the us has rejected russia's demand to bar ukraine from joining nato. it's amid warnings russia might invade its neighbour. the wait goes on for sue gray's report on lockdown parties in downing street — the uk prime minister, borisjohnson, says he won't resign over the issue. it's holocaust memorial day — marking 77 years since the liberation of auschwitz—birkenau. seven holocaust survivors have had portraits painted, in a project commissioned by prince charles. portraits go to the heart of their individuality and their humanity. what better way of rejecting that kind of philosophy that led to the holocaust and honouring survivors? hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the duke of york has denied being a close friend of the convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell, in a legal response to the woman who's suing him in the us for sexual assault. the 11—page document says the prince wants the claims brought by virginia giuffre to be heard by a jury in new york. she alleges that he assaulted her when she was 17 at homes owned by maxwell and the paedophile jeffrey epstein, something prince andrew has consistently denied. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell has more details. across 11 pages, andrew's lawyers have set out his defence, a denial of the central allegation of sexual abuse made by virginia giuffre, and an assertion in respect of others that andrew lacks sufficient information to either admit or deny what's been claimed. he says, for example, in relation to the widely publicised picture of the two of them, that he doesn't have enough information to admit or deny that there exists photographic evidence of his alleged meeting with miss giuffre. elsewhere, his lawyers assert that virginia giuffre�*s civil complaint should be dismissed, because she's a permanent resident of australia and not domiciled in the united states. and they say this... "giuffre�*s alleged causes of action are barred, in whole or in part, by her own wrongful conduct." finally, they demand this... "prince andrew hereby demands a trial byjury on all causes of action asserted in the complaint." all of which suggests that andrew is determined to fight it out in court. though lawyers say this doesn't preclude an out—of—court settlement. you can certainly have a settlement further down the road, and it wouldn't shock me at all, between now and a trial, to see something like that happen, you know. and sometimes, though, there are cases where no amount of money will make them go away. there are times when, again, you know, a victim wants their day in court. and that certainly seems to be virginia giuffre�*s intention. her lawyer has said they look forward to confronting prince andrew with his denials and his attempts to blame ms giuffre for her own abuse at the trial. nicholas witchell, bbc news. let's get more context to this. lucia osborne—crowley is a legal reporter with law360, a legal news service, which provides legal news and analysis. so help us to understand where we are with this. because this is a legal response by prince andrew's lawyers and we are hearing a lot about this demand that he is making in order to be seen in front of a jury. now, this is not him demanding, it is legal speak, as such. explain to us what this response is. such. explain to us what this resnonse is-_ such. explain to us what this resonse is. , ~ ., ., response is. yes. 50 i think one of the response is. yes. so i think one of the most important _ response is. yes. so i think one of the most important parts - response is. yes. so i think one of the most important parts of - response is. yes. so i think one of the most important parts of this . response is. yes. so i think one of the most important parts of this 11j the most important parts of this 11 page document that was filed onto the docket last night is this demand for a jury trial. which is quite rare these days, particularly in civil cases. there are fewer and fewer trials byjury happening in the us in general. especially in civil cases. so the idea of prince andrew kind of making a point of demanding a jury trial is significant because i think he and his lawyers are trying to say that they are coming out fighting. so they are coming out fighting. so they didn't have to put in a demand for a jury trial, particularly not in this document and not at this early stage. so to me, it seems like a signalfrom prince early stage. so to me, it seems like a signal from prince andrew that he plans to fight this tooth and nail and that he is confident. i think this is kind of a gesture, him saying, i am confident that if i go before a jury, i will win. so i was quite surprised by that move from him. and we will see if this does end up a trial and before a jury. but i do think it is partly a legal decision and partly a public relations decision.- decision and partly a public relations decision. given that this is a civil trial _ relations decision. given that this is a civil trial and _ relations decision. given that this is a civil trial and say _ relations decision. given that this is a civil trial and say for - relations decision. given that this is a civil trial and say for example j is a civil trial and say for example in the uk, you wouldn't have a jury in the uk, you wouldn't have a jury in this kind of context, ijust wonder, did he have a choice? because virginia giuffre's team had requested a jury so, by default, does he not have too, if this should go to trial, would he not have to be appearing or give testimony in front of a jury? appearing or give testimony in front of a 'u ? ~ ., appearing or give testimony in front ofa'u 7~ ., . , of ajury? well, not necessarily. so both parties _ of ajury? well, not necessarily. so both parties will— of ajury? well, not necessarily. so both parties will make _ of ajury? well, not necessarily. so both parties will make submissions to thejudge about both parties will make submissions to the judge about whether they would like to trial byjury or what we call a bench trial, so a judge only trial. as you say, we don't have jury trials in civil cases in the uk, but in the us, they can happen. both parties would make submissions and we know that virginia giuffre has already submitted she would like a trial by jury. but that doesn't mean that that would necessarily be the case because the judge would also have to hear from the defendant, would also have to hear from hear from the defendant, would also have to hearfrom prince hear from the defendant, would also have to hear from prince andrew and then would weigh up those arguments between the parties. what you would usually have is a dispute between the parties, with one party wanting a jury trial and one party wanting a pension —— make a bench trial. so what we have got here is this kind of wedding around demanding a jury trial when in fact prince andrew, his request for a jury trial is bite virginia giuffre. now that both parties are in agreement they want a jury parties are in agreement they want a jury trial, it is still ultimately up jury trial, it is still ultimately up to thejudge, jury trial, it is still ultimately up to the judge, but i would say the judge would look at those arguments and say, yes, we will be having a jury and say, yes, we will be having a jury trial. but it is not necessarily the case that he would be forced into itjust because that is what virginia giuffre has requested because ultimately, the judge will always have to hear from both parties. it is judge will always have to hear from both parties-_ both parties. it is good to get that cleared un- _ both parties. it is good to get that cleared up. this _ both parties. it is good to get that cleared up. this is _ both parties. it is good to get that cleared up. this is an _ both parties. it is good to get that cleared up. this is an 11 _ both parties. it is good to get that cleared up. this is an 11 page - both parties. it is good to get that| cleared up. this is an 11 page court document and some of the issues it touches upon is the matter of the photograph. i wonder if you could help us to understand, the way that this has been dealt with. because the photograph we have seen on numerous occasions, prince andrew's lawyers are saying they do not have enough information to admit or deny its existence. enough information to admit or deny its existence-— enough information to admit or deny its existence. what does that mean? yes, so its existence. what does that mean? yes. so this. — its existence. what does that mean? yes. so this. to _ its existence. what does that mean? yes, so this, to me, _ its existence. what does that mean? yes, so this, to me, seems- its existence. what does that mean? yes, so this, to me, seems to - its existence. what does that mean? yes, so this, to me, seems to be - yes, so this, to me, seems to be going back to the inference that prince andrew has made a number of times in his interview with emily make this for example that that photo could be a fake. so i assume when he says he doesn't have enough information, he is trying to get us to infer that he is seeking information that the photo was not real somehow or that it has been produced by a party who wants to see him go down in this trial. so i assume that is what he's doing. it is very unusual that we see in this document that he is really denying having a relationship with ghislaine maxwell and there are numerous photos of them together so that was a surprise to me. the only thing he admits in this document is that he metjeffrey epstein in or around 1999. everything else, he uses this kind of same wording of, i don't have sufficient information to admit or deny. have sufficient information to admit or den . �* . ., , have sufficient information to admit orden.�* , ., have sufficient information to admit orden. , ., , or deny. and when it comes to this conce -t or deny. and when it comes to this concept of. — or deny. and when it comes to this concept of. and — or deny. and when it comes to this concept of, and again, _ or deny. and when it comes to this concept of, and again, it _ or deny. and when it comes to this concept of, and again, it is - or deny. and when it comes to this concept of, and again, it is alwaysl concept of, and again, it is always important to stress prince andrew consistently denying the allegations made by virginia giuffre. but when it comes to unclean hands, something else that has popped up in the papers, explain to us what that means, what is prince andrew's team alleging? means, what is prince andrew's team alleauin ? , means, what is prince andrew's team alleuuin? , . ., means, what is prince andrew's team alleuuin? ., ,, means, what is prince andrew's team alleu-in? , . ., ., alleging? yes, so unclean hands is a leualterm alleging? yes, so unclean hands is a legal term in — alleging? yes, so unclean hands is a legal term in a _ alleging? yes, so unclean hands is a legal term in a civil _ alleging? yes, so unclean hands is a legal term in a civil situation - legal term in a civil situation which basically means that the courts shouldn't hear a complaint from a plaintiff who themselves have done something wrong. so this defence is what we have heard and read about, we have read reports of. basically that prince andrew is planning to say that virginia giuffre herself is a sex trafficker. and he is planning to say that she basically was complicit in her own sex trafficking and her own abuse. so that sentence about her own wrong doing and her having unclean hands, i assume, based on my reading, is that he plans on coming to court and making that argument that virginia giuffre was involved in this scheme herself, which of course she denies and she was an underage girl at the time, so it will be very hard to prove that an underage person trafficked herself out to adult men. but it does look like that is what he's going for. {lilia but it does look like that is what he's going for-— but it does look like that is what he's auoin for. . , . , he's going for. 0k, and he is always denies the allegations. _ he's going for. 0k, and he is always denies the allegations. lucia - denies the allegations. lucia osborne—crowley, from law 360, that helps analyse legal stories, thank you very much for helping us to analyse this. you very much for helping us to analyse this-— you very much for helping us to anal se this. ., ,, , ., ., ., analyse this. thank you for having me. the government says it's going to ease many of the covid—related restrictions on care homes in england, including scrapping limits on the number of visitors allowed. from monday, there will be no limit on the numbers allowed to see their loved ones in care homes, self—isolation periods will be cut, and care homes will only have to follow outbreak management rules for 1h days, not 28. ministers say restrictions brought in to counter the 0micron wave of coronavirus can be relaxed because of the success of the vaccine booster programme. each of the uk nations sets its own rules on care homes, with scotland easing its restrictions last week. the change is the latest rolling back of plan b curbs in england. 0ur social affairs editor alison holt has been telling us this comes as a huge relief to those with relatives in care homes. this has been an increasing bone of contention throughout the pandemic. if you remember at the very start, there were extremely strong restrictions and people were only able to see their relatives at the end of their lives. so, the families and campaigners have been saying that that did huge damage. now, whilst the increase in restrictions during the 0micron wave were not as drastic as that — you were still allowed four named people, including an essential caregiver — nevertheless, it was an interruption to family life and families felt very strongly that this was having a really deleterious effect on the health and well—being of the people they loved. now, you touched upon 0micron. i wonder if there are people who feel that this is actually too soon? it's a really difficult balancing act. i mean, when i've spoken to care providers, i think there is generally a nervousness about, when is the right time? but there's also that understanding and desire to try and get life back to some sort of normality for the people living in care homes and staff and families, and easing restrictions is a part of that. they also say, they tend to reflect what is going on in the community. so, if cases are high in the community, then they are more likely to get them in the care home. and it may be that there are decisions made locally which reflect those situations, but we don't really know yet. so, i wonder, i touched upon some of the restrictions that are being lifted. just talk us through what are the restrictions lifted, what are the restrictions that do actually still remain. ok, so the key one is that care home residents will, from monday, be able to have an unlimited number of visitors. at the moment, as i said a moment ago, they're restricted to four people, including an essential caregiver — that is completely lifted. if they go on a day trip out, they won't now have to take a test when they get back and they won't have to self—isolate. patients returning to a home from hospital, at the moment, they have to self—isolate for 1h days. that will be cut to ten days. and testing can also be introduced to see basically how they're doing during that period of time. and one of the key things is that at the moment, when a care home has an outbreak of covid — and an outbreak is counted as two people testing positive, whether they're residents or staff — that means that the home closes its doors for 28 days. that's being reduced to 1a days. that will please a lot of people because, certainly, i've had a lot of families — and some care providers and staff — complaining about the length of that isolation period. alison holt. we will speak to somebody who has a parent in a care home very shortly. first the reaction from... nadra ahmed is executive chair of the national care association, which represents small and medium—sized care providers. she's been giving us her reaction to the easing of restrictions. well, i think there'll be a lot of nervousness around — certainly within the care sector — but it is something that we knew would be coming, and in the interest of the people we care for and their well—being, we do welcome it. i think it's all the logistics around it that will be causing a little bit of a headache, as providers are waking up to it this morning. joining me now is lorren rea, who is currently only allowed to see her 83—year—old mother once every two weeks, for 30 minutes. i wonder how you see the easing of restrictions, given what you and your mum, kay, went through. i absolutely cannot wait until next week to go and be able to visit properly. it is interesting to hear that the regulations, you are allowed four visitors to visit, we were not at my mum has a care home, were not at my mum has a care home, we were limited to two named visitors, that was me and my brother, we were the only ones allowed to go unless we made a special arrangement for one of her granddaughters to visit. but then we would have to sacrifice our visit. but there were very few appointments available, which is why it was genuinely may be only once a week or once a fortnight. there are about 100 residents in my mum's care home and each resident could only come only one resident at a time could have a visitor on the premises. and visits were restricted to a garden room out in the garden, where we would enter by a back door so we wouldn't go in the care home. and the specially purpose—built garden room would have a glass partition and two separate entrances, so we couldn't be in contact with our loved one, that we would have to talk to them through a window. find talk to them through a window. and we have a little _ talk to them through a window. and we have a little video of you speaking to move kay under those complicated and difficult circumstances —— speaking to kay. let's have a look. well, that was kay price, 83 years old, beautifulsinging well, that was kay price, 83 years old, beautiful singing voice, well, that was kay price, 83 years old, beautifulsinging voice, but that was behind a glass partition, just talk us through how that worked. 50 just talk us through how that worked. ,, ., just talk us through how that worked. ., , , ., ., ., worked. so the glass partition would have an intercom _ worked. so the glass partition would have an intercom system. _ worked. so the glass partition would have an intercom system. but - worked. so the glass partition would have an intercom system. but it - worked. so the glass partition would have an intercom system. but it is l have an intercom system. but it is so difficult with a loved one. my mum is also deaf, so it would be so difficult to have a conversation through the glass partition and intercom system. she absolutely loves music and singing so the only thing i could think of that would be meaningfulfor thing i could think of that would be meaningful for our visit would be thing i could think of that would be meaningfulfor our visit would be i would take my speaker and my spotify and my phone and i would channel the music through the intercom system, she could hear it and we could sing together. talking and having a conversation with someone who has dementia is very difficult anyway. so singing was our way of communicating with each other. extremely complicated, but it was lovely, thank you so much for sharing that because it is such a personal and intimate moment. what about the kids can make your kids haven't seen grandma for so long? that's right, so over the last few months, where we haven't been allowed in the care home at all, it has been very difficult. because as i say, either me or my brother would have to sacrifice our visit to allow one of them to visit. but also, when we got an appointment, you had to just grab it. and most of the time, it would be at an awkward time during the weekday. i would hate —— i would have to take time off work to visitor so it wouldn't be viable for the granddaughters to take time off their work to get there to visit for half an hour. so haven't seen herfor months. i’m for half an hour. so haven't seen her for months.— for half an hour. so haven't seen her for months. i'm sure they are really looking _ her for months. i'm sure they are really looking forward _ her for months. i'm sure they are really looking forward to - her for months. i'm sure they are really looking forward to that. - her for months. i'm sure they are| really looking forward to that. we know that a high proportion of care home residents are vaccinated, but do you have any concerns about the lifting of these restrictions, given the vulnerability of your mum and all the people she lives with? hot all the people she lives with? not all. i all the people she lives with? not all- i think — all the people she lives with? not all. i think our _ all the people she lives with? iirrt all. i think our care home will revert to its previous system, whereby visitors would only visit their loved one in their bedroom, so that we are not walking around cross contaminating with other residents. i have got no concerns for my mum. she nearly died from covid. i had thought two years ago when she was apparently taking hellas press, she pulled through that. now she has been vaccinated and tested positive three weeks ago, had absolutely no at all. —— apparently taking her last breath. but the care home has been a constant lockdown for the last few months because of the rules about official classified as a break—out. so i have got no problems visiting my mum, i think she is a tough old bird and she will be absolutely fine.— tough old bird and she will be absolutel fine. ., ,, , ., . absolutely fine. thank you so much for sharin: absolutely fine. thank you so much for sharing your _ absolutely fine. thank you so much for sharing your experience, - absolutely fine. thank you so much for sharing your experience, a - absolutely fine. thank you so much for sharing your experience, a very | for sharing your experience, a very difficult experience, and we are really pleased we are hearing kay is doing so well. please send her our regards from bbc news. lorren rea, thank you so much for sharing your story. thank you. very moving story and so many people having that experience, lots more on our website regarding those easing of restrictions in care homes. the united states has rejected russia's demand to bar ukraine from joining the nato alliance of western powers. moscow made the demand after amassing a huge number of troops on its border with ukraine — although it denies that it is planning to invade. the us said ukraine has a sovereign right to join nato if it chooses to. but secrerary of state antony blinken said he was offering russia "a serious diplomatic path forward, should russia choose it". 