the cabinet office inquiry into lockdown parties at downing street could be published as early as this afternoon, with several mps saying they will then decide whether to submit votes of no confidence in the prime minister's leadership. foreign office emails leaked by a whistle—blower appear to show the prime minister did approve the evacuation of animals from afghanistan in august. mrjohnson denied this at the time. i'll be bringing you all the latest developments as they happen. and i'm martine croxall with the rest of the day's stories. one of the uk's biggest covid studies reveals two—thirds of people recently infected with omicron say they have had the virus before. pcr tests of about 100,000 volunteers in the react study also showed that one in 23 people had covid in the first three weeks of january. as russia maintains its huge military presence on its borders with ukraine, talks take place in paris to try to defuse tensions. i'm ben brown live in downing street. the prime minister, borisjohnson, has told mps he would not comment on an imminent report into lockdown parties in government during a raucous prime minister's questions in the commons this lunchtime. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, said the conservatives had done immense damage to public trust and called again on mr johnson to resign. the official report by the senior civil servant sue gray is now complete, although it hasn't yet been handed to number ten. it is expected to be released soon, although it's not clear whether it will be published in full. the metropolitan police have also announced their own investigation into potential government breaches of the law, heaping yet more pressure on the prime minister. here's our political correspondentjonathan blake. westminster is waiting. the prime minister left downing street this morning with his fate hanging in the balance. expectations could not be higher as he arrived at the house of commons to face prime minister's questions. but for now, the questions and the answers sounded like more of the same. the ministerial code says that ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to him? prime minister. mr speaker, of course — but let me tell the house i think he's inviting a question about an investigation which, as you know, mr speaker, i can't comment. borisjohnson was challenged to make public the results of the inquiry into events that may have broken covid rules. can the prime minister confirm he will publish the full sue gray report as he receives it? mr speaker, i can tell him that we have got to leave that to the independent investigators, as he knows, and then of course, when i receive it, of course i will do exactly what i said. labour trying to paint a picture of a prime minister on borrowed time. whatever he says in his statement later today or tomorrow won't change the facts — this is a prime minister and a government that have shown nothing but contempt for the decency, honesty and respect that define this country. borisjohnson was defiant, sounding intent on staying put. we have taken the tough decisions. we have got the big calls right, and i am getting on with the job. after the first accusations emerged of a christmas party during the first covid lockdown, the denialfrom borisjohnson was firm. what i can tell the right honourable gentleman is that all guidance was followed completely during numberten. from then on, it emerged that in may 2020 around 100 staff were invited to drinks in the downing street garden. the prime minister said he thought was a work event. the following month, staff gathered in the cabinet room of number ten to celebrate boris johnson's birthday with cake and picnic food when social gatherings were banned, and in april last year, the night before the queen sat alone at prince philip's funeral, two leaving parties were held at number ten. the prime minister's senior adviser turned fierce critic dominic cummings has given his account in writing to the sue gray inquiry. for those still working in number ten, the scrutiny has been intense. the consequence is uncertain. the wait won't last much longer, for what's been promised as a definitive version of events. jonathan blake, bbc news. we are still not sure when we are going to see the report by sue gray, because we understand it has not been handed into number ten downing street. once it is, it is going to take a bit of time for the prime minister to absorb, digest it, and for his officials, and for it than to be released, is aware that we are going to get it this afternoon or tonight, or maybe tomorrow, we are still not sure. perhaps our political correspondent nick eardley, who is at westminster, can shed some light on that, although i doubt it! i wish i could tell you the time it is coming but we just don't know. we have had a briefing from downing street in the last hour, where they have said they don't have the full thing yet. they do want to publish it swiftly after getting it, but we don't know when that will be, and there is also a timetabling question of when the prime minister would then appear before mps to give his version of events and face what i suspect would be some quite tough questions on the contents of that report. so we are still waiting. there has been that question over exactly what we will see when the government decides to publish it. the latest from number ten is that they do expect to publish the report as it is received, that is important, because there had been some talk about potentially only getting a summary or potentially some parts being redacted. the latest from number ten, as i say, is that they will publish the full thing, as long as it doesn't in any way cover the issues being looked at by the metropolitan police, or interfere with their investigations, thatis interfere with their investigations, that is perhaps a better way of putting it. we are expecting to get it later today or tomorrow. exactly when is not clear, but that is a really big moment, because there are many conservative mps, we have been chatting to them over the last few days, were waiting to see that before they decide what they are going to say about borisjohnson�*s future. and what did you make of prime minister's questions? if we had had the sue gray report before prime minister's questions, it could have been a really explosive session, but it's perhaps fell a little bit flat. i think that's right, you know, we've seen borisjohnson almost go through different stages of performance over the last few weeks. we have seen him quite downhearted, we have seen in buoyant, i think it was probably somewhere in the middle today, quite clearly wanting to rally the troops, and the message you hearfrom people close rally the troops, and the message you hear from people close to the prime minister is they think that he is being successful in winning some of them over, persuading them that the governmentjust needs to move on from this and get on to what they see as bigger issues. but, look, the pressure is still absolutely there, it is coming from opposition parties, who are still furious about what has gone on, he was still saying that the prime minister needs to resign. it is also coming from some of his mps who are staying silent. often in politics, ben, certainly in this parliament, people who will not tell you what they think are the ones who arouse the most suspicion. there are many conservative mps who, as i say, are holding their counsel, waiting to see what comes out, and although borisjohnson might think that he has got many of his own side backing him, he certainly can't be sure that it is enough to avoid a potential confidence vote in the next few days. confidence vote in the next few da s. . ~ confidence vote in the next few da s. ., , confidence vote in the next few da 5. . , . ~' confidence vote in the next few da s. . , . ~ confidence vote in the next few da 5. . , . , days. nick eardley, thank you very much indeed. _ days. nick eardley, thank you very much indeed, nick _ days. nick eardley, thank you very much indeed, nick eardley, - days. nick eardley, thank you very much indeed, nick eardley, our i much indeed, nick eardley, our political correspondent. i want to stay with you, actually and just ask you about something else, because if borisjohnson has a headache about sue gray and her report, he may also have a headache about events in afghanistan. whistle—blower e—mails are railing further questions about boris johnson's are railing further questions about borisjohnson�*s insistence that he did not personally help with the evacuation of animals from kabul, the accusation effectively being that animals were prioritised other people. to be evacuated from kabul, according to written evidence produced by a former foreign office official. the charity, run by pen farthing, appealed for help as the taliban seized control of the afghan capital last year. the foreign office document, seen by mps investigating the evacuation, says the prime minister intervened to rescue the cats and dogs. mrjohnson has previously dismissed claims that he prioritised animals during the operation as nonsense. well, back to nick eardley, what do you make of all of this? because this has perhaps come a bit out of the blue, really, but on top of all his woes over the alleged parties and gatherings in downing street, he is now facing more questions about afghanistan and that evacuation. water pressure over answers to difficult questions that he has been asked byjournalists and politicians in the past. the story has been running for a while, cast your mind back to august last year, there was huge controversy over the decision to airlift about 150 animals out of kabul airport, when many people were still struggling to escape the taliban. at the time, there were accusations that borisjohnson had personally authorised that decision. that was denied by the prime minister, have a listen to what he said late last year. the foreign affairs select committee has heard _ the foreign affairs select committee has heard from — the foreign affairs select committee has heard from an _ the foreign affairs select committee has heard from an official— the foreign affairs select committee has heard from an official who - the foreign affairs select committee has heard from an official who says . has heard from an official who says the response — has heard from an official who says the response to _ has heard from an official who says the response to the _ has heard from an official who says the response to the situation - has heard from an official who says the response to the situation in - the response to the situation in kabul_ the response to the situation in kabul was — the response to the situation in kabul was chaotic— the response to the situation in kabul was chaotic and - the response to the situation in kabul was chaotic and has - the response to the situation in - kabul was chaotic and has suggested that you _ kabul was chaotic and has suggested that you yourself _ kabul was chaotic and has suggested that you yourself intervened - kabul was chaotic and has suggested that you yourself intervened to - kabul was chaotic and has suggested that you yourself intervened to try i that you yourself intervened to try and get _ that you yourself intervened to try and get the — that you yourself intervened to try and get the nowzad _ that you yourself intervened to try and get the nowzad animals- that you yourself intervened to try and get the nowzad animals out, i that you yourself intervened to try i and get the nowzad animals out, and they got— and get the nowzad animals out, and they got priority _ and get the nowzad animals out, and they got priority over— and get the nowzad animals out, and they got priority over some _ and get the nowzad animals out, and they got priority over some afghan i they got priority over some afghan people _ they got priority over some afghan people did — they got priority over some afghan people. did you _ they got priority over some afghan people. did you intervene - they got priority over some afghan people. did you intervene in- they got priority over some afghan people. did you intervene in that l people. did you intervene in that way? _ people. did you intervene in that wa ? ., . , people. did you intervene in that wa? ., . , people. did you intervene in that wa? , way? no, that is complete nonsense. what i can way? no, that is complete nonsense. what i can tell _ way? no, that is complete nonsense. what i can tell you _ way? no, that is complete nonsense. what i can tell you is _ way? no, that is complete nonsense. what i can tell you is that _ way? no, that is complete nonsense. what i can tell you is that the - what i can tell you is that the operation, 0p pitting, to airlift 15,000 — operation, 0p pitting, to airlift 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that— 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that we did over the summer was one of— way that we did over the summer was one of the _ way that we did over the summer was one of the outstanding military achievements of the last 50 years or more _ so that was the prime minister speaking a few weeks ago. what we have today is some e—mails that have been published by a parliamentary committee, sent in by a whistle—blower, that show lord goldsmith, who was a friend of the prime minister's wife, a foreign office minister, an official in his department, talking about the prime minister authorising the decision to evacuate the animals and the staff from pen farthing's charity in august 2020. so, look, more questions that borisjohnson will be asked over the next few days. let's chat some of this work with the labour party, i have got louise haigh here, the shadow transport secretary, thanks for coming along. let me firstly ask you about these e—mails we have seen in the last couple of hours. borisjohnson said last year that he didn't intervene to secure the evacuation of these animals. do you believe him? i to secure the evacuation of these animals. do you believe him? i think it is genuinely _ animals. do you believe him? i think it is genuinely shocking. _ animals. do you believe him? i think it is genuinely shocking. i _ animals. do you believe him? i think it is genuinely shocking. i have i it is genuinely shocking. i have constituents who still have family in afghanistan in peril. we left behind, — in afghanistan in peril. we left behind, when we finished that evacuation, people who had helped british— evacuation, people who had helped british forces against the taliban, and yet _ british forces against the taliban, and yet the prime minister, according to these e—mails, overrode the defence — according to these e—mails, overrode the defence secretary of the day and authorised _ the defence secretary of the day and authorised evacuation of dogs. that is utterly— authorised evacuation of dogs. that is utterly shameful, and every day we are _ is utterly shameful, and every day we are seeing more evidence that the man is— we are seeing more evidence that the man is not— we are seeing more evidence that the man is not a — we are seeing more evidence that the man is not a leader, he a liar. we have had man is not a leader, he a liar. - have had numerous denials from the government that the prime minister was involved in this. should we not take them at face value? i was involved in this. should we not take them at face value?— was involved in this. should we not take them at face value? i think we have not take them at face value? i think we have got it — take them at face value? i think we have got it in _ take them at face value? i think we have got it in black— take them at face value? i think we have got it in black and _ take them at face value? i think we have got it in black and white i have got it in black and white today, — have got it in black and white today, these e—mails prove that this official— today, these e—mails prove that this official at— today, these e—mails prove that this official at the very least believe that the — official at the very least believe that the prime minister was personally authorising the evacuation of dogs over british nationals _ evacuation of dogs over british nationals. let evacuation of dogs over british nationals. . ,~' , ., evacuation of dogs over british nationals. . . nationals. let me ask you about the broader picture _ nationals. let me ask you about the broader picture in _ nationals. let me ask you about the broader picture in westminster i nationals. let me ask you about the j broader picture in westminster here today, as we wait for the sue gray report. numberten today, as we wait for the sue gray report. number ten has said within the last hour that it does intend to publish the full document that it receives, as long as it doesn't interfere with that metropolitan police investigation. what specifically are you going to be looking out for? you have already made up your mind that borisjohnson has not told the truth, what do you think could be in this? it is think could be in this? it is important _ think could be in this? it is important that _ think could be in this? it is important that the - think could be in this? it is important that the public know all the facts — important that the public know all the facts and that the inquiry is published in full, but i don't think your inquiry will tell us anything that we — your inquiry will tell us anything that we do not already know. the public _ that we do not already know. the public already say that the prime minister— public already say that the prime minister set the rules, he asked the public— minister set the rules, he asked the public to— minister set the rules, he asked the public to follow them, and he flagrantly and repeatedly flouted them, _ flagrantly and repeatedly flouted them, lying to cover it up, and that is what _ them, lying to cover it up, and that is what the — them, lying to cover it up, and that is what the vast majority of the public — is what the vast majority of the public believe, that now is the time to resign _ public believe, that now is the time to resign. the public believe, that now is the time to resin. . . to resign. the defence we heard about 20 minutes _ to resign. the defence we heard about 20 minutes ago _ to resign. the defence we heard about 20 minutes ago on - to resign. the defence we heard about 20 minutes ago on bbc i to resign. the defence we heard i about 20 minutes ago on bbc news from one of his allies was that these were people that were working together anyway, when he was in the cabinet room, these were people he would have been saying all day. is there not a reasonable excuse that if they are already in the office, stopping for a drink to say happy birthday to the prime minister could be within the rules? the birthday to the prime minister could be within the rules?— be within the rules? the defences are becoming _ be within the rules? the defences are becoming increasingly- be within the rules? the defences i are becoming increasingly desperate, and clearly— are becoming increasingly desperate, and clearly sue gray believe there was sufficient evidence that the metropolitan police needed to conduct — metropolitan police needed to conduct a criminal investigation, and that— conduct a criminal investigation, and that is— conduct a criminal investigation, and that is truly shocking, that our prime _ and that is truly shocking, that our prime minister is currently under criminal— prime minister is currently under criminal investigation. every day that this — criminal investigation. every day that this continues and his tory mps are dragged out to defend the indefensible, it drags the rest of the cabinet and the entire tory party— the cabinet and the entire tory party into— the cabinet and the entire tory party into the gutter with him. the prime party into the gutter with him. tie: prime minister party into the gutter with him. t'te: prime minister was party into the gutter with him. tte: prime minister was pretty clear at pmqs that he has no intention of going anywhere. if conservative mps don't act and do not bring him down after this report, what do you do? well, the fact is that it is in the power— well, the fact is that it is in the power of— well, the fact is that it is in the power of tory mps, they are the ones hoiding _ power of tory mps, they are the ones holding him _ power of tory mps, they are the ones holding him there at the moment, but they will— holding him there at the moment, but they will each have to ask themselves whether he is truly fit for office — themselves whether he is truly fit for office. it is quite clear he has misled _ for office. it is quite clear he has misled the — for office. it is quite clear he has misled the house of commons, lied to the british— misled the house of commons, lied to the british people, and therefore the british people, and therefore the ministerial code says that he should _ the ministerial code says that he should resign. anyone that is going out to— should resign. anyone that is going out to defend him in that instance reaiiy _ out to defend him in that instance really is _ out to defend him in that instance really is debasing the office of the prime _ really is debasing the office of the prime minister themselves even further — prime minister themselves even further i— prime minister themselves even further. ., , , . ., prime minister themselves even further. . ,, . . further. i appreciate it, if you hear about— further. i appreciate it, if you hear about when _ further. i appreciate it, if you hear about when that - further. i appreciate it, if you hear about when that report. further. i appreciate it, if you | hear about when that report is coming, come and tell us! no gossip in the tea rooms? t coming, come and tell us! no gossip in the tea rooms?— in the tea rooms? i will go and do some digging _ in the tea rooms? i will go and do some digging and _ in the tea rooms? i will go and do some digging and report - in the tea rooms? i will go and do some digging and report back! i in the tea rooms? i will go and do l some digging and report back! ben, that is the view _ some digging and report back! ben, that is the view of _ some digging and report back! ben, that is the view of the _ some digging and report back! exam, that is the view of the labour party, as you heard, louise haigh are there, accusing the prime minister of being a liar. number ten say wait for the report, wait to see what sue gray comes up with. we should say that in the next day or so. exactly when is not completely certain, but as soon as we get information, we will tell you. t do information, we will tell you. i do admire your _ information, we will tell you. i do admire your persistence in asking every guest that you interview to tip you off when they hear about the sue gray report! i'm not sure you will make much progress there, we are still waiting. in the meantime, let's talk to a professor of politics at queen mary university in london. thank you very much for being with us, how powerless do you think the prime minister's position is right now as we await this report? —— perilous. this is right now as we await this report? -- perilous. as most would acknowledge. _ report? -- perilous. as most would acknowledge, he _ report? -- perilous. as most would acknowledge, he is _ report? -- perilous. as most would acknowledge, he is in _ report? -- perilous. as most would acknowledge, he is in a _ report? -- perilous. as most would acknowledge, he is in a great i report? -- perilous. as most would acknowledge, he is in a great deal. acknowledge, he is in a great deal of trouble, he has, it appears, misled the house. we have yet to finally been able to conclude that, but he would appear to be under some kind of interview by the police under caution, which would be pretty extraordinary. so i think, you know, despite the fact that conservative mps made a very good show of support for him at pmqs today, they must still be wondering whether he can carry on, whether he is the person to lead them into the next election. i mean, when you say he misled the house, that would be a breach of the ministerial code, but, you know, is it clear? we don't know the sue gray report yet, but assuming she gives details of the various gatherings and parties that there were, he said in the house that at the time he was assured that all guidance had been followed. do you think that would constitute, then, misleading the house? t constitute, then, misleading the house? ~' ., , house? i think it would. there is alread a house? i think it would. there is already a question _ house? i think it would. there is already a question as _ house? i think it would. there is already a question as to - house? i think it would. there is | already a question as to whether, house? i think it would. there is i already a question as to whether, by denying first of all that any parties took place and that no guidelines were broken, that he has done so, whether or not the reporter says so in black and white. i think if you look at public opinion anyway. but obviously, you know, to make a ruling that he has misled the house would be rather more technical than what seems obvious to the public, so i think the sue gray report is important in that respect, but i don't think it will necessarily save him from the verdict of the public, which at the moment is pretty clear. i think anyone hoping that the sue gray report will make the public believe that none of this happened or none of it mattered is probably labouring under an illusion. what of it mattered is probably labouring under an illusion.