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 it looks 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. easing of restrictions from wednesday, vaccine passports, laws and pubs to be scrapped and no more rule of six. 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 pressurised should contact police. here's our political correspondent, jonathan blake. whitford who had been threatened on thursday had been threatened when sitting as a tory mp. 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. i've seen or 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 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 suggests 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 like a lull in the storm. that is right. you get these little explosions going off, the latest illustrations of the challenges that the prime minister faces. all of which _ the prime minister faces. all of which effectively boiled down to the culture _ which effectively boiled down to the culture of— which effectively boiled down to the culture of the government that he leads, _ culture of the government that he leads, whether it be those parties that were — leads, whether it be those parties that were happening in whitehall wheh _ that were happening in whitehall when parties are banned during the worst— when parties are banned during the worst stages of the pandemic, or how downing _ worst stages of the pandemic, or how downing street has responded to those, _ downing street has responded to those, or— downing street has responded to those, or in deed of these recent allegations of the conduct of the web _ allegations of the conduct of the web. those are appointed by political— web. those are appointed by political parties to persuade mps to vote as _ political parties to persuade mps to vote as the party leaderships would want them to. the art of persuasion is as old _ want them to. the art of persuasion is as old as — want them to. the art of persuasion is as old as the walls at westminster, but what is legitimate persuasion, and the allegation that we heard _ persuasion, and the allegation that we heard there, the conservative mp who chairs _ we heard there, the conservative mp who chairs one of the select committees, stories he has heard of persuasion _ committees, stories he has heard of persuasion that, frankly, it is not legitimate. — persuasion that, frankly, it is not legitimate, which scotland's first mihister— legitimate, which scotland's first minister described it as corruption if it was— minister described it as corruption if it was proven. the government as we heard _ if it was proven. the government as we heard from the prime minister dehies _ we heard from the prime minister denies that there is any evidence of that _ denies that there is any evidence of that let's — denies that there is any evidence of that. let's hear from one man who is absolutely— that. let's hear from one man who is absolutely of the view that this has happened. christian wait for it who defected _ happened. christian wait for it who defected yesterday from the conservatives to labour. this is his experience — 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 big question will be are any conservative mps, existing conservative mps, existing conservative mps, existing conservative mps, not formal ones asked _ conservative mps, not formal ones asked former ones, willing to say anything — asked former ones, willing to say anything publicly about how they feel they have been treated. it is what _ feel they have been treated. it is what has — feel they have been treated. it is what has been deemed to be legitimate behaviour. as i say, significant puck —— pushback from the prime — significant puck —— pushback from the prime minister and those who are supportive _ the prime minister and those who are supportive of him. a few more vociferous in their support of the prime _ vociferous in their support of the prime minister, the culture secretary, say what you like, she always _ secretary, say what you like, she always tells you exactly what she thinks _ always tells you exactly what she thinks. here is hertake always tells you exactly what she thinks. here is her take on her conservative colleague analysis and critique _ conservative colleague analysis and critique and his committee this nrornind — that's nonsense because that's not how government works. the whips have no say over individual constituencies and it's just attention seeking behaviour from william wragg who has been a constant critic of the prime minister who delivered as the greatest majority since margaret thatcher and has delivered for this country through the pandemic. just to mop up where we are in these latest incarnations of this trouble the prime minister faces, latest incarnations of this trouble the prime ministerfaces, we await this report from the senior civil servant who was trying to establish what was going on in whitehall during the various covid restrictions. we expect that to come along sometime next week, until then, you can expect every loyalist to the government to walk around without rhetorical shield, one conservative mp said to me privately at lunchtime today, well, that is all very well, but who knows what she might say, and that could cause no end of problems. then there's the question of what else might emerge. one final thought, it is pretty difficult to remove the prime minister who does not want to budge. we know that because there hasn't been the 5a letters as of yet to lead to a vote of confidence, and evenif lead to a vote of confidence, and even if there was, he would need a substantially larger number than that of conservative mps who haven't been willing to put in a letter to actually vote boris johnson out. been willing to put in a letter to actually vote borisjohnson out. it is difficult for the prime minister, but he is insistent on sticking around and removing him will not be straightforward for those who want to. ., ~ straightforward for those who want to. . ~' , ., straightforward for those who want to. ., ,, , ., , . straightforward for those who want to. ., ,, i. , . ., to. 0k, thank you very much for that, chris. _ the labour leader of bury council, eamonn o'brien, says he's very worried about claims that the government threatened to hold back support for a school in the bury south constituency to put pressure on mp, christian wakeford. i was deeply, deeply shocked and concerned about it, the local school that christian was referencing is a massive issue for us locally, something for over ten years that we have been campaigning on. it is crucially important to the town of radcliffe who had been without a high school for ten years. all of that heart ache to get that school, to think that that could have been put at risk by a vindictive approach from the government is deeply, deeply concerning. we have general and serious allegations of blackmail and intimidation, and a very specific allegation from christian wakefield that the lips had threatened to withhold funding for a school and his constituency. what do you think of these claims?