0ur correspondent in moscow caroline davies gave us this update. some at the moment of course, we know that the us presented these responses to russia, they were not made public, so we do not know the exact details of what america were suggesting to russia. however, we do know some of the things that they have said are completely off the table, it is no massive surprise. they have said there is no way nato's open door policy, the idea that nato would be allowed to have other people join including that nato would be allowed to have other peoplejoin including in particular of course ukraine, that is still very much possible. ukraine could join nato in the future, in theory. we know that russia had always said that was a very key part of its demands. back in december, russia presented some draft treaties to america and to nato. and it has taken up until now for the us to respond to those draft treaties. now, what we are waiting for next of course is what russia's response to the response will be. we don't have that yet and we don't know when we will definitely get it. earlier yesterday, we heard from foreign minister lavrov who spoke to the state duma. he said that if america wanted to have these demands made private, they would keep them private, they would keep them private, but that there responds to whatever that reaction would be would obviously be more public. however, he also said that once you got those responses, they take them away to consider them and then they would present what they thought where the options to president putin about what to do next. that is of course what everyone is waiting to hear about and whether or not russia feels like it has got enough from the us proposals to feel like it can stop and decide not to escalate the situation any further. as you say, russia always adamant that they were never going to intervene, that they were never going to invade ukraine, but whether or not the situation will further de—escalate, we are waiting to hear. taste will further de-escalate, we are waiting to hear.— will further de-escalate, we are waiting to hear. we certainly are and as and _ waiting to hear. we certainly are and as and when _ waiting to hear. we certainly are and as and when we _ waiting to hear. we certainly are and as and when we hear, - waiting to hear. we certainly are and as and when we hear, we i waiting to hear. we certainly are | and as and when we hear, we will bring that to you. caroline davies, from moscow. a report into a series of alleged parties at downing street during lockdown is expected to land on the desk of the prime minister today, but it may not be published until next week. the report, by the senior civil servant sue gray, has already prompted a separate inquiry by the metropolitan police. some conservative mps are waiting to read sue gray's findings before deciding whether to try to oust borisjohnson. 0ur chief political correspondent, adam fleming has the latest. yes, grayja—vu, one of my colleagues is calling it, because we thought we would get this report yesterday, it didn't arrive. the cabinet office is not repeating a phrase from yesterday that it is expected to arrive today. so who knows, frankly, when we will get it? and we understand that it is pretty much done, just undergoing some final checks from a legal and hr perspective and also to make sure it doesn't cut across the police investigation that was launched into this issue earlier this week. also, then you have got the process around it because the government is committed to publish the findings, we don't know if that means the whole thing, we have to wait and see for that, and also borisjohnson the prime minister said he will go to parliament and answer mps questions. we are running out of time in the parliamentary diary this week for those things to happen, which is why some people are speculating it may happen next week. because also, why would the government want to publish the report and then leave a few days of space for everyone to make up their own mind without hearing the prime minister's interpretation of it? he says he is getting on with thejob, he has offered a it? he says he is getting on with the job, he has offered a visit today elsewhere in the uk and the government is announcing changes to the universal credit programme with the universal credit programme with the goal of getting half a million people intojobs by the the goal of getting half a million people into jobs by the end the goal of getting half a million people intojobs by the end of summer, which meant it was the work and pensions secretary therese coffey who had to give the government line on the sue gray report this morning.— report this morning. well, i am conscious _ report this morning. well, i am conscious that _ report this morning. well, i am conscious that people - report this morning. well, i am conscious that people do - report this morning. well, i am conscious that people do want. report this morning. well, i am | conscious that people do want to make _ conscious that people do want to make sure — conscious that people do want to make sure that the report is published and the government has said that _ published and the government has said that we intend to publish the full findings that report. at the same _ full findings that report. at the same time as the prime minister said it is entirely— same time as the prime minister said it is entirely right for the police who have — it is entirely right for the police who have chosen to investigate these matters, _ who have chosen to investigate these matters, i_ who have chosen to investigate these matters, i hope when they conclude their investigations, that will provide — their investigations, that will provide welcome clarity. but given the ongoing investigation that has been started by the police, it is not appropriate for me to, further and it_ not appropriate for me to, further and it is— not appropriate for me to, further and it is not— not appropriate for me to, further and it is not in my hands of when the sue _ and it is not in my hands of when the sue gray report will be published, but i am confident that will he _ published, but i am confident that will be done at the earliest opportunity. so will be done at the earliest opportunity-— will be done at the earliest o- ortuni . . ., opportunity. so at the moment, we are in a very _ opportunity. so at the moment, we are in a very process _ opportunity. so at the moment, we are in a very process led _ opportunity. so at the moment, we are in a very process led phase. - are in a very process led phase. when, what, and how? but as soon as that report lands and the prime minister responds to it, we will be in a deeply political face because that will be when the majority of conservative mps will make up their minds about the prime minister's judgment and his position. shadow judgment and his position. adam flemin: judgment and his position. adam fleming speaking _ judgment and his position. adam fleming speaking to _ judgment and his position. adam fleming speaking to me - judgment and his position. adam fleming speaking to me earlier. | judgment and his position. adam fleming speaking to me earlier. 0ur chief correspondent in westminster. more on our website as we await the sue gray report. car production in britain fell to its lowest level since 1956 last year, according to the latest figures. the society of motor manufacturers and traders blamed covid disruption — particularly a lack of silicon chips and staff shortages — but said new investment in electric vehicles gives some ground for optimism. we can speak now to mike hawes, chief executive of the smmt. lowest production levels last year since 1956, that is pretty bad, i am assuming? since 1956, that is pretty bad, i am assumin: ? , , since 1956, that is pretty bad, i am assuminu? , , , ., since 1956, that is pretty bad, i am assumint? , , , ., assuming? yes, it is dismal. it was no surprise- _ assuming? yes, it is dismal. it was no surprise- as _ assuming? yes, it is dismal. it was no surprise. as you _ assuming? yes, it is dismal. it was no surprise. as you saw _ assuming? yes, it is dismal. it was no surprise. as you saw the - assuming? yes, it is dismal. it was no surprise. as you saw the year i no surprise. as you saw the year takeover, we started with lockdown, which officially suppressed demand. then production hit badly with the shortages of semiconductors. remember, the average car has between 1,500 and 3,000 chips in it so when there is a shortage, and it is a global shortage, it does affect your ability to produce. added to that, obviously as we come to the back end of the year, more restrictions so it was a really, really tough year. aha, restrictions so it was a really, really tough year.— restrictions so it was a really, really tough year. restrictions so it was a really, reall tou~h ear. �* ., , ., really tough year. a tough year, you hear so much _ really tough year. a tough year, you hear so much about _ really tough year. a tough year, you hear so much about these _ really tough year. a tough year, you hear so much about these silicon . hear so much about these silicon chips and the lack of them, the shortages as well, is there some overriding element that has led to this drop? it overriding element that has led to this dro - ? , overriding element that has led to thisdro? ,, ., ., , this drop? it is predominantly covid. this drop? it is predominantly covid- we _ this drop? it is predominantly covid. we get _ this drop? it is predominantly covid. we get most _ this drop? it is predominantly covid. we get most of- this drop? it is predominantly covid. we get most of our- this drop? it is predominantly l covid. we get most of our chips this drop? it is predominantly - covid. we get most of our chips like the rest of the world does from southeast asia. first of all, as we went into the pandemic in 2020, the semiconductor manufacturers generally switch to supplies away from automobiles into goods that would do well during lockdown. televisions, home entertainment systems and so fourth. just as we try to catch back, the covid hit southeast asia, causing the closure plans, so they were unable to increase production to meet that demand so it affected the industry here and in europe and around the world. so it is not a uk specific challenge, this is a global challenge. pl. challenge, this is a global challenge-— challenge, this is a global challenue. �* . ., challenge. a global challenge, when we look at the _ challenge. a global challenge, when we look at the figures _ challenge. a global challenge, when we look at the figures i _ challenge. a global challenge, when we look at the figures i mentioned, | we look at the figures i mentioned, lowest car production since 1956, thatis lowest car production since 1956, that is uk based. in terms of what we are seeing in the future, a lot is being said about the production of electric cars that could potentially increase output. yes, we want to put — potentially increase output. yes, we want to put 202i _ potentially increase output. yes, we want to put 2021 behind _ potentially increase output. yes, we want to put 2021 behind us - potentially increase output. yes, we want to put 2021 behind us in - potentially increase output. yes, we want to put 2021 behind us in every | want to put 2021 behind us in every sense of the word. what we are looking at, though, is more optimism, the semiconductor issue will ease as you get into the second half of the year, it probably will be with us until the beginning of 2023. the uk output is shifting towards electric manufacturing. plug—in hybrids, and electric vehicles, which are up 70%. and the level of investment we got last year was the best since 2013. that cloud of brexit uncertainty hanging over us for five years has been lifted. what we really need is to try and catch back those lost years and get the investment into the uk because the investment into the uk because the fundamentals are still strong, we just need to maintain our competitiveness.— we just need to maintain our com etitiveness. . , , competitiveness. that is interesting because you — competitiveness. that is interesting because you talk _ competitiveness. that is interesting because you talk about _ competitiveness. that is interesting because you talk about brexit - competitiveness. that is interesting because you talk about brexit and l because you talk about brexit and that uncertainty is being lifted now. in terms of moving forward for 2022 and 2023, let's look forward and put the past behind us, what are your priorities and what are you hoping for?— your priorities and what are you hoping for? your priorities and what are you hoinr for? , ., ., .,, ., hoping for? first of all, we hope to net hoping for? first of all, we hope to get production _ hoping for? first of all, we hope to get production back _ hoping for? first of all, we hope to get production back over _ hoping for? first of all, we hope to get production back over1 - hoping for? first of all, we hope to get production back over1 million i get production back over1 million units, that is something of a milestone. we will see, as you see the market shift towards electrifying vehicles, we also see manufacturing moving in that direction. there are challenges, increased energy costs are a worry. secondly, we want to really attract that investment, so it is about promoting the industry abroad. making sure we have got the right framework here to attract that investment. for instance, the issues around super credits that came out of the budget cut, really helpful in attracting investment, but it is also about helping to upskill our staff. we have some of the finest skilled automotive workforce in the world and we need to shift them from making internal combustion engines to make electric vehicles and do that, we will be well placed for the future. �* , ., ., that, we will be well placed for the future. �*, ., ., ,.,, future. let's end on that positive note, mike _ future. let's end on that positive note, mike hawes, _ future. let's end on that positive note, mike hawes, chief- future. let's end on that positive i note, mike hawes, chief executive future. let's end on that positive - note, mike hawes, chief executive of smmt, thank you for talking us through those latest figures. the latest weekly figures for covid in the uk and the impact on the nhs have just been published, and there are some interesting details. with me now is our health correspondent katharine da costa with the latest on this. what is the main headline figure? the nhs in england would say it has been another busy week so while covid related staff absent is now falling, pressure on the nhs they say is still intense. it has been the busiest week for ambulances taking patient into a&e since the start of december. but it is an improving picture. taking staff absence, that has been falling right across england, about 3% of staff in hospital trusts in england were off from covid in the week ending the 23rd of january so that is more than 30,000 staff off each day on average, down on the previous week. are still highest in the north—west but it is falling. looking at other pressures on the health service, one of the biggest areas is freeing up beds and this is where patients might be medically fit enough to be discharged but they are waiting for social care packages to put in place. that figure has stayed fairly stable around 30,000 patient remained in hospital despite being eligible to leave, that was up a bit on the previous week but it still means around one in seven beds in england are being taken up by someone who is fit enough to leave and that has knock—on effects, how many patients can be taken in from a&e, and one of the impacts it on ambulances waiting to hand over patients to a&e. it was stable again, around 18%, similarto patients to a&e. it was stable again, around 18%, similar to the previous week, where they were waiting 30 minutes or more to hand over patients to a&e. the pressure it remains. 0ne over patients to a&e. the pressure it remains. one area worth pointing out is the number of covid patients that are there primarily being treated for the virus as opposed to being there with the virus but treated for something completely separate. that has changed, so at less than half of covid patients in england were being treated primarily for covid in the week up to the 25th of january which is the lowest level so far but what they call incidental covid, where you go in for something like a broken leg and have covid, that has been gradually increasing so in the autumn it was about 25% of patients and it's now more than half. 13,000 covid patient in england on the 25th of january, just over 6000 were there primarily to be treated for the virus but around 7000 were there for something completely different. it is worth saying that they could be treated for a stroke or cancer and covid might complicate and make the condition worse so it does not mean the nhs is under less pressure because of it, they still need to be isolated and treated on separate wards so there are still infection—control issues that make it difficult. 0verall, infection—control issues that make it difficult. overall, an improving picture. covid admissions have been falling in england, the number in hospitals is around 14000 and that has been falling. but the nhs have said that they are urging people to continue coming forward for vaccinations and really stressing the importance of only using 999 when it is a life—threatening emergency otherwise they are asking people to use 111 and the appropriate services. people to use 111 and the a- --roriate services. . ,, , ., appropriate services. thank you so much for going _ appropriate services. thank you so much for going through _ appropriate services. thank you so much for going through those - appropriate services. thank you so i much for going through those figures that have just been published or a busy week for the nhs. sad news to bring you, barrie karea, the actor and comedian, has passed away. we are just getting details, it has been confirmed by his agent. —— barry cryer. a lot of tributes coming through already. he was well known for such incredible comedy, on radio four, i'm sorry i haven't a clue was one of the brilliant programmes. gyles brandreth, the broadcaster and former mp has posted a picture, describing how only a few weeks ago he was with barry cryer talking about how he was the loveliest guy, funny and generous and worked with everybody and everybody who worked with him liked him. just saying will miss his happy company so much and his regular phone calls. he gave you a gem of a joke with each one. so many tributes pouring in for barry cryer, whose agent has just confirmed has passed away at the age of 86. a lot of reaction and tributes conduct so well known for the radio four series and a lot of reaction coming in, charles brandreth talking about how with every phone call he made, he would get a gem of a joke. everybody loved working with barry cryer, the legendary comedian, television broadcaster who are sadly passed away at the age of 86. we will bring you more tributes and reaction to barry cryer as we get them on bbc news. more on coronavirus, and there's a deadline looming forfrontline nhs staff in england who are not yet vaccinated against covid. they've gotjust one week left to get theirfirstjab — or face losing theirjobs. the health secretary has said it's their professional duty to be fully vaccinated but some people in the health service have called for the policy to be reconsidered. 0ur health correspondent jim reed has more. amy is an occupational therapist, often working with the elderly and physically disabled. she has, though, decided not to be vaccinated against covid. i would say that each person has to weigh up the pros and cons for themselves. what would you say to people who think, if you work with vulnerable people in a health care setting, you have a responsibility to be vaccinated yourself, to protect other people? but you can still get, even with three vaccines, you can still get covid, you can still spread it. and the other thing is, wearing ppe, personal protective equipment, protects the the vulnerable people. and you're prepared to to lose yourjob rather than get vaccinated at the moment? yes, i don't want to lose myjob. i love myjob. i respect the nhs, but i'm very much a supporter of choice. amy is one of two million in england covered by new rules on compulsory vaccination. that already includes half a million care home workers, who had to have their second jab by last november. next week, another 1.7 million in front line health care will need to have their first dose. that includes nhs staff and other jobs, like gps and dentists. the latest figures suggest 95% of nhs workers are already vaccinated, leaving around 77,000 who haven't yet had a firstjab. i think the scientific evidence is so overwhelming. many others working in health care support the principle of mandatory vaccination. if a patient comes to me and says, "should i have the vaccine? "have you been vaccinated, doctor?" that answer should always be, "yes, of course i've been vaccinated, "and you should, too." there is no wriggle room, ethically, for a doctor or a nurse, or anybody, talking to patients about whether they should be vaccinated themselves or not. so your message would be, get the vaccine if you want to stay in a job? i think the evidence, the evidence is overwhelming. i've been working on covid icu since the beginning. i have not had a vaccination. i do not want to have a vaccination. the debate, though, is becoming more heated as the deadline looms. this clip of a doctor challenging the health secretary on the policy has been viewed more than a million times on social media. the government says doctors, nurses and other front line health staff look after the most vulnerable, who could face serious consequences if they catch the virus. and nhs health chiefs say staff have a duty to make sure they're protected. anne—marie is unvaccinated but works in admin, not with patients. she was sent this letter saying there was no record of her having a jab, and telling her to contact her manager. i was left for two weeks, actually, sort of worrying about the letter, and worrying about the conversation that i was going to have to have. she has now been told the new rule won't apply in her role, but she's still worried about the impact on the health service. if those staff are forced to leave the nhs, not only will you lose those staff, you'll be leaving behind a lot of people who are demoralised and a lot of teams will be divided. last weekend, health care workers joined this wider protest against compulsory vaccination. 