— of it mattered is probably labouring under an illusion. what do you think will be going — under an illusion. what do you think will be going through _ under an illusion. what do you think will be going through the _ under an illusion. what do you think will be going through the minds i under an illusion. what do you think will be going through the minds of l will be going through the minds of tory mps? once they see the report, they have to decide, those of them who are not sure about boris johnson's leadership, whether they want to submit letters of no confidence in him to the 1922 committee. do you think, at this stage, they want to get rid of him, frankly, and try their luck with a new leader? orwill they frankly, and try their luck with a new leader? or will they sit tight? well, they have got to be looking at the opinion polls, which show that his writings for trustworthiness, for honesty are very poor. they want great to start with, it has to be said. the public seems to have made up said. the public seems to have made up their minds about him. now, of course, the public sometimes changes its mind, but i think we are getting into the territory where, if you like, the impressions of boris johnson now are baked in, and there won't be very much he can do about it. of course, he is the ultimate teflon houdini, he has got out of these scrapes before, he has got a great record in terms of winning elections, both as mayor of london and prime minister, but i have to set that against polling evidence on his personal ratings and the effect he seems to be having on the tory brand and on the conservative party's ratings more generally. and thatis party's ratings more generally. and that is the problem for them now. if it was just a boris johnson problem, it was just a borisjohnson problem, he might survive in some ways, ironically. but it is a conservative party problem now, and most mps will be thinking, is he the kind of leader who will be helping them hold onto their seats at the next election? right now, i think they have to be doubting whether that is the case. �* ., have to be doubting whether that is the case. . . . ,., ., the case. and what about from labour's point _ the case. and what about from labour's point of _ the case. and what about from labour's point of view? - the case. and what about from labour's point of view? do i the case. and what about from labour's point of view? do youj labour's point of view? do you think, in some senses, labour would privately prefer borisjohnson as a kind of wounded prime minister, a wounded leader, to stay in office? for them, wounded leader, to stay in office? forthem, he wounded leader, to stay in office? for them, he is an easier target than, for example, a new leader like rishi sunak or liz truss. t than, for example, a new leader like rishi sunak or liz truss.— rishi sunak or liz truss. i think that is being — rishi sunak or liz truss. i think that is being too _ rishi sunak or liz truss. i think that is being too clever, - rishi sunak or liz truss. i think that is being too clever, to i rishi sunak or liz truss. i think that is being too clever, to be i that is being too clever, to be honest, i think most labour mps think the prime minister has misled the house and therefore he should resign on those grounds. politically, i think it is a moot point, really. iam not so politically, i think it is a moot point, really. i am not so sure that borisjohnson kept in place is necessarily a good thing for the labour party. it may well be that a new leader comes in who is, in fact, not as popular as first team, and rishi sunak is the obvious example, and it gives labour a much longer time, if you like, to get the measure of whoever replaces boris johnson, if that happens, before the next election. so i think, you know, one has to very, very cautious about attributing that kind of machiavellian level of politics for the labour party. i think theyjust want to see borisjohnson gone, and they will cope with whoever replaces him, if he is replaced, of course. thank you very much for your analysis. we are still waiting for the sue gray report, and it is really a day of double trouble, if you like, for the prime minister, not only that report expected imminently on the alleged parties in downing street, but also now leaked e—mails released which appear to contradict borisjohnson's claim contradict boris johnson's claim that contradict borisjohnson's claim that he did not intervene to authorise the evacuation of around 150 stray dogs and cats from afghanistan. that is the very latest from here outside number ten downing street, i will hand you back to martin in the studio. two—thirds of people recently infected with the omicron variant of coronavirus say they've had covid before, according to research. the findings come from the react—1 study which also found that earlier this month, one in 23 people in england would have tested positive — that's the highest rate ever recorded. here's our health correspondent, anna collinson. unprecedented amounts of covid, that's a scientist behind one of england's largest infection studies have described the start of 2022. with the delta variant all but wiped out by the more transmissible omicron. the react study collected more than 100,000 swabs from volunteers during the first weeks in january. its findings suggest around one in 23 people in england would have tested positive for covid, the highest rate ever recorded. researchers also found around two in three people, 65%, who had recently been infected with covid had also reported a past infection. further work is needed to understand how many of these cases were true reinfections, but it's thought certain groups like key workers and parents are more at risk. they are more likely to be the types of people who are meeting other people and who might get infected. for example, people who live in large households are coming into contact with more people at home, and certainly we see the people from large households do have a higher infection rate. while adult infection rates have been falling, having pupils back in the classroom after the christmas break may explain the rise amongst children. prevalence in the north east is said to be particularly high. the situation in school at the moment is a nightmare. we've got more staff testing positive every week, and i'm dreading tonight because we test twice a week, and i'm expecting more staff to go down with it tonight. we've got children off across the school, i think in the high 20s now, of children who've tested positive, but on top of that, we've got staff whose children are testing positive so they are trying to juggle childcare with their partners. it's very difficult. high levels of covid among children can then be passed on to adults including the hundreds of thousands of people who are at higher risk of serious illness. it's thought that what happened to tom, who has primal immunodeficiency and required hospital treatment after catching covid despite isolating. plan b measures are being dropped in england from tomorrow, but health advice for people like tom remains. while he understands people need for normality, he's anxious. i think it's a massive step, and i think arguably things could be slowed down to protect people like myself where a vaccine hasn't given us a response. so from tomorrow, face coverings will not be compulsory, what would be your message to people watching about whether they should wear them or not? putting a mask on may restrict you for the one minute you are in the shop, two minutes you do your grocery shopping, but actually, it will make the individual feel better, it will allow them to live more than normal life, and will definitely reduce their anxieties are just awareness of others would be amazing. anna collinson, bbc news. proof of covid—19 status to enter bars, restaurants and cinemas has been scrapped in northern ireland. nightclubs can re—open and indoor standing events such as concerts can take place. the stormont executive is continuing to recommend that people work from home where they can. the welsh government is cutting the minimum self—isolation period from seven to five days, bringing wales into line with england and northern ireland. to end isolation, two negative tests will be required on days five and six. the change will take effect on friday. ukraine's foreign minister has played down concerns that a russian invasion might be imminent. dmytro kuleba said moscow had not yet massed enough forces for an invasion, but he acknowledged that the risks were high. talks are taking place in paris between france, germany, russia and ukraine to try to defuse the situation. here, the foreign secretary, liz truss, said the government would not rule out imposing personal sanctions against vladimir putin if russia were to invade ukraine. here's our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley. new russian military manoeuvres amid escalating tensions. this is western russia close to ukraine. moscow now has around 100,000 troops massed on the borders of the former soviet republic, with more still arriving. the ukrainian government says russia's aim is to sow panic. it poses a threat to ukraine, a direct threat to ukraine. however, at the moment, as we speak, this number is insufficient for the full—scale offensive against ukraine along the entire ukrainian border. still, as the russian build—up continues, alarm is growing in western capitals. fears of what could be the most serious confrontation in the region since the cold war. these fighterjets are heading to moscow's ally, belarus. and western warnings to russia, threats of punishment, are getting louder. there would be severe economic costs to russia if they were to stage an incursion into ukraine. we are also helping ukraine with the supply of defensive weapons and we are strengthening our support to nato as well. russia claims its the west that escalating the crisis. translation: the us and its allies have abandoned diplomatic- rules and have been seeking to undermine our country with unilateral sanctions as well as increasing military pressure on russia with manoeuvres along the russian borders. they are trying to draw tears into making provocations against russia. near the capital, kyiv, ukrainians prepare for the worst. the civilians are part of the country's defence plan, if russia does invade. it is normal life, this man works in logistics, but every saturday he trains as a soldier. he has wanted to do this, he says, since russia's invasion in 2014 of crimea. and now a new danger looms. translation: i am ready to fight back. | i am confident the enemy will not reach kyiv. we ukrainians have always been good at self organisation. and we will be the first to support the ukrainian army. they have said they will defend their capital street by street if they have to do. if diplomacy to deter an invasion fails. caroline hawley, bbc news. us coast guard officials are searching for 39 people who are feared missing after their boat capsized off the coast of florida. officials were alerted after a man was found clinging to the hull of the vessel 45 miles off the coast of fort pierce. it's thought the boat may have been part of a human trafficking operation which set out from the bahamas on saturday. now it's time for a look at the weather. high pressure has been keeping things largely dry and settled over the last few days and a bit more of that today particularly across england and wales with bright skies around about scotland and northern ireland, the rest of the day wind and rain approaching on a weather front. working through north—west scotland and parts of northern ireland this evening as well. pushing slowly south with gales developing across northern scotland, disruptive winds and scattered showers. overnight, temperature for some of us falling to 3—4, milder across central uk. thursday morning we have this weather front slipping slowly south across southern england and wales and we are all eventually and wales and we are all eventually and these clearer skies heading our way south. a few showers across parts of scotland but most places having a predominantly dry day. brisk winds easing in the north and highs 7—13. hello this is bbc news. the headlines. as westminster awaits the report of a senior civil servant into lockdown parties in government, borisjohnson faces mps in a row the house of commons. faces mps in a row the house of commons— faces mps in a row the house of commons. . . . , commons. the labour leader has called on him _ commons. the labour leader has called on him to _ commons. the labour leader has called on him to step _ commons. the labour leader has called on him to step down. i commons. the labour leader has called on him to step down. the. called on him to step down. the ministerial code says that ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation.— will be expected to offer their resianation. , ~ , resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies _ resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to _ resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to him? - resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to him? mr i believe that applies to him? mr speaker, — believe that applies to him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house — speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that i think he is inviting _ the house that i think he is inviting a _ the house that i think he is inviting a question about an investigation which as you know i can't _ investigation which as you know i can't comment.— investigation which as you know i can't comment. issue grea's enquiry into lockdown — can't comment. issue grea's enquiry into lockdown parties _ can't comment. issue grea's enquiry into lockdown parties at _ can't comment. issue grea's enquiry into lockdown parties at downing i into lockdown parties at downing street could be published as early as this afternoon with several mps saying they will decide then whether to submit letters of no confidence. foreign office e—mails leaked by whistle—blower appear to show the prime minister approved the evacuation of penn farthing and his animals from afghanistan in august which mrjohnson denied at the time. as russia maintains its huge military presence on the borders with ukraine talks take place in paris to try to defuse tensions. sport now and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane. at the australian open, britain's alfie hewett and gordon reid have won a record ninth consecutive grand slam title with victory in the wheelchair doubles against gustavo fernandez and shingo kunieda. they took the first set 6—2, but then lost the seccond. it went to a match tie break and then the players had to leave the court because of rain, with hewett and reid 5—4 up at the time. it was an agonising wait, but they returned eventually to battle for the victory — 10—7 it finished in the tie break. hewett and reid have not lost a slam final together since wimbledon in 2019. and there was more success for great britain with andy lapthorne winning the quad—wheelchair doubles alongside american partner david wagner. they also secured the victory with a 10—7 match—tie break win. it's lapthorne's 15th grand slam title and his 6th at the australian open. he told me earlier he wants to inspire others. i never really had anyone to look up to, no one like me was on tv, so for that to be changing is obviously absolutely massive for people with disabilities to be able to turn on the tv and see people like themselves. only helps the next generation, and i truly believe that the next generation, which are already seeing from the dutch kids tonight, it is going to be incredible. the more we can get this stuff on tv, the better. there was a thrilling five set battle between daniil medvedev — the highest seeded player in the men's draw, and canadian felix auger—alliasime. medvedev fought back from two sets down to win it and go into the semi—finals. it was an impressive display from the canadian who took the first set 7—6 in just over an hour. auger—alliasime then broke early in the second set and went on to take it 6—3. but it was far closer in the third. medvedev taking it on a tiebreak, after a short rain delay. so into a fourth they went, which medvedev also won 7—5. the fifth and final deciding set finished 6—4. medvedev will play stefanos tsitsipas in the semi—finals after he had a dominant straight sets win overjannik sinner. the 23—year—old, who was beaten at the semi—final stage in 2019 and 2021, won 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. now — 10 days until the start of the six nations and already there's been a blow for england — captain owen farrell will miss the entire tournament with an ankle injury that requires surgery. the 30—year—old — who has 94 caps, was going to guide fly—half marcus smith through his first six nations campaign, but farrell injured his ankle in a collision while training at club side saracens. he's expected to undergo surgery later today. head coach eddie jones head coach eddiejones says he is looking for positives from the situation. ., ., , , , situation. enormously disappointing for him and the _ situation. enormously disappointing for him and the team _ situation. enormously disappointing for him and the team but _ situation. enormously disappointing for him and the team but it - situation. enormously disappointing for him and the team but it creates| for him and the team but it creates an opportunity for us to strengthen the depth of our leadership and for other players to compete for that 12 jurors say that he has worn so well over the last five or six years. so disappointing but a great opportunity for the team. from now on premier league clubs must have a minimum of four players with positive coronavirus cases in their squad if they are to apply to have the match postponed. the new rules will come into effect ahead of this weekend's twice postponed burnley watford match at turf moor. it's after a premier league club meet today to discuss updating guidance. previously some clubs were criticised for siting injuries and international call ups to the african cup of nations as reasons along with covid for having matches postponed. more details on that and all the other stories on the bbc sports website. that's all the sport for now. let's get more now on northern ireland easing a number of its coronavirus restrictions, meaning nightclubs will re—open and concerts will be allowed to take place. proof of covid status will no longer be legally required in restaurants and bars, but the system will remain in place for nightclubs and certain indoor events. people are still being advised to work from home where possible. it's also been announced that fully vaccinated people arriving in to northern ireland from abroad will no longer have to take covid tests from the 11th of february. joanne stuart is the chief executive of the northern ireland tourism alliance. shejoins us now. welcome. how much difference will this make for people in your industry?— difference will this make for people in your industry? good afternoon. it is really welcome _ in your industry? good afternoon. it is really welcome news _ in your industry? good afternoon. it is really welcome news than - is really welcome news than something that we have been calling forfor something that we have been calling for for a long something that we have been calling forfor a long time. 75% of our visitors from overseas will come via the republic of ireland and it means we haven't been aligned with them because we require this day to testing for people coming in, so the fact it has now been removed means there are no obstacles or barriers for those people now travelling from the republic of ireland into northern ireland. we are promoted as the island of ireland overseas so when people come here they expect to be able to travel across the island and will expect the same restrictions wherever they go, so this is a really positive step forward for us. especially as we are now moving into tour operators and groups of people travelling later on this year. groups of people travelling later on this ear. ., _, , . , groups of people travelling later on this ear. ., , , this year. how confusing has it been then, not this year. how confusing has it been then. notjust _ this year. how confusing has it been then, notjust the _ this year. how confusing has it been then, not just the fact _ this year. how confusing has it been then, not just the fact that - this year. how confusing has it been then, not just the fact that you i then, not just the fact that you have people's misguided perceptions of what is on the island of ireland, but you have regulations and the laws and also guidance, which it is wise to follow? tt laws and also guidance, which it is wise to follow?— wise to follow? it has been very confusin: wise to follow? it has been very confusing and _ wise to follow? it has been very confusing and comes _ wise to follow? it has been very confusing and comes across i wise to follow? it has been very confusing and comes across as. wise to follow? it has been very i confusing and comes across as very complex and i suppose northern ireland, we have had the worst of both worlds and that we potentially have been different than wales, scotland and england, for people coming across from gb, and then to add to that we are different from the republic of ireland and obviously that market is very important for us. so there's been a lot of work to try and translate and understand what we regulations mean, what guidance means, and trying to push to get more engagement with industry, so that we can understand what the government are trying to achieve and then work with them to make that work on the ground. i think everybody has found that trying to navigate your way through what is regulation, what is guidance and what is, what you can and can't do in that particular place has been very challenging. we all seem to be coming into alignment. we have a further review on the 10th of february which hopefully will remove the reigning restrictions that we have.~ . the reigning restrictions that we have. ~ ., ., the reigning restrictions that we have. . . . , . , have. what are the difficulties eo - le have. what are the difficulties people are — have. what are the difficulties people are still _ have. what are the difficulties people are still facing - have. what are the difficulties i people are still facing financially? obviously there were support schemes but they didn't go on forever. thea;r but they didn't go on forever. they didn't and when _ but they didn't go on forever. they didn't and when you _ but they didn't go on forever. tte: didn't and when you are looking but they didn't go on forever. tterg didn't and when you are looking at tourism in particular, we are probably down at least a year of revenue over the last two years, and when tourism was closed unfortunately we were not able to provide online services or take away services or click and collect, so it really was tough. we welcome the support and we have been very well supported from the uk government under local government but i think it has been this year especially with the impact of omicron, even towards the end of last year, where we saw huge waves of cancellations, whether it was christmas parties and get—togethers, and people may be taking a break, and that has proved to be particularly difficult. there has been some support but only for certain sectors and hospitality so it didn't include accommodation and other tourism businesses and that is something we are working on, because we are into a quiet period of the year as well and you have businesses that have taken on debts to get through the last two years and we just need to make sure that we don't fall that this last hurdle, that we are actually finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. tt light at the end of the tunnel. it is a beautiful part of the country, i hope you are blessed with lots of visitors this year. more than 87,000 people in the uk rely on british sign language to communicate. but it has no legal status — and in large parts of the country people have problems accessing it in places like schools and hospitals. the labour mp rosie cooper and the strictly star rose ayling ellis are two of the people hoping to change that — with a bill to be discussed in parliament this week. yvonne cobb, from the bbc�*s see hear programme, reports. for 35—year—old marius, who has been deaf since birth, everyday activities can be a challenge. hello! hold on... i'm deaf. please could you lower your mask? ok, here. let's have it here. when you go out to places such as cafes, do you struggle to communicate? yes, it's hard. if people have a mask, then i gesture or take things on my phone. but sometimes they just stare at me blankly. sometimes the other person will lower their mask, or use gestures to communicate. so really, it depends. but it can be frustrating. british sign language has been around for centuries, with one of the earliest records dating back to the 15th century. just like the english language, there are regional variations and dialects for words. for instance, there are 22 signs for the colour purple. it's estimated there are over 87,000 deaf people using british sign language in the uk. it is recognised as a language, but unlike welsh and gaelic, it has no legal status. deaf people such as strictly winner rose and campaigners in england are now calling for a change in the law. if i go to the doctor and there is no interpreter, it means i have to bring a family member with me. but i don't want that, i want privacy. 