— of these claims? from christian whitford, he — of these claims? from christian whitford, he is _ of these claims? from christian whitford, he is now— of these claims? from christian whitford, he is now a _ of these claims? from christian whitford, he is now a labour. of these claims? from christian i whitford, he is now a labour mp. i don't think he's really a credible source about what may or may not be happening within the conservative party. his mission is now to do down the conservative party, so i take that with a pinch of salt. in terms of what. .. that with a pinch of salt. in terms of what- - -_ that with a pinch of salt. in terms of what. .. �* , ., ., , of what. .. i'm 'ust going to “ump in there, 36 of what. .. i'm just going to “ump in there, 36 hoursfi of what. .. i'm just going to “ump in there, 36 hours ago, he h of what. .. i'm just going to jump in there, 36 hours ago, he was - of what. .. i'm just going to jump in there, 36 hours ago, he was a toryj there, 36 hours ago, he was a tory mp. ., , there, 36 hours ago, he was a tory mp. ._ , there, 36 hours ago, he was a tory mp. , ., mp. the way he is reporting on the conservative party, _ mp. the way he is reporting on the conservative party, he _ mp. the way he is reporting on the conservative party, he is— mp. the way he is reporting on the conservative party, he is now - mp. the way he is reporting on the conservative party, he is now a - conservative party, he is now a labour mp today when he was making his media comment. yesterday he was a conservative, today he is labour. i've been in opposition mp myself, and if you are in opposition, your mission is to down the government, and that is exactly what he is doing. it should be no surprise he is attacking the conservative party, he has a labour mp.— is attacking the conservative party, he has a labour mp. what about the substance of — he has a labour mp. what about the substance of what _ he has a labour mp. what about the substance of what he _ he has a labour mp. what about the substance of what he is _ he has a labour mp. what about the substance of what he is saying. - substance of what he is saying. looked, nobody has backed that up. nobody, to the best of my knowledge has backed up these claims that there have been threats to withdraw things from constituencies. no. four years in the government's with office, and at no point was it appropriate or even possible for a government with two threatened the withdrawal of a government project from somebody�*s constituency. the commons made today have not been borne by anybody else, this is not something that happens. the prime minister said _ something that happens. the prime minister said he _ something that happens. the prime minister said he has _ something that happens. the prime minister said he has seen _ something that happens. the prime minister said he has seen no - minister said he has seen no evidence of such tactics, but that's rather different from saying they have not been used. you are saying in your experience, this sort of threat is not made.— in your experience, this sort of threat is not made. well, it's not in the power _ threat is not made. well, it's not in the power of— threat is not made. well, it's not in the power of a _ threat is not made. well, it's not in the power of a government - threat is not made. well, it's not. in the power of a government with two threatened a project or indeed to pledge a project to any government approaches those decisions. currently i'm energy minister, and i don't say to anybody, i'm not going to give you this that or the other, i'm going to take this away. that's not within my power. it's a decision taken by the whole of the government on the basis of the marriage. it's not down to an individual with on an individual minister to say those things. nobody has agreed to that, to the best of my knowledge, no one has come out and said that what i'm hearing from mr weick for do i remind you is now labour mp, is what's actually happening. labour mp, is what's actually happening-— labour mp, is what's actually ha eninu. ., ., ., ., labour mp, is what's actually ha eninu. ., . . ., , happening. the other allegation is that there have _ happening. the other allegation is that there have been _ happening. the other allegation is that there have been threats - happening. the other allegation is i that there have been threats against mps to put stories in the press about them. he wasn't sick —— specific about what they might be. this is a form of blackmail. a tactic you recognise? i should make it clear for people watching, you are a deputy chief whip and david cameron's government from 2013—15, i think. i cameron's government from 2013-15, i think. ., , cameron's government from 2013-15, i think. . , ., cameron's government from 2013-15, i think. ., , ., , cameron's government from 2013-15, i think. ., , ., think. i was four years of government _ think. i was four years of government webb, - think. i was four years of government webb, t - think. i was four years of government webb, t is l think. i was four years of i government webb, t is the think. i was four years of - government webb, t is the deputy chief webb. no. these are adults people in government with very seriousjobs, either government ministers, members of parliament. no. it is not blackmail bullying and so on. with thing is done as a way of persuading people, persuading people of the merits of the government's case and trying to get as many people to vote for the conservative government as possible. that's an entirely natural thing for a government to do. it happens in any democratic society in the western world. to get more people to support the government when it comes to a vote in parliament —— parliament. that's entirely natural. and we absolutely accept that there are areas that people would regard as being correct persuasion, legitimate persuasion is the way that our correspondent put it. can i just put to you some remarks made by a consolidated —— fellow conservative mp who is appearing on the bbc show have i got news for you the bbc show have i got news for you the mp for friends of his in the army in his previous career had been approached by the deputy chief whip. mr mercer, who previously toured afghanistan in the service said the deputy chief webb has decided to go and ask friends of mine who i served within the military whether or not things in my book were correct. he says that he confronted him about it and that the webb had said it was hisjob to kick and that the webb had said it was his job to kick the tires. i accept that he may not have known about this before, but this is something thatis this before, but this is something that is being said by a conservative mp, not someone who has defected, but somebody who is serving conservative mps. it is but somebody who is serving conservative mps. it is something that is known _ conservative mps. it is something that is known about, _ conservative mps. it is something that is known about, this - conservative mps. it is something that is known about, this is - conservative mps. it is something that is known about, this