0ther nhs staff firmly support the policy. with just a week to go, ministers now say they will reflect on the latest evidence, but the need to protect patients remains unchanged. jim reed, bbc news. it's holocaust memorial day today, marking 77 years since the liberation of the nazi death camp at auschwitz—birkenau, although the day is for the victims of all genocides. seven holocaust survivors have had their portraits painted by different artists, in a special project commissioned by prince charles. 0ur royal correspondent daniela relph has more. arek hersh was one ofjust two members of his family to survive the holocaust. this painting captures him now, at the age of 93. the style is realistic, almost photographic. his right hand rests on his left arm, the arm that bears the number he was marked with at auschwitz. creating a gallery of holocaust survivors, the bbc has been following the project. covid made things unconventional for artist massimiliano pironti. i started to paint this portrait in completely opposite process as normal. you should have painted me when i had hair! yeah, that was a while ago. we had like, three virtual sittings. how do you do you feel like, arek? how do you feel? 0k. it was a very challenging experience. your book... oh, yes. months later, came a real life meet—up, as arek shared his story. that was our first camp. 11 years old, i was, 11 years old. that's auschwitz, yeah. and it's where we got our number on the arm. these are children who survived at auschwitz. | arek was one of those survivors. but the rest of his family, bar his older sister, never reached liberation. they were some of the six million jews killed in the holocaust. this week, arek met the prince of wales, who commissioned the project. this is my picture. i think it's fantastic. i felt we owed it to these remarkable people just to remember them in this way. there is something very special about the portrait, and about the artist's eye in bringing out the real underlying character, personality and meaning of the person who's sitting for the portrait. the connection between artists and survivors has been strong. the pictures reflect both loss and survival. these portraits go to the heart of their individuality and their humanity. what better way of rejecting that kind of philosophy that led to the holocaust, and honouring survivors, than this project? the reality is this extraordinary group of people are now growing smaller every year, but the power of their testimony forms a lasting memory. daniela relph, bbc news, the queen's gallery at buckingham palace. ina in a moment we will be speaking to holocaust survivor lily ebert who was deported to auschwitz birkenau in 1944. members of her family were killed at the camp, she surivived. lily and her great—grandson dov forman have massed 1.6 million followers on tiktok, the duo use the social media site to answer questions and inform people of lily's experiences. take a look at some of their videos. in the train... lily and dov are here with me now. it is great to see you, thank you for sharing your tiktok videos, which you have 1.6 million followers. lily, you were there talking about looking on the bright side of life but given your experience, how do you do that? i have to do that because if not me, nobody else could do it. we had to get through that terrible thing and only we can talk about it. ii'iin�*n�* get through that terrible thing and only we can talk about it.- only we can talk about it. how do ou only we can talk about it. how do you remain _ only we can talk about it. how do you remain so — only we can talk about it. how do you remain so positive? - only we can talk about it. how do you remain so positive? to - only we can talk about it. how do you remain so positive? to stay i you remain so positive? to stay alive, you remain so positive? to stay alive. we _ you remain so positive? to stay alive, we have _ you remain so positive? to stay alive, we have to _ you remain so positive? to stay alive, we have to make - you remain so positive? to stay| alive, we have to make positive. because if you give up, life, you could not survive that.— could not survive that. lily, it is such strength _ could not survive that. lily, it is such strength we _ could not survive that. lily, it is such strength we hear - could not survive that. lily, it is such strength we hear in - could not survive that. lily, it is such strength we hear in your. could not survive that. lily, it is . such strength we hear in your voice and you are 98 years young. how important is it you get your message across and how incredible to use this new social media to get the message out there? it is this new social media to get the message out there?— this new social media to get the message out there? it is very, very important- — message out there? it is very, very important. because _ message out there? it is very, very important. because that _ message out there? it is very, very important. because that is - important. because that is really the last moment a survivor can do. because in a few years time from us, the survivors, nobody will be here any more. dov can tell our stories. in a few years time it will be history. our history. therefore we have to do everything what we can now, that the world should never, ever again the most terrible time in the whole of human history. bud ever again the most terrible time in the whole of human history. find i the whole of human history. and i would add to _ the whole of human history. and i would add to that _ the whole of human history. and i would add to that that _ the whole of human history. and i would add to that that this - the whole of human history. and i would add to that that this year's holocaust — would add to that that this year's holocaust memorial day theme is one day and _ holocaust memorial day theme is one day and for— holocaust memorial day theme is one day and for me that means one day in the future _ day and for me that means one day in the future when there are no more survivors _ the future when there are no more survivors like my incredible great—grandmother of us, to teach the incredible messages of tolerance and love _ the incredible messages of tolerance and love and hope to also teach people — and love and hope to also teach people about the dangers of hatred so it will— people about the dangers of hatred so it will come my generation's responsibility to share these stories— responsibility to share these stories and remember them for the future _ stories and remember them for the future you — stories and remember them for the future you mentioned the portraits, lily future you mentioned the portraits, lily is— future you mentioned the portraits, lily is one _ future you mentioned the portraits, lily is one of those seven survivors who has _ lily is one of those seven survivors who has been painted, and it is a statement — who has been painted, and it is a statement by the royal family that we should not allow something like the holocaust ever to be repeated, or forgotten, and the whole of society— or forgotten, and the whole of society has to take on that statement and say we will not allow it to he _ statement and say we will not allow it to be forgotten and we will bear witness _ it to be forgotten and we will bear witness to — it to be forgotten and we will bear witness to the holocaust. dov, absolutely. — witness to the holocaust. dov, absolutely, you _ witness to the holocaust. dov, absolutely, you talk _ witness to the holocaust. dov, absolutely, you talk about - witness to the holocaust. dov, absolutely, you talk about the | absolutely, you talk about the survivors but lily, if i could ask you, when i was at the 70th anniversary of the liberation of auschwitz, i spoke to a survivor and the strength that you and people like her, the survivors, it is overwhelming when we speak to you. when holocaust memorial day comes around, explain to us how important it is for you to talk about it, given that there are fewer of you, sadly, but it's wonderful to see you. it sadly, but it's wonderful to see ou. , , , ., you. it is very, very important. because you. it is very, very important. itecausejust — you. it is very, very important. because just you _ you. it is very, very important. becausejust you mention, - you. it is very, very important. because just you mention, in l you. it is very, very important. j becausejust you mention, in a you. it is very, very important. - because just you mention, in a few years time, there will not be survivors here. it will be a history, like all history. and therefore as long as we are here, we have to talk about it, tell the biggest crime what happened in 20 centuries, was the holocaust. what happened for me and millions of others. that is why we have to mention it as long as we can. you mention it as long as we can. you mention it — mention it as long as we can. you mention it on _ mention it as long as we can. you mention it on social— mention it as long as we can. you mention it on social media, dov, using tiktok with 1.6 million followers so what sort of reaction do you get when you post videos of your great—grandmother? do you get when you post videos of your great-grandmother? thankfully, the response — your great-grandmother? thankfully, the response has _ your great-grandmother? thankfully, the response has been _ your great-grandmother? thankfully, the response has been overwhelming | the response has been overwhelming and incredible and very positive. unfortunately on social media, hate can spread — unfortunately on social media, hate can spread so easily and people of my generation often talk of the dangers— my generation often talk of the dangers of social media and we have to he _ dangers of social media and we have to be wary— dangers of social media and we have to be wary of hate spreading so easily— to be wary of hate spreading so easily but — to be wary of hate spreading so easily but i want to show people is thatjust _ easily but i want to show people is thatjust as— easily but i want to show people is thatjust as easily easily but i want to show people is that just as easily as hate can spread. — that just as easily as hate can spread, love and positivity and important messages can as well, it is about— important messages can as well, it is about how you use social media. and when— is about how you use social media. and when you listen to a witness, you become a witness. and 1.6 million — you become a witness. and 1.6 million followers, they are witnesses and everybody listening today _ witnesses and everybody listening today has become lily's witnesses and it's— today has become lily's witnesses and it's our— today has become lily's witnesses and it's our responsibility to share her story— and it's our responsibility to share her story with millions across the world _ her story with millions across the world because the survivors have been _ world because the survivors have been a _ world because the survivors have been a light in this world in the darkness— been a light in this world in the darkness for so many yes but as the years— darkness for so many yes but as the years go— darkness for so many yes but as the years go on. — darkness for so many yes but as the years go on, the light will continue to dwindle — years go on, the light will continue to dwindle and it will become our responsibility to relight that candle — responsibility to relight that candle and the darkness through their— candle and the darkness through their messages and voices. thank you for sharin: their messages and voices. thank you for sharing your _ their messages and voices. thank you for sharing your great-grandmother's| for sharing your great—grandmother's story with us and lily ebert are has been a privilege to speak to you, thank you forjoining us so much. thank you. you can watch that special documentary on bbc two at 9:00pm tonight. it's called "survivors: portraits of the holocaust". 0ne one of those portraits is of course of lily ebert who we heard from their. a new oil leak is being tackled on the pacific coast of peru. it happened just ten days after a major crude spill which has been called the biggest "ecological disaster" to hit the south american country in recent years, killing scores of seals, fish and birds. but the clean—up teams have been using a rather unusual method to mop up the spill as stephanie prentice explains. volunteers have been inching forward in the attempt to clean up the coast here in ventanilla, but now efforts have taken two steps back, as another leak has seeped into the problems of teams here on the beaches on the coastline local fishermen say smells like death. mopping up the oil is slow work and doing it quickly no small feat of ingenuity. a major spill nearly two weeks ago led to a national cry for help and one unusual campaign, asking people to donate not their time but their hair to be used in the clean—up effort. that's because human hair repels water and actively absorbs oil. peruvians across the country headed to hairdressers or even the streets for a free cut. the hair then formed into cylinders and shipped to the coast. the feeling? every little helps. some even donated their dogs fur in an attempt to save marine wildlife. translation: we are not a pet groomers but there l is the will of the people and in the end the hair grows. everything grows. but what does not return are the deaths of the animals. but while the nation has come together to tackle the disaster, a row over who is to blame for it has proved divisive. 0il provider repsol is denying responsibility while environment agencies here pursue it. but for now, it's the local people and wildlife feeling the full effects of the darkness that washed up here. let's return now to the sad news that the veteran comedian, actor and writer barry cryer has died, he was 86. his six decade long career saw him writing for some of the biggest on programmes such as bbc radio 4's i'm sorry i haven't a clue. sarah campbell looks back at his life. i know a fellow policeman, he's always on our street fight and charlie red—faced man... 5 always on our street fight and charlie red-faced man... 's i'm sor i charlie red-faced man... 's i'm sorry i haven't— charlie red-faced man... 's i'm sorry i haven't a _ charlie red-faced man... 's i'm sorry i haven't a clue - charlie red-faced man... 's i'm sorry i haven't a clue and - charlie red-faced man... 's i'm| sorry i haven't a clue and barry cryer sings the words of the laughing policeman to the tune of as time goes by. laughing policeman to the tune of as time goes by— time goes by. everybody says he is the happiest _ time goes by. everybody says he is the happiest man _ time goes by. everybody says he is the happiest man in _ time goes by. everybody says he is the happiest man in town. - time goes by. everybody says he is the happiest man in town. temple | the happiest man in town. temple nacra a happy _ the happiest man in town. temple nacra a happy fellow, _ the happiest man in town. temple nacra a happy fellow, and - the happiest man in town. temple nacra a happy fellow, and a - the happiest man in town. temple nacra a happy fellow, and a lucky| nacra a happy fellow, and a lucky one. i nacra a happy fellow, and a lucky one. , , , ., , one. i spent my time mainly with --eole i one. i spent my time mainly with people i liked — one. i spent my time mainly with people i liked and _ one. i spent my time mainly with people i liked and admired, - one. i spent my time mainly with - people i liked and admired, laughing about something. he people i liked and admired, laughing about something.— about something. he started young, -la in: about something. he started young, playing shakespeare's. _ about something. he started young, playing shakespeare's. at _ about something. he started young, playing shakespeare's. at the - about something. he started young, | playing shakespeare's. at the school in leeds and in london he wrote gags for drag artist danny leroux as well as performing himself. and early success with a novelty song which went to number one in finland. there was a comedy panel show on itv. ,., ., there was a comedy panel show on itv. good evening and welcome to jokers wild — itv. good evening and welcome to jokers wild game _ itv. good evening and welcome to jokers wild game in _ itv. good evening and welcome to jokers wild game in which - itv. good evening and welcome to jokers wild game in which some i itv. good evening and welcome to jokers wild game in which some of the top comedians match wits. bud the top comedians match wits. and hello cheeky _ the top comedians match wits. and hello cheeky on _ the top comedians match wits. and hello cheeky on tv and radio. he wrote for almost every leading comic, from frankie howard, to spike milligan dick emery, to kenny everett, to ronnie's, and mike yarwood. when morecambe and wise switched from the bbc to itv, he and john switched from the bbc to itv, he and jothenkins wrote their scripts. brute john jenkins wrote their scripts. we been so looking forward to working with you! _ been so looking forward to working with you! fit been so looking forward to working with ou! �* ., , ., with you! at the same here as at the bbc! denis naughten _ with you! at the same here as at the bbc! denis naughten said _ with you! at the same here as at the bbc! denis naughten said there - with you! at the same here as at the bbc! denis naughten said there was| bbc! denis naughten said there was alwa s bbc! denis naughten said there was always someone _ bbc! denis naughten said there was always someone typing _ bbc! denis naughten said there was always someone typing at _ bbc! denis naughten said there was always someone typing at someone | always someone typing at someone walking around and i would sit there scribbling and john would walk around waggling his glasses! what scribbling and john would walk around waggling his glasses! what a lovely audience! _ around waggling his glasses! what a lovely audience! there _ around waggling his glasses! what a lovely audience! there they - around waggling his glasses! what a lovely audience! there they are, - lovely audience! there they are, the 'll lovely audience! there they are, they'll do! _ lovely audience! there they are, they'll do! i _ lovely audience! there they are, they'll do! i saw— lovely audience! there they are, they'll do! i saw them _ lovely audience! there they are, they'll do! i saw them arriving. l they'll do! i saw them arriving. with— they'll do! i saw them arriving. with the — they'll do! i saw them arriving. with the blankets _ they'll do! i saw them arriving. with the blankets on _ they'll do! i saw them arriving. with the blankets on the - they'll do! i saw them arriving. j with the blankets on the head! they'll do! i saw them arriving. - with the blankets on the head! my with the blankets on the head! ii;- memory with the blankets on the head! memory is shot to pieces with the blankets on the head! ii- memory is shot to pieces and with the blankets on the head! memory is shot to pieces and i'll tell you something else, my short—term memory shot to pieces... he was still performing well into his 80s. a man whose trade was quite simply making people laugh. remembering the comedian, writer and actor barry cryer who i'm sad to say has died at the age of 86 with tributes are pouring in. a lot more coming up, you're watching bbc news. now lets n ow lets get now lets get the weather here is matt taylor. that they may have become a little gloomily for some but skies have brightened quite nicely and more sunshine around that in recent days, even though a bit breezy still, the winds are easing down compared to last night put a cold wind over shetland, some wintry showers in the north of scotland, the front which brought great condition earlier is confined to the channel islands and the afternoon, may be the scilly isles and western cornwall but most will have sunny spells, baby shower in northern ireland and north—west england as well as scotland but most will be dry. 12 or 13 degrees in southern counties, milder than it has been of late. 0vernight, clear skies, light winds, some fog particularly in southern england and south wales, grout in the west, but elsewhere under the clearer periods is going to be a case back to a frost —— cloud in the west point of a chilly start on friday under the high—pressure step back and look at the big picture the wind is coming from the azores and the milder air will push in through friday and with it some fronts and stronger winds in the north of scotland and we will see rain at times, for some it might be persistent and heavy. seven figure cloud with lighter rate in southern scotland and northern england but most places will be dry again and after the brighter start, clouding over, some hazy sunshine for some in the south and east. temple just lifting after the chilly start into double figures in many areas. and a mild night following, temperatures will not drop much with the wind coming off the atlantic but another set of weather fronts put in on saturday which bring windy weather across the board. saturday is windier, a white start for scotland and northern ireland, brightening up into sunshine and showers. cloud and a few showers pushing southward in northern england and wales and the midlands. varying cloud in the south, maybe some sunshine, temperatures of 15 degrees but in the brighter conditions in the afternoon further north it will be chilly, temperatures dropping through the day. a cooler start on sunday, the best brightness south and east, clouding over again, the next system pushes in. rain in the northern half of the country with some snow over scottish hills. it will push into milder air but wet conditions in the highlands with over 100 millimetres of rain in the next few days. this is bbc news. the headlines at 11am... covid rules on care homes in england have been eased by the government, allowing unlimited visits from monday. resident campaign groups say they welcome the move. i could actually cry with relief. we have actually been asking our members to write to their mp, asking for restrictions to be lifted because we know that it is definitely safer now. prince andrew has denied being a close friend of convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell, in a legal response to the woman suing him for sexual assault. he denies all allegations against him. the wait goes on for sue gray's report on lockdown parties in downing street — borisjohnson says he won't resign over the issue. car production in britain fell to its lowest level for more than 60 years — covid disruption has been blamed. and, barry cryer, one of the most prolific scriptwriters in british comedy, has died at the age of 86. the government says it's going to ease many of the covid related restrictions on care homes in england, including scrapping limits on the number of visitors allowed. from monday, there will be no limit on the numbers allowed to see their loved ones in care homes, self—isolation periods will be cut, and care homes will only have to follow outbreak management rules for 14 days, not 28. ministers say restrictions brought in to counter the 0micron wave of coronavirus can be relaxed because of the success of the vaccine booster programme. each of the uk nations sets its own rules on care homes, with scotland easing its restrictions last week. the change is the latest rolling back of plan b curbs in england. 