chief constable. i would like to say thank you to everyone | like to say thank you to everyone who has — like to say thank you to everyone who has helped us so far and also ask for— who has helped us so far and also ask for anybody who was in this area on the _ ask for anybody who was in this area on the street in between 4:30pm on the 14th _ on the street in between 4:30pm on the 14th of— on the street in between 4:30pm on the 14th ofjanuary and 9am on the 15th of— the 14th ofjanuary and 9am on the 15th ofjanuary to come forward as we would — 15th ofjanuary to come forward as we would like to speak to you because — we would like to speak to you because we have made an arrest and of course _ because we have made an arrest and of course the investigation carries on. of course the investigation carries on we _ of course the investigation carries on we are — of course the investigation carries on. we are always looking to add to the information we've got. this on. we are always looking to add to the information we've got.— the information we've got. this was a very well-known _ the information we've got. this was a very well-known couple _ the information we've got. this was a very well-known couple here - the information we've got. this was a very well-known couple here in i a very well—known couple here in this part of derbyshire. kenneth walker was the chairman of the district council and they were heavily involved in local charities and on the occasions i've been here this week people have been coming along to leave flowers. a lot of them are people who either worked alongside them or knew them through their charity work. it's fair to say this is one of those cases that has had an effect on quite a close—knit community, all the pictures show them in theirformal community, all the pictures show them in their formal attire attending many of the events they attended over the years. some breaking news... on tanga, we were talking in a few minutes ago to one of the heads of the disaster —— one of the heads of the disaster —— on tongo. we have had some news in the last few minutes from the defence secretary ben wallace who has authorised the royal navy ship to sail to tonga to support the relief effort following the volcanic eruption and tsunami. the ship's crew will work alongside close partners australia and new zealand to offer humanitarian aid and other assistance as the nation begins to recover from the catastrophic damage. hms spey was alongside on a planned stop in tahiti but will set sailfor planned stop in tahiti but will set sail for tonga today, having supplies like much—needed water and equipment. it has been confirmed the royal navy ship hms spey will be sailing to tonga to help with the relief effort there. the headlines on bbc news... a senior conservative accuses the government of intimidating mps over their support for a no—confidence vote in boris johnson. the pm says he doesn't recognise the claims. there's also more pressure coming from the back benches, as tory mp steve baker predicts borisjohnson will probably be forced out of office. also today... facemasks are no longer required in schools — and workers can return to the office as covid restrictions in england are eased. the us secretary of state antony blinken has been meeting key european counterparts in berlin, on a visit aimed at easing tensions over russia and ukraine. yesterday, president biden said he thought vladimir putin would "move in" on ukraine. russia has about 100 thousand troops on the border with ukraine. here's our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. american diplomacy is in high gear. antony blinken arriving in germany. seeking unity ahead of his meeting tomorrow with the russians. fresh satellite images appear to show the extent of russia's military build—up close to ukraine. around 100,000 troops at the moment. american officials say more could be added at short notice. last night at the white house, joe biden seemed to have reached his own conclusion. i'm not so sure he has, is certain what he will do. my guess is he will move in. i think he still does not want any full—blown war. do i think he will test the west? test the united states and nato? as significantly as he can? yes, i think he will. russia insists it has no plans to invade. moscow accusing washington of provoking this crisis. in eastern ukraine, where pro—russian separatists have been in charge since 2014, a sense that conflict is looming. the west fears moscow may try to expand is may try to expand its influence beyond areas in rebel control. the scars of conflict are everywhere. this 72—year—old lives close to the front line. it is a miracle we stayed alive, she said. she is pro—russian and fears a full—scale war. but is that really imminent? ukraine's president addressing the nation last night didn't appear to think so. translation: what is the news? hasn't this been a reality for eight years now? didn't the invasion start in 2014? has the threat of war only now arisen? these risks have been around for a long time and are not getting bigger now. for months the west has been seen the build up and the question remains, what exactly does vladimir putin intend to do? there's a warning that free dental treatment on the nhs is hanging by a thread — with some patients facing up to two—year waits for routine check—ups. the number of nhs dentists in the barnsley area has dropped by more than 20% since 2020, according to new figures from nhs england. those working in the profession say it's getting harder to recruit new staff. look north's olivia richwald reports. if you could open - as wide as you can... tara has cracked a filling. she's lucky to get an appointment at her village dental surgery straight away. they can't recruit enough dentists here in grimethorpe and have been advertising across the chain of six practices for four years. the vacancies range from three to five. we've got full—time, part—time. we're just desperate. i mean, i retired in 2020, for nearly four years. any pain when i do that at all? tara is x—rayed and checked by dentist steven, and she'll be back for repair work soon — surprised to have been seen so quickly. i didn't, actually, no. no, i didn't expect to have one today. but as soon as i said that i were in pain, they accommodated me. steven's worked here for 11 years. he says the problem's caused by lots of things. the appeal of working in private practice, the clinic's rural location, and being in a community of high need. young dentists tend to want to stay in the big cities or move to london. it's a bit of a commute to here. it's about 50 minutes each way. the way that we appeared - for the work that we do is skewed the way that we are paid - for the work that we do is skewed towards places where people do not need a lot of work. i you're not rewarded for being in an area of high need at all. | the way that the nhs funds dentists is very complex. each surgery is set targets of units of dentistry activity, or udas, and if those targets are missed, then the nhs claws back its funding. so you can see why not being able to recruit the dentists causes a problem for surgeries like this. if i can't get associates to come and work, i can't recruit. i've got that pressure. they've got the pressure to meet the government demands. so on each side, i'm being pushed. so eventually, what am i going to do, olivia? i'm going to say, hands up, i've had enough. barnsley has seen one of the biggest drops in nhs dental posts, down by 21%. i'm not on the list, because i haven't been for a year or more because of the coronavirus. yes, we've got one, _ but during covid, they wouldn't show but during covid, they wouldn't see you at all unless you are in pain. we just couldn't find an nhs dentist. this was in rotherham. you have had to go privately? gone privately, yes. nhs england says it's supported dentists throughout the pandemic and set up 600 urgent dental centres across the country. but that hasn't solved the problems for saf, who continues to advertise for new staff. actually, going forward, unless something is done and done imminently, i think the waiting times and the delivery of dentistry is going to get worse. olivia richwald, bbc look north, grimethorpe. we've heard a lot about the perilous threat to coral reefs around the world because of climate change. but a previously unknown giant coral reef has been discovered off the coast of tahiti in "pristine" condition. a research mission, led by unesco, made the find at a depth of more than 30 metres; it's hoped this discovery may mean there are many more coral reefs waiting to be found. our science correspondent, victoria gill, has this report. "magical." that was one of the words a veteran specialist diver who led this mission used to describe this view. some of these rose—shaped corals are more than two metres wide, and the whole reef structure stretches three kilometres along the sea bed. its depth and its distance from the coast is thought to be a key reason for its pristine condition. the researchers say it shows no signs of damage from pollution or from warming ocean temperatures, something that poses a major threat to shallower reefs. it looks beautiful, but scientifically how important is this, as a discovery? it might be to date one of the largest coral reefs in the world that actually lies at that sort of depth of more than 30 metres, so from that perspective, this is opening a new insight in science. this could suggest that we have many more large reefs in our ocean, at depths beyond 30 metres, which we simply do not know about. the depth of this reef means there is far less sunlight here than in the shallows. this part of the ocean is known as the twilight zone. there's stilljust enough light here for the algae that lives inside the bodies of the coral to survive and thrive. and critically, for the health of this reef, waters at these depths are not warming as quickly. it's often said we know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the ocean floor — only about a fifth of it has so far been mapped, and coral reefs like this are the sea floor hotspots for marine life. about a quarter of known ocean species can be found around these living ecosystems. the team is now planning more investigative dives to work out exactly what lives here, and crucially, how their newly discovered remarkable habitat can be protected. victoria gill, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. if you like your winter weather cold and crisp, today should be right up your alley. plenty of sunshine out there. feeling cold after a frosty start. another frost settling in in many places. high pressure moving and that means a lot of settled weather on the horizon. for now, the further you are away from the high, which is really down the north sea coast, there is still a brisk breeze out there, and some areas of cloud, and then a few areas of showers clipping the coast of north yorkshire down to east anglia. increasing cloud later in north—west scotland may produce a few spots of light rain. areas of cloud around in northern ireland, but for many places, unbroken sunshine this afternoon. 7 in belfast, 3—4 on the north sea coast. there is wind chill to contend with here, and the wind ease again tonight. overnight, while many will stay clear, cloudy in northern ireland, increasing in northern and western scotland. cloud goes into a void of frost, whereas elsewhere, hard frost them last night, —6 in the coldest countryside parts of central and southern england. in the morning, you will see some sunshine, and for many of us, central and eastern areas, that will continue throughout friday. cloudy in western scotland, northern ireland, and north—west england, and cloud pushing in to more of wales as the afternoon goes on. temperatures tomorrow just a bit higher. with more cloud around into tomorrow night, that will limit the extent of the frost, and clear skies continue, particularly towards the east and south—east of england, but even here, the frost is not going to be as hard as it is in the coming night. we are chilly at the moment, as we look at our temperature anomaly map here. it departs from average temperatures, a hint of blue indicating we are colder than average right now. through the weekend, notice how northern areas and particularly in scotland, temperatures are going to be edging up above average, whereas there isn't a huge of change further south. the further south you are, closer to the centre of high pressure, the areas are moving very much. frost and fog continues to be a possibility, whereas around the area of high pressure across much of the uk, we are introducing more cloud, milder weather, a strong wind in northern scotland, and the chance of rain at times this weekend, but it is northern scotland that over the weekend will be seeing higher temperatures. into double figures in places. not a huge amount of change the further south you are, though across southern and eastern england, you are likely to see occasional sunshine. this is bbc news. the headlines: the ex—tory mp who defected to labour claims he was threatened to have funding withdrawn for a school in his constituency if he failed to vote with the government. the prime minister says he knows of no evidence to support such claims. i've seen no evidence, heard no evidence, to support any of those allegations. what i'm focused on is what we are doing to deal with the number one priority of the british people, which is coming through covid. it didn't sit comfortably, and that was really that kind of starting to question my place, where it was, and ultimately to where i am now. but there's more pressure from the back benches, as an influential tory mp predicts borisjohnson will probably be forced out of office. this is appalling and the public are rightly furious, so at the moment i'm afraid it looks like checkmate — but whether he can save himself, we'll see. also today... facemasks are no longer required in schools — and workers can return to the office — as covid restrictions in england are eased. survivors of institutional child abuse in northern ireland will finally receive an official public apology. the british dental association says nhs dentistry is "hanging by a thread" as some patients wait two years for check—ups. and found off the coast of tahiti — a giant coral reef discovered in "pristine" condition. he good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister says he's not seen or heard any evidence to support allegations that his mps have been "intimidated" and "threatened" by the government, to try to stop them speaking out against him. the senior conservative mp, william wragg, says would—be rebel mps have been told funding could be pulled from their constituencies — and embarrassing stories leaked to the press — if they didn't support borisjohnson. mr wragg said it appeared to amount to blackmail, and any mp who felt pressurized should contact police. here's our political correspondent, jonathan blake. relative calm at westminster, after a day of high drama, but inside parliament grave accusations from one of borisjohnson's critics. order, order. the claim that tory backbenchers trying to oust the prime minister have been threatened by government ministers and others. the intimidation of a member of parliament is a serious matter. more over, the reports of which i'm aware would seem to constitute blackmail. as such, it would be my general advice to colleagues to report these matters to the speaker of the house of commons and the commissioner of the metropolitan police. downing street said it wasn't aware of any evidence for the claims — some mps more concerned than others. i think everybody needs to be mindful not to cross lines here, and i very much hope that those lines haven't been crossed but i think william wragg's warning is probably timely, and i would very much hope it will be heeded. nobody's tried to blackmail me, i you know, we are all individuals, and people maybe misinterpret. what has been said, because why would anybody blackmail them ? that is counter productive. in bury south, the seat of labour's newest mp who defected from the conservatives, the party seized on the claims. a government must govern in the national interest, not in its narrow party interests, and if this is the way the conservatives think they can get through this crisis, then they need to think again. and the people of this country are looking on, in dismay and disgust, that it is one rule for those at the top, and another for everyone else and this is just another example of that. all this is fall out from claims of parties in downing street that may have broken lockdown rules. one cabinet minister suggested