0k, can ijust say something crazy? i love crazy! # and it's nothing like i've ever known before! #. why doesn't this country legally recognise bsl? it's our language. it feels wrong. it's not right. it should be accepted and not ignored. deaf people have been sidelined for a long time. but i feel like saying "no, we are here, so accept us." mp rosie cooper's parents are both deaf, so she grew up seeing first hand how they struggled. she has made suggestions for changes to the law that would see bsl declared as an official language of the united kingdom. the minister will say that she will organise a committee of deaf bsl users to report to the secretary of state, the boss, on what deaf people need each year. so you will be seeing what the government are doing, you will have recognition and you will have deaf voices to say, "that was rubbish, this is good." but with bsl interpreters costing an average £280 per day, will the bill be passed? the government has engaged with rosie cooper mp and is currently considering the private members bill. there are similar campaigns in wales and northern ireland, while scotland has already passed the bsl act back in 2015. we hope the whole of the uk will finally give bsl the legal recognition it deserves so that the deaf community can finally feel part of society. yvonne cobb, bbc news. siblings separated by the care system have told the bbc of the trauma of not seeing each other — in some cases for years. details from over 200 local authorities have revealed that around half of sibling groups in care are currently split up. the law says brothers and sisters should be placed together and, where this is not possible, contact should be prioritised when it's right for each child. the children's commissioner for england has told the bbc she would support a new law to keep siblings together. our reporter ashleyjohn—baptiste grew up in care, and recently discovered he had a sibling he never knew about. he explores what it means to those who have been in the care system. how are you feeling about meeting your brothers? excited. yeah? yeah. for children growing up in care, their brothers and sisters can often be the only family left, but across the uk, thousands of them are currently split up. in fife, in scotland, someone trying to reunite them is veteran foster carer karen morrison. ourfamily are foster carers and it didn't take long for us to realise, you know, that these children are going into the care system and they're not going to the same place together. in fact, they don't even know when they're going to see each other again. just imagine that trauma. it must be awful. siblings reunited is a charity providing a safe space for split—up groups in care to meet every few months. how excited have you guys been to meet today? ten out of ten. ten out of ten? 9,000. 9,000? for karen, it's not only about sibling relationships, but about creating better chances in life. we're not only making a difference now, but fast—forward to when they leave the care system, and imagine if they had each other. freedom of information requests sent to over 200 uk local authorities have revealed that more than 12,000 looked—after children are not living with at least one of their siblings. in manchester, 24—year—old saskia has recently become a social worker. in their adoptive home, saskia and her two brothers suffered physical abuse and neglect for a decade. when they went back into council care, they were separated across different areas. i lost such a key part of myself, i think, because it was, like, it's us three against the world, you know, it always has been. and so, being so far away from them, it's like, oh, i'm not as strong any more. sometimes, siblings is all you've got left, and if you take those away, you're taking the last thing away, like... the last bit of hope. yeah. yeah, yeah, the last bit of your identity. an independent review of the england care system is currently under way, with findings and recommendations expected to be published later this year. in scotland, new laws are giving siblings more control over their relationships. for these brothers, however, it's time to say bye for now. bye! ashleyjohn—baptiste, bbc news. you can watch split up in care: life without siblings on bbc iplayer. we have a statement here from the defence secretary, ben wallace, regarding the story we have been reporting today that contrary to having denied it in the past, according to leaked e—mails from the foreign office, the evacuation of penn farthing and his animals from afghanistan last august was approved by the prime minister. however, listen to what the defence secretary has to say. he says, i have seen the reports of e—mails concerning the evacuation. the evacuation of kabul was run under my authority and carried out by the uk military through thejoint chief carried out by the uk military through the joint chief of operations. at no point were he or i directed by the prime minister to evacuate penn farthing, his work for his pets. he goes on to say, i made it clear that the time we were not going to put pets before people and is the actions show, he left last and his workforce had to leave after the evacuation was concluded by other means. it finishes by saying the evacuation was a ministry of defence led operation supported by processing of the home office and foreign office. the idea that a deaf minister and his officials had any authority or responsibility is ludicrous but i am aware of false claims made that led to considerable distress and distraction to those trying to save lives and very difficult circumstances. —— the idea that a defra minister. ben wallace taking issue with the claims being made that the prime minister had authorised that evacuation. the scottish government has today offered its sincere sympathies to thousands women who say they were forced to give up their new born babies for adoption because they were not married. it's thought as many as sixty thousand women in scotland were pressured to give up their babies in the decades after the second world war when birth out of wedlock was seen as taboo. the scottish government is today launching a survey calling for women to come forward. a separate inquiry into forced adoptions is underway in the uk parliament. duncan kennedy reports. lisa roland was living in edinburgh when she became pregnant at 16. she wasn't married and says the pressure on her to give up her newborn son for adoption was so great, she couldn't stop it. t for adoption was so great, she couldn't stop it.— for adoption was so great, she couldn't stop it. i handed him over and then went _ couldn't stop it. i handed him over and then went into _ couldn't stop it. i handed him over and then went into the _ couldn't stop it. i handed him over and then went into the toilets i couldn't stop it. i handed him over and then went into the toilets and | and then went into the toilets and cried for about two hours. it was just dreadful. ijust cried for about two hours. it was just dreadful. i just felt this massive pain and whole and grief and just empty, really. did massive pain and whole and grief and just empty. really-— just empty, really. did you give up our bab just empty, really. did you give up your baby or— just empty, really. did you give up your baby or was _ just empty, really. did you give up your baby or was your _ just empty, really. did you give up your baby or was your baby - just empty, really. did you give upj your baby or was your baby taken? just empty, really. did you give up i your baby or was your baby taken? my your baby or was your baby taken? tjt’g baby was your baby or was your baby taken? mg baby was taken. your baby or was your baby taken? my baby was taken. in _ your baby or was your baby taken? my baby was taken. in the _ your baby or was your baby taken? my baby was taken. in the decades i your baby or was your baby taken? my baby was taken. in the decades after i baby was taken. in the decades after world war u, — baby was taken. in the decades after world war ii, it's _ baby was taken. in the decades after world war ii, it's thought _ baby was taken. in the decades after world war ii, it's thought around i world war ii, it's thought around 60,000 unmarried scottish women were shamed into giving up their babies for adoption. today the scottish government launched this web page calling on women to come forward to share their experiences. the calling on women to come forward to share their experiences.— share their experiences. the lives of these women, _ share their experiences. the lives of these women, their _ share their experiences. the lives of these women, their sons i share their experiences. the lives of these women, their sons and l of these women, their sons and daughters and why their families have been profoundly changed by that experience and i offer my sincere sympathies to them. we have lunch this website today to garner views from families and people who have been affected by historic adoption practices. been affected by historic adoption ractices. a , been affected by historic adoption ractices. , ., , been affected by historic adoption ractices. , t, , t, , practices. many of the birth mothers would like a — practices. many of the birth mothers would like a formal _ practices. many of the birth mothers would like a formal apology - practices. many of the birth mothers would like a formal apology because j would like a formal apology because it was state employees who applied much of the pressure on them. they welcome the launch of today's survey. welcome the launch of today's surve . , welcome the launch of today's surve . t t y t, welcome the launch of today's surve. tt, tt,t welcome the launch of today's surve. t, tt,t t, welcome the launch of today's surve. t, tt,t survey. this is your chance to speak about it and — survey. this is your chance to speak about it and your— survey. this is your chance to speak about it and your voice _ survey. this is your chance to speak about it and your voice would i survey. this is your chance to speak about it and your voice would be i survey. this is your chance to speak about it and your voice would be so| about it and your voice would be so valuable _ about it and your voice would be so valuable because it would allow the government to understand the scope and the _ government to understand the scope and the scale of what happened. it and the scale of what happened. [t is not and the scale of what happened. is notjust and the scale of what happened. tt is notjust scottish and the scale of what happened. tt is not just scottish women like and the scale of what happened. tt is notjust scottish women like lisa who say they were forced to give up their babies. the uk parliament's human rights committee has also launched an enquiry. it is due to report later this year. while researching that story, our correspondent has uncovered the case of another girl who went missing thereby at around the same time and her story has a much happier ending. june 1968 and cathy ref man was safe. the toddler had been missing for three days but she was found, alone in new south wales almost 20 miles from home. now a grandma, this is the first time she has ever spoken publicly about what happened. the person who took me didn't hurt me. t, y the person who took me didn't hurt me. t, , t, , t t, me. the only thing cathy could tell her parents — me. the only thing cathy could tell her parents was _ me. the only thing cathy could tell her parents was that _ me. the only thing cathy could tell her parents was that there - me. the only thing cathy could tell her parents was that there was i me. the only thing cathy could tell her parents was that there was a i her parents was that there was a man, and the only clue, whoever took her from the man, and the only clue, whoever took herfrom the family man, and the only clue, whoever took her from the family home cut her hair. nobody was ever charged. t can hair. nobody was ever charged. i can only remember— hair. nobody was ever charged. i can only remember a _ hair. nobody was ever charged. i can only remember a dog _ hair. nobody was ever charged. t can only remember a dog and a room, being in a room. someone opening this door and saying go to sleep, i do remember that in the dog under my bed. it was a big dog, i think it was an alsatian.— bed. it was a big dog, i think it was an alsatian. what is it like for ou even was an alsatian. what is it like for you even now. — was an alsatian. what is it like for you even now, not _ was an alsatian. what is it like for you even now, not really - was an alsatian. what is it like for you even now, not really knowing | you even now, not really knowing where you are or who you were with during those few days? tt is where you are or who you were with during those few days?— during those few days? it is mind bou tulin. during those few days? it is mind boggling- i _ during those few days? it is mind boggling- i came _ during those few days? it is mind boggling. i came across - during those few days? it is mind boggling. i came across her i during those few days? it is mind boggling. i came across her storyj boggling. i came across her story while i boggling. i came across her story while i was _ boggling. i came across her story while i was making _ boggling. i came across her story while i was making the _ boggling. i came across her story while i was making the bbc- boggling. i came across her story i while i was making the bbc podcast series fairy meadow about the disappearance of cheryl grammar in australia at around the same time. she was never found australia at around the same time. she was neverfound in australia at around the same time. she was never found in the two cases have never been formally linked. qt have never been formally linked. of course have never been formally linked. qt course i have never been formally linked. ttt course i feel the luckiest lady in the world. course i feel the luckiest lady in the world-— course i feel the luckiest lady in theworld. tt i t, t, the world. cathy was found wandering in a creek by — the world. cathy was found wandering in a creek by some _ the world. cathy was found wandering in a creek by some schoolboys - the world. cathy was found wandering in a creek by some schoolboys who i in a creek by some schoolboys who are skipping lessons but she has never seen them since. what would you say to them?— you say to them? thank you. thank ou you say to them? thank you. thank you wouldn't _ you say to them? thank you. thank you wouldn't be _ you say to them? thank you. thank you wouldn't be enough _ you say to them? thank you. thank you wouldn't be enough for- you say to them? thank you. thank you wouldn't be enough for saving i you wouldn't be enough for saving your life because what i have now is my family and i wouldn't be sitting here if it wasn't for them. t my family and i wouldn't be sitting here if it wasn't for them.- here if it wasn't for them. i want to introduce _ here if it wasn't for them. i want to introduce you _ here if it wasn't for them. i want to introduce you to _ here if it wasn't for them. i want to introduce you to somebody. i here if it wasn't for them. i want i to introduce you to somebody. who's that? oh my — to introduce you to somebody. who's that? oh my god- — to introduce you to somebody. who's that? oh my god. how— to introduce you to somebody. who's that? oh my god. how are _ to introduce you to somebody. who's that? oh my god. how are you? i to introduce you to somebody. who's| that? oh my god. how are you? long time no see- — that? oh my god. how are you? long time no see. this _ that? oh my god. how are you? long time no see. this is _ that? oh my god. how are you? long time no see. this is mark, _ that? oh my god. how are you? long time no see. this is mark, so - that? oh my god. how are you? long time no see. this is mark, so mark. time no see. this is mark, so mark was one of— time no see. this is mark, so mark was one of those _ time no see. this is mark, so mark was one of those three _ time no see. this is mark, so mark was one of those three boys i time no see. this is mark, so mark was one of those three boys that i was one of those three boys that found you. we was one of those three boys that found yon-— was one of those three boys that found ou. ~ t, t, ,t found you. we were away from school, we were rrot — found you. we were away from school, we were rrot good _ found you. we were away from school, we were not good boys _ found you. we were away from school, we were not good boys at _ found you. we were away from school, we were not good boys at school- found you. we were away from school, we were not good boys at school but i we were not good boys at school but we were not good boys at school but we had _ we were not good boys at school but we had a _ we were not good boys at school but we had a good outcome that they. thank— we had a good outcome that they. thank you — we had a good outcome that they. thank you so much for wagging school. i can't believe it. this is a dream. i havejust wanted to thank you. thank you is not enough. i love you. thank you is not enough. i love you and you're always going to be my hero. you are always going to be my hero. you are always going to be my hero. you are always going to be my hero. tt, t hero. you are always going to be my hero. t t, t, hero. you are always going to be my hero. t t, tt tt t t, hero. five decades on, at least one m ste hero. five decades on, at least one mystery has _ hero. five decades on, at least one mystery has been _ hero. five decades on, at least one mystery has been solved. - hero. five decades on, at least one mystery has been solved. and i hero. five decades on, at least one mystery has been solved. and you | hero. five decades on, at least one i mystery has been solved. and you can listen to the latest episodes of the podcast series on bbc sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. now it's time for a look at the weather. many of us struggling to see sunshine over recent days but a bit more out there in the rest of the afternoon. this picture taken by one of the weather watchers in norfolk. in generalfor the rest in general for the rest of today, england and wales are brighter and milder than it has been recently. scotland and northern ireland seeing cloud that brings increasing wind and rain later on in the day so all down to this approaching weather front, lots of isobars in the north so things turning increasingly windy but further south under the influence of high pressure. the rest of today england and wales looking dry with late brightness. it will be breezy wherever you are but particularly across the north of scotland, 50 mph gusts and stronger overnight. the temperature falling quickest once the sun sets on the south where we have those clearer spells. this weather front bringing rain to northern ireland and is southern scotland. showers in the north—west and gail developing for the northern isles and parts of the highlands as well. the temperature getting down to 3—4, a touch colder in the countryside, but milder through the central swathe of the uk and outbreaks of patchy rain on this weather front. and outbreaks of patchy rain on this weatherfront. heading into thursday, the front initially with as well switch south so bringing cloud and a few spots of drizzle for southern england and wales but once that clears the way we will be on the brighter skies, if you showers across the north—west, still quite windy but the wind is not quite as strong as overnight across the north of scotland. the temperature tomorrow about 7—13 so still reasonably mild this time of year. moving to the end of the working week and into friday, a ridge of high pressure holds onto our weather ahead of the next approaching weather front so the weather front will bring some rain on friday to northern and western scotland, perhaps a few spots into northern ireland north—west england but further south and east it should be dry, turning white breezy with the top temperature between 8— on friday. looking to the weekend, plenty of dry but cloudy and breezy weather around, some rain approaching towards the north and north—west. goodbye. i'm ben brown, live in downing street on another difficult day for the prime minister. as westminster awaits the report of a senior civil servant into lockdown parties in government, borisjohnson faces mps in a rowdy house of commons. the labour leader has called on him to step down. the ministerial code says that ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to him? prime minister! mr speaker, of course — but let me tell the house i think he is inviting a question about an investigation which, you know, mr speaker, i cannot comment. downing street says it still hasn't received the sue gray inquiry report into lockdown parties at number ten. several tory mps have said they are waiting to see the details before they decide whether or not to submit letters of no confidence in the prime minister's leadership. and in another blow for the prime minister, foreign office emails leaked by a whistle—blower appear to show the prime minister did approve the evacuation of pen farthing and his animals from afghanistan in august, which mrjohnson denied at the time. i'll be bringing you all the latest developments on that report into downing street parties as they happens. and i'm martine croxall, with the rest of the day's stories. one of the uk's biggest covid studies reveals two—thirds of people recently infected with omicron say they have had the virus before. pcr tests of about 100,000 volunteers also showed that one in 23 people had covid in the first three weeks of january. i'm ben brown live in downing street, where officials say they still haven't received the report by senior civil servant sue gray into lockdown parties at number ten and elsewhere in whitehall. at a raucous prime minister's questions in the commons this lunchtime, the labour leader sir keir starmer said the conservatives had done immense damage to public trust and called again on mrjohnson to resign. it's understood sue gray's crucial report is now complete, but we still don't know when it will be published or when it is, if we'll get to see it in full. and there's another big headache for the prime minister this afternoon. whistleblower emails published by the foreign affairs select committee seem to show that borisjohnson did personally authorise the evacuation from afghanistan of cats and dogs from an animal charity run by a former marine, pen farthing, in august last year. in the past, the prime minister has categorically denied he gave the go—ahead for such an operation and he dismissed claims that the government was effectively prioritising animals over people. more on that shortly, but first here's our political correspondentjonathan blake. westminster is waiting. the prime minister left downing street this morning with his fate hanging in the balance. expectations could not be higher as he arrived at the house of commons to face prime minister's questions. but for now, the questions and the answers sounded like more of the same. the ministerial code says that ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to him? prime minister! mr speaker, of course — but let me tell the house i think he's inviting a question about an investigation which, as you know, mr speaker, i can't comment. borisjohnson was challenged to make public the results of the inquiry into events that may have broken covid rules. can the prime minister confirm he will publish the full sue gray report as he receives it? mr speaker, i can tell him that we have got to leave that to the independent investigator, as he knows, and then of course, when i receive it, of course i will do exactly what i said. labour trying to paint a picture of a prime minister on borrowed time. whatever he says in his statement later today or tomorrow won't change the facts — isn't this a prime minister and a government that have shown nothing but contempt for the decency, honesty and respect that define this country? borisjohnson was defiant, sounding intent on staying put. we have taken the tough decisions. we have got the big calls right, and i am getting on with the job. after the first accusations emerged of a christmas party during the first covid lockdown, the denialfrom borisjohnson was firm. what i can tell the right honourable gentleman is that all guidance was followed completely during numberten. from then on, it emerged that in may 2020 around 100 staff were invited to drinks in the downing street garden. the prime minister said he thought was a work event. the following month, staff gathered in the cabinet room of number ten to celebrate boris johnson's birthday with cake and picnic food when social gatherings were banned, and in april last year, the night before the queen sat alone at prince philip's funeral, two leaving parties were held at number ten. the prime minister's senior adviser turned fierce critic dominic cummings has given his account in writing to the sue gray inquiry. for those still working in number ten, the scrutiny has been intense, the consequences uncertain. the wait won't last much longer, for what's been promised as a definitive version of events. jonathan blake, bbc news. wait for sue gray's report does still go on let's speak to our political correspondent nick eardley in central lobby in the houses of parliament. at one stage we were thinking we might have got the report before prime minister's questions, and it might have been a bit more explosive, it was quite rowdy and noisy, but not perhaps as explosive as it could have been. yes. noisy, but not perhaps as explosive as it could have been.— as it could have been. yes, if that had been before _ as it could have been. yes, if that had been before prime _ as it could have been. yes, if that had been before prime minister's| had been before prime minister's questions, it would have been a completely different affair. as things stand, not totally sure when we are going to get it. the latest we are going to get it. the latest we heard from downing street, about an hour and a half ago, was that it had not been sent to them but that they would seek to get it out as quickly as possible once it was in their possession. so at the moment, it is not really clear when we are going to see the details, nor when we are going to hearfrom going to see the details, nor when we are going to hear from the going to see the details, nor when we are going to hearfrom the prime minister in parliament. the speaker, lindsay hoyle, said he was prepared to potentially suspend parliament for a bid to have that statement this evening, but it is still in a state of flux, and there is no certainty about when that is going to happen. all the while, mps are chatting about what to expect, there is a feeling, i think, broadly within the conservative party, that they want to wait and see what it says. many mps who might have reservations about borisjohnson are waiting until they get that report before they decide what to do next. but i was just speaking to one of the key rebels, one of those people who will not come on the record just now because they want to wait and see what is in that report too, and they do still seem fairly confident that when the report comes out, there are enough conservative mps were waiting to send a no confidence letters to trigger a vote. now, far from guaranteed, we hear those predictions may be not regularly, but sometimes in westminster that they do not come to fruition. but there is a feeling that that moment when that report learns, when the prime minister gives his account and when mps mull over it, it is a big moment for borisjohnson's moment for boris johnson's premiership, and moment for borisjohnson's premiership, and i imagine he is waiting as nervously as some others to see what is in it. tbttt waiting as nervously as some others to see what is in it.