0ur social affairs editor alison holt has been telling us this comes as a huge relief to those with relatives in care homes. this has been an increasing bone of contention throughout the pandemic. if you remember at the very start, there were extremely strong restrictions and people were only able to see their relatives at the end of their lives. so, the families and campaigners have been saying that that did huge damage. now, whilst the increase in restrictions during the 0micron wave were not as drastic as that — you were still allowed four named people, including an essential caregiver — nevertheless, it was an interruption to family life and families felt very strongly that this was having a really deleterious effect on the health and well—being of the people they loved. now, you touched upon 0micron. i wonder if there are people who feel that this is actually too soon? it's a really difficult balancing act. i mean, when i've spoken to care providers, i think there is generally a nervousness about, when is the right time? but there's also that understanding and desire to try and get life back to some sort of normality for the people living in care homes and staff and families, and easing restrictions is a part of that. they also say, they tend to reflect what is going on in the community. so, if cases are high in the community, then they are more likely to get them in the care home. and it may be that there are decisions made locally which reflect those situations, but we don't really know yet. so, i wonder, i touched upon some of the restrictions that are being lifted. just talk us through what are the restrictions lifted, what are the restrictions that do actually still remain. ok, so the key one is that care home residents will, from monday, be able to have an unlimited number of visitors. at the moment, as i said a moment ago, they're restricted to four people, including an essential caregiver — that is completely lifted. if they go on a day trip out, they won't now have to take a test when they get back and they won't have to self—isolate. patients returning to a home from hospital, at the moment, they have to self—isolate for 14 days. that will be cut to ten days. and testing can also be introduced to see basically how they're doing during that period of time. and one of the key things is that at the moment, when a care home has an outbreak of covid — and an outbreak is counted as two people testing positive, whether they're residents or staff — that means that the home closes its doors for 28 days. that's being reduced to 14 days. that will please a lot of people because, certainly, i've had a lot of families — and some care providers and staff — complaining about the length of that isolation period. talk us through the situation when it comes to vaccinations because the government is saying a high proportion of residents have been vaccinated, but what about when it comes to the actual workers? 50. comes to the actual workers? so, there has been _ comes to the actual workers? ’srr, there has been this comes to the actual workers? 55>, there has been this ongoing comes to the actual workers? 553, there has been this ongoing drive comes to the actual workers? 5i3 there has been this ongoing drive to make sure that care home workers are fully vaccinated. back in november, it became mandatory for anyone working in care homes to be double vaccinated, and one of the interesting things about that, it is an ongoing debate, we see it now with the nhs and with home care, about how effective mandatory vaccination is. one of the big issues has been in care homes which issues has been in care homes which is that they feel they have lost staff because of that. staff who didn't want to have the vaccine. and thatis didn't want to have the vaccine. and that is at a time when there are already staff shortages in the care sector, and it is difficult to recruit people because they tend to be low. supermarkets are often offering much more for an hour than a care home offers. so, there are lots of issues still around vaccinations, but overall, staff vaccinations, but overall, staff vaccinations are high, and resident vaccinations are high, and resident vaccinations are high in care homes. alison holt, just talking me through the easing of restrictions when it comes to care homes. with more reaction, the executive chair of the national care association spoke to me. it represents small and medium sized care providers. she's been giving us her reaction to the easing of restrictions. well, i think there'll be a lot of nervousness around — certainly within the care sector — but it is something that we knew would be coming, and in the interest of the people we care for and their well—being, we do welcome it. i think it's all the logistics around it that will be causing a little bit of a headache, as providers are waking up to it this morning. the duke of york has denied being a close friend of the convicted sex trafficker, ghislaine maxwell, in a legal response to the woman who's suing him in the us for sexual assault. the 11—page document says the prince wants the claims brought by virginia giuffre to be heard by a jury in new york. she alleges that he assaulted her when she was 17 at homes owned by maxwell and the paedophile jeffrey epstein, something prince andrew has consistently denied. 0ur royal correspondent nicholas witchell has more details. across 11 pages, andrew's lawyers have set out his defence, a denial of the central allegation of sexual abuse made by virginia giuffre, and an assertion in respect of others that andrew lacks sufficient information to either admit or deny what's been claimed. he says, for example, in relation to the widely publicised picture of the two of them, that he doesn't have enough information to admit or deny that there exists photographic evidence of his alleged meeting with miss giuffre. elsewhere, his lawyers assert that virginia giuffre's civil complaint should be dismissed, because she's a permanent resident of australia, and not domiciled in the united states. and they say this. "giuffre's alleged causes of action are barred, in whole or in part, by her own wrongful conduct." all of which suggests that andrew is determined to fight it out in court. though lawyers say this doesn't preclude an out—of—court settlement. you can certainly have a settlement further down the road, and it wouldn't shock me at all, between now and a trial, to see something like that happen, you know. and sometimes, though, there are cases where no amount of money will make them go away. there were times when, again, you know, a victim wants their day in court. and that certainly seems to be virginia giuffre's intention. her lawyer has said they look forward to confronting prince andrew with his denials and his attempts to blame miss giuffre for her own abuse at the trial. nicholas witchell, bbc news. lucia 0sborne—crowley, a legal reporter with law360, has been telling us more about the 11—page document submitted by prince andrew's legal team. i think one of the most important parts of this 11—page document that was filed onto the docket last night is this demand for a jury trial. which is quite rare these days, particularly in civil cases, there are fewer and fewer trials byjury happening in the us in general, and especially in civil cases. and the idea of prince andrew making a point of demanding a jury trial is significant, because i think he and his lawyers are trying to say that they're coming out fighting. they didn't have to put in a demand for a jury trial, particularly not in this document and not at this early stage. so, to me, it seems like a signal from prince andrew that he plans to fight this tooth and nail and that he's confident. i think this is a gesture of him and saying, i'm confident that if i go before a jury, i'll win. so, i was quite surprised by that move from him and we will see if this does end up at trial before a jury. but i think it's partly a legal decision and partly a public—relations decision. we know that virginia giuffre has already submitted that she would like a trial byjury. but that doesn't mean that that necessarily would be the case because the judge would also have to hear from the defendant, would also have to hear from prince andrew, and then would weigh up those arguments between the parties. so, what you would usually have is a dispute between the parties, with one party wanting a jury trial and one party wanting a bench trial. so what we have here is this wording around demanding a jury trial when, in fact, prince andrew's request for a jury trial is unopposed by virginia giuffre. so, now that both parties are in agreement that they want a jury trial, it's still ultimately up to the judge, but i would say that the judge would look at those arguments and say that, yes, we will be having a jury trial. but it's not necessarily the case that he would be forced into itjust because that's what virginia giuffre has requested, because ultimately, the judge will always have to hearfrom both parties. a report into a series of alleged parties at downing street during lockdown is expected to land on the desk of the prime minister today, but it may not be published until next week. the report, by the senior civil servant sue gray, has already prompted a separate inquiry by the metropolitan police. some conservative mps are waiting to read sue gray's findings before deciding whether to try to oust borisjohnson. 0ur chief political correspondent adam fleming has the latest. yeah, "grayja—vu", one of my colleagues is calling it, because we thought we were going to get this report yesterday, it didn't arrive. the cabinet office is not repeating their phrase from yesterday that it's expected to arrive today. so who knows, frankly, when we'll get it? we understand that it's pretty much done, but it's just undergoing some final checks from a legal and hr perspective, and also to make sure it doesn't cut across the police investigation that was launched into this issue earlier this week. also, then you've just got the process around it, because the government's committed to publish the findings. we don't know if that means the whole thing. we have to wait and see for that. and also, borisjohnson, the prime minister, said he would go to parliament and answer mps' questions. now, we're running out of time in the parliamentary diary this week for those things to happen, which is why some people are speculating it may happen next week. because also, why would the government want to publish the report and then leave a few days of space for everyone to make up their own mind, without hearing the prime minister's interpretation of it? he says he's getting on with the job. he's off on a visit today elsewhere in the uk. and the government's also announcing changes to the universal credit programme, with the goal of getting half a million people intojobs by the end of summer — which meant it was the work and pensions secretary therese coffey who was having to give the government line on the sue gray report this morning. well, i'm conscious that people do want to make sure that the report is published. the government has said that we intend to publish the full findings of that report, at the same time as the pm said it's entirely right for the police — who've chosen to investigate these matters — i hope when they conclude their investigations, that will provide welcome clarity. but given the ongoing investigation that's been started by the police, it is not appropriate for me to comment any further. and it's not in my hands of when the sue gray report will be published, but i'm confident that will be done at the earliest opportunity. so at the moment, we're in a very processy phase. when, what, and how? but as soon as that report lands and the prime minister responds to it, we'll then be in a deeply political phase, because that is when the majority of conservative mps will make up their mind about the prime minister's judgment and his position. let's speak now to polly mackenzie, chief executive of the think tank demos, and was an adviser to nick clegg and lib dem leader sir ed davey. you were an adviser to nick clegg and the lib dems leader, sir ed davey. as we await, what kind of format do we need to see this report in? we are hearing that sue gray doesn'tjust in? we are hearing that sue gray doesn't just want in? we are hearing that sue gray doesn'tjust want an in? we are hearing that sue gray doesn't just want an executive summary, she wants the whole thing out there. we summary, she wants the whole thing out there. ~ ., summary, she wants the whole thing out there. ~ . ., ,, , ., out there. we heard that keyword 'ust there out there. we heard that keyword just there in _ out there. we heard that keyword just there in the _ out there. we heard that keyword just there in the package, - out there. we heard that keyword just there in the package, that. out there. we heard that keyword i just there in the package, that they are going to make sure they publish the findings, but what does that mean? what are the findings? i think through this process, the exact specification of what will and won't be published has been very much debated. i think we can assume that whatever is published, immediately the journalist will be putting in freedom of information requests for everything else surrounding this and that will then chant through the system. it is in the interests of the prime minister to keep it as small and limited as possible. they are trying to use that police investigation as, i'm going to say reason rather than an excuse, but as a reason to keep chunks of it which they suggest might be relevant to they suggest might be relevant to the police investigation, kind of, redacted or removed. i think we can absolutely expect that lots of the names in particular ofjunior names in particular of junior officials names in particular ofjunior officials will be redacted, and i think that is appropriate because, in the end, this is about leadership culture from both the political and civil service leaders, and whilst there may be disciplinary actions against morejunior staff there may be disciplinary actions against more junior staff as a consequence, that is something which is not something that should be done in the public eye. the is not something that should be done in the public eye.— in the public eye. the prime minister is _ in the public eye. the prime minister is saying _ in the public eye. the prime minister is saying that - in the public eye. the prime minister is saying that he i in the public eye. the prime minister is saying that he is| minister is saying that he is getting on with hisjob, and we heard the different policy announcements today. how long do you think he will be in hisjob, given that it think he will be in hisjob, given thatitis think he will be in hisjob, given that it is not easy to get rid of a conservative leader? it is that it is not easy to get rid of a conservative leader?— that it is not easy to get rid of a conservative leader? it is not easy, and i conservative leader? it is not easy, and i think — conservative leader? it is not easy, and i think that — conservative leader? it is not easy, and i think that if _ conservative leader? it is not easy, and i think that if conservative - conservative leader? it is not easy, and i think that if conservative mst and i think that if conservative mps allow him to survive the couple of weeks after the sue gray report comes out, i think we can expect him to last until a general election, actually. these moments when resentment or anger or concern about a political leader can actually crystallise into the really quite overwhelming sense of urgency that you have to have to put those in place, to push the boat of no confidence, to be confident that the grass is greener on the other side with another leader. it is acting so fragile. we saw that last week, when david davis made the call for the prime minister to go, and christian wakefield defectors, and even those are bad things for a prime minister in any normal circumstance, they somehowjust took in any normal circumstance, they somehow just took the sting out in any normal circumstance, they somehowjust took the sting out of that conservative rebellion and bought the promised a time. and i think that is evidence again of how fragile movements, coups against a leader, really can be. so, if he gets through the next couple of weeks, and we can see the strategy he is deploying, absolute belligerence, refusal to really answer any questions, talking about, you know, his record of achievement and his promise of more, if that works with conservative mps, if they are willing to overlook the police investigation, the breaking of the law, all of that, then i don't see the concern crystallising again before the end of this parliamentary term. fits before the end of this parliamentary term. �* , , ., before the end of this parliamentary term. a . ~' before the end of this parliamentary term. a ., ,, ., before the end of this parliamentary term. as you talk about elections, we heard jacob — term. as you talk about elections, we heard jacob rees _ term. as you talk about elections, we heard jacob rees mogg - term. as you talk about elections, we heard jacob rees mogg saying | term. as you talk about elections, - we heard jacob rees mogg saying that if the prime minister is ousted, then there needs to be a new election, a new general election because we are moving in a kind of presidential format. because we are moving in a kind of presidentialformat. what because we are moving in a kind of presidential format. what is your reading of that?— reading of that? well, it is nonsense. _ reading of that? well, it is nonsense, really. - reading of that? well, it is nonsense, really. we - reading of that? well, it is| nonsense, really. we don't reading of that? well, it is - nonsense, really. we don't have a constitution in this country, and some people, like me, think that we should have a constitution. that is a process as a nation that i think we should go through. but in the absence of a constitution, we have a set of unwritten rules, bits of bills of rights, and we have the cabinet manual and also parliamentary conventions. it is clear that in our system a prime minister has to command the confidence of the houses of parliament. if they can do that, the pro—minister, sorry, the queen appoints them as the prime minister. that is the be all and end of it. there have been changes of prime minister without a general election, including borisjohnson, who was installed injune, and didn't go to the country until december and that was because of brexit. he had no need to do that. theresa may was installed without a general election, and nobody said she should have won, shejust election, and nobody said she should have won, she just decided to have one, rather misguidedly. jacob rees mogg is making up constitutional conventions in the service of his leader, and that is politics so i won't be angry with him, but he is actually talking nonsense. taste actually talking nonsense. we welcome jacob onto the programme if welcomejacob onto the programme if you would like to respond. 0llie, thank you for your time and reaction. the headlines on bbc news: covid rules on care homes in england have been eased by the government, allowing unlimited visits from monday. resident campaign groups say they welcome the move. car production in britain fell to its lowest level for more than 60 years — covid disruption has been blamed. and barry cryer, one of the most prolific scriptwriters in british comedy, has died at the age of 86. face coverings are no longer legally required in england after covid rules were eased. but some shops, including john lewis and sainsbury�*s, and many transport providers, have said they'll still ask customers to wear masks as a courtesy to others. here's our consumer affairs correspondent, colletta smith. you no longer have to wear a mask in shops, restaurants or on public transport in england. but today's relaxation of the rules once again leaves customers facing the conundrum of different requests, depending on where they are. john lewis said it would be suggesting shoppers wear masks, and sainsbury�*s said they would keep signs up and still make announcements, urging staff and customers to use them. but morrisons don't go as far, simply saying it will be complying with government regulations. and currys says it will ask staff, but not customers, to wear a mask. face coverings will still be needed on trains and buses in london, while other rail operators are hoping passengers still wear them. we'll be relying on people doing the right thing, and we're confident thatjust before masks became mandatory again, and like it was last summer, people will want to do the right thing. they'll follow the government's advice and they'll wear a face covering where it's busy, or they're indoors. face coverings are still mandatory when shopping in northern ireland, scotland and wales. colletta smith, bbc news. here with me now is professor peter 0penshaw of experimental medicine, imperial college when it comes to facemasks, what do you make of this easing of this particular restriction, and where it is being eased as well? i wonder what your advice is.