it has shaken the public�*s faith in our whole political system. of course things like this damage our democracy and that is why... this downing street has damaged our democracy? no, the, the what we, from what we already know, from the people that have come forward and apologised for the parties that took place, so for example, the one on the eve of prince philip's funeral, you know, that was completely wrong, it was wrong in every single way. yeah, it's a sorry situation. senior backbenchers are talking like it is over for borisjohnson. this is appalling, and the public are rightly furious, _ so at the moment i'm afraid it does look like check mate, _ but whether he can - save himself, we'll see. while westminster waits for a report into parties during lockdown, the prime minister might be relieved to make it to the end of the week. jonathan blake, bbc news. live now to westminster and our political correspondent, chris mason. more bad news for the prime minister — it had seemed like a lull in the storm. and then we get these eruptions of irritation, if you like, that spring up irritation, if you like, that spring up around westminster from irritation, if you like, that spring up around westminster- irritation, if you like, that spring up around westminster from a variety of sources. up around westminster from a variety of sources- we _ up around westminster from a variety of sources. we saw _ up around westminster from a variety of sources. we saw yesterday - up around westminster from a variety of sources. we saw yesterday with - of sources. we saw yesterday with the defection of a now former conservative mp to the labour benches, then with the intervention by david davies, former brexit secretary, former europe minister backin secretary, former europe minister back injohn major's timeous prime minister, with his critique of boris johnson. so there are these ebbs and flows, peaks and troughs in this story, this row about parties and the prime minister's handling of it, that means it's not going away any time soon. the atmosphere is a little calmer than it was yesterday, but then again the atmosphere yesterday was kind of explosive, so perhaps that was inevitable. let's pick through some of the developments today. starting with this intervention from william wragg, conservative mp. it's fair to say he is not the greatest cheerleader for the prime minister and hasn't been for some time. he chairs the parliamentary committee, and took the opportunity that arose at the beginning of a committee session this morning to make these allegations about the conduct of the whips, the managers here in parliament who try to ensure mps vote loyally with their party to either get legislation through or in extremis to ensure the government or opposition party or leader survives. here is what he had to this morning. i've seen no evidence, heard no evidence, to support any of those allegations. what i'm focused on is what we are doing to deal with the number one priority of the british people, which is coming through covid. and we've made enormous progress thanks to the vaccine roll—out, the fastest in europe, the booster campaign, that's enabled us to open up, we are moving back to the status quo, and back to plan a, opening up our economy, we've got the most open economy and society in europe, the fastest growth in the g7, as a result of that booster campaign. as an attentive viewer you will have spotted that that was not william wragg, it was the prime minister. but hey ho... prime minister there mounting his defence. the argument you are hearing regulars from him is when we are familiar with that makes sense from his position, which is to emphasise what is on the positive side of the ledger's as he sees it, as far as his prime ministership is concerned, talking about the booster campaign on covid, talking about not imposing further risk erections on our liberties in england as far as covid was concerned over christmas and new year when other countries in the uk and around europe decided to do so. because it is on that ledger, if you like, of the pros and cons of the prime minister with the electorate that matters most crucially to him at the moment, conservative backbenchers, that he is trying to make his case. let's hear next from christian weight third, the now new labour mp for bury south in greater manchester, who has articulated just some of the concerns we heard from william wragg, who i was talking about a few minutes ago, as far as the conduct of conservative whips is concerned, in that being a contribution to him deciding to switch sides in the house of commons. i was threatened that i would not get the school for radcliffe if i didn't vote one particular way. this is a town that's not had a high school for the best part of ten years — and how would you feel holding back the regeneration of the town for a vote? it didn't sit comfortably, and that was really that kind of starting to question my place, where it was, and ultimately to where i am now. the question there will be whether there are any other continuing conservative mps who decide to break cover in whatever way they so choose to articulate irritation and anger even with how they feel they've been spoken to were dealt with by some of their conservative colleagues, desperate to prop up the prime minister and his government. such as the boiling level of vitriol and frustration about what has happened, both in the longer term with the parties in westminster and the shorter term which is downing street's handling of it in the last few weeks and months. their anger is still very much real, very much there, very much alive, and so how mps choose to articulate that and how downing street responds as we are right that report from sue gray, the senior civil servant, probably next week, could prove crucial in determining the premise of�*s short—term future. the issue for me today... but i'm asking you - about something else. i understand that. people find it hard to understand. you say didn't know the rules... i understand that. i've said a lot... you said that. people are wondering - if you understood the rules. and what we are focussed on, what i am focused on, today, with the greatest respect, and i've said a lot about all those issues... 0k. what we are focused on is community... i understand that. are you not going to . answer that question? but one of your mps... so the perspective there of the prime minister and it's worth saying that there are those who are willing to come out and strongly defend both borisjohnson and the specific allegations he is facing, but also that broader argument about whether, as they see it, him being the best leaderfor the as they see it, him being the best leader for the conservatives in this time, ratherthan leader for the conservatives in this time, rather than anyone else. in one of his biggest cheerleaders in recent days has been nadine doris, the culture secretary, she has just recorded this little interview which we can bring you. that is nonsense because that's not how government works and where the party of _ how government works and where the party of government. the whips have no say _ party of government. the whips have no say over— party of government. the whips have no say over what happens in individual— no say over what happens in individual constituencies. not only is it nonsense it is attention seeking _ is it nonsense it is attention seeking behaviour from william wragg who has _ seeking behaviour from william wragg who has been a constant critic of the prime — who has been a constant critic of the prime minister who delivered us the prime minister who delivered us the greatest majority since margaret thatcher— the greatest majority since margaret thatcher and has delivered for this country— thatcher and has delivered for this country the pandemic. well, we know what she thinks! say what you like about nadine, she never leaves you in any doubt as to what she thinks!— never leaves you in any doubt as to what she thinks! what you think will ha en what she thinks! what you think will happen next? _ what she thinks! what you think will happen next? that _ what she thinks! what you think will happen next? that is _ what she thinks! what you think will happen next? that is the _ what she thinks! what you think will happen next? that is the most - what she thinks! what you think will i happen next? that is the most curved ball question — happen next? that is the most curved ball question i — happen next? that is the most curved ball question i can _ happen next? that is the most curved ball question i can face _ happen next? that is the most curved ball question i can face on _ happen next? that is the most curved ball question i can face on a _ happen next? that is the most curved ball question i can face on a day - ball question i can face on a day like this, so i'm gratefulfor that. frankly, no one knows, and that's the joy of political reporting — if we could all predict definitively what would happen it would be a crushingly boring job. what i would say, though, about where we stand now with that huge caveat that no one knows and therefore i might be spectacularly wrong, as we should remember the hurdles that exist to remove the prime minister who does not want to budge. pedal number one - 54 not want to budge. pedal number one — 54 conservative mps need to write to the senior backbencher and say there should be a vote of no confidence. what we know about that? we know 54 letters have not been submitted. we do what don't we know? we don't know how many have been submitted or taken out, or people have thought about submitting one and haven't sent it in, huge speculation about all that. i would treat all their wet a lot of it as well meaning guff, frankly we don't know. we know that number has not been reached. secondly, even if that number is reached, it borisjohnson then carries on and says, i'm not walking, i'm going to stick around and be subject to this vote of no confidence, which downing street have suggested he would stick around for if that situation was to come about, the number of conservative mps who then have to decide they absolutely want to get rid of him is very, very significant. very significant. you'd need a majority. hundreds, ora significant. you'd need a majority. hundreds, or a good significant. you'd need a majority. hundreds, ora good number. including plenty who were not willing to put in a letter in the first place. to trigger the vote. i say all that to highlight the barriers to removing a prime minister who doesn't want to go are significant and so in the context of all this tumult and anger and vitriol, of which there is plenty, thatis vitriol, of which there is plenty, that is worth bearing in mind. chris mason, that is worth bearing in mind. chris mason. thank _ that is worth bearing in mind. chris mason, thank you _ that is worth bearing in mind. chris mason, thank you very _ that is worth bearing in mind. chris mason, thank you very much indeed. alex thomas is programme director at the institute for government — hejoins me now. good to talk to you. thank you for taking the time to talk to us. let me ask you, what you make of mr wragg's comments today about the accusations he's made in terms of what is happening in politics? thea;r what is happening in politics? they are clearly serious _ what is happening in politics? tie: are clearly serious accusations, to use words like blackmail suggests feelings are running very high. i think the other thing to reflect on is it is quite unusual, very unusual, for an mp to be so bold as to come out with allegations like this. a lot of this sort of politics, and government, happens behind closed doors. so it is rare to see an mp, particularly the chair of the parliamentary committee that scrutinises the constitution and the civil service, two in such a dramatic fashion come out and say that. i think it's quite tricky, without knowing the details of specific allegations, around this, to know whether they are the right side of the line or not, because as you boating showed, it is a fine line between a political conversation, a political deal that goes on between the whips and a backbench mp, and something that tips over into something else... when it is and it isn't, the accusations here are talking about withholding money to constituencies, what constitutes blackmail, those are quite serious allegations — is that the norm, then, in terms of what happens behind the scenes? we just don't know about it, the public? ! just don't know about it, the ublic? ., �* , public? i wouldn't say it is the norm. i would _ public? i wouldn't say it is the norm. i would say _ public? i wouldn't say it is the norm. ! would say all- public? i wouldn't say it is the - norm. i would say all governments of all political colours... when they are getting desperate for votes, they resort to pretty sharp tactics with their backbench mps. but i agree with you that there is a clear line between a sort of trade—off, blackmail type situation, and normal politics. but it's hard when you don't know what the allegations are to comment particularly on that. one of the interesting things william wragg said, which suggests he thinks it's quite serious, is that the ministerial code might have been broken. one thing the code does say is that public money should not be used for party political or in that sense political purposes. so i assume that is one of the things he is thinking about when he is suggesting the code might have been broken. if suggesting the code might have been broken. . , ., suggesting the code might have been broken. ., , ., ., suggesting the code might have been broken. ., y., ., , broken. if what you are saying is true, broken. if what you are saying is true. and _ broken. if what you are saying is true, and these _ broken. if what you are saying is true, and these kind _ broken. if what you are saying is true, and these kind of- broken. if what you are saying is true, and these kind of things, l true, and these kind of things, perhaps, there is a way of doing politics behind the scenes that we don't know about, why do you think he has come out and talked about this openly? you said it was surprising someone has been so open — why do you think he has? i surprising someone has been so open - why do you think he has?