— to see what is in it. all right stay with us, because _ to see what is in it. all right stay with us, because i _ to see what is in it. all right stay with us, because i want - to see what is in it. all right stay with us, because i want to i to see what is in it. all right stay with us, because i want to ask i to see what is in it. all right stay i with us, because i want to ask you about another headache for the prime minister this afternoon, the whistle—blower e—mails which raising more questions about borisjohnson�*s insistence that he did not personally intervened to assist an animal charity during the afghanistan evacuation last august. borisjohnson authorised animals under the care of the charity nowzad to be evacuated from kabul, according to written evidence produced by a former foreign office official. the charity, run by pen farthing, appealed for help to fly out as the taliban seized control of the afghan capital last year. the foreign office document, seen by a committee of mps investigating the evacuation, says the prime minister intervened to rescue the charity's staff and animals. mrjohnson has previously dismissed claims that he prioritised animals during the operation, saying it was nonsense. in the last hour, defence secretary ben wallace has strongly denied that the prime minister did order the evacuation of the charity's team and its pets. well, let's get more on all of that from nick eardley, who is still at westminster for us. nick, as i said, another headache for the prime minister, a little complicated, taking us back to those dramatic events in kabul last summer, but explained the significance of what the foreign affairs select committee have produced today.— affairs select committee have produced today. affairs select committee have roduced toda . ., , ., ., produced today. people at home will remember the _ produced today. people at home will remember the huge _ produced today. people at home will remember the huge controversy - produced today. people at home will| remember the huge controversy over the decision to evacuate about 150 animals from kabul airport when they were still many people trying to get out. there were a lot of questions asked about the time about the decision—making process, there was a feeling that maybe someone in government had urged it to happen. the prime minister always denied that he had instructed either the ministry of defence or anyone else to make sure that pen farthing and those animals were evacuated. i think we can listen to what the prime minister said when he was asked about this last year. the foreign affairs select committee has heard from an official who says . the response to the situation in kabul was chaotic and has| suggested that you yourself - intervened to try and get the nowzad animals out, and they got priority over some afghan people. - did you intervene in that way? i no, that is complete nonsense. what i can tell you is that the operation, 0p pitting, to airlift 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that we did over the summer, was one of the outstanding military achievements of the last 50 years or more. so that is what the prime minister said last year. new e—mails have come to light today from a select committee in parliament, which was circulating in the foreign office at the time, from a member of staff of lord goldsmith, who is a foreign office minister, and they talk specifically about the prime minister authorising the staff and animals being evacuated. now, number ten continues to insist that the prime minister didn't make this happen and that this wasn't his idea, and we have, as you say, heard from ben wallace, the defence secretary, that he was not told what to do. but itjust adds another difficult question for borisjohnson about answers to big questions that he has given in the past. let's talk some of this over with the snp westminster leader, ian blackford. i know you have had a busy afternoon and are just catching up with some of this, but the key accusation here is that the prime minister did know and was involved in this process. do you think there are more questions to be answered? it is you think there are more questions to be answered?— to be answered? it is 'ust another examle to be answered? it is 'ust another example of— to be answered? it is 'ust another example of the _ to be answered? it is 'ust another example of the truth _ to be answered? it isjust another example of the truth and - to be answered? it isjust another example of the truth and boris . example of the truth and boris johnson — example of the truth and boris johnson being strangers. when you cast your— johnson being strangers. when you cast your mind back to that time, mps cast your mind back to that time, we were — cast your mind back to that time, mps were doing their best to get people _ mps were doing their best to get people out, the pm was asked about this, and _ people out, the pm was asked about this, and it _ people out, the pm was asked about this, and it seems he wasn't quite telling _ this, and it seems he wasn't quite telling the — this, and it seems he wasn't quite telling the truth. let this, and it seems he wasn't quite telling the truth.— telling the truth. let me ask you about the big — telling the truth. let me ask you about the big subject _ telling the truth. let me ask you about the big subject that - telling the truth. let me ask you i about the big subject that everyone in here, in the tea rooms and corridors, everyone is talking about, when the sue gray report is going to come out this afternoon. what is the latest you are hearing? we were told it was going to be coming — we were told it was going to be coming out today, and the clock is ticking, _ coming out today, and the clock is ticking, we — coming out today, and the clock is ticking, we need to see it. whenever it comes _ ticking, we need to see it. whenever it comes out, — ticking, we need to see it. whenever it comes out, it is important that we have — it comes out, it is important that we have the _ it comes out, it is important that we have the chance to study it before — we have the chance to study it before the prime minister makes a statement. i think what is really important — statement. i think what is really important today as we now know that there is _ important today as we now know that there is a _ important today as we now know that there is a metropolitan police inquiry— there is a metropolitan police inquiry into alleged breach of the low at _ inquiry into alleged breach of the low at ten — inquiry into alleged breach of the low at ten downing street. this is unprecedented, a prime minister being _ unprecedented, a prime minister being questioned under caution, demeaning the office that he holds as prime _ demeaning the office that he holds as prime minister of this country. i think— as prime minister of this country. i think a _ as prime minister of this country. i think a lot — as prime minister of this country. i think a lot of— as prime minister of this country. i think a lot of us are exasperated that on— think a lot of us are exasperated that on the basis of what we know, he has _ that on the basis of what we know, he has not — that on the basis of what we know, he has not recognised that he has lost the _ he has not recognised that he has lost the trust of the people of the united _ lost the trust of the people of the united kingdom, and quite frankly he should _ united kingdom, and quite frankly he should have been gone by now. we heard should have been gone by now. heard from should have been gone by now. - heard from the speaker of the last couple of hours that if the report does come this afternoon, he is prepared to suspend the house of commons and come back later, and you would be responding to the prime minister as snp leader in westminster, how long do you want to look at it after it is published? i look at it after it is published? i think if we have an hour, that would be reasonable. if we have to stay late tonight and meet at any time over the _ late tonight and meet at any time over the next 48 hours, we should do this. over the next 48 hours, we should do this we _ over the next 48 hours, we should do this. we have to deal with this report— this. we have to deal with this report and _ this. we have to deal with this report and make sure this is not going _ report and make sure this is not going to — report and make sure this is not going to he _ report and make sure this is not going to be held over, make sure the prime _ going to be held over, make sure the prime minister is held to account. if prime minister is held to account. if he _ prime minister is held to account. if he doesn't do the reasonable thing _ if he doesn't do the reasonable thing and — if he doesn't do the reasonable thing and go, my question to the conservative members of parliament, how long _ conservative members of parliament, how long are you prepared to put up with this? _ how long are you prepared to put up with this? there is a lot going on, the cost _ with this? there is a lot going on, the cost of— with this? there is a lot going on, the cost of living crisis, ukraine — this is— the cost of living crisis, ukraine — this is a _ the cost of living crisis, ukraine — this is a prime minister who doesn't have the _ this is a prime minister who doesn't have the authority to lead, and he needs— have the authority to lead, and he needs to — have the authority to lead, and he needs to be gone, let's make sure we can all— needs to be gone, let's make sure we can all do— needs to be gone, let's make sure we can all do our— needs to be gone, let's make sure we can all do ourjob. you needs to be gone, let's make sure we can all do ourjob.— can all do our 'ob. you have made our can all do our 'ob. you have made your mind — can all do ourjob. you have made your mind up. _ can all do ourjob. you have made your mind up. you _ can all do ourjob. you have made your mind up, you have _ can all do ourjob. you have made your mind up, you have been - can all do ourjob. you have made l your mind up, you have been saying for weeks that the prime minister needs to go, so what is there in this report from sue gray that would, i don't know, change your mind, if it comes out and says the prime minister was not at these gatherings, would you be open to that? , , ., gatherings, would you be open to that? , , . ~ , ., that? this is a prime minister who was responsible _ that? this is a prime minister who was responsible for— that? this is a prime minister who was responsible for what - that? this is a prime minister who was responsible for what is - was responsible for what is happening in downing street, it is is office. — happening in downing street, it is is office. it — happening in downing street, it is is office, it is where he lives. it is office, it is where he lives. it is not _ is office, it is where he lives. it is notjust— is office, it is where he lives. it is notjust about is office, it is where he lives. it is not just about this, it is office, it is where he lives. it is notjust about this, it is is office, it is where he lives. it is not just about this, it is about the character and personality of the prime _ the character and personality of the prime minister and how he has used these _ prime minister and how he has used these powers. we should not lose sight _ these powers. we should not lose sight of— these powers. we should not lose sight of the fact that this is a prime — sight of the fact that this is a prime minister who illegally shut down _ prime minister who illegally shut down parliament, he was accused of acting _ down parliament, he was accused of acting illegally of a covid contract, he has put cronies into the house — contract, he has put cronies into the house of lords, we know that he hasm _ the house of lords, we know that he hasm the _ the house of lords, we know that he has... the behaviour of the prime minister— has... the behaviour of the prime minister is — has... the behaviour of the prime minister is not acceptable, he has besmirched the office that he holds. no other— besmirched the office that he holds. no other prime minister has behaved like this _ no other prime minister has behaved like this. conservative mps need to accept _ like this. conservative mps need to accept the — like this. conservative mps need to accept the responsibility of getting this man _ accept the responsibility of getting this man out of here. the accept the responsibility of getting this man out of here.— this man out of here. the mood in the conservative _ this man out of here. the mood in the conservative party, _ this man out of here. the mood in the conservative party, certainly l the conservative party, certainly among those close to borisjohnson, is that they think he is managing to win more support than he was last week, that people want to move on, and that if this report is not completely damning, they may be able to do so. if that happens, what do you do over the next few months? there is nothing you can really do to force him out, is there? conservative mps have got to read the room — conservative mps have got to read the room and see the e—mails from the room and see the e—mails from the public— the room and see the e—mails from the public who made enormous sacrifices, _ the public who made enormous sacrifices, were not able to visit their— sacrifices, were not able to visit their loved _ sacrifices, were not able to visit their loved ones when they were dying _ their loved ones when they were dying or— their loved ones when they were dying or in — their loved ones when they were dying or in nursing homes, were not able to— dying or in nursing homes, were not able to have — dying or in nursing homes, were not able to have family celebrations, and a prime minister who has carried on partind _ and a prime minister who has carried on parting. no, he has to go, conservative mps have to accept their— conservative mps have to accept their responsibility. thank goodness those _ their responsibility. thank goodness those of— their responsibility. thank goodness those of us — their responsibility. thank goodness those of us in scotland have an independence referendum to look forward _ independence referendum to look forward to, we want to know more of this, and _ forward to, we want to know more of this, and i_ forward to, we want to know more of this, and i look forward to the day we can— this, and i look forward to the day we can choose our own future away from _ we can choose our own future away from the _ we can choose our own future away from the chaos, sleaze and corruption of westminster. we could talk about whether _ corruption of westminster. we could talk about whether that _ corruption of westminster. we could talk about whether that referendum | talk about whether that referendum will happen for a couple of hours, let's not go there just now! when you hear anything about when this report is coming, come down and give us a shout! ben, look, that is the charge sheet from the opposition, we have heard at this afternoon from the labour party as well, the argument we continue to hear from borisjohnson's allies is that we need to wait for this report, they don't think he has broken the rules all the law, they want him to be given the space to go over this report when it does come. but quite exactly when _ report when it does come. but quite exactly when that is _ report when it does come. but quite exactly when that is just _ report when it does come. but quite exactly when that is just now - report when it does come. but quite exactly when that is just now is - report when it does come. but quite exactly when that isjust now is notl exactly when that is just now is not clear. we are all on tenterhooks! nick, thank you very much for the time being, nick eardley. joeyjones was a spokesperson for theresa may when she was prime minister. you know westminster very well both as an outsider, as a political correspondent, as an insider. how perilous do you think boris johnson's position is now, can he survive all of this? i johnson's position is now, can he survive all of this?— survive all of this? i think his osition survive all of this? i think his position is — survive all of this? i think his position is very _ survive all of this? i think his position is very fragile. - survive all of this? i think his position is very fragile. i - survive all of this? i think his| position is very fragile. i think when this report comes out, it is going to be very grim reading and an uncomfortable time for him in the house of commons as well. we know that conservative mps, as nick and other political correspondents have said, are holding their breath, withholding judgment, said, are holding their breath, withholdingjudgment, if you said, are holding their breath, withholding judgment, if you like. but i think they recognise that large swathes of the public have made their minds up, and it is going to be very difficult for boris johnson to continue, and his best hope of staying in office, i think, is deploying some kind of fine judgment and getting the tonality right. if i was a supporter of boris johnson staying in office, the thing that would worry me most at the moment is that he seems to feel, and his allies seem to feel, that they can just brazen it out and suggest that this is a bit of a fuss about nothing, as the daily mail says, people are getting this out of proportion, and that it is not all that serious. well, i do not think that serious. well, i do not think thatis that serious. well, i do not think that is the view of the public, and the conservative mps know that from the conservative mps know that from the doorsteps. the conservative mps know that from the doorsteps— the conservative mps know that from the doorsteps. theresa may, who you worked for. — the doorsteps. theresa may, who you worked for, had _ the doorsteps. theresa may, who you worked for, had to _ the doorsteps. theresa may, who you worked for, had to go _ the doorsteps. theresa may, who you worked for, had to go through - the doorsteps. theresa may, who you worked for, had to go through the - worked for, had to go through the whole confidence vote process. to think tory backbench mps are sharpening their knives, once they have seen the sue gray report, and will send in more letters of no confidence to the chairman of the 1922 committee? it confidence to the chairman of the 1922 committee?— 1922 committee? it feels entirely lausible 1922 committee? it feels entirely plausible that _ 1922 committee? it feels entirely plausible that there _ 1922 committee? it feels entirely plausible that there could - 1922 committee? it feels entirely plausible that there could be - 1922 committee? it feels entirely | plausible that there could be that, that we could be headed for a leadership contest. look, in my gut as well, i think that the difficulty for borisjohnson in a leadership contest is that he is somebody who has not, in certain key moments, shown a great deal of loyalty to those close to him. i think that most people, indeed conservative mps, would look at borisjohnson and would see somebody who is willing to do pretty much whatever it takes to save his own skin, even if that means disposing of others close to him. that is not a dynamic that is calculated to build up loyalty that he might actually need to: in a leadership contest. i wouldn't be surprised, just a few stores in the wind, i was really intrigued by the sunday times reporting that when the prime minister's chief of staff got in ppss to get a sense of their feeling, they were really gobsmacked by the level and intensity of the anger that there was, even within those who they would have thought were pretty much on the side. so the risk for borisjohnson is that if it comes to a leadership contest, the support that he and his close allies perceive at the moment may prove to be a bit of a mirage, it may evaporate quite quickly. shy, be a bit of a mirage, it may evaporate quite quickly. a lot of the reports _ evaporate quite quickly. a lot of the reports we _ evaporate quite quickly. a lot of the reports we have _ evaporate quite quickly. a lot of the reports we have had - evaporate quite quickly. a lot of the reports we have had about | evaporate quite quickly. a lot of i the reports we have had about the various parties and gatherings are about, essentially, what was a culture here in downing street, here in numberten, a culture here in downing street, here in number ten, a drinking culture, wine fridays, suitcases sent out to stock up on alcohol and so on, a specialfridge in the press of stock up on alcohol and so on, a special fridge in the press of his four bottles of wine and so on. as somebody who worked for theresa may, when she was in number ten, whether she would have allowed that kind of culture — in other words, is that culture — in other words, is that culture the responsibility of the prime minister, does he know that sort of stuff is going unnecessarily? l sort of stuff is going unnecessarily? sort of stuff is going unnecessaril ? . , ., unnecessarily? i have been asked this question. _ unnecessarily? i have been asked this question, what _ unnecessarily? i have been asked this question, what i _ unnecessarily? i have been asked this question, what i think- unnecessarily? i have been asked this question, what i think is - unnecessarily? i have been asked this question, what i think is a . this question, what i think is a surprising number of times! because i cannot believe for a moment that anybody asking the question believes it could have happened under theresa may, or pretty much any prime minister before. it feels as now, under borisjohnson, through under boris johnson, through lockdown, under borisjohnson, through lockdown, which was an extraordinary and very unusual circumstance... well, i think we have lostjoey jones, unfortunately, he has frozen on our screens, but we got the gist of what he was saying, joeyjones, who did work for theresa may as a spokesperson. i will hand you back to martin, i'm afraid we are still waiting for sue gray's report. —— martine croxall. martine we waiting for sue gray's report. —— martine we are starting to wonder if the report will never turn up, downing street say they have not seen it, and it will be a good few hours before it is released to us, but we wait and see. back to you. not for a moment suggesting this is the theatre of the absurd! the moment you leave, you know it will turn up, so you had better stay! l turn up, so you had better stay! i am not leaving, i am staying! ukraine's foreign minister has played down concerns that a russian invasion might be imminent. dmytro kuleba said moscow had not yet massed enough forces for an invasion, but he acknowledged that the risks were high. talks are taking place in paris between france, germany, russia and ukraine to try to defuse the situation. here, the foreign secretary, liz truss, said the government would not rule out imposing personal sanctions against vladimir putin if russia were to invade ukraine. here's our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley. new russian military manoeuvres amid escalating tensions. this is western russia close to ukraine. moscow now has around 100,000 troops massed on the borders of the former soviet republic, with more still arriving. the ukrainian government says russia's aim is to sow panic. it poses a threat to ukraine, a direct threat to ukraine. however, at the moment, as we speak, this number is insufficient for the full—scale offensive against ukraine along the entire ukrainian border. still, as the russian build—up continues, alarm is growing in western capitals. fears of what could be the most serious confrontation in the region since the cold war. these fighterjets are heading to moscow's ally, belarus. and western warnings to russia, threats of punishment, are getting louder. there would be severe economic costs to russia if they were to stage an incursion into ukraine. we are also helping ukraine with the supply of defensive weapons and we are strengthening our support to nato as well. russia claims it's the west that escalating the crisis. translation: the us and its allies have abandoned diplomatic rules i and have been seeking to undermine our country with unilateral sanctions as well as increasing military pressure on russia with manoeuvres along the russian borders. they are trying to draw kyiv into making provocations against russia. near the capital, kyiv, ukrainians prepare for the worst. the civilians are part of the country's defence plan, if russia does invade. it is normal life, this man works in logistics, but every saturday he trains as a soldier. he has wanted to do this, he says, since russia's invasion in 2014 of crimea. and now a new danger looms. translation: i am ready to fight back. | i am confident the enemy will not reach kyiv. we ukrainians have always been good at self organisation. and we will be the first to support the ukrainian army. they've said they will defend their capital street by street if they have to do — if diplomacy to deter an invasion fails. caroline hawley, bbc news. joining me now is our russia correspondent olga ivshina. the foreign minister of ukraine playing concerns down, but how concerned are the people of ukraine? it is different in different parts of the country and society, you know, it is hard tojudge, but many people in ukraine seem very calm. one of the explanations for that is that the conflict is old for eight years already, so they have been through the annexation of crimea, they have been through a conflict, which can be called a real war in ukraine, they lost someone they knew, family members and friends, you know, 15,000 people were killed, hundreds of thousands have lost their homes. in a way, people are used to that story, and at the moment, you know, people believe what they want to believe, so some say a major threat is coming, we need to prepare, many people have joined territorial battalions, so to say, managers and housewives learning how to dismantle kalashnikovs. others say no, i believe the reports of troops are not enough, nothing bad will happen, so people choose their strategies accordingly. hoar their strategies accordingly. how helful is their strategies accordingly. how helpful is it _ their strategies accordingly. how helpful is it not _ their strategies accordingly. how helpful is it not to _ their strategies accordingly. how helpful is it not to have the united states present at these talks in paris? because up until now, it is always thought that the future of ukraine was being decided and discussed between the kremlin and the white house. in a discussed between the kremlin and the white house.