— is being eased as well? i wonder what your advice is. well, i think we do know— what your advice is. well, i think we do know that _ what your advice is. well, i think we do know that facemasks - what your advice is. well, i think we do know that facemasks are i what your advice is. well, i think - we do know that facemasks are really pretty effective. it is hard to gather this sort of evidence, it is hard to do a proper, sort of, you know, controlled trial on wearing them or not wearing them. you certainly can't do placebo trials, like we like to do. but i think the evidence has mounted up that they are very, very effective. i think that it are very, very effective. i think thatitis are very, very effective. i think that it is a to others to wear a mask, particularly if you have, not only symptoms of covid, but if you have a cold because it will reduce the amount of transmission. i personally am going to carry on wearing masks in indoor environments, where it is a bit stuffy and you are breathing other peoples air. we do need to appreciate that transmitted as almost like a gas that is emitted from people who are affected, so it is a major form from people who are affected, so it is a majorform of from people who are affected, so it is a major form of transmission and wearing a mask can really help. you are talkint wearing a mask can really help. you are talking about a courtesy, therefore it is a choice whether you do it or not know it is no longer legally required in england, so in that case, ijust legally required in england, so in that case, i just wonder legally required in england, so in that case, ijust wonder if doing it now, given 0micron, given where we are with caseloads, whether this is right time to lift the legal requirement, given that when it comes to some of that is not legally necessary, maybe people will choose not to do it. i necessary, maybe people will choose not to do it— not to do it. i think from my point of view, speaking _ not to do it. i think from my point of view, speaking personally, - not to do it. i think from my point of view, speaking personally, it. of view, speaking personally, it feels a little bit early. we have still got very, very high rates of infection, although the rates are coming down in some parts of the country, particularly in areas that had very strong early 0micron waves, there are signs that the decline is actually slowing, and that may be because the messaging which is coming out from government is now hinting that maybe we don't need to be quite so careful. to my mind, the rates are so high, the frequency of infection is so enormous, particularly in children and in people with children, that my preference would be to keep measures in place for a bit longer to see the rates declining further. you in place for a bit longer to see the rates declining further.— rates declining further. you talk about mixed — rates declining further. you talk about mixed messaging, - rates declining further. you talk about mixed messaging, and i rates declining further. you talk| about mixed messaging, and i'm rates declining further. you talk i about mixed messaging, and i'm sure the government would deny that, but you've got shops now you don't need to wear them, but some shops would like people to wear them. transport for london is still going to continue to have facemasks as low mandatory. i wonder as a member of the public, it is confusing. what is your piece of advice actually says, wear a facemask?— your piece of advice actually says, wear a facemask? yes, i think it is not really a _ wear a facemask? yes, i think it is not really a problem, _ wear a facemask? yes, i think it is not really a problem, wearing i wear a facemask? yes, i think it is not really a problem, wearing a i not really a problem, wearing a facemask. many of us don't mind wearing facemasks and don't find them particular owner is. i think for many of us we will continue to wear masks, and maybe this is going to be a change which may continue through to the future, and we may be much more willing to work masks if there are people around with colds, or if we ourselves have a cold. i think it is a positive trend, and i hope it will be continued into the future. ~ , ., future. well, we will see what hat-ens future. well, we will see what happens next _ future. well, we will see what happens next as _ future. well, we will see what happens next as this - future. well, we will see what happens next as this legal i happens next as this legal requirement is lifted today. professor, as always, really good to have your perspective. thank you. the comedian, actor and writer barry cryer has died, he was 86. his six—decades—long career saw him writing for some of the biggest names in british comedy, as well as regularly performing on programmes such as bbc radio 4's i'm sorry i haven't a clue since its inception in 1972. paying tribute to him, his family issued a statement saying... they said he had a gift for friendship and a genius for putting people at their ease. and he made many people laugh. # i know a fat old policeman # he's always on our street # a fat and jolly red—faced man...#. radio4�*s i'm sorry i haven't a clue, and barry cryer sings the words of the laughing policeman to the tune of as time goes by. # he's never known to frown # and everybody says # he's the happiest man in town...#. barry cryer seemed a happy fellow too, and a lucky one. i spent my time mainly with people i liked and admired, laughing about something. he'd started young, playing shakespeare's falstaff at school in leeds. down in london, he wrote gags for the drag artist danny la rue, as well as performing himself. an early success was a novelty song which went to number one. in finland. # it looks like a purple people eater to me...#. there was a comedy panel show on itv. good evening, ladies and gentlemen, welcome tojokers wild, a game in which some of the country's top comedians match wits to see who, if anybody, knows all the jokes. and hello cheeky on tv and radio. he wrote for almost every leading comic, from frankie howerd to spike milligan, dick emery to kelly everett, dick emery to kenny everett, the two ronnies to mike yarwood. when morecambe and wise switched from the bbc to itv, he and john junkin wrote their scripts. we've been so looking forward to working with you! come this way. it's just the same here i as what they are at the bbc. denis norden always says there's a sitter and a pacer, there's someone typing and someone walking about. and i would sit there scribbling or typing, and john would walk around, waggling his glasses. what a lovely audience! where are they? oh, there they are. yes. never mind, they'll do. i saw them arriving on the coaches. did you really? yeah, with their blankets over their heads. - # my short—term memory�*s shot to pieces # and i'll tell you something else # my short—term memory�*s shot to pieces...#. he was still performing well into his 80s. a man whose trade was quite simply making people laugh. # ha—ha—ha.#. tributes for barry cryer have been coming in on social media. the actor and comedian stephen fry tweeted... bbc�*s director general also adding to comments, describing barry cryer as a generous person he to comments, describing barry cryer as a generous perso— as a generous person he added that bar c er as a generous person he added that itarry cryer will _ as a generous person he added that barry cryer will be _ as a generous person he added that barry cryer will be hugely _ as a generous person he added that barry cryer will be hugely missed i as a generous person he added that| barry cryer will be hugely missed by his many friends and the bbc and the wider public. let's speak to comedian, writer and presenter jon homes, who worked with barry cryer many times. my my condolences to you, jon. give us your thoughts about such a legend, he started on i'm sorry i haven't a clue back in 1972.— he started on i'm sorry i haven't a clue back in 1972. barrett remains a letend, it clue back in 1972. barrett remains a legend. it is — clue back in 1972. barrett remains a legend, it is hard _ clue back in 1972. barrett remains a legend, it is hard to _ clue back in 1972. barrett remains a legend, it is hard to follow- clue back in 1972. barrett remains a legend, it is hard to follow all- legend, it is hard to follow all those tributes to him with one of my own, but he was someone who would take the time, who worked in industry so long, when you came into it as a newcomer, who take the to seek you out and to give you his jokes, obviously, and his endless anecdotes, but to give you his thoughts, which were always encouraging and complimentary. he did this when i started out in comedy and continue to do it so right up until the end, where he would just make time for a newcomer. he has done something rare today as well, he has united the cesspit that is twitter. 0nly, twitter�*s horrible plays but today everyone has come together to say goodbye to barry. 0ne together to say goodbye to barry. one of those messages that is really coming through very strongly is just how lovely he was to work with, just a genuinely gorgeous guy. how lovely he was to work with, 'ust a genuinely gorgeous guy. absolutely true. he a genuinely gorgeous guy. absolutely true- he had — a genuinely gorgeous guy. absolutely true. he had time _ a genuinely gorgeous guy. absolutely true. he had time for _ a genuinely gorgeous guy. absolutely true. he had time for everybody i a genuinely gorgeous guy. absolutely true. he had time for everybody and i true. he had time for everybody and i don't think you would find anyone had a bad word to say about him. given the horror of the comedy industry at the time and all the backstabbing that goes on, no—one would speak ill of barry at all, because he was one of those people who could light up a cigarette and a room at exactly the same time. was just a joy to be around and had a check for every single occasion. evenif check for every single occasion. even if he toted the same 16 times, it will remain funny throughout. harte it will remain funny throughout. how did he do that, _ it will remain funny throughout. how did he do that, then? what was his uniqueness, given the longevity of his career? because he was still fresh and funny, everyone still laughed with him, and yet he had been around for such a long time. i think itjust comes down been around for such a long time. i think it just comes down to that think itjust comes down to that fact, i didn't ever hear him speak ill of anyone, and thus he radiated a ioy ill of anyone, and thus he radiated a joy that comedy should always have. he was always on as well, he would ring you up if it were your birthday, he would ring you every year on your birthday and tell you a joke. and to be heard you on the radio or so you doing something, he would ring up and tell you about it. i don't know anyone else who has done that. so he radiated this warmth wherever he went. that is secial, warmth wherever he went. that is special. we _ warmth wherever he went. that is special, we will _ warmth wherever he went. that is special, we will leave _ warmth wherever he went. that is special, we will leave it _ warmth wherever he went. that is special, we will leave it on i warmth wherever he went. that is special, we will leave it on that i special, we will leave it on that note. my condolences to you, jon holmes who has worked on many occasions with barry cryer, the sad news that barry choir has passed away at the age of 86. sport, and full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good morning. england were rueing dropped catches and missed chances on the first day of the one—off test match which they must win to retain a realistic chance of winning the women's ashes. trailing 4—2 in the multiformat series, england actually had australia 4—2 after winning the toss and putting them into bat in canberra. katherine brunt struck early on, removing alyssa healy for nought. brunt and nat sciver took three wickets apiece. the tourists were still in trouble at 43—3 but they dug in and recovered well, let off the hook at times by england's fielders. heather knight dropping fellow captain meg lanning when she was on 14. she went onto make 93, helping her team build a big score, they were 327—7 at the close. england's men are behind again in their t20 series in the west indies after defeat in the third match in barbados. rovman powell did most of the damage, hitting a magnificent 107 offjust 53 balls as he recorded his first t20 century. a 73 from tom banton was one of the highlights of the reply. phil salt also made a half century but despite also making 200, they fell 20 runs short of their target. west indies lead the series 2—1 and they meet again on saturday. ash barty took onlyjust over an hour to do something no australian woman has done for four decades — the world number one is through to the final of the australian open, beating madison keys in straight sets. barty hasn't even looked close to losing a set in melbourne and wrapped up the first in just 26 minutes against her american opponent, 6—1 the score. in taking the second 6—3, barty is the first australian through to the women's singles final of her home open since 1980, with the last winner two years earlier. honestly, it's just honestly, it'sjust incredible. you love this tournament, i love coming out and playing in australia. as an lc, we're extremely spoiled we are a grand slam nation, we get to play in our backyard. i am happy to play my best tennis here, i have done well before and now i have a chance to play for a title. barty may well face another american in the fina, daniel collins has just won daniel collins hasjust won her match to reach the grand slam final. meanwhile, two finals in as many days proved too much for britain's alfie hewett, as he just missed out on a second title at the australian open. he'd already won the wheelchair doubles with gordon reid, a record ninth—consecutive grand slam crown for the pair, but he lost the singles final in three sets to the top seed and paralympic champion shingo kunieda, who won his 47th grand slam title. it's the 11th time he's been crowned australian open singles champion, hewett saying he had nothing left in the tank. right now, i can't lie, i'm pretty exhausted. it was about 32 degrees with a lot of humidity today, so i found it a very challenging to get back out there after yesterday. but i'm ready to rock and roll and get home now. that's been a great trip and i can be very positive about it. derby county's administrators have been given an extra month to show they show they have enough money to survive the rest of the season. they've agreed with the efl to extend the deadline into march even though they were expected to run out of cash next month. the extra time has been granted to allow further talks with potential buyers. let's get more now on the news that from monday, restrictions in care homes in england are being eased, including scrapping limits on the number of visitors allowed. earlier, i spoke to lorren rea, who is currently only allowed to see her 83—year—old mother once every two weeks for 30 minutes. she gave her reaction to today's announcement. absolutely cannot wait until next week to be able to go and visit a properly. it's interesting to hear that the regulations did allow up to four people to visit, we weren't at our care home, we were only allowed two visitors, so that was just me and my brother, unless we made a special arrangement for one of her granddaughters to visit, but then we would have to sacrifice our visit. it was generally may be only once a week, once a fortnight. there are hundreds of residents in my mum and's care home and each resident, only one president at a time could have a visitor on the premises. and visits were restricted to a garden room out and they can't turn where we would enter by a back door so we wouldn't go in the care home. this room would have a glass partition and two separate entrances so we couldn't be in contact with our loved one but would have to talk to them through a window. ththd loved one but would have to talk to them through a window.— loved one but would have to talk to them through a window. and we have a video of you — them through a window. and we have a video of you speaking _ them through a window. and we have a video of you speaking to _ them through a window. and we have a video of you speaking to your _ them through a window. and we have a video of you speaking to your mum i video of you speaking to your mum under those difficult and complicated circumstances. let's have a look. music plays she has a beautiful singing voice but that was behind a glass partition. took us through how that worked? the partition. took us through how that worked? ., , , partition. took us through how that worked? . , , ., worked? the glass partition would have an intercom _ worked? the glass partition would have an intercom system - worked? the glass partition would have an intercom system but i worked? the glass partition would have an intercom system but it's l worked? the glass partition would i have an intercom system but it's so difficult with a loved one, my mum is also deaf, so it would be difficult to have a conversation through the partition and to the intercom system. she absolutely loves music and singing, so the only thing i could think of that would be meaningfulfor thing i could think of that would be meaningful for our visit would be thing i could think of that would be meaningfulfor our visit would be i would take my speaker and my spotify on my phone and i would channel the music through the intercom system, she could hear it and then we could sing together. because talking really and having a conversation with someone who has dementia is very difficult anyway. so, singing was our way of communicating with each other. was our way of communicating with each other-— each other. thank you for sharing that is because _ each other. thank you for sharing that is because it's _ each other. thank you for sharing that is because it's such - each other. thank you for sharing that is because it's such a - each other. thank you for sharing i that is because it's such a personal and intimate moments. what about the kids, your kids haven't seen grandma for so long?— for so long? that's right. over the last few months _ for so long? that's right. over the last few months where _ for so long? that's right. over the last few months where we - for so long? that's right. over the last few months where we haven'tj last few months where we haven't been allowed in the care home at all, it's been very difficult because, as i say, either me or my brother would have to sacrifice our visit to allow one of them to visit but also, when we got an appointment, you had tojust grab it, and most of the time, it would be at an awkward time during the weekday. i'd have to take time off work to visit her, so it wouldn't be viable for the granddaughters to take time of their work to get their visit for half an hour. that they haven't seen her in person for months. the united states has rejected russia's demand to bar ukraine from joining the nato alliance of western powers. moscow made the demand after amassing a huge number of troops on its border with ukraine, although it denies that it is planning to invade. the us said ukraine has a sovereign right to join nato if it chooses to. but secrerary of state antony blinken said he was offering russia a serious diplomatic path forward, should russia choose it. 0ur correspondent in moscow caroline davies gave us this update. so, at the moment, of course, we know that the us presented these responses to russia. they were not made public, so we don't know the exact details of what america were suggesting to russia. however, we do know some of the things that they've said are completely off the table. it's no massive surprise. they've said there is no way nato's open door policy — the idea that nato would be allowed to have other peoplejoin including, in particular, of course, ukraine — that is still very much possible. ukraine could join nato in the future, in theory. we know that russia had always said that was a very key part of its demands. back in december, russia presented some draft treaties to america and to nato, and it's taken up until now for the us to respond to those draft treaties. now, what we're waiting for next, of course, is what russia's response to the response will be. we don't have that yet and we don't know when we will definitely get it. earlier yesterday, we heard from foreign minister lavrov, who spoke to the state duma. he said that if america wanted to have these demands made private, they would keep them private, but that their response to whatever that reaction would be would obviously be more public. however, he also said that once they got those responses, they'd take them away to consider them, then they would present what they thought were the options to president putin about what to do next. that is, of course, what everyone is waiting to hear about, and whether or not russia feels like it's got enough from the us proposals to feel like it can stop and decide not to escalate the situation any further. as you say, russia always adamant that they were never going to intervene, that they were never going to invade ukraine, but whether or not the situation will further de—escalate, we're waiting to hear. 0ur moscow correspondence on the tensions in ukraine there. the family of a woman who was left with devastating brain injuries after being kidnapped in leicestershire say her future has been taken away. shocking cctv footage shows angel lynn being bundled into a van by her then boyfriend chay bowskill in september 2020. she later fell from the vehicle as it travelled down the a6, near loughborough. bowskill was given seven years at a young offenders institute after being found guilty of kidnap this week. people on universal credit will be given one month before they must look forjobs outside their chosen field, under uk government plans to push more people into work. currently, claimants have three months to find work in their chosen area but ministers want half a millionjob—seekers in employment by the end ofjune. 0pposition parties have said there should be more support for people to find the job they want. the streaming platform spotify has begun removing the music of neil young. it follows the call from young for spotify to choose between him and the us podcasterjoe rogan, whom young accuses of being against covid vaccinations. joe rogan denies the allegation. spotify said it regrets the move and hopes the issue can be resolved soon. car production in britain fell to its lowest level since 1956 last year, according to the latest figures. the society of motor manufacturers and traders blamed covid disruption, particularly a lack of silicon chips and staff shortages, but said new investment in electric vehicles gives some ground for optimism. earlier, i spoke to mike hawes, chief executive of the smmt and i asked him for his reaction to these figures. it's dismal. it was no surprise, as you saw the year takeover in terms of we started with lockdown, which suppressed demand, then production hit badly with the shortages of semiconductors. remember, the average car has between 303,000 chips, so when there is a shortage — it it is a global shortage — it it is a global shortage — it does affect your ability to produce. add to that, as we come to be back end of the year, more restrictions and confidence, so it was a really tough year. we restrictions and confidence, so it was a really tough year.