is a - that is known about, this is a historic allegation dating from at least two years ago. so this is not something new, this allegation about johnny mercer. it's happened two years ago. he ceased being a deputy chief whip two years ago. this is something that happened a long time auo. ., something that happened a long time ao. ., , ., , , something that happened a long time auo. , ., something that happened a long time ato. something that happened a long time auo. , ., ,. ., something that happened a long time ago. two years is not such a long time. ago. two years is not such a long time- and _ ago. two years is not such a long time- and it's— ago. two years is not such a long time. and it's a _ ago. two years is not such a long time. and it's a similar _ ago. two years is not such a long time. and it's a similar sort - ago. two years is not such a long time. and it's a similar sort of. time. and it's a similar sort of allegation. time. and it's a similar sort of allegation-— time. and it's a similar sort of alleuation. �* ,, . ,., allegation. but you are reporting it as if it's somehow _ allegation. but you are reporting it as if it's somehow linked _ allegation. but you are reporting it as if it's somehow linked to - allegation. but you are reporting it| as if it's somehow linked to today's latest thing. it isn't. it’s as if it's somehow linked to today's latest thing. it isn't.— latest thing. it isn't. it's the same sort — latest thing. it isn't. it's the same sort of _ latest thing. it isn't. it's the same sort of allegation, - latest thing. it isn't. it's the same sort of allegation, it'sj latest thing. it isn't. it's the - same sort of allegation, it's the same sort of allegation, it's the same sort of claim.— same sort of allegation, it's the same sort of claim. this happened a lona time same sort of claim. this happened a longtime ago- _ same sort of claim. this happened a long time ago. it's _ same sort of claim. this happened a long time ago. it's a _ same sort of claim. this happened a long time ago. it's a different - long time ago. it's a different deputy chief whip now. this is not something that's happened in recent daysin something that's happened in recent days in relation to this main story that you are presenting to me. this is a historic allegation. that is not how whipping works. flipping works to try to persuade people to support the government. you are a government with. yourjob is to persuade people, tojoin the government. it is not yourjob to bully people or be counterproductive. it bully people or be counterproductive. it is a historical— counterproductive. it is a historical allegation, - counterproductive. it is a historical allegation, has | counterproductive. it is a i historical allegation, has to counterproductive. it is a - historical allegation, has to say. but it also does speak to the tactics that we perceive this. hit). tactics that we perceive this. no, it doesn't! _ tactics that we perceive this. no, it doesn't! it _ tactics that we perceive this. no, it doesn't! it doesn't? _ tactics that we perceive this. no, it doesn't! it doesn't? why - tactics that we perceive this. no, it doesn't! it doesn't? why not? | tactics that we perceive this. no, | it doesn't! it doesn't? why not? it doesn't! i spent _ it doesn't! it doesn't? why not? it doesn't! i spent four _ it doesn't! it doesn't? why not? it doesn't! i spent four years - it doesn't! it doesn't? why not? it doesn't! i spent four years in - it doesn't! it doesn't? why not? it doesn't! i spent four years in the i doesn't! i spent four years in the government's whip office. that is not the tactics they use to blackmail people are bully people. it makes it less likely that you are going to be able to persuade somebody if the merits of the government's case. the government has put a case, it's called a piece of legislation, then the job is to get your mps to support that piece of legislation, so trying to blackmail somebody or bully them is likely to be counterproductive, not helpful, so that's not how whipping works. 50 helpful, so that's not how whipping works. , ., ., helpful, so that's not how whipping works, , ., ., , ., works. so when you were a wet, you siml to works. so when you were a wet, you simply to simply _ works. so when you were a wet, you simply to simply to _ works. so when you were a wet, you simply to simply to try _ works. so when you were a wet, you simply to simply to try to _ works. so when you were a wet, you simply to simply to try to persuade i simply to simply to try to persuade mps about the merits of the government's case just at face value? government's case 'ust at face value? ~ , , government's case 'ust at face value? , , a ., , government's case 'ust at face value? ,,n �*, value? well, yes. actually, it's the law, and value? well, yes. actually, it's the law. and that _ value? well, yes. actually, it's the law, and that is _ value? well, yes. actually, it's the law, and that is the _ value? well, yes. actually, it's the law, and that is the right _ value? well, yes. actually, it's the law, and that is the right way - value? well, yes. actually, it's the law, and that is the right way to i value? well, yes. actually, it's thej law, and that is the right way to do it. there is lot in front of us, if the government has got it right, which i hope that it would have done, then the government can persuade its own mps of the merits of that piece of legislation. that is entirely right and entirely natural in the same way that opposition mps, but you had earlier, christian wait for it, the natural inclination is going to be against the governments, and it's not surprising he's attacking the conservative party. now he is a labour mp. these are all natural part of politics. pare labour mp. these are all natural part of politics-— labour mp. these are all natural part of politics. are you suggesting that he is making _ part of politics. are you suggesting that he is making it _ part of politics. are you suggesting that he is making it up? _ part of politics. are you suggesting that he is making it up? no, i'm i part of politics. are you suggesting l that he is making it up? no, i'm not sa in: that he is making it up? no, i'm not saying that- — that he is making it up? no, i'm not saying that. nobody _ that he is making it up? no, i'm not saying that. nobody else _ that he is making it up? no, i'm not saying that. nobody else has - saying that. nobody else has confirmed that account come into my knowledge, no other conservative mp has said that there has been blackmailing or bullying involved in voting for the government. you know, thatis, voting for the government. you know, that is, nobody else is saying that. what i am saying is that i'm not aware of those tactics. i don't think they happen. it would be counterproductive to do so. these issues are bubbling _ counterproductive to do so. these issues are bubbling up _ counterproductive to do so. these issues are bubbling up every i counterproductive to do so. these issues are bubbling up every day, | issues are bubbling up every day, putting a lot of pressure on boris johnson. is he going to make it through, do you think?