— - why do you think he has? i guess it is because _ - why do you think he has? i guess it is because he _ - why do you think he has? i guess it is because he feels _ - why do you think he has? i guess it is because he feels it _ - why do you think he has? i guess it is because he feels it is - - why do you think he has? i guess it is because he feels it is a - it is because he feels it is a particularly serious situation, or because he has a particular view of how politics should be done. as i was saying, i don't think it is necessarily the usual way for these things to happen. it is important that politics and political discussions happen in an environment of mutual respect, and that you don't get into a situation where mps are feeling threatened or bullied. so very important, that, and i can only assume william wragg in his judgment, from what he's heard, thinks that line has been crossed. and if it has been crossed, what with the consequences be? has and if it has been crossed, what with the consequences be? as ever, these things — with the consequences be? as ever, these things tend _ with the consequences be? as ever, these things tend to _ with the consequences be? as ever, these things tend to be _ with the consequences be? as ever, these things tend to be in _ with the consequences be? as ever, these things tend to be in the - with the consequences be? as ever, these things tend to be in the realm j these things tend to be in the realm of the political. if it is demonstrated, as we've been hearing so much of the last few weeks, that ministers or the government whips might have breached the ministerial code, then that's a serious accusation that the prime minister would need to take a view on. again, it's one of the gaps in our system that, where a prime minister's conduct is being investigated, it is for the prime minister himself to take a view on his conduct. equally, obviously, as william wragg very strikingly said, if there are accusations of blackmail, then it is open to mps or others to take them to the police. whether the police would want to get involved and that is another question. we are entering the realms of highly political waters here. there is something called parliamentary privilege which protects certain discussions which happen in parliament and around parliamentary business, but it's quite questionable whether it would cover things here. so we may see a case, if mps were willing to follow it up, where the police got involved. but as i say, is very hard to tell without knowing the precise details of the allegations. find details of the allegations. and these allegations _ details of the allegations. and these allegations swim around westminster, we are still awaiting the sewer grate investigation. what are your thoughts on that, having worked with sue gray in the past? one of the things i've been reflecting on is how much waite is being put on this enquiry. so clearly everyone is talking about it. there is enormous interest and exactly what it's going to say. i think it's quite difficult for a civil servant to produce a report that will resolve all these things, so i think the sue gray investigation is a reasonable way of establishing some of the facts that happened, i also think any suggestions about how civil servants have or have not behaved can be dealt with appropriately in that way. but in the end, it is the cabinet ministers, the rest of the government, and conservative mps, to determine who should be the leader. alex thomas, really good to talk to. thank you so much. as covid restrictions in england start to be eased, the health secretary sajid javid says he is "optimistic" that the legal requirement for people to self—isolate can be lifted in coming weeks. he also defended the decision to end the requirement for schoolchildren to wear face masks in class, saying that case numbers were falling across the country. tim muffett reports. one aspect of school life, these pupils won't miss. face coverings are no longer compulsory in schools in england and at this school in gloucestershire, students are relieved. it is a good feeling we don't have to wear them, we can't communicate. the mask drops in your face and it is annoying. the prime minister announced a widespread easing of restrictions. people are no longer advised to work from home. from next thursday, face coverings will no longer be legally required in any setting, though people will still be advised to wear them in crowded settings. and covid passes to get into venues will be dropped. although venues can choose to carry on using them. we said when we learned about omicron, we needed to build the defences, buy some time, that was the purpose of plan b. if you look at the data, it is in retreat. with the picture across the country showing falling, fast falling rates of omicron in many parts, that means that there is an opportunity to say, actually, things are starting to get better. but others stress the continued need for caution. we still need to protect people and to support them. - and in schools i think, _ it seems premature to take away the few protections we have. in scotland from monday, they will no longer be limited on the number meeting indoors, but face coverings will remain compulsory in shops and on public transport. they will remain in wales and northern ireland, although it is hoped an easing of restrictions will take place, defending on infection rates. many businesses and shops have welcomed that home from home guidance has been scrapped. but a return to normality seems some way off. face coverings will remain compulsory on public transport in london. elsewhere, it will be up to individual discretion. these bus passengers in bristol still expect to use them. you go on a bus and someone says, you should have it on, so keep it on until everybody else has not got it. i will still at the moment, because of the virus. it keeps us safe. for me, it's a must. restrictions in england might be easing, but the impact of covid will still be evident. let's speak now with michael kill, chief executive of the night time industries association. good to talk to you, thank you for taking the time to speak to us. what is your reaction? irate taking the time to speak to us. what is your reaction?— is your reaction? we welcome the removal of _ is your reaction? we welcome the removal of the _ is your reaction? we welcome the removal of the restrictions, - is your reaction? we welcome the removal of the restrictions, we i is your reaction? we welcome the l removal of the restrictions, we had an extremely difficult two years, many of the businesses we represent have been at the sharpest end of the pandemic and they are finally in a position where we can remove some of that uncertainty that we've been overshadowed with remove some of the debilitating restrictions and be able to plan for the future, not only with our staff and our people but also financially, which has been a huge challenge for us, as you've seen from losses over the festive period where we were almost in all but name studio locked down. hugely challenging, long still ahead. but name studio locked down. hugely challenging, long stillahead. do challenging, long still ahead. do ou challenging, long stillahead. do you think even with restrictions lifted people will flock back to night clubs, given the links made in numerous studies between outbreaks and indoor settings, particularly nightclubs and bars? irate and indoor settings, particularly nightclubs and bars?— nightclubs and bars? we have consistently _ nightclubs and bars? we have consistently highlighted - nightclubs and bars? we have consistently highlighted that i nightclubs and bars? we have - consistently highlighted that since the 19th ofjuly the assumed position nor lifting transmissions would come as hospitality and night—time economy opened up, we retain very strong core principles, baseline mitigations, and we foiled that position against the understanding that not only clinicians but also medical advisers in government. so we feel we've done a substantialjob in ensuring we have created safe spaces and there is no real evidence to suggest that many of the settings we represent are any different than the settings that have different restrictions against them, so from our perspective we are confident that people will be able to come back out, particularly a lot of the youth culture which the predominance of our market who have already experienced and will continue to experienced and will continue to experience and access us, because it's mutually beneficial in terms of their physical, social and mental well—being, and their access to social environments and culture. 50 social environments and culture. so what you expect the government to do in terms of supporting the industry, because as you said, even though things are opening up now, you industry has been very hard hit? the challenae industry has been very hard hit? ti9 challenge we industry has been very hard hit? ti9: challenge we have industry has been very hard hit? ti9 challenge we have is the losses over the festive period have left us with a massive shortcoming and cash flow, and as we heard the £6,000 grant that was presented would not even touch the sides. many of the businesses on average have suggested they've lost up to £46,000 pre—christmas just in cancellations and sales. so that was almost bordering on an insult to much of the industry, it felt that many of them were angered and frustrated by it. from their perspective, they're asking for further support, further financial relief in terms of business rates relief extension, and the vat being retained at that position, but also a consideration for proportionate positioning in terms of grant support, because at the moment we have a long road ahead and without a doubt with christmas and without a doubt with christmas and the challenges pre—christmas we have got an extension to recovery by almost six months, six to 12 months. to think the night—time industry will ever go back to being the way it was? we will ever go back to being the way it was? ~ :, , will ever go back to being the way it was? 9 . , , :, ., it was? we are very proud and driven creative bunch, _ it was? we are very proud and driven creative bunch, a _ it was? we are very proud and driven creative bunch, a huge _ it was? we are very proud and driven creative bunch, a huge amount- it was? we are very proud and driven creative bunch, a huge amount of. creative bunch, a huge amount of entrepreneurial spirit, so we will find a way. we have pivoted and worked hard to ensure we are able to try and survive this period, we've lost many businesses, many amazing people within our sector, people have had to change theirjobs to survive, to keep theirfamilies have had to change theirjobs to survive, to keep their families safe and keep a roof over their head, but i know given the opportunity and a sustainable trading period we will come back fourfold and we will drive forward looking forward to the summer and forward looking forward to the summerand make forward looking forward to the summer and make sure we bounce back as quick as possible. but we have got a long road, and that's going to come with confidence, not only from government, from customers, workforce, landlords and investors, over the coming years to ensure we can with do with retain that pre—kevin dish and start to grow. thank you very much indeed. new data shows the continuing pressures facing the health service. while covid—related staff absences are falling, more than 90% of hospital beds in england are occupied. in wales, the number of people waiting for planned treatment has risen to another record high. ambulance handover delays at a&e departments in england have improved, but almost a fifth of people arriving waited 30 minutes or more. our health correspondent dominic hughes has been looking at how one hospital — the royal bolton in the north—west of england — is coping. how many discharges have we got? i'm thinking four. clinical staff are working with the local council to try and get patients back home. delays in discharging those who are well enough to get home are a big reason why hospitals are so busy. but it is complicated. there is so many services involved in one patient, there is equipment and package of care, access issues, family, transport, we need to make medicines ready. we need to make sure everyone is on the same page. nhs england says 93% of all hospital beds are currently occupied. and the impact of covid on staff and patients makes things more complex. we have been hit by workforce shortages, the omicron wave has affected that as well. we have also had to work closely with our care homes, so our care homes have been managing outbreaks with their staff, some with residents as well, and that affected their ability to take people from hospital. although the number of covid infections is falling, hospitals remain under significant pressure and those pressures can be seen right across the system — from accident and emergency departments to the amount of time people wait for a cancer referral. the last one was... at this hospital in london, they have seen a big rise in the number of people being referred for cancer treatment, from 1,100 a month before the pandemic to 1,500 now. how is mr stephens doing? coping with treatment? patients were concerned at the start, now they are returning to normality and there is a degree of frustration that they haven't been seen quickly. patients who were potentially curable become not curable but treatable. we will still do the best we can. that is sad when that happens. people are being urged not to put off seeking help if they're worried, just because of nhs pressures. the health service is continuing to recoverfrom the pandemic, but the stresses of covid are still present and senior leaders are warning there will be some tough months ahead. with the pressures on local hospitals, the bbc has launched a special nhs tracker with the latest data on waits for emergency treatment which will let you find out how your local services are coping this winter — and how that compares with pre—pandemic demand. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello. it may be feeling chilly out there today but there is plenty of sunshine. another frost on the way for many tonight. exceptions to the sunshine today, some north sea coastal counties in england with cloud, a brisk breeze, still one or two showers clipping the coast. increasing cloud in north—west scotland, some areas of cloud in northern ireland, where it is 7 degrees in belfast. three or four on the coldest spots on the north sea coast, and a wind—chill too, though the wind easing into tonight. more cloud to northern and western scotland, into northern ireland overnight, so many here will be avoiding the frost, whereas elsewhere, as it stays clear, temperatures will be lower than last night, down to —6 in the coldest parts of central and southern england. where you have the frost in the morning, you will have some sunshine continuing across southern and eastern areas. cloud to northern and western scotland, northern ireland, increasing in north—west england, and into wales as well through the afternoon. temperatures are a little bit higherfor tomorrow, it's not as windy down that north sea coast, and frost not as widespread tomorrow night. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... the ex—tory mp who defected to labour claims he was threatened to have funding withdrawn for a school in his constituency if he failed to vote with the government. the prime minister says he knows of no evidence to support such claims. i've seen no evidence, heard no evidence, to support any of those allegations. what i'm focused on is what we are doing to deal with the number one priority of the british people, which is coming through covid. it didn't sit comfortably, and that was really that kind of starting to question my place, where it was, and ultimately to where i am now. but there's more pressure from the back benches, as an influential tory mp predicts borisjohnson will probably be forced out of office. this is appalling and the public are rightly furious, so at the moment i'm afraid it looks like checkmate — but whether he can save himself, we'll see. also today... facemasks are no longer required in schools — and workers can return to the office — as covid restrictions in england are eased. survivors of institutional child abuse in northern ireland will finally receive an official public apology. the british dental association says nhs dentistry is "hanging by a thread" as some patients wait two years for check ups. sport and for a full roundup, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane. good afternoon. emma raducanu has said several members of her coaching staff wanted her to pull out of her second round match at the australian open because of blisters on her hand. the british number one says she's tougher than she thought, after playing through the pain and taking her opponant danka kovinic to three sets before being knocked out. raducanu made a great start to the match, breaking serve in the opening game and then again, to race into a 3—love lead. however, she needed on—court treatment for a blister and then began to struggle, losing the first set. but she recovered to level the match, producing some spectacular shots. however, she couldn't close out against kovinic, who's ranked 80 places below her at 98 in the world. meanwhile, andy murray is also out. he said his performance against japanese qualifier taro daniel "wasn't good enough". tuesday's five—set win over nikoloz basilashvilli looked to have taken it out of the former british number one, and it was a lacklustre display against daniel, who's below him in the world rankings, but six years younger. murray did show some of the strength and determination we've seen from him so often and he was able to break serve more than once. but daniel always had the edge when it mattered and he won in straight sets — at 120 in the world, he's the lowest—ranked player to beat murray at a grand slam, leaving the scot thoroughly dejected. i'm really, really disappointed. very frustrated. and, yeah... tough, tough loss for me, that's for sure. you know, this is a really important year me, for a number of reasons. i want to perform well in the big events, and for me, tonight is not good enough, in that respect. you know, making the second round of slams is not something i find particularly motivating. top seed in the men's draw daniil medvedev had to deal with a raucous australian crowd who were supporting his opponant, aussie nick kyrigos. medvedev beat him in four sets, much to the displeasure of the crowd. so, following his win, the russian had some words for the spectators during an interview with former champion jim courier. you were incredibly calm and focus, was that part of your strategy? it was that part of your strategy? it is the only choice when you get booed between first and second serve, it is not easy. ijust had to stay calm and when the match. crowd boos. i think they are saying sue, a soccer thing.