- restrictions and confidence, so it was a really tough year. we hear so much about — was a really tough year. we hear so much about the _ was a really tough year. we hear so much about the silicon _ was a really tough year. we hear so much about the silicon chips, i was a really tough year. we hear so much about the silicon chips, the i much about the silicon chips, the lack of them in shortages as well, is there some overriding element that has led to this drop? it is predominantly _ that has led to this drop? it 3 predominantly covid. we get most of our chips, like the rest of the world does, from southeast asia. as we went into the pandemic in 2020, semiconductor manufacturers generally switch supplies away from automotive into those goods that were going to do well in locked up, think televisions, home entertainment systems and so forth. just as we were trying to catch back, 0micron hit southeast asia, causing the closure of plants, so they were unable to increase production to meet the demand. certified of the industry here, in europe and around the world. so it's not a ukuk—specific challenge, this is a global challenge. not a ukuk-specific challenge, this is a global challenge.— not a ukuk-specific challenge, this is a global challenge. when we look at the figures _ is a global challenge. when we look at the figures ! _ is a global challenge. when we look at the figures i mentioned, - is a global challenge. when we look at the figures i mentioned, the i at the figures i mentioned, the lowest production since' 56, that is uk based. a lot is being said about the production of electric cars which could potentially increase output? taste which could potentially increase outut? ~ ., ., , which could potentially increase outut? ., ., , :: ' , output? we want to put 2021 behind this in every — output? we want to put 2021 behind this in every sense _ output? we want to put 2021 behind this in every sense of _ output? we want to put 2021 behind this in every sense of the _ output? we want to put 2021 behind this in every sense of the word. i this in every sense of the word. this challenge will be with us probably into next year. of the uk output is shifting towards electric manufacturing — plug—in hybrids, pure hybrids and electric vehicles, which are up 70%. the investment we got last year was the best since 2013. cloud of brexit uncertainty that was hanging over us for five years has been lifted. we need to catch up on last years and get investment back into the uk because the fundamentals are still strong. because the fundamentals are still stront. ., , , i. strong. that is interesting, you talk about _ strong. that is interesting, you talk about the _ strong. that is interesting, you talk about the uncertainty i strong. that is interesting, you talk about the uncertainty of i strong. that is interesting, you i talk about the uncertainty of brexit being lifted, so in terms of moving forward to 2022, 2023, what are your priorities and what are you hoping for? taste priorities and what are you hoping for? ~ ., priorities and what are you hoping for? . . ., , ., priorities and what are you hoping for? ~ ., ., , ., . ., for? we are hoping to get production back over 1 million _ for? we are hoping to get production back over1 million units, _ for? we are hoping to get production back over1 million units, that i for? we are hoping to get production back over1 million units, that is i for? we are hoping to get production back over1 million units, that is a i back over1 million units, that is a milestone. we will see the market shift towards electric vehicles and also see manufacturing moving in that direction. if there are challenges there, increased energy costs us. also we want to attract that investment, so it is about promoting the industry abroad, making sure we have the right frame were here to attract investment. for instance, the issues around the super credits that came out of the budget a couple of years ago were really helpful in attracting investment, but it is also about helping up skill our staff. it we have some of the finest skilled workforce in the world, winter them from making internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, do that and we will be well placed the future. it's holocaust memorial day today, marking 77 years since the liberation of the nazi death camp at auschwitz—birkenau, although the day is for the victims of all genocides. seven holocaust survivors have had their portraits painted by different artists, in a special project commissioned by prince charles. 0ur royal correspondent daniela relph has more. arek hersh was one ofjust two members of his family to survive the holocaust. this painting captures him now, at the age of 93. the style is realistic, almost photographic. his right hand rests on his left arm, the arm that bears the number he was marked with at auschwitz. creating a gallery of holocaust survivors, the bbc has been following the project. covid made things unconventional for artist massimiliano pironti. i started to paint this portrait in completely opposite process as normal. you should have painted me when i had hair! yeah, that was a while ago. we had like, three virtual sittings. how do you do you feel like, arek? how do you feel? 0k. it was a very challenging experience. your book... oh, yes. months later, came a real life meet—up, as arek shared his story. that was our first camp. 11 years old, i was, 11 years old. that's auschwitz, yeah. and it's where we got our number on the arm. these are children who survived at auschwitz. | arek was one of those survivors. but the rest of his family, bar his older sister, never reached liberation. they were some of the six million jews killed in the holocaust. this week, arek met the prince of wales, who commissioned the project. this is my picture. i think it's fantastic. i felt we owed it to these remarkable people just to remember them in this way. there is something very special about the portrait, and about the artist's eye in bringing out the real underlying character, personality and meaning of the person who's sitting for the portrait. the connection between artists and survivors has been strong. the pictures reflect both loss and survival. these portraits go to the heart of their individuality and their humanity. what better way of rejecting that kind of philosophy that led to the holocaust, and honouring survivors, than this project? the reality is this extraordinary group of people are now growing smaller every year, but the power of their testimony forms a lasting memory. one of the survivors who had their portrait painted was lily ebert. lily was deported to auschwitz—birkenau in 1944. members of her family were killed at the camp, she surivived. lily and her great—grandson dov have been using social media to educate people about lily's experiences. i asked lily, given her experience, how she stays so positive. to stay alive, you have to be positive. because if you give up life, you could not survive that. it is such strength that we hear in your voice, and you are 98 years young now, how important is it so that you get your message across and how incredible it is that you're using this new media, social media, to get their message out there. it is very very important, because that is very very important, because that is the last woman who survived that camp, because in a few years time, from us of the survivors, no—one will be here. we must tell our stories, in a few years time, it will be history. it's already history. and therefore, we have to do everything what we can now that the world should never, ever forget the world should never, ever forget the most terrible time in the whole world. i the most terrible time in the whole world. ., , ., ., ., ., world. i would 'ust add to that that this ear's world. i would just add to that that this year's holocaust _ world. i would just add to that that this year's holocaust memorial- world. i would just add to that that j this year's holocaust memorial day theme _ this year's holocaust memorial day theme is— this year's holocaust memorial day theme is one day. and that for me is one day— theme is one day. and that for me is one day there will be a future whether— one day there will be a future whether there is no one like my incredible — whether there is no one like my incredible grandmother to treat us the messages of tolerance and hope and to— the messages of tolerance and hope and to teach about the dangers of hatred _ and to teach about the dangers of hatred so — and to teach about the dangers of hatred. so it will soon become my responsibility to share these stories— responsibility to share these stories and to remember them for the future _ stories and to remember them for the future you _ stories and to remember them for the future. you mention the portraits earlier, _ future. you mention the portraits earlier, lily— future. you mention the portraits earlier, lily is one of the seven survivors— earlier, lily is one of the seven survivors has been painted as part of the _ survivors has been painted as part of the portraits and that's a statement by the royal family that they would not allow something like they would not allow something like the holocaust to be repeated or forgotten, and the whole of society will have _ forgotten, and the whole of society will have to also take on that statement and so we won't allow the holocaust _ statement and so we won't allow the holocaust to be forgotten and we will bear — holocaust to be forgotten and we will bear witness. you holocaust to be forgotten and we will bear witness.— will bear witness. you talk about the survivors. — will bear witness. you talk about the survivors, absolutely. i will bear witness. you talk about the survivors, absolutely. lily, i| the survivors, absolutely. lily, i wonder if i could ask you, when i was at auschwitz on the 70th anniversary of the liberation, i spoke to a survivor and the strength that year and people like her, the survivors, it isjust that year and people like her, the survivors, it is just overwhelming when we speak to you. went holocaust memorial day comes around, just explain to us how important it is for you to talk about it, given there are fewer of you, sadly, but it is wonderful to see you. it is ve , it is wonderful to see you. it is very. very _ it is wonderful to see you. it is very, very important. - it is wonderful to see you. it 3 very, very important. because just very, very important. becausejust you mention, in a few years time, there will not be survivors. so we will get a history, like all history, and therefore i thought, because we are here, we have to talk about it, tell the biggest crime what happened in the 20th century was the holocaust. what happened, to me and thousands of others, millions of people that. so that is what we have to mention, as long as we can. incredibly powerful testimony from a holocaust survivor there, lily and her great grandson. lily is one of the seven survivors had their portraits painted. you can watch that special documentary, survivors: portraits of the holocaust, on bbc two at 9pm tonight and afterwards on iplayer. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt. of the day may have begun on the gloomy side for some of you but skies have brightened for the vast majority and more sunshine around than recent days. though it is still a breezy, the winds compared to last night eating a down. a cold wind in the northern isles. the grey conditions early on are confined to the likes of the channel islands through the afternoon and most will see good, sunny spells. perhaps the audit showers in northern england and northern ireland and scotland, though the majority will be dry. milder than it has been of late. 0vernight, clearskies, light winds, a recipe forfog patches in southern england and wales. under the longer, clearer periods, a case of back to a frost away from the towns and city centres. a chilly start to fright it this ridge of high pressure, though taking a step back and looking at the big picture, the wind is coming from the azores, and that will continue through friday. here we are going to start to see rain at times in northern scotland, perhaps a persistent and heavy at times. thicker cloud with splashes of rain as far south as northern england, but most places try once again. after the break start, clouding over. temperatures are lifting after that chilly start into double figures in many areas. a mild night will follow, temperatures not dropping much in that wind. another front pushing in on saturday bringing windy weather across the board. saturday, avintia, wet start in scotland, brightening though there are a few shower surround. varying amounts of cloud continue across the south, may the odd glimpse of sunshine, temperatures around 15 though and the brighter conditions for the north, turning chilly air through the day. will start to sunday, the best of a brightness to the south and east, clouding up against, the nexus temperatures in, ring more widely across the half of the country with snow over the scottish hills. pushing in milder areas but very wet conditions over the highlands. this is bbc news. the headlines... covid rules on care homes in england have been eased by the government, allowing unlimited visits from monday. resident campaign groups say they welcome the move. i could actually cry with relief. we have actually been asking our members to write to their mp, asking for restrictions to be lifted because we know that it is definitely safer now. prince andrew has denied being a close friend of convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell, in a legal response to the woman suing him for sexual assault — he denies all allegations against him. the wait goes on for sue gray's report on lockdown parties in downing street. borisjohnson says he won't resign over the issue. car production in britain fell to its lowest level for more than 60 years — covid disruption has been blamed. and, barry cryer,one of the most prolific scriptwriters in british comedy, has died at the age of 86. the government says it's going to ease many of the covid related restrictions on care homes in england, including scrapping limits on the number of visitors allowed. from monday there will be no limit on the numbers allowed to see their loved ones in care homes, self—isolation periods will be cut, and care homes will only have to follow outbreak management rules for 14 days, not 28. ministers say restrictions brought in to counter the 0micron wave of coronavirus can be relaxed because of the success of the vaccine booster programme. each of the uk nations sets its own rules on care homes, with scotland easing its restrictions last week. the change is the latest rolling back of plan b curbs in england. 0ur social affairs editor alison holt has been telling us this comes as a huge relief to those with relatives in care homes. this has been an increasing bone of contention throughout the pandemic. if you remember at the very start, there were extremely strong restrictions and people were only able to see their relatives at the end of their lives. so, the families and campaigners have been saying that that did huge damage. now, whilst the increase in restrictions during the 0micron wave were not as drastic as that — you were still allowed four named people, including an essential caregiver — nevertheless, it was an interruption to family life and families felt very strongly that this was having a really deleterious effect on the health and well—being of the people they loved. now, you touched upon 0micron. i wonder if there are people who feel that this is actually too soon? it's a really difficult balancing act. i mean, when i've spoken to care providers, i think there is generally a nervousness about, when is the right time? but there's also that understanding and desire to try and get life back and staff and families, and easing restrictions is a part of that. they also say, they tend to reflect what is going on in the community. so, if cases are high in the community, then they are more likely to get them in the care home. and it may be that there are decisions made locally which reflect those situations, but we don't really know yet. so, i wonder, i touched upon some of the restrictions that are being lifted. just talk us through what are the restrictions lifted, what are the restrictions that do actually still remain. ok, so the key one is that care home residents will, from monday, be able to have an unlimited number of visitors. at the moment, as i said a moment ago, they're restricted to four people, including an essential caregiver — that is completely lifted. if they go on a day trip out, they won't now have to take a test when they get back and they won't have to self—isolate. patients returning to a home from hospital, at the moment, they have to self—isolate for 14 days. that will be cut to ten days. and testing can also be introduced to see basically how they're doing during that period of time. and one of the key things is that at the moment, when a care home has an outbreak of covid — and an outbreak is counted as two people testing positive, whether they're residents or staff — that means that the home closes its doors for 28 days. that's being reduced to 14 days. that will please a lot of people because, certainly, i've had a lot of families — and some care providers and staff — complaining about the length of that isolation period. talk us through the situation when it comes to vaccinations because the government is saying a high proportion of residents have been vaccinated, but what about when it comes to the actual workers? so, there has been this ongoing drive to make sure that care home workers are fully vaccinated. back in november, it became mandatory for anyone working in care homes to be double vaccinated, and one of the interesting things about that, it is an ongoing debate, we see it now with the nhs and with home care, about how effective mandatory vaccination is. one of the big issues has been in care homes which is that they feel they have lost staff because of that. staff who didn't want to have the vaccine. and that is at a time when there are already staff shortages in the care sector, and it is difficult to recruit people because pay tends to be low. supermarkets are often offering much more for an hour than a care home offers. so, there are lots of issues still around vaccinations, but overall, staff vaccinations are high, and resident vaccinations are high in care homes. there will be a lot of nervousness around in the care sector, but it is something we knew what that was coming. in the interests of the people we are caring for, we do welcome it. i think it is all the logistics around it that will be causing a little bit of a headache as providers are waking up to it this morning. the duke of york has denied being a close friend of the convicted sex trafficker, ghislaine maxwell, in a legal response to the woman who's suing him in the us for sexual assault. the 11—page document says the prince wants the claims brought by virginia giuffre to be heard by a jury in new york. she alleges that he assaulted her when she was 17 at homes owned by maxwell and the paedophile jeffrey epstein, something prince andrew has consistently denied. 