— discussed between the kremlin and the white house. in a way, moscow is en'o in: the white house. in a way, moscow is enjoying the — the white house. in a way, moscow is enjoying the scenario _ the white house. in a way, moscow is enjoying the scenario in _ the white house. in a way, moscow is enjoying the scenario in which - enjoying the scenario in which russia speaks directly to the united states and which moscow ties together different questions, because from the moscow point of view, they are all connected. from other countries' point of view, they are not connected. it must go's position is stronger when they link everything and discuss everything as one. when it is separated, it is harderfor one. when it is separated, it is harder for moscow to manoeuvre and acknowledge certain things. so on the one hand, it is more convenient, on the other hand it is harder. the basic trouble is that there is a total lack of trust between russia and ukraine, and in that circumstance, it is hard to achieve anything in terms of a diplomatic breakthrough. haifa anything in terms of a diplomatic breakthrough-— anything in terms of a diplomatic breakthrouah. ., ., . ., , breakthrough. how would sanctions auainst breakthrough. how would sanctions against vladimir _ breakthrough. how would sanctions against vladimir putin really take i against vladimir putin really take effect? because the kremlin has dismissed the idea that personal sanctions against him would be politically disastrous, but personally ineffective. in a politically disastrous, but personally ineffective. in a way, ou personally ineffective. in a way, you know. _ personally ineffective. in a way, you know, ordinary— personally ineffective. in a way, you know, ordinary ukrainians l personally ineffective. in a way, l you know, ordinary ukrainians are used to news from eastern ukraine, and russians are used to news about sanctions, these are just uncomfortable images describing the mood, russians are used to the notion of sanctions, and due to external reasons, the russian economy is struggling over the past couple of years, and ordinary people are feeling those punches, they are feeling the effect of the pandemic, and you now, they feel that their life has become harder. but in a way, this crisis is helping putin to get these points internally, because he says, this and are surrounded by enemies and we are a peaceful nation, wejust move enemies and we are a peaceful nation, we just move our soldiers within our own bodies. so in a way, the question, these questions, especially the talks with the us on the table, it is already a success for moscow, the fact that the west is so much worried, that is a successful putin, because he wants to show his people, i am strong and can challenge the united states. thank you very much, our russia correspondent. high pressure has been keeping things largely dry and settled over the last few days, and a bit more of that today, particularly across england and wales, with bright skies around but for scotland and northern ireland, the rest of the day wind and rain approaching on a weather front, working through north—west scotland and parts of northern ireland this evening as well, pushing slowly south with gales developing across northern scotland, disruptive winds and scattered showers. overnight, temperature for some of us falling to 3—4, milder across central uk. thursday morning we have this weather front slipping slowly south across southern england and wales, and we are all eventually under these clearer skies heading our way. a few showers across parts of scotland, but most places having a predominantly dry day. brisk winds easing in the north and highs of 7—13. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines. as westminster awaits the report of a senior civil servant into lockdown parties in government, borisjohnson faces mps in a rowdy house of commons. the labour leader has called on him to step down. the ministerial code says that ministers who knowingly mislead parliament are expected to offer their resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to him? mr minister believe that applies to him? ~ ,,, ., ,, minister believe that applies to him? ~ .,~ ., minister believe that applies to him? ~ ., , , him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the — him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house _ him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that _ him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that i _ him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that i think - him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that i think he - him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that i think he is l me tell the house that i think he is inviting _ me tell the house that i think he is inviting a _ me tell the house that i think he is inviting a question about an investigation that as you know i can't _ investigation that as you know i can't comment. sue gray's inquiry into lockdown parties at downing street could be published as early as this afternoon, with several mps saying they will then decide whether to submit letters of no confidence in the prime minister's leadership. foreign office emails leaked by a whistleblower appear to show the prime minister did approve the evacuation of pen farthing and his animals from afghanistan in august — which mrjohnson denied at the time. one of the uk's biggest covid studies reveals two—thirds of people recently infected with omicron say they have had the virus before, and that! in 23 people had covid in the first three weeks of january. as russia maintains its huge military presence on its borders with ukraine — talks take place in paris to try to defuse tensions. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane. the russian daniil medvedev has controversially said he took inspiration from novak djokovic to get through to the semi—finals of the australian open. he came back from two sets down against canadian felix auger—alliasime to win in five sets. it was an impressive initial display from the canadian who quickly took the first two sets. but medvedev stepped up a gear to win the third and fourth. it could have gone either way in the fifth, but the russian took the deciding set 6—4. when asked how he did it, medvedev name—checked the world number one, who was deported from australia because of his vaccination status. his unpopular muse prompted boos from the crowd. ididn't i didn't really know what to do so i was like. — i didn't really know what to do so i was like. i— i didn't really know what to do so i was like, i don't know if he were going _ was like, i don't know if he were going to — was like, i don't know if he were going to like it, but i told myself, what _ going to like it, but i told myself, what novak djokovic would do. and it worked _ what novak djokovic would do. and it worked i_ what novak djokovic would do. and it worked. i managed to raise my level during _ worked. i managed to raise my level during the _ worked. i managed to raise my level during the game, especially in the tie-break — during the game, especially in the tie—break. when they close the roof i tie—break. when they close the roof l suddenly— tie—break. when they close the roof i suddenly felt the momentum changing my game and felt i could go through— changing my game and felt i could go through the court more and serve better, _ through the court more and serve better, just started playing better. meanwhile, britain's alfie hewett and gordon reid have won a record ninth consecutive grand slam title with victory in the wheelchair doubles against gustavo fernandez and shingo kunieda. they took the first set 6—2, but then lost the seccond. it went to a match tie break and then the players had to leave the court because of rain, with hewett and reid 5—4 up at the time. it was an agonising wait, but they returned eventually to battle for the victory — 10—7 it finished in the tie break. hewett and reid have not lost a slam final together since wimbledon in 2019. and there was more success for great britain with andy lapthorne winning the quad—wheelchair doubles alongside american partner david wagner. they also won after a 10—7 match—tie break. it's lapthorne's 15th grand slam title and his 6th at the australian open. he said it sends an incredibly positive message about representation in wheelchair tennis. england head coach eddiejones has said the injured owen farrell will help behind the scenes, despite being ruled out of playing in the six nations. jones confirmed his captain's ankle requires surgery. the 30—year—old — who has 94 caps, injured his ankle in a collision while training at club side saracens. he's expected to undergo surgery today and has been ruled out of the entire six nations. with ten days to go until the start of the tournament, jones admitted it's a blow for england. whilst it is enormously disappointing, it is part of the game, and he will get the operation and do his rehab and get back as quickly as possible. so we have had a couple of quick chats. he will continue to do little bits and pieces for us behind the scenes to keep involved. he'll cope with the situation really well. to the premier league now and it's been decided that clubs must have a minimum of four players who have tested positive for coronavirus in their squad before they apply to have their match postponed. the new rules will come into effect ahead of this weekend's twice postponed burnley watford match at turf moor. it follows a premier league meeting of clubs today to discuss updating guidence. previously some clubs were criticised for siting injuries and international call ups as reasons — along with covid — for having matches postponed. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. two—thirds of people recently infected with the omicron variant of coronavirus say they've had covid before, according to research. the findings come from the react—i study which also found that earlier this month, i in 23 people in england would have tested positive — that's the highest rate ever recorded. here's our health correspondent, anna collinson. unprecedented amounts of covid, that's how scientists behind one of england's largest infection studies have described the start of 2022, with the delta variant all but wiped out by the more transmissible omicron. the react study collected more than 100,000 swabs from volunteers during the first weeks in january. its findings suggest around one in 23 people in england would have tested positive for covid, the highest rate ever recorded. researchers also found around two in three people, 65%, who had recently been infected with covid had also reported a past infection. further work is needed to understand how many of these cases were true reinfections, but it's thought certain groups like key workers and parents are more at risk. they are more likely to be the types of people who are meeting other people and who might get infected. for example, people who live in large households are coming into contact with more people at home, and certainly we see the people from large households do have a higher infection rate. while adult infection rates have been falling, having pupils back in the classroom after the christmas break may explain the rise amongst children. prevalence in the north east is said to be particularly high. the situation in school at the moment is a nightmare. we've got more staff testing positive every week, and i'm dreading tonight because we test twice a week, and i'm expecting more staff to go down with it tonight. we've got children off across the school, i think in the high 20s now, of children who've tested positive, but on top of that, we've got staff whose children are testing positive so they are trying to juggle childcare with their partners. it's really difficult. high levels of covid among children can then be passed on to adults, including the hundreds of thousands of people who are at higher risk of serious illness. it's thought that what happened to tom, who has primary immunodeficiency and required hospital treatment after catching covid despite isolating. plan b measures are being dropped in england from tomorrow, but health advice for people like tom remains. while he understands people need for normality, he's anxious. i think it's a massive step, and i think arguably things could be slowed down to protect people like myself where the vaccine hasn't given us a response. so from tomorrow, face coverings will not be compulsory, what would be your message to people watching about whether they should wear them or not? putting a mask on may restrict you for the one minute you are in the shop, two minutes you do your grocery shopping, but actually, it will make the individual feel better, it will allow them to live more than normal life, and will definitely reduce their anxieties are just awareness of others would be amazing. anna collinson, bbc news. proof of covid—i9 status to enter bars, restaurants and cinemas has been scrapped in northern ireland. nightclubs can re—open and indoor standing events such as concerts can take place. the stormont executive is continuing to recommend that people work from home where they can. the welsh government is cutting the minimum self—isolation period from seven to five days bringing wales into line with england and northern ireland. to end isolation, two negative tests will be required on days five and six. the change will take effect on friday. game of thrones actor peter dinklage has made comments about disney's forthcoming live action adaptation of snow white and the seven dwarfs. dinklage, who stars in the forthcoming oscar—tipped film cyrano — has a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia. he said the remake was "backward" due to its portrayal of dwarfism. the originalfilm, released in 1938 is considered one of the studio's classics. the actor said, "you're progressive in one way but you're still making that backward story of seven dwarves living in the cave." a disney spokesperson has responded to the critisms saying:"to avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community. we look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period. joining me now is fats timbo who is a content creator, model and comedian. she describes herself as a little woman living as a little woman living life without limits! i should say you are. what is your view of this remake of snow white and peter dinklage's comments? i and peter dinklage's comments? i completely agree with him. before disney came out with that statement, i was very against what they were trying to portray for the seven dwarves with snow white. i think it is a backwards way, as peter said, but it almost makes little people sound like they are mindless creatures. the thing is about the term dwarf, because it is not an offensive term because it is a medical term, offensive term because it is a medicalterm, but offensive term because it is a medical term, but they use it in the fantasy films, so we are called mythical creatures and it is a medical term at the same time, so there is a problem with that because people cannot differentiate the two. they think we are mythical creatures in real life when in real life we are normal adults, normal citizens, that just want to go about are normal adults, normal citizens, thatjust want to go about our day. and ifaced quite a lot of problems in my life because of that and because of the late media shows little people. for example, charlie and the chocolate factory, i get called it all the time, you are one of the snow—white dwarves, it is not fun. it of the snow-white dwarves, it is not fun. ,., , of the snow-white dwarves, it is not fun. ,,' of the snow-white dwarves, it is not fun. , ., of the snow-white dwarves, it is not fun. , ,' ., ., fun. it sounds baffling to me that in this day and _ fun. it sounds baffling to me that in this day and age _ fun. it sounds baffling to me that in this day and age it _ fun. it sounds baffling to me that in this day and age it is _ fun. it sounds baffling to me that in this day and age it is still - in this day and age it is still happening to you. the way people treat you sometimes as if you are an object to be played around with? exactly. when i was younger, i had a few people try to pick me up. i have had a few people pick me up and tossed me around, whatever, because there is this thing in wolf of wall street, they tell us little people, they say dwarf tossing, but they tell us little people for money and it is like, these sorts of things can be shown in movies as if it is normal and people are going to think it is hilarious, it is funny, but it affects little people's lives. because they don't see as regularly, when they do see is it is not going to be a positive connotation they're going to have a vase. i to be a positive connotation they're going to have a vase.— going to have a vase. i have seen that film. — going to have a vase. i have seen that film. and _ going to have a vase. i have seen that film, and i _ going to have a vase. i have seen that film, and i know _ going to have a vase. i have seen that film, and i know the - going to have a vase. i have seen that film, and i know the scene i going to have a vase. i have seen i that film, and i know the scene and it is deeply offensive. despite all of these obstacles and challenges that you have had, i was reading online and you said at one point you felt like you were cursed in some way but you have really turned it round and you have 2 million followers on tick—tock? how did you do it? what did you say to yourself to make that change? so do it? what did you say to yourself to make that change?— do it? what did you say to yourself to make that change? so about five ears a . o, to make that change? so about five years ago. i— to make that change? so about five years ago, i wanted _ to make that change? so about five years ago, i wanted to _ to make that change? so about five years ago, i wanted to start - years ago, i wanted to start modelling, and i was thinking about it for so long but i was thinking, i don't know how to do it, who will help me, and then i saw a casting call asking for people with disabilities and albino, all types of abilities and disabilities, and i was thinking, they are asking for somebody like me? i'm going to sign up. when i did it it was the most liberating campaign i have ever done in my life and i was thinking, i want to do this for the rest of my life. i want to show the world that i am proud of who i am and i am proud to be a little person. i'm going to show that you can be whatever size, whatever skin colour and to do whatever you want. i really wanted to show that message because i felt so liberated when i was modelling and itjust turned into all these different talents that i had in me because everyone used to say i was so funny, why don't i be a comedian? one day i went on tiktok two years ago and it blew up, one video got 33 million and i was like, while, people are really liking my stuff. but honestly it has been amazing, it has been a whirlwind, because before that time i was not confident and i felt lost, i was not confident and i felt lost, i felt cursed because i was not confident and i felt lost, ifelt cursed because i felt like my purpose in life was to be ifelt cursed because i felt like my purpose in life was to he laughed at. i always felt like the clown and now i feel like a queen. just saying. now i feel like a queen. just sa inc. ., v now i feel like a queen. just sa inc. . �*, ., saying. that's quite a transformation, - saying. that's quite a transformation, but l saying. that's quite a i transformation, but you saying. that's quite a - transformation, but you are saying. that's quite a _ transformation, but you are being laughed at but on your terms because you choose it. i have seen some of the photos in these photo shoots, you get to where some really glamorous stuff. what is the sort of feedback you get from other people with dwarfism are people of small stature? , ., , ,., , with dwarfism are people of small stature? , ., , , ., stature? they absolutely love it. i didn't grow _ stature? they absolutely love it. i didn't grow up _ stature? they absolutely love it. i didn't grow up seeing _ stature? they absolutely love it. i didn't grow up seeing somebody l stature? they absolutely love it. i. didn't grow up seeing somebody like me and the fact that other little people can relate to me, can message me, and i talk about my day—to—day life and the things that i go through and i am sure they relate to everything i'm saying. i cannot relate to anyone on tv, my parents and siblings are average height, and i couldn't relate to anyone. i think it's a great feeling to look at someone and know that you are not alone and you are being represented out there. i think that's great and thatis out there. i think that's great and that is my main motivation because i want to show people that i am here to stay and i am here to represent. just going back quickly to the film snow white and the seven dwarves, how could the remake that without it being offensive and reductive and backwards —looking? i being offensive and reductive and backwards -looking?_ being offensive and reductive and backwards -looking? i think, do you know what. — backwards -looking? i think, do you know what, even _ backwards -looking? i think, do you know what, even if _ backwards -looking? i think, do you know what, even if they _ backwards -looking? i think, do you know what, even if they change - backwards -looking? i think, do you know what, even if they change the | know what, even if they change the name to snow white and the little people and the little people actually had their own stories and it showed how actually little people live. sometimes you have you have to use a stool get things, sometimes you get ridiculed then you have to combat your low self esteem because of how the world is built. the world isn't built for little people or disabled people in general. it is not accessible whatsoever. so if itjust showed different stories about what the little people go through, it would be better, and if snow—white was the one, it can be about snow white but it needs to be sympathetic about what goes on in their lives too. you are a content _ what goes on in their lives too. you are a content creator, i think you should write that version. i should write that version. i literallyjust of should write that version. i literally just of that should write that version. i literallyjust of that the spot. literally just of that the spot. there you go. that would be a winner, to have all of those little people having their own stories. it has been really good to talk to you and i hope we see you very soon on the news channel. more than 87,000 people in the uk rely on british sign language to communicate. but it has no legal status — and in large parts of the country people have problems accessing it in places like schools and hospitals. the labour mp rosie cooper and the strictly star rose ayling ellis are two of the people hoping to change that — with a bill to be discussed in parliament this week. yvonne cobb, from the bbc�*s see hear programme, reports. for 35—year—old marius, who has been deaf since birth, everyday activities can be a challenge. hello! hold on... i'm deaf. please could you lower your mask? ok, here. let's have it here. when you go out to places such as cafes, do you struggle to communicate? yes, it's hard. if people have a mask, then i gesture or take things on my phone. but sometimes they just stare at me blankly. sometimes the other person will lower their mask, or use gestures to communicate. so really, it depends. but it can be frustrating. british sign language has been around for centuries, with one of the earliest records dating back to the 15th century. just like the english language, there are regional variations and dialects for words. for instance, there are 22 signs for the colour purple. it's estimated there are over 87,000 deaf people using british sign language in the uk. it is recognised as a language, but unlike welsh and gaelic, it has no legal status. deaf people such as strictly winner rose and campaigners in england are now calling for a change in the law. if i go to the doctor and there is no interpreter, it means i have to bring a family member with me. but i don't want that, i want privacy. ok, can ijust say something crazy? i love crazy! # and its nothing like i've ever known before! #. why doesn't this country legally recognise bsl? it's our language. it feels wrong. it's not right. it should be accepted and not ignored. deaf people have been sidelined for a long time. but i feel like saying "no, we are here, so accept us." mp rosie cooper's parents are both deaf, so she grew up seeing first hand how they struggled. she has made suggestions for changes to the law that would see bsl declared as an official language of the united kingdom. the minister will say that she will organise a committee of deaf bsl users to report to the secretary of state, the boss, on what deaf people need each year. so you will be seeing what the government are doing, you will have recognition and you will have deaf voices to say, "that was rubbish, this is good." but with bsl interpreters costing an average £280 per day, will the bill be passed? the government has engaged with rosie cooper mp and is currently considering the private members bill. there are similar campaigns in wales and northern ireland, while scotland has already passed the bsl act back in 2015. we hope the whole of the uk will finally give bsl the legal recognition it deserves so that the deaf community can finally feel part of society. yvonne cobb, bbc news. siblings separated by the care system have told the bbc of the trauma of not seeing each other — in some cases for years. details from over 200 local authorities have revealed that around half of sibling groups in care are currently split up. the law says brothers and sisters should be placed together and, where this is not possible, contact should be prioritised when it's right for each child. the children's commissioner for england has told the bbc she would support a new law to keep siblings together. our reporter ashleyjohn—baptiste grew up in care, and recently discovered he had a sibling he never knew about. he explores what it means to those who have been in the care system. how are you feeling about meeting your brothers? excited. yeah? yeah. for children growing up in care, their brothers and sisters can often be the only family left, but across the uk, thousands of them are currently split up. in fife, in scotland, someone trying to reunite them is veteran foster carer karen morrison. ourfamily are foster carers and it didn't take long for us to realise, you know, that these children are going into the care system and they're not going to the same place together. in fact, they don't even know when they're going to see each other again. just imagine that trauma. it must be awful. siblings reunited is a charity providing a safe space for split—up groups in care to meet every few months. how excited have you guys been to meet today? ten out of ten. ten out of ten? 9,000. 