— i think they are saying sue, a soccer thin. , �* ., soccer thing. sorry, i can't hear. i can't hear— soccer thing. sorry, i can't hear. i can't hear him. — soccer thing. sorry, i can't hear. i can't hear him, show _ soccer thing. sorry, i can't hear. i can't hear him, show some - soccer thing. sorry, i can't hear. i. can't hear him, show some respect. let him speak, please, guys. if you respect somebody, at least respect him. england have been thrashed in the opening match of the women's ashes. losing by nine wickets to australia in the first t20 in adelaide. england began well — danni wyatt with some huge hits, getting 70 runs. england were 137 for one at one stage but then tahlia mcgrath stepped in — three wickets from her swung the match in australia's favour. and then mcgrath starred with the bat — dominating the england bowlers, a partnership of 144 runs with meg lanning steered australia towards victory. mcgrath was 91 not out. australia ran away with it. the final round of group games in the africa cup of nations kick off in under half an hour. holders algeria must beat ivory coast to progress. ivory coast are guaranteed to go through as they already have four points. the group stage concludes with tunisia still in with a chance of making it three teams through from group f. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. the devolved government in northern ireland has announced a public apology will be made on march the 11th to survivors of child abuse in residential institutions. an inquiry recommended the apology five years ago, following the biggest investigation ever held in the uk at the time. campaigners say many victims have died waiting for the authorities to say sorry. this report from our ireland correspondent, chris page, contains distressing testimony. brian o'donohue has spent the last 20 years putting on paper his childhood experiences of six decades ago. there's some summertime left and brother stephen is in charge of the boys down at the swimming pool. he's in one of his full moon modes. he's throwing little billy, who is just a bit younger than me, into the pool. the brother thinks it's great fun. billy doesn't. he can't swim. he's screaming for help, and clawing at the water. that happened at rubane house in county down, one of several children's homes run by religious orders where he spent time. one of brian's most vivid memories is of how two boys were punished in front of all the others after they tried to escape. the only protection from a beating would have been a pair of swimming trunks, and they were beaten on the backside and thighs until theyjumped in the air and screamed. there was sweat pouring off him when he beat them. that's how much he put into the beating. brian suffered physical and sexual abuse. he remembers trying to protect himself. don't put yourself in the position where you're, you're alone with them. but then again, that can be hard. but then again, that can be hard, if a brother actually comes in and lifts you out of your sleeping bed and takes you to his room. on the other side of the irish sea, thousands of abuse survivors are also living with unspeakable trauma. kate walmsley was in an institution in londonderry. from i was 8 till i was 12, i was being sexually abused by a priest there. i kept sending letters to the teacher, saying that i couldn't do pe, you know, i couldn't have showers, and it was mainly because of how ifelt myself, you know, about my body. i'm lonely and still feel that i don't belong anywhere, and i'm not accepted unless, you know — i try and fit in everywhere i can, but you know, it's always you're not wanted. it's five years since a public inquiry report set out the legacy of suffering. the inquiry recommended a state apology. that was something that a lot of our people really wanted, even before compensation. you know, there was many people that says, you know, money's too late, redress is too late. what they wanted to hear was someone to say, "sorry, it wasn't your fault, it was our fault." the process has been delayed, not least because the devolved government collapsed for three years, but now ministers have agreed to hold an event in march to formally apologise to survivors. lots of our victims have passed and not had an apology. we'll live with this to the rest of our lives, you know. we'll still carry this. all i wanted was someone to say sorry. after generations of hurt, victims are hoping for a day of acknowledgement. chris page, bbc news. details of organisations which offer information and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline — or you can call forfree, at any time to hear recorded information on 08000155 998. pope benedict xvi failed to act in four child abuse cases, a new report into historic child abuse in the german catholic church has found. the former pope is accused of allowing a priest — who was known to have abused boys — to be transferred to the diocese and work between 1977 and 1982. the lawyers behind the report say they are convinced he was aware of the priest's background. the former pope denies he knew about the priest's crimes. the us secretary of state antony blinken has been meeting key european counterparts in berlin, on a visit aimed at easing tensions over russia and ukraine. yesterday, president biden said he thought vladimir putin would "move in" on ukraine. russia has about 100,000 troops on the border with ukraine. here's our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. american diplomacy is in high gear. antony blinken arriving in germany. seeking unity ahead of his meeting tomorrow with the russians. fresh satellite images appear to show the extent of russia's military build—up close to ukraine. around 100,000 troops at the moment. american officials say more could be added at short notice. last night at the white house, joe biden seemed to have reached his own conclusion. i'm not so sure he has, is certain what he will do. my guess is he will move in. i think he still does not want any full—blown war. do i think he will test the west? test the united states and nato? as significantly as he can? yes, i think he will. russia insists it has no plans to invade. moscow accusing washington of provoking this crisis. in eastern ukraine, where pro—russian separatists have been in charge since 2014, a sense that conflict is looming. the west fears moscow may try to expand its influence beyond areas in rebel control. the scars of conflict are everywhere. this 72—year—old lives close to the front line. it is a miracle we stayed alive, she said. we could have died many times. she is pro—russian and fears a full—scale war. but is that really imminent? ukraine's president, addressing the nation last night, didn't appear to think so. translation: what exactly is the news? j hasn't this been a reality for eight years now? didn't the invasion start in 2014? has the threat of war only now arisen? these risks have been around for a long time and are not getting bigger now. for months the west has been mesmerised by the sight of russia's ominous build up and the question remains, what exactly does vladimir putin intend to do? let's listen in to the us secretary of state, antony blinken now. he told reporters the united states and its european allies will present a united front if russia further acts against ukraine. all of these engagements are part of wide—ranging, ongoing consultations with our european allies and partners, more than 100 in recent weeks alone. including with ukraine. nato, the european union, the osce, the bucharest nine, as well as many bilateral conversations with individual countries, to ensure that we are speaking and acting together with one voice when it comes to russia. that unity gives us strength. strength, i might add, that russia does not and cannot match. it's why we build voluntary alliances and partnerships in the first place. it's also why russia recklessly seeks to divide us. and it's why, in my meeting tomorrow with the foreign minister, i will be able to represent a shared view, shared preference, on the part of the united states and our european allies and partners for finding a diplomatic path forward. some breaking news from stormont... we have been expecting a briefing on coronavirus two ministers at stormont have agreed a series of relaxations of covid rejections on hospitality venues in northern ireland. from friday, the bbc understands rules regarding table service and the limit of six customers will end, and ministers have agreed to drop the use of vaccine passports in hospitality settings from wednesday the 26th of january. it means that proof of covid status in pubs, restaurants and cinemas will no longer be legally required in northern ireland, howeverthe legally required in northern ireland, however the vaccine passport system will stay in place for nightclubs and indoor unseated and partially seated events with 500 people or more. they clubs have also been given the green light to reopen from next week, wednesday the 26th of january, from next week, wednesday the 26th ofjanuary, with from next week, wednesday the 26th of january, with dancing and indoor standing events permitted again. the guidance limit of three households allowed to meet endorse any private home is also to be removed from friday. we go to the hearing imminently. so far we have heard a series of restrictions in terms of cover in hospitality venues in northern ireland have been in use. more on that in a few minutes' time. apple airtags were launched last year — they're designed to be placed on things you're worried about losing, such as your wallet or your keys. you can then find them using your phone. but the bbc has spoken to six women in the us who say the devices have been used to track them without their consent. our silicon valley correspondent, james clayton, reports. my phone made a ding that i had never heard before, and i looked down at it and i didn't register what it said. and i was like, "what does this say?" and it told me that an unknown accessory or device had been following my movement for a while. this is airtag. apple airtags were launched in april last year. they're designed to track and locate your personal belongings like your wallet, a backpack or your luggage. but in some cases, they're also being used to track people. amber is a mum of four from mississippi. she'd taken her kids to the park. it showed it got on my car at 1:47pm at the park. and then it followed me to my parents�* house, to the ice cream shop and back to my home at 3:02pm. and it alerted me and it said, the last time the owner saw your location, i think, was at 3:02pm. and i was like, that's right, now i'm at home. amber believes the device was placed somewhere on her car, but she hasn't been able to find it yet. we've spoken to six women dotted across america that have all told us a very similar story. a message that pops up onto their phone, telling them an unknown accessory has been moving with them. they all say it's pretty creepy. if you create an item which is useful for tracking stolen items, then you have also created a perfect tool for stalking. there is absolutely no doubt about it. this is not a sort of made—up harm. it is definitely happening. but many people that we've spoken to say that when they tell the police they don't know what to do, and when they tell apple support, they aren't particularly helpful. like anna from georgia, who got a notification after going to the local supermarket. it is really scary. what i want apple to do is simply just require these devices to ask permission before you can be followed. apple told the bbc that they've put safeguards in place. the airtags will beep if they're detected moving with an unregistered device, and that users with iphones will be notified. if you have an android phone, you can also download an app to detect unwanted airtags. but critics argue that apple, which is worth more than £2 trillion, should be doing a lot more to stop its products from being used to track and even stalk people. james clayton, bbc news, silicon valley. joining me now is dr lisa suguira, principal lecturer in criminology and cybercrime at the university of portsmouth. how worried should we be about airtags? how worried should we be about airtars? , :, 9 ~ :, airtags? extremely worried. we know that these perpetrators _ airtags? extremely worried. we know that these perpetrators are _ airtags? extremely worried. we know that these perpetrators are using - that these perpetrators are using technology to monitor and control their victims, as well as obviously engage in more stocking behaviours. how can one use airtags but use them safely? is there a way of configuring them so they cannot be used in this malicious way? weill. used in this malicious way? well, unfortunately _ used in this malicious way? well, unfortunately the _ used in this malicious way? well, unfortunately the technology - used in this malicious way? 9ii unfortunately the technology does not allow for that. apple have stated they have built in privacy into the design of it, in which we are able to get an alert if the tag is away from its owner. but of course, it is not necessarily going to let people know and does not come on for 8—10 hours, and a loss of stocking and abuse can go on in that time, and it is essentially out of our control, really, but we have these devices that are able to oversee what her every movement and to take all the stature on us, and we cannot stop short of having a bit of fun —— oversee her every movement. tbs, of fun -- oversee her every movement-— of fun -- oversee her every movement. : , , : :: :: of fun -- oversee her every movement. : , , i: i: ' movement. a study in march 2020 21 found lots of— movement. a study in march 2020 21 found lots of technology _ movement. a study in march 2020 21 found lots of technology could - movement. a study in march 2020 21 found lots of technology could be - found lots of technology could be used in this way. what did that study find? i used in this way. what did that study find?— used in this way. what did that stud find? . , , study find? i conducted the study with colleagues _ study find? i conducted the study with colleagues at _ study find? i conducted the study with colleagues at portsmouth i study find? i conducted the study i with colleagues at portsmouth and kent universities and we looked at the role of technology within domestic abuse, and found perpetrators are using a myriad of technology, anything with network capabilities can be used to monitor. at the time we did not necessarily see anything about the airtags, but we did see the tile being used, and earlier at less sophisticated model, where it was being placed in things like children's backpacks or in cars or things like that. in order to basically observe the movements of the estranged partner, and it is really disconcerting that children are being used as well, as unwitting sort of meals to engage in these abusive behaviours. that sort of meals to engage in these abusive behaviours.— sort of meals to engage in these abusive behaviours. that is awful. our abusive behaviours. that is awful. 0ur police — abusive behaviours. that is awful. our police taking _ abusive behaviours. that is awful. our police taking these _ abusive behaviours. that is awful. our police taking these kinds - abusive behaviours. that is awful. our police taking these kinds of. our police taking these kinds of things seriously?