- johnson. is he going to make it through, do you think? luck. that's what we are — through, do you think? luck. that's what we are waiting _ through, do you think? luck. that's what we are waiting for _ through, do you think? luck. that's what we are waiting for for - through, do you think? luck. that's what we are waiting for for the i what we are waiting for for the report that is due to come out. i have every confidence in the prime minister. he led us to, i am not somebody who voted for borisjohnson to be leader of the conservative party, i voted forjeremy hunt, but borisjohnson is the elected leader of this party, the elected prime minister of this country who won a very convincing majority, the biggest majority since margaret thatcher for the conservative party just two years ago, and only three months ago, we were quite far ahead in the polls. i would say, look, let's get on with delivery, let's get on with looking at the delivery we are making, probably the country most advanced coming out of cove it, the economy is doing well, recovering well, very good jobs figures, good economic growth figures, good economic growth figures, just a couple of weeks ago, a very good booster roll—out. it's a lot of things that really matter to people are going very well in the country, and that is exactly the focus we should have now is getting and supporting our prime minister as we move forward in these really important areas delivering for the people of the country.— people of the country. looking at thins people of the country. looking at thin . s as people of the country. looking at things as they — people of the country. looking at things as they stand _ people of the country. looking at things as they stand now, - people of the country. looking at things as they stand now, do i people of the country. looking at things as they stand now, do you j things as they stand now, do you think he will still be leading the party? do you think he will still be prime minister at the next election? well, yes. prime minister at the next election? well, es. ., ~ prime minister at the next election? well, es. ., ,, , ., , . well, yes. 0k. thank you very much indeed. 0k, — well, yes. 0k. thank you very much indeed. 0k, thank _ well, yes. 0k. thank you very much indeed. 0k, thank you. _ well, yes. 0k. thank you very much indeed. 0k, thank you. thank i well, yes. 0k. thank you very much indeed. 0k, thank you. thank you i indeed. 0k, thank you. thank you very much — indeed. 0k, thank you. thank you very much indeed _ indeed. ok, thank you. thank you very much indeed for— indeed. 0k, thank you. thank you very much indeed for your - indeed. 0k, thank you. thank you very much indeed for your time. i indeed. 0k, thank you. thank you j very much indeed for your time. it now to nigel nelson. he is the longest—serving political editor on a national newspaper. good afternoon to you. i don't know how much of the minister that you are able to hear they are, greg hands who spent time as a deputy chief whip and the cameron government who said that whips never use any blackmail or personal pressure, it's all about trying to convince mps on the merits of the argument. he spent a long time in westminster. is that how it works? not according to the mps i've spoken to over the years, no. i think that's a little disingenuous, the idea that a simple matter of persuading you the value of the government case, whatever it might be. i have never heard of such an overt threat that christian wait for it is talking about to actually withhold funding from a specific project. the kind of thinking that whips do, they are a sort of cross between school prefects and mi5. what they do is then enforced discipline and collect intelligence. when it comes to the disciplined side, the kind of thing which is more likely is that someone is not behaving as they want, they will say, look, you will not got ministerial office if they carry on like this, or something like office allocation, that's in the hands of the witness. so an mp who misbehaves will find themselves in a broom cupboard. it's that kind of thing. the idea of actually... cupboard. it's that kind of thing. the idea of actually. . ._ the idea of actually... literally, literall , the idea of actually... literally, literally. in _ the idea of actually... literally, literally. in a — the idea of actually... literally, literally, in a broom _ the idea of actually... literally, literally, in a broom cupboard? | literally, in a broom cupboard? well... �* , well... laughter there _ well. . . laughter there won't i well. . . laughter there won't be i well... laughter| there won't be any well... laughter - there won't be any brooms well... laughter _ there won't be any brooms in there, but it will be a small office. i but it will be a small office. i mean, it's one of those mythical roles, isn't it? being a government with. i suppose what is, what is very striking about the allegations todayis very striking about the allegations today is the idea of withholding public funds. that claim that public funds might be withheld from a constituency if they don't play ball. have you ever heard of that happening before? he. ball. have you ever heard of that happening before?— ball. have you ever heard of that happening before? no. not something secific. it's happening before? no. not something specific. it's the _ happening before? no. not something specific. it's the kind _ happening before? no. not something specific. it's the kind of _ happening before? no. not something specific. it's the kind of thing - specific. it's the kind of thing that it would be a little more subtler than that to say that the whips would point out they are helping with getting some funding for a constituency and if you don't vote the right way, we may not help you quite as much. it's more that kind of thing. i think what is startling about this is this is a specific allegation about a specific school. now if that turned out to be true, it would certainly be a breach of the ministerial code and very probably a contempt of parliament which obviously the speaker, if he had evidence for it, would step in and do something about. more generally. _ and do something about. more generally. how _ and do something about. more generally, how would - and do something about. more generally, how would you i and do something about. more generally, how would you assess boris johnson's generally, how would you assess borisjohnson's position right now? pretty shaky. i think yesterday he was thrown a bit of a lifeline by christian wait for it's crossing the house and joining labour. whatever that people are presented with treachery, it's the betrayed who tend to kind of unite, and that's what seems to happen within the tory party. they were so furious about that that's it sounds like they not exactly got behind borisjohnson but were certainly less keen on delivering the final coup de grace against him, and certainly some letters for a no—confidence vote you may have well have been withdrawn. i don't think that worked. the new mps seems to have fizzled out. most mps now, but waiting for sue grey�*s report. it will depend how damning the details of that will be whether that will be the final straw, but a lot of mps are holding back, putting in the letters of no confidence until they have seen that report. one of the reasons being thatjust because you've got 5a letters and calling for a confidence vote, it doesn't mean that you have the numbers to carry it. so those who want to see the end of borisjohnson are really counting on what number is they've got. unless the rules have changed, at the challenge fails, what would happen is that borisjohnson cannot be, can go through another vote of no—confidence for another year unless the rules are changed. there is some speculation they might even do that and reduce it to six months. what chances do you get boris johnson of still being prime minister during local elections in may, for example? i minister during local elections in may, for example?