9,000? for karen, it's not only about sibling relationships, but about creating better chances in life. we're not only making a difference now, but fast—forward to when they leave the care system, and imagine if they had each other. freedom of information requests sent to over 200 uk local authorities have revealed that more than 12,000 looked—after children are not living with at least one of their siblings. in manchester, 24—year—old saskia has recently become a social worker. in their adoptive home, saskia and her two brothers suffered physical abuse and neglect for a decade. when they went back into council care, they were separated across different areas. i lost such a key part of myself, i think, because it was, like, it's us three against the world, you know, it always has been. and so, being so far away from them, it's like, oh, i'm not as strong any more. sometimes, siblings is all you've got left, and if you take those away, you're taking the last thing away, like... the last bit of hope. yeah. yeah, yeah, the last bit of your identity. an independent review of the england care system is currently under way, with findings and recommendations expected to be published later this year. in scotland, new laws are giving siblings more control over their relationships. for these brothers, however, it's time to say bye for now. bye! ashleyjohn—baptiste, bbc news. you can watch split up in care: life without siblings on bbc iplayer. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. many of us been struggling to see much any way of sunshine over the last few days but there is a bit more sunshine.— last few days but there is a bit more sunshine. this was a picture from one of— more sunshine. this was a picture from one of our— more sunshine. this was a picture from one of our weather - more sunshine. this was a picture from one of our weather watchers| from one of our weather watchers earlier on. plenty of blue sky there but a bit more cloud across and wales. in general for the rest of today, england and wales are brighter and milder than it has been recently. scotland and northern ireland seeing cloud that brings increasing wind and rain later on in the day so all down to this approaching weather front, lots of isobars in the north so things turning increasingly windy but further south under the influence of high pressure. the rest of today england and wales looking dry with late brightness. it will be breezy wherever you are but particularly across the north of scotland, 50 mph gusts and stronger overnight. the temperature falling quickest once the sun sets on the south where we have those clearer spells. this weather front bringing rain to northern ireland and is southern scotland. showers in the north—west and gales developing for the northern isles and parts of the highlands as well. the temperature getting down to 3—4, a touch colder in the countryside, but milder through the central swathe of the uk and outbreaks of patchy rain on this weather front. heading into thursday, the front initially with us slipping south so bringing cloud and a few spots of drizzle for southern england and wales but once that clears but once that clears away we will be on the brighter skies, a few showers across the north—west, still quite windy but the wind is not quite as strong as overnight across the north of scotland. the temperature tomorrow about 7—13 so still reasonably mild this time of year. moving to the end of the working week and into friday, a ridge of high pressure holds onto our weather ahead of the next approaching weather front so the weather front will bring some rain on friday to northern and western scotland, perhaps a few spots into northern ireland and north—west england but further south and east it should be dry, turning quite breezy with the top temperature between 8—11 on friday. looking to the weekend, plenty of dry but cloudy and breezy weather around, some rain approaching towards the north and north—west. bye for now. i'm ben brown, live in downing street on another difficult day for the prime minister as westminster awaits the report of a senior civil servant into lockdown parties in government, borisjohnson faces mps in a rowdy house of commons. the labour leader has called on him to step down. the ministerial code says that ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to him? prime minister! mr speaker, of course — but let me tell the house i think he is inviting a question about an investigation which, you know, mr speaker, i cannot comment. downing street says it still hasn't received the sue gray inquiry report into lockdown parties at number ten. several tory mps have said they are waiting to see the details before they decide whether or not to submit letters of no confidence in the prmie minister's leadership. and more controversy for the prime minister — foreign office emails leaked by a whistle—blower appear to show the prime minister did approve the evacuation of pen farthing and his animals from afghanistan in august, which mrjohnson denied at the time. i'll be bringing you all the latest developments on that report into downing street parties as they happens. and i'm martine croxall with the rest of the day's stories. the us embassy in ukraine urges its citizens to consider departing now, as russia maintains a large military presence on the border with ukraine. pcr tests of about 100,000 volunteers in the react study also showed that one in 23 people had covid in the first three weeks of january. i'm ben brown live in downing street, where officials say they still haven't received the report by senior civil servant sue gray into lockdown parties at number ten and elsewhere in whitehall. at a raucous prime minister's questions in the commons this lunchtime, the labour leader, sir keir starmer, said the conservatives had done immense damage to public trust and called again on mrjohnson to resign. it's understood sue gray's crucial report is now complete, but we still don't know when it will be published or, when it is, whether we'll get to see it in full. and there's another big headache for the prime minister this afternoon. whistle—blower e—mails published by the foreign affairs select committee seem to show that borisjohnson did personally authorise the evacuation from afghanistan of cats and dogs from an animal charity run by a former marine, pen farthing, in august last year. in the past, the prime minister has categorically denied he gave the go—ahead for such an operation, and he dismissed claims that the government was effectively prioritising animals over people. more on that very shortly, but first here's our political correspondentjonathan blake. westminster is waiting. the prime minister left downing street this morning with his fate hanging in the balance. expectations could not be higher as he arrived at the house of commons to face prime minister's questions. but for now, the questions and the answers sounded like more of the same. the ministerial code says that ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to him? prime minister! mr speaker, of course — but let me tell the house i think he's inviting a question about an investigation which, as you know, mr speaker, i can't comment. borisjohnson was challenged to make public the results of the inquiry into events that may have broken covid rules. can the prime minister confirm he will publish the full sue gray report as he receives it? mr speaker, i can tell him that we have got to leave that report to the independent investigator, as he knows, and then of course, when i receive it, of course i will do exactly what i said. labour trying to paint a picture of a prime minister on borrowed time. whatever he says in his statement later today or tomorrow won't change the facts — isn't this a prime minister and a government that have shown nothing but contempt for the decency, honesty and respect that define this country? borisjohnson was defiant, sounding intent on staying put. we have taken the tough decisions. we have got the big calls right. and i am getting on with the job. after the first accusations emerged of a christmas party during the first covid lockdown, the denialfrom borisjohnson was firm. what i can tell the right honourable gentleman is that all guidance was followed completely during numberten. from then on, it emerged that in may 2020 around 100 staff were invited to drinks in the downing street garden. the prime minister said he thought was a work event. the following month, staff gathered in the cabinet room of number ten to celebrate boris johnson's birthday with cake and picnic food when social gatherings were banned, and in april last year, the night before the queen sat alone at prince philip's funeral, two leaving parties were held in number ten. the prime minister's senior adviser turned fierce critic dominic cummings has given his account in writing to the sue gray inquiry. for those still working in number ten, the scrutiny has been intense, the consequences uncertain. the wait won't last much longer, for what's been promised as a definitive version of events. jonathan blake, bbc news. nick eardley is our political correspondent in central lobby in the houses of parliament, jonathan blake confidently saying the white will not last much longer, but it has been going on and on, any intelligence about why we are waiting so long? sue gray's people have made it clear that the report is complete, so why hasn't it been handed to number ten? it is is complete, so why hasn't it been handed to number ten?— is complete, so why hasn't it been handed to number ten? it is a good ruestion, handed to number ten? it is a good question, number— handed to number ten? it is a good question, number ten _ handed to number ten? it is a good question, number ten still- handed to number ten? it is a good question, number ten still do - handed to number ten? it is a good question, number ten still do not i question, number ten still do not have the report, my understanding is it is still going through some checks on legal issues, checks with the merit that it is not going to get in the way of their investigation. but as things stand at four o'clock, it is still not with the prime minister. in the commons, we are now under the last piece of business for the day, which is an adjournment debate, which often doesn't last that long. so the prospect of the prime minister being here to respond to the report seems to be fading. it is not impossible, ben, that it could still happen. it is still possible, in theory, that the day could be extended in parliament, but the fact that number ten still do not have it under some checks are still going on suggest that the window for it being published and responded to by the government today, that is narrowing. so we are in that kind of holding pattern, i suppose, so we are in that kind of holding pattern, isuppose, at so we are in that kind of holding pattern, i suppose, at the moment, nick, which means that prime minister's questions this lunchtime was less explosive than it might have been. i was less explosive than it might have been-— have been. i think that is right, dare i say _ have been. i think that is right, dare i say it. — have been. i think that is right, dare i say it, we _ have been. i think that is right, dare i say it, we have - have been. i think that is right, dare i say it, we have been - have been. i think that is right, dare i say it, we have been in l have been. i think that is right, dare i say it, we have been in a holding pattern for a couple of weeks now, because quite frankly there are tory mps who are unhappy with the prime minister, there are some who are thinking about calling for a confidence vote after the sue gray report comes out, but they don't want to do that until they have seen the details. as well as those who are minded to call for a confidence vote, there are those who just want to see the report and see how critical or otherwise it is before making their mind up. and then there are some, of course, who completely support the prime minister and will try to find ways to defend him after seeing the report. so yes, absolutely, still in a holding pattern. how long that continues to last, i'm not totally certain, to be honest. it is possible that we could get things tomorrow, it is possible that we don't. we are kind of in that place where we're at the mercy of two government departments, the cabinet office to hand it over, and the number ten to it.— office to hand it over, and the number ten to it. . ,, i. . number ten to it. thank you. when i said i wonder — number ten to it. thank you. when i said i wonder if _ number ten to it. thank you. when i said i wonder if you _ number ten to it. thank you. when i said i wonder if you had _ number ten to it. thank you. when i said i wonder if you had any - said i wonder if you had any intelligence, that wasn't an insult, i know you have all the intelligence in the world! stay with us, because another question in a minute. another headache for borisjohnson another headache for boris johnson this afternoon. whistle—blower e—mails raise further questions over borisjohnson's insistence he did not intervene to assist the evacuation of around 170 stray dogs and cats from afghanisan last summer. the animal charity nowzad, run by pen farthing, appealed for help in flying out the animals as the taliban seized control of the afghan capital last year. one foreign office email, released today by the foreign affairs committee of mps, says the prime minister did intervene to authorise the evacuatuion of the charity's staff and animals. mrjohnson has previously dismissed claims that he prioritised animals over people during the operation. the foreign affairs select committee i has heard from an official who saysl the response to the situation in kabul was chaotic- land has suggested that you yourself| intervened to try and get the nowzad animals out, and they got priority over some afghan people. - did you intervene in that way? i no, that is complete nonsense. what i can tell you is that the operation, 0p pitting, to airlift 15,000 people out of kabul in the way that we did over the summer, was one of the outstanding military achievements of the last 50 years or more. that was the prime minister speaking about that in december. in the last hour, the defence secretary, ben wallace, has strongly denied that the prime minister ordered the evacuation of the charity's team and its pets. nothing to do with the prime minister, neverat nothing to do with the prime minister, never at any stage did he -et minister, never at any stage did he get in _ minister, never at any stage did he get in touch— minister, never at any stage did he get in touch with me about it, so the claims — get in touch with me about it, so the claims that have been made in e-mails _ the claims that have been made in e—mails from the foreign office, who were not— e—mails from the foreign office, who were not responsible for the actual evacuation — were not responsible for the actual evacuation operation, i don't know where _ evacuation operation, i don't know where they've come from, but they certainly _ where they've come from, but they certainly don't show the reality, which _ certainly don't show the reality, which was — certainly don't show the reality, which was i was in charge, the prime minister— which was i was in charge, the prime minister never asked me, which was i was in charge, the prime minister neverasked me, it which was i was in charge, the prime minister never asked me, it was nonsense — the defence secretary there being pretty clear. but, nick eardley, more questions for the prime minister, not this time about parties in downing street but the evacuation of animals from afghanistan. it evacuation of animals from afghanistan.— evacuation of animals from afghanistan. evacuation of animals from afahanistan. , , , �* afghanistan. it is busy here, ben, ou can afghanistan. it is busy here, ben, you can see _ afghanistan. it is busy here, ben, you can see it _ afghanistan. it is busy here, ben, you can see it all _ afghanistan. it is busy here, ben, you can see it all going _ afghanistan. it is busy here, ben, you can see it all going on - afghanistan. it is busy here, ben, you can see it all going on in - afghanistan. it is busy here, ben, you can see it all going on in the i you can see it all going on in the background. the simple answer to thatis background. the simple answer to that is when, in august last year, when there was a mass evacuation from kabul airport, there was a lot of criticism of the idea that animals were potentially being prioritised when a lot of people hadn't got out. as you saw in that clip a couple of minutes ago, boris johnson said he simply wasn't involved in that process, he said it was complete nonsense to say he had made it happen. these e—mails today are potentially very tricky for the prime minister, on top of all the other tricky things that he is dealing with, because they say, from a staff member in the foreign office, they say that the prime minister had approved the evacuation of pen farthing's staff and animals. so, you know, isuspect of pen farthing's staff and animals. so, you know, i suspect this one will run and run. number ten continue to say, and you heard ben wallace say that is not the case. but it is another tricky question for the prime minister. let's mull this over with another mp now, wendy chamberlain of the liberal democrats, thank you so much for coming to chat with us. can i ask you quickly about this accusation that the prime minister was involved in this evacuation of animals from afghanistan in august? we have heard the prime minister deny that, we have heard the defence secretary say the same. do you believe them? well. the same. do you believe them? well, we are having — the same. do you believe them? well, we are having a — the same. do you believe them? well, we are having a conversation _ the same. do you believe them? well, we are having a conversation about whether— we are having a conversation about whether we — we are having a conversation about whether we believe the prime minister— whether we believe the prime minister or not, because the evidence _ minister or not, because the evidence suggests that he did not tell the _ evidence suggests that he did not tell the truth in relation to statements. as a constituency mp, i had a _ statements. as a constituency mp, i had a lot— statements. as a constituency mp, i had a lot of— statements. as a constituency mp, i had a lot of mps about pen farthing and his— had a lot of mps about pen farthing and his charity, so there are differing _ and his charity, so there are differing views from people in terms of what _ differing views from people in terms of what view should be taken, but i don't _ of what view should be taken, but i don't understand why the prime minister— don't understand why the prime minister felt he was not involved when _ minister felt he was not involved when these e—mails clearly say that he was _ when these e-mails clearly say that he was. , , ., he was. the wider issue and everybody's _ he was. the wider issue and everybody's lips _ he was. the wider issue and everybody's lips today, - he was. the wider issue and | everybody's lips today, when he was. the wider issue and - everybody's lips today, when are we going to see this sue gray report? are you still expecting to hear anything today, potentially tomorrow? in anything today, potentially tomorrow?— anything today, potentially tomorrow? ., , tomorrow? in the conversations i have had, — tomorrow? in the conversations i have had, i— tomorrow? in the conversations i have had, ithink— tomorrow? in the conversations i have had, i think the _ tomorrow? in the conversations i have had, i think the answer - tomorrow? in the conversations i have had, i think the answer is i have had, i think the answer is probably— have had, i think the answer is probably not. we are told number ten still do _ probably not. we are told number ten still do not _ probably not. we are told number ten still do not have the report, and that part — still do not have the report, and that part of this jigsaw still do not have the report, and that part of thisjigsaw is not in the government's control. but it is notjust— the government's control. but it is notjust opposition the government's control. but it is not just opposition parties that want _ not just opposition parties that want to— not just opposition parties that want to see this, there are constituents, but also the conservatives. so we have just had the adjournment debate, which usually— the adjournment debate, which usually takes place at seven o'clock on a wednesday, and there is a rumour— on a wednesday, and there is a rumour going around that conservatives are getting ready to speak— conservatives are getting ready to speak in— conservatives are getting ready to speak in that debate to keep it running — speak in that debate to keep it running until seven o'clock so that the house — running until seven o'clock so that the house does not rise, and therefore _ the house does not rise, and therefore if the report does come, a statement _ therefore if the report does come, a statement can be made. i think it shows— statement can be made. i think it shows you — statement can be made. i think it shows you how chaotic the situation is, the _ shows you how chaotic the situation is, the government have no control over that _ is, the government have no control over that and a number of things 'ust over that and a number of things just now — over that and a number of things 'ust now. ~ , ., _ over that and a number of things 'ust now. ~ i. _ i. over that and a number of things 'ust now. ~ ., �* just now. when you say you don't think the report _ just now. when you say you don't think the report is _ just now. when you say you don't think the report is coming - just now. when you say you don't think the report is coming today i just now. when you say you don't. think the report is coming today or tomorrow, are way into next week before we start mulling over what the sue gray report actually says? as you rightly say, after pmqs, depending on other business, mps start looking to their constituencies, to get the opportunity to be back there. the reality— opportunity to be back there. the reality is— opportunity to be back there. the reality is there will be less people here tomorrow than today, and even less on— here tomorrow than today, and even less on friday. given the political import— less on friday. given the political import of— less on friday. given the political import of this report, is it right that— import of this report, is it right that the — import of this report, is it right that the government bring it on those _ that the government bring it on those remaining days?