— our police taking these kinds of thins seriousl ? :, ., , things seriously? unfortunately when it comes to sort _ things seriously? unfortunately when it comes to sort of— things seriously? unfortunately when it comes to sort of cyber _ things seriously? unfortunately when it comes to sort of cyber issues, - it comes to sort of cyber issues, there is a lack of understanding and training for police. often there is a concentration on the sort of computer misuse offences, but that is a lack of realisation about how computer misuse offences can be used in domestic abuse and stalking contexts. it is yet to be fully realised and that needs to be taken far more seriously. and realising how everyday innocuous tools that are around the house, connected to the internet, can be used in these coercive and controlling situations. thank you very much indeed for taking the time to speak to us on bbc news. 9, ~ taking the time to speak to us on bbc news. :, ,, , :, we've heard a lot about the perilous threat to coral reefs around the world because of climate change. but a previously unknown giant coral reef has been discovered off the coast of tahiti in "pristine" condition. a research mission, led by unesco, made the find at a depth of more than 30 metres — it's hoped this discovery may mean there are many more coral reefs waiting to be found. our science correspondent, victoria gill, has this report. "magical." that was one of the words a veteran specialist diver who led this mission used to describe this view. some of these rose—shaped corals are more than two metres wide, and the whole reef structure stretches three kilometres along the sea bed. its depth and its distance from the coast is thought to be a key reason for its pristine condition. the researchers say it shows no signs of damage from pollution or from warming ocean temperatures, something that poses a major threat to shallower reefs. it looks beautiful, but scientifically how important is this, as a discovery? it might be, to date, one of the largest coral reefs in the world that actually lies at that sort of depth of more than 30 metres. so, from that perspective, that is opening a new insight in science. this could suggest that we have many more large reefs in our ocean, at depths beyond 30 metres, which we simply do not know about. the depth of this reef means there is far less sunlight here than in the shallows. this part of the ocean is known as the twilight zone. there's stilljust enough light here for the algae that lives inside the bodies of the coral to survive and thrive. and, critically, for the health of this reef, waters at these depths are not warming as quickly. it's often said we know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the ocean floor — only about a fifth of it has so far been mapped, and coral reefs like this are the sea floor hotspots for marine life. about a quarter of known ocean species can be found around these living ecosystems. the team is now planning more investigative dives to work out exactly what lives here, and crucially, how their newly discovered remarkable habitat can be protected. victoria gill, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. hello. if you like your winter weather cold and crisp, today should be right up your alley. plenty of sunshine out there. feeling cold after a frosty start. another frost settling in in many places. high pressure moving and that means a lot of settled weather on the horizon. for now, the further you are away from the high, which is really down the north sea coast, there is still a brisk breeze out there, and some areas of cloud, and then a few areas of showers clipping the coast of north yorkshire down to east anglia. increasing cloud later in north—west scotland may produce a few spots of light rain. areas of cloud around in northern ireland, but for many places, unbroken sunshine this afternoon. seven in belfast, 3—4 on the north sea coast. there is wind chill to contend with here, and the wind will ease again tonight. overnight, while many will stay clear, cloudy in northern ireland, increasing in northern and western scotland. cloud goes into a void of frost, whereas elsewhere, harder frost thanlast night, —6 in the coldest countryside parts of central and southern england. in the morning, you will see some sunshine, and for many of us, central and eastern areas, that will continue throughout friday. cloudier in western scotland, northern ireland, and north—west england, and cloud pushing in to more of wales as the afternoon goes on. temperatures tomorrow just a bit higher. with more cloud around into tomorrow night, that will limit the extent of the frost, and clear skies continue, particularly towards the east and south—east of england, but even here, the frost is not going to be as hard as it is in the coming night. we are chilly at the moment, as we look at our temperature anomaly map here. it departs from average temperatures, a hint of blue indicating we are colder than average right now. through the weekend, notice how northern areas and particularly in scotland, temperatures are going to be edging up above average, whereas there isn't a huge amount of change further south. the further south you are, closer to the centre of high pressure, the areas are moving very much. frost and fog continues to be a possibility, whereas around the area of high pressure across much of the uk, we are introducing more cloud, milder weather, a strong wind in northern scotland, and the chance of rain at times this weekend, but it is northern scotland that over the weekend will be seeing higher temperatures. into double figures in places. not a huge amount of change the further south you are, though across southern and eastern england, you are likely to see occasional sunshine. this is bbc news. the headlines: the ex—tory mp who defected to labour claims he was threatened to have funding withdrawn for a school in his constituency if he failed to vote with the government. the prime minister says he knows of no evidence to support such claims. i see no evidence, have heard no evidence to support any of those allegations stop what i am focused on is what we are doing to deal with the number one priority of the british people which is coming through. —— coming through covid. but there's more pressure from the back benches, as an influential tory mp predicts borisjohnson will probably be forced out of office. this is appalling and the public are rightly— this is appalling and the public are rightly furious so at the moment it looks— rightly furious so at the moment it looks like — rightly furious so at the moment it looks like checkmate but whether he can save _ looks like checkmate but whether he can save himself we will see. facemasks are no longer required in schools — and workers can return to the office — as covid restrictions in england are eased. survivors of institutional child abuse in northern ireland will finally receive an official public apology. the british dental association says nhs dentistry is "hanging by a thread" as some patients wait two years for check—ups. and found off the coast of tahiti — a giant coral reef discovered in "pristine" condition. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. the prime minister says he's not seen or heard any evidence to support allegations that his mps have been "intimidated" and "threatened" by the government to try to stop them speaking out against him. the senior conservative mp, william wragg, says would—be rebel mps have been told funding could be pulled from their constituencies — and embarrassing stories leaked to the press — if they didn't support borisjohnson. mr wragg said it appeared to amount to blackmail, and any mp who felt pressurized should contact police. here's our political correspondent, jonathan blake. relative calm at westminster after a day of high drama, but inside parliament, grave accusations from one of borisjohnson's critics. order, order. the claim that tory backbenchers trying to oust the prime minister have been threatened by government ministers and others. the intimidation of a member of parliament is a serious matter. more over, the reports of which i'm aware would seem to constitute blackmail. as such, it would be my general advice to colleagues to report these matters to the speaker of the house of commons and the commissioner of the metropolitan police. the prime minister said the claims were not substantiated. tare the prime minister said the claims were not substantiated.— the prime minister said the claims were not substantiated. i've seen or heard no evidence _ were not substantiated. i've seen or heard no evidence of _ were not substantiated. i've seen or heard no evidence of these - were not substantiated. i've seen or heard no evidence of these claims i heard no evidence of these claims and i'm focused on our number one priority of the british people which is coming through covid and we've made enormous progress thanks to the booster campaign, the fastest in europe. he booster campaign, the fastest in euro e. 9 booster campaign, the fastest in euro e. ,., :, booster campaign, the fastest in euro e, :, :, :, “ booster campaign, the fastest in euro e. :, :, :, ~' :, europe. he said he would look into it. some mps more concerned than others. i think everybody needs to be mindful not to cross lines here, and i very much hope that those lines haven't been crossed but i think william wragg's warning is probably timely, and i would very much hope it will be heeded. nobody's tried to blackmail me, i you know, we are all individuals, and people maybe misinterpret. what has been said, because why would anybody blackmail them ? that is counter—productive. in bury south, the seat of labour's newest mp who defected from the conservatives, the party seized on the claims. a government must govern in the national interest, not in its narrow party interests, and if this is the way the conservatives think they can get through this crisis, then they need to think again. and the people of this country are looking on, in dismay and disgust, that it is one rule for those at the top and another for everyone else, and this is just another example of that. all this is fallout from claims of parties in downing street that may have broken lockdown rules. one cabinet minister suggested it has shaken the public�*s faith in our whole political system. of course things like this damage our democracy and that is why... this downing street has damaged our democracy? no, the, the... from what we already know, from the people that have come forward and apologised for the parties that took place, so, for example, the one on the eve of prince philip's funeral, you know, that was completely wrong, it was wrong in every single way. yeah, it's a sorry situation... senior backbenchers are talking like it is over for borisjohnson. this is appalling, and the public are rightly furious, _ so at the moment i'm afraid it does look like checkmate, _ but whether he can - save himself, we'll see. while westminster waits for a report into parties during lockdown, the prime minister might be relieved to make it to the end of the week. jonathan blake, bbc news. live now to westminster and our political correspondent, chris mason. more bad news for the prime minister. it had seemed for a while that things were coming down a bit. good afternoon. i think we're getting these explosions that are popping up around westminster that serve to illustrate the mess that the prime minister has found himself in whole row about parties that is now manifesting itself in so many different ways. today's most striking intervention coming from william wragg, articulating these concerns expressed by others privately around the conduct of whips. let me explain how that works. whips is a westminster word to describe those in the business of trying to make sure that a party's business gets through the house of commons, has the most votes attached to it. in other words, the art of persuasion. if you look into the history of westminster and little black books and whispers in corridors and threats and cajoling and put it in the contemporary context of asking what is acceptable behaviour in 2022 and clearly there are some who feel what has happened in the last couple of weeks and months as far as that persuasion is concerned has been illegitimate and the expression used by william wragg that he felt in some instances it was blackmail, that it could reach the ministerial code, that it was talking about where public money would be allocated depending on how an mp might decide to vote, and we've seen at least one public illustration of that allegation from a particular mp. christian wakeford, the very guy who crossed the floor yesterday from the conservatives to labour. here is he speaking today. i was threatened i would not get a school _ i was threatened i would not get a school for — i was threatened i would not get a school for my constituency if i did not vote — school for my constituency if i did not vote a — school for my constituency if i did not vote a certain way. this is a town _ not vote a certain way. this is a town that — not vote a certain way. this is a town that has not had a high school for the _ town that has not had a high school for the best— town that has not had a high school for the best part of ten years. how would _ for the best part of ten years. how would you — for the best part of ten years. how would you feel when holding back on the rejuvenation of a town for a vote? _ the rejuvenation of a town for a vote? it— the rejuvenation of a town for a vote? it didn't sit comfortably and that was— vote? it didn't sit comfortably and that was me starting to question my place. _ that was me starting to question my place, where i was and ultimately where _ place, where i was and ultimately where i— place, where i was and ultimately where i am — place, where i was and ultimately where i am now. nicola sturgeon has described these allegation is pointing to something that she thinks is corruption if it could be proven. we heard the prime ministers say that he has seen no evidence. we can hearfrom the prime minister's most vociferous cheerleaders, nadeem tories, the culture secretary. —— nadine dorries. what does she think about what william wragg has had to say? that's nonsense because that's not how government works. the whips have no say _ how government works. the whips have no say over— how government works. the whips have no say over individual constituencies and it's just attention seeking behaviour from william _ attention seeking behaviour from william wragg who has been a constant — william wragg who has been a constant critic of the prime minister— constant critic of the prime minister who delivered as the greatest majority since margaret thatcher— greatest majority since margaret thatcher and has delivered for this country— thatcher and has delivered for this country through the pandemic. it's worth pointing out that william wragg has been an outspoken critic of the pro—minister but he would see in his role it is his constitutional duty to point out these concerns that are raised with him and that's what he was doing and that committee hearing. this row continues to rumble and will do until we see light of the sue gray, the senior civil servant's report who is compiling the definitive dossier, hopefully, all of the —— of all of the shindigs and parting around westminster during the pandemic when these things were banned —— partying. lots of those loyal to borisjohnson holding up a shield that says sue gray on it, "this is the shield i am going to hold until the shield i am going to hold until the report is published." in the mind of one conservative mp i was talking to, that's all very well from the government's perspective, providing report saves them in the end and there's no guarantee of that. i end and there's no guarantee of that. ~ 9, end and there's no guarantee of that. ~ . , . ., that. i think we are expecting that re ort at that. i think we are expecting that report at some — that. i think we are expecting that report at some point _ that. i think we are expecting that report at some point next - that. i think we are expecting that report at some point next week. that. i think we are expecting that. report at some point next week but anything could happen over the next couple of days. anything could happen over the next couple of days-— couple of days. absolutely, all of these illustrations _ couple of days. absolutely, all of these illustrations we _ couple of days. absolutely, all of these illustrations we are - couple of days. absolutely, all of these illustrations we are talking | these illustrations we are talking about now, the defection of an mp, david davies the senior conservative mp publicly calling for the prime minister to go, they were loyal brexiteers, the two of them, and yet despite that kinship, there was still that bust up very publicly yesterday than the intervention from william wragg, lots of other mps. it's a lot quieter than it was yesterday but occasionally you will see mps in little groups having discussions. there is a lot of concern and conversation going on at the moment. no one quite knows what is going to happen but the most important electorate in the country right now are conservative mps because they hold the pro—minister's feetin because they hold the pro—minister's feet in their hands. not two things we do know. there aren't yet enough conservative mps who have publicly called for a vote of confidence, they can do that by submitting a letter and don't have to do it publicly, that threshold has not been reached and even if it is reached then they would have to be —— there would have to be conservative mps of around about 180 in order to topple borisjohnson. despite all the noise and the fury and the anger, and just plenty of all three of those things, the buyer still remains pretty high to dislodge a pro—minister who doesn't want to go and borisjohnson gives every indication of wanting to stick around —— the bar remains high. i'm joined now by eamonn o'brien, the labour leader of bury council. thanks forjoining us. your reaction to christian wakeford backing up william wragg's accusations? fits to christian wakeford backing up william wragg's accusations? as you can imagine. — william wragg's accusations? as you can imagine. l _ william wragg's accusations? as you can imagine, i was _ william wragg's accusations? as you can imagine, i was deeply _ william wragg's accusations? as you can imagine, i was deeply shocked i can imagine, i was deeply shocked and concerned about it. the local school that christian was referencing is a massive issue for us locally, it's something for over ten years we have been campaigning on. it's crucially important to the tone of radcliffe who have been without a high school for ten years —— town of radcliffe. all of our hard work, to think that could have been put at risk by a vindictive approach from the government is deeply concerning. you approach from the government is deeply concerning.