— minister during local elections in may, for example? i don't think that will happen- — may, for example? i don't think that will happen- they — may, for example? i don't think that will happen. they would _ may, for example? i don't think that will happen. they would like - may, for example? i don't think that will happen. they would like to i may, for example? i don't think that will happen. they would like to do i will happen. they would like to do is have a new leader by the time local elections come around. so i think that his chances now are certainly well below 50% of being in place by may, but the point very much is that there has got to be this last straw, the final thing, and at the moment, those mps who want to see borisjohnson note are banking on the sue grey report. if it doesn't tell you anything we arty know, it will be a strictly factual report. they will wait for the next thing to happen, and they will go for it. , ., ., thing to happen, and they will go for it. , ., ., ,, ., for it. ok, very good to talk to ou. for it. ok, very good to talk to you- thank — for it. ok, very good to talk to you- thank you _ so so much, the political editor for the sunday mirror and the sunday people. 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 facemasks in class, saying that case numbers were falling across the country. tim muffett reports. make the latest coronavirus figures have been released and show 107,364 first—time infections were recorded in the last 24 hour period. there were 330 deaths within 28 days of a positive test. the use of —— sunak ministers at stormont have agreed that the use of vaccine passports in hospitality settings will no longer be required from next wednesday. however, the system will remain in place for nightclubs, and indoor events with 500 or more people. the move is part of several relaxations to northern ireland's covid rules.(ani)from midday on friday, people will no longer be from midday on friday, people will no longer be restricted to table service and sitting in groups of six at restaurants, pubs and bars. nightclubs have also been given the green light to reopen from wednesday with dancing and indoor standing events permitted again. and more than three households will be allowed to meet inside homes from friday. emma, what has that reaction been to these changes and restrictions? this these changes and restrictions? is you can imagine so far, great relief from the hospitality industry. lots of businesses, pubs and restaurants and things always pretty annoyed ever since these vaccine passports were brought in, because they always argued it was down to us to police on the doors, that's going to be difficult. we've heard evidence of people getting abuse because they weren't allowed in and weren't complying with rules on things. it was never something that these businesses loved having to operate. that being phased out from next week is very much welcomed by the hospitality sector. although there was a call from one group hospitality to go further than pubs and restaurants, we think they should also be scrapped for nightclubs too. but that's not happening at the moment. the message from the northern ireland executive today was that relaxing restrictions around hospitality is really a reflection of how things are looking in terms of case numbers. they told us today that it was clear that we are past the peak in northern ireland in terms of case numbers and hospitalisations. that's why they are relaxing these things now. they are relaxing these things now. they are going to take another look at the relaxations come february, things like mask wearing, staying cautious on things like that for now. another message coming up today was things are going to feel a lot more normal if you are going out for a pint in future. he can go back up to the bar, be able to go back and nightclubs again when they reopened next week, but omicron is still with us. make your own decisions, take personal responsibility around sanitisation and mask wearing and things like that. we are not completely back to normal yet, but it will feel much more like it if you are going out for a drink on friday night. you are going out for a drink on friday night-— now it's time for a look at the weather. we are seeing glorious blue skies for much of the day across the country across and eastern areas, we have seen a bit more in the way of cloud just coming in off the way of cloud just coming in off the north sea. i suppose that's given us some of the nicer sunset so far this evening. this one from the kent area. overnight tonight, the showers continue to feed it down the north sea, could see an odd one in norfolk, but it's dry with starry skies. a very cold night, particularly for england and wales. temperatures plummeting to depths of the lows of —5 or —6 celsius. the freezing cold start to the day on friday, but another beautiful winter's day. it will stay on the chilly side. northwestern areas picking up a little bit more in the way of cloud, particularly for western scotland where the cloud could begin to give an odd patch of drizzle, nothing significant, mind you. it will stay dry. temperatures still around 6—7 for england and wales. a bit milderfor that for the northwest of the uk, and see it through the weekend we could see temperatures reaching double figures for a time. a lot of dry weather, a tendency probably for the weather to turn a little bit cloudier, probably with some mist and fog patches around as well through the weekend. that is your latest weather. 