0ur royal correspondent nicholas witchell has more details. across 11 pages, andrew's lawyers have set out his defence, a denial of the central allegation of sexual abuse made by virginia giuffre, and an assertion in respect of others that andrew lacks sufficient information to either admit or deny what's been claimed. he says, for example, in relation to the widely publicised picture of the two of them, that he doesn't have enough information to admit or deny that there exists photographic evidence of his alleged meeting with miss giuffre. elsewhere, his lawyers assert that virginia giuffre's civil complaint should be dismissed, because she's a permanent resident of australia, and not domiciled in the united states. and they say this. "giuffre's alleged causes of action are barred, in whole or in part, by her own wrongful conduct." finally, they demand this. "prince andrew hereby demands a trial byjury on all causes of action asserted in the complaint." all of which suggests that andrew is determined to fight it out in court. though lawyers say this doesn't preclude an out—of—court settlement. you can certainly have a settlement further down the road, and it wouldn't shock me at all, between now and a trial, to see something like that happen, you know. and sometimes, though, there are cases where no amount of money will make them go away. there are times when, again, you know, a victim wants their day in court. and that certainly seems to be virginia giuffre's intention. her lawyer has said they look forward to confronting prince andrew with his denials and his attempts to blame miss giuffre for her own abuse at the trial. nicholas witchell, bbc news. lucia 0sborne—crowley, a legal reporter with law360, has been telling us more about the 11—page document submitted by prince andrew's legal team. i think one of the most important parts of this 11—page document that was filed onto the docket last night is this demand for a jury trial. which is quite rare these days, particularly in civil cases, there are fewer and fewer trials byjury happening in the us in general, and especially in civil cases. and the idea of prince andrew making a point of demanding a jury trial is significant, because i think he and his lawyers are trying to say that they're coming out fighting. they didn't have to put in a demand for a jury trial, particularly not in this document and not at this early stage. so, to me, it seems like a signal from prince andrew that he plans to fight this tooth and nail and that he's confident. i think this is a gesture of him and saying, i'm confident that if i go before a jury, i'll win. so, i was quite surprised by that move from him and we will see if this does end up at trial before a jury. but i think it's partly a legal decision and partly a public—relations decision. we know that virginia giuffre has already submitted that she would like a trial byjury. but that doesn't mean that that necessarily would be the case because the judge would also have to hear from the defendant, would also have to hear from prince andrew, and then would weigh up those arguments between the parties. so, what you would usually have is a dispute between the parties, with one party wanting a jury trial and one party wanting a bench trial. so what we have here is this wording around demanding a jury trial when, in fact, prince andrew's request for a jury trial is unopposed by virginia giuffre. so, now that both parties are in agreement that they want a jury trial, it's still ultimately up to the judge, but i would say that the judge would look at those arguments and say that, yes, we will be having a jury trial. but it's not necessarily the case that he would be forced into itjust because that's what virginia giuffre has requested, because ultimately, the judge will always have to hearfrom both parties. car production fell to its lowest level since 1956 last year, according to the latest figures. the society of motor manufacturers and traders blamed covid disruption, particularly a lack of silicon chips but said new investment in electric vehicles gives some ground for optimism. here's our business correspondent, theo leggett. a dismal 12 months for the car industry. the worst for 65 years, and the pandemic is still taking a heavy toll. the most severe problem, a lack of computer chips. modern cars need thousands of them to control their complex electronics. but the pandemic has hit the supply of those chips, and boosted demand, so they have been harder and harder to get hold of. this mini plant in oxford was one of a number of car 0xford was one of a number of car factories which had to suspect production plants last year as a result. staff shortages also heard output at several car makers, while honda closed its swindon plant for good. honda closed its swindon plant for tood. ., honda closed its swindon plant for tood. ,, ., . ,, honda closed its swindon plant for tood. ., ., . ,, ., ., honda closed its swindon plant for tood. ., ., ., ., , , good. coming on the back of a pretty dreadful 2020, _ good. coming on the back of a pretty dreadful 2020, 2021 _ good. coming on the back of a pretty dreadful 2020, 2021 turned - good. coming on the back of a pretty dreadful 2020, 2021 turned out i good. coming on the back of a pretty dreadful 2020, 2021 turned out to i good. coming on the back of a pretty} dreadful 2020, 2021 turned out to be worse. most of it is covid related factors, most obviously the shortage of semiconductors, which related to covert applications, especially in the far east. but we also had the closure of a major plant, and overall the output was the worst since 1956, so truly awful. the pandemic _ since 1956, so truly awful. the pandemic came _ since 1956, so truly awful. the pandemic came at _ since 1956, so truly awful. the pandemic came at a _ since1956, so truly awful. the pandemic came at a time when since 1956, so truly awful. the pandemic came at a time when car production was already declining. five years ago, 1.7 million cars were built in this country. by 2019, the total had gone down to just 1.3 million. forthe the total had gone down to just 1.3 million. for the past two years, with the impact of covid, it has been less than 1 million. with the impact of covid, it has been less than1 million. at with the impact of covid, it has been less than 1 million. at the society of motor manufacturers and traders says there are reasons for optimism. a total of £5 billion worth of potential new investments was announced last year, the highest total since 2013. it's claimed those announcements were triggered by the trade deal agreed with the eu, which removed much of the uncertainty of the industry was facing. now, car—makers are going flat out to build a new generation of electric vehicles. just last week, the government announced funding for a major new battery plant in northumberland. today 's figures show that production of electric and hybrid vehicles increased sharply last year, despite the pandemic. so, after a miserable 2021, the british car industry is hoping to accelerate its recovery, with a hefty dose of battery power. thank you to viewers watching on bbc two, and goodbye. you're watching bbc news. the headlines on bbc news: covid rules on care homes in england have been eased by the government, allowing unlimited visits from monday, resident campaign groups say they welcome the move. prince andrew has denied being a close friend of convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell, in a legal response to the woman suing him for sexual assault. he denies all allegations against him. and, barry cryer, one of the most prolific scriptwriters in british comedy, has died at the age of 86. sport, and now a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. england were rueing dropped catches and missed chances on the first day of the one—off test match which they must win to retain a realistic chance of winning the women's ashes. trailing 4—2 in the multiformat series, england actually had australia 4—2 after winning the toss and putting them into bat in canberra. she went onto make 93, helping her team build a big score, they were 327—7 at the close. england's men are behind again in their t20 series in the west indies after defeat in the third match in barbados. rovman powell did most of the damage, hitting a magnificent 107 offjust 53 balls as he recorded his first t20 century. a 73 from tom banton was one of the highlights of the reply. phil salt also made a half century but despite also making 200, they fell 20 runs short of their target. west indies lead the series 2—1 and they meet again on saturday. ash barty took onlyjust over an hour to do something no australian woman has done for four decades — the world number one is through to the final of the australian open, beating madison keys in straight sets. barty hasn't even looked close to losing a set in melbourne and wrapped up the first in just 26 minutes against her american opponent, 6—1 the score. meanwhile, two finals in as many days proved too much for britain's alfie hewett, as he just missed out on a second title at the australian open. he'd already won the wheelchair doubles with gordon reid, a record ninth—consecutive grand slam crown for the pair, but he lost the singles final in three sets to the top seed and paralympic champion shingo kunieda, who won his 47th grand slam title. it's the 11th time he's been crowned australian open singles champion, hewett saying he had nothing left in the tank. right now, i can't lie, i'm pretty exhausted. it was about 32 degrees with a lot of humidity today, so i found it a very challenging to get back out there after yesterday. but i'm ready to rock and roll and get home now. that's been a great trip and i can be very positive about it. derby county's administrators have been given an extra month to show they show they have enough money to survive the rest of the season. they've agreed with the efl to extend the deadline into march even though they were expected to run out of cash next month. the extra time has been granted to allow further talks with potential buyers. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. a government minister has insisted that borisjohnson did not personally authorise the evacuation of animals from afghanistan during the taliban takeover last year. therese coffey said it was the british defence minister who took individual decisions about evacuations. the prime minister strongly denies getting involved but a leaked email sent by a government official states that he personally approved the evacuation. in the last few minutes, the shadow levelling up, housing and communities secretary, lisa nandy has been speaking about this. well, somebody is lying about what happened during the events that led up happened during the events that led up to the evacuation of the animals from afghanistan, and i think it has become increasingly clear that the prime minister 's story is not credible, he has not told the truth. the e—mails that were released by the foreign affairs committee yesterday show very clearly that officials were instructed on the authority of the prime minister to take action, to commission a plane, and this is really important because, while the afghanistan crisis unfolded, the prime minister was any beach, the foreign secretary was any beach, the foreign secretary was on a beach, and thousands of people who assisted us through two decades in afghanistan have been left behind, and yet the prime minister has lied about what he did, and the actions that he took during that time. that is a really serious thing for the people of this country, but it is also incredibly damaging to britain 's reputation in the world. he dismissed as nonsense the world. he dismissed as nonsense the report. it's becoming increasingly clear that you cannot believe a word that our prime minister says, and i say that with real sadness, minister says, and i say that with realsadness, having minister says, and i say that with real sadness, having served in parliament for 12 years under successive prime ministers, none of them from my own party, but all of whom treated the public with a level of respect that this prime minister simply will not show. lisa nandy there with her reaction. dominic dyer is a wildlife protection and animal welfare campaigner. he's also a friend of pen farthing. i wonder if you could just clarify for us what kind of contact you had from the government over this? i have said all along from the end of august, when this operation completed, that it was something that the government had supported at the highest level. i don't thing any one of your viewers would, in any way, think that on my own, or working with pen or a few volunteers, we could get an aircraft on the ground in afghanistan and undertake an evacuation of this kind in a very complex and dangerous situation with the withdrawal from afghanistan. it took a lot of support across whitehall, defra, the home office, the foreign office, and in downing street itself. i am not certain why the prime minister ever embraced his role in this project because it was humanitarian, primarily. the royal college of veterinary surgeons wrote an open letter to him in the middle of august, when i started the animal rescuers campaign, which made it very clear that we have vets and animal care assistants within the charity and other charities on the ground in afghanistan, who were under threat, particularly ground in afghanistan, who were underthreat, particularly women, under threat, particularly women, and underthreat, particularly women, and we had manyjobs for them in the uk, where we have lots of vacancies across the veterinary care sector. the prime minister understood those arguments, accepted them, and did put those people on the evacuation is, working with the home and foreign secretaries to get the will of white white all working. we did inform him come that we had a millionaire to fund the aircraft. there has been a turf war about differences of opinion between the foreign office, ministry of defence and downing street, and a blame game, but that tarnishes what was a wonderful operation which had huge public support. it wasn't pets before people, it was a combination of trying to help people in desperate need with some of the animals they cared for, and it was a wonderful operation and i'm proud to have been part of it. i am grateful the pro minister gave it the support he did. ., , , i. ., ., he did. could i 'ust pin you down on that. we he did. could i 'ust pin you down on that. we — he did. could ijust pin you down on that. we are talking _ he did. could ijust pin you down on that. we are talking about - he did. could ijust pin you down on that. we are talking about white - that. we are talking about white all, you are talking about downing street, but did pen farthing have direct comes from the prime minister himself? borisjohnson has previously dismissed as nonsense claims that he intervened in the evacuation process, but now we have these e—mails leaked by a whistle—blower. is it specifically the primal himself? he whistle-blower. is it specifically the primal himself?— whistle-blower. is it specifically the primal himself? he played a role because he is — the primal himself? he played a role because he is ahead _ the primal himself? he played a role because he is ahead of _ the primal himself? he played a role because he is ahead of the _ because he is ahead of the government, and there were points in this process where the ministry of defence and the secretary of defence clearly had concerns about this operation and did not approve of what, to a degree, we were seeking to do, and i think sought to it, including the approval to get the plane on the ground. it took the prime minister to unlock that process. you don't have ministers working across whitehall without approval of the highest level of government. this was not a rogue operation appearing out of nowhere, it took a lot of time to put together, and a lot of work went on. i'm grateful to everyone involved. but this idea that it took away from other parts of the evacuation process is ridiculous. the plane was privately funded, the animals went in the hold. pen tried to get his people into the airport but the telephone didn't allow him to do so. he took them out by a land corridor two weeks later, and the foreign secretary welcome them into pakistan, and then facilitated through embassy officials their entry into the uk. pictures being shared today by pen of the children evacuated going to school, and that's the most important thing. i get very distressed when i hear labour politicians, conservative politicians, talk about pets before people. this was not completed in august. one charity, we did not get there people out, so we set up another operation that i help to play a role in, that rescued another 92 men, women and children, including vets and people that worked for the military, and students, all of which are now in islamabad. again we are talking to the british government about getting them access to the uk. this is about talking about people who are in desperate need, and governments have let these people down. it was not people like us that came forward privately with funding, and all the work we did to actually deal with a crisis situation. i work we did to actually deal with a crisis situation.— crisis situation. i hear your passion. — crisis situation. i hear your passion. and _ crisis situation. i hear your passion, and i _ crisis situation. i hear your passion, and i do - crisis situation. i hear your i passion, and i do understand crisis situation. i hear your - passion, and i do understand the frustration that you may feel, but when it comes to just where the permission was given, and who knew what, it is so important where we are right now, waiting to find out a report from a senior civil servant, for example, when it comes to what the prime minister knew, when he knew it. did, for example, can you cod are currently say whether the prime minister or his wife spoke to you, orto prime minister or his wife spoke to you, or to pen farthing directly before or after the evacuation process? before or after the evacuation rocess? ., ., ~ , , process? no, i dealt with ministers. trudy harrison _ process? no, i dealt with ministers. trudy harrison who, _ process? no, i dealt with ministers. trudy harrison who, who _ process? no, i dealt with ministers. trudy harrison who, who was - process? no, i dealt with ministers. trudy harrison who, who was the i trudy harrison who, who was the private secretary of the panellist as part of the campaign team, and she was keeping the prime minister in the loop through the processes we were doing, and it was only right she had to do that. there was no question that the premise doubles involved, had oversight, had an interest. i was supplying information to borisjohnson but i was not asking for responses back. i didn't want to bring judy harrison into a debate, but i wasn't underestimating her interest. i'm sure she had lots of discussions with the prime minister about this. jack doyle, the head of press in downing street was talking to the media about this because there was a massive amount of coverage, and potentially, if pen couldn't get his animals out, this could have been a bad story for the government said they had to manage this. the social media side of this was huge. my twitterfeed in august media side of this was huge. my twitter feed in august reached over 70 million people, so there was a massive amount of interest. maybe it was a combination of the animals and the people coming together, but people really cared about this charity. they cared about pen farthing, who is a heroic and courageous man, who was speaking out day in, day out about the tragedy playing out in afghanistan. there is a documentary on this, there will be a documentary on this, there will be a film and book and everything else to follow. i can't tell you what the prime minister did at any one time, but i know he was involved and supported it. i can't tell you what every minister was doing, but i know many of them were working on it. at the end of the day, to me it is sad that the prime minister does not just come forward and say, it was something ifelt just come forward and say, it was something i felt we needed to do and i'm proud of what we achieved alongside all the other people be evacuated, and now this has become a political football. there's a evacuated, and now this has become a politicalfootball. there's a lot evacuated, and now this has become a political football. there's a lot of criticism of the panellist at the moment, but i actually want to praise him, as i have been doing interviews over the last 2a hours. he made the right call, did it for the right reasons, and because of that some children are now going to school away from the horrors that we are all aware of that are playing out in afghanistan.— are all aware of that are playing out in afghanistan. dominic, thank out in afghanistan. dominic, thank ou for out in afghanistan. dominic, thank you for talking _ out in afghanistan. dominic, thank you for talking through _ out in afghanistan. dominic, thank you for talking through the - you for talking through the interactions that you had, that pen had. ., .. interactions that you had, that pen had. . ~ , ., interactions that you had, that pen had. . ~ i. ., interactions that you had, that pen had. . ~ ., ., �* had. thank you for your time. you're welcome. face coverings are no longer legally required in england after covid rules were eased. but some shops — including john lewis and sainsbury�*s — and many transport providers have said they'll still ask customers to wear masks, as a courtesy to others. here's our consumer affairs correspondent, colletta smith. you no longer have to wear a mask in shops, restaurants or on public transport in england. but today's relaxation of the rules once again leaves customers facing the conundrum of different requests, depending on where they are. john lewis said it would be suggesting shoppers wear masks, and sainsbury�*s said they would keep signs up and still make announcements, urging staff and customers to use them. but morrisons don't go as far, simply saying it will be complying with government regulations. and currys says it will ask staff, but not customers, to wear a mask. face coverings will still be needed on trains and buses in london, while other rail operators are hoping passengers still wear them. we'll be relying on people doing the right thing, and we're confident thatjust before masks became mandatory again, and like it was last summer, people will want to do the right thing. they'll follow the government's advice and they'll wear a face covering where it's busy, or they're indoors. face coverings are still mandatory when shopping in northern ireland, scotland and wales. colletta smith, bbc news. the united states has rejected russia's demand to bark ukraine from joining the nato alliance of western powers. moscow made the demand after amassing a huge number of troops on its border with ukraine, although it denies that it was planning to invade. the us have said ukraine has a sovereign right tojoin nato if it chooses to. the secretary of state said he was offering russia a serious diplomatic path forward, should russia choose it. our correspondent in moscow caroline davies gave us this update. so, at the moment, of course, we know that the us presented these responses to russia. they were not made public, so we don't know the exact details of what america were suggesting to russia. however, we do know some of the things that they've said are completely off the table. it's no massive surprise. they've said there is no way nato's open door policy — the idea that nato would be allowed to have other peoplejoin including, in particular, of course, ukraine — that is still very much possible. ukraine could join nato in the future, in theory. we know that russia had always said that was a very key part of its demands. back in december, russia presented some draft treaties to america and to nato, and it's taken up until now for the us to respond to those draft treaties. now, what we're waiting for next, of course, is what russia's response to the response will be. we don't have that yet and we don't know when we will definitely get it. earlier yesterday, we heard from foreign minister lavrov, who spoke to the state duma. he said that if america wanted to have these demands made private, they would keep them private, but that their response to whatever that reaction would he would obviously be more public. however, he also said that once they got those responses, they'd take them away to consider them, then they would present what they thought were the options to president putin about what to do next. that is, of course, what everyone is waiting to hear about, and whether or not russia feels like it's got enough from the us proposals to feel like it can stop and decide not to escalate the situation any further. as you say, russia always adamant that they were never going to intervene, that they were never going to invade ukraine, but whether or not the situation will further de—escalate, we're waiting to hear. now it's time for a look at the weather with matt taylor. is it lovely outside, sarah? yes, a lot of us are seeing spells of sunshine out there today. it was quite a windy night last night, but that has helped to blow the cloud away, break it up. so we have got spells of sunshine for most of us. it has been a bit cloudy in the south, but that cloud is now clearing away, so for the rest today we are looking at sunny spells and blustery showers. most of the showers will be across northern and western scotland, perhaps one or two filtering down towards north west england, but they are easing a way through the day. a lot of dry weather, some sunshine for most, and temperatures between 5—13 c. called across the four north of scotland. in the channel islands and the isles of scilly remaining quite cloudy for a time. tonight under the clear skies it will be a cold night. certainly some pockets of frost and fog first thing tomorrow. even in some towns and cities, temperatures around freezing. a chilly start with mist and fog across central and eastern england. clearing away through the day. cloudy and breezy in the north—west, but are towards the south and east with temperatures around 8—11. davie hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: covid rules on care homes in england have been eased by the government, allowing unlimited visits from monday. resident campaign groups say they welcome the move. i could actually cry with relief. we've actually been asking our members to write to their mps asking for all the restrictions to be lifted because we know it is definitely safer now. prince andrew has denied being a close friend of convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell in a legal response to the woman suing him for sexual assault — he denies all allegations against him. the wait goes on for sue gray's report on lockdown parties in downing street — borisjohnson says he won't resign over the issue. car production in britain fell to its lowest level for more than 60 years — covid disruption has been blamed. and barry cryer, one of the most prolific scriptwriters in british comedy, has died at the age of 86. let's get more now on the news that from monday restrictions in care homes in england are being eased, including scrapping limits on the number of visitors allowed. earlier, i spoke to lorren rea, who is currently only allowed to see her 83—year—old mother once every two weeks for 30 minutes. she gave her reaction to today's announcement. absolutely cannot wait until next week to be able to go and visit properly. it's interesting to hear that the regulations did allow up to four people to visit, we weren't at our care home, we were only allowed two named visitors, so that was just me and my brother, unless we made a special arrangement for one of her granddaughters to visit, but then we would have to sacrifice our visit. there were very few appointments available, which is why it was generally maybe only once a week, once a fortnight. there are a hundred residents in my mum's care home and each resident, only one resident at a time could have a visitor on the premises. and visits were restricted to a garden room, out in the garden, where we would enter by a back door so we wouldn't go in the care home. this room would have a glass partition and two separate entrances so we couldn't actually be in contact with our loved one but would have to talk to them through a window. and we have a video of you speaking to your mum under those difficult and complicated circumstances. let's have a look. music: you are my sunshine. 