— approach from the government is deeply concerning. you say you are shocked by — deeply concerning. you say you are shocked by it. _ deeply concerning. you say you are shocked by it, are _ deeply concerning. you say you are shocked by it, are you _ deeply concerning. you say you are shocked by it, are you surprised . shocked by it, are you surprised that given this, these political machinations happened behind—the—scenes, whips will keep on whipping, so to speak. behind-the-scenes, whips will keep on whipping, so to speak.— behind-the-scenes, whips will keep on whipping, so to speak. yeah, and for me it has — on whipping, so to speak. yeah, and for me it has an _ on whipping, so to speak. yeah, and for me it has an echo _ on whipping, so to speak. yeah, and for me it has an echo of _ on whipping, so to speak. yeah, and for me it has an echo of what - on whipping, so to speak. yeah, and for me it has an echo of what i - on whipping, so to speak. yeah, and for me it has an echo of what i and i for me it has an echo of what i and others in greater manchester went through during the tier 3 debate with the mayor, andy burnham, when we were cutting across —— putting across what we thought was the right thing to do but seemingly getting very calculated and vindictive responses from the government about the type of support and we saw how that ended for the government, so i wasn't quite surprised that the government is willing to stoop to potentially these levels but i was shocked they would be doing it to a conservative mp. it seems completely out of order if the claims are true. if the claims are true, what do you think should happen next? ultimately, these things will have a process in parliament and is william wragg highlighted, potentially even with the police but ultimately, public officials have to be held accountable for their actions. we are seeing that now with the prime minister and the lies he has told about the parties and chaos seemingly in response to that so ultimately whoever is responsible should be held accountable for that but that is probably for parliament or even the police to investigate. what are the people of bury south telling you about the defection of their mp to labour? i telling you about the defection of their mp to labour?— telling you about the defection of their mp to labour? i think it's no surrise i their mp to labour? i think it's no surprise l speak— their mp to labour? i think it's no surprise i speak to _ their mp to labour? i think it's no surprise i speak to a _ their mp to labour? i think it's no surprise i speak to a lot _ their mp to labour? i think it's no surprise i speak to a lot of - their mp to labour? i think it's no surprise i speak to a lot of people who are deeply unhappy with the government but to have a defection off the back of it is quite unexpected and quite surprising. i think what we said locally as we welcome the fact that christian has seen the labour party and keir starmer is the best way forward. we've done a lot of rebuilding since our pretty bad election defeat in 2019 and to see that happening, we also had on the same day completely unrelated, a local council defection as well to labour so right across the political spectrum, we are seeing people coming back to labour and i think that's positive. quite what everyone else in the constituency will think, i suppose we will find out in the next few years. we will find out in the next few ears. 9 :, y :, we will find out in the next few ears. 9 :, y:, ., we will find out in the next few ears. 9 :, ., ., years. would you want and potentially _ years. would you want and potentially to _ years. would you want and potentially to stand - years. would you want and potentially to stand on - years. would you want and potentially to stand on a i years. would you want and - potentially to stand on a labour ticket or do you think you should be a due process in choosing a candidate moving forward? we a due process in choosing a candidate moving forward? we have a constituency — candidate moving forward? we have a constituency meeting _ candidate moving forward? we have a constituency meeting tonight - candidate moving forward? we have a constituency meeting tonight and - candidate moving forward? we have a constituency meeting tonight and i . constituency meeting tonight and i think that will be our first opportunity for ordinary party members to come together, think about the implications of this and propose a way forward. it's not something that happens quite often something that happens quite often so it's definitely something we're going to have to take some time to think about. the headlines on bbc news: the ex—tory mp who defected to labour claims he was threatened to have funding withdrawn for a school in his constituency if he failed to vote with the government. the prime minister says he knows of no evidence to support such claims. but there's more pressure from the back benches, as an influential tory mp predicts borisjohnson will probably be forced out of office. facemasks are no longer required in schools — and workers can return to the office — as covid restrictions in england are eased. some breaking news, we have figures for today in terms of covid infections in the uk. the latest figures tell us that there were 107,364 new covid infections, positive tests, on the 20th of january, thursday. there were 330 new daily deaths of people with coronavirus. this compares to last week, last thursday, when we had 335 deaths and 109,133 positive coronavirus tests. as covid restrictions in england start to be eased, the health secretary sajid javid says he is optimistic that the legal requirement for people to self—isolate can be lifted in coming weeks. he also defended the decision to end the requirement for schoolchildren to wear facemasks in class, saying that case numbers were falling across the country. tim muffett reports. one aspect of school life, these pupils won't miss. face coverings are no longer compulsory in schools in england and at the king's oak academy in gloucestershire, students are relieved. it is a good feeling we don't have to wear them, we can't communicate with each other. the mask drops down your face and it is annoying. the prime minister announced a widespread easing of restrictions. people are no longer advised to work from home. face coverings will no longer be legally required in any setting. we'll still be advised to wear them in crowded places. and covid passes to get into venues will be dropped, although venues can choose to carry on using them. we said when we learned about omicron, we needed to build our defences, we needed time to do that. that was the purpose of plan b. if you look at the data, it is in retreat. with the picture across the country showing fast falling rates of omicron in many parts, that means that there is an opportunity here to say, actually, things are starting to get better. but others stress the continued need for caution. we still need to protect people and to support them. - and in schools i think, _ it seems premature to take away the few protections we have. in scotland from monday, there will no longer be limited in scotland from monday, there will no longer be limits on the number meeting indoors, but face coverings will remain compulsory in shops and on public transport. they will remain obligatory in wales and northern ireland, although it is hoped an easing of restrictions will take place, depending on infection rates. many businesses and shops have welcomed that work from home guidance has been scrapped, but a return to pre—pandemic normality seems some way off. for example, face coverings will remain compulsory on public transport in london. elsewhere, it will be up to individual discretion. these bus passengers in bristol still expect to use them. you go on a bus and someone says, "you should have it on," so keep it on until everybody else has not got it. i will wear one because of the virus. restrictions in england might be easing, but the impact of covid will still be evident. professor lawrence young is a virologist at the university of warwick — hejoins me now. thank you forjoining us, professor. do you think it's too soon to lift restrictions or not? ido,i i do, i think removing plan b measures is a gamble. loath? i do, i think removing plan b measures is a gamble. why do you think the government _ measures is a gamble. why do you think the government is _ measures is a gamble. why do you think the government is doing - measures is a gamble. why do you think the government is doing it i think the government is doing it because they must be following medical and scientific advice, surely? i medical and scientific advice, surel ? :, �* ~' , medical and scientific advice, surel ? :, �* ~ , ., surely? i don't think they are, i don't think— surely? i don't think they are, i don't think the _ surely? i don't think they are, i don't think the decision - surely? i don't think they are, i don't think the decision is - surely? i don't think they are, i i don't think the decision is guided by data. when plan b was introduced in december, caterers were half of what they are now with far fewer people in hospital so i think a lot of this is more about political expediency than following science. what do you worry is going to happen now if restrictions are to be lifted? i now if restrictions are to be lifted? :, y y now if restrictions are to be lifted? :, , , , ., lifted? i worry they will be a rebound- — lifted? i worry they will be a rebound. we _ lifted? i worry they will be a rebound. we seen _ lifted? i worry they will be a rebound. we seen falling i lifted? i worry they will be a - rebound. we seen falling numbers, lifted? i worry they will be a _ rebound. we seen falling numbers, we might have been in a safer place in a few weeks but that fall is probably due to plan b measures so we are likely to see a rebound of infection in the next few weeks which will increase the number of people that need to isolate, it will increase the number of people that will need hospital care and it's also likely to impact the development of long covid, were not hearing about the long—term effects so i think a more cautious, gradual easing of measures as is the case in scotland would have been a much more sensible approach. [30 scotland would have been a much more sensible approach.— sensible approach. do you worry now that there will _ sensible approach. do you worry now that there will be _ sensible approach. do you worry now that there will be renewed _ sensible approach. do you worry now that there will be renewed pressure . that there will be renewed pressure on the nhs? the government's stance is, the bristol programme has been hugely successful, we expect that to continue and this is one of the reasons we feel able to bring down these restrictions, to remove some of these restrictions now.— of these restrictions now. there is no issue here _ of these restrictions now. there is no issue here in _ of these restrictions now. there is no issue here in the _ of these restrictions now. there is no issue here in the sense - of these restrictions now. there is no issue here in the sense that i of these restrictions now. there isj no issue here in the sense that we know that omicron is milder than delta but hospitals are still under enormous pressure and it's not the same all over the country, the part of the world i live, the west midlands, is still seeing hospitalisations increasing, they are not stabilising in the same way. the hopers in the next couple of weeks, as many parts of the followed london, we will see that and that's why i'm saying a more cautious approach, just another fortnight or so which have been much better and i worry that we are going to end up with more infection with omicron. and still live with this threat of other variants. everybodyjust needs other variants. everybody just needs to other variants. everybodyjust needs to take a cautious approach and things like wearing facemasks in crowded, fully ventilated —— poorly ventilated spaces is important and just being cautious. do ventilated spaces is important and just being cautious.— just being cautious. do you think --eole just being cautious. do you think people will— just being cautious. do you think people will do — just being cautious. do you think people will do that _ just being cautious. do you think people will do that despite i just being cautious. do you think people will do that despite it i just being cautious. do you think people will do that despite it notj people will do that despite it not being mandated for the government or do you think people just think, it's basically over? i do you think people 'ust think, it's basically over?_ basically over? i fear that the messaging — basically over? i fear that the messaging is _ basically over? i fear that the messaging is telling - basically over? i fear that the messaging is telling of - basically over? i fear that the messaging is telling of a i basically over? i fear that the | messaging is telling of a body basically over? i fear that the i messaging is telling of a body it's all over when clearly we are not in all over when clearly we are not in a situation where the pandemic is over, it's raging everywhere, you only need to look across the continent to see horrendously high levels of infection. we've been here before, we were all lulled into a false sense of security last summer and then delta arrived. i know that means we cannot live our lives in perpetual restrictions, but i do think a more cautious message needs to come across with people exercising care, particularly mixing with clinically vulnerable individuals and i don't think we're getting that message at all from anywhere at the moment, to be honest. :, ., honest. telling more about new variants. honest. telling more about new variants- l _ honest. telling more about new variants. i know _ honest. telling more about new variants. i know that _ honest. telling more about new variants. i know that some i honest. telling more about new i variants. i know that some people have said, it's the unvaccinated people amongst us who could end up bringing about new variants, causing new variants to occur. is that the case? �* , 9, new variants to occur. is that the case? 3 9, 9 new variants to occur. is that the case? �*, ., . :, new variants to occur. is that the case? �*, ., q :, new variants to occur. is that the case? :, , , case? it's a tricky one in the sense that we know _ case? it's a tricky one in the sense that we know we _ case? it's a tricky one in the sense that we know we have _ case? it's a tricky one in the sense that we know we have a _ case? it's a tricky one in the sense that we know we have a wall i case? it's a tricky one in the sense that we know we have a wall of i that we know we have a wall of immunity now generated by vaccination and boosters that gives widespread protection, not total but some protection against variants that are likely to prop up. where we have seen variants arise it's often individuals who are either unvaccinated and immunocompromised —— and, or immunocompromised and that's where people can have long—term infections, often lasting for more than 100 days and those infections result in a breeding ground for variance. as long as we have the virus is spreading in other parts of the world, in unvaccinated or individuals who are purely vaccinated with low levels of vaccination, we are going to be in a situation where these variants are going to pop up so i think we need to learn the lessons of the past which