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 see no evidence, heard no evidence, and to support any of those allegations and what i am focused on is what we are doing to delete the number one priority which is coming through covid—19. it did is coming through covid-19. it did not sit comfortably _ is coming through covid-19. it did not sit comfortably and _ is coming through covid—19. it did not sit comfortably and that was the starting _ not sit comfortably and that was the starting to _ not sit comfortably and that was the starting to question my pace where it was— starting to question my pace where it was and — starting to question my pace where it was and ultimately to where i am now _ 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 right to be furious. it doesn't look like checkmate but what he can feed 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. an easing of restrictions in northern ireland too. from wednesday vaccine passports laws in pubs to be scrapped and no more rule of six. pope benedict xvi failed to act in for child abuse cases and a new report into child abuse in the german catholic church has found and he denied the allegations. and found off the coast of tahiti — a giant coral reef discovered in "pristine" condition sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, emma raducanu has revealed that she was advised not to play her second round match at the australian open because of large blisters on her hand. the british number one says she's learned a lot about herself after playing through the pain and taking her opponant danka kovin—ic to three sets before being knocked out. i was struggling with my hand and before the match that with some people in 19 that may be did not want me to play but i wanted to go out there and fight through it. see how far i could get. i thought it was a pretty good learning experience for me. i discovered tools about myself and my game that i did not know i had before so i can take some positives even from this match. meanwhile, andy murray was disheartened after being knocked out by japanese qualifier taro daniel. murray looked tired from his previous five set match against nikoloz basil—ash—villi, but said that losing in straight sets to daniel wasn't good enough. iam i am really disappointed and very frustrated. it's a tough loss for me, that's for sure. this is a really important year for me for a number of reasons. i want to perform well in the big events. for me and it is not good enough. making second round of psalms is not something i find 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. (gfx) however they are up against it, with ivory coast leading 2—0. the group stage concludes with tunisia still in with a chance of making it three teams through from group f. thomas partey�*s ghana side were knocked out the africa cup of nations, which means he could be welcomed back by his club arsenal. they host the second leg of the league cup semi final later against liverpool. the first leg ended in a goalless draw at anfield, we'll hear from assistant manager pep ljinders in a moment, but first the arsenal manager, mikel arteta says they're here to win trophies. we have the players that we have hands again whether we pay 90 or penalty on the repairs that have the belief that we can we became and pay the importance of that game. this is why we are here at, to reach success. and bring joy to our people and keep them doing historically what is club has always done. lantigen what is club has always done. when we start the — what is club has always done. when we start the season _ what is club has always done. when we start the season we _ what is club has always done. when we start the season we only - we start the season we only speak about _ we start the season we only speak about how — we start the season we only speak about how we want to create memories and we _ about how we want to create memories and we want _ about how we want to create memories and we want to create memories with our friends _ and we want to create memories with our friends and we want to create special games. i really look forward from the _ special games. i really look forward from the final whistle at anfield because — from the final whistle at anfield because everybody was writing us off and everyone was speaking about us and we _ and everyone was speaking about us and we could not wait to go there and we could not wait to go there and how i— and we could not wait to go there and how i said before to create hopefully— and how i said before to create hopefully to create a special thing for us _ meanwhile the draw for the semi finals 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 second and third of february. scottjamieson leads the abu dhabi championship after an impressive first day. 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 scrums are to return at all levels of rugby league next season. the queen has said she is "shocked and saddened" by the destruction in tonga caused by the eruption of an undersea volcano and tsunami at the weekend. more pictures have emerged of the devastation and the first aid planes have landed with urgently—needed drinking water, food and medicines. rupert wingfield—hayes reports if many buildings destroyed. income a plus �*s capital there is a lot of volcanic ash and the buildings are intact and the clean—up has begun. telephone services are too and that means for tongue that is living abroad now than raising rates for me over. ma; abroad now than raising rates for me over. 3 ., abroad now than raising rates for me over. g ., ., ., j over. my dad told me that they're fine, no over. my dad told me that they're fine. no -- _ over. my dad told me that they're fine. no -- no _ over. my dad told me that they're fine, no -- no major— over. my dad told me that they're fine, no -- no major damage i over. my dad told me that they're fine, no -- no major damage is. over. my dad told me that they're| fine, no -- no major damage is to fine, no —— no major damage is to our homes. that fine, no -- no ma'or damage is to homes.— our homes. at the moment i have heard from _ our homes. at the moment i have heard from family _ our homes. at the moment i have heard from family out _ our homes. at the moment i have heard from family out there i our homes. at the moment i have heard from family out there and i our homes. at the moment i have i heard from family out there and they are doing _ heard from family out there and they are doing 0k. heard from family out there and they are doing ok. so heard from family out there and they are doing 0k. sol heard from family out there and they are doing ok. so i have not heard from _ are doing ok. so i have not heard from his— are doing ok. so i have not heard from his my— are doing ok. so i have not heard from his my father, i am sure he's out there — from his my father, i am sure he's out there working and doing what he does _ out there working and doing what he does. tate— out there working and doing what he does. ~ ., out there working and doing what he does. ~ . ., ., ., does. we have learned of a remarkable _ does. we have learned of a remarkable survival i does. we have learned of a remarkable survival story. | does. we have learned of a i remarkable survival story. this meant that he was swept off the small island by the tsunami and was in the water from more than 24 hours before making it to land. help is now arriving. australian and new zealand aircraft loaded with drinking water and emergency supplies blended in tongue that is afternoon. depending if there was there to watch them and that the danger of covid—19 means aircrews were forced to stay on board. tonga'uiha's government has decided that until covid—19 is over the islanders would have to deal with the aftermath of this disaster by themselves. 