- that the government bring it on those remaining days? more broadly, our ea those remaining days? more broadly, your party has — those remaining days? more broadly, your party has made _ those remaining days? more broadly, your party has made up _ those remaining days? more broadly, your party has made up its _ those remaining days? more broadly, your party has made up its mind, - those remaining days? more broadly, your party has made up its mind, it i your party has made up its mind, it thinks the prime minister needs to go. is it not fair to wait for the report before deciding whether the prime minister broke the rules? there are a lot of suggestions of things going on in downing street which did not match up to the guidance that was being put out by the government at the time, but is it not right to wait for that report now? ~ ., it not right to wait for that report now? ~ . ., ., , it not right to wait for that report now? . . ., ., , .., it not right to wait for that report now? . . ., ., , it not right to wait for that report now? . ., ., now? we have already called, as you riahtl now? we have already called, as you rightly say. — now? we have already called, as you rightly say. that _ now? we have already called, as you rightly say, that the _ now? we have already called, as you rightly say, that the prime _ now? we have already called, as you rightly say, that the prime minister. rightly say, that the prime minister needs— rightly say, that the prime minister needs to _ rightly say, that the prime minister needs to resign, not because of the downing _ needs to resign, not because of the downing street party is in themselves, but the statements he made _ themselves, but the statements he made in _ themselves, but the statements he made in the house about those parties. — made in the house about those parties, which have been pointedly proven— parties, which have been pointedly proven to — parties, which have been pointedly proven to be untrue. so the report is may— proven to be untrue. so the report is may be — proven to be untrue. so the report is may be something that tory mps want to— is may be something that tory mps want to say, but i am pretty certain from _ want to say, but i am pretty certain from my— want to say, but i am pretty certain from my constituency mailbox that other— from my constituency mailbox that other people want to see him go as well _ other people want to see him go as well. ., , other people want to see him go as well. . , ,., , well. finally, when the report is published. _ well. finally, when the report is published, how— well. finally, when the report is published, how long _ well. finally, when the report is published, how long do - well. finally, when the report is published, how long do you - well. finally, when the report is| published, how long do you want well. finally, when the report is- published, how long do you want mps to be given to think it through? is an hour enough? that is what the snp was suggesting. irate an hour enough? that is what the snp was suggesting-— was suggesting. we know that ministerial _ was suggesting. we know that ministerial statements, - was suggesting. we know that ministerial statements, there | was suggesting. we know that i ministerial statements, there is a limited _ ministerial statements, there is a limited amount of time, but it depends— limited amount of time, but it depends on the length of the report, it depends _ depends on the length of the report, it depends on the topline findings, it depends on the topline findings, it depends on what the metropolitan police _ it depends on what the metropolitan police are _ it depends on what the metropolitan police are looking at, but an hour might— police are looking at, but an hour might be — police are looking at, but an hour might be reasonable if it gives people — might be reasonable if it gives people time to digest it, but it also _ people time to digest it, but it also means that, you know, we get the opportunity to discuss it to morosely— the opportunity to discuss it to morosely as well. | the opportunity to discuss it to morosely as well.— morosely as well. i am really crateful morosely as well. i am really grateful for _ morosely as well. i am really grateful for you _ morosely as well. i am really grateful for you chatting - morosely as well. i am really grateful for you chatting to i morosely as well. i am really i grateful for you chatting to us, wendy chamberlain of the liberal democrats. so the latest, number ten do not have the report, the commons is not far off adjourning for the night, there are still cheques going on on that report before it is sent to number ten, so it seems increasingly likely that we may be waiting potentially into tomorrow for that report, not confirmed yet, anything could happen, and if we hear anything concrete, we will come back as soon as we hear it. i’m hear anything concrete, we will come back as soon as we hear it.— back as soon as we hear it. i'm sure ou will, back as soon as we hear it. i'm sure you will. nick. _ back as soon as we hear it. i'm sure you will, nick, thank— back as soon as we hear it. i'm sure you will, nick, thank you _ back as soon as we hear it. i'm sure you will, nick, thank you very - back as soon as we hear it. i'm sure you will, nick, thank you very muchj you will, nick, thank you very much indeed. we are waiting on tenterhooks, but i suspect it is looking like you will be where you are tomorrow and i will be here as well, waiting for the details of that sue gray report. that is the latest from outside number ten, back to you, martine. we are letting you go home this evening, aren't we? i don't know, i will find out! the headlines on bbc news: as westminster awaits the report of a senior civil servant into lockdown parties in government, borisjohnson faces mps in a rowdy house of commons. the labour leader has called on him to step down. could be published as early as this afternoon, with several mps saying they will then decide whether to submit letters of no confidence in the prime minister's leadership. foreign office emails leaked by a whistle—blower appear to show the prime minister did approve the evacuation of pen farthing and his animals from afghanistan in august, which mrjohnson denied at the time. the united states has urged its citizens to consider departing now from ukraine, amid rising tensions on the russian border. today, ukraine's foreign minister has played down concerns that a russian invasion might be imminent. dmytro kuleba said moscow had not yet massed enough forces for an invasion, but he acknowledged that the risks were high. talks are taking place in paris between france, germany, russia and ukraine to try to defuse the situation. here, the foreign secretary, liz truss, said the government would not rule out imposing personal sanctions against vladimir putin if russia were to invade ukraine. here's our diplomatic correspondent caroline hawley. new russian military manoeuvres amid escalating tensions. this is western russia, close to ukraine. moscow now has around 100,000 troops massed on the borders of the former soviet republic, with more still arriving. the ukrainian government says russia's aim is to sow panic. it poses a threat to ukraine, a direct threat to ukraine. however, at the moment, as we speak, this number is insufficient for the full—scale offensive against ukraine along the entire ukrainian border. still, as the russian build—up continues, alarm is growing in western capitals. fears of what could be the most serious confrontation in the region since the cold war. these fighterjets are heading to moscow's ally, belarus. and western warnings to russia, threats of punishment, are getting louder. there would be severe economic costs to russia if they were to stage an incursion into ukraine. we are also helping ukraine with the supply of defensive weapons and we are strengthening our support to nato as well. russia claims it's the west that escalating the crisis. translation: the us and its allies have abandoned diplomatic rules i and have been seeking to undermine our country with unilateral sanctions, as well as increasing military pressure on russia with manoeuvres along the russian borders. they are trying to draw kyiv into making provocations against russia. near the capital, kyiv, ukrainians prepare for the worst. the civilians are part of the country's defence plan, if russia does invade. in his normal life, this man works in logistics, but every saturday he trains as a soldier. he's wanted to do this, he says, since russia's invasion in 2014 of crimea. and now a new danger looms. translation: i am ready to fight back. i am confident the enemy will not reach kyiv. we ukrainians have always been good at self organisation. and we will be the first to support the ukrainian army. they've said they will defend their capital street by street if they have to do — if diplomacy to deter an invasion fails. caroline hawley, bbc news. two—thirds of people recently infected with the omicron variant of coronavirus say they've had covid before, according to research. the findings come from the react—i study which also found that earlier this month, one in 23 people in england would have tested positive — that's the highest rate ever recorded. here's our health correspondent anna collinson. unprecedented amounts of covid — that's how scientists behind one of england's largest infection studies have described the start of 2022, with the delta variant all but wiped out by the more transmissible omicron. the react study collected more than 100,000 swabs from volunteers during the first weeks in january. its findings suggest around one in 23 people in england would have tested positive for covid, the highest rate ever recorded. researchers also found around two in three people, 65%, who had recently been infected with covid had also reported a past infection. further work is needed to understand how many of these cases were true reinfections, but it's thought certain groups like key workers and parents are more at risk. they are more likely to be the types of people who are meeting other people and who might get infected. for example, people who live in large households are coming into contact with more people at home, and certainly we see the people from large households do have a higher infection rate. while adult infection rates have been falling, having pupils back in the classroom after the christmas break may explain the rise amongst children. prevalence in the north east is said to be particularly high. the situation in school at the moment is a nightmare. we've got more staff testing positive every week, and i'm dreading tonight, because we test twice a week, and i'm expecting more staff to go down with it tonight. we've got children off across the school, i think in the high 20s now of children who've tested positive, but on top of that, we've got staff whose children are testing positive so they are trying to juggle childcare with their partners. it's really difficult. high levels of covid among children can then be passed on to adults, including the hundreds of thousands of people who are at higher risk of serious illness. it's thought that's what happened to tom, who has immunodeficiency and required hospital treatment after catching covid, despite isolating. plan b measures are being dropped in england from tomorrow, but health advice for people like tom remains. while he understands people's need for normality, he's anxious. i think it's a massive step, and i think arguably things could be slowed down to protect people like myself where the vaccine hasn't given us a response. so from tomorrow, face coverings will not be compulsory, what would be your message to people watching about whether they should wear them or not? putting a mask on may restrict you for the one minute you are in the shop, or the two minutes you do your grocery shopping, but actually, it will make the individual feel better, it will allow them to live a more normal life, and it will definitely reduce their anxiety, so just awareness of others would be amazing. anna collinson, bbc news. proof of covid—i9 status to enter bars, restaurants and cinemas has been scrapped in northern ireland. nightclubs can re—open and indoor standing events such as concerts can take place. the stormont executive is continuing to recommend that people work from home where they can. the welsh government is cutting the minimum self—isolation period from seven to five days, bringing wales into line with england and northern ireland. to end isolation, two negative tests will be required on days five and six. the change will take effect on friday. us coastguard officials say they've found one body in the search for 39 people who are feared missing after their boat capsized off the coast of florida. officials were alerted after a man was found clinging to the hull of the vessel 45 miles off the coast of fort pierce. it's thought the boat may have been part of a human—trafficking operation which set out from the bahamas on saturday. let's return to ukraine, and the us embassy there has been urging its citizens to depart now, or consider departing now, that is as the russian military presence is causing great attention is on its border with ukraine. myroslava petsa is from the bbc�*s ukrainian service in kyiv. how has this been received, this advisory from the united states? well, in kyiv, there has been no reaction yet, but if we think about how kyiv reacted to the first news of four embassy is evacuating its staff or members of families of diplomats,, well, the foreign minister called such reaction an overreaction. he said that it is a premature decision because in his view, and he repeated it today, russia hasn't assembled yet enough forces in order to engage in a full—scale war against ukraine. so out of 125 diplomatic missions, only four of those told the foreign minister that they are eager to evacuate some of their staff, some of the families of diplomats. but, of the families of diplomats. but, of course, ukraine understands, and ukrainian officials understand, that this situation that they describe as being very calm is not as calm as it can be, because of course 100,000 troops are massed at the border, and thatis troops are massed at the border, and that is not what you would call normally calm. talks are taking place in paris between france, germany, russia and ukraine. how helpfulare germany, russia and ukraine. how helpful are the ukrainian government that these will actually make a difference where previous ones have not? well, ukraine is always hoping for a breakthrough. not? well, ukraine is always hoping fora breakthrough. ukraine not? well, ukraine is always hoping for a breakthrough. ukraine is always hoping for some ending of this war, but there is only so much ukraine can do, and that is the feeling here in kyiv. ukrainian officials understand that russia is a bigger power, it has a bigger army, it has a stronger voice in the world. it definitely has a bigger posture. and this is exactly the reason why ukraine hopes for diplomacy to work. ukrainian officials have been calling diplomacy the only way out of this conflict, but these talks in paris that are taking place today are not big talks, they are just talks of the advisers to the leaders of the countries. they are not in charge of negotiations, they are not top officials, and what ukraine expects officials, and what ukraine expects of the negotiator is to stand his ground and not to concede all surrender to what is, you know, described as possible concessions to russia, not tell russia, yes, ukraine is ready to sign some documents saying that donbass will be granted autonomy, dundas will be given some special rights, because in kyiv it is considered an acceptable, the most unacceptable thing is direct talks between kyiv and the russian separatists. that is what is said he won't do under any pressure. what is said he won't do under any aressure. g ., ., ., ~ pressure. myroslava petsa, thank you very much- — very much. we understand that a royal navy ship, hms spey, has we understand that a royal navy ship, hms spey, has arrived we understand that a royal navy ship, hms spey, has arrived in tonga today to unload a large amount of disaster relief following the underwater volcanic eruption and a tsunami, in line with tonga's covid restrictions, none of the sailors on board have been able to leave, they are trying to keep covid away from the island, which they have managed to do so far, so all of these stores and relief packages on board will have to be taken off the ship using the crane that is on board hms spey. the minister for the crane that is on board hms spey. the ministerfor armed the crane that is on board hms spey. the minister for armed forces james heappey has said that responding to humanitarian crisis across the globe is a core part of daily business and a crew and company of hms spey have demonstrated that this week by delivering this vital aid. time for a look at the weather. that is looking very pretty. some of us have been holding out for a while to see the sunshine with lots of grey skies around but eventually a bit more of a breeze and it has helped to break up the cloud. this is the picture with the sun just setting at the imperial war museum in cambridgeshire, still some blue skies and the sun about to go down and under those skies going to turn chilly across central and eastern parts of england through into the evening hours, so the temperature dipping quickest here. more of a breeze keeping things milder but turning very windy across northern scotland through tonight. gales are severe gales for caithness up to orkney so disruptive the far north of scotland. most of us frost free through tonight, cloud and wind to stop the temperature falling too low. we start thursday with the cold front sitting across southern england and south wales bringing in cloud and a few spots of rain. that should clear away and we are in the clear with sunnier skies, a few showers in the far north—west and the temperature between 7—13. hello, this is bbc news with martine croxall. the headlines. as westminster awaits the report of a senior civil servant into lockdown parties in government, borisjohnson faces mps in a rowdy house of commons. the labour leader has called on him to step down. the ministerial code says ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to him? mr minister believe that applies to him? ~ ,,, ., ,, minister believe that applies to him? ~ .,~ ., minister believe that applies to him? ~ ., , , him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the — him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house _ him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that _ him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that i _ him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that i think i him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that i think he i him? mr speaker, of course, but let me tell the house that i think he is l me tell the house that i think he is inviting _ me tell the house that i think he is inviting a _ me tell the house that i think he is inviting a question about an investigation which as you know, mr speaker, _ investigation which as you know, mr speaker, i_ investigation which as you know, mr speaker, i can't comment. sue gray's inquiry into lockdown parties at downing street could be published as early as this afternoon, with several mps saying they will then decide whether to submit letters of no confidence in the prime minister's leadership. foreign office emails leaked by a whistleblower appear to show the prime minister did approve the evacuation of pen farthing and his animals from afghanistan in august — which mrjohnson denied at the time. the us embassy in ukraine urges its citizens 'to consider departing now�*, as russia maintains a large military presence on the border with ukraine. one of the uk's biggest covid studies reveals two—thirds of people recently infected with omicron say they have had the virus before, and that1 in 23 people had covid in the first three weeks of january. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane. first to the australian open where russian danil medvedev says he drew inspiration from novak djokovic as he came from two sets down to beat felix auger—aliassime. the victory puts the number two seed through to the semi final where he'll play greece's stefanos tsitsipas. but the crowd in melbourne booed when medvedev mentioned djokovic, who was deported from australia before the tournament began. ididn't i didn't really know what to do so i was like. — i didn't really know what to do so i was like. i— i didn't really know what to do so i was like, i don't know if people are going _ was like, i don't know if people are going to _ was like, i don't know if people are going to like it, but i told myself what _ going to like it, but i told myself what novak would do. the going to like it, but i told myself what novak would do.— going to like it, but i told myself what novak would do. the old what would novak— what novak would do. the old what would novak do _ what novak would do. the old what would novak do play. _ what novak would do. the old what would novak do play. and - what novak would do. the old what would novak do play. and it - would novak do play. and it worked, i manaaed would novak do play. and it worked, i managed to — would novak do play. and it worked, i managed to raise _ would novak do play. and it worked, i managed to raise my _ would novak do play. and it worked, i managed to raise my level - would novak do play. and it worked, i managed to raise my level during i i managed to raise my level during the game, — i managed to raise my level during the game, especially during the tie—break, and when they close the roof i_ tie—break, and when they close the roof i felt— tie—break, and when they close the roof i felt the momentum changing my .ame roof i felt the momentum changing my game and _ roof i felt the momentum changing my game and i_ roof i felt the momentum changing my game and i felt i could go through the court — game and i felt i could go through the court more and serve better and started _ the court more and serve better and started playing better. meanwhile, britain's alfie hewett and gordon reid have won a record ninth consecutive grand slam title with victory in the wheelchair doubles final. the pair have have not lost a slam final together since wimbledon in 2019. and there was more success for great britain with andy lapthorne winning the quad—wheelchair doubles alongside american partner david wagner. they won after a 10—7 match—tie break. it's lapthorne's15th grand slam title and his 6th at the australian open. he said it sends an incredibly positive message about representation in wheelchair tennis. i never had people to look up to, no one that looked like me was on tv, so for that to be changing is obviously absolutely massive for people with disabilities to turn on the tv and see people like themselves. it only helps grow the profile and helps the next generation and i truly believe that the next generation, that were already seeing from the kids we play tonight, is going to be incredible. and the more we can get this stuff on tv, the better. england head coach eddiejones has said the injured owen farrell will help behind the scenes, despite being ruled out of playing in the six nations. jones confirmed his captain's ankle requires surgery. the 30—year—old — who has 94 caps, injured his ankle in a collision while training at club side saracens. he's expected to undergo surgery today and has been ruled out of the entire six nations. with ten days to go until the start of the tournament, jones admitted it's a blow for england. enormously disappointing for him and the team _ enormously disappointing for him and the team but it creates an opportunity for us to strengthen the depth _ opportunity for us to strengthen the depth of— opportunity for us to strengthen the depth of our leadership and for other— depth of our leadership and for other players to compete for that 12 jersey— other players to compete for that 12 jersey that — other players to compete for that 12 jersey that he has worn so well over the last— jersey that he has worn so well over the last five — jersey that he has worn so well over the last five or six years. so disappointing for owen but a great opportunity for the team. the first of todays matches at the africa cup of nations is underway. it's currently still goalless between ivory coast and egypt. about ten minutes to go before half time. this evening, mali take on equitorial guinea for a place in the quarterfinals. to the premier league now and it's been decided that clubs must have at least four players who have tested positive for coronavirus in their squad before they apply to have their match postponed. and also that covid passes will no longer be a condition of entry for supporters to a premier league match. the new rules will come into effect ahead of next weekend's twice postponed burnley watford match at turf moor. it follows a premier league meeting of clubs today to discuss updating guidence. previously some clubs were criticised for siting injuries and international call ups as reasons — along with covid — for having matches postponed. that's all the sport for now. in recent weeks we've heard her name a lot — but who is the senior civil servant sue gray? bbc northern ireland political correspondent gareth gordon has interviewed her in the past and has this profile of the woman who has been investigating downing street. they used to call sue gray the most powerful civil servant you have never heard of. not any more. find never heard of. not any more. and all i ask is — never heard of. not any more. and all i ask is that _ never heard of. not any more. and all i ask is that sue _ never heard of. not any more. and all i ask is that sue gray be allowed _ all i ask is that sue gray be allowed to complete her enquiry. the enaui allowed to complete her enquiry. enquiry taken allowed to complete her enquiry. tie: enquiry taken place by allowed to complete her enquiry. ti2 enquiry taken place by sue gray. allowed to complete her enquiry. the enquiry taken place by sue gray. sue| enquiry taken place by sue gray. sue gra . sue enquiry taken place by sue gray. sue gray- sue gray _ enquiry taken place by sue gray. sue gray. sue gray who _ enquiry taken place by sue gray. sue gray. sue gray who many _ enquiry taken place by sue gray. sue gray. sue gray who many people i enquiry taken place by sue gray. sue gray. sue gray who many people in i gray. sue gray who many people in northern ireland _ gray. sue gray who many people in northern ireland will _ gray. sue gray who many people in northern ireland will know- gray. sue gray who many people in northern ireland will know well. i gray. sue gray who many people in northern ireland will know well. so j northern ireland will know well. sc who is northern ireland will know well. who is she northern ireland will know well. sr who is she on what makes her tick? she is the only whitehall civil servant to ever have run a pub in newry with her husband, country and western singer. he newry with her husband, country and western singer.— newry with her husband, country and western singer. he hated the pub and actually most — western singer. he hated the pub and actually most of _ western singer. he hated the pub and actually most of the _ western singer. he hated the pub and actually most of the customers i actually most of the customers didn't like him either because he was quite miserable in it. so after 6-8 was quite miserable in it. so after 6—8 weeks, it was making him a bit fed up, so i sent him back to london and i carried on running the bar on my own. and i carried on running the bar on m own. ,, ., ., my own. she returned to rain the department of — my own. she returned to rain the department of finance _ my own. she returned to rain the department of finance in - my own. she returned to rain the department of finance in belfast | my own. she returned to rain the i department of finance in belfast but the job she really wanted was head of the northern ireland civil service. ~ , �* ., service. why didn't i get the 'ob? i am not — service. why didn't i get the 'ob? i am not r i service. why didn't i get the 'ob? i am not sure i willi service. why didn't i get the 'ob? i am not sure i will ever i service. why didn't i get the 'ob? i am not sure i will ever quite i service. why didn't i get the job? i am not sure i will ever quite know| am not sure i will ever quite know but i suspect people may have thought that i am perhaps too much of a challenger or a disrupter. i am both. and perhaps there was going to be too much change. pond both. and perhaps there was going to be too much change.