is that none of us are safe until all of us are safe and what we've got to do is make sure we get as many people are in the world vaccinated and we have to prepare for what is inevitable, which is the arrival of new variants in the uk. professor lawrence yun, thank you very much for talking to us. new data shows the continuing pressures facing the health service. while covid—related staff absences are falling, more than 90% of hospital beds in england are occupied. in wales, the number of people waiting for planned treatment has risen to another record high. ambulance handover delays at a&e departments in england have improved, but almost a fifth of people arriving waited 30 minutes or more. our health correspondent dominic hughes has been looking at how one hospital, the royal bolton in the northwest of england, is coping. how many discharges have we got? i'm thinking four. clinical staff are working with the local council to try and get patients back home. delays in discharging those who are well enough to get home are a big reason why hospitals are so busy. but it's a complicated process. there's so many services involved in one patient, there's equipment and package of care, access issues, family, transport, we need to make medicines ready for home, so we need to make sure everyone is on the same page when aiming for that discharge. nhs england says 93% of all hospital beds are currently occupied. and the impact of covid on staff and patients makes things more complex. we've been hit by workforce shortages for the last few months. the omicron wave has affected that as well. we have also had to work closely with our care homes, so our care homes have been managing outbreaks with their staff, unfortunately some with residents as well and that has affected their ability to take people directly from hospital. although the number of covid infections is falling, hospitals remain under significant pressure and those pressures can be seen right across the system — from accident and emergency departments to the amount of time people are having to wait for a cancer referral. at kingston hospital in southwest london, they have seen a big rise in the number of people being referred for cancer treatment, from 1,100 a month before the pandemic to 1,500 now. how is mr stephens doing? patients were concerned at the start, now they are returning to normality and there is a degree of frustration that they haven't been seen as quickly. patients become not curable but treatable. we will still do the best we can. that is sad when that happens. people are being urged not to put off seeking help if they're worried, just because of nhs pressures. the health service is continuing to recover from the pandemic, but the stresses of covid are still present and senior leaders are warning there will be some tough months ahead. with the pressures on local hospitals, the bbc has launched a special nhs tracker with the latest data on waits for emergency treatment, which will let you find out how your local services are coping this winter and how that compares with pre—pandemic demand. the devolved government in northern ireland has announced a public apology will be made on march the 11th to survivors of child abuse in residential institutions. an inquiry recommended the apology five years ago, following the biggest investigation ever held in the uk at the time. campaigners say many victims have died waiting for the authorities to say sorry. this report from our ireland correspondent chris page contains distressing testimony. brian o'donohue has spent the last 20 years putting on paper his childhood experiences of six decades ago. there's some summertime left and brother stephen is in charge of the boys down at the swimming pool. he's in one of his full moon modes. he's throwing little billy, who is just a bit younger than me, into the pool. the brother thinks it's great fun. billy doesn't. he can't swim. he's screaming for help, and clawing at the water. that happened at rubane house in county down, one of several children's homes run by religious orders where he spent time. one of brian's most vivid memories is of how two boys were punished in front of all the others after they tried to escape. the only protection from a beating would have been a pair of swimming trunks, and they were beaten on the backside and thighs until theyjumped in the air and screamed. there was sweat pouring off him when he beat them. that's how much he put into the beating. brian suffered physical and sexual abuse. he remembers trying to protect himself. don't put yourself in the position where you're, you're alone with them. but then again, that can be hard, if a brother actually comes in and lifts you out of your sleeping bed and takes you to his room. on the other side of the irish sea, thousands of abuse survivors are also living with unspeakable trauma. kate walmsley was in an institution in londonderry. from i was eight till i was 12, i was being sexually abused by a priest there. i kept sending letters to the teacher, saying that i couldn't do pe, you know, i couldn't have showers, and it was mainly because of how ifelt myself, you know, about my body. i'm lonely and still feel that i don't belong anywhere, and i'm not accepted unless, you know — i try and fit in everywhere i can, but you know, it's always you're not wanted. it's five years since a public inquiry report set out the legacy of suffering. the inquiry recommended a state apology. that was something that a lot of our people really wanted, even before compensation. you know, there was many people that says, you know, money's too late, redress is too late. what they wanted to hear was someone to say, "sorry, it wasn't your fault, it was our fault." the process has been delayed, not least because the devolved government collapsed for three years, but now ministers have agreed to hold an event in march to formally apologise to survivors. lots of our victims have passed and not had an apology. we'll live with this to the rest of our lives, you know, we'll still carry this. all i wanted was someone to say sorry. after generations of hurt, victims are hoping for a day of acknowledgement. chris page, bbc news. details of organisations which offer information and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free at any time to hear recorded information on 08000155 998. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller. we've been talking a lot today about all the sunshine out there but i have to point out the exceptions on north sea coastal counties of england, showers moving in here on a brisk wind, with wind chill too. sleet in some of these showers. they will ease into tonight along with that wind as well. cloud increasing in northern ireland and parts of western scotland but mostly a clear, cold night to come. parts of central and southern england down into the minuses. cold, frosty and sunny. the sunshine continuing across southern and eastern england and eastern scotland. cloudy skies, weston and northern ireland and cloud filtering in across england and wales through the day. after that cold start, chilly, but with that wind on the north sea coasts it will be a sunny day and eastern counties. cloud increasing widely overnight into saturday morning, limiting the extent and severity of frost one cloud across the uk over the weekend, rain at times in northern scotland, quite windy but also much milder here. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: the ex—tory mp who defected to labour claims he was threatened to have funding withdrawn for a school in his constituency if he failed to vote with the government. the prime minister says he knows of no evidence to support such claims. i've see no evidence, heard no evidence to support any of those allegations. what i'm focused on is what is we're doing to deal with the number—one priority of the british people, which is coming through covid. it didn't sit comfortably, and that was really that starting to question my place, where i was, and ultimately to where i am now. but there's more pressure from the back benches, as an influential tory mp predicts borisjohnson will probably be forced out of office. this is appalling and the public are rightly furious. so, at the moment, i'm afraid, it does look like checkmate but whether he can save himself, we will see. also today: facemasks are no longer required in schools and workers can return to the office as covid restrictions in england are eased. survivors of institutional child abuse in northern ireland will finally receive an official public apology. the british dental association says nhs dentistry is hanging by a thread as some patients wait two years for check ups. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's jane dougall good afternoon. emma raducanu has said several members of her coaching staff wanted her to come out of her second—round match at the australian open because of large blisters on her hand. the british number one says she's tougher than she thought after playing through the pain and taking her opponent to three sets before being knocked out. i was struggling with my hand before the match and some members of my team didn't want me to go out there but i wanted to fight through it and see how far i could get. i thought it was a good learning experience for me, i discovered tools about me and myself and my game that i didn't know i had before. i can take some positives even from this match. meanwhile, andy murray is also out after a disappointing performance against japanese qualifier taro daniel. murray seemed to be tired from his previous five—set match against nikoloz basilashvilli, but still said that losing in straight sets to daniel wasn't good enough. i'm really, i' m really, really i'm really, really disappointed, very frustrated. tough, tough loss for me, that's for sure. this is an important yearfor me for me, that's for sure. this is an important year for me for a number of reasons and i want to perform well in the big events. for me, tonight is not good enough. making the second round of slams is not something ifind particularly motivating. the final round of group games in the africa cup of nations is under way. holders algeria must beat ivory coast to progress. ivory coast are guaranteed to go through as they already have four points. ivory coast are already up 1—0. the group stage concludes with tunisia still in with a chance of making it three teams through from group f. arsenal could welcome back thomas partey after his ghana side were knocked out the africa cup of nations. they're playing the second leg of the league cup semifinal later against liverpool, at the emirates. the first leg ended in a goalless draw at anfield. we'll hear from assistant manager pepjin linders in a moment, but first, the arsenal manager mikel arteta says they're here to win trophies. we have the players that we have and whether we play 90 or 120 minutes with penalties, the players have the belief that we can win the game and believe in the importance of the game. that's why we are here, to win trophies and bring joy to our people and to give them what historically this club has always done. when we start the season, we always speak— when we start the season, we always speak about we want to create memories, we want to create memories with our— memories, we want to create memories with our fans. _ memories, we want to create memories with our fans, we want to create special — with our fans, we want to create special games. i am looking forward for when _ special games. i am looking forward for when the final whistle went at anfield _ for when the final whistle went at anfield because of rumours writing is off— anfield because of rumours writing is off and _ anfield because of rumours writing is off and we couldn't wait to go there _ is off and we couldn't wait to go there and — is off and we couldn't wait to go there and creates, hopefully to create — there and creates, hopefully to create a — there and creates, hopefully to create a special game for us. meanwhile, the draw for the semifinals of the women's league cup has been made this afternoon. manchester city will play at home to tottenham, while the holders chelsea have also been drawn at home, against manchester united. the ties will take place on the 2nd and 3rd of february. scottjamieson leads the abu dhabi championship after an impressive first day. the scot had a bogey—free round of nine under par and is a shot clear of norway's victor hovland. ian poulter went round in 66, alongside fellow englishmanjames morrison and tyrell hatton, who is the defending champion. that's all the sport for now but over on the bbc sport website, you can follow all those stories, as well as the news that jockey robbie dunne has lodged an appeal against his 18—month ban for bullying and harrassing rival jockey bryony frost. i'll be back with more later. pope benedict xvi failed to act in four child abuse cases, a new report into historic child abuse in the german catholic church has found. the former pope is accused of allowing a priest who was known to have abused boys to be transferred to the diocese and work between 1977 and 1982. the lawyers behind the report say they are convinced he was aware of the priest's background. the former pope denies he knew about the priest's crimes. in the last few minutes, pope benedict has expressed shock and shame at church abuse, that coming from the former pub's spokesman. shock and shame at church abuse following those allegations following those allegations following an investigation into the german catholic church by an oxymoron that as we get it. there's a warning that free dental treatment on the nhs is hanging by a thread, with some patients facing up to two—year waits for routine check—ups. the number of nhs dentists in the barnsley area has dropped by more than 20% since 2020, according to new figures from nhs england. those working in the profession say it's getting harder to recruit new staff. look north's olivia richwald reports. if you could open i as wide as you can... tara has cracked a filling. she's lucky to get an appointment at her village dental surgery straight away. they can't recruit enough dentists here in grimethorpe and have been advertising across the chain of six practices for four years. the vacancies range from three to five. we've got full—time, part—time. we're just desperate. i mean, i retired in 2020, for nearly four years. any pain when i do that at all? tara is x—rayed and checked by dentist steven, and she'll be back for repair work soon — surprised to have been seen so quickly. i didn't, actually, no. no, i didn't expect to have one today. but as soon as i said that i were in pain, they accommodated me. steven's worked here for 11 years. he says the problem's caused by lots of things. the appeal of working in private practice, the clinic's rural location, and being in a community of high need. young dentists tend to want to stay in the big cities or move to london. it's a bit of a commute to here. it's about 50 minutes each way. the way that we appeared - for the work that we do is skewed the way that we are paid - for the work that we do is skewed towards places where people do not need a lot of work. i you're not rewarded for being in an area of high need at all. | the way that the nhs funds dentists is very complex. each surgery is set targets of units of dentistry activity, or udas, and if those targets are missed, then the nhs claws back its funding. so you can see why not being able to recruit the dentists causes a problem for surgeries like this. if i can't get associates to come and work, i can't recruit. i've got that pressure. they've got the pressure to meet the government demands. so on each side, i'm being pushed. so eventually, what am i going to do, olivia? i'm going to say, hands up, i've had enough. barnsley are seen with the biggest drops in nhs dental posts, down by rm nor— on the list, because i haven't been for a year or more because of the coronavirus. yes, we've got one, but during i covid, they wouldn't show you at home unless you are in pain. we just couldn't find an nhs dentist. this was in rotherham. i'm going to one in wath. you have had to go privately? privately, yes. nhs england says it's supported dentists throughout the pandemic and set up 600 urgent dental centres across the country. but that hasn't solved the problems for sarf, who continues to advertise for new staff. actually, going forward, unless something is done and done eminently, i think the waiting times and the delivery of dentistry is going to get worse. the us secretary of state antony blinken has been meeting key european counterparts in berlin, on a visit aimed at easing tensions over russia and ukraine. yesterday, president biden said he thought vladimir putin would move in on ukraine. russia has about 100,000 troops on the border with ukraine. here's our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. american diplomacy is in high gear. antony blinken arriving in germany. images appear to show the extent of russia's military build up. around 100,000 troops at the moment. american officials say more could be added at short notice. last night at the white house, joe biden seemed to have reached his own conclusion. i'm not so sure he has, is certain what he will do. my guess is he will move in. i think he still does not want any full blown war. do i think he will test the west? test the united states and nato? as significantly as he can? yes, i think he will. russia insists it has no plans to invade. moscow accusing washington of provoking this crisis. in eastern ukraine, where separatists have been in charge since 2014, a sense that conflict is looming. the west fears moscow may try to expand is influence beyond areas in rebel control. the scars of conflict are every where. 