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 percent 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 straightaway. 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. 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 with 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 you at home unless you are in pain. we just couldn't i find an nhs dentist. this was in rotherham, i 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 this dentist, 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. 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. images appear to show the extent of russia's military build up. around 100,000 troops at the moment. american officials say many more could be added at short notice. last niuht could be added at short notice. last ni . ht at could be added at short notice. last night at the — could be added at short notice. last night at the white house president biden seem to have reached his own cream conclusion. i biden seem to have reached his own cream conclusion.— biden seem to have reached his own cream conclusion. i am not sure sure he has a certain _ cream conclusion. i am not sure sure he has a certain of— cream conclusion. i am not sure sure he has a certain of what _ cream conclusion. i am not sure sure he has a certain of what he's - cream conclusion. i am not sure sure he has a certain of what he's going i he has a certain of what he's going to do. i guess he will move in. he has to do something. i think he still does not want any full—blown war. i think he will test the west and test the united states and nato? as significantly as he can come asap and e—mail. as significantly as he can come asap and e-mail-— and e-mail. russia insists it has no lans to and e-mail. russia insists it has no plans to invade. _ and e-mail. russia insists it has no plans to invade. my _ and e-mail. russia insists it has no plans to invade. my of _ and e-mail. russia insists it has no plans to invade. my of provoking i and e-mail. russia insists it has no | plans to invade. my of provoking the crisis. in eastern ukraine where pro—russian separatists have been in charge since 2014, a sense that conflict is looming. russian done thus the sign proclaims, the less there is moscow may try to expand its influence pushing beyond the areas already in bible control. the scars of this present conflict are everywhere. 72—year—old lives close to the front lines. in a world ravaged by years of shelling and sniping. it's a miracle we stayed alive she says. he could have that many times. she is pro—russian and fear is a full—scale war. but is that really eminent? ukraine's president addressing the nation last night did not appear to think —— think so. night did not appear to think -- think so. ~ ., night did not appear to think -- think so. ~ . .. , , night did not appear to think -- think so. . . .. , , think so. what exactly is the news? hasnt think so. what exactly is the news? hasn't this been _ think so. what exactly is the news? hasn't this been a _ think so. what exactly is the news? hasn't this been a reality _ think so. what exactly is the news? hasn't this been a reality for- think so. what exactly is the news? hasn't this been a reality for eight l hasn't this been a reality for eight years now? didn't the invasion started in 2014. has the effect of water our own arisen. these risks have been around for a long time and they are not getting bigger now. for months the list has been them mesmerized by the sight of russia's ominous build up as the troops and armour assembled the question remains, what exactly does vladimir putin intend to do? us secretary of state anthony bank and has been whining that russia is continuing to escalate the threat against ukraine and accused it of taking aim at the international principles of peace and security. to principles of peace and security. trr allow us to violate those principles with impunity, it would drag us all back to a much more dangerous and unstable time. when this continent and the city were divided into two and the city were divided into two and separated by no man's land and patrolled by soldiers with the threat of all—out wire hanging over everyone's head. it would send a message to others around the world that these principles are expendable and that also would have catastrophic results. that's why the united states has been so focused on what's happening in the ukraine and it's bigger than a conflict between two countries and it's bigger than russia and nato. it's a crisis with global consequences. and it requires global consequences. and it requires global attention and action. some news coming _ global attention and action. some news coming in _ global attention and action. some news coming in from _ global attention and action. some news coming in from washington. the congressional inquiry into that affect of the us capital last january is seeking the cooperation of president trump's daughter and white house aide as she was damned if uncle trump in atlanta they say they are seeking her voluntary cooperation as part of their ongoing inquiry. this inquiry is a congressional inquiry held by select committee of the us house of representatives and it started last summer and they say they will limit their questions and issues related to events surrounding that day. january the 6th including activities leading up to influencing hip and her alone in the white house at the time and the planet has noted that presence in the oval office during key conversations leading up to january the 6th and observed a conversation between president and vice president mike pence on the sixth. reuters is reporting that representatives could not immediately be reached to comment on the committee's request. that is one to watch. 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 char buck and derbyshire and that arrest is made in the early hours of this morning. this follows the investigation that was launched on saturday morning and that's when her body was discovered and kenneth walker who was also discovered with her, her 88—year—old husband who is getting a critical condition in hospital it was the launch of this investigation and the man who has been arrested has been arrested on suspicion of murder and of attempted murder. as you can see it is a lot of police activity going on here even five days after the incident was first discovered and today we heard an update on the progress of that investigation including using the arrest from the assistant chief constable of derbyshire police. i assistant chief constable of derbyshire police.— assistant chief constable of derbyshire police. i would like to sa thank derbyshire police. i would like to say thank you — derbyshire police. i would like to say thank you to _ derbyshire police. i would like to say thank you to everyone i derbyshire police. i would like to say thank you to everyone that i say thank you to everyone that helped us so far and also ask if anybody who was in this area on the street and between half past four and friday the 14th of january and 9am on saturday the 15th of january to please come forward as he would like to speak to you because yes we've made an arrest and of course the investigation carries on. so we're always looking to add to the information we've got. this we're always looking to add to the information we've got.