83 years old, she has a beautiful singing voice but that was behind a glass partition. talk us through how that worked? the glass partition would have an intercom system but it's so difficult with a loved one... my mum is also deaf, so it would be difficult to have a conversation through the partition and the intercom system. she absolutely loves music and singing, so the only thing i could think of that would be meaningful for our visit would be i would take my speaker and my spotify on my phone and i would channel the music through the intercom system, she could hear it and then we could sing together. because talking, really, and having a conversation with someone who has dementia is very difficult anyway. so, singing was our way of communicating with each other. thank you for sharing that because it's such a personal and intimate moment. what about the kids, your kids haven't seen grandma for so long? that's right. over the last few months, where we haven't been allowed in the care home at all, it's been very difficult because, as i say, either me or my brother would have to sacrifice our visit to allow one of them to visit but also, when we get an appointment, you have to just grab it, and most of the time, it would be at an awkward time during the weekday. i'd have to take time off work to visit her, so it wouldn't be viable for the granddaughters to take time off their work to get their visit for half an hour. so, they haven't seen her in person for months. the comedian, actor and writer barry cryer has died, he was 86. his six—decades—long career saw him writing for some of the biggest names in british comedy, as well as regularly performing on programmes such as bbc radio 4's i'm sorry i haven't a clue since its inception in 1972. paying tribute to him, his family issued a statement saying... he had a gift forfriendship and a genius for putting people at their ease. oh, yes, and he made many people laugh. a lot. sarah campbell looks back at his life. # i know a fat old policeman # he's always on our street # a fat and jolly red—faced man...#. radio 4's i'm sorry i haven't a clue, and barry cryer sings the words of the laughing policeman to the tune of as time goes by. # he's never known to frown # and everybody says # he's the happiest man in town...#. barry cryer seemed a happy fellow too, and a lucky one. i spent my time mainly with people i liked and admired, laughing about something. he'd started young, playing shakespeare's falstaff at school in leeds. down in london, he wrote gags for the drag artist danny la rue, as well as performing himself. an early success was a novelty song which went to number one. in finland. # it looks like a purple people eater to me...#. there was a comedy panel show on itv. good evening, ladies and gentlemen, welcome tojokers wild, a game in which some of the country's top comedians match wits to see who, if anybody, knows all the jokes. and hello cheeky on tv and radio. he wrote for almost every leading comic, from frankie howerd to spike milligan, dick emery to kelly everett, the two ronnies to mike yarwood. when morecambe and wise switched from the bbc to itv, he and john junkin wrote their scripts. we've been so looking forward to working with you! come this way. it's just the same here - as what they are at the bbc. denis norden always says there's a sitter and a pacer, there's someone typing and someone walking about. and i would sit there scribbling or typing, and john would walk around, waggling his glasses. what a lovely audience! where are they? oh, there they are. yes _ never mind, they'll do. i saw them arriving on the coaches. did you really? _ yeah, with their blankets over their heads. - # my short—term memory�*s shot to pieces # and i'll tell you something else # my short—term memory�*s shot to pieces...#. he was still performing well into his 80s. a man whose trade was quite simply making people laugh. # ha—ha—ha.#. tributes for barry cryer have been coming in on social media. the actor and comedian stephen fry tweeted... the broadcaster and writer gyles brandreth said... the broadcaster piers morgan paid tribute by saying... and the comedian omid djalili has also tweeted... the comedian, writer and presenterjon holmes worked with barry cryer many times. he's been telling us more about the man. he was someone who would take the time, who worked in industry so long, when you came into it as a newcomer, who take the to seek you out and to give you his jokes, obviously, and his endless anecdotes, but to give you his thoughts, which were always encouraging and complimentary. he did this when i started out in comedy and continued to do it right up until the end, where he would just make time for a newcomer. he has done something rare today as well, he has united the cesspit that is twitter. normally, twitter�*s a horrible place but today everyone has come together to say goodbye to barry. one of those messages that is really coming through very strongly is just how lovely he was to work with, just a genuinely gorgeous guy. absolutely true. he had time for everybody and i don't think you would find anyone had a bad word to say about him. given the horror of the comedy industry a lot of the time and all the backstabbing that goes on, no—one would speak ill of barry at all, because he was one of those people who could light up a cigarette and a room at exactly the same time. he was just a joy to be around and had a joke for every single occasion. even if he told you the same one six times, it would remain funny throughout. how did he do that, then? what was his uniqueness, given the longevity of his career? because he was still fresh and funny, everyone still laughed with him, and yet he had been around for such a long time. i think itjust comes down to that fact, i didn't ever hear him speak ill of anyone, and thus he radiated a joy that comedy should always have. he was always on duty as well, he would ring you up if it were your birthday, he would ring you every year on your birthday and tell you a joke. and if he heard you on the radio or saw you doing something, he would ring up and tell you about it. i don't know anyone else who has done that. so he radiated this warmth wherever he went. and the bbc�*s director—general tim davie has released a statement and said... some breaking news, this is coming from a school in cumbria, in barrow—in—furness. we're being told a 15—year—old pupil has been seriously injured after being stabbed at the school, this is coming from police. a 16—year—old boy who was also a student has been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm over the attack at the school. officers were called by paramedics in the evening and if he breaking news is that we have a chance now. so, a 16—year—old boy has been charged with attempted murder by a stabbing at this school, also possession of a bladed article on school premises. a 15—year—old has been discharged from hospital after being treated for stab wounds. so just an update on that breaking news there for you from the school in barrow—in—furness. a new oil leak is being tackled on the pacific coast of peru. it happened just ten days after a major crude spill which has been called the biggest ecological disaster to hit the south american country in recent years, killing scores of seals, fish and birds. but the clean—up teams have been using a rather unusual method to mop up the spill, as stephanie prentice explains. volunteers have been inching forward in the attempt to clean up the coast here in ventanilla, but now efforts have taken two steps back, as another leak has seeped into the problems of teams here on the beaches on the coastline local fishermen say smells like death. mopping up the oil is slow work and doing it quickly no small feat of ingenuity. a major spill nearly two weeks ago led to a national cry for help and one unusual campaign, asking people to donate not their time but their hair to be used in the clean—up effort. that's because human hair repels water and actively absorbs oil. peruvians across the country headed to hairdressers or even the streets for a free cut. the hair then formed into cylinders and shipped to the coast. the feeling? every little helps. some even donated their dog's fur in an attempt to save marine wildlife. translation: we are not a pet groomers but there l is the will of the people and in the end the hair grows. everything grows. but what does not return are the deaths of the animals. but while the nation has come together to tackle the disaster, a row over who is to blame for it has proved divisive. oil provider repsol is denying responsibility while environment agencies here pursue it. but for now, it's the local people and wildlife feeling the full effects of the darkness that washed up here. british aid has arrived in tonga, 11 days after an under—sea volcanic eruption and tsunami devastated entire islands and villages. bottled water, first aid kits, ppe and baby products were taken off a royal navy patrol ship, to protect the pacific island nation from the pandemic. it's holocaust memorial day today, marking 77 years since the liberation of the nazi death camp at auschwitz—birkenau, although the day is for the victims of all genocides. seven holocaust survivors have had their portraits painted by different artists in a special project commissioned by prince charles. our royal correspondent daniela relph has more. arek hersh was one ofjust two members of his family to survive the holocaust. this painting captures him now, at the age of 93. the style is realistic, almost photographic. his right hand rests on his left arm, the arm that bears the number he was marked with at auschwitz. creating a gallery of holocaust survivors, the bbc has been following the project. covid made things unconventional for artist massimiliano pironti. i started to paint this portrait in completely opposite process as normal. you should have painted me when i had hair! yeah, that was a while ago. we had like, three virtual sittings. how do you feel like, arek? how do you feel? 0k. it was a very challenging experience. your book... oh, yes. months later, came a real life meet—up, as arek shared his story. that was our first camp. 11 years old, i was, 11 years old. that's auschwitz, yeah. and it's where we got our number on the arm. these are children who survived at auschwitz. | arek was one of those survivors. but the rest of his family, bar his older sister, never reached liberation. they were some of the six million jews killed in the holocaust. this week, arek met the prince of wales, who commissioned the project. this is my picture. i think it's fantastic. i felt we owed it to these remarkable people just to remember them in this way. there is something very special about the portrait, and about the artist's eye in bringing out the real underlying character, personality and meaning of the person who's sitting for the portrait. the connection between artists and survivors has been strong. the pictures reflect both loss and survival. these portraits go to the heart of their individuality and their humanity. what better way of rejecting that kind of philosophy that led to the holocaust, and honouring survivors, than this project? the reality is this extraordinary group of people are now growing smaller every year, but the power of their testimony forms a lasting memory. earlier, i spoke with holocaust surivor lily ebert, who was deported to auschwitz—birkenau in 19114. members of her family were killed at the camp, she surivived. lily and her great—grandson dov have been using social media to educate people about lily's experiences. i asked her how she stays so positive. to stay alive, we have to be positive. because if you give up life, you could not survive that. it's such strength that we hear in your voice, and you are 98 years young now, how important is it that you get your message across and how incredible it is that you're using this new media, social media, to get that message out there? it is very, very important, because that is the last woman who survived that camp, because in a few years time, from us of the survivors, no—one will be here. now we tell our stories, in a few years' time, it will be history. and therefore, we have to do everything what we can now that the world should never, ever forget the most terrible time in the whole world. i would just add to that that this year's holocaust memorial day theme is one day. and that for me is one day in the future where there is no more survivors like my incredible great—grandmother among us to teach us their important messages of tolerance, love and hope and to teach about the dangers of hatred. so, it will soon become my and our generation's and our generation's responsibility to share these stories and to remember them for the future. you mentioned the portraits earlier, lily is one of the seven survivors who has been painted as part of the portraits and it's a statement by the royal family that they would not allow something like the holocaust to be repeated or forgotten, and the whole of society will have to also take on that statement and say we won't allow the holocaust to be forgotten and we will bear witness. dov, you talk about the survivors, absolutely. lily, i wonder if i could ask you, when i was at auschwitz on the 70th anniversary of the liberation, i spoke to a survivor and the strength that you and people like her, the survivors, it's just overwhelming when we speak to you. when holocaust memorial day comes around, just explain to us how important it is for you to talk about it, given there are fewer of you, sadly, but it is wonderful to see you. it is very, very important. becausejust, you mentioned, in a few years' time, there will not be survivors. so it will get a history, like all the history, and therefore, because we are here, we have to talk about it, tell the biggest crime what happened in the 20th century was the holocaust. what happened for me and thousands of others, millions of other people. so we have to mention it as long as we can. you can watch that special documentary, survivors: portraits of the holocaust, on bbc two at 9pm tonight and afterwards on iplayer. astronomers in australia have discovered an unidentified spinning object unlike anything they've seen before. here you can see its position in the milky way. the mysterious, bright object, first seen in 2018 — releases an enormous burst of energy three times an hour, like clockwork, which astronomers say shouldn't be possible. they say they're still trying to understand what they've found. early theories are that it is a remnant of a collapsed star or an entirely new type of object. dr natasha hurley—walker, who led the investigation, said it was exciting. to find an entirely new class of object, that isjust incredible. in my life i've discovered a pulsar, radio galaxy. i've done huge surveys across the whole sky and found all sorts of interesting things. but they were all known types of objects. this is the first time i've found something completely unexpected that nobody even thought would be able to produce this kind of emission. now, the man behind the spice girls has launched his latest pop group, this time with the help of the social media sensation, tiktok. is this the future of music? well, simon fuller thinks so. he held auditions on the app to form the seven—piece band called the future x. tiktok has become an increasingly essential tool, launching the careers of stars like lil—nas—x and doja cat. taylor lorenz is the new york times' internet culture reporter. she's been following the band's formation. all of these creators were found i natively on tiktok through basically an online competition _ where you were able to submit your portfolio essentially. through a tiktok video. tiktok dominates - the charts these days. if something is popular on tiktok it's also popular on spotify. - and the way that tiktok has| reshaped the music industry cannot be overstated. you also see stars likej lil nas x and doja cat. it really is the go—to place . for online talent these days. record labels can go to tiktok to scout out talent, _ but certainly it has flip . the dynamics a little bit. you used to have to get signed to a record label in order- to connect with fans. now you canjust produce music in your bedroom, i you can rack up millions- of followers on tiktok and make music directly for them. so i think it definitely balances out the power a little bit - between the artist and the label. now, it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. good afternoon. last night was particularly windy but those winds are heavy easing and for the rest of today we will have a lot of dry weather. sunny spells and blustery showers across the northwest. some in northern scotland and a few of her tongue into northern ireland, northwest england north wales. elsewhere, clear skies into the latter part the afternoon. late brightness before the sun sets, once it sets, these temperatures then dropping fairly quickly. more cloud outward to the north and west. through tonight, under clear skies with relatively light winds, pockets of frost and fog forming across parts of england, wales and eastern scotland. even in the towns and cities, temperatures down to freezing, a cold night and below freezing, a cold night and below freezing in the countryside. milder towards the northwest because the next system approach from here, this high—pressure holding in for south. in pretty mild airfrom the southwest through friday with those winds rotating around that area of high pressure. chilly with pockets of mist and fog lingering in southern areas, turning milderfrom the west and northwest with rain it mainly for parts of scotland but is few splashes across northern england and wales. temperature is mild in the west, 11 degrees, and holding into single figures across parts of southern and eastern england. into the weekend, not much change in the set up, still high pressure towards the south and weather systems moving on from the north. into saturday, that frontal system brings rain initially to scotland, followed by wintry towers. of the rain peters out further south across england and wales, still quite mild in the south, 1a degrees, but turning colder from the north and you will notice on saturday it is a windy day, up to 60mph or more across the north of scotland. into sunday and the next low pressure brings more rain to scotland ireland. dryer further south and east to get into word temperatures around 8 degrees. covid restrictions are to be eased in care homes in england from monday. any number of family and friends will be able to visit, and the isolation time for those who contract covid will be cut from 1a to ten days. a real positive move, you know, breathing life back into the homes, allowing people to see their loved ones where they've felt certainly cut off. and from today, face coverings are no longer legally required in england, but some businesses will ask you to wear one. ministers say restrictions can be relaxed because of the success of the booster programme. also this lunchtime... russia's demand that ukraine should never be allowed to join nato is rejected by the us. prince andrew denies ever being a close friend of convicted sex trafficker ghislaine maxwell in a legal response to her suing him for alleged sexual assault.