72—year—old anton lives close to the front line. it is a miracle we stayed alive, she said. she is pro—russian and fears a full—scale war. but is that really imminent? ukraine's president addressing the nation last night didn't appear to think so. translation: what is the news? hasn't this been a reality for eight years now? didn't the invasion start in 2014? has the threat of war only now arisen? these risks have been around for a long time and not getting bigger now. for months the west has been seen the build up and the question remains, what exactly does vladimir putin intend to do? this afternoon, us secretary of state antony blinken detectives have arrested a 33—year—old man on suspicion of the murder of freda walker and the attempted murder of her husband ken at the weekend. the elderly couple were found in their home on saturday by a neighbour. detectives are appealing for witnesses. let's get more now from our correspondent, phil mackie. the 33—year—old man was arrested in nottinghamshire, about five miles from the home here in derbyshire, and that arrest was made in the early hours of this morning. of this was an investigator that was launched on saturday morning, when it free to walk a's body was discovered and kenneth walker was also discovered with her, her 88—year—old husband, who is still in critical condition in hospital, that was the launch this investigation. a man who has been arrested was arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. there is still a lot of police activity going on here, even at five days after the incident was first discovered. today we have had a update on the progress of that investigation from the assistant chief constable. i of that investigation from the assistant chief constable. i would 'ust like to assistant chief constable. i would just like to say — assistant chief constable. i would just like to say thank _ assistant chief constable. i would just like to say thank you - assistant chief constable. i would just like to say thank you to i just like to say thank you to everyone who was helped us so far and also ask for anybody who was in this area, on this street, in between 4:30pm on friday the 14th of january and 9am on saturday the 15th of january, january and 9am on saturday the 15th ofjanuary, please come january and 9am on saturday the 15th of january, please come forwards we would like to speak to you. yes, we've made an arrest, of course, the investigation carries on. we're always looking to add to the information we've got. this always looking to add to the information we've got. this was a very well- known _ information we've got. this was a very well-known couple - information we've got. this was a very well-known couple here i information we've got. this was a very well-known couple here in i information we've got. this was a i very well-known couple here in this very well—known couple here in this part of derbyshire, kenneth walker used to be the chairman of the pulse of a district council, they were involved in a lot of charities and the miners welfare association, and on the occasions this week, a lot of people have been coming along to leave flowers. are people who either worked alongside them or knew them through their charity work. it is fair to say this is one of those cases that has really had an effect on a quite a close knit community, especially as it is someone who was quite well—known. all the pictures show them in their formal attire attending at many events over the years. the royal navy ship hms spey will be heading to tonga to assist the humanitarian relief effort. it comes as the first foreign aid plane arrived in the pacific nation, carrying much—needed water and supplies. new pictures have emerged showing the scale of devastation following saturday's eruption of an undersea volcano, with cars, roads and buildings covered by a thick layer of ash. at least three people are now known to have died, including a british woman. we are enjoined by a member of the red cross. uses are a number of challenges to the relief effort. tbs, challenges to the relief effort. lot of family members who stay overseas have not been able to contact their family members in tonga and that has created some level of anxiety both inside the country and outside the country. transport challenges, so as we know, tonga is a country that are 36 islands that are inhabited, so to be able to do assessments on different islands, we have to take boats from one user to another, and they are in short supply. at the same time, to be able to ferry a large amount of supplies on small boats is another challenge. so the challenges are communication, transport, availability of boats, logistics and availability of boats, logistics and availability of boats, logistics and availability of human power, because almost the entire island population of 100,000 has been impacted because of 100,000 has been impacted because of this disaster. it in of100,000 has been impacted because of this disaster.— of this disaster. it in the last hour or so. _ of this disaster. it in the last hour or so, it _ of this disaster. it in the last hour or so, it her _ of this disaster. it in the last hour or so, it her majesty i of this disaster. it in the last. hour or so, it her majesty the of this disaster. it in the last - hour or so, it her majesty the queen has released a message of condolence to the people of tonga. in it, she says, i am shocked and saddened by the impact of the volcanic eruption and tsunami in tonga. my thoughts and tsunami in tonga. my thoughts and prayers are the people of tonga as you work together to recover from the damage caused. it must be incredibly difficult for those who are unable to contact friends and family while communications are disrupted and i hope that they will soon be restored. that, a message of condolence from the queen to the king and people of tonga. ended last hour, stormont ministers have agreed that the use of covid passports will be dropped. this is what the first minister said about the change in guidelines. minister said about the change in ruidelines. 9, minister said about the change in ruidelines. :, :, :, :, ., guidelines. from tomorrow at midday, we will be able — guidelines. from tomorrow at midday, we will be able to _ guidelines. from tomorrow at midday, we will be able to lift _ guidelines. from tomorrow at midday, we will be able to lift the _ guidelines. from tomorrow at midday, we will be able to lift the rule - guidelines. from tomorrow at midday, we will be able to lift the rule of- we will be able to lift the rule of six and table service only within the hospitality sector, as well as the hospitality sector, as well as the guidance being lifted for domestic settings, the cap limit on that, and there won't be a cat any longer in terms of those numbers. and also, in terms of the guidance and working from home, we're reverting to our baseline measure within the autumn/ winter contingency plan, recognising that we are encouraging people to work from home where they can but we accept that in some circumstances, that won't be possible. then from the 26th of january, at 12 prime minister, night clubs will be able to reopen, the prohibition will be lifted and the legal requirement in workplaces will be lifted. and the mandatory covid passport scheme will be reduced to only apply in limited circumstances, that will relate to nightclubs and indoor, unseated venues of 500 people or more. we turn to our ireland correspondent in belfast and please give us an idea of what is going to be changing in northern ireland? it’s of what is going to be changing in northern ireland?— northern ireland? it's all about stuff that matters _ northern ireland? it's all about stuff that matters to _ northern ireland? it's all about stuff that matters to you i northern ireland? it's all about stuff that matters to you if i northern ireland? it's all about stuff that matters to you if you | stuff that matters to you if you want to go out for a pint or sit down for a meal or go out for a dance, because up until now, because of their worries about omicron, the restrictions had come back in, seeks only have six to a table, he had to sit down, canterbury word is any more nightclubs were completely closed, so that's all going be ending. as for the vaccine passports, the right complete agreement about these when they reported in the first place, the dup had opposed them, the other four parties and executive had backed them. so there is some welcome relief from the hospitality industry about these relaxations, because they always argued that vaccine passports were difficult to police on the ground, and they welcome too the relaxation of restrictions, because hospitality ulster, one of the main groups were grumpy about the main groups were grumpy about the fact they were playing in front of restrictions, they say we think these measures were too punitive anyway and the worst prospects of omicron never came to pass. always welcome getting back to something that feels more normal, although they say they would like to see vaccine passports dropped for nightclubs too, but that is an area where they will remain. so life is going to feel a lot more normal again, if you go out for a drink here in northern ireland, but that doesn't mean forget everything. there was also a message from the stormont executive today saying we are relaxing these things but we want people to remain cautious and take a certain responsible steps. thank you. we've heard a lot about the perilous threat to coral reefs around the world because of climate change, but a previously unknown giant coral reef has been discovered off the coast of tahiti in pristine condition. a research mission led by unesco made the find at a depth of more than 30 metres. it's hoped this discovery may mean there are many more coral reefs waiting to be found. our science correspondent victoria gill has this report. "magical." that was one of the words a veteran specialist diver who led this mission used to describe this view. some of these rose—shaped corals are more than two metres wide, and the whole reef structure stretches three kilometres along the sea bed. its depth and its distance from the coast is thought to be a key reason for its pristine condition. the researchers say it shows no signs of damage from pollution or from warming ocean temperatures, something that poses a major threat to shallower reefs. it looks beautiful, but scientifically how important is this, as a discovery? it might be to date one of the largest coral reefs in the world that actually lies at that sort of depth of more than 30 metres, so from that perspective, this is opening a new insight in science. this could suggest that we have many more large reefs in our ocean, at depths beyond 30 metres, which we simply do not know about. the depth of this reef means there is far less sunlight here than in the shallows. this part of the ocean is known as the twilight zone. there's stilljust enough light here for the algae that lives inside the bodies of the coral to survive and thrive. and critically, for the health of this reef, waters at these depths are not warming as quickly. it's often said we know more about the surface of the moon than we do about the ocean floor — only about a fifth of it has so far been mapped, and coral reefs like this are the sea floor hotspots for marine life. about a quarter of known ocean species can be found around these living ecosystems. the team is now planning more investigative dives to work out exactly what lives here, and crucially, how their newly discovered remarkable habitat can be protected. a teenage pilot has become the youngest woman to fly solo around the world. 19—year—old zara rutherford has landed in belgium, finishing herjourney, which began in august last year. she visited over 50 countries during her trip in an ultra—light plane, and hopes that her record will inspire more women to work in stem subjects. and zara has just been speaking to reporters it's just really crazy. i haven't quite processed it, ithink. coming here was basically trying to imagine what it would be like so to finally be here after five months and even this flight wasn't easy so i'm just super happy. have you spoken to your family? i will talk to them later and i'll just go home and see the cats and talk to my brother and, yeah, just... i've been waiting for a sandwich from a sandwich shop that's really nearby and i've been waiting five months to get it so i'm really looking forward to getting it. now it's time for a look at the weather. half an hour ago, showed a picture of cloud and we are seeing some sleet and showers in norfolk, i thought i would balance it with sunshine from cumbria this afternoon, some lovely pictures coming in from weather watchers. if you have been enjoying the sunshine where you are, there is more cloud coming in across the next few days, especially the weekend. high pressure moving in with rain at times in scotland, bringing settled weather our way. we have this stiff wind, wind chill, cloud and showers on the east coast of england, also a bit of patchy rain in northwest scotland. things will improve across eastern england overnight, cloud continuing north were scotland and northern ireland, elsewhere, clear skies with a hard frost setting in in rural parts of southern england down to —6, —5 in cardiff. a cold, frosty night on the way, sunshine continuing through the day in the east. cloudy skies in western scotland to northern ireland, increasing in wales and england later. it not as chilly across the north sea coast, elsewhere, temperatures only gradually up after that very cold and frosty start with more cloud generally around tomorrow night and into saturday morning, the frost more limited and less severe. still some in central, southern and eastern parts of england. more cloud over the weekend. we know it's chilly at the moment and these colours, this hint of blue indicating temperatures at or below average for the time of year. running through the weekend, notice things going above average, especially in scotland and the further north you are, as temperatures hit back into double figures. where is the further south you are, temperatures not changing too much this weekend, so close to the centre of the high pressure, they are not moving very much, the chance of frost overnight with slow to clear fog during the day. elsewhere, this pressure bringing in milder airfrom the elsewhere, this pressure bringing in milder air from the atlantic with plenty of cloud but for zero in scotland, the mildest there was plenty of wind. sunshine harder to come by tomorrow but most places staying dry. 11 degrees in stornoway, seven in norwich on saturday, that temperature difference from north to south continuing on sunday. further rain and times in scotland, plenty of cloud, mainly dry elsewhere. for a further forecast, cloud, mainly dry elsewhere. for a furtherforecast, head online or take a look at our app. this is bbc news. the headlines... the ex—tory mp who defected to labour claims he was threatened to have funding withdrawn for a school in his constituency if he failed to vote with the government. the prime minister says he knows of no evidence to support such claims. i see no evidence, have heard no evidence to support any of those allegations. it didn't sit comfortably, and that was really that kind of starting to question my place, where it was, and ultimately to where i am now. but there's more pressure from the back benches, as an influential tory mp predicts borisjohnson will probably be