— 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 and the district council and they were heavily involved in lots of local charities and their welfare association and on this occasion i can hear this people are coming along to the flowers and a lot of those are people who either worked for them or work alongside them when you them through their charity work. it's fair to say this is one of those cases that's really had an effect on a close knit community especially as it so many people well—known and the pictures show them in their formal attire and attending many of the events that they attended over the years. a boy from ceredigion has described how he managed to grab the steering wheel of his mother's car and guide it to safety on the hard shoulder — after she passed out while driving on the m4 near swansea. hari and his friend dylan managed to bring the car to a stop and call for help on a journey from a training session at the swans football academy. wales today's aled scourfield has their story. hari and dylan back on the pitch, doing what they love most, after a terrifying experience on the m4 motorway, which could have turned to tragedy. they both make the journey from west wales to the swansea city academy up to five times a week. two weeks ago, they were on their way back to ceredigion when hari's mum, who was driving, was taken ill at the wheel. so, we were on the motorway, and me and dylan were on the phone, i was in the passenger seat and dylan was in the back. and my mum just all of a sudden passed out. so, i took over the steering wheel, and i put it on the hard shoulder, and we drove about a mile down the m4, and then dylan told me to put the hazard lights on, and when we were coming to a stop, dylan said put the handbrake on, and then when we got out the car, i tried to flag someone down, and dylan called my dad. hari shouted my name and, yeah, you could just hear the vomiting sound... yeah, it must have been really frightening. yeah. did you notice the car veering across the road? yeah. hari grabbed it really quickly, to be fair to him. we were by a junction... we were going up to the junction, but he pulled back because then he got to the hard shoulder. we were driving on there for a bit, and then we had to go back onto the road, and then be got onto the junction, and then i told him to put the handbrake up, and then we stopped. the incident happened nearjunction 47 of the m4, between swansea and hendy. hari and dylan's school are understandably proud of their quick thinking. they have shown great resilience, responsibility, and managed to take hold of a situation which could have been a big emergency. so, we're very proud, and they have been very modest in their response. and as a school, you know, we are very proud of them. they are stars on the football field, and certainly they are heroes in this situation. hari's mother has recovered from her ordeal, and the pair say it hasn't put them off making the journey down m4 and pursuing their career in football with the swans. the club has paid tribute to the two young footballers, 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. 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 is really crazy. i have not protested. cunningham was basically mtr is just trying to imagine and being here after five mtr is just trying to imagine and being here afterfive months mtr is just trying to imagine and being here after five months and even describe it was not easy so i am very happy. i have been waiting for my shop nearby and have been waiting five months to get there. it's cold but the sun shined where you are today hopefully make the most of it. more crowded across the uk with glorious weather watch her pictures today and the sunshine masking how chilly it is out there. high—pressure moving in with a lot of settled letter to come over the next few days with rain at times in the north of scotland with high—pressure moving in. we are losing the cold wind and showers heading north coast with areas today and that easing into tonight. for northern ireland and reston scotland the crowd increasing across here tonight but elsewhere clear skies and hard frost for cleaning. central and hard frost for cleaning. central and southern parts of england down to —6 and southern parts of england down to -6 -5 and southern parts of england down to —6 —5 in the cardiff area as tomorrow begins. cold and frosty but sunny. plenty of sunshine continuing across southern and eastern england in eastern scotland through the day. west end scotland with some cloud and crowd increasing through northwest england and wales and into the west midlands as the day goes on. after the cold start it will feel cold but not as cold without that wind along the north sea coast. crowd continues to feed and with a bit of rain in northwest scotland as we go friday night and saturday morning limiting the extent and severity of frost and they will still be some across central and southern and eastern parts of england in particular. we know it's cold now and his hint of blue temperatures are below average for the time of year and at the moment as i run this through the weekend you will notice particularly in scotland temperatures are going to be heading higher and above average the further north you are toward southern areas of the uk you will notice too much change here and closer to the centre of life high—pressure with some fog and about in this area of high pressure particularly for scotland with less cold air moving in a mild air moving in witha cold air moving in a mild air moving in with a strong breeze and outbreaks of rain at times to ice the north and northwest of scotland and mark cloud to be found elsewhere within a few sunny spells here and there whereas temperatures aren't changing very much across eastern parts of england where in double figures in northern scotland where they will stay on sunday with outbreaks of rain around with a lot of cloud. at six — back to the office and no masks in classrooms, as england's covid measures ease. it's the first stage of the government's move to drop plan b measures completely at the end of next week. but with daily infections still running high, there's concern it'll put the nhs under even more pressure. also on the programme tonight... the prime minister says he has no evidence of black —— black male in his party. i see no evidence, heard no evidence to support any of those allegations. military drills for ukraine's soliders as the united states warns russia of grave consequences if any of its troops massed on the border cross into ukraine. the aftermath of the tsunami that hit tonga — aid planes finally arrive in the south pacific bringing much needed supplies. and how blisters put pay to britain's emma radacanu's hopes at the australian open.