— both. and perhaps there was going to be too much change. and now she has a much bigger— be too much change. and now she has a much biggeriob. _ be too much change. and now she has a much biggerjob, so _ be too much change. and now she has a much biggerjob, so how— be too much change. and now she has a much biggerjob, so how will- be too much change. and now she has a much biggerjob, so how will she i a much biggerjob, so how will she cope? we ask the man who knows her from her time as tony blair's official spokesman. from her time as tony blair's officialspokesman. i from her time as tony blair's official spokesman.— from her time as tony blair's official spokesman. i think you will find this very _ official spokesman. i think you will find this very uncomfortable, i official spokesman. i think you will find this very uncomfortable, she i official spokesman. i think you will| find this very uncomfortable, she is not the sort of person who enjoys being in the spotlight, but she will think it is her duty and those are four very important letters for her. her duty to do this honestly, to the best of her ability and to present the truth. ., best of her ability and to present the truth. . , , the truth. that might she be limited in what she can _ the truth. that might she be limited in what she can do _ the truth. that might she be limited in what she can do given _ the truth. that might she be limited in what she can do given that i the truth. that might she be limited in what she can do given that she i the truth. that might she be limited in what she can do given that she is| in what she can do given that she is investigating her own boss? she in what she can do given that she is investigating her own boss?- investigating her own boss? she is somebody who _ investigating her own boss? she is somebody who has _ investigating her own boss? she is somebody who has a _ investigating her own boss? she is somebody who has a civil- investigating her own boss? she is somebody who has a civil servant i investigating her own boss? she is| somebody who has a civil servant is as close _ somebody who has a civil servant is as close to — somebody who has a civil servant is as close to being independent as it is possible — as close to being independent as it is possible to get, mainly because she is— is possible to get, mainly because she is at— is possible to get, mainly because she is at the end of her career now so she _ she is at the end of her career now so she is— she is at the end of her career now so she is not— she is at the end of her career now so she is not worried about climbing the ladder— so she is not worried about climbing the ladder any further, and also because — the ladder any further, and also because she has so much experience and so _ because she has so much experience and so much — because she has so much experience and so much clout and has been at the heart _ and so much clout and has been at the heart of— and so much clout and has been at the heart of power for so long. she will be _ the heart of power for so long. she will be a _ the heart of power for so long. she will be a very risky person for anyone — will be a very risky person for anyone to _ will be a very risky person for anyone to treat them properly. there is onl one anyone to treat them properly. there is only one other— anyone to treat them properly. there is only one other question _ anyone to treat them properly. there is only one other question for - anyone to treat them properly. ties is only one other question for sue gray which could not be avoided. have you ever had it put to me that you are a spy? i have you ever had it put to me that you are a spy?— you are a spy? i know we have had that -ut you are a spy? i know we have had that put to — you are a spy? i know we have had that put to you _ you are a spy? i know we have had that put to you but _ you are a spy? i know we have had that put to you but if— you are a spy? i know we have had that put to you but if i _ you are a spy? i know we have had that put to you but if i was - you are a spy? i know we have had that put to you but if i was a i you are a spy? i know we have had that put to you but if i was a spy i l that put to you but if i was a spy i would be a pretty poor spy if people are talking about me being a spy. i think people here have put a lot of trust in me and a lot of faith in me and we have worked really well together and i didn't think i would be working as i am. pond together and i didn't think i would be working as i am.— together and i didn't think i would be working as i am. and had you got that bi 'ob be working as i am. and had you got that big job as _ be working as i am. and had you got that big job as head _ be working as i am. and had you got that big job as head of— be working as i am. and had you got that big job as head of the civil i that big job as head of the civil service would you consider leaving? no. �* , �* ~ ., no. but she didn't know the -olitical no. but she didn't know the political world _ no. but she didn't know the political world awaits i no. but she didn't know the political world awaits to i no. but she didn't know the political world awaits to see j no. but she didn't know the i political world awaits to see what she does next. let's cross to new york and speak to ryan heath, senior editor at politico. and worked back in the day with sue gray. how did you get on with her, because she sacked you in the end, didn't she? she because she sacked you in the end, didn't she?— didn't she? she did, but we had a really good _ didn't she? she did, but we had a really good working _ didn't she? she did, but we had a really good working relationship i didn't she? she did, but we had a i really good working relationship up to that point so perhaps that is one thing for people in downing street tonight to be noting. she is a very charming and amenable person. she really does have a backbone and is not afraid to stand up to ministers, so everything that we just heard from your reporter rings true in that regard. she has a very strong sense of what she thinks is right and wrong and how people should behave themselves when they are using taxpayers money to do it. i think it is probably going to be a tough night or week for downing street when this report comes out. you hear no grudges, the fact that you left yourjob, and it was her sense of propriety that drove her to that conclusion. just explain briefly why it was that you left. i briefly why it was that you left. i probably have a different conclusion than sue gray does about the incident but what happened was i had sent an e—mail inviting people to the book launch of a book i had been writing and i sent it from a government e—mail accountjust to my work colleagues, but obviously that was an error ofjudgment and she wasn't afraid to say that. i quibble about whether i should have lost the job at the point is she is very good at gathering the evidence, she is extremely well connected in the cabinet office and downing street so won't have had any trouble collecting the evidence she needs to figure out the facts in this case. and then it may still be up to the party or parliament to decide what happens to borisjohnson but sue gray will have a formidable set of evidence when this comes out. latrafe gray will have a formidable set of evidence when this comes out. we are all havin: evidence when this comes out. we are all having to — evidence when this comes out. we are all having to have _ evidence when this comes out. we are all having to have a _ evidence when this comes out. we are all having to have a lot _ evidence when this comes out. we are all having to have a lot of _ evidence when this comes out. we are all having to have a lot of patience i all having to have a lot of patience before we get this report. i've just been told that the house of commons has adjourned for the day, which means that we are not very likely at all now to get sight of this report today. although it could be handed over to downing street. a lot has been said about whether she will pull her punches and would she really dared to find against the prime minister. from what you are saying she absolutely has the backbone to do it?— saying she absolutely has the backbone to do it? yes, but she is an extremely _ backbone to do it? yes, but she is an extremely clever _ backbone to do it? yes, but she is an extremely clever tactician i backbone to do it? yes, but she is an extremely clever tactician as i an extremely clever tactician as well with how she accumulated this influence until so many strings for such a long time in the cabinet office, so this handing over of evidence to the metropolitan police, i read this as a signal that there is some evidence of serious wrongdoing and that is a way for others to shoulder the burden of sending whatever message it is that is going to be sent to borisjohnson and his staff. she doesn't have to confront them frontally in that regard. i think she takes very seriously the role of the civil service but i don't think she would see it as herjob either to get the media spotlight or to say a prime minister must be fired or must resign. she would assemble the evidence and if the evidence points out that, really nudge party and parliament to do what they think is necessary. parliament to do what they think is necessa . ,, ., parliament to do what they think is necessa . ., , necessary. some of the things said about her, necessary. some of the things said about her. the _ necessary. some of the things said about her, the disparaging - necessary. some of the things said about her, the disparaging stuff, i about her, the disparaging stuff, how much of that is sexism? i about her, the disparaging stuff, how much of that is sexism? i think that some people _ how much of that is sexism? i think that some people do _ how much of that is sexism? i think that some people do have - how much of that is sexism? i think that some people do have a - how much of that is sexism? i thinkl that some people do have a problem with women being strong and independent minded, the use different words for women than they would for men in the same role and sue gray to a large extent established a lot of the ground rules of modern government ethics. she set the template, not followed the template, so that was another challenge for her. and a lot of political advisers did not like she would issuejudgments political advisers did not like she would issue judgments and political advisers did not like she would issuejudgments and rulings against them and tell them there were things they couldn't do. there used to having a bit more freedom from ministers and doing what they want and she was probably one of the few civil servants willing to push back and say there is a red line and you are about to cross it and i am not putting up with it. some people react harshly and sometimes gender gets caught up in that. haifa react harshly and sometimes gender gets caught up in that.— gets caught up in that. how did she come to have _ gets caught up in that. how did she come to have so _ gets caught up in that. how did she come to have so much _ gets caught up in that. how did she come to have so much influence? i gets caught up in that. how did she i come to have so much influence? how did she come to consolidate that power? did she come to consolidate that -ower? ., , did she come to consolidate that -ower? . , . .., did she come to consolidate that aower? ., , . .., ,., did she come to consolidate that -ower? . , . , power? the really critical point is not that power? the really critical point is rrot that she _ power? the really critical point is not that she needed _ power? the really critical point is not that she needed or— power? the really critical point is not that she needed or wanted i power? the really critical point isj not that she needed or wanted to keep a prime minister on side. she always saw the political masters, the ministers, as being temporary. what she was extremely good at doing was making allies with the cabinet secretary. when i was working there, and she really got the free hand she did to make all of these judgments and design how government reacted to freedom of information requests and so on because cabinet is always trusted her. that situation is little different because there is so much scrutiny and it can'tjust be so great knows best in this case, she will have to dot all the eyes and cross the tees and that is probably why it is taking a little longer than people are expecting. it longer than people are expecting. it is very eagerly anticipated. thank you very much. the metropolitan police has apologised to koshka duff — an assistant professor of philosophy at the university of nottingham — and paid compensation for "sexist, derogatory and unacceptable language" used by officers about her when she was strip—searched. dr duff was arrested in may 2013 on suspicion of obstructing and assaulting police after trying to hand a legal advice card to a 15—year—old caught in a stop—and—search sweep in hackney. allegations she was later cleared of in court. she has now spoken to bbc womens hour about her ordeal. when i was being arrested i was called a very silly girl. it was the kind of sexism of the way they were treating me was very obvious at the time, and i guess it wasjust really dehumanising language. on other occasions, as i mentioned in the article that i wrote, i have been mocked by women police officers for forgetting to shave, and been mocked by women police officers forforgetting to shave, and i been mocked by women police officers for forgetting to shave, and i feel like they will use anything, the gender policing is sort of part of their role. just to degrade you and humiliate you however they can. and that's one of the ways that they do it. �* ., , ., , , ., that's one of the ways that they do it. and how gender plays a role, of course as you _ it. and how gender plays a role, of course as you said, _ it. and how gender plays a role, of course as you said, it _ it. and how gender plays a role, of course as you said, it is _ it. and how gender plays a role, of course as you said, it is women i it. and how gender plays a role, of| course as you said, it is women and men together but it was men that made that very specific comment about your knickers smelling, and many who got in touch with the programme yesterday can relate to that as a form of insult, whether in the playground or right through to a particular police station.— particular police station. sorry, i wasn't totally — particular police station. sorry, i wasn't totally sure _ particular police station. sorry, i wasn't totally sure what - particular police station. sorry, i wasn't totally sure what the i wasn't totally sure what the question was.— wasn't totally sure what the question was. wasn't totally sure what the ruestion was. . . , ., question was. let me clarify, that is my fault- _ question was. let me clarify, that is my fault. people _ question was. let me clarify, that is my fault. people can _ question was. let me clarify, that is my fault. people can relate, i is my fault. people can relate, women can relate especially to that sort of insult. they're probably more with the playground and they don't associate it with a place of work and certainly with the people who are meant to be enforcing codes of conduct, and ijust wondered for you, what you made of that particular comment and how that made you feel? i particular comment and how that made ou feel? ., ., , ., you feel? i mean, it does give a kind of peephole _ you feel? i mean, it does give a kind of peephole into _ you feel? i mean, it does give a kind of peephole into a - you feel? i mean, it does give a kind of peephole into a culture | you feel? i mean, it does give a. kind of peephole into a culture of misogyny, and i suppose, and maturity. —— immaturity. the footage thatis maturity. —— immaturity. the footage that is public is only really the tip of the iceberg. there are other officers on footage that i have who are talking about the size of their venus, who are engaging in all kinds of pseudo— edgy banter, and it is just obviously how they operate. nobody challenged it, it was completely normal.— nobody challenged it, it was completely normal. you're talking about footage _ completely normal. you're talking about footage that _ completely normal. you're talking about footage that you _ completely normal. you're talking about footage that you have i completely normal. you're talking about footage that you have in i about footage that you have in relation to this case? so footage that we haven't seen that was part of your proceedings. let's go back then. you were handing out a legal advice card, i believe produced by the green and black cross organisation to a youth who was being stopped and searched. you saw them and i wonder how the interaction in the first place came about. did you just happen to be near that individual? how did that happen, what are your recollections? i was arrested at a community garden in hackney for offering a legal advice card to a 15—year—old who was being stopped and searched. advice card to a 15-year-old who was being stopped and searched.- being stopped and searched. koshka duff speaking _ being stopped and searched. koshka duff speaking on _ being stopped and searched. koshka duff speaking on bbc _ being stopped and searched. koshka duff speaking on bbc woman's i being stopped and searched. koshka duff speaking on bbc woman's hour. game of thrones actor peter dinklage has criticised disney's forthcoming live action adaptation of snow white and the seven dwarfs. dinklage, who has a form of dwarfism called achon—dro—plasia said the remake was "backward" —— due to its portrayal of dwarfism. the originalfilm, released in 1938 is considered one of the studio's classics. the actor said, "you're progressive in one way but you're still making that backward story of seven dwarves living in the cave. a disney spokesperson has responded to the critisms saying: (tx oov)"to avoid reinforcing stereotypes from the original animated film, we are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community. we look forward to sharing more as the film heads into production after a lengthy development period." earlier i asked content creator, model and comedian, fats timbo what her views are on the matter. i completely agree with him. before disney came out with that statement, i was very against what they were trying to portray for the seven dwarves with snow white. i think it is a backwards way of thinking, like peter said, is a backwards way of thinking, like petersaid, but is a backwards way of thinking, like peter said, but i also think that it almost makes little people sound like they are mindless creatures. the thing is about the term dwarves, and it is not an offensive term because it is a medical term, but they use it in fantasy films. so we are called mythical creatures and it is called a medical term at the same time. so there is a problem with that because when people see little people, they can't differentiate the two. they think we are mythical creatures in real life, when in real life, we are normal adults, normal citizens, thatjust want life, we are normal adults, normal citizens, that just want to go life, we are normal adults, normal citizens, thatjust want to go about our day. and i have faced quite a lot of problems in my life because of that and because of the way media shows little people. for example, charlie and the chocolate factory, the impeller empowers. i get called that all the time. —— oompa loompas. you're one of the snow white at worst, it is not fun. it you're one of the snow white at worst, it is not fun.— worst, it is not fun. it seems bafflin: worst, it is not fun. it seems baffling to — worst, it is not fun. it seems baffling to me _ worst, it is not fun. it seems baffling to me that _ worst, it is not fun. it seems baffling to me that in - worst, it is not fun. it seems baffling to me that in this i worst, it is not fun. it seems| baffling to me that in this day worst, it is not fun. it seems i baffling to me that in this day and age that is still happening to you and the way people treat you sometimes, as if you are an object to be played around with? sometimes, as if you are an ob'ect to be played around with? exactly, and when i — to be played around with? exactly, and when i was _ to be played around with? exactly, and when i was younger, _ to be played around with? exactly, and when i was younger, i - to be played around with? exactly, and when i was younger, i have i to be played around with? exactly, | and when i was younger, i have had to be played around with? exactly, i and when i was younger, i have had a few people try to pick me up, i have had a few people pick me up and tossed me around or whatever because there is this thing where in wolf of wall street they tell us little people, they said the tossing, but they tell us little people for money. and it is like, these sorts of things can be shown in movies as if it is normal and people are going to think it is hilarious, it is funny, but it affects little people's lives. because they don't see as regularly, when they do see us, it is not going to be a positive connotation they're going to have others. do you know what, even if they change the names, snow white and the little people, and the little people had their own stories and it showed how actually people live, and sometimes you have to use a still... not even sometimes, every day. you have to use a stool to get things, sometimes you get ridiculed and you have to combat your low self esteem. because of how the world is built. the world isn't built for little people or disabled people in general. it's not accessible whatsoever. so if itjust show the different stories about what the little people go through it would be better. if snow—white was the one... it can be about snow—white but snow—white needs to be sympathetic about what goes on in their lives too. ,, about what goes on in their lives too. . , ., about what goes on in their lives too. ,, , ., ., ,. , too. she should write that script. time to look _ too. she should write that script. time to look at _ too. she should write that script. time to look at the _ too. she should write that script. time to look at the weather i time to look at the weather forecast. we have had blue sky and some sunshine out there. seems like a long time coming, quite gloomy over the last few days but the breeze today helped to break up that cloud and what a beautiful picture in suffolk at the moment, the son dipping below the horizon at the moment. clearskies dipping below the horizon at the moment. clear skies mean it is turning quite chilly at the moment and through this evening we have an area of rain and stronger winds moving on from the north all down to a weather front pushing in from the north—west. quite a lot of isobars on the map indicating where we have the stronger winds whereas further south, high—pressure is holding onto our weather. south, high—pressure is holding onto ourweather. for south, high—pressure is holding onto our weather. for much of england and wales through the evening hours we have the clear spells around. the breeze picking up but the temperature falls below a stand when the air across the north—west of scotland, gusts of 50 mph and they will strengthen through the night. the temperature falling down into single figures quite quickly and under the clear skies towards the south and east. you can see the band of cloud and rain pushing into england and wales through tonight, clearer skies further north but severe gales for the likes of caithness and up towards orkney, so disruptive weather with really strong winds for the north of scotland. frost free for most of us with a lot of cloud around than the odd touch of frost first thing thursday but this weather front with us, a cold front from the word go, so a line of cloud and patchy light rain across southern england and south wales. that clears to the south so brighter skies through the day on thursday. very strong winds across the north and north—east of scotland easing through the day. the temperature chilly where we have the strong winds, 4—7, but for most of us 10—13. lighterwinds strong winds, 4—7, but for most of us 10—13. lighter winds and plenty of sunshine through the afternoon towards the south. to friday, high—pressure to the south of the uk keeps things mostly dry and settled but the next weather front pushes and from the north—west bringing wetter weather to parts of scotland on friday and a few splashes of rain for other northern and western parts of the uk. towards the south and the east, sunny spells and the temperature on friday around about 8-11 but it temperature on friday around about 8—11 but it will feel quite breezy. heading into the weekend, a fair amount of settled weather once again particularly to the south with a milder day on saturday and on sunday, those temperatures affected by the arrival of wet weather from the north and west but looks as if the north and west but looks as if the weather remains more settled. i'm ben brown, live in downing street on another difficult day for the prime minister. as westminster awaits the report of a senior civil servant into lockdown parties in government, borisjohnson faces mps in a rowdy house of commons. the labour leader has called on him to step down. the ministerial code says that ministers who knowingly mislead parliament will be expected to offer their resignation. does the prime minister believe that applies to him? mr speaker, of course. let me tell the house that i think he's inviting a question about an investigation which is as you know, mr speaker, i can't comment. the house of commons has finished for the day so it's now